rbz tour driver

The Sand Trap

Golf News, Reviews, and Commentary

TaylorMade RocketBallz Tour Driver and Tour Rescue Review

We’ve seen that the RocketBallz fairway woods are ridiculously long but how do the RocketBallz Tour Driver and Rescue compare?

Share this with your golf buddies:

• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

In case you didn’t know the distinct name is based on testing TMAG tour staffer Dustin Johnson’s experience with the prototype. “I brought the prototype out to some players and Dustin Johnson was the first one to test it,” said Todd Chew, Tour Product Specialist. “He’s unbelievably long, as we all know, but he was just blown away by how far the Rescue was going. Dustin said a couple of times,’It’s like a rocket.” When the prototype returned from initial field testing, Taylormade’s engineers took the creative liberty to etch the name, “RocketBallz,” into both the CAD model and the sole of the prototype clubhead. “I never thought RocketBallz would actually show up on the prototype,” said Todd Beach, Senior Director of Product Engineering, Metalwoods. “Typically, it’s got an MW label and a number on there, whatever our number is. When the prototype came back, I was like, ‘What are you guys doing?’ I can’t believe you put that on there. There’s no way we’re going to call the product that.” The marketing department decided to keep the name. Never has a product name come from the R&D department.

How do the RocketBallz driver and Rescue compare to the fairway wood that boasts an increase of 17 yards? Let’s start with the driver.

TaylorMade RocketBallz Driver TaylorMade has been the #1 driver in golf for almost a decade. With each new line comes new technology, new designs and for TaylorMade, more sales. The move to white was a gutsy decision, one that no other company has done. Cobra makes a white driver but it’s a limited release and this is probably the first time you’ve heard about it. Last year 20% of all golfers converted to white, that’s a big move considering there wasn’t a demand for a different color, let alone a stand out matte white finish. The 2012 TaylorMade RocketBallz driver is a continuation of this white domination. It doesn’t have a speed pocket like the fairway and Rescue do but the driver does offer some unique features. The driver comes in two models, RocketBallz and RocketBallz Tour. For this review I will be focusing on the RocketBallz Tour. The great feature of both drivers it that they are tunable at $299. Something TMAG thought was important since they place so much emphasis on the golfer being fitter for correct equipment.

Technology While the RBZ driver doesn’t have the R11’s moveable weights or adjustable sole plate, it does have adjustable technology so you can optimize launch conditions for your swing. This is TaylorMade’s Flight Control Technology (FCT). This is a feature that wasn’t available with the Burner clubs. The FCT system (a user-adjustable hosel) allows a golfer to select their choice of eight settings, each of which has a different effect on the club head’s face, loft, and lie angles. TaylorMade says the FCT settings are capable of affecting the ball’s side-to-side trajectory as much as 60 yards. If you’re a slicer, you can choose a setting that sets the face more to the left for a straighter ball flight. If you like to hit draws, you have the face more open, aimed to the right, at address.

A non-adjustable screw in the back of the head is actually a weight cartridge that lowers the head’s center of gravity. The club’s Thin-Thick crown design also lowers and moves the center of gravity closer to the face. TaylorMade says the result is less spin, a higher ball flight and more distance. TaylorMade also says the Inverted Cone clubface technology built into the Rocketballz driver promotes faster ball speeds even when the sweet spot is missed.

The standard (non-tour) RocketBallz driver has a more shallow profile. TaylorMade adjusted the face height to make the face smaller and more aerodynamic. TaylorMade says you’ll see a benefit of two to three percent from the previous Burner Superfast. TaylorMade says this helps golfers achieve a higher launch angle and helps lessen the fade or slice because the CG is lower. The tour head looks more compact at address and the face is much deeper than the standard RocketBallz driver. The RBZ Tour driver is going to help players with higher swing speeds reduce or optimize their spin rates. TaylorMade says the RocketBallz and R11S go longer than any driver they’ve ever made. Both models are right at the speed limit that they can get them to in terms of aerodynamics, club speed and performance (FCT). Club head speed is maxed with the CG being further apart and closer to the face for more ball speed and one of TaylorMade’s standard features the Inverted Cone design for optimal ball speed.

Last year’s Superfast was a light and long (in terms of the length of the shaft) golf club. From TaylorMade’s testing they found golfers preferred a club that was slightly shorter and offered better control. So the RocketBallz driver is half an inch shorter, at 46 inches, the company claims the shaft is still long enough to help increase swing speed, but the slightly shorter length also helps promote accuracy.

We’re setting a new standard in the driver category as speed, adjustability and Tour-validated performance have never been so affordable, said executive vice president Sean Toulon. ―The name RocketBallz is obviously polarizing and helps capture the distance performance story but golfers cannot overlook the power of tuning these new products. Never before have we had so many fitting options in a single driver franchise; there’s a RocketBallz driver out there for everyone. Sean Toulon, TMAG Executive Vice President/div>

Esthetics Like all TaylorMade drivers now the crown is matte white with a PVD black face. TaylorMade first used this white/black color combination in it’s most recent Burner and R11 clubs. TaylorMade says this will help your alignment and eliminate glare. The white color also makes the 460cc RBZ driver appear slightly larger, which when compared to the size of the ball, TMAG feels, adds confidence when teeing off.

Also on the crown are lime/silver graphics towards the outer edges helping with the visuals. I’m sure they did some testing and found the head might look awkward if the entire crown was white, the graphics help frame everything at address. The tour head has much less of a triangle look and the deeper face helps prompt you to tee the ball high, which I like for a driver. Hitting the ball with a high/center contact helps launch it higher with less spin due to vertical gear effect. The black finish of the clubface really pops against the white background, and accompanied by the ahina ion plated shaft, it’s a unique and great looking club. If I’m being picky I’d like to see less of the face towards the heel section of the club. At address that was a part that stood out to me. The heel is a little too prominent to my eye.

Both the standard and tour RocketBallz heads are more traditonal looking than the Burner Superfast. As I said earlier, the Burner’s design is more progessive, triangular shaped. The biggest difference between the tour and standard RocketBallz is the added depth to the face of the tour model.

