CARLSBAD, Calif. (August 25, 2008) -TaylorMade® Golf has introduced a new high-performance iron called Tour Preferred®, engineered to blend modern technology with classic design.

"The first thing you notice about the Tour Preferred iron when you position it behind the ball is the classically thin topline, and that it's shorter from heel to toe than the average iron you see today," said Brian Bazzel, TaylorMade manager of iron creation. "What you don't see at address are the sole design and features in the cavity that help drive the performance of this club."

TP Irons By TaylorMade

The tour-configured sole was shaped with the help of in-depth feedback from TaylorMade Tour Staff professionals, and features a softened leading and trailing edge that work together to minimize resistance and discourage digging. That helps the sole to power smoothly through the turf to promote purer ball-striking.

The shallow, undercut cavity design allows substantial weight to be distributed in the perimeter of the clubhead, equaling high MOI for exceptional stability and forgiveness on off-center hits. The cavity also houses a vibration-management sound badge, strategically shaped and positioned over the Inverted Cone to fine-tune the club's pitch and resonance, ensuring that the sound of impact is solid and satisfying. Tour pros who tested the Tour Preferred iron during development unanimously praised their feel, with many claiming that it delivers the soft feel of a forged iron.

Tour Preferred irons also incorporate TaylorMade's renowned Inverted Cone clubface technology. Originally developed to improve the average distance of TaylorMade drivers, Inverted Cone technology expands the area of the clubface that delivers high ball speed, promoting greater distance on off-center hits and helping to maintain consistent distance from shot to shot.

"Our new Tour Preferred irons were developed for a wide range of players, from middle-handicappers to tour pros," said Scott White, TaylorMade category director for irons. "That's how well they perform and that's how easy they are to hit. We've worked hard the past few years to prove to golfers that we're more than a metalwood company, and these Tour Preferred irons are guaranteed to turn more players into believers."

TaylorMade Tour Preferred irons are equipped with True Temper Dynamic Gold steel shafts and Golf Pride Tour Velvet grips. Available in 2- through 9-iron, pitching wedge, attack wedge and sand wedge, at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $899. Consumer availability begins on September 19, 2008.

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