Which TaylorMade GAPR will best suit your game?
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.
This review includes three models Lo, Mid and Hi.
TaylorMade GAPR review: First impressions
These clubs came as a bit of a surprise to me when they were spotted in a few players bags ahead of The Open.
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.
The stock shaft in all the GAPR clubs in the KBS Hybrid model which is a fantastic move by TaylorMade.
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.
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.
It’s the same technology as in the TaylorMade P790 irons.
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…
James Savage
Former equipment editor of NCG. Inconsistent ball-striker and tea-maker.