Playability and Feel For this review I ordered a tour head, 9 degrees with the Matrix X-Con 6. I think this is a good shaft and offers a little more torque than HD6, something I like for this head. With my initial swings I noticed the head has a heavier feel to it. I measured the swingweight and it came out to D5, which is close to what the TaylorMade website says it should be. The slightly heavier swingweight just gave me a better sense of control but didn’t really effect any of my shots. I also adjusted the clubhead to the “Open” setting because I like the way a driver looks when it’s aimed slightly right.

What really stands out with this driver is how forgiving off center hits are. Misses off the toe stayed pretty straight and distance was great even on mishits. Center hits are long as well, and with a high launch. Definitely one of the longest drivers I’ve ever hit. All shots come off fast. Testing the RBZ Tour driver on a Foresight launch monitor I found that I was averaging 295.4 yards total per drive with a spin rate of 2883 rpm. Good numbers for me since I use to battle spinning my driver too much. I’ve made some recent swing adjustments that has really helped me take advantage of technology like the RBZ driver. Making sure I’m playing the ball off my left toe and having my hips pushed a few inches more forward than with a standard iron shot.

One feature that I didn’t like was the sound of the club. It’s too loud for my liking, especially off toe-center hits. It’s a very loud somewhat distracting sound. Mishits sound more harsh, it is not a quiet driver. I’m not used to getting a few looks while hitting my driver on the range. Overall though the feel of the driver and performance negates any sound complaints, at least for me. What matters is that good swings result in huge drives and mis-hits are still long and playable.

Specs The RocketBallz driver is offered in two models to cater to a wide range of players.The RBZ driver is available in three lofts – 9.5°, 10.5° and HL (high-launch), while the RBZ Tour comes in 9° and 10.5°. The standard RBZ SuperFast Matrix Ozik XCON 5 shaft comes in four shaft flexes – S, R, M and L. The RBZ Tour model comes equipped with a Matrix Ozik XCon 6, 55-gram shaft in X, S and R flexes, with the option of 25 additional shaft choices. Both RocketBallz drivers are available at $299

TaylorMade RocketBallz Tour Rescue TaylorMade says until now, hybrids have yet to benefit from a technology that adds significant speed to the face. The new TaylorMade RocketBallz Rescue golf clubs not only received high scores in every category on Golf Digest’s 2012 Hot List, but was the leader in three of those categories. According to TaylorMade, the RocketBallz hybrid golf clubs allow you to launch the ball higher and gain needed carry distance. The lighter shaft used on these hybrids and the lower center of gravity is what helps accomplish this. The large head accompanied with the white matte finish separates these hybrids from the multitude of generic black hybrids you’ll find in your local golf store.

Technology Two models of RocketBallz Rescues are being offered, standard and Tour. The standard model incorporates a lightweight shaft and lightweight grip to promote increased swing speed. The clubface is large and deep, yet the CG is located low and forward, a combination that’s desirable yet difficult to achieve. TaylorMade says they made this possible by employing both our Ultra-Thin Wall casting process and TaylorMade’s Thick-Thin crown design. TaylorMade adds that this combination promotes faster ball speed, a higher launch angle and lower spin-rates helping golfers hit it longer. The RocketBallz Tour Rescue has a comparatively smaller address appearance, a slightly open face angle, a toe-weighted CG, and is equipped with a heavier, stiffer shaft. A much better fit for players that have faster swing speeds and don’t need help reducing their slice.

These hybrids use the same approach as the RBZ fairway metals to boost ball speed off the face. To achieve the higher ball speed, the RocketBallz fairway woods and Rescues were developed with a high-strength 455 steel face plate welded to a cast body. They incorporate improved sole geometry and a speed pocket to improve overall head and face flexibility and a slightly deeper face with a further-forward CG location than other hybrid designs. The speed pocket can be found on the sole of the Rescue, it’s a larger and deeper cavity than the Adams woods that have similar technology.

There is also a Tour model which has, compared to the standard RocketBallz hybrid, a more compact appearance at address, a more open face angle, and a heavier, stiffer shaft.

The overall weight of the Rocketballz Rescue is less than 350g. Thanks to the lightweight 65g shaft, lightweight grip and the benefits of the Rocketballz technology, the Rocketballz hybrid is one of the longest in TaylorMade’s history.

The RocketBallz fairway woods and Rescues represent a game-changing breakthrough in performance comparable to few products in the history of our industry. To hold a RocketBallz metalwood in your hands is to possess confidence, power, speed and distance potential that will regularly and quite literally redefine the long game for golfers. Sean Toulon, TMAG Executive Vice President/div>

Esthetics For a hybrid club it looks great. The tour head is larger than other tour or pro model hybrids on the market but I think that works in it’s favor. The standard and even the Tour Rescue comes closer to resembling the shape of a five or seven wood than utility irons. Both the standard RocketBallz Rescue and the Tour version will feature a flat white crown color and black PVD face for what TaylorMade says provides optimum contrast to makes it easy to align the face accurately at address. The white crown color also eliminates the glare and “hot spots” that you might notice with gloss-finish metalwoods.

Playability and Feel I tested and played with an 18.5° Tour Rescue with a Re*AX 85 HB. Hitting ten shots on a Foresight launch monitor I averaged 229.29 yards with the Tour Rescue. I didn’t put this up against my current hybrid because the hybrid I use is 20°. It also launches as high as my 20°. The sole has some nice camber from toe to heel which I feel helps the club be more versatile from different kinds of lies (lies in the rough, divots and in the sand). The RBZ Rescue has a similar crushing sound as the RBZ fairway which makes hitting the club an enjoyable experience. I think the head size of this club is perfect, sometimes “tour” model clubs can look overly intimidating. This Rescue gives you some confidence because of the slightly larger head. What I want in a hybrid is something that launches high, consistently hits a certain distance and doesn’t curve very much. Out of those ten shots I hit on the Foresight monitor, the shortest was 226 and the longest was 231. If I can get that kind of control from that distance, I’ll be very happy.

