Mis-hits happen. Even for the best players. So TaylorMade have launched the RSi family of irons to help all golfers maintain performance regardless where on the club they hit the ball.
Equipment fans will be familiar with the Speed Pocket TaylorMade added to the RocketBladez and SpeedBlade irons to maintain ball speeds on mis-hits below the centre of the face.
TaylorMade has taken this a step further by introducing Face Slot technology to the RSi 1 irons, RSi 2 irons and RSi TP irons to maintain ball speed over the whole face.
Face Slot Technology
The two slots on the face of the RSi irons are located near the heel and toe of the clubface and provide uniform flexion across the whole breadth of the clubface.
Featured in the 3 to 8 iron of all three RSi models, the face slots protect ball speed and therefore generate more consistent distance on off-center hits towards the heel and the toe.
The face slot is slightly wider with distended ends in the RSi 1 iron (above) as this is the club that is aimed at players looking for the most forgiveness. In the RSi 2 iron the slots are thinner (below), whilst in the the TP the slots are also thinner and cover less vertical area than in the RSi 2.
The fact that the slots are include on all three models though shows the importance and benefit that the new slot technology can give to all players as Tomorrow Bystedt, TaylorMade Director Product Creation explains;
We've taken everything we've learned about Speed Pocket Technology and have been able to apply it to the face. Face Slot Technology provides a greater consistency across the face, giving players improved performance on mis-hits. And you can only find Face Slots in RSi.
TaylorMade RSi 1 Irons
Designed to be forgiving and long, the RSi 1 irons are TaylorMade's longest iron yet with a COR that has been designed right up to the limits set out by the ruling bodies.
This ball speed is made possible by the combination of the technologies packed into the club head. In addition to the Face Slots in the 3 to 8 irons, an improved Speed Pocket can be found in the 3 to 7 irons, protecting ball speed on shots below the centre of the face and increasing launch angle and ball speed on all shots.
The progressive slot technology is complemented by an Advanced Face Design that centres around the thinnest face for an iron that TaylorMade has produced. Together with a deep undercut and Inverted Cone Technology, the thin face ensures maximum face speed and adds up to the RSi 1 being the company's longest iron.
The RSi 1 irons are available from 14th November 2014 with an RRP of £699.
TaylorMade RSi 2 Irons
Like the RSi 1 irons, the RSi 2's benefit from Face Slot technology (3 to 8 irons) and Speed Pockets (3 to 7 irons), but with less offset and a thinner top line. They will appeal to players who appreciate the forgiveness in a more classically styled iron.
The RSi 2 has been built using a progressive multi-material construction to ensure that each iron offers serious performance for its role. Irons 3 to 5 incorporate a tungsten weight in the toe of the club, whilst the 8 iron to PW boast a forged face for increased feel, with the AW having an entirely forged head.
Bret Wahl, TaylorMade Vice President R&D said:
The RSi 2 iron set provides the ideal blend of performance and beauty. We have combined a progressive multi-material construction (Tungsten and Forged Components) with our most innovative performance technologies (Face Slots, Speed Pocket with ThruSlot) to provide the best of all worlds in a slim, beautiful package.
The RSi 2 irons are available from 14th November 2014 with an RRP of £829.
TaylorMade RSi TP Irons
The RSi irons also come in a TP version aimed at Tour Professionals and low handicappers who appreciate the Tour-proven shaping of a compact head, minimal offset and thin topline.
A 1025 Forged Carbon Steel face that incorporates the Face Slots has been plasma welded to a 431 stainless steel back bar that incorporates a sole slot and speed pocket producing a tour level combination of feel and performance.
Tomo Bystedt, TaylorMade Director Product Creation commented;
The RSi TP irons were developed to deliver distance, launch and consistency of feel to take performance to the next level for our Tour Professionals. The shapes of these irons will be instantly pleasing to better players and will have the feel and workability that golfers expect in a forged product. It really is the best combination of performance, look and feel that we have created for the best players in the world.
The RSi TP irons are available from January 2015 with an RRP of £949.