If this is what I think it is..

[Wildrover]

Much as I hate them knocking new clubs out on a regular basis they are definitely at the forefront of pushing boundaries and so for that I guess they deserve some praise

They have to come out with some BS like the latest "Loft Up" tag line in order to sell this weeks latest driver.

 

[Allanxyz]

I'm looking forward to the one where your driver dispatches a small drone from its 1000cc head, which picks up your ball and dispatches it 450 yards down the middle... or just plops it in the hole if you pay for the "tour" version...

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Another thread slating Taylor Made ? Would never had imagined it and all because of some design drawings ?

 

[Jake O'Reilly]

Not another new TM driver... so unlike them to bring out new clubs frequently

I spoke to TaylorMade about its non-conforming projects at the JetSpeed launch and they sound very exciting. The idea being golfers who play maybe once or twice a year purely for fun can use the equipment to get around in less shots and therefore enjoy themselves more. Personally I can't see anything wrong with that, and think they'd be quite fun to try down at the range.

 

[In_The_Rough]

Are golfers that only play once or twice a year going to fork out for them though. Cannot imagine them being cheap.

 

[Hacker Khan]

Are golfers that only play once or twice a year going to fork out for them though. Cannot imagine them being cheap.

I think there's a big market out there, especially out of the UK, for people who want to have some fun on a golf course and not bother about winning amateur comps. I agree the twice a year golfers would not invest in something like this. But I expect there are many potential players who would want to play for fun and just want the equipment that makes the game as easy as possible.

Whether that's good for the long term of the game then chuff knows. Probably is for those who want to play causally, probably not for the majority on this board who take it very seriously and believe that as they had to learn properly by having lots of lessons and using blades form the 1970s then everyone else should.

 

[In_The_Rough]

If they are aimed at people who are not going to enter club comps and such then yes maybe they will sell a few, as been mentioned cannot see them being conforming. Hope that 1970's comment wasn't aimed at me as I was only born in 1979 and certainly did not start playing that young Anyway I still think it is a piece of kit that looks ghastly whoever it is aimed at.

 

[Wildrover]

So instead of Bifurcation between the pro tours and the handicap player, TM want to bring it in through the back door to separate the handicap player from the social golfer. Personally I think that bringing out deliberately non conforming clubs is dangerous for the sport, how many people will decide to use them and not bother with comps anymore, and if I'm not playing comps I may as well cancel my membership and be a nomadic player.

 

[GB72]

It would certainly be interesting to see the results if TM release a non conforming range. Would also like to see the reaction on the course.

Take an average 4 ball. All play to a similar standard but a couple of them only really play for fun and have no interest in competitions (my brother is like that). How do you react if they want to play for the usual fiver at the weekend but wants to use clubs that do not comply with current rules. Clearly it gives him an advantage so would you remain happy to play the fun round for money at the weekend on that basis.

The other fact is that using the clubs would be cheating. The regulations on what is and is not acceptable is set and using any non compliant club whether in competition or not is, technically, cheating. OK, in a friendly game when their use is agreed then no harm is done but is using a club that breaches the rules of golf any different to improving your lie in the rough, both make your shot easier than it would otherwise be.

Not having a go at TM as I am not convinced that they would be the only manufacturer to go down this route, but the cynic in me suggests that any attempt to release an non conforming club is a tacit attempt to force through a rule change. Get them out there, get people used to the idea and then press for a separation of rules between pro and amateur to allow them to be used legally.

 

[Wildrover]

It would certainly be interesting to see the results if TM release a non conforming range. Would also like to see the reaction on the course.

Take an average 4 ball. All play to a similar standard but a couple of them only really play for fun and have no interest in competitions (my brother is like that). How do you react if they want to play for the usual fiver at the weekend but wants to use clubs that do not comply with current rules. Clearly it gives him an advantage so would you remain happy to play the fun round for money at the weekend on that basis.

The other fact is that using the clubs would be cheating. The regulations on what is and is not acceptable is set and using any non compliant club whether in competition or not is, technically, cheating. OK, in a friendly game when their use is agreed then no harm is done but is using a club that breaches the rules of golf any different to improving your lie in the rough, both make your shot easier than it would otherwise be.

Not having a go at TM as I am not convinced that they would be the only manufacturer to go down this route, but the cynic in me suggests that any attempt to release an non conforming club is a tacit attempt to force through a rule change. Get them out there, get people used to the idea and then press for a separation of rules between pro and amateur to allow them to be used legally.

Agree 100%

 

[cookelad]

Looks awfully expensive for the 3 rounds a year golfer!

I don't like the idea of a manufacturer making a "non-conforming range" as it's just another thing to police as has probably been said on here 1,000,001 times already 99%* of golfers are honest and intend to play to the rules but there's still that 1%* of people actively ch$%ting, and having a driver that can be hit better than a conforming driver might be too much temptation to leave it at home on comp days.

(NB - I have no proof that 1% of golfers actively ch$%t or that 99% don't)

 

[USER1999]

Non conforming drivers have been on sale in Hong Kong for years, many around the 700 pound price tag too. There is a market, and tm aren't the first to see it.

 

[6inchcup]

I think there's a big market out there, especially out of the UK, for people who want to have some fun on a golf course and not bother about winning amateur comps. I agree the twice a year golfers would not invest in something like this. But I expect there are many potential players who would want to play for fun and just want the equipment that makes the game as easy as possible.

Whether that's good for the long term of the game then chuff knows. Probably is for those who want to play causally, probably not for the majority on this board who take it very seriously and believe that as they had to learn properly by having lots of lessons and using blades form the 1970s then everyone else should.

YES!!! everyone should by law have to start of with a missmatched half set of clubs from various decades all blades some shiny some rust but all filthy and a pencil bag that has the wrong strap held together with a bit of twine and a semi round ball (make unknown) they can only play on rubbish muni courses and the only practice they have is a few hits on the local school field,after 3 years of getting sore hands and a groove in the shoulder were the twine has cut into you can you call yourself a golfer.