The overall balance and weight of the club feels great. For some with higher swing speeds it may be on the light side at 85 grams but for me it performs nicely. The weight and look of the club encourages you to take a little turf and even shots high or low on the face are given a better chance of turning out well. Golf, as we all know, is a game of how well you hit your bad shots.

Specs The RocketBallz Rescues come standard with a 65-gram graphite shaft in four flexes (S, R, M, L). It’s offered in four lofts for right-handed golfers only (Lofts: 3-19°, 4-21°, 5-24°, 6-27°). The RocketBallz Tour Rescues come standard with an 85-gram graphite shaft in three flexes (X, S, R). They’re offered in four lofts for right-handed golfers only (Lofts: 2-16.5°, 3-18.5°, 4-21.5°). Additionally, a selection of 5 custom TP shafts are available for purchase.

RocketBallz Rescues: $179 RocketBallz Tour Rescues: $179 RocketBallz Rescues with TP shaft upgrade: $229

Conclusion The hottest name in golf lives up to it’s hype. I was impressed with what the TaylorMade RocketBallz Tour Driver and Tour Rescue had to offer. I loved how each of them performed. My only complaint with the driver was about the loud impact quality of the RBZ driver. For some it might be too distracting but the driver performs well. The only “problem” with the Rescue is that it might go too far, causing some distance gaps in that 190-220 yard range. So if you buy one, you might find yourself saving for another one of a different loft. Good thing there are many different options and shafts to choose from.

If you’re in the market for a new driver but don’t want to spend four or five hundred dollars on a premium driver, the RocketBallz driver is a great option, for some maybe a better fit than the R11S, at $299. The RBZ driver gives you some great options for customizing your driver allowing you to adjust the loft (±1.5 degrees) and face angle (±3 degrees). The Tour Rescue has similar characteristics to the RBZ fairway wood and is an easy choice if you want to pick up some distance and forgiveness in this area of your game. If you’re turned off by the white crowns, don’t be, they can be just as attractive, and more functional, as a shinny black crown.

1 thought on “TaylorMade RocketBallz Tour Driver and Tour Rescue Review”

they say you gain about 17 yds with driver and i in fact gained about 30-60 more. i am a below avg driver of the ball anywhere from just over 200, with most in the 225 or so range and a good hit 250 or slightly more. i tried a friends rocketballz and hit it bad. he said try one more swing. boom. it went 290. straight and high down the middle. we all looked on in shock. now do i always hit it now 290? no. mostly because i am not trying to swing as hard as i can. but with a medium effort i am now 250-260 consistently. i think i lucked out and without fitting i got the right club and shaft for me…it has to be that as i cannot think of another explanation. my old razr hawk tour is sold and rockeballz (standard version in 9.5 stiff with zero adjustments have not adjusted it at all) is unbelievable. weeks later the honeymoon has not worn off. it is staggeringly good.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

Taylormade Rocketballz Tour Driver Review

Published: 23 August 2012 Last updated: 26 November 2015

At a glance

• TG Rating Not yet rated
• Owner Rating Not yet rated

What we say...

Better Player Drivers Test Nov 2012 – Key Comments

JR: This was a lovely driver, starting with the neat head shape. The lower flight was good, and the deeper face appeals to stronger players. DW: This was one of my favourites – the aesthetics are strong, and these are more than matched by the sensational feel off the face. CS: Not overly impressed with the sound off the clubhead at impact, but decent performance points to quality of club. MR: I hit this very straight, but I did notice a slightly lower ball flight – that said, the statistics pointed to nearly 30 yards of run.

The name RocketBallz came from PGA Tour Professional Dustin Johnson after he hit the first prototype - "It goes like a rocket!" The designers and engineers have stuck with the quote ever since and the RocketBallz series was born. The TaylorMade RocketBallz (RBZ) technology has been packaged into a great looking driver and combines speed and adjustability to give you the perfect custom fit driver to have in your bag. This special 'Tour' driver uses an engineered smaller address size for a penetrating trajectory and neutral-flight bias with heavier/stiffer shaft for more stability. The distinctive matte white crown is paired with a devilish black face making it much easier to 'see' the ball at address and aid alignment for extra accuracy and confidence. The head also features some small striking green colour accents to make your club look as good in the bag as it does at address. TaylorMade’s patented Flight Control adjustable hosel technology (FCT) allows you to quickly and simply adjust the face angle, loft and lie angles to one of eight different positions. These settings allow for up to 60 yards of side to side trajectory adjustments. Inverted Cone Technology has been milled directly into the back of the club face, making the sweet spot bigger for more forgiveness on off-centre strikes. Each TaylorMade Rocketballz RBZ Tour Driver comes fitted with a RBZ Superfast Matrix Ozik XCON 6 graphite shaft. Weighing only 55 grams, this incredibly lightweight shaft increases clubhead speed for more distance.  

Product Information

Your reviews, taylormade drivers user reviews.

Reviewing TaylorMade’s RocketBallz Drivers

The TaylorMade RocketBallz (RBZ) series has been a game-changer in the world of golf equipment since its introduction in 2011. Now, with the release of the RBZ Stage II, TaylorMade has taken their innovation to the next level.

One of the standout features of the RBZ Stage II is its larger face. The increased size provides a larger sweet spot, allowing for more forgiveness on off-center hits. This means that even if you don’t hit the ball perfectly, you still have a chance of achieving a solid shot.

In addition to the larger face, the RBZ Stage II also incorporates TaylorMade’s Loft-Sleeve Technology. This technology allows golfers to adjust the loft, lie angle, and face angle of the clubhead. This means that you can fine-tune your club to suit your specific swing and playing style. Whether you prefer a higher or lower loft, a more open or closed face angle, or a more upright or flat lie angle, the RBZ Stage II gives you the ability to customize your club to your liking.

The RBZ Stage II driver has received rave reviews for its performance on the course. Many golfers have reported increased distance and improved accuracy with this driver. The combination of the larger face and adjustable features allows for optimal launch conditions, resulting in longer and straighter drives.

