#2 WHERE DOES TAYLORMADE’S GAPR FIT IN?

GAPR only launched in July (and went on sale in September) and it’s a new way of thinking about the top end of your bag. Taylormade invented the hybrid category as we know it when they introduced Rescues back in 2003, so they’ve got pedigree when it comes to recognising gaps in the market.

Taylormade are adamant GAPR is not replacing the current M3 or M4 hybrids, nor their P790 Ultimate Driving Iron. Instead, it’s a whole new category – a system, with three different clubs (Hi, Lo and Mid) to allow complete customisation of how golfers fill gaps between their most lofted fairway wood and the longest iron they hit with any confidence.

You’ve got to delve deep into the specs to really see where it fits in. Comparing GAPR against the M4 Rescue, for instance, GAPR Hi has a smaller head (91cc vs 100cc), and a heavier stock shaft with a lower torque rating – all traits of ranges aimed at above-average golfers. Our testing has shown M4 can out-do GAPR Hi when it comes to ball speed (by 2mph), but the latter flighted shots five yards higher for our test pro, even though they carried the same distance. The most telling stat, though, is how M4 span a little less, which tells us that’s more of a distance machine whereas GAPR Hi, alongside the Mid and Lo, is a much more tuneable fitting tool.

Plenty of decent players complain of hitting wide-body hybrids left, so they often choose utility long irons instead. We reckon that’s exactly who GAPR has been developed for – above-average players who’ve never quite found their mojo with hybrids.