TaylorMade SpeedBlade vs TaylorMade SLDR
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | SpeedBlade loft | SLDR loft | SpeedBlade lie | SLDR lie | SpeedBlade length | SLDR length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 17 | 19 | 60.25 | 60.5 | 39.5 | 38.75 |
| 4 | 20 | 21 | 61 | 61 | 38.875 | 38.25 |
| 5 | 23 | 24 | 61.75 | 61.5 | 38.25 | 37.75 |
| 6 | 26.5 | 28 | 62.5 | 62 | 37.625 | 37.25 |
| 7 | 30.5 | 32 | 63 | 62.5 | 37 | 36.75 |
| 8 | 34.5 | 36 | 63.5 | 63 | 36.5 | 36.25 |
| 9 | 39.5 | 41 | 64 | 63.5 | 36 | 35.75 |
| PW | 45 | 46 | 64.5 | 64 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| AW | 50 | 51 | 64.5 | 64 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| SW | 55 | 56 | 64.5 | 64 | 35.25 | 35.25 |
| LW | 60 | — | 64.5 | — | 35 | — |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- SpeedBlade
- SLDR
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the SpeedBlade is 30.5° and the SLDR is 32°, a 1.5° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the SpeedBlade should carry roughly 4 to 6 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the SLDR. Across the 10 clubs both sets share, the SLDR averages 1.3° weaker, with the largest gap at the 3-iron (17° vs 19°). The pitching wedges are 45° and 46°; the stronger one leaves a 5° jump to a 50° gap wedge, which matters when planning wedge gapping. Beyond loft, the SLDR 7-iron sits 0.5° flatter (63° vs 62.5°), which nudges start direction slightly right for a right-hander; the SpeedBlade 7-iron is 0.25 inches longer (37" vs 36.75").
The sets are built differently: the SpeedBlade runs 3-iron to LW (11 clubs), the SLDR 3-iron to SW (10 clubs).
The SpeedBlade is a game improvement iron and the SLDR a players distance iron, so they sit one step apart on the forgiveness scale. The SpeedBlade is the more forgiving design, with a wider sole, more offset and more perimeter weighting for roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. The SLDR trades some of that for a more compact head, thinner topline and more control over flight and shape, which suits roughly 5 to 15 handicaps who want extra distance from a compact head.
The SpeedBlade is listed as cast with a through-slot Speed Pocket in the 3 to 7 irons and the SLDR as cast with a ThruSlot Speed Pocket. With the build method this similar, differences in feel come down to head size, sole width, topline and offset rather than how the heads are made.
The SLDR came out 1 year after the SpeedBlade, but it is a different line rather than a direct replacement, so the two were designed for different golfers as well as different seasons.
Which should you choose?
The SLDR is the weaker-lofted set — up to 2° weaker than the SpeedBlade. That trades raw distance for a steeper landing angle and more predictable stopping power into greens.
Both charts are reproduced in full on their own pages: TaylorMade SpeedBlade specs and TaylorMade SLDR specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the TaylorMade SpeedBlade stronger lofted than the SLDR?
Yes. The TaylorMade SpeedBlade 7-iron is 30.5° against 32° for the SLDR, 1.5° stronger, which is worth roughly 4 to 6 yards of extra carry with the same swing.
What is the loft difference between the TaylorMade SpeedBlade and SLDR?
At the 7-iron the difference is 1.5° (30.5° vs 32°). The largest gap on a shared club is 2° at the 3-iron, and all 10 shared clubs differ.
Which is better for higher handicap golfers, the TaylorMade SpeedBlade or the SLDR?
The TaylorMade SpeedBlade. As a game improvement iron it is the more forgiving design, suited to roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. The SLDR is a players distance iron, better suited to roughly 5 to 15 handicaps who want extra distance from a compact head.
Do the TaylorMade SpeedBlade and SLDR have the same lie and length?
Not exactly. At the 7-iron the TaylorMade SpeedBlade is 63° lie and 37 inches, the SLDR 62.5° and 36.75 inches. Both can be bent or built to your own fit.
Shop both models
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