Taylormade RBZ Speedlite Package Set £1,069
GM Verdict
With more and more people taking up the sport, package sets are becoming increasingly popular. They are a great way for newcomers to the game to begin playing, understand their strengths and weaknesses and also get more cost-effective access to the leading manufacturers. Taylormade, of course, comes under this description and the RBZ Speedlite is its latest package-set offering. While it will never replace or perform to the level of its tour-played ranges, it could provide an excellent starting point. So we hit it on the range and on the golf course to find out what you can expect.
Firstly, whatever your skill level, every golfer wants something with a smart, aspirational look and this has been carefully considered here. The irons feature toplines that are thick enough to inspire confidence at address without being too clunky and uninviting. Testing the set on a launch monitor, we were impressed by the performance, even with non-fitted regular flex shafts. The set is easy to launch and forgiving throughout the bag. We especially liked how generous the hybrid looks at address – there is plenty of room between heel and toe – which can really help players in an area of the bag that is notoriously hard to master.
The ball flight was on the high side, but a stiffer shaft option would have almost certainly helped resolve this. As a result, we lost a little carry distance (three yards in the 7-iron and 15 yards in the driver) versus our custom-fitted clubs. However, for those golfers looking to get the ball up and away with a smooth swing, the regular shaft version we tested should certainly do the job.
At the bottom end of the bag, we were really impressed by the feel from the face of the compact mallet putter. Admittedly, we were using a premium ball, but the feel was still firm yet responsive and the head was easy to align.
The package includes a cart bag, which looks smart and has plenty of pockets for storage, but we would have preferred the extra flexibility of a stand bag. It also felt a little flimsy and didn’t quite reflect the quality of the clubs on offer.
However, this is only a small gripe with what is a hugely impressive set that we think has genuine mass appeal. For those not wanting to get fitted but still looking for a quality set that performs and looks good, the Taylormade RBZ Speedlite is well worth considering. You can then progress into more premium performance offerings as your game develops.