Dec. 22, 2004 – TaylorMade Golf has introduced the new r7 quad ht driver, a variation of the r7 quad driver, which is currently the No.1 driver on the PGA Tour.

The new r7 quad ht driver shares the same advanced technologies that have made TaylorMade's r7 quad such a phenomenal success, including TaylorMade Launch Control (TLC). TLC technology gives the user the freedom to change the clubhead's weighting to create a variety of launch conditions in a state-of-the-art titanium driver. The r7 quad ht is targeted at players who can increase their distance off the tee by increasing their spin-rate and launch angle.

The r7 quad ht clubhead is sized at 400 cubic centimeters – the same as the standard r7 quad – however the ht features a shallower, longer clubface and a larger, more substantial clubhead shape when viewed in the address position.

The ht's different shape gives it a 5% increase in MOI versus the standard r7 quad, so the ht is a bit more forgiving on mis-hits. Additionally, the difference in the r7 quad ht's head geometry results in a center of gravity (CG) position that is 1.5 millimeters farther back and 1 millimeter lower than the r7 quad, which is a significant change. The ht's deeper and lower CG position produces launch conditions that deliver a higher trajectory. TaylorMade testing indicates that the r7 quad ht delivers a higher launch angle and additional backspin compared to the standard r7 quad. These attributes are beneficial to players who need more spin and a higher trajectory to attain added distance.

TLC Technology
Typical drivers deliver a single set of launch conditions. If those launch conditions are not ideal for a particular player, distance is lost. TaylorMade's research and development (R&D) team solved that problem by creating TaylorMade Launch Control (TLC) technology, which is used in the r7 quad, r7 quad TP and now the r7 quad ht. TLC incorporates 48 grams of discretionary weight, 24 of which is moveable. TLC gives players the power to change the clubhead's center-of-gravity position, allowing them to choose the launch conditions that work best with their swings to promote maximum distance and accuracy. In terms of distance, TLC promotes the optimum combination of carry and roll; in terms of accuracy, TLC promotes a lateral change in shot-direction of up to 10 yards to the right or left.

TLC proved itself quickly on the PGA Tour, as the r7 quad became the No. 1 driver model on the PGA Tour within weeks of its introduction. Likewise, the r7 quad became the best-selling metalwood in the United States in terms of dollar-market share within weeks of its launch at retail, and it still holds that No. 1 position. Players of all skill levels, from tour professionals to recreational players, have used TLC technology to maximize the length and accuracy of their tee shots by dialing in the launch conditions that work best with their individual swing characteristics.

With the introduction of the new r7 quad ht, TaylorMade has made the benefits of TLC technology available to a new segment of golfers, those that require a higher launch angle and spin-rate than that provided by the r7 quad in order to achieve greater distance.

A Range of Trajectories
The concept for the r7 quad gained serious momentum after TaylorMade's R & D staff began exploring methods to redistribute clubhead weight to enhance performance. In other words, borrow weight from one area of the head and relocate it elsewhere. That would make it possible to shift the CG to different locations in the clubhead, giving the driver a wider range of performance possibilities. To make it possible to redistribute clubhead weight, TaylorMade R & D engineers created TLC ports and TLC cartridges. Installing the TLC cartridges into the TLC ports in different configurations shifts the CG to different locations, each one delivering a new set of launch conditions based upon the player's personal performance needs.

One of the key challenges posed by TLC was the need to free up 48 grams of discretionary weight from within the 400cc clubhead. TaylorMade succeeded in part by making the walls of the r7 quad driver models, including the r7 quad, r7 quad TP and r7 quad ht incredibly thin, yet still strong. Whereas the walls of a typical titanium wood measure from 1 to 1.2 millimeters thick, the walls of the r7 quad drivers are a mere 0.8 millimeters thick. This unique and exclusive production process is called Super-Thin Wall technology, or STW for short, and without it TLC would not be possible. Additionally, Inverted Cone Technology plays a key weight-saving role. The Inverted Cone, which is milled directly onto the inner side of the clubface, results in a lighter-than-average clubface, and that saved weight is invested in TLC ports and cartridges.

Like the r7 quad, each of the r7 quad ht's six CG positions also promotes changes in trajectory that can help the player to hit the ball higher or lower; and provides biases that will help low and mid handicap players to adjust their current ball flight to the right or to the left by varying degrees. A special tool, called the TLC Trajectory Wheel comes with the r7 quad ht, and is designed to clearly show the player which TLC cartridges are required and how they should be configured to promote each of six potential trajectories the r7 quad ht is designed to deliver.

Sophisticated System of Weight Distribution
Two of the r7 quad ht's TLC cartridges weigh ten grams and two weigh two grams, totaling 24 grams of moveable weight and half of the r7 quad's 48 grams of discretionary weight. The two-gram cartridge is a single piece of high-strength titanium, which is light enough yet strong enough to stand up to the 30 inch-lbs of torque required to keep it firmly in place. The ten-gram cartridge is made mostly of tungsten. The TLC ports themselves comprise the remaining 24 grams of the r7 quad ht's discretionary weight. The TLC ports are strategically positioned as low as possible to keep the CG low, and as far toward the clubhead's perimeter as allowable, making it possible to move the CG far enough to reach the desired locations. Placing the TLC ports at the perimeter was also necessary to maintain the club's MOI, for maximum forgiveness on mis-hits.

TLC cartridges feature a special six-pointed drive for use with a special tool called the TLC Torque Wrench, which was created specifically to install and remove cartridges. TaylorMade chose six points to allow more points of contact for a more secure connection. Because both the ten and two-gram cartridges are engineered to be securely installed when tightened to 30 inch-pounds of torque, the TLC Torque Wrench is self-limiting, and will deliver that exact amount of torque and no more to prevent over-tightening the cartridge. When the TLC Torque Wrench reaches 30 inch-lbs., it emits a loud click, alerting the user that the cartridge is sufficiently tight.

A detailed instruction manual that clearly explains how to proper install, remove and care for the TLC cartridges and TLC ports comes with all r7 quad driver models.

Larger COR Zone for Consistently Long Drives
Like the standard r7 quad, the r7 quad ht's clubhead is built using Pull-Face construction, wherein the clubface is made separately from the clubhead. That allows TaylorMade to cold-roll the clubface out of exceptionally strong titanium, resulting in an exceedingly fast, flexible and light clubface that bumps up against the USGA's COR limit of .830.

Also like the standard r7 quad, the r7 quad ht features TaylorMade's groundbreaking Inverted Cone Technology, known as ICT. The Inverted Cone, which is milled onto the inner side of the clubface, increases the size of a club's COR zone, which is the portion of the clubface that delivers more than .800 COR. What that means is that ICT allows a larger area of the face to deliver consistently higher ball velocity, resulting in consistently longer drives.

Lightweight M.A.S.2 7-55 Shaft
The r7 quad ht comes equipped with TaylorMade's M.A.S.2 7-55 shaft, which weighs 55 grams and which is available in TS, S, R, and M flexes. A lighter, 50-gram shaft, the M.A.S.2 7-50, is available in L flex.

The r7 quad ht is available in the same loft options as the r7 quad: 8.5, 9.5, 10.5 and 11.5.

The r7 quad ht will be available at starting this month in the US. The manufacturer's suggested retail price is US$600.

Source - TaylorMade Golf