Best Choice of TaylorMade R9 TP Irons

TaylorMade successfully launched the new Burner irons in early 2009, touting them as the longest, most-powerful irons the company had ever produced. Those clubs will continue to be available in 2010, but for players who are looking for more workability and control, TaylorMade is releasing the new R9 and r9 TP irons.

One of the most unique features of the R9 irons is something you can't see-a chamber behind the face of the club that is filled with an almost-weightless foam and a silicone shock absorber positioned directly behind the center of the face in the 3- through 6-irons. While the foam and shock absorber help to soak up unwanted vibration, TaylorMade claims the design also leaves the face more free to flex at impact and rebound-like a thin-faced driver-for added distance.

Topped or heavy shots may seem poles apart when you hit them - one tends to shoot over the back of the green while the other can be overtaken by a flying divot. But they have more in common than you may realise.

Keeping your head down or forcing your left arm straight is not the answer but your swing direction could be, assuming your address position is correct. If your shots consistently start left of the target-line, your downswing direction is too much out-to-in which tends to produce a slice pull or even a shank with a full swing. It blocks the natural rotation of your upper body and often results in heavy and topped shots.

The taylorMade r9 TP irons are said to be extremely long and easy to hit, thanks to the enclosed, foam-filled chamber that resides behind the clubface, under the cavity insert. The virtually weightless foam actually originates as a powder that is sealed in this chamber, and then transforms into the foam substance after the clubhead is heated during production. This design, which acts much like a shock absorber, has been titled the "Velocity Control Chamber," and it provides the means for a large area of the 2mm thick face to exist without any support behind it.

This allows the face more freedom to flex, much like a driver. This trampoline effect leads to an increase in distance as you can imagine. The Inverted Cone Technology on the inner side of the clubface helps maintain a consistent ball speed, even on shots struck a little off-center. Perimeter weighting emphasis in the long and mid-irons helps to maintain stability throughout impact.

I saw them in a pro shop the other day and the clubs are very classy looking, almost rich. The black badge treatment does not photograph well, you will be impressed when you see them.