Taylor Made R5 Dual N

Reviewed by: adogg18 ,  Shoots in the 70s

Model Reviewed:
Taylormade R5 Dual N 9.5 Aldila NV S

Summary:
This is my review for a 9.5 degree R5 Dual Neutral with the green Aldila NV Stiff shaft in 46" length. I have had a chance to try out this club for at least 7 rounds before I made a decision to keep it or not.

I don't think this driver works well with someone who likes to hit tight fades off the tee. I am a 7 handicap and can easily work the ball both ways. But my most consistent swing for my driver is a tiny fade. Whenever I put a fade swing on the ball, it tends to balloon and land soft without any roll. I lost some distance and a LOT of accuracy and consistency compared to my old driver (8.5 Great Big Bertha with Grafalloy Prolite 45" stiff shaft) hitting the same cut. My normal average driver distance with the GBB driver was about 240 yards. The R5 would only go about 230-240 yards with a cut swing.

The only way I could prevent the R5 from ballooning on me was to put a tight draw on the ball. My average driver distance with a draw type of swing with the R5 was about 255 yard. My average distance with the GBB driver with a draw type of swing on it was only 240 or so. So, it's definitely a longer club if hit correctly. But I lost WAY too much accuracy going with this club. It could be the shaft, but I definitely do not like the feel of the club face. Plus, I am partial to smaller club heads.

I have since gotten rid of this club and found my new love... Taylormade R580 with Grafalloy Blue shaft. I am able to hit LONG drives with my favorite power fade type swing. My average distance with the fade is 250-255 with the occasional 260+ drive! I could never ever do that with the Great Big Bertha, even with going after it with a tight draw swing. Accuracy with the R580 is roughly about the same as the GBB (very good), but boy does it go a long ways!

In summary: If you like to hit fades with your driver, do not get the R5 Dual N with the Aldila NV shaft. It may be better suited for someone with a person with a natural draw swing or higher clubhead speed.

I highly recommend the R580. I honestly think it's better suited for all types of swings. The feel is great!

Customer Service:
I called Taylormade to confirm the serial number on this club when I bought it on ebay. The phone rep was very nice and the entire call only took about 1 minute!

Similar Products Used:
8.5* Callaway Great Big Bertha Driver w/ Grafalloy Prolite Stiff 45"
9.5* Taylormade R580 with Grafalloy Blue 45"

Reviewed by: jamesod2k8 ,  Shoots in the 80s

Summary:
what a club. By far the nicest driver i have ever seen. Really light. makes me hit the ball 20 yards further than my old taylor made xr05 driver and straighter. easy to hit but need a big tee to get it air born. great club. worth buying. It's the best taylor made driver of the lot! even better than the new burner

Reviewed by: youngtiger ,  Shoots in the 90s

Model Reviewed:
r5 dual 460 10.5degree

Summary:
i am 12 years old. my driver sucks, its a walter hogan jr. series. with that i usually hit about 110. with my new taylormade, i hit 220! its like magic!

Reviewed by: Dave H ,  Shoots in the 90s

Model Reviewed:
Taylor Made R5 dual N

Summary:
A fair price but for me this driver very short, sounds cheap, has no feel and is very unreliable. Hit a 4 iron off the tee almost as far and far more accurately. Saving up for a replacement as I write this.

Reviewed by: K-Bunke ,  Shoots in the 70s

Model Reviewed:
TM R5 N

Summary:
Garbage. Bought this club after my Cobra 440sz got a crack in the head as I was hoping this driver would give me a little extra distance off the tee...I was wrong. It has no feel to it at all and I lost close to 50 yards off the tee. I also hit less fairways now with this driver because I feel like I need to take a rip at it just to get it close to where I should be. I demoed the TaylorMade Burner last week and hit twice as many fairways and was about 50 yards out further than with the R5. Don't waste your money if you are looking for distance off the tee...or accuracy. Hopefully my new Cobra HS9 comes in the mail soon.

Similar Products Used:
Cobra 440sz, Taylormade Burner