If you are the type of golfer who is looking to get tour-caliber distance and ball launch conditions, then look no further than the TaylorMade Tour Burner driver. “Tour pros hit the ball long because their launch conditions are comprised of fast ball speed with a high launch angle and low spin-rate,” said Sean Toulon, TaylorMade’s executive vice president of innovation and product creation. “The Tour Burner driver is engineered to help the average golfer generate tour-caliber launch conditions in order to promote tour-caliber distance.”
Over the pass three weeks I’ve been testing the TaylorMade Tour Burner driver and the results have been nothing short of spectacular.
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- TaylorMade Tour Burner Driver
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- TaylorMade Tour Burner Driver-Dual Crown
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- TaylorMade Tour Burner Driver-Clubface
Look and Feel
The first thing you’ll notice about the Tour Burner is the large size of the sole of the club which is larger than the crown. This is part of the new Dual Crown technology, which is crucial to the driver’s performance. A clearly delineated groove encircles the extra large clubhead, separating the crown and the sole, giving the club a unique look. An advantage of having a smaller crown is the reduction in weight, making the Tour Burner 18% lighter than the crown of Taylor Made’s Burner Driver. Also crucial is the Ultra-Thin Wall casting technology, which allows the clubhead walls to measure as little as .55 millimeters thick. The two weight saving technologies create an exceptionally low Center of Gravity (CG) which results in a higher launch angle and reduced backspin. This is something you’ll immediately notice when you hold the Tour Burner, it’s simply amazing how light such a big club feels in your hands and how you get that optimal mid-high launch angle of your drives. I normally play a Callaway BigBertha 460 Driver and compared to the Tour Burner, it feels heavy and I don’t get as consistent results with the flight trajectory of my drives.
The exceptionally high MOI of the Tour Burner driver head makes it extremely stable and forgiving on off-center hits. During my tests at both the driving range and on the golf course my off-center hits still went straight and long, thanks to the high MOI. That benefit, combined with the advantage provided by TaylorMade’s patented Inverted Cone Technology (ICT), result in even higher ball speed on off-center hits. Inverted Cone Technology is characterized by a shallow cone milled directly onto the inner side of the clubface and changes the way the face behaves at impact so that a larger area of the face delivers higher ball speed. Higher ball speeds leads to the tour-caliber distance we all desire.
The Tour Burner also features TaylorMade’s SuperFast technology, embodied by the combination of a Fujikura SuperFast 60-gram shaft that combines low torque with a stiff .350″ tip, an extra-light Golf Pride Tour Velvet grip and a club-length of 45.5″. As mentioned before the club feels so light in your hand and looks svelte. Together these premium components promote faster swing speed for increased distance.
Performance
When I got my Tour Burner driver, I went directly to the driving range to see how well the driver performed vs. my BigBertha. My initial reaction after hitting my first ball was: “WOW!”. I could not believe my eyes when I saw how far and straight my drives went. I normally can only hit my BigBertha 460 driver about 200 yards on a good day, but with the Tour Burner driver I was able to launch the ball consistently 225-230 yards. I was blown away at those results. Another thing I noticed, was that the flight path of my shots was consistent every time, flying the perfect trajectory, even on off-center hits. This was in part to the high MOI and Inverted Cone Technology which promote stability and higher ball speeds off the square face of the club. The low center of gravity causes the ball to launch at a higher angle and reduces the amount of backspin on the ball. The result is increased carry and distance.
On the Golf course, the results were identical. I found myself very confident that I would be able to drive the ball well every time I stepped into the tee box.. The Tour Burner’s large sole serves a second valuable purpose by creating an expansive address footprint that promotes increased confidence, and the advanced clubhead geometry that delivers the kind of great impact sound and feel for which TaylorMade drivers are famous. I always heard that TaylorMade produced excellent golf clubs, especially their drivers, and the Tour Burner Driver has made me a believer. I now welcome the opportunity to tee up the ball and blast away with TaylorMade Tour Burner driver whenever I get a chance. The TaylorMade Tour Burner will now become my driver of choice and will be replacing my BigBertha. So if your in the market for a tour-caliber distance driver that lives up to the hype of the #1 driver in golf, pickup a TaylorMade Tour Burner Driver.
