Revolutionary.
You hear this thrown around a lot these days. But when describing TaylorMade and its approach to developing drivers and clubs, it fits the bill.
Back in 1979, Gary Adams founded TaylorMade Golf and provided a metal driver with 12 degrees of loft.
Now, you have drivers that offer a unique carbon twist face, very lightweight club heads, and a Thru-Slot Speed Pocket.
So, how did that come to be and what came in the time between? Let’s take a look at all of the TaylorMade drivers by year and how you can use the new and old TaylorMade drivers to your advantage.
List of TaylorMade Drivers by Year
We went through the brand archive to find out all of the TaylorMade driver models by year:
| Year released | TaylorMade driver |
| 1979 | M1/1 Metalwood |
| 1980 | Pittsburgh Persimmon |
| 1983 | Burner |
| 1983 | Tour Burner |
| 1988 | Burner Plus |
| 1995 | Burner Shaft Burner |
| 1997 | Burner Shaft Burner 2 |
| 2000 | 300 Series (300 Ti, 320 Ti, and 360 Ti) |
| 2002 | R510 |
| 2002 | R540 |
| 2002 | R580 XD |
| 2002 | Burner 420 |
| 2003 | R510 TP |
| 2003 | R360 XD |
| 2004 | r5 Dual Type |
| 2004 | r7 |
| 2004 | r7 Quad TP |
| 2005 | r7 460 |
| 2005 | r7 425 |
| 2005 | r7 425 TP |
| 2005 | r5 Dual TP |
| 2006 | r7 Draw |
| 2006 | r5 XL |
| 2007 | R7 CGB Max |
| 2007 | R7 SuperQuad |
| 2007 | Burner |
| 2007 | Burner TP |
| 2007 | Burner Draw |
| 2007 | Burner Women’s |
| 2008 | r7 Limited |
| 2008 | R7 Limited TP |
| 2008 | Tour Burner |
| 2008 | Burner TP |
| 2009 | R9 |
| 2009 | R9 460 |
| 2010 | R9 SuperDeep TP |
| 2010 | Burner SuperFast |
| 2011 | R11 |
| 2011 | Burner SuperFast 2.0 |
| 2012 | R11 S |
| 2012 | Rocketballz |
| 2012 | Rocketballz Tour |
| 2013 | R1 |
| 2013 | RBZ Stage 2 Bonded |
| 2013 | RBZ Stage 2 Tour TP |
| 2014 | SLDR 460 |
| 2014 | SLDR 430 |
| 2014 | SLDR White |
| 2014 | SLDR Jetspeed |
| 2014 | SLDR-S Mini |
| 2015 | Aeroburner |
| 2015 | R15 460 |
| 2015 | R15 430 |
| 2016 | M1 460 |
| 2016 | M1 430 |
| 2017 | M1 440 |
| 2017 | M2 |
| 2017 | M2 D-Type |
| 2018 | M3 |
| 2018 | M4 |
| 2018 | M4 -D |
| 2019 | M5 |
| 2019 | M5 Tour |
| 2019 | M6 |
| 2019 | M6-D |
| 2019 | Original One Mini |
| 2019 | M Gloire |
| 2020 | SIM |
| 2020 | SIM MAX |
| 2020 | SIM MAX-D |
| 2021 | SIM2 |
| 2021 | SIM2 MAX |
| 2021 | SIM 2 MAX-D |
| 2021 | 300 Mini |
| 2022 | Stealth |
| 2022 | Stealth Plus |
| 2022 | Stealth HD |
| 2022 | Kalea Premier |
| 2023 | Stealth 2 |
| 2023 | Stealth 2 Plus |
| 2023 | Stealth 2 HD |
| 2023 | Stealth 2 Women’s |
For more on TaylorMade irons by year, read our full article.
Will There Be A New TaylorMade Driver in 2023?