But it’s not just the driver that has impressed golfers. The RBZ Stage II fairway woods and hybrids have also been highly praised. These clubs feature the same larger face and adjustable features as the driver, allowing for consistent performance across the entire RBZ Stage II line.

One of the great things about the RBZ Stage II series is that it caters to a wide range of players. Whether you’re a low handicap player looking for more distance or a high handicap player looking for more forgiveness, there is an RBZ Stage II club for you. The adjustable features make it easy to find the right settings for your game, ensuring that you get the most out of your equipment.

The TaylorMade RBZ Stage II series is a fantastic choice for golfers looking to improve their game. The larger face, adjustable features, and overall performance of these clubs make them a great investment for any golfer. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, the RBZ Stage II is sure to deliver the results you’re looking for on the course.

What Year Did The TaylorMade RocketBallz Come Out?

The TaylorMade RocketBallz woods were introduced in late 2011. This was the first generation of the RocketBallz series. The following year, in 2012, TaylorMade released the RBZ Stage 2 line, which included the driver, fairway metal, and hybrid. While all the clubs in the RBZ Stage 2 series were well-received, the fairway woods gained particular popularity.

What Does RBZ Stand For TaylorMade?

RBZ stands for RocketBallz, which is a line of golf clubs introduced by TaylorMade. The RBZ line includes drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, and irons. RocketBallz is a technology developed by TaylorMade that is designed to increase ball speed and distance. The clubs in the RBZ line feature a variety of innovative features and technologies to help golfers achieve maximum distance and performance. Some of the key features of the RBZ clubs include:

– Speed Pocket: The RBZ clubs feature a Speed Pocket, which is a large, open channel on the sole of the club that allows the face to flex more at impact, resulting in increased ball speed and distance.

– Inverted Cone Technology: The RBZ clubs also utilize TaylorMade’s Inverted Cone Technology, which is a concave-shaped face design that expands the sweet spot for enhanced forgiveness on off-center hits.

– Adjustable Loft Sleeve: Many of the RBZ drivers and fairway woods also feature an Adjustable Loft Sleeve, which allows golfers to easily adjust the loft and face angle of the club to optimize launch conditions and trajectory.

– Lightweight Construction: The RBZ clubs are designed to be lightweight, which helps golfers generate more clubhead speed for increased distance.

The RBZ line of clubs from TaylorMade is designed to provide golfers with maximum distance and performance, thanks to innovative technologies such as the Speed Pocket and Inverted Cone Technology. Whether you’re looking for a new driver, fairway wood, hybrid, or iron, the RBZ line offers a variety of options to suit your game and help you hit the ball farther and straighter.

What Is The Difference Between RBZ And RBZ Stage 2?

The RBZ Stage II is an upgraded version of the RBZ golf club. It offers several improvements and features that set it apart from its predecessor. Here are the key differences between the RBZ and RBZ Stage II:

1. Face Size: The RBZ Stage II has a larger face compared to the RBZ. A larger face provides a larger sweet spot, resulting in more forgiveness and a higher chance of hitting solid shots even on off-center hits.

2. Loft-Sleeve Technology: The RBZ Stage II incorporates the Loft-Sleeve Technology, which allows golfers to adjust the loft, lie angle, and face angle of the clubhead. This feature enables players to fine-tune their shots and optimize their launch conditions based on their swing preferences and course conditions.

3. Improved Performance: The RBZ Stage II is designed to deliver enhanced performance compared to the RBZ. The larger face and adjustable features contribute to increased distance, better trajectory control, and improved accuracy.

4. Visual Enhancements: The RBZ Stage II features a visually appealing design with improved aesthetics compared to the RBZ. This includes updated graphics and a sleeker overall appearance.

5. Availability: As the RBZ Stage II is an upgraded version, it may have replaced the RBZ in terms of availability. Golfers looking for the RBZ may need to consider the RBZ Stage II as the newer model.

By offering a larger face, Loft-Sleeve Technology, improved performance, visual enhancements, and potential availability as a newer model, the RBZ Stage II provides golfers with an upgraded and more versatile golf club option compared to the RBZ.

The TaylorMade RocketBallz (RBZ) driver is a game-changing club that has revolutionized the way golfers approach their drives. With its larger face and Loft-Sleeve Technology, this driver allows for exceptional adjustability, giving golfers the ability to fine-tune their loft, lie angle, and face angle to optimize their performance on the course.

The RBZ Stage II driver builds upon the success of its predecessor, the RBZ, and takes it to the next level. The larger face provides a larger sweet spot, resulting in increased forgiveness and improved distance even on off-center hits. This means that even golfers with less than perfect swings can still achieve impressive results with this driver.

The Loft-Sleeve Technology is another standout feature of the RBZ Stage II driver. This innovative technology allows golfers to easily adjust the loft, lie angle, and face angle of the clubhead to suit their individual preferences and playing conditions. This level of customization ensures that golfers can optimize their launch conditions and achieve maximum distance and accuracy off the tee.

Furthermore, the RBZ Stage II driver is designed with a sleek and modern aesthetic, appealing to golfers who value both performance and style. The clubhead is aerodynamically shaped, reducing drag and improving clubhead speed, resulting in even more distance off the tee.

The TaylorMade RBZ Stage II driver is a true game-changer in the world of golf. Its larger face, Loft-Sleeve Technology, and sleek design make it a top choice for golfers of all skill levels. Whether you’re a seasoned pro looking to fine-tune your game or a beginner looking to improve your distance and accuracy, the RBZ Stage II driver is sure to deliver impressive results.

Get plugged in…

Taylormade RBZ Stage 2 Driver Review

• on October 5, 2013

50 Words or Less

Solid and bold.  A true statement on the course or range.

Introduction

The story of 2012 was the Taylormade Rocketballz line.  Wow, you couldn’t go anywhere in the golf world without hearing people asking or talking about the Rocketballz woods.  The biggest problem when you deliver a product line like that is that you have to follow it up with something better.  Well Taylormade tried to do just that with the new Rocketballz Stage 2 line which is billed as “Rocketballz-ier.”

