The adjustable driver has been around for awhile, and every major manufacturer has embraced the technology, at least to some degree. TaylorMade has been committed to adjustable drivers and moveable weight technology since 2004, but the benefit of adjustability has been lost to a vast number of golfers who have no desire to delve into the complexities of tinkering with loft, lie, face angle and weighting. Taken to its extreme, adjustability for the average golfer may seem just a bit gimmicky. For those who haven’t embraced the adjustability craze, and just as importantly, for those who have, the new TaylorMade SLDR (“Slider”) Driver offers quick and easy adjustability that just about anyone can understand—and from which everyone can benefit.
The SLDR has a weight track running from the heel to the toe near the front of the sole that can be moved into one of 21 positions for more or less draw or fade bias. The beauty of the design is in its simplicity. Using the included torque wrench, you merely twist to unlock, slide the weight into the desired position, and twist to lock in place. It takes about 15 seconds, so you can tweak your settings on the range every time out, if that’s your desire, or you can simply set it and forget it. Either way, the slider weight makes it incredibly easy to adjust for right to left or left to right bias. Whether you do so to enhance your preferred ball flight, or to correct your errant tendencies, the SLDR is simple and intuitive.
The adjustments to weight are made with the same wrench used to adjust the loft. The SLDR features TM’s Loft Sleeve technology allowing 3 degrees of adjustment (1.5°+/-) to the four available stock lofts of 8, 9, 10.5 and 12 degrees. The club head is 460cc, which is larger than some tour models available in other drivers, but players might note that some 20 Tour pros have already bagged the SLDR in its first 2 weeks of availability.
The weight track is not really new. Mizuno offered a similar system years ago. The difference, and it's a big one, is that the Slider weight and track is placed forward in the sole, near the face. This is designed to deliver optimal CG. A low and forward CG promotes faster ball speeds, higher launch, more forgiveness and lower spin, all keys to adding distance to your tee ball. Moving the CG low and forward has the further effect of moving your sweet spot lower in the club face, which is more in line with where most golfers strike the ball.
As for aesthetics, the club head is a dark gray with minimal, subtle graphics and has a classic pear shape. It comes equipped with a stock Fujikura Speeder 57 shaft and is also available in a Women's SLDR and TP SLDR versions. Order yours today from DGW for delivery beginning August 9, 2013.
