by Jeff Skinner
Each year TaylorMade Golf continues to come up with new and different driver designs to keep their death grip on leading the world in driver sales. They turned heads with their new white headed drivers that now have all the manufacturers breaking out their Crayolas trying to one up TaylorMade with red, blue and orange drivers.
But white is the color of choice at TaylorMade as their new R1 and RocketBallz Stage 2 drivers continue to dominate driver sales. I was able to test out the RocketBallz Stage 2 driver and it seems to be everything TaylorMade says it is.
Here’s all the techy stuff from TaylorMade. It has a larger face than the old RocketBallz. Inverted Cone Technology increases ball speed and improved aerodynamics promotes faster clubhead speed. A “Thick-Thin” crown lowers the center of gravity and increases ball speed, lowers spin and increases launch angle.
The Loft-Sleeve Technology allows for 7 standard and 5 upright loft options. A 10.5 degree driver can be adjusted lower to 9 degrees or up to 12 degrees. It comes with an ultra-light 50 
gram shaft and the black and gold graphics on the white crown set it apart from other white drivers.
Be aware that the RocketBallz Stage 2 comes with a 46 inch shaft, that’s an inch longer than most stock drivers and even longer than the R1 which comes with a 45.5 inch shaft. That may be trouble for some players but the club is so light it doesn’t feel like you lose any control.
All this technology is designed to help us hit it longer and straighter and isn’t that what it’s all about with the big dawg.
I found the adjustability on the RocketBallz Stage 2 to be simple and straight forward. The ball jumped off the face and with a little tweaking and experimenting with the head and the wrench finding that all important correct launch angle is easy.
As far as the graphics and the white head go, I originally was a non-believer when TaylorMade came out with them but count me as a convert now. It’s simple: after a few balls that go further and straighter than your old driver you’ll be convinced.
The RocketBallz Stage 2 retails for $299, that’s $100 cheaper than the R1 and if you don’t need 168 different options like the R1 offers this may be the right stick. The RocketBallz Stage 2 is so successful with the professionals that it is threatening to overtake the R1 on tour. That tells you something.
I enjoyed hitting this club as I definitely got extra yards from it and even though it can be a bit intimating at no time did it feel like it was too much club.
If you’re looking for an adjustable driver and a few extra yards, and who isn’t, the RocketBallz Stage 2 has to be considered. As far as the white head goes? Get over it; this is the way drivers are going to be for a long time.
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