TaylorMade AeroBurner Driver Made of Speed TaylorMade AeroBurner Driver The TaylorMade AeroBurner Driver features an advanced 460cc aerodynamic shape that comes designed with a rounder toe, a raised center crown, reduced drop from crown to skirt, and a new hosel fin, all creating a reduction in drag for faster swing speeds.
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Congratulations WestPAgolfer you’re the winner of a brand new TaylorMade AeroBurner Mini Driver. Check your email.
Written By: Tony Covey
Last year when TaylorMade announced the SLDR S Mini Driver, I mocked the release. I called it the club you didn’t know you need, and probably don’t. I dismissed it as a shameless TaylorMade money grab of near zero practical value to the average golfer.
Then I took it out on the golf course.
Sorry, TaylorMade. My bad.
I haven’t played a single round without it since. It is, in a word, indispensable. As a driver replacement, as a 3-wood replacement, or a combination of both, it’s a club that just works better than I ever imagined it could. And this is coming from a guy who’s never been a particular fan of fairway woods. Even as a self-confessed gearwhore I can’t even bring myself to try a different shaft in the Mini.
Why mess with a good thing?
Alone In the Category
While there are other slightly larger fairway woods on the market (Callaway’s 2-Deep and PING’s Rapture) nobody else in the industry has, to date, decided to challenge TaylorMade in the grossly oversized fairway wood market. One by one other manufacturers have told me that they don’t have any immediate plans for anything similar, and one by one I’ve rolled my eyes at all of them.
Speaking of eye rolling, now is a great time to mention that the AeroBurner Mini, like everything else AeroBurner, is #MadeOfSpeed…and also steel. Mostly steel, I think.
Maybe the grossly undersized driver market is a niche one, but it’s one I happen to love, so as we wait for the rest of the industry to make the re-imagination of the 2-wood a trend, I’m probably more excited than the average guy to check out the latest incarnation of TaylorMade’s Mini franchise.
What’s New
Other than that thing about being Made of Speed, the AeroBurner features a slightly smaller (253cc instead of 260cc) and more aerodynamic head. The AeroBurner Mini has the largest Speed Pocket of any TaylorMade metalwood, and like most everything else in TaylorMade’s metalwood arsenal has a low/forward CG for…wait for it…more speed.
The TP model, which comes stock with the new Matrix White Tie 70X4 shaft, features a flatter lie angle and a more open face. Call it fade bias, call it hook avoidence. The point is it should setup and play a bit differently than the standard model.
Performance Data to Come
We’re waiting for our Mini Driver samples to arrive. Once they do, we’re going to see if it can hold its own against my favorite club in the bag. We’ll post the Foresight launch monitor data as soon as we have it.
Win A TaylorMade AeroBurner Mini Driver
Because I think you really need to try one of these Mini Drivers for yourself (instead of dismissing it like I originally did), we’re giving one away.
To Enter:
- Leave a comment telling us if there is any brand or club that you would absolutely never play.
- If you haven’t done so already, subscribe the MyGolfSpy Newsletter (you can’t win if you’re not a subscriber).
*Sorry, Open to US Residents Only. Winner selected at random on 3/20/2015 at 8:00 PM Eastern. Void where prohibited.
Bonus Entry: Retweet the following (use the button that looks like this: ) to receive a 2nd entry in the giveaway.
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— MyGolfSpy (@MyGolfSpy) March 11, 2015
Pricing, Options, and Availability
Available at retail on March 27, the AeroBurner Mini Driver will be available in two models; standard and TP.
Available in three loft options (12°, 14° & 16°) the standard model retails for $279 and is equipped with a lightweight Matrix Speed RUL-Z 60 shaft.
Available in two lofts, (12° & 14°) The TP model retails for $349 and is equipped with Matrix’ new Ozik White Tie 70X4 shaft
50 Words or Less
The TaylorMade AeroBurner driver is really light and easy to hit. Unlike last year’s JetSpeed, this driver is not adjustable. Very draw biased.
Introduction
2015 is all about “nostalgia” for TaylorMade as they bring back not only the R-series but the Burner name as well. Though our testing showed that the R15 is not destined to be a classic, the AeroBurner lives up to the Burner legacy of being easy to hit and long.
Looks
Like the R15, the TaylorMade AeroBurner sports a white crown. Yuck. Moving on…
As you’d expect from a Burner, this driver has a fairly big footprint, and it’s a little longer from front to back. You’ll also notice the “raised center crown,” which, along with the “hosel fin” are supposed to create a more aerodynamic shape.
Sound & Feel
The AeroBurner, though not the lightest club on the market, is noticeably light from the moment you pick it up. It combines a 50 gram Matrix shaft with a sub-200 gram head – another way to try to boost speed and distance.
At impact, the sound is similar to the R15 but slightly louder. The feel is hot and explosive which makes it really fun to hit. What you will notice if you use some impact tape is that the best-feeling shots – the ones that hit the sweet spot – are pretty far into the heel.
Performance
Last year, whether on Tour or at your local course, golfers found that the JetSpeed outperformed TaylorMade’s flagship driver, the SLDR. I think 2015 is going to see the same thing with the R15 and the AeroBurner. The reason? Forgiveness. The R15 does not have it, but the AeroBurner does.
Shots all over the face feel good and perform well. Of course, hitting the sweet spot is still the way to get maximum distance, but even bad mishits retain good ball speed and distance.
One thing that puzzles me about the AeroBurner is the lack of adjustability. With the exception of last year’s mid-season SLDR Sdriver, I can’t recall a recent TaylorMade driver with a glued hosel. Even at the lower $299 price, I think golfer’s deserve and benefit from adjustability.
The last thing that needs to be mentioned about the AeroBurner is that it is as draw-biased as any driver I’ve tested recently. The center of gravity is really deep in the heel, so if you tend to hit the toe, most of your shots are going to feel like mishits. Also, if you tend to hit the toe, expect to see tons of curve to the left. If you’re a player who doesn’t want or need this draw bias, you’ll need to opt for the heavier, more expensive TP model.
Conclusion
I mentioned TaylorMade nostalgia sarcastically in the opening, but, after testing it, I do think that the TaylorMade AeroBurner driver is the best kind of throwback. This driver is going to end up in many golf bags because it’s simply fun to hit. Better players will probably want to opt for the TP model, but most weekend golfers will be well served by the draw bias of this club.
Buy the TaylorMade AeroBurner driver HERE
Matt Saternus
Aeroburner Mini Driver 16
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