Sticking with Taylormade’s new theme of matte white woods, the most noticeable update in the Rocketballz Stage 2 driver is the loud graphics on the crown which may be difficult for some to get used to.  The head shape is generally the same as the original Rocketballz, but there is an updated color scheme to accompany the new design on the crown which is supposed to make it easier for the golfer to get the club lined up on every shot .  The new color scheme substituted the neon green for a racing yellow which gives the always-cool color combo of yellow and black.

Sound & Feel

Not only is the appearance of the Rocketballz Stage 2 a statement, but the sound is as well.  When you really rip into a shot, there’s no mistaking it.  The sound is a very thunderous smack and really lets you know that may have just cracked at least one of the layers of the ball.

With that explosive sound, you’re going to find a matching explosive feel.   The club face feels very solid and it feels like the ball just rockets off the face at impact.  (That pun even hurt me).  It’s almost disappointing to hit this club because every shot feels like it’s going 345 yards and piercing through the air, but then you realize your swing still wasn’t good enough to produce that kind of shot regardless of how it felt.

Performance

It took me a little bit to get used to the Fujikura RocketFuel shaft in the Rocketballz Stage 2 which felt pretty stout compared to my real-deal Fuel.  Once I got through the adjustment period, I was able to hit some pretty booming shots.  I wouldn’t feel comfortable telling you that the ball was ballooning whatsoever, but I wasn’t getting piercing trajectories either.  I was seeing pretty good carry (about 275 yards on average) and had a nice roll out of about 25 to 30 yards.  I wasn’t quite find all the extra length promised in the Taylormade marketing, which was expected, but I was still hitting this club plenty long.

The biggest difference between the Stage 2 and the original RBZ seems to be the improved aerodynamics which reduced drag to increase club speed, resulting in more distance.

The Stage 2 also has an updated adjustability component.  Previously, the shaft sleeve only allowed you an upright and standard lie setting, and then club face positions.  In the new sleeve, you get 7 different standard and 5 different upright loft options.  Taylormade explains this on their site:

TaylorMade Loft-Sleeve technology offers 7 standard and 5 upright loft options to add ±1.5° to each of the available standard lofts: 9.5 (which can be adjusted up to 11° or down to 8°) 10.5 (which can be adjusted up to 12° or down to 9°) and HL 13 (which can be adjusted up to 14.5° or down to 11.5°).

If you’re ready to really go out and make a statement on the golf course, the Rocketballz Stage 2 driver is exactly what you’re looking for.  This club has the long drives in it that everyone is looking for and updated adjustability making it more user friendly than previous Taylormade drivers.  For the Taylormade lifers, the Rocketballz Stage 2 will not be a great departure from the all characteristics you’ve loved in your old Taylormade drivers so consider this as a great upgrade option when you’re ready to pick up your next driver .

Price & Specs

Price: $299.99

Shaft: Fujikura RocketFuel – Regular, Stiff, X-Flex

RBZ Stage 2 Driver (2)

RBZ Stage 2 Driver (3)

RBZ Stage 2 Driver (4)

RBZ Stage 2 Driver (5)

RBZ Stage 2 Driver (6)

RBZ Stage 2 Driver (7)

RBZ Stage 2 Driver (8)

RBZ Stage 2 Driver (9)

RBZ Stage 2 Driver (10)

Recent posts.

• Puma Ignite PWRADAPT Golf Shoes Review - March 22, 2018
• TaylorMade M3 Driver Review - March 14, 2018
• TaylorMade M4 Driver Review - March 5, 2018

I just bought a “new” (it’s never been hit) Taylormade stage 2 driver. It is not what I thought. I was expecting am adjustable shaft. This one has a fixed shaft. Seaching google does not tell me why. Do you have the answer? Bill

Where did you buy it from? Is it possible you have a “fake”?

Leave a Comment Cancel

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Email Address

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Golf News – September 19, 2024
• Titleist GT3 Driver Review
• Nippon NS Pro 750GH neo Shaft Review
• Podcast Episode 227 – Reader Questions + T.W.I.G.
• Golf News – September 17, 2024

Contact Us Advertise Subscribe Privacy Policy

Advertise on this site.

Plugged In Golf

Do You Like Free Golf Gear?

Sign up for our weekly newsletter and not only will you get the latest reviews, instruction, and more delivered directly to your inbox, you’ll also be entered into regular giveaways for golf clubs and more.

• Buying Guides
• Equipment News
• Equipment Reviews
• Instruction

TaylorMade RocketBallz Tour Driver Review

The TaylorMade RBZ Rocketballz Tour Driver is similar in features to the standard RBZ driver so it has the adjustable hosel and the same white paint job. However that is where the similarity ends.

Firstly the shaft is an inch shorter and is a much stiffer and better quality Matrix shaft than the standard version, but this comes at a price. Secondly the head is a different shape that is taller and more triangular than the standard version. This does give it a lower, more penetrating flight, which is better. However we don't feel it looks as good and the sound is much more of a high pitched clunk, which is disappointing in what is supposed to be a better player premium driver.

With the previous Burner Superfast model we preferred the TP version over the standard version, but with theTaylorMade Rocketballz driver it is the other way round. The standard driver looks better, sounds better and is cheaper.

We would probably prefer the R11S over the RBZ Tour, which is also cheaper, so this is really going to come down to personal preference and how much adjustability you want in a driver.

TaylorMade RocketBallz Tour Driver - Product Details

Write a review, facebook comments, related news.

Ping G430 Max 10K Driver Review

Ping return to the 10,000 MOI mark for the first time since 2018

Cobra Darkspeed X Driver Review

Extreme Aero Technology features claiming to provide out of this world speed

Mizuno ST-Max 230 Driver Review

Great looking driver provides forgiveness at a cost...

