TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Fairway Wood

Wood Options & Stock Shafts

Technology

Players Distance Fairway Wood

The RBZ Stage 2 iron came out of TaylorMade's obsession with one number: ball speed. This was the follow-up to the original RocketBallz line, and by 2013 the company had figured out how to make a distance iron that didn't feel like a shovel. The headline feature is the Speed Pocket, a slot cut into the sole behind the face that lets the lower part of the clubface flex more at impact. Hit the ball a groove low, which most amateurs do, and you keep more speed than you have any right to.

Call it a Players Distance iron and you're being generous, but not dishonest. It launches high, it goes far, and the shots that should die instead carry a few yards past where you aimed. The lofts are strong, which is where a lot of that distance comes from, so a Stage 2 7-iron flies more like a traditional 6. That's the trade every distance iron asks you to make.

This is a 2013 club, so it's not something you'd buy new off a rack anymore. But it turns up on the used market for very little, and for a mid-to-higher handicapper who wants easy height and free yardage, it still does the job it was built to do.

• Mid and higher handicappers who lose distance on shots struck low on the face and want the Speed Pocket to bail them out
• Slower swing speeds that struggle to get long and mid irons in the air, since high launch is baked into the design
• Anyone shopping the used market on a budget who cares more about carry distance than shaping shots
• Players moving out of a super game-improvement set who want a slightly cleaner look without giving up forgiveness

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Speed Pocket on the RBZ Stage 2 irons?

It's a slot cut into the sole just behind the face on the 3-iron through 7-iron. It lets the lower portion of the face flex more at impact, which recovers ball speed on shots hit low and thin. The short irons don't have it because control matters more than distance on scoring clubs. The slot is filled with a soft polymer so it doesn't pack with grass and dirt.

Are the RBZ Stage 2 irons good for high handicappers?

Yes. This is one of the more forgiving distance irons of its era, with a low center of gravity, plenty of offset, and the Speed Pocket helping out on mishits. If you have trouble getting long irons airborne or you lose yardage on off-center strikes, it's built for exactly that.

How strong are the lofts on the RBZ Stage 2?

Strong, like most distance irons. The 7-iron sits around 30 to 31 degrees, closer to what a traditional 6-iron used to be. That's a big reason the club goes so far, so don't compare the number on the sole to your old blades. Gap your wedges accordingly, because strong lofts can leave a hole at the bottom of the set.

Is the RBZ Stage 2 still worth buying in 2026?

As a used set, it can be. New iron technology has moved on, but the core benefits of easy launch and free distance haven't gone anywhere, and these sell cheap now. Just have the lofts and lies checked and consider a reshaft if the original stock shaft doesn't match your swing, since a decade-old shaft may not be ideal.

How do the RBZ Stage 2 irons feel at impact?

Firm. It's a cast, hollow-feeling head built for speed, not the soft thud of a forged blade. A badge behind the face dampens some of the harshness, but you'll get a bit of click on center strikes and a hotter, faster sensation overall. If buttery feedback is your priority, this isn't the iron for you.