Club Specs
Loft: 10.5°
Head Properties
Head Size: 450cc Titanium
Lie Angle: 60°
Club Properties
Club Length: 45.5″
Club Swing Weight: D5
Shaft Properties: RE*AX® SuperFast 60 by Fujikura
Flex: Regular
Shaft Torque: 3.2°
Tip Size: .350″
Butt Diameter: .600″
Shaft Weight: 60g
Grip: Golf Pride TV Lite 60
Grip Weight: 44 g
{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }
This is an odd question, but what is the “sound” like with the Burner?
I am hitting a Sumo right now, and I love the club, but it it sounds terrible! (like hitting pebles with an aluminum baseball bat)
Hi Nathan,
the Tour Burner makes a very distinct ping sound that all TaylorMade Drivers make. It definitely doesn’t sound like what you described.
R
It makes a sweet “Ping”… Sounds really cool
Hey nice review. one qwestion is this slighty set to draw or is this made just strait cause i hate when the angel is set to draw a bit.
Hi Omar,
the Tour Burner face is set to hit straight and is not made with a draw or fade bias. You can hit a draw or fade with this club by adjusting your setup and swing. Thanks
Rob
Just purchased my TaylorMade Tour Burner and hit a small bucket at the range. Excellent results, much more consistant than my Titelists , ball gets off the face fast and climbs and flys. Great trajectory although higher than I am used to. Very forgiving and good carry and distance on mishits. Great feel and sound. Can’t wait to get on the course.
I just purchased the club. I would like to thank you for the knowledge you gave me in this video. I havent really been able to try the driver do to the cold weather but I am looking foward to it.
Im back…I played with the driver all weekend and hit the club at the range. The accuracy on the club is great but as far as distance wise. My r7 SuperQuad is about the same length as this driver not much of a difference in the distance but it is great off the tee if your looking for position. I highly recommend this club!
I was looking at buying the Burner Tour Driver and have my retailer cut down the length to a junior lenght i was wondering what you thought about that??
And how high does this driver consistently hit??
Renzo,
the Tour Burner driver produces a medium to high trajectory shot with the stock Fujikura Shaft.
Thanks
Rob
Thanks Rob
Also
How tacky is the grip??
Thanks
Renzo,
the grip is as tacky as any new grip. I would say its comparable to Golf Pride Tour Velvet grip, in terms of tackiness.
Thanks
Rob
Thank you
Rob
I normally hit a slight cut with my old driver and love the look and feel of the ball going left to slightly right. Will this driver make the ball go straight if i set up for my cut or will it perform the same as my old driver but with more distance?
I have a Taylor Made 340 driver with a 9.5 loft, regular shaft. When I used a 580 driver with a 10.5 loft my drives were too high.I hit my drives about 210 yards. I am thinking of buying a Tour Burner
9.5 loft regular shaft. Do you think the 9.5 loft is appropriate?
Howard,
you really should get fitted for your driver, because the type of shaft that you have also factors into the flight trajectory with the loft. The stock shaft may or may not be best suited for your swing, etc. You might find out after your fitting, that a 10.5 loft driver and different shaft will produce the results of more distance off the tee that you desire. Good Luck!
Rob
I’m a weekend hacker. I’ve been golfing for over 35 years, but stopped using my driver a few years ago, because I just couldn’t control the slice. After hearing all the hype, I demo’d the Tour Burner and found the claims to be true. I now own a Tour Burner and can now drive w/ confidence. Subsequently, I’m also enjoying the game more and lowering my handicap.
I’ve played a round with this driver. It is strangely straight – even the shots that should’ve been sliced. 2 things I don’t like – it’s too light and the shaft is too long. Tour players’ average shaft length is 43 inches. How do they expect weekend players to use 45 1/2 inch shaft?