TaylorMade Qi10 Rescue Review

TaylorMade focus on forgiveness with excellent new hybrid

TaylorMade Unveils 2024 TP5 Balls

New Speed Wrapped Core provides a softer sound with better feel and more distance

TaylorMade Qi10 Max Rescue Review

Friendly, forgiving and high-launching TaylorMade Rescue

TaylorMade Qi10 Max Fairway Review

TaylorMade's most forgiving fairway ever put to the test

TaylorMade SpeedSoft Ink Ball Review

Great value golf ball could bring some extra colour to your game

Cobra Darkspeed LS Driver Review

The best looking driver of the year put to the test!

Callaway Ai Smoke Ti 340 Mini Driver

Callaway becomes the latest brand to join the mini driver craze...

Most Popular

What's in the bag: bryson dechambeau, what's in the bag: xander schauffele, wilson dynapower forged irons review, ping s159 wedge review, what's in the bag: rasmus højgaard, mizuno jpx925 hot metal irons review, taylormade p7cb irons review, callaway apex ai200 irons review, taylormade introduce hi-toe 4 wedge, callaway opus wedge review.

Our TaylorMade RBZ Black Driver Review (Worth It In 2024?)

Are you someone that still likes a classic look on a driver? The new designs with all of their aerodynamics, power slots, and speed injection just seem like more than you need.

Are you also tired of paying $500 plus for the latest and greatest models? Only to find out that did not help your game all that much.

The TaylorMade RBZ Black Driver may be a club for you to consider.

TaylorMade RBZ Black Driver Review

The Rocketballz products were designed to help golfers keep the ball straight enough to stay in the fairway, while also promoting some decent ball speed.

These clubs were built to give players confidence and be easy to control. The RBZ Driver does all of these things, and even low handicap players are looking to this golf club as a solid piece of equipment to help their game.

The RBZ Black is a 460cc Titanium headed driver designed for higher launch and low spin. This club also features an adjustable loft sleeve and a premium shaft offering, all for less than $200.

Seems too good to be true but it’s not. This TaylorMade RBZ Driver review will try to break down both the positives and negatives.

Skilled Golf also has a detail article on the Best Driver Shafts

Key Features

• It comes with 12 different lofts, lie angle, and face angles
• You can easily adjust to having a driver that fits your needs
• Higher ball speeds than previous models
• Large club face for a better sweet spot 
• Built for all handicaps, especially higher handicaps
• Lower center of gravity 
• High launch, yet low spin

Features and Benefits

Player Handicap

This driver is technically designed for the mid to high handicap player . It has the forgiveness and distance that these players are seeking.

The interesting thing about this RBZ is that its classic look has been attracting some lower handicap players that are on a budget.

If you are a lower handicap player that doesn’t want to jump on board with each release that Taylormade puts on the market, this is a great option to consider.

The stock shaft offering will not work great for very fast swing speed so keep that in mind.

Adjustability

Almost all the best drivers on the market have some type of an adjustable club head. This RBZ Black is no exception.

Featuring the TaylorMade adjustable loft sleeve in the hosel this club can be adjusted for both loft and lie . Allowing you to choose your optimal ball flight.

Many of the newer drivers on the market also feature an adjustable center of gravity, this RBZ does not.

Shaft Options

Since this TaylorMade RBZ Is no longer being produced it is only available with one stock shaft. The shaft is a premium Matrix White Tie 55 Gram . The shaft will produce a mid to high launch and it’s rather light to increase swing speed.

It’s hard to find this Driver in an X Shaft so if you have some fast swing speeds it’s important to look for a heavier driver to accommodate your needs.

One of the negatives to buying a driver that is no longer being manufactured is that although you can choose between senior, regular and stiff shaft you can’t choose the technology that fits your game exactly.

The Rocketballz Driver is designed for a certain player if you are that player you are in luck! If not, you may need to consider another option or look at replacing the shaft at some point.

Look/Sound/Feel

Potentially the best thing about the Taylormade Driver RBZ is the Look, Sound, and Feel. (aside from the price!)

If you like the Burner Driver that Taylormade put out many years ago you will love this TaylorMade Rocketballz. TaylorMade as a company tries to put out solid hitting, long, titanium options to fit a wide customer base.

Sometimes the drivers end up looking a little funky and people will look for something simpler, this TaylorMade Rocketballz is that simple classic look with a great sound.

If you have read any other driver review we have done you know that ball speed is the name of the game when it comes to distance.

This TaylorMade Rocketballz was designed with speed pocket technology to help increase distance.

If you are looking for the most advanced performance on the market you will need to look at a different Driver. There is a reason the TaylorMade M5 and M6 are priced closer to $500 than $200.

They are longer but it’s not always necessary for the average golfer to have an additional ten yards it their drives are straight, they stay in the fairway and they save $300!

The way that a driver looks is going to impact a player’s confidence. The better looking a golf driver is, the more chance you will have to feel like you can hit it far and straight. Looking at the golf driver with the black carbon crown, you will also have an easier time aiming at the club. 

The black crown creates a contrast that players can use to help ensure that the face is pointing the proper way towards the target. Overall the appearance of the black satin club head of the RBZ Driver is something that many players find to be attractive and classic looking.

Forgiveness

Anytime you combine an adjustable clubhead, with a lightweight titanium clubhead and a Matrix White Tie 55 gram shaft you are going to see a great deal of forgiveness.

The clubhead has some detailing done to help improve alignment and keep you hitting the ball towards your target.

Many amateur players forget the importance of alignment, no matter how advanced this technology gets there are still some things that are up to the golfer and their swing!

 If you are looking for a good golf driver without having to break the bank, this is a great option to consider.

Who Would Benefit From Using The TaylorMade RBZ Black Driver? 

Golfers that have a higher handicap and are interested in longer, straighter, and higher golf drivers will enjoy the TaylorMade RBZ Black Driver. With the RBZ Black, you can expect much more forgiveness than previous Burner Drivers from TaylorMade. 

In addition, the RBZ Black driver can work for a beginner golfer. For a beginner golfer, a large sweet spot, high launch, and higher ball speed are all essential features to consider.

