"We're advertising 17 yards because legally that's all we're allowed to advertise, but most times when we've done 1-on-1 [testing], it's been 20 to 26 yards."

Thanks to reader Jim for catching Gerry Dulac's story about Taylor Made's claims of distance jumps from their new RocketBallz line. Though I'm not clear on why they are seizing on a 17 yard increase because that's "legally" all they can lay claim to.

"We're advertising 17 yards because legally that's all we're allowed to advertise, but most times when we've done 1-on-1 [testing], it's been 20 to 26 yards," said Tom Olsavsky, TaylorMade's senior director of product creation. "When we tested it during our demo day in Orlando [at the PGA Merchandise Show], the average was 28.6 yards longer. We've never had a jump like that. Never.

"The last real jump in performance is when we went from the standard drivers to high-COR drivers, and that was about 12 yards on a driver."

Now that is a statement about skill. Granted, the skill of engineers instead of skill. But skill nonetheless.

The United States Golf Association has placed a COR limit of .830 on all golf clubs (1.000 is maximum transfer), although it is most commonly associated with drivers. Until now.

By creating a deeper face and moving the center of gravity closer to the front of the clubhead, TaylorMade was able to increase the COR from .780 in its former Burner fairway model to between .810-.813 in its new RBZ fairway metal. That increase allows the ball to come off the face with greater speed but also reduces the spin rate on the ball by at least 1,000 rpm.