TaylorMade R9: rumours become reality

Despite TaylorMade’s largely successful attempts to keep the R9 under wraps until its media embargo was lifted today, speculation had been rife for months

TaylorMade R9 driver
Neil Tappin
By
published

Despite TaylorMade’s largely successful attempts to keep the R9 under wraps until its media embargo was lifted today, speculation had been rife for months.

Photographs of the TaylorMade R9 first appeared on the internet last December. The website, mygolfspy.com released some early snaps but weren’t sure if what they were showing was the correct final version.

Then within days of each other at the beginning of January two other sites, golfwrx.com and bombsquadgolf.com showed the same set of grainy photographs on their forums. This version of the R9 was different to that shown on mygolfspy.com, with the introduction of white graphics on the sole the main difference.

Then on January 7th a teaser appeared on TaylorMade’s own website. No photographs, just a creative piece of advertising telling us that the R9 was due to be launched in March.

Golf Monthly were the first members of the media to gain official access to the R9 back in November 2008. We traveled to Spain to see the club as it was secretly unveiled to Sergio Garcia.

For our world exclusive coverage of the new TaylorMade R9, pick up a copy of the March issue of Golf Monthly.

Neil Tappin
Neil Tappin
Editor

In July 2023, Neil became just the 9th editor in Golf Monthly's 112-year history. Originally working with the best coaches in the UK to produce instruction content, he has also presented many Golf Monthly videos looking at all areas of the game from Tour player interviews to the rules of golf. 

Throughout his time with the brand he has also covered equipment launches that date back well over a decade. He clearly remembers the launch of the Callaway and Nike square drivers as well as the white TaylorMade driver families, such as the RocketBallz! If you take a look at the Golf Monthly YouTube channel, you'll see his equipment videos dating back over a decade! He has also conducted 'What's In The Bag' interviews with many of the game's best players like Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm. Over the years, Neil has tested a vast array of products in each category and at drastically different price-points. 

Neil is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade Stealth Plus Fairway Wood: Titleist TSR2 Hybrid: Titleist TS3 Irons: PING Blueprint S (4&5), PING Blueprint T (6-PW) Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 50˚, 54˚, 60˚ Putter: Odyssey Triple Track Ten Ball: Titleist Pro V1X

Latest