I was able to spend the last week playing around with both the R9 and R9 Max iron so I thought I’d give some feedback on these Japan market models even though people are probably sick to death of hearing about the R9 with all the exposure this line got this year. Taylormade is one of the most if not the most focused American brands in the Japanese market. With exclusive models released just for Japan and top models like the R9 being released first in Japan before anywhere else in the world, Taylormade has always given that extra little attention to the demanding Japanese market.
R9 and R9 Max Japan Models…
Back in the summer, the R9 irons were released first in Japan along with the R9 Driver and Japan only R9 Max driver. What many people did not realize which I made mention of several times in the blog here, is that the Japan model R9 besides being aesthetically different from the US R9 Model was in fact a slightly different iron. The R9 Japan model had more classic lofts like a 27.5* 5 iron and quite a bit less offset than the US model. Yes the Japanese R9 Model is in fact much more like the R9 TP in the US. So while the Japan R9 Iron was aimed at the better player, Taylormade Japan decided to released the R9 Max iron, featuring similar technologies to the originak R9 iron but with a thicker top line, slightly wider sole, more offset and an overall larger head. Paired with strong lofts and lightweight graphite shafts, the R9 Max is for the mid to higher handicapper. One other note is that the R9 Max has that interesting pearl like satin finish on the face sole and neck, very similar to the finish of the Japan only Burner Forged.
Visual Appearance…
When comparing the two irons side by side, the Max is not much bigger but you can clearly see the slightly expanded dimensions. So overall the R9 Max is not in any ways huge though the top line is on the thick side. The wider sole leads do a deeper cavity and more weight lower in the head for a high trajectory launch, coupled with the strong lofts we are talking about a distance iron here. Interestingly, while both share the inverted cone technology, what players usually perceive as a sign of extra forgiveness, the pocket cavity is actually on the R9 iron and not the R9 Max.
Shaft choices…
Taylormade Japan promotes the R9 as a workable neutral iron with mid trajectory and is paired with lightweight steel in 950GH and heavier S200 shafts (also available with Motore 65 graphite). The R9 Max is promoted as a high launch straight to draw shaped trajectory aided by very lightweight shafts. Made by Fujikura, the stock Motore 55 Regular flex shaft in my R9 Max were only 51 grams and low kicking and gave an obviously high trajectory. The low CG and shaft make this a very easy iron to launch and matched with its wider multifunctional sole, good in mostly any lie. While the R9 is rather forgiving with its pocket cavity, those with slower swing speeds or higher handicaps will benefit from the lighterweight and bigger head R9 Max. At D0, the Motore 55 is easy to load and is a very forgiving shaft when it comes to unloading and meeting the ball at impact.
The R9 iron I had was shafted with the 950GH Regular flex. I believe that most slower swingers like myself can benefit from graphite shafts. Technology has changed and in many cases graphite is as good or better than steel, depending on the player. A 950GH is about the limit for me when it comes to weight and as a mid capper, the R9 went straight or fade with this combo and mis hits were more harsh than the R9 Max. I honestly felt the R9 was a harder feeling iron and this is probably the case as faster and harder hitters would get more feel out of the iron. Tapping the face of each iron with a tee, there was a noticable difference in sound that may also be attributed to the different designs (and of course feel is subjective). For me, a 90mph swinger, the R9 felt and sounded harder.
I could hit a high soft draw with the R9 Max as advertised but I still need to hone my game to properly play the R9. Size wise the R9 will satisfy a lot of players, it is relatively small, almost as small as a compact player’s cavity like the Epon AF-302 whose dimensions match up favorably. The difference being the R9 is longer heel to toe than the Epon and has a slightly thicker tapered top line. I believe it will suit the player with a 10 handicap or above but lower handicappers may not want the pocket cavity and longer heel to toe. This may in fact be the case as it appears the R9 iron may not have sold well as expected. Other Japan only models like the Burner Forged have been flying off the shelves and the new Burner TP which is already sold out jus by PRE- ORDER!
Long and high R9 Max…
So to top it off, the R9 Max is a forgiving distance iron. It’s lightweight and easy to swing, its not overly large but the top line is a bit too thick for my liking. If however you do not care how thick the top line is and you are a higher handicapper needing a forgiving easy launch Taylormade iron then the R9 Max is a good choice. As for the R9 I can’t judge it as a players cavity since I myself am not as player, but I can say from a feel standpoint, its not the soft casting people are raving about with the Burner TP, the pocket cavity cavity helps with forgiveness and low to mid cappers may appreciate this iron for its technology however if it is feel you want, wait for the R9 Forged or try the Burner TP. I wish I had the R9 iron in graphite to make a better comparison since I admittedly play graphite most of the time in my irons.
You can get both the R9 Max and R9 Irons here in the pro shop.
As always here are the pictures!
[nggallery id=36]
I’ve noticed that all Japanese irons have graphite shafts as stock. Why is that?
Not all just the semi game improvement and up. Players cb’s come with NS950 & S200 usually as standard options then of course a customer can always order custom specs from the factory or clubmaker.
I actually like the blend of a players CB or MB and graphite shaft the feel and control when dailed in is superb.
As TSGolfer said above most average golfer models come with graphite as a standard option. Even the R9 Max has 950GH and S200 as standard. Graphite is still an option. Also the reason why graphite is available is just as I mentioned in the post, average golfer irons are aimed at average golfers, slower swingers where graphite excels the most.
Even players clubs like the V Forged and X-Blades are available with graphite these days too as standard options and for example the stock shaft in average golfer models like the ViQ, XXIO, ONOFF Red are actually NS Pro Steel.
HK supply said: r9(jP) is same as r9 TP(us)….
That’s exactly what I said 2 months ago here: http://www.tourspecgolf.com/blog/2009/10/taylormade-r9-comparisons-japan-and-us-models/
i have just started playing golf…araound 4 month and havent play at the green yet but soon…whats the best taylor made model for me….
The best iron for you would be the R9 Max. It would provide the most forgiveness and ease of use for a beginner golfer like yourself. The key is when starting out to find a set of irons that keeps the game fun and easier for you.
Good to see this post. Many people will understand about these products or we can say understand the difference between R9 and R9 max. I think adding separate points like features, pros, and cons will make it easier to understand it to any user or reader.