Alternatives

Taylormade m2 driver.

The M2 Driver is a newer release than the Rocketballz driver series put out by TaylorMade. With each new release, the company claims more distance and more forgiveness.

I have to admit, I do think the M2 is a bit longer than this RBZ. The M2 has dropped considerably in price since it was released and now it can compete from a pricing standpoint as well.

The M2 features a large sweet spot and improvements on that speed pocket technology. It is (similar to the Rocketballz Driver) an option that even a low handicap customer can consider. The M2 is also quite lite making is a good option for a senior player as well.

When you are comparing the RBZ to the TaylorMade M2 you are finding a very comparable model, when you compare the RBZ to the newer M5 and M6 the differences are significant.

Read our TaylorMade M2 Driver review.

Cobra F9 Speedback

Some people are rating this the best Driver of 2019. I can’t say that I disagree. I love the wide range of players that this club can work for.

Since it has many stock shaft offerings, adjustability for the center of gravity as well as loft and launch, this club can be set to work for any golfer out there.

The look of this one is going to be a little less traditional than the RBZ Black but it will still have that sleek black look to it.

The CNC Milled face on this F9 has led to an increase in precision when manufacturing the sweet spot on the clubface. This Driver is one of the best on the market and Cobra doesn’t often get enough credit for its advancements in technology.

The ball speeds coming off of the F9 as compared to the RBZ are very likely going to be higher.

The price point was considerably higher but has started to drop as Cobra is releasing a new line in early January 2020.

Read our Cobra F9 Speedback review

Callaway X Hot Driver

The Callaway X Hot Driver is not one that you hear about as often as the Epic Flash or the Rogue . It is a less expensive, less technologically advanced option put out by Callaway .

The Callaway X Hot Driver is very forgiving , it is hot off the clubface and comes with the VFT Face technology. VFT stands for Variable Face Thickness, making the clubface the exact thickness it needs to be in the sweet spot of the club.

The X Hot Driver is a very similar price point to the RBZ and the M2 and it comes with an adjustable lie angle.

This will allow you to open or close the clubface to help with a slice or a hook, however the loft is not adjustable. Keep this in mind when purchasing this club so that you end up with an option that suits you properly.

Read our Callaway X Hot Driver review .

Frequently Asked Questions

What does rbz stand for.

TaylorMade RBZ stands for Rocketballz technology. Each TaylorMade line of clubs that comes out has a new name that represents what the club is capable of. With the TaylorMade RBZ, you can expect to get plenty of distance. This line was released prior to the SIM line from TaylorMade.

Taylormade RBZ vs M2 Irons how do they compare?

The TaylorMade RBZ irons were released before the M2, and they are slightly more forgiving than the M2 irons. The M series from TaylorMade was very high-performing and gave players a wide range of benefits. The great thing about the M series compared to the RBZ is that there are options for many players.

What year is the Taylormade RBZ Black Driver?

The original release of the TaylorMade RBZ driver was in 2012. This is quite some time ago, but technology has improved greatly since then. The TaylorMade RBZ Black Driver is an affordable option that many golfers find to still have relevant technology.

Why does the RBZ’s speed pocket promote high launch and low spin?

The higher launch and low spin combination will result in much more distance. Lower spin also helps forgiveness increase as the slice and hook do not tend to be as bad with a low spin golf driver.

What is the warranty on this driver?

Most golf drivers come with a warranty against any kind of issues with the club head in the first year that they are on the market. If you break the golf shaft, you are likely not going to have that covered. The warranty on the golf driver does not cover something that you have done to the driver yourself; the clubhead is only for manufacturers’ defects.

I’m sure many of you can relate to this.

When I play my best golf it’s because the club and I feel like friends. Not only do I feel like I have complete control over the golf club, but I know how it will respond to both good and bad shots.

In some strange way, I almost feel like I had a part in designing the club.

Now, sometimes this is a $500 club and sometimes it is a $200 club. That doesn’t matter. The key idea with the game of golf is getting something that looks and feels good to you.

As we discussed with this TaylorMade RBZ driver review there are plenty of good things about this club that makes it an option for a wide range of players.

As far as a technology upgrade from something like a Burner Driver, this is a perfect option to consider. Is it going to perform as strongly as the M5 or M6

Most likely not. The question becomes, do you need all that the M5 and M6 offer. If golf is your passion and you play 4 times a week, certainly the investment seems warranted.

Henry Foster

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Top Categories

• Training Aids
• Accessories

Site Navigation

Useful links.

• Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2024 Skilled Golf

Inverted Cone Clubface Technology promoted me with plenty of speed as well as distance on off-centre hits and the club’s thick-thin crown design creates lower CG for higher launch trajectory and improved distance.

The RBZ Tour driver possesses an aerodynamic head design where 300 grams of weight have been removed and this allowed me to generate plenty of clubhead speed, especially with the club’s lightweight Matrix shaft and grip.

TaylorMade has also shortened the length of the shaft in the RBZ by removing half an inch to help promote accuracy.

While I wasn’t overly keen on the noise at impact, the results more than made amends. The ball felt solid off the deep face and presented me with a penetrating ball flight. 

RocketBallz Tour comes in 9 and 10.5-degree versions in a Matrix XCON 6 graphite shaft.

The RocketBallz driver is a great investment. It is probably best for the golfer that has already developed consistency in shots as this player can then take full advantage of an increase in distance.

To make the most of your RocketBallz driver, I would certainly recommend making sure you get hold of the correct shaft and launch angles.

Sponsored Posts

Subscribe to our newsletter.

Get the latest golf news, equipment reviews and promotions direct to your inbox!

For more information, read our Privacy Policy

Latest News

Latest Reviews

Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker

TaylorMade introduces RocketBallz RBZ drivers

TaylorMade has introduced a new franchise called RocketBallz (RBZ) which combines speed, adjustability and two unique clubhead options - RocketBallz Speed and RocketBallz Tour

• Sign up to Golf Monthly Newsletter Newsletter

TaylorMade has introduced a new franchise called RocketBallz (RBZ) which combines speed, adjustability and two clubhead options - RocketBallz Speed and RocketBallz Tour.

