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How much does it cost? And, how does it perform? We tested out the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver to get the low down on one of the most intriguing golf clubs.
The TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver is back and better than ever. But, how does it work and how do you fit it into your golf bag. Does it replace a driver or maybe a 3-wood? Find out in our review where the NCG team put it through it’s paces…
The TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver certainly offers something different for golfers. This is a great option for those who struggle with accuracy off the tee. For golfers who have a tendency to hit down on the ball this will work well for you. It delivers strong distances and quick ball speeds.
Although, those players who are confident with their driver and woods, then it maybe difficult to fit in the bag.
PROS
CONS
The looks of a golf club aren’t in any way the be all and end all of their importance. It won’t necessarily make the on-course performance any better, or worse, but it is nice to have something aesthetically pleasing in the bag.
TaylorMade’s latest BRNR Mini Driver is certainly that. I mean the head cover for a start is one of the coolest on the market, with a real retro vibe to it. But, if you fancy a bit more colour in your bag, the head cover can be turned inside out to reveal a different pattern. In essence you get two head covers for the price of one.
As far as the actual club is concerned, I love what they have done with the styling. The copper finish and name TaylorMade have added for the latest iteration works really nicely with the retro theme.
To continue the traditional theme, the TaylorMade logo is in its classic format. I am a big fan of the whole retro theme and it offers something different that what is currently on the market.
As much as this is a retro and cool bit of golf equipment, TaylorMade have included some brand new bits of technology in the construction of this mini driver.
Technology that includes TaylorMade’s Twist Face which is included on all of the brands drivers. The crown is also crafted from a multi material design with carbon, titanium and steel all prevalent in the crown.
For the first time, TaylorMade have also added moveable weights to the sole of the club head. There is also a really cool k-grind equipped to the sole which is designed to help golfers hit the ball of the deck easier, adding to the club’s versatility. This will ultimately help the club slide through the turf better and allow it to be played more like a fairway wood than a driver.
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The technological additions don’t stop there. TaylorMade have also added a speed pocket in the face of the club to help greater ball speeds being produced on off-centred strikes especially. This is important for a club of this size when hitting off the deck.
A typical driver head would operate at a size of around 4600cc, the BRNR Mini Driver is a 304cc head. It is therefore significantly smaller in terms of volume, hence the name, but still has more depth than what you would find in a 3-wood. The deeper face means it isn’t the most confidence inspiring off the deck, but definitely more than a driver.
Performance wise, I definitely think this is a lower spinning club than what a driver would usually produce. On my Sunday best these just about goes as far as my driver off the tee, but on average is a little shorter hitting. Sits in between the driver and 3-wood distance range.
The consistency of the ball flight was hugely impressive, even on strikes I caught a bit ‘toey’. I didn’t expect there to be much forgiveness but these off-centred strikes still held the fairway well with a nice ball flight.
I didn’t get fit for the mini driver but it felt just as good as a fitted golf club. The old school styled, retro golf grip also felt great.
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I’m not sure if it is the smaller head that works to make me concentrate a bit more, but the consistency was ideal. If you are someone who hits down on the ball, maybe enjoys hitting irons the most, then this could really suite your game.
As far as hitting it off the deck goes, it came off a little low for me but that could have easily have been down to my current swing state. For links golf, this would work really well with plenty of run available from the low ball flight.
It did perform better off the deck that I expected going into testing. It’s a club that can keep the ball below the wind and still deliver some particularly strong carry distances. I also got a lot more ball speed than I thought I would and the dispersion was ideally tight.
Overall, if you are someone who struggles off the tee with their driver then this could be the perfect alternative. In truth I wasn’t sure what to expect from the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver, but I came away loving it. It is really playable as a driver and a 3-wood. There are things I would tweak, in terms of loft, before putting it in play but I can certainly see the appeal.
Although, I’m not sure if there is a club I would replace this with. I think if you were to put this in play it would be circumstantial. It depends on how tight your golf course is and if you like to play your woods.
Available: Now
RRP: £379.00 / $449.99
More information: TaylorMade website / Amazon website
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