Martin Hopley
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The TaylorMade R11S driver is a refined version of the previous R11 driver. The key changes are the adjustable hosel that now has an extra 0.5 degrees of loft either way and the adjsutable sole plate that now has 5 lie options instead of 3.

The extra degree on the loft range is a good development and enables a more noticeable change in flight performance. The extra options on the sole plate are also welcome and something we suggested was required when the R11 was launched, so we are glad they have taken our suggestion on board!

The sole plate also seems more 'exposed' on the sole of the driver so it seems to have more influence on the lie angle of the R11S. However you have to put the club down first and then grip it in its new lie angle before you get the benefit of this feature and we are also not convinced by the theory behind the sole plate affecting ball flight as it is just changing the angle at which you grip the club.

At address the R11S driver looks excellent with a nice rounded head and the white colour scheme that TaylorMade have almost trademarked does help you line up easily. The sound and feel are very good and together with the adjustable options in the hosel and the head weights you should be able to get a set up that gets the trajectory and distance you require.

Finally TaylorMade have put a decent shaft in a standard driver and the Phenom version of the excellent Aldila RIP shaft performs very well and just stays on the right side of being too long at 45.75 inches.

Compared to the RocketBallz Tour, the R11S Driver is cheaper, looks better, sounds better and has a better shaft so better players should go for this. And ignore the sole plate.

Golfalot Rating: 5 stars
Overall Rating - 5 stars:
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TaylorMade R11S Driver - Product Details

UK Launch03 February 2012
USA Launch03 February 2012
Handicap Range
Low
High
GolferMens
Hand AvailabilityLeft, Right
Left Handed Lofts9°, 10.5°
Right Handed Lofts9°, 10.5°, 12°
MaterialTitanium
Shaft TypesGraphite
Shaft FlexX Stiff, Stiff, Regular, Light
Manufacturer's WebsiteTaylorMade Website

User Reviews

Nate Wilson
March 2018

As a golfer that is long off of the tee, I can spot big differences in drivers quickly. A name, price or model doesn't necessarily reflect the performance. I have had a TM 360ti that I could go 320 with and a R7 that wouldn't get out of the box. This driver is a good piece of work. Although I don't "adjust" a club after it is where it needs to be, I still like this one. I consistently get 315 yards or more (yes I know everyone hits 300+ and then I play them and they are the average 225 guys). Not even about the length but the effortless way of doing it. With a 120mph swing speed the club works well and seems to pop. I like it Tried most on the market and some are good some are bad. This is a good club.

Alan
September 2017

I found this driver to be the most helpful with my drives. Before with my old Wilson driver I found myself curving out to the right every time. With the adjustment on the R-11s I was able to fix that problem and for the most part I'm driving down the centre.

January 2017

I have never been one to "tweak" my clubs, that is until now. Taylormade hit a homerun with this driver in my opinion. Heading to the range and making adjustments to adapt to my swing is easy. Some would say it's better to work on the swing rather than compensate with technology, and while I do agree with that to some extent, having the club react the way I want is also a big help to my game.

On top of that this club is GORGEOUS. The white head was very easy to get used to and looks great at address. And when I hit the sweet spot the sound is like no other. I have been gaming this club for some time now, and I have no intention of changing it out any time soon.

ZanderC87
December 2012

I have been Using the R11S Since June 2012. It is my first TaylorMade driver I have ever owned, and I have been very impressed with it. I switched to this club (from my Ping i15) because I was looking (like everyone is) for something that will get me some extra yardage. I felt with the Ping I was spinning the ball way too much, and giving up too much yardage into a wind, and when the ball was hitting the deck, I was not getting as much run as I would have hoped.

Anyway back to the club. It's white!! I thought this would take some time to get used to, but it was surprisingly easy, and it makes the club feel and look a little bigger which I felt only helps with my confidence when I put it behind the ball.

As I have said this was my first TM driver so the adjustablity of it was great for me. I don't play around with it much now, but to begin with it was amazing, to make sure I got everything out of it for me. I was able to personalise it for my swing to ensure the spin rate would stay down into the wind, and that it would bound down the fairway those extra few yards. I was able to achieve this by putting two 12g weights in the head.

The feel I get off the face is very solid, I've always liked a solid feel, as it gives me confidence, and trust in the club, and it does not have that tinny feel.

I went for a custom shaft, which was not cheap, but for me, meant that I could get the most out of the club. The price is good, but when you add the custom shaft it does rocket, but that is the same with most manufacturers. Also when I say custom shaft, I mean it was an 80g X-flex, so not a shaft that comes with most clubs.

Overall, it is a great club with very many positives, only real negative is that it is not the easiest club to keep gleaming, but when your walking up the fairway after good drives it is the least of your worries. It would take a lot to get me to swap this driver, and I will more than likely stick with it for a while to come.

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Media Reviews

Golf World
March 2012
No one executes adjustability with TaylorMade sophistication

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