We've reviewed more than a few TaylorMade golf clubs here on this site, but this particular page is dedicated to taking a closer look at the TaylorMade Burner 2.0 irons.
TaylorMade's Burner clubs have always been intended to help average golfers improve their distance, ball flight, accuracy and overall ball striking. That's been true for Burner drivers, woods, hybrids and irons in the past, and it's true for the TaylorMade Burner 2.0 irons. Basically, these irons are a newer, updated version of 2009's incredibly popular Burner irons, with changes designed to enhance performance and improve appearance.
I hate to give away my "bottom line" so early in a review, but I believe the company succeeded in both goals. I think these clubs are beautiful, as far as their looks are concerned. The dark finish reduces glare from the sun and gives them a distinct, rich appearance.
Their performance is equally pleasing, but explaining that aspect of the irons will take a few more words than just "beautiful."
First, like the 2009 TaylorMade Burner irons, each iron in this new version has been engineered individually because each iron is required to do a slightly different job. The design of some iron sets have the same characteristics throughout their entire range of clubs, but not TaylorMade Burner 2.0 irons.
The weight distribution in each club has been improved across the board to promote a better ball trajectory. For example, because weight has been moved downward, outward and rearward on the long irons, these clubs - which are typically the hardest of all irons to hit - now make it easier to get the ball in the air. A higher trajectory with long irons can be difficult to achieve, but it typically promotes more distance. Shifting the weight out toward the perimeter of the long irons also increases their Moment of Inertia, a move which enhances their forgiveness.
Weight in the mid-irons of this set is treated differently. In these clubs, weight has been shifted higher and closer to the head's center. This promotes some extra control and workability, as well as the proper ball flight for this type of club.
The weight in the short irons has also been optimally positioned for this type of club. The weighting of these particular irons has been placed even higher in the club heads and inward, away from the perimeter, with the center of gravity closer to the face. A lower, more accurate ball flight, with better feel, control and feedback are the result.
The TaylorMade Burner 2.0 irons feature progressive variable face thickness for a higher Coefficient of Restitution (CoR, or "trampoline effect"). As a general rule, a thinner face has a higher CoR and can produce longer hits. As you move from the long to the short irons in the set, the face becomes progressively thicker, the shots become shorter and the feel becomes better, in part due to the thicker dimension of the face.
Off-center contact now results in longer distance and a better ball flight because the "Inverted Cone Technology" used in these clubs has been modified to produce higher ball speeds no matter where impact occurs on the face. TaylorMade Burner 2.0 irons also feel softer and more satisfying, thanks to improvements made in their "Vibration Management System."
I tested a set of TaylorMade Burner 2.0 irons fitted with the RE*AX SuperFast 55-gram shaft in regular flex, but stiff, "M" (TaylorMade's designation for senior flex) and ladies flex shafts, along with steel shafts, are also available. I don't have much trouble hitting a 4-iron, but this one seemed especially easy to hit, and the scoring irons were accurate and landed softly on the greens. My off-center hits weren't punished dramatically, and the feedback was enough to let me know I missed the shot without being harsh.
The Bottom Line: I was impressed with the length, high ball flight and accuracy of the TaylorMade Burner 2.0 irons, but I was even more impressed with their balance and buttery feel on the shots that I flushed. These are solid, forgiving game-improvement irons that are even better than their popular Burner predecessors. Their looks are stunning, too. They could be a good match for the majority of golfers out there.
More at: burner2.0 irons blog
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