TaylorMade SpeedBlade irons review

These TaylorMade irons come with Speed Slot techology designed for higher ball speeds

TaylorMade SpeedBlade Irons
TaylorMade SpeedBlade Irons

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Golf Monthly Technical Editor Paul O'Hagan tests TaylorMade's SpeedBlade irons

Above, Golf Monthly Technical Editor Paul O'Hagan gives his TaylorMade SpeedBlade irons review.

The irons are designed to offer faster ball speeds, higher launch and improved feel.

They are designed to launch the ball with exceptional height and carry thanks to an advanced Speed Pocket, which was originally seen in the TaylorMade RockeBladez irons.

The SpeedBlade incorporates a handlebar shaped slot into the sole of the 3-7 irons enabling a large area of the face to flex and rebound at impact, thereby promoting increased ball speed and a high launch angle.

TaylorMade claims the new SpeedBlade 6-iron traveled almost ten yards farther and at peak, at a 4% higher trajectory than the TaylorMade Tour Burner 6-iron, which was originally launched in 2009.

This is important because TaylorMade research indicates that the average replacement cycle for irons among core golfers is 4.9 years.

Although the Speed Pocket technology is also a main feature in the RocketBladez, it has been improved for the SpeedBlade irons.

The Speed Pocket has been widened and lengthened; giving golfers more face area towards the heel and toe for added forgiveness.

The Speed Pocket polymer also provides vibration-dampening qualities. This creates a better feel and sound on impact with the ball.

TaylorMade iron engineers have tried to close the distance gap between a golfers longest iron and shortest wood in their bag by redistributed the weight to a lower central location.

This low centre of gravity promotes the most desirable launch conditions and delivers consistent gaps between every club.

The club head combines a two-tone satin nickel chrome plating with a dark smoke satin ion plating to give a striking look and also has progressive shaping throughout the set.

The shorter irons feature a slender topline and sole to create better feel and control, whilst the longer irons inspire confidence at address with an increased topline size.

The TaylorMade SpeedBlade irons will be available in eight-piece sets, the most popular being 4-AW (approach wedge), and are available with steel stiff, regular and senior shafts.

 

Nick Bonfield
Content Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, commissioning and feature writing. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x