TaylorMade has already released its new drivers for 2023. Following on from the Stealth in 2022, the Stealth 2, Stealth 2 HD, Stealth 2 Plus, and Stealth 2 Women’s all came out on February 17. The series is focused on providing distance, forgiveness, and playability. They will cost you between $599.99 – $629.99.
Top TaylorMade Drivers Over the Years
Here we take a look through TaylorMade driver history to find the top drivers that have been released.
TaylorMade Drivers from the 2000s
300 Series
The turn of the century marked an important year for TaylorMade as the 300 Series was released and it became the top driver on tour. Each of the 3 clubs was targeted toward different players launching styles through differing club head shapes, sizes, weight distributions, lie angles, and shaft lengths.
r7 Quad
2004 saw the release of the r7 Quad with movable weight technology which is still used nearly 20 years on. Depending on the launching conditions, the golfer could alter where the weight was to optimize performance.
r7 CGB
This driver helped to take TaylorMade to a new level in terms of adjustability. An interchangeable hosel system meant the club head could be taken off and swapped between 3 different shafts.
TaylorMade Drivers from the 2010s
R11
At the time, it was TaylorMade’s most technical driver ever. There are adjustment options for the loft and club head weights, and the face angle, which can be altered too. Not only that, the white finish is simply stunning.
Rocketballz
Released in 2012, the Rocketballz driver featured Flight Control Technology to adjust the loft and the face angle of the club. The aerodynamics of the driver enable a faster club head speed and more distance too. It provides ample forgiveness too.
M6
One word to describe this club: speed. The drivers are speed injected to reach the threshold of the maximum limit for ball speed. Ball speed is even preserved on off-center shots too.
Twist Face technology also features on the M6 driver to provide more consistency in the spin of the shot and straighter shots.
TaylorMade Drivers from the 2020s
Stealth & Stealth 2 Drivers
The Stealth and now the Stealth 2 are forgiving, and come with great sound and feel. The Stealth 2 is lightweight, so it is handy for high handicappers or those with slow swing speeds. The driver looks great too. It isn’t cheap, but if you want a premium club, expect to pay the premium price.
Stealth & Stealth 2 Plus Driver
You will better suit the Stealth 2 Plus with a faster swing speed. It optimizes ball speed and distance to give you the extra yards on the course. The more forward-facing center of gravity creates that to create a longer launch with less spin.
SIM 2
The SIM 2 is all about control and distance. An adjustable loft sleeve means you can dictate where you want your shot to go even more. There is also forgiveness thanks to the precision-milled aluminum creation so it is lightweight, strong, and power-enabling.
Read more: Callaway Mavrik vs TaylorMade Sim Drivers: A Review Of Both Drivers
How TaylorMade Irons Have Evolved and Improved
1980s and 1990s
TaylorMade’s first driver used persimmon in their drivers – the first of a metal-wood combination – earning their drivers the nickname the Pittsburgh Persimmon.
The TaylorMade Burner driver and variations across the 80s and 90s followed. It was the top driver across the mid-80s. The dimplings on the side of the Burner were used to increase club head speed – it was as early as 1983 that TaylorMade was looking to increase speed gains.
The original TaylorMade Burner release date was back in 1983, but there were also models in 1988, 1995, and 1997.
2000s
As we mentioned, the turning of the century was a notable year for TaylorMade. The 300 series was well-loved as it accommodated differing swing types. Additionally, they were the first drivers that met or exceeded the USGA COR limit.
The r7 quad followed 4 years later, featuring a movable weight technology. A variation of this came 2 years later with the r7 460. This was the first driver with a 460cc club head that also featured the technology. The r7 CGB enables a customizable shaft for more adjustability.
2010s
The R11 came with the first-ever white crown – a thing of beauty. Adjustability was talked about a lot, too, with options for loft, weighting, and the face angle.
Later in the decade, TaylorMade brought out its first drivers to comprise multiple materials. Both the M1 – a nod to the original 1 Metalwood – and the M2 consisted of titanium, a carbon toe panel, and a carbon composite crown.
