/the hot WE ARE GETTING BETTER. And equipment technology is the reason. list/ Either that or we’re in the midst of one of the most curious coincidences in the 500-year history of our game. First, to the evidence about us. The USGA is unequivocal about average golfers: Despite decades of naysayers and experts alike suggesting that the average handicap is not dropping, has not dropped and never will drop, the fact is, it has. Let’s say that again: The aver- age handicap of all golfers—men, women and children—has decreased consistently for the past 15 years. The average handicap today is two strokes better than it was in the early 1990s, according to research provided to Golf Digest by the USGA’s Golf Handicap & Information Network (GHIN). This decrease coincides with a remarkable decade of equipment innovation that has brought us titanium drivers in every shape and size, game-changing hybrids and oversize putters.➞ /HOTLIST 2009/ tHE shapes EVOLUTION OF IMPROVEMENT

1985 1997 2003 2009

TaylorMade Burner Plus: 144 cubic TaylorMade Ti Bubble 2: TaylorMade R580XD: 440cc, TaylorMade Burner: 460cc, centimeters, hollow stainless-steel 278cc, titanium casting titanium casting with titanium casting with 45 percent casting filled with foam with springlike effect separate titanium face insert thinner walls than Ti Bubble 2

➞ Those clubs and others like tHE truth them have been introduced in more club choices=lower handicaps record numbers the past dozen years. All because a lot of smart USGA avERAGE HANDICAP MODELS IN MARKET Coincidence? We think not. Handicap people have come to golf with data provided to Golf Digest by the ideas to make the game easier. USGA (the blue line in the chart) shows 17.0 500 Consider that the number a decrease in the average Handicap Index for men from 16.5 in 1994 to 14.6 of products tracked by Golf in 2008 (the drop for women during 16.5 400 Datatech, an industry-research this time went from 29.9 to 27.4). That firm, has more than doubled coincides with the greatest expansion 16.0 300 in golf technology in history. Annual since 1997, and equipment equipment submissions to the USGA’s submissions to the USGA have Research and Test Center have nearly 15.5 200 gone from about 500 a year quintupled since the mid-1990s, and the number of products being tracked in the early 1990s to almost by research firm Golf Datatech has 15.0 100 2,500 in 2008. One reason for doubled (the red line in the chart). In that increase is that the USGA 1997, there were 217 clubs and balls on 14.5 its list. In 2008, there were 454, down evaluates more products for slightly from a high of 475 in 2005. rules conformance, but all those 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 Mike Stachura new products and improvements can’t be unrelated. What’s that, you say? Your handicap hasn’t budged since the first Bush Administration? Golf Digest Hot List. Our annual “Golfers have gotten better The game can be made Maybe the problem is that equipment review and analysis because new equipment helped easier. Not easy, mind you, but the contents of your golf bag has yielded 116 exceptional make it easier to produce easier, and probably easier than haven’t changed. Oh, sure, we’ve products in 12 categories, the adequate launch conditions,” it has ever been. (Of course, golf heard the familiar protests: most exhaustive review ever of says Benoit Vincent, chief courses are getting longer and “I’m not good enough,” “None the game’s top clubs. technical officer at TaylorMade. more difficult, so for many of of this stuff really helps average What we’ve learned over the “New equipment also has us it might not seem like we’re golfers that much” and our years is that new equipment allowed golfers to maintain improving. But take a trip back favorite: “I’m doing just fine with is designed to help average adequate launch conditions to that muny where you grew what I’ve got.” players more than tour players, for bad shots and to maximize up, and see if you aren’t driving Not really. Or at least you and the engineers behind golf’s launch conditions with their to places you did in your youth could be two shots better. For new technologies can explain best swings when custom-fit.” or even farther.) those of you who need further in detail how they’re making Technology update. This convincing, we present the improvement happen. year’s technological advances

2 / GOLFDIGEST.COM /HOTLIST 2009/

tHE AWARDS tHE CATEGORIES tHE NUMBERS

To get on our final list, Golf Digest measured all sample clubs using digital calipers and a digital candidates for the Hot List were planimeter. Measurements of moment of inertia in drivers were collected in judged in four weighted criteria partnership with the Department of Physics at Gordon College in Wenham, Mass. GOLD sILVER by our five judges. (HIGH MOI = 4,000-4,699; VERY HIGH = 4,700-5,299; EXTREME = 5,300+)

