The new TaylorMade "AeroBurner Mini" driver is the perfect alternative for players struggling to gain consistency off the tee.
Even more compact than the former SLDR Mini with a 253cc head as opposed to 260cc, the AeroBurner Mini is a carbon copy of the AeroBurner driver with its aerodynamic head shape, raised centre crown and hosel fin that aids better clubhead speed.
This means it is around 90cc bigger than the AeroBurner fairway wood and 207cc smaller than the AeroBurner driver.
VIDEO: TaylorMade AeroBurner driver review
TaylorMade has not only improved the shape, however, it has increased the size of the face, adding greater area to the low heel and toe – where driver mis-hits most frequently occur.
Couple this with the brand’s innovative "Speed Pocket" in the sole, which increases the size of the sweetspot and reduces spin, and it is easy to see why TaylorMade is touting "even more speed and forgiveness" out of the AeroBurner Mini.
Placing the clubhead behind the ball, we instantly loved the matte white finish, black face and linear AeroBurner crown graphic that aids great alignment.
The standard Matrix Speed RUL-Z 60 shaft lived up to expectation by feeling light. It was also slightly shorter in the hands and therefore much easier to control than the stock shaft in the AeroBurner driver. The noise at impact was also particularly sweet.
Performance, however, is where this one shines. We received even greater carry and total distance from this 12-degree model against last year’s SLDR Mini, as well as improved levels of backspin and accuracy.
During testing, we were finding four yards in carry (234 yards) and eight yards in total distance (259 yards) on average drives from the tee, as well as trimming 200 RPM off spin (3300 RPM) and tightening offline dispersion by several yards.
DRIVER TEST: TaylorMade AeroBurner
Accuracy also excels, and we believe much of this is down to the 43.5 inch Matrix shaft that is two inches shorter than the AeroBurner driver.
As expected, the total distance fell shy of the larger 460cc AeroBurner driver, but it was certainly closer than we envisaged with drives falling just seven yards shorter on average.
FEATURE: TaylorMade R15 v TaylorMade AeroBurner
While not our favourite shot to play, we managed to strike it off the deck cleanly in the 14-degree model – much to do with the Speed Pocket, improved head shape and larger hitting area. The 12-degree model proved a little tougher to get airborne, however.
Verdict
The AeroBurner Mini driver is a standout club in its category with a fairway-wood look that is just as powerful as a 460cc driver.
It proved incredibly accurate and easy to strike cleanly thanks to the improved aerodynamic shape and larger hitting area that was there to save any glaring misses struck on the low heel or toe.
The shorter stock shaft also contributed to some very straight drives.
Essentially two clubs for the price of one, we believe the AeroBurner Mini offers decent value for money at £219 given it is more forgiving and versatile than the AeroBurner driver (£269).
