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Equipment

TaylorMade Introduces r7 CGB MAX Limited Driver

CARLSBAD, Calif. (January 17, 2008) – The TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company has introduced the r7 CGB MAX Limited, an advanced new driver engineered to flawlessly deliver the next level of driver adjustability by incorporating, into one club, TaylorMade® Movable Weight Technology™ (MWT™) and TaylorMade SelectFit Technology. With nine changeable weights and three changeable shafts included, the r7 CGB MAX Limited offers an astounding range of launch conditions.

TaylorMade has been the leader in golf club adjustability since 2004 when the company launched the revolutionary r7 quad driver, the first golf club to incorporate Movable Weight Technology. Since then TaylorMade has developed a variety of clubs with MWT including drivers, fairway woods, Rescue® hybrids and putters.

“Because different shafts promote different launch conditions, TaylorMade SelectFit Technology gives golfers the power to customize the driver and optimize the character of their shots by changing shafts,” said Sean Toulon, TaylorMade’s Executive Vice President, Innovation and Product Creation. “When you combine that with the shot-changing influence of TaylorMade’s Movable Weight Technology, you’ll find that the r7 CGB MAX Limited gives you more control over the shape and trajectory of your shots than any other driver.”

The r7 CGB MAX Limited is a “Tour Van in a Box” that allows golfers to enjoy a customization experience similar to that offered to TaylorMade’s Tour Staff professionals, which has helped make TaylorMade the #1 Driver on Tour since 2001. The r7 CGB MAX Limited kit comes in a beautifully designed box and includes a newly-developed titanium clubhead with three movable weight ports; three shafts, with distinctly different launch properties; two shaft-securing bolts; one 40 inch-pound torque wrench; nine movable weights and one headcover.

Each of the high-end, tour-proven shafts that come with the r7 CGB MAX Limited driver feature a distinctively different design to deliver a distinctly different type of performance. TaylorMade SelectFit Technology was developed to give golfers the ability to easily use these different shafts with the same clubhead. The shafts are secured to the clubhead with a single bolt, using the specially designed r7 CGB MAX Limited torque wrench.

The Fujikura® Rombax® shaft is standard-weight (75 grams) with a medium-firm tip, and is engineered to deliver low spin and a medium launch angle. It features Fujikura’s renowned Rombax technology for increased stability and consistency.

The Mitsubishi® Diamana® White Board is lightweight (65 grams) with a firm tip and mid-section, and a softer butt-section. It’s engineered to deliver exceptional stability through impact, reduced spin, a lower launch angle and excellent feel.

The Matrix Ozik XCon is ultra-light (55 grams) with a medium-soft tip, and is engineered to deliver added kick through impact and to promote a high launch angle and low spin-rate. It incorporates Matrix X-Axis Control to lower torque and increase stability.

In general, heavier shafts promote increased accuracy and control for players with high swing speeds, while lighter shafts promote faster swing speed for increased distance. Firm-tipped shafts can help aggressive swingers to attain a lower ball flight and discourage a right-to-left trajectory, both of which promote added control and accuracy. Medium- and softer-tipped shafts can help smoother swingers launch the ball on a higher trajectory.

“Within minutes, players can change shafts depending on the time of year, the state of their swing, weather or course conditions, or any other reason they feel will best serve their game,” said Toulon. “What’s critical is that TaylorMade SelectFit Technology gives them an easy and reliable way to switch from one shaft to another.”

The r7 CGB MAX Limited also features TaylorMade’s Movable Weight Technology (MWT), with three weight ports in the clubhead and a selection of nine weights – two 1-gram, a 4-gram, a 6-gram, an 8-gram, a 10-gram, a 12-gram, a 14-gram and a 16-gram – to provide a wide range of center of gravity (CG) locations to promote a variety of different shot shapes. TaylorMade testing indicates that the r7 CGB MAX Limited’s Movable Weight Technology makes possible more than 6 millimeters of CG movement between the heel and toe, and it promotes up to 33 yards of trajectory change from side to side. Additionally, the multitude of launch condition options made possible by the broad array of included weights, combined with the choice of three shafts, makes it easier than ever for golfers to dial in longer and more accurate tee shots. The nine included weights allow for 357 CG locations. When you multiply that by three shafts, the result is an astonishing 1,071 possible sets of launch conditions.

