Taylormade R9 13 Degree - still viable technology?

[GolferTodd]

I have an R9 13 deg strong 3 wood to attack par 5's. I love it and I am able to get it off of the ground and tee effectively. It's basically my version of a mini driver that I'm more easily able to use off the deck. How many yards do you think I am losing out on for not having a more modern model such as a Callaway Elyte TI 15 deg set to 13.5 deg? I am basically looking for the maximum yardage off the fairways because I'm not the longest hitter. If it's a difference of 5 yards then it's not too big of a deal but if we're talking 15 or so yards more with a modern technology, I might throw down and buy a new three wood.  

[akap4surf]

If you are hitting it well and confidently, I don't see a reason to change. I have hit some drivers/fwy's of this era against the latest and greatest and when caught on the sweet spot the difference is negligible but the mishits is where the new stuff shines. I loved the R9 back in the day and it was a beast!

[stratgolf]

On 7/9/2025 at 11:31 AM, GolferTodd said:

I have an R9 13 deg strong 3 wood to attack par 5's. I love it and I am able to get it off of the ground and tee effectively. It's basically my version of a mini driver that I'm more easily able to use off the deck. How many yards do you think I am losing out on for not having a more modern model such as a Callaway Elyte TI 15 deg set to 13.5 deg? I am basically looking for the maximum yardage off the fairways because I'm not the longest hitter. If it's a difference of 5 yards then it's not too big of a deal but if we're talking 15 or so yards more with a modern technology, I might throw down and buy a new three wood.  

 

Why don't you get fit and find out? 3 wood is rarely a maximum distance club's if it's hitting a nice gap between your driver and the next longest club, then sounds good to me!

[phizzy30]

Get yourself a newer 3 metal or mini driver.  Fairways nowadays are more forgiving across the face than the ones of yesteryear.  I say this as someone who still loves the older fairways.  Even something 3-5 years ago will serve you well.  If distance is what you're after in fairways, the TI frame/face models are especially hot ball speed wise but they also tend to be lower spinning as well compared to their steel counterparts so keep that in mind.   

Edited July 15 by phizzy30

[BYK]

If ya got a three wood that works as well as it sounds like yours does for you, avoid the trap I fall into trying to find something else.  

[boggyman]

If you like it , which sounds like you do, LEAVE IT ALONE! 

[GolferTodd]

18 hours ago, boggyman said:

If you like it , which sounds like you do, LEAVE IT ALONE! 

The thing is I have demoed the Elyte and i love the head shape and if theres 10 yards to gain thats legitamate. Really the only reason I'm not pulling the trigger right now is just because of how absurd the price is and I don't have the funds ready. But that'll probably be my next birthday purchase. 

[stimpmeterp]

Look at Bobby Mcintyre, Justin Thomas, several other guys. Still bagging old tech in fairway metals due to predictable results. Chasing 10 more yards at the end of the day will not lower scores. There are probably hundreds of us who have done that with a fwy metal and realized it wasn’t worth it. 

[boggyman]

3 hours ago, GolferTodd said:

The thing is I have demoed the Elyte and i love the head shape and if theres 10 yards to gain thats legitamate. Really the only reason I'm not pulling the trigger right now is just because of how absurd the price is and I don't have the funds ready. But that'll probably be my next birthday purchase. 

Real world 10 or monitor? 

[GolferTodd]

No, its just a pure assumption that the R9 being 10 years old is most likely shorter than the Elyte TI. 

[GolferTodd]

Just now, GolferTodd said:

No, its just a pure assumption that the R9 being 10 years old is most likely shorter than the Elyte TI. 

 

11 hours ago, boggyman said:

Real world 10 or monitor? 

 

[GolferTodd]

No, its just a pure assumption that the R9 being 10 years old is most likely shorter than the Elyte TI. The R90 also has a decent amount of wear and im sure the face isnt perfect anymore, plus adding 1 inch, all assumptions that gains would come. 

 

Edited July 13 by GolferTodd

[Clemente80]

I had the R9 TP strong 3 wood back in the day and liked it. But as other have stated, tech has improved, and I have moved on from the R9 driver, 3 wood and irons.
 

With a new club, you might get 20 yards, or you might not. But better performance is out there. The challenge I’ve found is that there are so many good options, it can be hard to find the head and shaft combos that optimizes things for you. Fitting is a good option but there are only so many head/shaft combos you can try in one hour, or before you get tired. And even then, you might not have your A game one day. Or the fitter might not be good.
 

But don’t let any of the above deter you. Finding new clubs can be a lot of fun. And while one person said a new 3 wood doesn’t lower scores, you might find something that does. It might be something else, like a mini driver. Personally, I’ve moved on from 3 woods - I tried hybrids, super hybrids, and UWs - but I settled on a 2 iron and it works beautifully for me. I’d suggest keeping the R9 and experimenting with fittings and demos until you find the right club for your birthday present.

 

[14mh]

On 7/12/2025 at 7:24 AM, GolferTodd said:

The thing is I have demoed the Elyte and i love the head shape and if theres 10 yards to gain thats legitamate. Really the only reason I'm not pulling the trigger right now is just because of how absurd the price is and I don't have the funds ready. But that'll probably be my next birthday purchase. 

Callaway just started the 2x trade-in, so they just got "cheaper" if you have items to trade.

[GolferTodd]

15 hours ago, 14mh said:

Callaway just started the 2x trade-in, so they just got "cheaper" if you have items to trade.

Isnt that only for Callaway trade ins?

[14mh]

9 hours ago, GolferTodd said:

Isnt that only for Callaway trade ins?

You can trade any brand in and get the bonus. I think this year the 2x is only available direct with them.

[GolferTodd]

On 7/14/2025 at 9:24 AM, 14mh said:

You can trade any brand in and get the bonus. I think this year the 2x is only available direct with them.

Oh good to know. Unfortunately, I still think it's gonna be too expensive for my current budget. It's more of a dream than a reality to be honest, unfortunately lol. I've already spent so much on golf equipment this year after a 15 year layoff from golf. I've had to get a new bag because squirrels entered my garage and absolutely tore up my bag because I had some almonds in there and I wasn't about to use that bag ever again lol. It was disgusting, I had to throw away my towel and my head covers and everything because they were rotted and Lord knows that you can't get a head cover for less than $30 except if you did what I did and just got the cheapest pair of head covers on Amazon, which are actually really nice much nicer than I anticipated. After not being in golf for 15 years, the inflation of golf equipment is absolutely boggled my mind. I remember getting my Callaway FT5 driver for $400 and at that time that was the premium offering. 

[bcflyguy1]

When you find a first club under driver that you trust, play that thing until it breaks.