1. PERFORMANCE(40%) IRONS TOPLINE Based on interviews with our player panelists, robot testing Gold products earned a score of Toe HEIGHT 93 to 100 on our weighted scale. and other sources, the judges heel to toe Silver products earned a score of 88 assessed the utility of each to 92.99. For example, a product scoring product. In other words, this is a 94 in Performance, 91 in Innovation, grade of what happens to the ball 96 in Look/Sound/Feel and 86 in when it’s struck by the club. Demand would earn a weighted score of 92.7, or Silver status. There was no 2. INNOVATION (30%) minimum number of stars required to In consultation with our technical earn Gold or Silver status. panel and based on company interviews and our review of company technical documents, tHE RATINGS this grade reflects how a FACE AREA SOLE WIDTH particular technology advances the category in all aspects, to The star ratings are meant to reflect DRIVERS/WOODS/HYBRIDS what degree the commitment to the various levels of judges’ scoring fitting the vast majority of golfers from Poor to Outstanding. Each star FRONT TO BACK is executed, and how that FACE HEIGHT represents a scoring range, with a technology is explained to the heel to toe ½-star generally equal to the upper public and to our editors. end of a particular range. For example, scores in the 93 to 96 range represent 3. LOOK/SOUND/FEEL (20%) a score of ★★★★½. Products that Exactly what it says. Our judges led the scoring in a particular criterion evaluated the relative excellence are designated with a circled blue of the visual, auditory and tactile star. If a product is also available in a experience of using a particular women’s-specific model, it’s tagged club. The more the club resonates with a “W” in a pink circle. with our understanding of what a golf club should be, the higher moment of inertia ★ Less than 50 FACE AREA (DRIVER ONLY) the grade it receives. ★★ 51 to 69 4. DEMAND (10%) Independent robot testing for DRIVERS was conducted by Golf Laboratories ★★★ 70 to 87 An assessment of the reputation, Inc. of San Diego. The launch angles and spin rates are designated on these interest, intrigue and excitement scales, relative to the field of drivers tested. The lofts were chosen based on a ★★★★ 88 to 96 about a particular product, 95-miles-per-hour clubhead speed, per the manufacturers’ recommendation. considering market presence, tour Of the 31 drivers tested, launch angles ranged from 9.2 to 13.8 degrees, and ★★★★★ 97 to /100hybrIds/ use, relative value and consumer spin rates ranged from 2,300 to 3,600 revolutions per minute. satisfaction through consulting ★ CATEGORY LEADER research by Golf Datatech, other LAUNCH ANGLE SPIN published resources and a panel W ALSO IN WOMEN’S of leading retailers. LOW HIGH LOW HIGH

sILVER sILVER

hyBrid: good playEr tHE IMAGES iron: good playEr tHE judges titleist tOUR eDGe hyBrid: aVEragE playEr 909H EXOTICS XCG-V iron: aVEragE playEr 220 yards street PrICe street PrICe $190 $220 SWITCH TO 210 lofts lofts HYBRID>

15, 17, 19, 21, 24 16, 18, 21, 24 laberge 200 teCh tAlK teCh tAlK the size, shape, cg location and offset the lightweight, V-shape titanium cupface change gradually from loft to loft in this 17-4 is brazed to a heavy steel soleplate SWITCH TO 190 stainless-steel clubhead that also features a to move 66 percent of the clubhead’s HYBRID> fast, carpenter 455 steel face insert. the face weight to the rear of the heel and toe for 180 is larger and longer than previous titleist a higher moi and improved launch.

hybrids to add a touch more forgiveness. A A complicated brazing technique bonds charles factory-adjustable swingweight screw in the the two materials without leaving a weld. 170 back of the sole allows for customization the titanium hosel frees an additional and a low, deep cg. 30 grams of weight to add to the sole. 160 PlAyer Comments PlAyer Comments 4i / 4h 3i / 3h 2i / 2h 4i / 4h 3i / 3h (m) “Beautiful club. it looks like a BmW. (m) “A wind-cheater. it flies like nothing’s Simple and elegant.”. . . (t) “great in its way—like a bullet.”. . . (l) “there’s

TRACKMAN sAYs images trajectory. Not too spinny.”. . . (l) “i’ve never nothingPHOTO bad about thisG golfRAPHERs club. No ILLUSTRATOR JUDGE JUDGE JUDGE JUDGE judge hit a titleist hybrid i liked until now.”. . . manipulatingJIM HERITY necessary: You just& set it NIKwhE rE doEs your MIKE e. michael stina john max (l) “Super-traditional-looking at address. down perfectly and swing.”. . . (t) “i roasted swing fall apart? rock-solid feel at impact, and mis-hits a charlesfew out of divots.” laberge SCHULZ STACHURA johnson sternberg strege adler didn’t travel too far off-line.” hot When it comes to versatility and ease of use, hybrids hot this meaty hybrid is in fourth gear right have no peer. But just because a hybrid has the same it’s elegant and efficient, provided you out of the headcover. its low spin rates give number (or loft) as the iron it’s replacing doesn’t mean have the training. it a distinctly metal-wood-like ball flight. it will go the same distance. In fact, where the gap Senior Editor, Equipment Editor, Senior Editor. Co- Writer based near Associate Editor; becomes meaningful differs by player type. not not Using TrackMan ball-flight analysis, we tested