The large titanium clubhead is triangular-shaped and deep-faced, and is slightly more rounded and traditionally shaped than the original r7 CGB MAX driver head. With an address footprint that is substantial and reassuring, the r7 CGB MAX Limited features an exceptionally deep-back CG location that makes it easy to launch the ball high and long. On the inside, the inner side of the clubface features TaylorMade’s Inverted Cone Technology (ICT), which expands the area of the clubface that delivers faster ball speed, equaling more distance on off-center hits.

The new gray and black New Decade™ grip is made by Golf Pride for TaylorMade. The highly protective headcover incorporates a secure magnetic enclosure.

The r7 CGB MAX Limited driver and all that comes with it will be available at TaylorMade’s retail partners in April at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $999.

r7® CGB MAX Limited driver FAQs

At what type of player is the r7 CGB MAX Limited driver targeted?
The r7 CGB MAX Limited driver is targeted at any player who wants the next level of TaylorMade® adjustability. The r7 CGB MAX Limited incorporates TaylorMade SelectFit Technology, which allows players to change between three tour-proven shafts; and TaylorMade Movable Weight Technology, which allows players to change the clubhead’s CG location to affect different launch conditions.

Does the r7 CGB MAX Limited share the same clubhead as the previous r7 CGB MAX launched last fall?
No. While the r7 CGB MAX clubhead has a distinctly triangular shape, the r7 CGB MAX Limited clubhead is slightly more rounded and traditionally shaped. r7 CGB MAX Limited boasts a substantial address footprint and deep-in-back CG location that makes it easy to launch the ball high and long.

Does the r7 CGB MAX Limited employ TaylorMade’s Inverted Cone clubface technology?
Yes, like all TaylorMade drivers and many TaylorMade irons, the r7 CGB MAX Limited driver incorporates our Inverted Cone Technology, which makes it more forgiving on off-center hits by expanding the size of the area of the clubface that delivers high COR / fast ball speed.

What accessories come with the r7 CGB MAX Limited driver?

  • Nine MWT weights: two 1-gram, a 4-gram, a 6-gram, an 8-gram, a 10-gram, a 12-gram, a 14-gram and a 16-gram.
  • Three tour-proven shafts: Fujikura® Rombax® (75 grams), Mitsubishi® Diamana® White Board (65 grams) and Matrix Ozik XCon (55 grams).
  • Red-colored TaylorMade r7 CGB MAX Limited torque wrench that delivers 40 inch-pounds of torque and is used to modify interchangeable shafts and Movable Weight cartridges.
  • State-of-the-art magnetic-enclosure headcover.

What’s the advantage of being able to change the shaft?
Each shaft can promote a different type of performance. The r7 CGB MAX Limited driver gives players the option to choose a shaft according to the state of their swing, the course conditions, the weather, whether they’ve been playing a lot or are coming off a long lay-off, etc. It’s a tremendous benefit to have at your disposal.

Can you change anything besides the shaft and the CG location in the clubhead?
Yes, the range of differently weighted MWT weights that come with the r7 CGB MAX Limited give you the ability to change the club’s launch conditions and swingweight.

How many different launch conditions are possible with the r7 CGB MAX Limited?
The nine included weights allow for 357 CG locations. When you multiply that by three shafts, the result is a staggering 1,071 possible sets of launch conditions.

How much can you affect shot direction with the r7 CGB MAX Limited’s Movable Weight Technology?
TaylorMade testing indicates that the r7 CGB MAX Limited’s MWT makes possible more than 6 millimeters of CG movement between the heel and toe, and promotes up to 33 yards of trajectory change from side to side.

Can you use any TaylorMade MWT torque wrench to install a different shaft onto the r7 CGB MAX Limited clubhead?
No, you must use the red TaylorMade r7 CGB MAX Limited torque wrench, which comes with the r7 CGB MAX Limited driver, to install a different shaft onto the clubhead. That’s because the red r7 CGB MAX Limited torque wrench delivers 40 inch-pounds of torque, which is necessary to attach the clubhead securely to the shaft. Standard r7 torque wrenches deliver only 30 inch-pounds of torque, which is enough to securely install MWT weights into the clubhead, but not to secure a shaft and the clubhead together.

