TaylorMade RSi 1 iron
TaylorMade RSi 1 irons

The Golf Monthly gear team head to Wentworth to offer their TaylorMade RSi 1 iron video review

It may have made a name for itself over the last few years for eking out extra distance for its legion of tour professionals, but TaylorMade's latest launch is all about increasing performance on mishits for us average golfers. Here we look at the technology at work across the family but for the TaylorMade RSi 1 iron video review, watch the video that accompanies this piece. The three new RSi irons - the RSi 1, RSi 2 and RSi TP - have managed this thanks to two revolutionary horizontal slots on the face that sit at either end of the grooves. These 'Face Slots', which feature in the 3-8 irons, help provide uniform flexing across the face to generate more consistent distance on off-centre hits. In real terms, it means if you hit a loose shot you should find yourself closer to the green, with a better chance of an up-and-down. All three RSi irons also feature a modified Speed Pocket in the 3-7 irons, which now provides better ball speeds on shots low off the face, and helps increase launch angle and ball speed on all shots for longer carries.

The RSi 1 has the biggest head of the three models to give game improvers more confidence over the ball - watch our TaylorMade RSi 1 iron video review above. It has a deep undercut and Inverted Cone Technology that drive face speed, while multiple dampening systems improve sound and feel. The RSi 2 has many of the same features including the improved Speed Pocket and new Face Slots, but it also adds forged faces in the short irons and tungsten weighting in the long irons to deliver a blend of feel and forgiveness in a smaller head. The third RSi addition will be a TP model sometime in 2015, which will feature a two-piece welded construction that includes a forged carbon steel face and hosel, and a stainless steel back bar forming sole slot and undercut. As you'd expect, the Taylormade RSi TP irons will have a compact head size, minimal offset and thin toplines.

Neil Tappin
Editor

In July 2023, Neil became just the 9th editor in Golf Monthly's 112-year history. Originally working with the best coaches in the UK to produce instruction content, he has also presented many Golf Monthly videos looking at all areas of the game from Tour player interviews to the rules of golf. 

Throughout his time with the brand he has also covered equipment launches that date back well over a decade. He clearly remembers the launch of the Callaway and Nike square drivers as well as the white TaylorMade driver families, such as the RocketBallz! If you take a look at the Golf Monthly YouTube channel, you'll see his equipment videos dating back over a decade! He has also conducted 'What's In The Bag' interviews with many of the game's best players like Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm. Over the years, Neil has tested a vast array of products in each category and at drastically different price-points. 


Neil is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade Stealth Plus Fairway Wood: Titleist TSR2 Hybrid: Titleist TS3 Irons: PING Blueprint S (4&5), PING Blueprint T (6-PW) Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 50˚, 54˚, 60˚ Putter: Odyssey Triple Track Ten Ball: Titleist Pro V1X