TaylorMade introduces SLDR Mini Driver

TaylorMade SLDR Mini Driver sits between 3-wood and driver to deliver more power and accuracy from both the tee and fairway

TaylorMade has introduced the SLDR Mini Driver, designed to give golfers a different, more powerful and more accurate option off the tee.

TaylorMade wanted to build on the fact better players and professionals hit more fairways with a 3-wood, and its manufacturers have designed a club to bridge the gap between the two models.

The SLDR Mini - sized between a 3-wood and 460cc driver - incorporates cutting-edge metalwood technology, including TaylorMade's special distance-enhancing Speed Pocket, to deliver more distance and accuracy than a 3-wood.

The 260cc SLDR Mini comes with a larger size and deeper face than a traditional 160cc 3-wood, which provided more stability and forgiveness on mishits.

The ability to tee the ball higher also makes the TaylorMade SLDR Mini easier to launch.

Like TaylorMade's other metalwoods, it has a low-forward centre of gravity which, along with the Speed Pocket, promotes more ball speed and less spin.

The SLDR Mini driver also features a 43.5" shaft (compared to 45.5" for the average driver) designed to provide additional clubhead control.

The TaylorMade SLDR Mini isn't designed exclusively as a club to be hit off the tee, though, and a smaller sole makes it easy to hit off the deck.

The SLDR Mini driver comes in two models: Standard and TP.

The Standard model comes with a lighter, driver-weight shaft, while the TP has a 3-wood-weighted version.

The SLDR Mini follows on from the launch of the original SLDR driver, which went on sale in August 2013.

Click here to see Golf Monthly's TaylorMade SLDR driver review