Taylormade Burner Mini Driver Review

I have been playing golf for over 10 years and I love trying out new clubs that can improve my game. Recently, I got my hands on the Taylormade Burner Mini Driver, a modern interpretation of a classic design that pays homage to the late-90s Burner drivers.

In this Taylormade Burner Mini driver review, I will share my experience with this club and how it performs on the course.

What is Taylormade Burner Mini Driver?

The Taylormade Burner Mini Driver is a hybrid between a driver and a fairway wood. It has a 304cc head size, which is smaller than most drivers but larger than most fairway woods.

It also has a shorter shaft length of 43.75 inches, which is about an inch shorter than most drivers. The club is designed to give players their choice of forgiveness and versatility or increased distance with a piercing ball flight.

Look/Impression

The first thing that caught my eye about the Burner Mini Driver was its retro styling. It has a matte white finish, a black PVD face, and a linear AeroBurner crown graphic that make alignment easy.

The taylormade burner mini driver also has a carbon fiber, titanium and steel construction that creates a solid sound and feel at impact. The club looks sleek and modern, but also nostalgic and familiar.

Key Features/Technologies

The Burner Mini Driver has several features and technologies that make it stand out from other clubs. Some of them are:

Movable Weight Technology (MWT): The club has two split weights (13g each) that can be switched between the back and the front of the head. This allows golfers to adjust the spin and launch angle of the club according to their preference.

The standard setting (13g in the back) provides more forgiveness and versatility, while the low spin setting (13g in the front) provides more distance and a lower trajectory.

K-SOLE Design: The club has a sole design that helps it glide smoothly through the turf while reducing resistance and promoting a consistent strike. This enables golfers to have “driver off the deck” distance with the consistency of higher lofted fairway woods.

Tour Proven Technologies: The club also incorporates some of the proven technologies from Taylormade’s other drivers, such as Twist Face, Thru-Slot Speed Pocket, and four-degree Loft Sleeve.

Twist Face helps golfers overcome inherent mis-hit tendencies for straighter shots, while the Speed Pocket maximizes ball speeds and adds forgiveness on low-face strikes. The four-degree Loft Sleeve allows golfers to fine tune loft and face angle for optimum flight.

Performance

I tested the Burner Mini Driver on the course and on the simulator( a friend allowed me to use his), using both settings of the MWT. Here are my observations on how it performed in different aspects:

Forgiveness:

The club is very forgiving, especially in the standard setting. Even when I hit it off-center, the ball still went straight and far. The Twist Face and Speed Pocket technologies really helped me correct my mishits and maintain distance. The club also has a large sweet spot and a shallow face that make it easy to hit.

Speed & Distance:

The taylormade burner mini driver is fast and long, especially in the low spin setting. I was able to generate high ball speeds and low spin rates with this club, resulting in more carry and roll out although it needs a little more power when striking(my observation).

This club also has a high launch angle that helps it fly over obstacles and land softly on the green. I gained about 10-15 yards more with this club than with my regular driver.

Comfort & Sound:

The taylormade burner mini driver feels very comfortable to swing and generates a great metallic sound at impact. The shaft is lightweight but stable, and the grip is tacky but not too thick. The club also has a solid feel that gives me confidence in every shot. The sound is loud but not harsh, and it matches the performance of the club.

Pros & Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of the Burner Mini Driver:

• Pros
  • Versatile: can be used off the tee or off the fairway
  • Adjustable: can switch between two settings of MWT
  • Forgiving: corrects mishits and maintains distance
  • Fast: generates high ball speeds and low spin rates
  • Long: provides more carry and roll out
  • Comfortable: has a lightweight shaft and a tacky grip
  • Solid: has a great sound and feel at impact
• Cons
  • Might be too pricey for some folks
  • Limited: only available in two lofts (11.5° and 13.5°)
  • Draw-biased: may not suit players who prefer a fade

Who Should Play This Club?

The Burner Mini Driver is suitable for players who prioritize accuracy and consistency over distance and shape. It is also ideal for players who struggle with traditional drivers or who want to have more options off the tee or off the fairway. The club can help players hit more fairways and greens, and lower their scores.

Comparison with Other Models

The Burner Mini Driver is similar to other mini drivers on the market, such as the Callaway Bertha Mini 1.5, the Cobra F-Max Airspeed Offset, and the Ping G425 Max. However, it has some advantages over them, such as:

• MWT: The Burner Mini Driver is the only mini driver that has MWT, which gives it more adjustability and customization.
• K-SOLE: The Burner Mini Driver has a unique sole design that improves its turf interaction and playability.
• Tour Proven Technologies: The Burner Mini Driver incorporates some of the best technologies from Taylormade’s other drivers, such as Twist Face, Speed Pocket, and Loft Sleeve.

Conclusion

The Burner Mini Driver is a versatile and forgiving club that can help players improve their accuracy and consistency. It has a retro look, a solid feel, and a fast performance. It also has some innovative features and technologies that make it stand out from other mini-drivers. It is a great club for players who want to have more fun and confidence on the course.