TaylorMade r7 460 Driver Golf Club

When it comes to the tee ball, TaylorMade leads, it does not follow. The 300 series driver was #1 on tour in 2000 and 2001 and TaylorMade followed with the successful r500. More recently the r5 and the r7 quad have been found worldwide in the bags of Tour professionals and amateurs alike.

While it is rare to see a new driver accepted so quickly by tour players, the new r7 425 was in the bag of nine players at the season-opening Mercedes Championship. Even with the new Nike SasQuatch and the highly anticipated rollout of the Titleist 905R, the new r7 still seems to be the talk of the industry.

I've been using a Titleist 983K and then a 905S for years, and I've come to appreciate the traditional pear-shaped design and playability in the Titleist drivers. I've spent a few months with the r7 425 as well as the larger r7 460. For $399 a pop, one would expect a solid club with excellent performance. Read on to find out if that's what we foun
While the size change from the r7 Quad to 425 is relatively minor, there are a few other changes that stand out in this revision. First are the changes to the Movable Weight Technology (MWT). While MWT is not an addition to the r7 line, TaylorMade has moved the TLC ports further apart in the 425, increasing not only stability but the forgiveness of the driver. If you are stepping up and playing the TP version (and ponying up the extra $400), it comes with 12 movable weights, providing even more flexibility and options. The r7 460 has two movable weights, one each towards the toe and heel of the head.

The next big change is the introduction of a Fujikura REAX shaft. To explain the new shaft, I'll defer to our resident industry expert Donald MacKenzie and a previous column when he scooped the info on the new r7s before everyone else. Don says about the REAX shaft:

There is an area of the midsection of the shaft that is reinforced by two high-grade woven graphite strands. Meanwhile, the r7 425 TP version will have a different REAX shaft with Fujikura's Rombax technology, which stretches the entire length of the shaft. Both versions of the REAX shaft are designed to help keep the shaft from deforming - and losing energy - during the swing.

Last, there is a change in the weight dispersion and thus the neutral center of gravity. TaylorMade employed the use of "Ultra-Thin Wall Technology," which allowed the walls of the clubhead to be reduced to 0.6 mm. This is a 25% decrease over the wall size in the r7 Quad and, according to TaylorMade, "saves critical weight." Not only did it lower the center of gravity, but it also allowed TaylorMade to increase the size of the head and build up the TLC ports while more traditional drivers can't spare the weight.

TaylorMade did a great job in the design of the new r7. There is a yellow stripe along the back ridge of the club. The outer movable weight chambers are grooved into the bottom of the club like they were shot into it with a high-powered rifle. Again, the style is very similar to the old r7 Quad, but has a much more sleek and new-age look. While the Quad always struck me as a bit "bubbled" on top, TaylorMade got the 425 and 460 right. These are confidence-inspiring, sleek-looking clubs.
From the top, the driver has a nice, clean black look to it. Again, from this perspective you don't have the bubbly, odd-looking top of the r7 Quad. Though I typically prefer the pear-shaped drivers like the Titleist 905S, the TaylorMade r7 425 features more of a c

A month ago I purchased a practically new Taylormade TP 460 9.5 deg driver, with a Fujikura TP65 Rombax REAX graphite shaft in X-flex. I had been watching Ebay for 6 mos looking for the right club & right price. This was it! I had previously been using a Taylormade R7 TP Quad 400cc w/ a Fujikura Speeder 757 graphite shaft (X). This is a great club and shaft, but when your swing isn't dialed, the R7 Quad isn't the most forgiving club, plus I wanted something a little lighter with a higher trajectory for more carry/launch ability. The TP 460 is EXACTLY that! The larger 460cc head on the TP 460 is much more forgiving on misshits, and actually much more sensitive to the MWT (Movable Weight Technology) placements. I found that having the weights in a nuetral/balanced configuration offered the best results for me. I can use my R7 weight kit for both clubs, which is EXTREMELY advantageous when needing to adjust my club for swingweight. The golf swing is an ever changing "life form", and some days you may just "feel" like adding some weight to your driver to have a smoother rhythm and tempo. Other days, your back might be ailing and a lighter club will allow for more distance with a slower swing. The lighter shaft of the TP 460 (65g) allows me more clubhead speed, ball carry, and launch/trajectory (hence more distance & ability to blast over trees, creeks, & water hazards). Golf has evolved into a power game, & to remain competitive with the younger guys, you have to give yourself a chance to score. Distance will do that - and I think the latest ball and driver technology has actually narrowed the power gap amoungst strong young players, and older guys like myself. Not that I'm old at 41, but I have definitely noticed more restriction in my swing strength and back flexibility. I used to only drive the ball 250 yds before the Titanium drivers came out in the early 90's, then all of the sudden I was hitting it 300 yds consistantly. Then when I turned 40, I started noticing that it started to drop back to 270 - 280, and that's with the latest and greatest in ball technology. So switching to a 460cc head & lighter shaft has regained my distance off the tee, & my scoring has improved. If I can keep it in the fairway & long off the tee, give myself a short to mid-iron into the green, and give myself a chance for birdie or a tap in par, this game seems easy! The Taylormade R7 TP 460 driver w/ the Fujikura REAX Rombax shaft, was an absolute STEAL at $130.00!!!! I've tried the Diamana and EPIC shafts, and although great shafts, hardly worth the cost (IMO), with no noticeable improvement. My suggestion is to join a golf forum and get educated on how technology can achieve what you're looking for. Just because you switch to a certain brand shaft or club doesn't mean it will achieve what you're seeking. It was the larger 460cc head & lighter shaft that allowed me to get a higher launch, more distance, & more forgiving club. It was very confusing and tricky figuring this out, since my swingspeed dictates an X-flex shaft. An X-flex shaft will generally produce a lower trajectory, so it was totally awesome when I discovered that the lighter shafts will produce a higher trajectory, more clubhead speed of course, and more distance. For $130 in this club, I achieved what many people are spending $400 - $800 to find out. I'm going to keep my R7 TP Quad, since it's nowhere near worth the $800 I paid for it in 2005, plus it will be good to use on windy days.

