As I previously mentioned, I started using a TaylorMade r7 425 driver last weekend. I’ve been quite pleased with it so far.

Specs:

• 9.5 degrees
• Stiff RE-AX shaft
• Weights in neutral, low launch (heavy by the face, light in the back)

My previous driver was a Snake Eyes 600T that I got back in late 2003. It treated me well, but it was time to move on. When I got the 600T my swing speed was in the 100 mph range. I’m currently in the 110+ mph range and I have trouble hooking the ball with the shaft in the 600T.

Also, I always felt I had to swing hard with the 600T in order to get it to really perform. I’ve hit some long drives with it, but it wasn’t a club I felt “safe” with. As I gained swing speed and lost the ability to keep it in the fairway, I decided it was time to try something different.

When I traded in the MacGregor for the r7, I did so on the way to play 18. Luckily I had time to hit a small bucket at the range before going out, and after about 5 swings I was really liking the r7. A few things I discovered:

• The crown of the r7 is a little broader than the face, the center of the face is actually slightly to the heel of the club. Toe misses are worse than heel misses.
• I play it slightly forward of center in my stance.
• I allow the clubface to set up slightly closed, but not much.
• With the neutral, low-launch weight configuration, the ball really likes going straight – even on pushes (which I had a few of while playing the ball further back in my stance)
• A standard tee hight with the ball 1/2 above the crown is just about right.
• Something about the swingweight, the way the shaft loads, etc. makes it really easy for me to take a nice smooth swing with this club.

It’s hard to tell how far you’re hitting a club on the range, but I was quite pleased when a smooth swing on the second hole produced a long, straight drive – 325 yards and in the fairway. On average, I’m getting it out in the 300-315 yard range – on a smooth swing.

Sure I’ve made some bad swings with the r7, but I’m hitting it much better than I was hitting the 600T.

An added bonus was the discovery that TaylorMade currently has a “buy a driver, get a free Rescue club or fairway wood” deal going on – that certainly takes some of the sting out of the driver price tag.

All in all, I’m very pleased with the r7 purchase and now look forward to holes where I can hit driver.