The more I play this club the better it gets and the more I like it. It's not uncommon for a center hit to go 300 yards. Mis-hits still go 230-260 and manage to stay on the fairway. Prior to getting this driver, I relied on my 3-wood for most of my tee-shots as my old driver was very inconsistant. It took a bit to get used to the large head on this club but the ease, distance, and accuracy of this club made it the best investment in my golf bag by far.

Customer Service

I have no experience with Taylor Made's Customer service although I hear from others that it is excellent.

Similar Products Used:

GBB II Ti

I have been playing an 8.5 stiff Cleveland Launcher 330 for a year since the face cracked on my friend of 10 years, a Callaway S2H2 9.5 Steel Memphis 10 (ancient, small, but one of the most consistent clubs I have played). The 330 left me dissatisfied with my ability to accurately hit off the tee, likely due to the low loft of 8.5*. This has been forcing me to play my Launcher 3 wood (15* S, an outstanding club) to anything but the widest of landing areas. After trying alot of drivers (see Similar Products Used) I found that all but the Tsi were remarkable clubs. However, the R580 was truly the best at producing the most consistent pattern of flight and carry. I initially hit the stock stiff shaft and was most pleased with the precision of the head, especially on off center strikes. After hitting a few other shafts to match my swing mechanics I went with the Grafalloy Blue Stiff on this head and have been absolutely delighted with the results. The MacGregor was a very close second, but lacked the consistency of the R580(I am currently playing the 1025CM irons and have been overwhelmed by their performance). I was a bit surprised that the Launcher 330 9.5 did not hold up as well as it did in comparison. It had a decided tendancy to draw more than I care for on dead center strikes and was not consistent with off center hits. Center strikes make me feel like I invented the wheel. Best of all, the more common off center hits still leave me within 20 yards of my mark. Distance is diminished by off-center hits (obviously), but to consistently be in a scoring position despite a poor tee shot is, to me, a good thing. Surprisingly, my ability to work the ball (although I do not do it all that well) has been remarkably enhanced by this clubhead. I can only hope the tour of duty for the R580 can match that of my S2H2. For the price tag, it better.

Customer Service

I have no experience with Taylor Made's customer service. However, the patience and helpfulness of the staff at Pro Golf in Louisville, KY was first rate.

Similar Products Used:

Callaway S2H2 Steel Memphis 10 (Rest In Peace old friend), Launcher 330 8.5 (X-Stiff and Stiff) 9.5 Stiff, MacGregor Optimal and High Launch 9.5/10.5 , Launcher 400 9.5, Ping Tsi 9.0, and Titleist 983

Today I played my first round with my new 580R. I orderde it witha factory installed Grafalloy Blue Stif shaft. I read a lot about the shaft being stiffer than others. All I can say is that it felt great, and my swing speed is only between 95 and 100 mph. I did not miss one farway even when miss hitting and I was getting around 260yds with out roll, about 15 to 20 more than with my 360TI. Great Club. I have a 360 TI and I did not like the talylor made shaft. I would recomend this club to anyone but It is worth looking in to optional shafts. All in all geat club.

Customer Service

Very good, they sent me a free replacement head cover for my 360

Similar Products Used:

Taylormade 360TI, Callaway GBBII, Cleaveland launcher 400

I reviewed 10 clunds, finally settling on four: King Cobra, Titleist 975J, Cleveland launcher and the Taylor Made R580. I took all four to a golf professional (Rick Zerango) near my lub and worked with him for an hour. After hitting all the clubs, I narrowed it down to the Cleveland and the taylor Made. what decided it most fo rme was the fact that I hit 25 shots, all between the flags which are about 40 - 60 years apart, at around 265 - 280. I have tried , purchase and hit over 15 drivers inthe last tweny years and never have I hit a drive that allowed me to control th efade, draw or just hit straight. The week part of my game over the last few years was getting off th etee. I suffice to say I took th eclub and my new found confidence and went to Pinehurst and Played the Carolina from the blue tees, all 6600 plus yards. I shot 78 that day, with 5 three putts, hit every fairway nd had a shot to every green in two. I played the next at the more challenging Woodlake Maples course and shot 81, again hitting every fairway and having a shot at each green, but again, three putting 7 greeens... Hows that for a driver.... As far as the looks, it is a sleek sweet sounds driver that rewards you for a solid hit, but does not penalize you for off center hits. On one hole, a slight downhill 454 par four, I hit my second shot with a pitching wedge from just inside 130...I probably averaged about 280 off the tee each hole and was in the short grass all day...thank you Taylor Made...

Customer Service

Fantastic. the folks where I purchase it from were Great.

