subject: TAYLORMADE R9 Driver VS PING G15 Driver [print this page] TAYLORMADE R9 Driver VS PING G15 Driver TAYLORMADE R9 Driver VS PING G15 Driver
TAYLORMADE R9 Driver
TECH TALK: The movable weights and adjustable shaft in the standard model allow for 24 ball-flight settings. Supporting that flexibility is TaylorMade's inverted-cone face geometry (to extend the hottest area of the face) and a casting technique that creates walls that are just 0.55 millimeters thick.
PLAYER COMMENTS:
(M) "It's not as long as the 460, but deadly accurate. I would give up distance for accuracy any day." "This dog has more bite than bark. Had confidence I could hit it the minute I looked down at it."
(L) "They've made an awkward shape look classic and an adjustable hosel look good. It has a solid feel, no vibrations in the shaft on mis-hits." "(TaylorMade R9 Super Tri Driver)The softened triangle shape works. It's not overly big."
HOT: We're not sold on the need for a lot of adjustability, but we're sure TaylorMade does it better than anyone. Plus, the head sounds and feels like a war club whether or not you touch the wrench.
NOT: For the same price, the new R9 SuperTri seems to be a longer and smarter product.
PING G15 Driver
TECH TALK: The back edge's external sole weight pad is designed to increase off-center hit stability. But the hidden boost to MOI comes from a lighter shaft that shifts the balance point toward the grip yet still allows for a heavier head and an unchanged swingweight. The theory: More mass delivered to the ball at the same speed.
PLAYER COMMENTS:
(M) "This is like a big porterhouse steak. It's in front of you, and you're salivating because it's so meaty and satisfying, and there's no way you're sending it back." "It goes forever and is easy to hit." "There's something to be said for being understated. It has a crisp sound with a ball flight that doesn't balloon."
(L) "Very stout and strong at address." "Big head, but it's not overdone. Easy to look at.
HOT: In a world full of overstated cases, Ping just makes things that we want to use because they work. Like this club. Plus, Ping fits you better than anyone.
NOT: For some, the crown's alignment aid evokes Frito Bandito.
