Review: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Fairway Wood

The original RocketBallz has got RocketBallzier, says TaylorMade. But did we agree?

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Golf’s most successful ever fairway wood is now a whole lot RocketBallzier.

TaylorMade claims better players can now achieve up ten additional yards with the new RBZ Stage 2 fairway wood with COR boosting Speed Pocket. This fairway wood also features a lower, forward centre of gravity for higher launch for more distance and less spin.

On first appearance, the aggressive crown design and alignment aid is a dramatic improvement on the original RBZ as it allows you to focus in on the target line.

I wasn’t sure about the ‘V’ design on the non-glare white crown at first but after a while, my eyes were fixated on the left-hand side of the head at address and I could align with confidence.

And just as the case with the R1 driver, the eye-catching racing lines at the top and bottom provide the essence of power and speed, which is exactly what this club delivers.

The trailing edge sits low and close to the turf, making this 3-wood exceptionally easy to launch. The bright yellow and black headcover also looks great in the bag.

True to its name, balls rocket off the face on centre hits. Ahigh-strength TaylorMade RocketSteel shaft creates a very thin and fast-flexing face, although I'm not a great fan of the sound at impact.

Performance-wise, I generated an effective combination of carry and distance, rivalling the Callaway X Hot fairway for yardage at around the 230-yard mark. But there’s also a terrific amount of forgiveness on offer here with a lovely medium to high ball flight. 

Verdict

RBZ Stage 2 may scream distance gains but it’s the lower profile and shallower clubface that gets me most excited as this makes it exceptionally easy to launch the ball in the air.

This 3-wood is also relatively easy to draw and fade – perfect for when requiring a shaped second into a par-5. As for the crown design, it might take some getting used to, but once you do, you’ll be aligning with confidence.

You want more?

Click here for TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 fairway wood owner reviews. Click this link to see how the RBZ Stage 2 performed in our 2013 Ten of the Best fairway woods test. Got a question about RBZ Stage 2? Let us know in the forum below.