Taylormade R5 D or N

I have a handicap of 15 and play pretty consistently, although I have a natural fade. Using my driver accentuates my fade increasing it to a slice more often than not. I bought a Taylormade R5 Draw driver which is meant to correct this problem. In a word (or three), 'it didn't work'. In fact it made it much worse. I just couldn't get on with the closed face and off centre bias in the heel of the club. I have read several reviews on this club (since buying it), and all but one are generally in favour of it not working as it should. i.e (gimmick)
However, I am a big Taylormade fan, and due to the quality of the club, I replaced it for a R5 Neutral. 'WOW' what a club. Enough said !
So tip of the moment. If you have a problem with your swing, fix your swing. Don't buy a club that promises miracles.

Now I'm just waiting for all you R5 D users to correct me.

I agree that you must fix your swing to fix a slice. The problem is that most think that a lsice is caused by an open face at impact. THe biggest culprit of a slice is an outside-in siwing path. Once you get a square swing and a straigth drive, you will find that the draw weighted club, the ball flight will be a draw.

Gord, you've hit the nail on the head. In other words, you've stated the outside to in swing path. This is my natural swing, and although it doesn't cause me major probems, I do lose distance as a result of fading the ball. Have you any tips for correcting the out to in swing.
For reference, I generally have a strong grip, good stance, correct alignment. I just feel it's my distance from the ball or something to do with my take-off / backswing.

Cheers.

You can build youself an inside approach. A home made version of this can be done as easy as using a carboard box. Place the box parallel with your target line, leaving just enough room for your clubhead to move along the target line in the impact zone. If you hit the box, you are coming from the outside.

Who said "simplicity is the key". Oh yes it was me!

Thanks. I'll practice in the garden.

I'm glad to hear I made the right decision. I just bought my R5 N one week ago. I got to play with it and boy did it help!!! I love this club. I think I did make one mistake though, I got a 10.5 instead of 9.5. I'm used to hitting my TI Bubble2 that I had forever and I didn't realize hos low I was hitting on that club. Something about that compared to the new R5 has me hitting the R5 way too high. Still getting 270 out of it regularly so it's not the end of the world. But I wouldn't mind hitting it just a bit further.

Asmodius, I have the 9.5 because I also hit a high ball. A friend told me recently that they had read an article which stated that the optimum degree driver for most amateurs is 15. I believe it is something to do with height = distance, etc.. However, I know that if I used a 15 degree loft, I would be playing my next shot 10ft further back. But!, on this point, a 10.5 degree is not likely to be costing you any distance.

You mentioned that you had your previous club for some time. I'm speculating that the club head is considerably smaller than the R5 N 450cc. If this is the case, you may be teeing the ball up too high trying to compensate for the larger head. I regularly see golfers using astronomical tees, and it looks like the ball is on the 'Eiffel Tower'. Try lowering your tee. I generally use a white castle tee and this is despite floating the club head. Mind you, 270yds regularly is good enough for anyone so don't change too many things.

I agree also that the R5 N is a fantastic club. It has made all the difference to my driving. I'm just trying to build up the confidence to have a 'crack' of the fairway with it. Good golfing !!

It's funny you should say that. My last club was definitely considerably smaller. I bought larger tees the same day I bought the club thinking I would need them. I will try the lower tees and see if that gives me a better trajectory. I'm not so worried about the distance so much as the wind. I lost a number of shots in a windy course recently because of the height. Thanks!! Good golfing to you..

in my opinion, there are many good drivers on the market

my old fade is still ther, but i improvise, easiest way is to take the club back and touch the back of your right shoulder with the shaft, this way it wont be an in to out path, and after some time, you will develop a draw, but will still be able to fade the ball on those nasty dogleg rights !!

if you r determined for the r5, i suggest the n, because you wont lose distance, my mate bought the d and lost 25 yards, & he hits it 320 with my driver

so dont be fooled by this draw bias rubbish, if you want to eliminate slice, try my tactic, if that fails, then ermm, buy an offset club!!

L8RZ
Jamie

__________________
Cobra 400 sz 9* w/ Aldila NV XS (300= )

Cobra sz 3 Wood w/ Aldila NV XS

Cobra Baffler 2/XS

Cleveland TA6 3-9 w/ True Temper DG X100

Titleist SM Vokey PW, SW & LW

Rossa Monza Corza w/ Aldila NVS (i found the shaft n it looks awesome )

POWAKADDY (i no im lazy, specially @ 15 )

I have the R5 N as well. To respond to all the posts at once:

- the R5 D WILL NOT FIX YOUR SLICE. Period. No club will.

- I have an 8.5 and still hit it very high. I'm tall (6'3), maybe that has something to do with it?

- I think you SHOULD use a really high tee - with today's drivers, you should be hitting the ball up high on the clubface to get the most out of the club.

And I also think this thing is absolutely awesome. TaylorMade makes the best drivers, hands down.

that is probably true, cobras are huge, but the tm's are controllable and long, but who cares with wide fairways like at my golf club, shame i got a rubbish shot game


and like he said, nothing apart from lessons or improvisation will EVER cure your slice

L8RZ
Jamie