TaylorMade RocketBallz vs TaylorMade RocketBallz Max
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | RocketBallz loft | RocketBallz Max loft | RocketBallz lie | RocketBallz Max lie | RocketBallz length | RocketBallz Max length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 17.5 | — | 61 | — | 39.5 | — |
| 4 | 20 | 20 | 61.5 | 61 | 38.875 | 39.21 |
| 5 | 23 | 23 | 62 | 61.75 | 38.25 | 38.41 |
| 6 | 26.5 | 26 | 62.5 | 62.5 | 37.625 | 37.625 |
| 7 | 30.5 | 30 | 63 | 63 | 37 | 37 |
| 8 | 35 | 34 | 63.5 | 63.5 | 36.5 | 36.5 |
| 9 | 40 | 39 | 64 | 64 | 36 | 36 |
| PW | 45 | 44 | 64.5 | 64.5 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| AW | 50 | 49 | 64.5 | 64.5 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| SW | 55 | 54 | 64.5 | 64.5 | 35.25 | 35.25 |
| LW | 60 | 59 | 64.5 | 64.5 | 35 | 35 |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- RocketBallz
- RocketBallz Max
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the RocketBallz is 30.5° and the RocketBallz Max is 30°, a 0.5° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the RocketBallz Max should carry about 2 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the RocketBallz. Across the 10 clubs both sets share, the RocketBallz Max averages 0.7° stronger, with the largest gap at the 8-iron (35° vs 34°). The pitching wedges are 45° and 44°; the stronger one leaves a 6° jump to a 50° gap wedge, which matters when planning wedge gapping.
The sets are built differently: the RocketBallz runs 3-iron to LW (11 clubs), the RocketBallz Max 4-iron to LW (10 clubs).
The RocketBallz is a game improvement iron and the RocketBallz Max a super game improvement iron, so they sit one step apart on the forgiveness scale. The RocketBallz Max is the more forgiving design, with a wider sole, more offset and more perimeter weighting for high handicaps, beginners and slower swing speeds. The RocketBallz trades some of that for a more compact head, thinner topline and more control over flight and shape, which suits roughly 10 to 25 handicaps.
The RocketBallz is listed as investment cast, two-piece metalwood-inspired construction in 3-5 irons and the RocketBallz Max as hollow, pull-face metalwood construction with tungsten sole weighting. The RocketBallz Max's hollow body lets the face flex more and moves mass low and outward, usually giving higher launch and more ball speed on off-centre strikes than the RocketBallz, at some cost in feel. The RocketBallz Max adds tungsten weighting, which lowers the centre of gravity and raises stability on mis-hits, helping the long irons launch.
Both sets were introduced in 2011, so this is a choice between two models from the same lineup rather than an upgrade: TaylorMade designed them to sit side by side for different players.
Which should you choose?
The RocketBallz Max is the stronger-lofted set — up to 1° stronger than the RocketBallz on matching clubs. Expect longer carry per numbered iron but a flatter descent angle; gapping at the wedge end is where that shows up.
Both charts are reproduced in full on their own pages: TaylorMade RocketBallz specs and TaylorMade RocketBallz Max specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the TaylorMade RocketBallz stronger lofted than the RocketBallz Max?
No. The RocketBallz Max is the stronger-lofted set: its 7-iron is 30° against 30.5° for the TaylorMade RocketBallz, 0.5° stronger and worth about 2 yards of extra carry.
What is the loft difference between the TaylorMade RocketBallz and RocketBallz Max?
At the 7-iron the difference is 0.5° (30.5° vs 30°). The largest gap on a shared club is 1° at the 8-iron, and 8 of the 10 shared clubs differ.
Which is better for higher handicap golfers, the TaylorMade RocketBallz or the RocketBallz Max?
The RocketBallz Max. As a super game improvement iron it is the more forgiving design, suited to high handicaps, beginners and slower swing speeds. The TaylorMade RocketBallz is a game improvement iron, better suited to roughly 10 to 25 handicaps.
Do the TaylorMade RocketBallz and RocketBallz Max have the same lie and length?
At the 7-iron, yes: both are 63° lie and 37 inches long.
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