Equipment
TaylorMade launches Ti Bubble 2-inspired BRNR Mini Driver
Nostalgia is a sweet elixir for golf equipment junkies, and TaylorMade is leaning in even further to this phenomenon with its latest release.
The 2023 installment of TaylorMade’s Mini Driver’s franchise — which, in recent years, has included the nostalgic nods of the Original One and 300 Mini Drivers — is the 304cc BRNR Mini Driver.
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Golfers of a certain age remember well the Ti Bubble 2 driver of the mid-90s and Mark O’Meara gaming one en route to his 1998 Masters win — if you’re too young to know what a “Bubble shaft” looks like, learn your history (in short, the bulging/bubble section beyond the bottom of the grip moved weight toward the middle of the shaft for increased stability. The shaft was also significantly lighter than what was on the market at the time).
A look at the Ti Bubble 2 driver, below.
From an appearance standpoint, the throwback elements first: the BRNR Mini Driver features the copper and black tones of the Ti Bubble 2 as well as the mid-’90s TaylorMade logo. Even the UST ProForce 65 shaft is black and copper in a nod to the original Burner Bubble.
Oh, and the headcover is retro!
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“BRNR has been very popular in testing with tour players, especially at the first major of the year as a potential fairway finder on demanding tee shots and on approach shots on par fives. Players are always looking for a club that can be versatile and reliable off the tee and BRNR checks both of those boxes. Being able to adjust the weights to match the ball flight the player is looking for allows this club to be something that provides distance and shot shaping ability that can be crucial at narrower courses.” — Keith Sbarbaro, Vice President, Tour Operations
2023 TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver: Key technology
Ti Bubble 2-inspired K-sole for smooth turf interaction and “driver off the deck” possibilities.
A 13-gram weight in the back of the club and a 1.5-gram weight in the front can be adjusted to fine-tune launch and spin. Placing the heavier weight forward reduces spin by approximately 200 RPMs, according to the company.
Why play a mini driver?
In general, TaylorMade finds two types of golfers gravitate toward a mini driver. In the first case, it’s an addition to a standard driver: Players looking for a “fairway finder” driver without giving up too much distance that can also be hit off the deck. Second, TaylorMade recommends giving a mini a go to golfers who struggle to hit 460 cc drivers, particularly choppers. It’s a better alternative than a 3-wood off the tee.
Pricing, specs, and availability
- At retail: April 21
- Price: $449.99 USD
- Lofts: 11.5, 13.5 degrees
- Stock shaft: The UST Mamiya ProForce 65 Retro Burner Edition 65 (X,S,R)
- Stock grip: SuperStroke S-Tech 50g (black/copper)
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Neal Shipley was the first to admit that he enjoyed his food while in college. But since his days at Ohio State, he’s slimmed down and earned a PGA Tour Card.
That hasn’t stopped him from having fun with his wedge stampings, though it’s led to some misunderstandings.
On the 54 (degree), we have ‘Big Fudge,'” Shipley told GolfWRX. “It was supposed to be ‘Big Fridge,’ so this happened a little while ago. ‘Big Fridge’ was a nickname between my college teammates and I, with ‘fridge’ meaning stomach, a big stomach.
“We told the Ping guys to put … ‘Big Fridge’ on it, and I think maybe some bad cell service or something, and they thought I said ‘fudge,’ so they put fudge on it.”
On Shipley’s 50-degree he also continues the food theme, this time with his go-to order at the “Golden Arches,” and his stamping “DONS 7.”
“The number 7 meal, the two cheeseburger meal, that was my McDonald’s order, back when I would have McDonald’s frequently,” Shipley shared.
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @raw10628 has a L.A.B. DF3 putter and Masters putter cover up for grabs.
From the listing: “Some great items here today, time to thin out and make room for next set of gear. All prices include shipping.
LAB DF3 Purple 33.5” 68° lie with TPT – $725. LAB Masters release DF3 cover – $150.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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saysomethingstupid...
Apr 17, 2023 at 6:42 pm
Going to be $599 cdn for a stock garbage shafted club, awesome…
Rich Douglas
Apr 17, 2023 at 12:19 pm
I’ve played 3 earlier iterations of the TM Mini Driver. I don’t see anything about this one that is distinctly different from the 300 Mini, however. Still, I love the concept and haven’t carried a 3-wood for years because of it. On some courses I pull my regular driver in favor of another wedge and use this as my only “wood.”