Twist Face technology came along with the M3 and the M4, using corrective face angles to create more consistent, straighter shots.
2020s
TaylorMade has gone from strength to strength over the decades, which has continued in recent years. The SIM, SIM2, Stealth, and Stealth 2 series’ all help equip differing golfers to play to their best.
The Stealth welcomed the Carbonwood age following on from titanium. There was a particular focus on the Carbon Twist Face to create a better energy transfer and faster ball speeds across the face.
And now we are with the Stealth 2 in 2023. Let’s hope the boundaries can keep being pushed.
Tips for Choosing the Right TaylorMade Driver for Your Game
Be Mindful of Your Handicap
Your handicap can be a helping hand when assessing which TaylorMade driver will suit you. The Stealth driver is forgiving and lightweight, which will best suit high handicappers or those with a slower swing speed.
If you are of a lower handicap, you will probably prioritize less spin, more ball speed, and distance. That is where a club like the Stealth Plus will come in handy.
We should note that if you are of a higher handicap, that doesn’t mean you aren’t allowed to look at drivers to suit better-quality golfers. They may not be ideal for you now but don’t give up hope on using them. Our advice would be to keep trying to get better and get to a level where you will really suit the clubs you want to use and make the most of them.
Don’t Go Over Budget
You need to consider how much you will spend on a new driver and stick to it. Often it is the most expensive individual club you own as it can be the centerpiece of a golf bag. It needs to be trustworthy and effective for teeing you off well.
Some TaylorMade drivers can cost as little as $299.99 new and as much as $579.99 when they are first released. So, know your budget and stick to it despite the temptation.
Even if it looks and feels right for you, don’t force the purchase if it is too expensive. There will be cheaper alternatives that you can buy that can be very similar. Good second-hand drivers can be easily found for less than $200.
They Need to Look the Part in Your Eyes
Despite us saying don’t go over budget for your dream clubs, you still need to really like them. If your new driver looks the business, you will probably feel the best on the course too. This will only bring about confidence in your ability.
For example, if you are a high handicapper with a larger club head at the address, it should provide comfort that it offers more forgiveness than other clubs.
Alternatively, if you have a driver with a smaller club head and a design you don’t like, you may lack confidence at address. Sometimes, a differing design to usual can put a golfer off, too – the R11’s white finish did impact some golfers negatively. You need to have a club you feel comfortable looking and playing with to get your tee off right.
Read more: Callaway Drivers by Year (List Provided)
Final Thoughts
TaylorMade drivers history is now your forte. If questions about them come up in a sports quiz, you are pretty well equipped to produce the results. Every TaylorMade driver by year has been touched on, with a particular focus on the even more notable drivers.
More importantly, you know how to use the driver to your benefit and get the most out of the different clubs. Enjoy being part of driver history and make the most of it.
FAQs
What Is the Most Popular TaylorMade Driver?
The Stealth range was very popular with TaylorMade fans and particularly the Stealth Plus. It is focused on golfers with a lower handicap as it enables fast ball speed and huge distances. Though the Stealth driver is very popular too, and one of the best TaylorMade drivers ever.
Which TaylorMade Driver Has the Most Forgiveness?
The Stealth HD driver takes the crown for having the most forgiveness. The superior forgiveness is created by better weight distribution and the highest MOI in the Stealth range. It will certainly help those partial to a slice and those who need all the forgiveness they can get.
Read more: The Best TaylorMade Drivers Ever
Jack was inspired by his Grandad Ron’s golfing and grew up playing this great game. Jack has a handicap index in the 30s and plays with the PING K15 driver and irons. Jack has written more than 40 articles on GolfSpan since 2022. Jack is always looking for ways to find the edge on the course to share with readers and played monthly at High Legh Golf Club near his home in Warrington, Cheshire. You can connect with Jack on X and LinkedIn.
- Best score: 94
- Favorite club: PING K15 driver
- Favorite putter: Wilson ProStaff OD+ putter
- Favorite food at the turn: Always a banana
