Taylormade, the #1 driver in golf, is at it again! The new SLDR (Slider) driver appeared on the USGA’s Conforming Driver list on Monday and has made it’s debut on the PGA Tour at the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois. The driver is also being tested by players at this week’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Castle Stuart Golf Links.
From the photos we’re featuring, the SLDR driver has a weight on the sole which slides inside a rail that goes from the heel to the toe, giving golfers the ability to create a draw or fade bias. This is basically a simplification of Taylormade’s movable-weight system, where the weights had to be screwed into the club head in the R9, R11S and current R1 models. It’s also interesting to note that the 460cc SLDR driver head has a black crown – until the recent release of the R1 Black, Taylormade woods has been exclusively white-crowned since the R11 was introduced in 2011. The hosel will still allow golfers to adjust the driver’s loft though, which is similar to the systems used in current Taylormade drivers.
The pros have already been testing the new SLDR driver, including Darren Clarke, Martin Laird and Boo Weekley. Weekley even said the driver was “more forgiving” than the R1 and he also mentioned picking up additional ball speed. If the SLDR gets released before the end of hte year, it would be Taylormade’s fourth driver offering in 2013, joining the R1, RBZ Stage 2 and R1 Black. The sliding technology kind of reminds us of Mizuno Golf’s Fast Track system offered in their drivers from a while ago – take a look at some of the photo below and tell us what you think!
Source: Taylormade Golf
