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Replacing the Level 90 R11 irons

• DarkenRahl 2,115 Posts

  Tue, Nov 26 2013 3:10 AM

  Taylor Made no longer lists the R11 irons on their website, so I am guessing that sometime soon WGT will face the time to replace these.  But with what? If I had to bet - it will be a repackaging job like when the Burners were replaced with the RocketBladez at level 79 with a slower meter as the only change.  Okay then, sign me up for a set..... R11 performance under any name with a meter like the current SpeedBlades would sell like crazy, right?  I am pretty sure even some top players would jump on them just to match the meter of the Cleveland wedges and the R11s 3 wood.

  The big question is whether or not this is the right idea.  WGT has said in the past that they really don't like the low scores that seem so regular now.  If that truly is the case, then slowing the meter on these seems like a bad idea. But what would it really do?  If a player can shoot a score in the 20s for 9 holes pretty regularly it won't lower their scores anyway, right?   It may help those of us ding challenged players to gain the extra forgiveness of the R11s versus the Blades, but that won't impact overall scoring in tourneys enough to matter.

  The best idea I can come up with is a bit of a compromise- R11 forgiveness and spin, but drop the distance from 225-120 to 220-115 with the 15 yard increments and set the meter at the same speed as the SpeedBlades.  This gives the player upgrading from the level 75 SpeedBlades, RocketBladez or level 83 G20s an incentive while still giving players that already have the R11s a reason to consider buying the new irons as well.  I had the R11s and went to the RocketBladez right after they came out, the only things I really want to change are the forgiveness on slight mishits and the crazy yardage gaps of the 8-PW. (Why have 15 yard gaps to the 8 and then close the gaps to 10 yards for the 9 and PW?)

  Thoughts????  

   

   

   

• courteneyfish 15,796 Posts

  Tue, Nov 26 2013 3:39 AM

  My thoughts entirely. I don't want better clubs, I'd just like more variety.

• hpurey 11,505 Posts

  Tue, Nov 26 2013 3:44 AM

  courteneyfish:

  I don't want better clubs, I'd just like more variety.

  I agree, especially at the higher levels.  There is already plenty of variety at the lower levels.

   

• Jimbog1964 8,378 Posts

  Tue, Nov 26 2013 3:57 AM

   

  DarkenRahl:

  R11 irons on their website, so I am guessing that sometime soon WGT will face the time to replace these

  So slightly increase the Rocket / SpeedBladez performance whilst decreasing slightly the new replacement set for the L90 R11 irons.

  The gap is already alight, and I do not see the room.  Moreover, any one coming through would never have access to irons as good as those already at L90+.

  It would also mean TM (or similar) issuing new irons not at least as good as those they are replacing.  Again can't see it.

  Replacing the R11 irons must be a real headache as just how do you do it meaningfully, without making the scores even lower more often.

  EDIT: Of course the reduction in slow meter ball sales would also be a consideration.

  EDIT 2: Leave the problem with WGT, but a new improved set (done fairly so no making the old one's go rusty) is one tough nut in the circumstances.

   Worth raising ideas as ever, but  ain't gonna happen, and neither should it IMO.

  More variety fine.

• courteneyfish 15,796 Posts

  Tue, Nov 26 2013 4:20 AM

  It will happen. Could be soon too.

• Jimbog1964 8,378 Posts

  Tue, Nov 26 2013 4:26 AM

  courteneyfish:

  It will happen. Could be soon too.

  On what basis is the question.  Can't see em being meaningfully better, and I don't think they should be even though miss dings on my 3 iron cost me personally.

• geraldlarousse 1,986 Posts

  Tue, Nov 26 2013 4:33 AM

  Jimbog1964:

  courteneyfish:

  It will happen. Could be soon too.

  On what basis is the question.  Can't see em being meaningfully better, and I don't think they should be even though miss dings on my 3 iron cost me personally.

  If they make irons Jim that are better than R11s. These people will then have totally lost their minds.

  Then again i think they already have....lol.

  Maybe irons with same specs,,,, just like did with Rockets and Speedblades. And.. if i owned Rockets i would not be buying Speedblades... makes no sense to me. Wouldn't buy for the looks either.... have you seen the new Speedblades???  They look like starter irons to me. Not even a trace of blue when looking at the avatar with club. You think would have designed the new irons a lil better. Nope plain jane,, G20's look 100% better.

  Look at the level 94 Max irons...... 4 levels higher. Those irons are garbage compared to R11s.

  Then if they do come out with new irons with same specs,,,, who buys them??

  Not me..lol. Can't see any top players buying any irons with same specs. And... no top player is going to give up spin or precision for a slower meter.... not happening.

  And....... what would they cost??  What  $50....... Lmao! Nope.... i'm good.

  Edit: No......wait now.. putter already $40. Soo...hmm....maybe $100 irons??... hehe.

  Then if did come out with better irons..... what then turn Vem up 200%?  Kind of like negating the whole deal. I think i have bought my last irons mate.

• YankeeJim 25,827 Posts

  Tue, Nov 26 2013 5:21 AM

  The meter dots aren't full yet. Improved stats on the R11's with a faster meter would seem to be in order with more hurt for missing the ding.  :-)

• geraldlarousse 1,986 Posts

  Tue, Nov 26 2013 5:27 AM

  YankeeJim:

  The meter dots aren't full yet. Improved stats on the R11's with a faster meter would seem to be in order with more hurt for missing the ding.  :-)

  Yup for sure YJ. That would be the only way.... faster meter and less forgiving.

  Now... who buys that??    Would you buy them?

  Kinda like the level 94 Max irons. Forgiving.... slow meter.... but not as precise, nor as long.

  Equals.... no sales...lol.

• Jimbog1964 8,378 Posts

  Tue, Nov 26 2013 5:40 AM

  geraldlarousse:

  YankeeJim:

  The meter dots aren't full yet. Improved stats on the R11's with a faster meter would seem to be in order with more hurt for missing the ding.  :-)

  Yup for sure YJ. That would be the only way.... faster meter and less forgiving.

  Now... who buys that??    Would you buy them?

  Kinda like the level 94 Max irons. Forgiving.... slow meter.... but no precision.

  Equals.... no sales...lol.

  That's the problem there.  WGT want the sales (no sherlock needed lol) and want the new irons out, not doubt.  I just got to L95 and put the R11S in the bag rapido as I could just see a new SLDR (same spec) one replacing it for what $25 under the new pricing??  

  I agree a faster meter would be one way of getting new irons out but faster than the R11 set??  I guess that leaves room for a new L90 Nike ball with another dot of feel - shall we say $7 / $8 a sleeve teamed with the new $50+ irons.  But then what? Better or just get to shoot same as the R11 L90 irons, just gotta use $7 a pop sleeves?? 

  I am playing with words now, but meaningfully better must mean more likely to lower scores without a $7 sleeve of balls.  Even then there is no room for improved irons as can't do that anyway as still score lowering.  If they wana bring out new L87 same spec fine LOL, no skin off my nose.

  However, I see the logic in a new faster meter set with an ounce more precision for choice I guess, but tell em to forget that $7 sleeve of balls idea LOL.....Seriously I am not sure that is the way more I think....

   Now if they ever got to that last 10% red zone, go that power at peril,  that would really open things up but not holding my breath on that one..............

  EDIT: Realised started to ramble a bit...Stuff was kicking around my head whilst typing:)