I am a mid handicap golfer I play a round in the mid eighties or nineties.

A friend purchased an R7 460 10.5 degree loft with a UST V2 Regular flex shaft. I used his club rather than my own for the last couple of rounds.

The UST V2 66 gram shaft is fitted to this club - in Regular flex. It feels really quite good despite my preferences for a faster shaft.

Recently I even tested a Titleist 905R 9.5 degree from the pro shop with a slightly heavier UST V2 stiff flex shaft in direct comparison for 9 holes!

The Titleist lacked the crisp feel of the R7 460. The Titleist is nice and straight, but its shorter off the tee in comparison to the R7 460 which is equally straight or better.

I ordered mine with the same shaft but in a stiff flex, from a reputable e bay seller with a store and large amount of positive feedback.

I really like the slightly off the sweet spot contact results from the R7 460, even they fly straight or produce a slight toe draw way down the fairway. Very satisfying, and flatters your game and score card.

Distance is never a problem with this club and it is helped by size of that club head, indeed it encourages you to use more power swinging this club. It is easy to hit.

10.5 degree loft certainly promotes a high trajectory flight and surprisingly that also means more distance.

At first glance I felt that the huge size of this club would make it slow through the air but that is not the case. I've hit it to the back of my local driving range - a long way in metres too!

My accuracy is the thing most effected by this driver, it's straight / slight draw and predictable. That's not to say you can't mishit the thing, you can top-it or cut-it, but it is rare! My score is also better, especially when you play your second shots with your mid & short irons!

..... of course now I also need a new technology putter to replace my old Bulls-Eye!

What I liked:
The feel it gives - Sharp contact
The sound it makes - baseball bat loud
Off centre hits - That toey draw
The confidence it gives - I now aim for particular spots
The accuracy - I can often hit those spots!
The length - Those spots are pretty ambitious!

Annoyed by:
10.5 degree elevator on a windy day.

My advice: Try One!

My current Driver is a TaylorMade 580 XD. I wanted to upgrade my technology per my driver club. Therefore, I made the purchase of this item several weeks ago and I am partial to TaylorMade Drivers. As a result, I tend to purchase these items and I have had better outcomes on my golf game. This equipment is user-friendly in hitting balls and it is a very attractive club. I tend to hit this driver straight, I have better control of the ball and the ball tend to go farther. The company markets this brand and you see more professional golfers using this product-line. Based on my previous successful in using this equipment, I would highly recommend and support the use of TaylorMade Drivers. Thanks for your inquiry.

TaylorMade has moved up from 425 to 460cc's of forgiveness with the R7 460. It's no panacea for everything that's wrong at the tee box, but it tries it's best!
My decision was based on a "Demo Day" at a local public golf course. I demo'd Calloway FT-3, Ping G5, Nike Sasquatch and Taylormade r7 460 Drivers. With my old driver I would get 200 to 230 usually of the tee on a flat fairway in the sweet spot. I consistently drove 215- 250 with the R7 460 when in the sweet spot. My off center shots would go 200- 210, About as far as my regular drives with my old driver. The Ping G5 ( which I demo'd first) gave me close to the same distance. I was down 5-10 yards with the FT-3 and Sasquatch.
Everyone hits clubs different. My advice is to get the time to go to a demo day and try them yourself. Some of those guys can be a little pushy to make a sale, but most of them are very helpful and informative.
As you can see I demo'd them there and came to ebay for a bargain price. I've been using that driver for a couple of months now and am completely satisfied with it.
Next up some new irons! (Ping G5's or Raptures)