Can TaylorMade Burner Irons 2.0 Really Add Distance and Improve Your Accuracy?

TaylorMade makes a bold statement: they contend that the new 2.0 Burner Irons will add distance and improve your accuracy and feel on the golf course...but can they?

The TaylorMade Burner 2.0 Irons were "engineered to combine legendary Burner distance plus more feel and playability." The design has been enhanced to be more durable and to resist glare with a "two-toned "Burner Black PVD finish" but that hardly improves a golfer's accuracy.  Let's read on...

Improved Weight Distribution to Optimize Ball Flight in Short-, Middle- and Long-Irons
Weight distribution varies in every Burner 2.0 clubhead to improve long-, middle- and short-iron ball flight. In the long-irons, weight has been shifted toward the back of the head, to promote easy launch, and toward the toe and heel, to promote greater stability and forgiveness. In the middle-irons, weight is distributed more evenly and slightly higher to promote workability while still providing forgiveness. In the short-irons, weight is positioned even higher, to promote a lower, more controllable ball flight, and centered, to promote increased clubhead control. Additionally, the CG in the short-irons is closer to the face, similar to a blade, to increase feel and to promote lower flight.

Yes, improving the ball flight will increase carry and ultimately distance.

Differing Face Thickness in Every Iron to Promote More Speed and Distance in the Long-irons, More Feel and Control in the Short-irons
Every individual Burner 2.0 iron boasts a different face thickness. The thinnest and fastest faces are in the long-irons, with the face in each successive iron growing thicker down through the middle- and short-irons. The thinner face, the higher the COR to promote more ball speed and distance; the thicker the face, the greater the feel.

A thicker face for the shorter irons to promote better feel and thinner face for longer irons to improve distance. The ability to add a few yards and touch from 100 yards and in seems to have been covered by the engineers but consistent solid contact with the golf ball is key...

Progressive Topline Thickness, Improved Multi-Functional Sole and TaylorMade's Renowned Inverted Cone Technology
Toplines in the Burner 2.0 irons are substantial and strong in the long-irons, and grow progressively thinner down through the middle- and short-irons. The multi-functional sole, introduced in the original Burner iron, has been improved by recessing the heel and toe and beveling the rear, all to reduce drag and make it easier to make clean, solid contact. On the rear side of the clubface, TaylorMade's patented Inverted Cone Technology has been reconfigured and sized and positioned strategically in each individual iron to promote faster ball speed on off-center hits for more consistent distance from shot to shot.

Longer, Easier to Hit Long-irons
Burner 2.0 long-irons combine an ultra-thin clubface for higher COR (1.8 mm in the 4-iron) with higher MOI. Relief at the rear of the sole allows the sole to play narrower. All of the above promotes more distance in the Burner 2.0 long-irons while making them significantly easier to hit and more playable.

Improved Vibration-Management System
"Golfers who play the current Burner iron will notice a difference in the sound and feel, which is significantly softer and more satisfying in the Burner 2.0," said Bazzel. "We put in a lot of effort to refine and improve the vibration-management system in the cavity in order to reach our target for sound and feel."

New Flight-Control Shaft Design and "Burner Black" Finish
Burner 2.0 irons are equipped with a new, flight-control shaft design in 85-gram steel or 65-gram graphite for longer, higher long-irons and quick-stopping short-irons that inspire confidence to attack the pin. The Women's Burner 2.0 is equipped with a graphite RE*AX® SuperFast 55-gram shaft.

Bret Wahl, senior director of research and development for irons, wedges and putters states,

"We've succeeded at creating a better-performing iron with the Burner 2.0, which is just as long, easier to play and more refined in its feel and sound. Every Burner 2.0 iron is better than its predecessor and, when compared against the longest, best-selling iron we've ever made, that says something truly significant." 

Where it is evident that TaylorMade has made substantial changes in their Burner Irons the proof still lies in the testing and I suggest that you take more than a few swings before you purchase, although many larger stores will allow you to "test drive" golf clubs for 30 days.

Burner 2.0 irons are offered in four shaft flexes – S, R, M, L. Ladies' flex shafts will be offered in the 5-iron through pitching wedge, attack wedge and sand wedge. The standard Burner 2.0 set includes eight irons offered at a street price of $699 with steel shafts in the irons and $899 with graphite shaft in the irons. Availability begins at retail on Friday, October 8.

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Golf Tips for making the most out of your Bethpage Black round

After playing Bethpage Black Golf Course yesterday, we have composed a few golf tips to get the most out of your first round.

Bethpage Black Golf course is a grueling test of a golfers' composure, stamina and ability to strategize.  When you come upon the WARNING sign at the first tee at Bethpage Black, do not shrug it off...believe it.

You must be in good physical condition to take on the Black Course. If your legs are no longer as sturdy as they used to be, choose the Red or Green Course.

Golf carts are not allowed on The Black Course so be prepared to walk your way though it's undulating dirt and sand strewn pathways. After taking pushcarts, we suggest that you carry your golf bag and be sure to make it as light as possible.

Ladies should be aware that the difference between playing the forward versus the white tees is only about 461 yards (forward tees=6,223 yards, white tees=6,684 yards). There was only one hole on which I felt I had an advantage but wound up with a bogey. We could not even see where the tournament tees were placed on some holes so guys (ahem) should not try to let their testoterone get the better of them.

A drive onto the fairways on any golf course is important but at Bethpage Black it is a necessity. Landing your golf ball in the fescue or in the second cut of rough could easily have you searching for a few minutes where you'll probably wind up losing balls and racking up strokes.

If your approach shot is beyond your comfort zone, lay-up and pitch it onto the green. Taking a bogey is a much better scenario than what can happen.

The rough is still heavy and the greens are very quick even though Bethpage Black is not US Open ready.

When in the rough (as will invariably happen), concentrate on one thing; that is, getting the golf ball back onto the fairway. Take your penalty stroke and move on.

Although the sand is very playable, practice long greenside bunker shots and deep bunker shots before you take on The Black Course. You will undoubtedly find yourself in these two positions more than once.

Bring water as there are no water jugs on Bethpage Black. There is a snack house open between the 5th and 6th holes but you can get very thirsty on the Back 9. Remember that your brain is 75% water and clear decisions will come from hydration and keeping healthy snacks on hand.

Don't forget to stop and look around as Bethpage Black is a beautiful and most memorable golf course! Take your camera too as it is a premier picture taking opportunity and a way to prove to your golfing buddies that you played, and survived, the Black Course!

 

Although my golf ball landed safely onto the 18th fairway at Bethpage Black, the approach to a raised green is difficult to complete in one shot (unless you're Phil Mickelson).

Posted via email from stacysolomon's posterous