The TaylorMade Original One holds a special place in golf history as the a driver that changed the game. Released in 1979, it was the first-ever metal wood driver. A concept so revolutionary that it would eventually completely change the way the golf industry approached metalwoods.
TaylorMade recently leaned into this history and reintroduced the “Original One” branding by way of a mini driver, but that’s not quite a need in my bag. (I never hit one, but I didn’t hear too many great things about it. Now, the BRNR mini driver on the other hand…) However, when I stumbled upon an actual Original One driver in my thrifting pursuits, the $3 spend was a great excuse to dive into a little golf history. And of course, hit a few golf balls with the Pittsburgh Persimmon relic!
A Game-Changer in Golf Club Design
Before the TaylorMade Original One, the standard driver in most golfers’ bags was made of persimmon wood. Persimmon is a dense, heavy wood that offered more durability than beech or ash which was used before persimmon. These traditional wooden clubs had been the norm for decades, and the idea of replacing them with a metal club head seemed almost unthinkable to many.
However, TaylorMade founder Gary Adams saw an opportunity to do something a bit different. Adams was convinced that using metal alloys could create a lighter, more durable driver that would not only withstand the test of time but also provide better performance for golfers of all skill levels.
In 1979, TaylorMade’s Original One was born! An innovation that would revolutionize the golf world and forever change the industry. With a footprint similar to persimmon woods of the time, the golf world wasn’t necessarily ready for such a change. That said, this would still be the start of a new era in golf club design.
Does the TaylorMade Original One Still Impress Today?
I would be lying to you if I told you that hitting the Original One today is all that impressive. In fact, I would say it definitely doesn’t feel as good as a flushed persimmon so I can see why people weren’t jumping to convert. That said, it’s not like I’m the best striker of tiny vintage drivers. I also didn’t grow up on persimmon clubs so I don’t have that prior familiarity. What I can tell you is that I found the Original One to be more forgiving than most persimmon drivers I’ve hit and I could even hit it off the deck fairly easily like a fairway wood. However, no one will confuse its performance for anything remotely close to the modern era of metal woods. I think the biggest selling point is really its forgiveness and durability more than anything. Or the occasional nostalgic vintage range session.
Final Thoughts – TaylorMade Original One
Even if it doesn’t wow you today, the TaylorMade Original One remains one of the most important drivers in golf history. Not just because of its pioneering materials and design, but because it fundamentally altered the trajectory of golf club technology. It was a milestone in the evolution of golf equipment. By replacing traditional wooden heads with a metal alloy construction, TaylorMade set the stage for a future of more durable, higher-performing drivers. Its impact is still felt today, as the materials and design principles that emerged with the Original One continue to shape the modern golf industry.
Bill: thanks for making the effort to write this article on the “Original One”. It scratched an ‘itch’ i had w.r.t. this specific metalwood pioneer. (I do have the modern-day(-ish) O.O. mini-driver).
Please consider more of these retro articles e.g. i also have a fondness for the Taylormade “Retro Raylor” (late 90s/ early 00s) … i.e. anything with Rails! (so the Cobra Baffler too, if possible pls).
I’d say these are my greatest passion, just only so much time in a day! But I have a garage full of random old crap to talk about!