TaylorMade SLDR Driver Review
3/24/2014 | by
see also: Equipment Reviews
AmateurGolf.com Player Staff member Ed Donlin reviews the SLDR Driver from TaylorMade
My introduction to the TaylorMade SLDR Driver started with my
AmateurGolf.com evaluation of the True Temper Performance Fitting system.
At the time, I was hitting my old reliable TaylorMade R9 9.5
degree driver with the stock Fujikura stiff shaft and was not
looking to replace it.
I tried a number of driver and shaft combinations, however, and decided the SLDR worked best for me.
FIRST REACTION
The first thing I noticed was that TaylorMade had gone back to a more traditional looking color and shape. I was never a big fan of the white drivers (R1, RocketBallz) they had created. The metallic grey and absence of White and racing stripes is just pleasing to my traditionalist eye. Plus, the head has a nice pear shape and is not too large.
The initial feel of the SLDR was much softer than any of the R1/R11 family of drivers I had tried the last few years. The ball launched lower than my R9, but held its flight longer.
SPECS
My driver has 10.5 degrees of loft (adjusted down to 9.5). Based on the data from my True Temper fitting, we installed a Project X Black 6.5 graphite shaft. The stock Fujikura Speeder 57 felt good, but the Project X shaft brought my ball flight down.
The driver is available in four lofts: 8.0, 9.5, 10.5 and 12 degrees. The clubhead size of all versions is 460cc’s.
TaylorMade's LoftSleeve allows for 12 positions and a range of loft adjustment plus or minus 1.5 degrees. The SLDR also comes with the SLDR weight which is a movable weight that shifts the clubhead’s CG horizontally toward either the heel, to promote a draw, or toward the toe, to promote a fade. I have set mine to neutral.
PROS
The SLDR is built well with features to enhance ball speed, forgiveness, and distance. The color and shape go back to a more traditional look and feel. For players that have always had a high launch angle and a high spin rate, this driver lowers both allowing for a flatter ball flight without sacrificing distance. Off-center hits will still go an acceptable distance and not stray too far offline.
CONS
Players with a lower launch angle may have trouble getting the ball high enough with a loft lower than 12 degrees.
PRICING & AVAILABILITY
The TaylorMade SLDR Driver is available now and retails at $399. A tour-preferred model is also available, starting at $499.
TAKEAWAYS
It looks good, it sounds good, and it has lowered my ball flight without losing distance. It has allowed this 59-year-old, to get back out there close to where the college kids and mini tour players I play with hit it. I cannot wait until summer rolls around to see how much more distance I get with the increased roll. The driver is so good, I also purchased the 3-wood and two hybrids to add to my set.
I tried a number of driver and shaft combinations, however, and decided the SLDR worked best for me.
FIRST REACTION
The first thing I noticed was that TaylorMade had gone back to a more traditional looking color and shape. I was never a big fan of the white drivers (R1, RocketBallz) they had created. The metallic grey and absence of White and racing stripes is just pleasing to my traditionalist eye. Plus, the head has a nice pear shape and is not too large.
The initial feel of the SLDR was much softer than any of the R1/R11 family of drivers I had tried the last few years. The ball launched lower than my R9, but held its flight longer.
SPECS
My driver has 10.5 degrees of loft (adjusted down to 9.5). Based on the data from my True Temper fitting, we installed a Project X Black 6.5 graphite shaft. The stock Fujikura Speeder 57 felt good, but the Project X shaft brought my ball flight down.
The driver is available in four lofts: 8.0, 9.5, 10.5 and 12 degrees. The clubhead size of all versions is 460cc’s.
TaylorMade's LoftSleeve allows for 12 positions and a range of loft adjustment plus or minus 1.5 degrees. The SLDR also comes with the SLDR weight which is a movable weight that shifts the clubhead’s CG horizontally toward either the heel, to promote a draw, or toward the toe, to promote a fade. I have set mine to neutral.
PROS
The SLDR is built well with features to enhance ball speed, forgiveness, and distance. The color and shape go back to a more traditional look and feel. For players that have always had a high launch angle and a high spin rate, this driver lowers both allowing for a flatter ball flight without sacrificing distance. Off-center hits will still go an acceptable distance and not stray too far offline.
CONS
Players with a lower launch angle may have trouble getting the ball high enough with a loft lower than 12 degrees.
PRICING & AVAILABILITY
The TaylorMade SLDR Driver is available now and retails at $399. A tour-preferred model is also available, starting at $499.
TAKEAWAYS
It looks good, it sounds good, and it has lowered my ball flight without losing distance. It has allowed this 59-year-old, to get back out there close to where the college kids and mini tour players I play with hit it. I cannot wait until summer rolls around to see how much more distance I get with the increased roll. The driver is so good, I also purchased the 3-wood and two hybrids to add to my set.
Most Popular Articles
2025 PGA TOUR Q-School Guide: Sites, Scores, and Who Advanced
Dec 5, 2025Second Stage is complete and Final Stage awaits at Sawgrass — follow every Q-School leaderboard and the players still chasing
2025 LPGA TOUR Q-Series: Final Qualifying Stage FINAL SCORING
Dec 8, 2025Helen Briem earns medalist honors, 31 players headed to the LPGA next year
Australian Open at Royal Melbourne: Preview, amateur bios, and how to watch
Nov 30, 2025Rory McIlroy headlines one of the championship's top fields in years - at least four amateurs will have their chance at glory
Luke Ringkamp Cruises to Rolex Tournament of Champions Title at TPC San Antonio
Nov 26, 2025One week after committing to Pepperdine, Luke Ringkamp won the Rolex Tournament of Champions by nine shots.
Inside Gil Hanse’s Restoration of Baltusrol’s Upper Course: A Return to Tillinghast’s
Dec 11, 2025Renowned architect Gil Hanse reveals how he brought Baltusrol’s Upper Course back to life by honoring A.W. Tillinghast’s originalLoading latest news...