High-Performance Steel Fairway Woods Feature More Adjustability for Maximum Performance
CARLSBAD, Calif. (December 13, 2011) – TaylorMade Golf Company is proud to unveil its most adjustable, high-performance fairway woods ever with the introduction of the new R11S and R11S TP. Similar to the new R11S driver, the white R11S fairway woods are classically shaped and incorporate Adjustable Sole Plate Technology (ASP) and a more versatile Flight Control Technology (FCT) sleeve for added adjustability. Together, these technology features allow for up to 24 different settings, promoting maximum performance and increased distance through tuning.
“It’s never been easier to tune performance in a fairway wood than with the new R11S,” said TaylorMade executive vice president Sean Toulon. “We’re confident that more golfers than ever before will unlock significant performance gains through a proper fitting and a few clicks of the wrench. The technologies we’ve incorporated into this clubhead are unparalleled.”
The enhanced adjustability is made possible via an improved FCT sleeve that allows the golfer to make an adjustment range of 3° of lie and 3° loft/6° face angle – a process routinely done in a tour van wherein a player will get the hosel of their club manually bent to optimize the correct launch angle. By using a provided torque wrench, golfers can obtain this same effect. The R11S fairways provide up to approximately 54 yards horizontal trajectory adjustment and 3° and 1500 rpm of launch condition change.
Returning to the 2012 line is ASP technology, which provides the ability to change the face angle of the fairway head independently in 3 settings from the FCT sleeve face angle setting. ASP technology allows the decoupling of loft and face angle by using a sole plate that can be adjusted for ±2° of face angle change. This change can be used to further accentuate a face angle or counter a negative face angle due to a sleeve adjustment.
Forward CG for High Launch, Low Spin Performance
R11S fairways employ pull-face construction to create a thin, light, fast clubface that promotes high ball speed. The crown and walls are made using our Ultra-Thin Wall (UTW) casting process to reach 0.6 mm at their thinnest point. The thin crown weighs less, and that weight is used to move the CG position forward. This forward location increases ball speed by reducing dynamic loft and creating better launch conditions. Though it’s slightly counterintuitive, we’ve found that rearward CG locations on fairways actually create a reverse vertical gear-effect, since impact dynamics are relative to the perpendicular of the head loft. This reverse vertical gear-effect produces a lower launch angle and higher spin-rate, which are undesirable because they reducing distance and overall playability.
Clubhead Size and Shape and Appearance
The face-depth of the R11S fairways is 36 mm to provide the optimum combination of face area, confidence and playability off turf. Increasing face-depth while maintaining ASP and FCT and achieving satisfactory sound is a major engineering feat.
The flat white crown color of the R11S fairways make them appear slightly (2%) larger due to its white crown color (See “Science of White” Tech Brief.) with a black PVD face provides the optimum contrast for more consistent alignment for all players. The crown color also eliminates the high intensity hot spot that is commonly found with all gloss finish metalwoods.
Shaft and Club Specs
R11S fairways are standard length (3-wood / 43.5”) and equipped with Aldila RIP Phenom 70 shaft, a 70-gram shaft designed with a medium-firm tip profile. RIP shafts incorporate reverse inter-laminar material layup to more stability at impact. This package delivers more distance and control without the harsh feel associated with some firmer tip shafts.
Shaft: RIP Phenom 70 shafts in X, S, R, and M flexes
Grip: TM FCT grip
Lofts: 14°, 15.5°, 17°, 19° and 22°.
Street price: $249
TP Shafts: RIP Phenom 80 in X, S, R plus 25 additional TP shaft choices
TP Street price: $349
