TaylorMade’s partnership with Oracle Red Bull Racing is back for another spin and this time the collection is taking a more measured approach to the checkered flag.
The latest collaboration between the golf giant and the Formula 1 powerhouse ditches the high-octane driver that headlined previous versions, opting instead for a fuller line of accessories and apparel that should appeal to racing enthusiasts who aren’t necessarily looking to overhaul their entire golf bag.
The lack of a driver makes perfect sense when you consider TaylorMade’s upcoming Qi4D launch. Still, as complete as this offering is, the lack of a driver makes me feel like a little something is missing.
MG5 Wedge: Main attraction
With no drivers on offer, the centerpiece of this collection is a three-piece Milled Grind 5 Wedge Set priced at $750. Before you start calculating the cost per wedge, understand what you’re getting: Forged 52-, 56- and 60-degree heads finished in a racing blue base with red and white ink-filled logos that create a little more color.
Attention to detail is where things get interesting. Each one wedge features colored rings on the clutch corresponding to Formula 1 tire compounds – white for hard (52 degrees), yellow for medium (56) and red for soft (60). It’s the kind of crazy crossover detail that makes you appreciate someone thinking these things through (even if they have to explain it to most of us).
The challenge, of course, is that $750 buys you a very specific set of wedges with no options for different lofts or grinds. If the 52-56-60 fits your setup and you’re either a collector or someone who just isn’t into technical details, it’s a well-executed offering, if perhaps a bit busy.
For everyone else? Well, there’s always next year’s collaboration.
Clothes that actually have meaning
Here’s where TaylorMade deserves credit: they’ve put one together clothing collection that goes beyond the typical polo-and-hat combo that dominates most golf collaborations.
of Selection of blouses includes four different designs from Tee Racing Line with checkered logos and tire track graphics on Circuit Links Shirt that cleverly incorporates a racetrack-inspired golf hole design. I’m really glad to see golf brands offering t-shirts – it rarely happens – but $60 for a cotton jersey feels a bit like a Kia priced at a BMW.
of hood built on the theme of racing. of The last lap the design features a golf hole-inspired fairway with a flagpole on the green, while Box on the bend The hoodie shows a golf cart outfitted to a full stop with stacked tires and a TaylorMade golf bag. At $130, they’re not cheap, but the design work justifies the premium better than T-shirts. While $130 isn’t cheap, it’s also not criminally insane by current market standards.
Supporting cast
The collection is finished with the kind of accessories that make these collaborations viable for the average gamer. or Favorite tournament glove in team colors costs $35 which puts it in reasonable territory for premium golf gloves. of microfiber towel ($30) features a check pattern that’s bold without being too obnoxious.
There is also one three-part marker set that again features the composite tire colors (red, yellow, white) with TaylorMade and Oracle Red Bull Racing logos for $45. It’s the kind of detail-oriented accessory that works whether you’re a racing fan or just someone who appreciates well-designed golf accessories. I’d also argue that by today’s standards, three not-quite-off-the-shelf ball markers for $45 feels like a steal.
conclusion
This last one Red Bull Racing collaboration feels more mature than its predecessors. Even if I miss it somewhat, by moving away from the driver-centric approach and focusing on a wider range of accessories and apparel, TaylorMade has created a collection that is more accessible to the average player, while maintaining the visual identity (and premium placement) that makes these partnerships work.
Pricing remains aggressive across the board, but that’s increasingly the norm for limited-edition golf equipment. Whether it’s worth the premium depends largely on how much you value crossover appeal and the collective nature of the collaboration.
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