I got my hands on a few demos from Taylormade Japan. They were kind enough to send me the new R9 TP Forged along with the Burner TP, Japan R9 and R9 Max irons for comparison. I am sure many people are interested in comparing the two TP models so I would like to note right off the bat that TM accidently sent me the R9 TP Forged as a 5 iron demo whole all the other models are 7 irons. While I can still compare the irons for their feel and overall design, please keep in mind that some comparisons like offset and head dimensions may be slightly skewed in comparing a 5 iron to a 7 iron. When these differences arise I will make a note of them.

Two Japan Only TP Models…

The Burner TP as you all tknow was the first release for a Japan TP model with conforming grooves for 2010. The R9 Japan model which is in fact the same dimensions as the US R9 TP model but with a different look also has conforming grooves but is not a TP model in Japan. The R9 iron which was launched late last summer to much fanfare in Japan has not done nearly as well as TM has hoped for. Personally I feel the Burner line in Japan with the Burner Forged and Burner TP are the better irons, looks, design, performance and feel wise. The soft cast Burner TP had unprecedented demand in Japan which TM struggled to keep up with  when they launched at the end of December. Supply has finally caught up with demand now and they are much more readily available.

So in comes the first of the new R9 Forged models, the TP Forged, which will be followed by a standard R9 Forged in May… yes yet another R9 iron. For now lets take a look at how the two TP models, the TP Forged and the Burner TP compare.

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Physical Comparisons…

When physically comparing the new R9 TP Forged to the Burner TP, the R9 TP Forged is obviously a smaller head (even with the 5 iron vs the 7 iron of the Burner TP). The Burner TP stands a little taller and the scorelines/hitting area is slightly longer  heel to toe.  Another obvious difference is that the TP Forged is a one piece forged solid CB while the Burner TP has a pocket cavity that runs up to the 7 iron for added forgiveness.  Now while it is difficult to compare the TP Forged 5 iron to the Burner TP 7 iron for offset, interestingly when looking at the specs, the R9 TP Forged has minimal offset but MORE offset than the Burner TP which has very very little.  For a compact CB, the Burner TP really stands out when it comes to almost no offset and this is definitely one of the big draws for the Burner.

Contemporary Finish vs Black Modern Look…

Another obvious difference between the two irons is finish. The Burner TP comes in a very sexy black IP finish while the R9 Tp Forged is a mix of mirror finish and satin finish. What I began to think as I compared these irons is that the R9 TP Forged is more of the classic pure forged  clean looking one piece cavity while the Burner TP is technology and modern looks. Which do I prefer? I’ve actually said it before, I think the Burner TP is the best looking TM iron ever and the release of the R9 TP Forged does not really change that opinion. Minimalists may prefer the look of the TP Forged but it would have been even better in my opinion if it was all brushed satin.

Notes on Feel and Performance…

So how do they feel and perform? As I have said many times in the past, feel is subjective and there are many things that affect ones perceived feel of an iron, including the material, design, the shaft it uses and of course, how well a player can pure that shot. So based on that criteria I can comment on both what I thought of feel and how well I could pure the shot which tells me ease of use. Lets face it typically any club with a “Tour” tag on it is not usually considered in the ease of use category however I believe that one can never have too much forgiveness and that includes the better player. So first off the bat the Burner TP is the easier of the two to hit. Both irons had 950GH stiff in them which made the shaft an equal point. The TP Forged possesses the thinner sole of the two irons which really suits the better player who can take a divot or none after impact. For the average golfer a wider sole to prevent digging is considered more forgiving. The R9 TP is a players iron and is not meant for the player who cannot strike the ball well or consistently. The Burner TP has the pocket cavity in the 7 iron which was much more forgiving on miss hits.

Now here is the interesting part, the premium forged S25C and the soft cast Burner TP feel equally soft and equally rewarding. TM has done a great job here with the feel of the Burner TP, it feels as good as the forged R9 TP in my opinion. Both are very pure off perfect strikes almost to the point where you feel nothing. I do not notice any sort of clickiness on the Burner TP which can sometimes be associated with pocket cavities. At address both frame the ball very well and both look very good with their little offset.  It does appear that both irons have similar thickness when it comes to the top line though the Burner TP gives an illusion of being even thinner due to dark finish which joins at the top of the iron meeting the face (see second picture from the left in the last row in the gallery below for a clearer picture).

I should also mention again that I also had the R9 and R9 Max here to compare but since I already did a head to head comparison for the R9 and R9 Max last year I pretty much kept this to a R9 TP Forged vs Burner TP comparison. I would have loved to have more time with the TP Forged especially actual course playing time as I have gone out with the Burner TP in the past. Looks like in May we will have to do another comparison when the much anticipated R9 Forged with pocket cavity and asroll face comes out.

Japan gets the Best Stuff?

The new R9 TP Forged is a very good iron worth the consideration of any low handicapper or aspiring pro. It has a very clean no frills look to it, is small, compact and very pure on impact with a thin sole and top line. It does however have to compete with a magnificent iron under the same umbrella in the Japan model Burner TP.  One thing is for sure, Taylormade sure gives Japan the best stuff. (^_^) Check out all the TM Japan clubs in the pro shop!

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