Video summary
The reviewer presents this assessment of the Takomo IGNIS D2 driver as one of the most honest evaluations available, largely because he is not sponsored by the company unlike many other prominent golf influencers who now hold shares in Takomo. While acknowledging that Takomo previously revolutionized the industry with affordable irons, the reviewer notes that their previous drivers had not fully met expectations, though the new D2 model offers a significant visual upgrade with its matte crown and minimal markings. Despite the changing landscape of the brand's ownership and the rise of sponsored content creators, the reviewer insists on providing an unbiased opinion to help consumers navigate the market without political influence or commercial bias.
In terms of performance and build quality, the driver impresses with high ball speeds and excellent components, including a Fuji Core Aventus shaft and a Lamkin grip that match premium standards. The reviewer praises the head cover as a high-quality accessory and highlights the club's ability to produce good ball flight while maintaining an optimal spin rate that keeps the ball airborne before it kicks upon landing. Visually, the design ticks all the boxes for the reviewer, and the overall construction feels solid with no apparent flaws in the manufacturing or materials used, making it a compelling option for golfers seeking value without sacrificing quality.
The primary debate surrounding this product centers on the direct-to-consumer (DTC) purchasing model versus buying from a retail store where custom fitting is available. The IGNIS D2 is priced significantly lower than many competitors, offering substantial savings that could amount to hundreds of pounds, but the reviewer questions whether this discount justifies the lack of professional custom fitting. He admits uncertainty about whether his current settings are optimal for him personally, suggesting that a custom fit might yield better results, yet he concludes that unless a golfer places a high value on bespoke fitting, the DTC model is entirely viable and offers a fantastic product at a real good price point.
Ultimately, despite the session being cut short by rain, the reviewer's conclusion is overwhelmingly positive, stating that the Takomo IGNIS D2 performs as well as premium brands that charge much higher prices. He acknowledges a minor caveat regarding the direct-to-consumer model but clarifies that this is an issue of purchasing philosophy rather than a flaw in the driver itself. With no technical issues found and a combination of fantastic looks, high-quality components, and an unbeatable price point, the reviewer finds very little to dislike about the club, recommending it as a truly excellent piece of equipment for those who prioritize performance and value over the specific nuances of custom fitting.
Read the full video transcript
Now, this might be the most honest
assessment of this new driver from
Tacomao by any YouTuber, and that's
because I'm one of the only few that
isn't sponsored by them. So, if you want
the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth,
then don't go anywhere. You see, when I
first tested Tacoma, it was several
years ago, it was a set of irions, and
they were probably gave a real good
shakeup to the industry and that DTC
market. that irons were exceptionally
good at a real affordable price. Since
then, things have changed quite
significantly. You see, they now own
half of YouTube.
You see, people like the Brian brothers,
Grant Hallvat, they all now have a share
in the company. So, getting an honest
opinion, you're going to need that from
me. So, with politics out the way and
the rain about to fall, let's talk about
this new driver from Tacoma. cuz let's
be honest, they really haven't hit the
spot with the fairway woods with the
driver in previous iterations. It has
been purely about the irons and the
quality of them. Things have changed
visually at least anyway because this
looks like a real interesting driver
design. It really is easy on the eye.
The matte crown, minimal markings, all
those kind of things tick boxes for me.
So, visually it looks really good. And
let's not forget this is still going to
do the same thing as every other product
that Tacoma have released has done and
that's upset the market in terms of
price point. Now this driver does have
an adjustable huzzle and there are a
number of different settings that you
can change it to that would ultimately
suit the way you deliver that club head.
But those changes are going to have to
be made by you. Don't forget, you must
fully understand what settings suit you
to really get the benefit
out of the driver.
I got to say, in terms of ball speeds,
this thing is firing it out there. Now,
there's a couple of other notes to
mention in terms of the quality of this
product. First of all, the head cover.
Nice piece of kit. No scrimp in there.
And then we get down to the shaft. I've
got a Fuji Core Aventus shaft which
again comes as the standard option
coupled with a Lampin grip. So in terms
of components, in terms of that head,
everything is top draw.
Yeah, good ball flight out there. That's
gone a long way
so far. Huge amount of positives. So the
question is, is there any negatives
about this thing?
She comes. She's coming in. She's
trying. Well, I think the negatives are
not anything to do with the product
itself. It's more to do with direct to
consumer purchasing golf clubs.
And I'm on the fence with that bit. You
see, this driver is probably going to
come in at around 40% less than a lot of
its counterparts.
Likelihood is, from what I can see,
$329,
similar sort of number in terms of
pounds.
That's a huge saving.
But is it worth that saving? And that
question depends on the value you put on
custom fit because ultimately that's
where the significant difference lies
between direct to consumer product and
product that you can buy in store get
custom fit for. That's a question that
only you have the answer to.
I mean that's as good as I've got.
The one thing that I've really liked is
the ball flight and the fact that it
seems to be keeping a nice spin number.
So, it's staying airborne but then
kicking on when it lands. So, what I'm
going to do now, I'm going to give you
my honest assessment of the golf club in
terms of the performance that I've seen
out on the fairways.
I'd say in simple terms as good as what
I would get if I went for let's call
them a premium brand that charges a
couple of hundred quid more for the
driver.
So Tacomao have produced a really good
piece of kit that performs incredibly
well with high quality components.
[snorts]
The question I have is, do I know that
this is the optimal setting that
produces the very best numbers for me?
Or could I hit better drives than what
I've just hit if I got custom fit for
this driver? So, in many ways, I've been
a little bit unfair to Tacomao. They
asked me to review their driver. That
was that simple. So, if you want to
leave right now with all the positives,
the Tacomao driver, the new driver, D2,
I believe they call it, is absolutely
fantastic. There is a minor, but that's
more to do with DTC rather than the
driver itself, though, to be fair.
Now, unfortunately, the rain paid us a
visit there on the 18th, so cut me a
little bit short in terms of out there
on the golf course, but I think you know
where I'm going with this. Direct to
consumer has one issue and that's the
ability to custom fit and that doesn't
matter to you nor them unless you put a
high value on custom fit. And it's as
simple and as straightforward as that.
Going back to the product, no flaws, no
issues, 1010, no notes. I think I'd
probably say it's uh yeah, it was really
really good. Looks fantastic. Built
really well. High quality components. A
real good price point. What's not to
like?