When You Have to Find The Short Grass

Stealth DHY
TaylorMade Stealth DHY COURTESY TAYLORMADE

Two new fairway-finding clubs from TaylorMade will help you keep the ball in play off the tee.

By Tony Dear

Most golfers rejoiced the day hybrids entered the game. Easier to hit than both long irons and lofted fairway woods, they helped the average golfer hit a soaring, 190-220-yard shot with confidence, instead of the nervy, hit-or-miss long-iron of yesteryear that only sometimes flew roughly where it was supposed to. Hybrids not only launched easily and flew high, they also had the dimensions, weight and power to hit the ball a decent distance, bringing long Par 4s and even short Par 5s into range in two shots.

The shape, spin and launch angle didn’t do it for some golfers though so, after a bit of a gap, forgiving driving irons appeared. Resembling a traditional long iron much more than a hybrid, they launched the ball a bit lower but were made of modern materials and designed in such a way as to expand the sweetspot, thus making the tee shot at narrow Par 4s and Par 5s – holes where an accurate tee shot between the trees/rough/bunkers/ponds is a must  – a little less intimidating. TaylorMade says they give golfers another option between their shortest fairway wood and longest iron.

The Stealth UDI (Ultimate Driving Iron)

taylormade stealth udi
TaylorMade Stealth UDI COURTESY TAYLORMADE

A follow-up to the Stealth game-improvement irons launched at the start of the year, has what TaylorMade is calling a ‘Tour-inspired shape’. The Center of Gravity (CG) is positioned to promote a penetrating ball-flight – as penetrating as game-improvers can create certainly – but create enough spin to make shaping shots possible. It is designed to rival the distance of hybrids.

The DHY (Driving Hybrid)

Stealth DHY
TaylorMade Stealth DHY COURTESY TAYLORMADE

Has a lower-profile head and wider, cambered sole. The back of the clubhead protrudes significantly further than it does on the UDI, but the club just about retains the look of a long-iron. It will launch the ball a bit higher than the UDI, but still generate good distance.

Both the UDI and DHY have an ultra-thin 4140 high-strength steel face and Thru-Slot Speed Pocket to help the face flex and ensure maximum distance, even when contact is made low on the face. They also have a hollow body filled with TaylorMade’s SpeedFoam Air which softens the sound of impact and improves feel.

Stealth UDI

Taylormade Stealth UDI
TaylorMade Stealth UDI COURTESY TAYLORMADE

Price –$250
Lofts – 18˚, 20˚, 23˚.
Shaft – Aldila Ascent Black
Available in right and left-hand.

Stealth DHY

TAYLORMADE STEALTH DHY
TaylorMade Stealth DHY COURTESY TAYLORMADE

Price –$250
Lofts – 17˚, 19˚, 22˚, 25˚.
Shaft – Adila Ascent Black
Available in right and left-hand.

taylormadegolf.com


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