TaylorMade R7 Driver Review – Good for High Handicappers & Forgiving?

The TaylorMade R7 driver comes in three versions; but for this review, we will be taking a look at the largest version of the trio, the TaylorMade R7 460 driver.

As the name suggests, the Taylormade R7 460 driver is a 460cc driver and has a very large footprint.

The TaylorMade R7 Driver Family

It’s worth noting that the other 2 drivers in the R7 family are very nice in their own regards

If you prefer a more compact look at address then you may like the TaylorMade R7 425 which, you guessed it, has a 425cc head. The other driver in the R7 family is the TaylorMade R7 TP.

The TaylorMade R7 TP is the most expensive of the three and it comes with a nicer feeling shaft. But for beginners and high handicappers, the TaylorMade R7 460 is the way to go.

Is it Good for High Handicappers?

One of the best and most notable things about the TaylorMade R7 for high handicappers is the large footprint and sole.

The sole actually makes this driver swing very nicely. It feels comfortable and the large head doesn’t really weigh it down too much. The TaylorMade R7 features two weight ports that can be adjusted.

One port is located on the heel side while the other is placed behind the toe. You can adjust the weights with a wrench to tweak the CG from side to side. This feature alone will make this driver viable for a lot of different high handicap players with different shot biases.

Is it Forgiving?

Aside from the large head and tunable weights, the TaylorMade R7 also features inverted cone technology.

This is a feature we have seen in many TaylorMade clubs past and present. It essentially expands the sweet spot over a larger portion of the hitting zone. Our testers noted that their toe-side shots were flying straighter and their heel-side shots were keeping more ball speed.

And to be honest, with a head this large, you can’t really miss the sweet spot. While workability is certainly sacrificed, the TaylorMade R7 is definitely a forgiving driver which is of more value and importance to high handicappers.

Moreover, it’s a surprisingly comfortable driver to swing. Even our high handicap testers got the hang of the TaylorMade R7 within just a few swings. It’s just one of those drivers that’s very easy to get used to.

Difference Between the TaylorMade R7 and the SIM2 Max Drivers

With the SIM2 Max, TaylorMade did away with adjustable weight ports.

Instead, they went with the inertia generator which places a heavy steel weight far back in the head. While not as versatile as the TaylorMade R7, the SIM2 Max driver is definitely forgiving and delivers distance comparable to the TaylorMade R7 driver.

Available Shafts

  • TaylorMade Reax 60 graphite shaft
  • Fujikura Fit-On graphite shaft
  • Fujikura Vista Pro 50 graphite shaft
  • Aldila NV 65 graphite shaft

Is the TaylorMade R7 Driver Worth it?

Based on the price alone, we would say it’s definitely worth it.

The TaylorMade R7 is actually a pretty old driver. It came out back in 2005 so these days you will find it at a pretty heavy discount – usually under $100. But it is still a great driver for high handicappers and beginners so we would say it’s most certainly worth a look.

And for a driver that is over 15 years old, we were also surprised to see that there are still so many quality shaft options for it which is a nice little perk.

Taylormade R7 Driver

In 20 Words or Less

With a striking sole design and adjustable weights, the Taylormade R7 plays as dynamically as it looks.

Taylormade R7 Driver – First Impressions

The first thing you will notice is the sole which almost looks like the back of a jet fighter.

The tuning ports make this driver look like something out of science fiction which is cool if you’re into that kind of thing. But after our first few swings with the Taylormade R7, we found it to be very light and comfortable.

The 460cc head doesn’t do much to increase the swing weight. Although the sound and feel at impact weren’t the best. In terms of distance, this driver really delivers. Our testers were averaging a drive distance of 231 yards with this driver.

Again, the workability isn’t quite there but that’s only to be expected with a 460cc head. Flight was a little low; but that would also work out in some situations like windy days. It is also advantageous if you have a faster swing speed and actually prefer a more penetrating ball flight.

Taylormade R7 Selling Points

  • Inverted cone technology
  • Weight tuning ports
  • 460cc head
  • Dynamic sole design
  • Forgiving face

Who is the Taylormade R7 Driver for?

The Taylormade R7 driver would be a great choice for any high handicapper or beginner.

It’s big, it’s affordable and it can be adjusted to suit your swing type and shot biases. The  would also be a good choice for anyone who needs more distance from the tee. Your shots will likely fly straighter and therefore go further.

Taylormade R7 Family of Drivers

The Taylormade R7 460

This was the driver we liked the most for beginners and high handicappers. It’s the biggest of the three drivers in the R7 family and has the most pleasing look at address for people who are new to the game.

The Taylormade R7 425

The 425 version has a smaller head and better workability. The Taylormade R7 425 driver would definitely be better for lower handicap players seeking more workability from the tee.

The Taylormade R7 TP

The Taylormade R7 TP driver would also be a good choice for mid to low handicappers. It will likely cost more but has all the essential features that the other two drivers in the R7 family have.

Distance: 95/100

Accuracy: 94/100

Forgiveness: 93/100

Feel and Control: 91/100

Overall Score: 94/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Shop_Now

Titleist TSR2 Vs PXG 0311 Black Ops Driver
Taylormade Qi10 Vs PXG 0311 Black Ops Driver
Ping G430 10k Max Vs PXG 0311 Black Ops Driver
Cobra Darkspeed Vs PXG 0311 Black Ops Driver
The PXG 0311 Black Ops Driver
Ai Smoke Vs TSR2
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Vs Cobra Darkspeed Driver
Cobra Darkspeed Driver