Search for the R7 CGB Max Limited Driver on eBay

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Discussion

11 comments for “TaylorMade Introduces r7 CGB MAX Limited Driver”

  1. While technology is a great thing, the price for this driver is quite prohibitive. Numbers of rounds played and retail sales were down industry wide by 20% in 2007 which is indicative of an industry wide slow down, I can imagine that 2008 will have even more fall off due to rising retail pricing. I wonder what the price percentage difference is between Taylor Made’s best selling driver for 2006, 2007 and this model.

    Thanks for taking the time to read this posting.

    Posted by Sam Huff Jr | January 17, 2008, 7:42 pm
  2. Sam,

    I agree that the price of equipment has become a little crazy in some cases. However, this ‘package’, being limited edition, sold in some fancy case, seems to be geared toward collectors, or to those people who carry a couple grand around as pocket change. With the three included shafts, and ability to swap them out without the help of a club maker…it definitely is a pretty interesting package. For those of us looking to save some money, there are less expensive options out there to be sure (check out the GRIP driver review). Even TaylorMade has a reasonably priced driver (the burner).

    Thanks for the comment Sam!

    -Sean

    Posted by DeepRough | January 18, 2008, 7:21 am
  3. Very interesting. I think I “need” this driver. :-)
    Do know what the price will be?

    Posted by Golfer | January 19, 2008, 10:40 am
  4. 1099 dollar is the suggested price according to golfwrx.com.

    Posted by Golfer | January 19, 2008, 4:52 pm
  5. According to this press release, $999:

    The r7 CGB MAX Limited driver and all that comes with it will be available at TaylorMade’s retail partners in April at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $999.

    Posted by Sean @ Deep Rough | January 19, 2008, 5:36 pm
  6. I currently own a TM R7 Superquad with a Fujikura Tour Vista Series 60 shaft; love the set up! First of all, the reason they have professional fitters is to do just that, fit you properly. According to this posting, the Limited edition can have a whopping 1,017 possible combinations! Good luck finding the “right” set up for your game. For $1000, I’d say get the Superquad, get fitted and then get several lessons to improve your swing. I love TaylorMade, and they truly have pushed the driver technology to the limit with this product…the limit of sanity! Anyone who buys this product either desperately needs help with their game…or just plain INSANE!

    Posted by John B | January 20, 2008, 4:24 am
  7. john, I think it goes to the old adage…more money than sense ;)

    Posted by DeepRough | January 20, 2008, 8:13 am
  8. I feel like this could turn out to be a marketing blunder for TaylorMade. Unless there’s something I’m not seeing, at least initially, the only way to buy into TaylorMade’s interchangeable system is shell out $1000. I have a couple of problems with this approach.

    First, Callaway (TM’s biggest competitor in the interchangeable arena) isn’t forcing a three shaft package, instead they’re allowing the the consumer to buy 1 head and 1 shaft.

    Second, with a huge industry push towards custom fitting in the last couple of years (of which TaylorMade has been a big part - this technology started out in a fitting cart), the idea that you have to buy 3 shafts, and they have to be these three shafts, is kind of ridiculous.

    I consider myself a TaylorMade guy, and as much as I like the idea of an interchangeable system (impractical as it may be), there’s no way I’m on board until I have some actual choice.

    As much as it pains me to admit, Callaway with their multiple heads, and actual shaft options is, at least for now, a better choice for those of us crazy enough to believe we need this sort of thing.

    Posted by Tony C | March 8, 2008, 1:20 pm
  9. Tony,

    Very good points. I assume this first $1000 entry by TaylorMade was just a ‘test’ to see what the higher end of the market would think. This seems more like a collectors item than a main stream product at this point.

    I would assume if it does half decent, TaylorMade would offer something similar to the iMix system. Would be nice to see all the major OEMs agree on one ’standard’…but I guess that wouldn’t make much business sense!

    The problem I see with Callaway at this point is that some of the shaft options are ridiculously priced, often times $100 over the retail price for a ‘normal’ shaft without the little thread that makes it an iMix shaft.

    Long term, I think it may make sense in that you can buy a couple of these iMix shafts once, and then re-use for years to come.

    In the end though, the cheapest option would be to visit a club fitter who sets you up a head/shaft combination that best fits your swing…and stick with that for a few years! Crazy..I know!

    Posted by Sean | March 9, 2008, 10:08 am

Trackbacks

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    Posted by Review: TaylorMade Tour Burner » The Deep Rough | May 30, 2008, 8:16 am

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