Similar Products Used:

Titleist 975J Cleveland Launcher

The best thing about the R580 is its forgiveness and the ball does go staright. As far as distance is concerned, the stock MAS shaft in Reg Flex will get you only about 240yrds MAX id say with roll. Im fitting a new harrison striper J in stiff flex and hope that it gets me some more distance. The club does look nice but the paintwork is AWFUL, scrathes VERY easily. I had a 975J which i reckon has the most beautiful cosmetics a club could ever have and with a Grafalloy Prolite in stiff i was sending the ball about 265yrds.The R580 sound-at-impact is a bit dull, like hitting a coke can, i prefer the high shrilly sound of the 975J where it really feels like you have smacked the ball.All in all, the R580 is a nice club, but sadly its not the best. I beleive Titleist make the best drivers overall, because for a little as 10yrds from another driver that looks crap, and sounds crap its not worth it. I use out my R580 this year, get my handicap down a bit and hopefylly next year titleist will make another great club that i can keep, cherish and "CRUSH" every frigging ball with.

Customer Service

Not Needed

Similar Products Used:

None

Are you kidding me. This club is super. Took the GBB II, the 580 and my Steel Head Plus out to the course to compare during a round and on the range. I've played Callaway products for years so wasn't sure about Taylor Made. Taylor Made drivers win hands down. The GBB II has the same weaknesses that the SteelHead and the original Big Bertha had. If you mis-hit the 580, you'll still get your distance and you won't be all over the yard. I can't say that about Callaway. Callaway's are accurate in the grand scheme of things, but the 580 beats Callaway for driver performance. I'm getting one of these 580's.

Customer Service

Not sure, never used

Made the jump after playing with a Cleveland Quad for the last two years. The larger head took some getting used to but once you settle in with this club it really pays off! Good control, nice straight shots out to 240 are not that hard to come by. I would recommend this club to anyone looking for more controlled distance without killing the ball. Well worth the money! (And it looks great.)

Customer Service

Roger Dunn has been great when I needed them.

Similar Products Used:

Cleveland, Big Bertha, Wilson

Read all the reviews about the R580 and had to try one. Being a lefty I finally found a 9.5 stock stiff shaft. Took it out for a round to road test it.I was dissapointed. No two shots the same, best drive of the heel(230 yrds). took it back and found out the face was caving in at the toe. Iwas told T.M has a problem with some of these models. Took out the 10.5 stiff and was I surprised!! Large face but you can still work the ball. Great distance on off center hits. 10.5 too high for me so 9.5 would be my choice.I was told if I purchase one and I had a problem T.M would replace it. P.S. Hit every fairway, longest drive 260 no roll (swing speed 98-102). GBB2, Ping Tec are close but you cant beat that big sweet spot. If you buy used look at it first and check the toe,not only can you see it but you can feel it

Customer Service

I have dealt with T.M. before and service was fast and prompt.

Similar Products Used:

GBB 2, Ping Tec, Adams Redline, 983K,

This driver actually allows me to keep up with better players in my group - I'm a beginner, and this driver rocks ! Average 220 to 240 yards off the tee, which works for me (at least for now). Feels great, and far better that Callaway's Hawkeye VFT driver. The only thing you don't want to do is swing too hard - this club likes controlled swings, and retruns a high trajectory, pretty much down the middle. Highly recommended, and worth the price.

Customer Service

Never used them

Similar Products Used:

Callaway Hawkeye VFT, Katana, Dunlop XX10

Decided to take the plunge on a big headed titanium driver, after a few years with a Callaway Steelhead Plus. Huge difference in distance and forgiveness. Tried the R580, Cleveland Launcher and Cobra SS. Liked the R580 best. Very lively club. Very long. When demoing, the guy next to me on the range (who was demoing a Nike at the time) tried a few swings and said, very surprised, "Wow. Long club." Soon he was back in the shop demoing the 540. Gets the ball up quickly, but does not balloon; once up, the ball maintains a nice boring trajectory. (The 9.5 anyway; I thought the 10.5 pushed it up too high...) Very forgiving as well. I did not like the Cobra as much: found myself hooking it quite regularly. Too much draw bias for me, it seems. Also did not like the feel of the Cleveland: pushed many shots to the right. Just could not get comfortable with it. Once I got used to the R580's huge head (it's an adjustment), I got into a nice groove. Not everything exactly down the middle (and no, I did not average 320+ yards, as some posters like to brag). However, I found the cone of dispersion to be narrower than I had a right to expect, and distance generally did not suffer. When I hit it clean, I hit it further than I have ever hit any club, a good 20 yards over my Steelhead, at least, and much more forgiving. You can swing nice and easy and get suprising results. I was very pleased and am putting the R580 in my bag. (Shop around ebay on price; you can get a new model for well under 300. Also, if you are choosing between the 10.5 and 9.5, you might go with the 9.5; this club gets the ball up quite nicely. As for comments about the stock shaft, the stiff shaft seemed just fine for my level of play, though I am sure it much more macho to swap in some swanky tour shaft.)

Customer Service

No experience

Similar Products Used:

Cleveland Launcher 400, Cobra SS380, TM 320, Callaway Steelhead Plus