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Interested in the new GAPR clubs but unsure whether the Lo, Mid or Hi will work best? Equipment editor James Savage puts all three to the test
Our TaylorMade GAPR review has taken place during range sessions at Leeds Golf Centre, on the course at Hillsborough and at the launch event at Panmure.
They came quite hot on the heels of the TaylorMade P790 UDi 2-iron which was released to the public a couple of months ago.
And it seems TaylorMade have latched on to the idea that people prefer a driving-iron style club compared to a traditional hybrid or fairway wood.
I attended the launch event at Panmure where TaylorMade told me these clubs were all about dialling in those gaps at the top end of the bag.
The clue is in the name.
But there’s a huge emphasis here on the individual players trajectory preference. That’s why we have a Lo, Mid and Hi option available.
We’ll get onto the differences between them shortly.
From a looks point of view we have a very distinctive black finish which reminds me a little bit of the original Ping Crossovers.
The Lo is closest to a traditional iron in terms of it’s shape, the Mid is halfway between a utility iron and a hybrid and the Hi looks more like a hybrid.
I’ve been fitted into this shaft for my 19˚ hybrid and really enjoy the performance which is lower-spinning and more penetrating that what I had come to expect from a hybrid.
So TaylorMade are clearly looking to offer more of an iron-like flight with each of these clubs.
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TaylorMade GAPR review: The technology
These are hollow construction clubs and have been filled with TaylorMade’s ‘speedfoam’ technology to improve the sound and feel.
The theory is that hollow constructed irons with thin flexible faces will go miles but sound and feel horrible.
The regular P790 and the UDI both sound, feel and perform really well so it’s no surprise to see a continuation with the GAPR clubs.
Right, so how do we get the differences between the Lo, Mid and Hi?
Review | Lo, Mid and Hi | Mid handicap testing[/skylab_video]
TaylorMade say the GAPR Lo is designed primarily for players with faster ball speeds.
It is the smallest of the three models and features a low-forward CG (centre of gravity) for extreme distance with a mid-to-low trajectory.
It has a thin sole for more workability than the Mid and Hi.
The Mid is aimed at players of all abilities and is more of a chunky iron with a wider sole for a bit more forgiveness. The CG is lower to promote a higher ball flight.
There’s an ultra-low/back CG for maximum distance and a high, penetrating trajectory with the GAPR Hi.
It differs from the other two models through its shaping which features modern a high-toe, peanut shaped clubhead.
The dropped crown feature provides lower CG and improved alignment.
So that’s the lowdown on the TaylorMade GAPR, but how did it perform? Find out the results and James’s verdict on the next page…
TaylorMade GAPR review: The results
My first hit of the GAPR clubs was at the launch event. So that is where this TaylorMade GAPR review began in earnest.
A warm sunny evening with a premium TaylorMade TP5 balls and a Trackman set up to capture some data.
I found the GAPR Lo and Mid to be working pretty well with a carry between 220 and 230 and a total around 250-260 yards.
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If anything I felt the Lo went further when I really middled it but the Mid was a bit more consistent overall.
The Hi was just going a bit too high for me which would scare me when playing in any sort of wind other than downwind.
When we got the clubs back to Leeds I did some testing at the driving range using premium range balls and saw quite a drop in the carry numbers.
The difference in balls could be a factor for this.
Anyway, I’m still pretty happy with the numbers for each the Lo, Mid and Hi.
I tested the Lo in 17˚, Mid in 18˚ and Hi in 22˚.
And the ‘gapping’ was pretty good actually with a total of 222 with the Lo, 212 with the Mid and 200 with the Hi.
So the clubs are doing exactly what I would want them to do from a gapping point of view.
TaylorMade GAPR review: NCG verdict
What is the conclusion of of my TaylorMade GAPR review?
Well, TaylorMade are on to something here as these gaps in the bag between driver and longest iron do cause me and most players in our office the most concern.
Everyone seems to be fiddling about in this area to get the right clubs to do the right jobs.
But will the GAPR clubs do a better job of filling these gaps than the traditional long irons, hybrids or fairways that many people are still using?
From a personal point of view, I found the GAPR Lo to be doing a very similar job to my current TaylorMade UDI 2-iron. I’d be happy the GAPR Lo could take its place and do just as good a job.
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It’s worth pointing out that this club is an off-the-tee option only for me as an alternative to driver rather than a club I’d use for approach shots.
I’m less convinced I’d opt for the GAPR Mid ahead of my existing 19 hybrid. I liked hitting the GAPR Mid off the tee and using it as a driving iron but didn’t feel it was as easy to use off the fairway or out of the rough.
If I was to carry a GAPR Mid it would in instead of the GAPR Lo as a back-up option off the tee.
And as a high ball hitter, I’m not looking for the trajectory the GAPR Hi offers although the numbers were very good.
But my colleague Mark Townsend who is often looking for a bit more height is a very big fan of this club and I’ve watched him have some good success with it.
So it’s very much a case of finding the models which work best for your game.
These are easier to hit than traditional long irons and have similar ball speeds to hybrids so I do think they have hit the brief really well.
I think the Lo and the Mid will really suit players who aren’t keen on hybrids whereas the Hi will suit players who want a bit more finesse and workability than what a traditional hybrid offers.
Go and get fitted to see if these clubs can hit your 220, 210, 200 numbers more consistently than the clubs which are currently in your bag.