The revolutionary new driver franchise is designed to appeal to a wide range of players.TaylorMade's new RBZ drivers will be played by PGA Tour stars Camilo Villegas and Jason Day .

The TaylorMade RocketBallz drivers incorporate TaylorMade's patented Flight Control Technology (FCT) which is packaged into a modern, aerodynamically shaped clubhead outfitted with a lightweight, 50-gram shaft.

With FCT, golfers can adjust the performance angles (face angle, loft and lie) of the RBZ driver to one of eight settings via the FCT sleeve. These settings allow a range of launch conditions that promote up to 60 yards of side-to-side trajectory adjustment.

The new TaylorMade RocketBallz drivers are being offered in two models: Speed and Tour. The RocketBallz Speed driver boasts a larger appearance at address with a standard face height, while the RocketBallz Tour driver is mid-sized at address with a deeper face. Both are traditionally shaped and feature improved aerodynamics thanks to TaylorMade's Ultra-Thin Wall (UTW) casting process and Thick-Thin crown design.

The TaylorMade RocketBallz Speed driver will retail at £249 and the Tour version at £329. Both drivers will be available in February with TaylorMade RBZ irons and woods expected in the following months.

Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter

Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.

The BMW PGA Championship is the DP World Tour’s flagship event, and many players from the PGA Tour are competing at Wentworth this week

By Mike Hall Published 16 September 24

Bob Harig of Sports Illustrated has reported that officials from the circuits met in August, but LIV Golf's proposal was rejected by the DP World Tour

• Contact Future's experts
• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Accessibility statement
• Cookies policy
• Advertise with us

Golf Monthly is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site . © Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

• Account Login
• Order Status

• Customer Service

Featured Brands

• Bridgestone
• New Balance
• Sun Mountain
• Tour Striker
• Travis Mathew
• True Linkswear

View All Brands

• Fairway Woods
• Complete Sets
• Womens Clubs
• Junior Clubs

Featured Golf Clubs

• Callaway Epic Flash Driver
• Cleveland RTX-4 Wedges
• Tour Edge Exotics EXS Driver
• Dixon Earth

Shop by Type

Related categories.

• Personalized Golf Balls
• Golf Range Balls
• Limited Flight Practice Golf Balls
• Ladies Bags
• Junior Bags
• Travel Bags
• Golf Bag Rain Covers
• Golf Bag Accessories
• Golf Push Carts
• Electric Carts
• Push Cart Accessories
• Electric Push Cart Accessories
• Golf Cart Accessories

Golf Training Aids

• Impact Position
• Launch Monitors
• Swing Analysis
• Swing Plane
• Weight Transfer

Featured Training Aids

• DST Compressor
• Explanar Golf
• Eyeline Golf
• Impact Snap
• Orange Whip
• Perfect Putter
• Smart Stick
• Swing Glove
• Swing Jacket
• Swing Plane Perfector
• Tour Angle 144
• Golf Practice Equipment
• Golf Putting Greens
• Golf Hitting Mats
• Golf Hitting Nets
• Golf Launch Monitors
• Golf Simulators
• Voice Caddie

Featured GPS Systems

• Garmin Approach S60 Golf GPS Watch
• Bushnell Ion 2 GPS Watch
• Voice Caddie VC300 GPS
• Garmin Approach S20 GPS Watch
• SkyCaddie SX500 Golf GPS
• Garmin Approach G10 GPS
• Bushnell Phantom GPS
• Garmin Approach G80 GPS & Launch Monitor
• SkyCaddie Linx GT GPS Watch
• Golf Rangefinders
• Golf GPS Accessories
• Ian Poulter
• Loudmouth Golf
• Zero Restriction

Accessories

• Ball Retrievers
• Cart Accessories
• Cart Covers
• Club Storage
• Divot Tools
• Golf Club Accessories
• GPS Systems
• GPS Accessories
• Memorabilia
• Nutritional Bars
• Rangefinders
• Range Supplies
• Home > TaylorMade RocketBallz Adjustable Driver

Shop With Confidence

• Free Shipping
• Price Matching
• 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
• Privacy & Security

TaylorMade RocketBallz Adjustable Driver

• Sale Price $179.95 (40% off)
• MSRP $299.95
• Product Code: TM-RBZD
• Manufacturer: TaylorMade Golf
• Availability: Discontinued
• Hand: Right Handed Left Handed
• Loft: 9.5° 10.5° HL
• Flex: Senior Regular Stiff XStiff
• Shaft: Matrix XCON 5
• Quantity in Basket: None
• Email your friend
• Free Shipping On Orders Over $75 (Continental United States Only)

Testimonials:

“I am always working hard to raise my performance – especially off the tee. This driver’s distance and the fact that I can tune it gives me a huge advantage this year.” - Camilo Villegas

“The RocketBallz driver is crazy good. I wanted to put it in my bag the first time I hit it and instantly understood why it was named RocketBallz. I can’t wait to play with this driver.”

Recent Products

Featured products.

2024 Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max Driver

2024 Sun Mountain C-130 Golf Cart Bag

Garmin R10 Golf Launch Monitor & Simulator

True Linkswear True OG Tour Golf Shoes - Black/White

Power angle pro - golf swing trainer.

My Mini Golf Professional Set - Miniature Golf Set

GPaint Golf Club Paint - 8 Pack (All 8 Colors)

Stewart Q Follow Electric Golf Push Cart - Carbon - w/ Free Accessories

2023 Odyssey White Hot Versa Seven Putter

Sure Putt Pro Golf Green Reader & Golf Putting Aid - Red Poker Chip

Rypstick Golf Swing Speed Training Aid

Garmin Approach S70 Golf GPS Watch - Black/47mm - Ceramic Bezel/Black Silicone Band

Company Info

• Privacy Policy
• Returns & Exchanges
• 1-888-733-8383
• [email protected]
• InTheHoleGolf.com
• P.O. Box 11471
• Jackson, WY 83002