TaylorMade made quite the splash with its GAPR series in 2018. Hybrids have long been a popular option, but TaylorMade’s GAPR was exclusively marketed as the perfect bridge between woods and long irons, and they delivered on that promise. For such a good club, though, it can be pretty hard to find sometimes.
The TaylorMade GAPR was discontinued in 2020 by its parent company. While these clubs are well-liked by most, they were slowly phased out over time and have been replaced by newer options by TaylorMade.
It’s a shame the TaylorMade GAPR is no longer officially available, as it’s a good utility option. In this article, I’ll discuss why it might have been discontinued and a few alternatives if you want a similar club.
Why Was the TaylorMade GAPR Discontinued?
Considering that TaylorMade played a large part in pioneering hybrid clubs, it’s quite surprising to some that they canned their GAPR series so quickly—especially considering that they were relatively well-received.
TaylorMade gave no reason for discontinuing the GAPR. Still, this isn’t a rare occurrence. It’s even likely that it was phased out to make way for the release of subsequent clubs like the SIM series.
The SIM series of golf clubs were marketed heavily by TaylorMade as the next big thing. They were launched in 2020, the year the GAPR series was discontinued, so it’s possible TaylorMade wanted all the attention on its shiny new offering.
The other possible cause is profits. While the GAPR series was expected to be a smash hit on the level of the original Rescue clubs, the reality was quite different. Although they sold decently well, they likely fell below expectations.
Can You Still Get the TaylorMade GAPR?
You can still get TaylorMade GAPR clubs if you know where to look. Like many “discontinued” products, retailers and resellers are the primary parties keeping these clubs in circulation.
If you want a quick option, you can try online stores like Amazon. Second-hand retailers have cheaper options, but Amazon has good choices like the TaylorMade GAPR HI Golf Club (from Amazon.com). This is the “HI” variation of the GAPR series, and since it’s sold new, you can customize it for flex, loft, and orientation.
If you’re on a tight budget, you might be better served by websites like eBay, where you can get second-hand clubs.
Alternatives to the TaylorMade GAPR
While the GAPR has been discontinued, there are a few clubs you can check out if you want something similar. Here’s a short list:
- TaylorMade SIM series
- Callaway Apex Pro Hybrid
- Ping G410 Crossover
Conclusion
No one can say for certain why the TaylorMade GAPR was discontinued. However, it’s possible that it was phased out due to low profit margins and to make way for newer clubs.
The TaylorMade GAPR series remains a decent club if you want something that’s easy to hit with decent performance. As it’s over four years old now, it’s also relatively cheap, making it a good budget option.