I am planning in trimming down the shaft on my driver, can someone advice if possible to cut 2 inches at the top from a burner driver so it close to 44″ ?
Jung just go down the grip an inch or 2…. !!!!!!!!
looking to purchase the Tour Burner. Will let you know how i go ,,,,,,
As Rob mentioned Jung, it is good to be fitted as everyone is different in build and height. Iam 6′ so the standard 45″ works for me. Btw I just ordered a Burner tour driver and can’t wait to bomb it! Good luck
Bob
I have a chance to purchase a used burner 420 what would be a fair price to offer my friend for this ?
Hi Mike,
Based on information from http://valueguide.pga.com/detail-exec/brand/2784/product_type/203/model/43656/b/TaylorMade/p/Driver/m/Burner%20420 , I would offer $15 for the TM Burner 420 driver. $16 Max. If, he’s your friend, see if he’ll take $10.
Good Luck!
Rob
Stupid question from a beginner… what’s the difference between the “Burner” driver and the “Tour Burner” driver?… oh, and which one would be better for a beginner??
Shaun,
Not a stupid question at all. The biggest difference is the stock shaft used in the Tour version which is a better. If you are a beginner, I’d recommend you take lessons first, before buying a new driver to get your swing consistent enough. Then I would look into getting fitted for a driver before buying one.
Good Luck
R
Hi I am just beginning golf and can hit my drives far but I always hook it. I am now going to get a new driver and was thinking of getting the Tour Burner. Where can I get a used cheap one?? Thanks
Dillon,
Go to your local golf super store like Golf Galaxy or Golf Smith. You are bound to find one cheap. The other options are ebay and Craigslist.
Good Luck!
Dillon,
I completely forgot to list this option, you can buy them directly http://www.taylormadegolfpreowned.com/ at a fair price.
-R
Hey Rob thanks for the quick feedback. I was also considering the Taylormade Burner Superfast. Which one would you reccomend?
Oh ya and can you get a smaller tour burner driverlike a 43-44 inch driver? If so where?
Dillon,
Get fitted for the driver before purchasing to find the right one for your swing. This way you have a driver that works best for your swing. About your comment on a shorter length shaft, only a proper club fitting would tell you if that is necessary.
Good Luck!
R
Thanks Rob, and one more thing, where would you go if u wanted a good but cheap fitting?
Dillon,
I don’t know what you consider cheap to be, but you should skimp on a proper fitting for a driver. The cost will vary by location. I would start by calling TaylorMade to see if they could recommend a club fitter in your area. I’d also check with your local Golftec or club fitting professional.
Good Luck!
Anyone ever pair this head with Epic 68 Stiff shaft? what is it like compared to SR stock shaft?
I’ve just purchased a 2009 Burner Regular 49gram REAX shaft and had it cut to 44.5 inches. I also switched my grip to the Winn Lite Soft standard size My swingspeed is between 90 to 95mph. This setup is the best I’ve ever had. My drives go from 265 to 270 yards consistently. The control I have now as opposed to the normal 46 inches is incredible. Since the head is designed to be about 2 degrees closed, it is so much easier to hit a draw . The important part I wanna share with the readers is “get a proper fitting and invest on golf lessons, not the equipment” We all bring certain variables to the game and only a proper fitting of each club and golf lessons can maximize your game. Remember…the clubs and technology are designed to enhance your skills. Only then can you enjoy the game we all love.
I am thinking of purchasing the 2008 Tour Burner but I don’t know whether I should get a regular of stiff shaft. My club head speed for a driver is around 95 mph. I’m 16 years old and my club head speed gets faster every year, should I get a stiff shaft?
I just bought a Tour Burner 9.5 loft with Stiff 75 gram Aldila shaft for $71.00 on E-Bay any thoughts on this, I am 6’3″ tall and a high handicapper, I would appreciate any feedback, thank you Cliff.