Are you a Bomber or a Technician?

While putting may be universally accepted as the most important aspect of golf, I believe that driving is the key to enjoying golf. Poor driving puts tremendous pressure on the rest of your game. Yes, missing a short birdie putt makes you sick, but a poor drive precludes even having that chance. Thankfully, technology has gotten pretty good which means longer, straighter drives. Always a good thing. This Fall TaylorMade Golf unveiled their drivers for the 2009 season and here’s my take.

Don’t assume you can only benefit from one or the other. Last year in the same tournament John Daly played the r7 SuperQuad (technician) while Fred Funk played the ’08 version of the Burner (bomber).

My recommendation is to hit them both and let your ball flight speak for itself. An extra 15 yards or a controlled draw comes from practice not what you see at the store. Pick the club that gives you the most confidence when you tee it up. You should buy clubs that play on both your strengths and weakness.

More about the difference between the drivers after the jump.

I hit both of these this summer and it was all I could do not to sneak off with them. I noticed right away how each had been improved over its predecessor. And like all TaylorMade clubs, they just look good at address. Not like swinging a box.

r7 Limited: With a more traditional head shape and platinum-esque finish it’s like driving a luxury car.

• Movable Weight TechnologyTM (MWT)® with three ports promotes changes in trajectory up to 35 yards from right-to-left or left-to-right for optimized shot shape and distance
• Inverted Cone Technology expands the part of the clubface that delivers fast ball speed to promote increased distance on off-center hits
• See the Technology behind the r7 Limited

2009 Burner: Racing strips and flames. Vroom, Vroom baby.

• Super-stable, high-MOI head design, combined with Inverted Cone Technology promotes more forgiveness and more consistent distance on off-center hits
• SuperFast Technology includes a 49g shaft measuring 46 1/4 inches and promotes explosive swing speed, faster ball speed and added distance
• See the Technology behind the ’09 Burner

Cost: r7 Limited ($400) | 2009 Burner ($300)

COMING UP: Gear Patrol’s secured an early hold on the TaylorMade r9. Touted as the most customizable club on the market, we’ll be putting it through the paces with the Gear Patrol crew’s golfers. Check back in the coming weeks for in-depth coverage and reviews on the TaylorMade r9!