this is truly a club for high-speed players resale value can justify some expenditures, J udges T he middle-handicappers hitting long irons and who don’t want a high-launching hybrid. but this brand isn’t there yet. Equipment. Golf World. host of “Big Break” manufacturers’ former collegiate corresponding hybrids. On average, the players we our exclusive interactivetested hit the 4-iron and 4-hybrid about the same distance (180 yards), and the 3-iron just four yards “Gouge” of Bomb Golf writer for 22 on the Golf Channel; mecca of Carlsbad, golfer; editor, the numbers thevideo numbers guide to drivers willfarther (184 yards). But the 3-hybrid went 192 yards, Face height ...... 32 mm Face area ...... 23 cm² Face height ...... 33 mm Face area ...... 22.5 cm² making it an ideal replacement for the 3-iron. & Gouge blog on years; “Bomb” of former golf-shop Calif.; USGA Book Chicken Soup for the Heel to toe ...... 86 mm Head volume ...... 104cc Heel to toe ...... 86 mm Head volume ...... 116cc We also tested low-handicappers. They hit hybrids Front to back ...... 63 mm Shaft length ...... 40.5 in Front to back ...... 64 mm Shaft length ...... 39.5 in narrow your field To fartherthe than the corresponding iron in every instance, and that leaves a huge distance gap between the golfdigest.com; Bomb & Gouge; owner/operator; Award winner; Soul: The Golf Book; MODELs JUST FOR YOU4-hybrid at and 5-iron—not a desirable scenario. Instead, PerformAnCe PerformAnCe the low-handicappers tested should replace the 2-iron ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★½ golfdigest.com/go/Hotlistwith a low-lofted. hybrid (16 to 19 degrees), which they 10.8 Index. 5.1 Index. 12.4 Index. 12.9 Index. plus-0.5 Index. InnoVAtIon InnoVAtIon hit an average of 215 yards. That’s 12 yards farther than ★ ★★★½ ★ ★★★★½ a 2-iron. (Their 3-iron went 197 yards and 4-iron 187 yards.) The 2-hybrid offers a better gap and a stronger looK/sound/feel looK/sound/feel option as a driving iron. ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★ Perhaps that explains why hybrids used on the PGA Tour tend to be lower-lofted. At last year’s Barclays demAnd demAnd ★ ★ W tournament (the first of four FedEx Cup playoff ★★★½ ★★½ events), 64 of the 92 hybrids used (69.6 percent) had less than 20 degrees of loft. —EMJ titleiSt. c o m touredge.com

3 / GOLFDIGEST.COMFEBRUARY 2009 / GOLFDIGEST.COM / 125 /HOTLIST 2009/

tHE PROGRESS The Technology effect: go a step beyond engorged LONGER, HIGHER, STRAIGHTER drivers and ridiculously strong- The experiment was simple: Get some lofted irons. Drivers, for example, 260 yards of today’s equipment and some vintage clubs (courtesy of 3balls.com, feature the performance 249.2 YDS a used-club website), mix in average properties of extreme geometries drivers 1985-2009 golfers and fire up the TrackMan launch 243.2 YDS monitor to find out how much modern within a more pleasing, almost 240 technology matters. Of course, when 236.3 YDS traditional frame. The best we say vintage, we’re not talking about iron designs reflect a pattern hickory-shafted spoons and niblicks. of optimizing each individual The oldest club we evaluated was less 220.8 YDS 220 than 25 years old. Most were iron within a set based on introduced within the last decade. how a player might best use it. As expected, the results were Companies, for instance, are convincing, starting with the driver, the single club that has improved the most 200 designing 7-irons significantly in the past 20 years. We looked at four different from 4-irons, even TaylorMade drivers from the past three within the same set. decades (’85 Burner Plus, ’97 Ti Bubble 2, ’03 R580XD and the new Burner). Most important, fitting has 180 According to our TrackMan ball-flight become nearly automatic, data, the new Burner driver averaged 1985 1997 2003 2009 28 more yards than the ’85 Burner Plus, thanks to adjustable fitting DISPERSION: DISPERSION: DISPERSION: DISPERSION: 26.6 YARDS 14.8 YARDS 22.8 YARDS 16.8 YARDS with significant improvement in systems and the virtual dispersion despite the fact that the omnipresence of launch shaft in the modern Burner is about three inches longer. The results are monitors. It’s so vital (and no 2009 PING RAPTURE V2 dramatic, but what was more intriguing doubt related to our two-stroke was the six-yard gain in distance—and 1999 PING i3 improvement) that we’re Fairway Wood accuracy—since the R580XD, a model beginning every section of the 220 yds just six years old. 1992 PING ZING 2009 We conducted this experiment with Hot List with a golf success story 2002 three generations of Callaway fairway Dist. 30 yard200s based on a proper fitting. woods, and the results were similar Dist. 206 1993 (straighter with each new generation Of course, in the onrush of 7-IRONS 1992-2009 199 yds Distance: 180 and a 21-yard improvement in the present, we sometimes lose yds Acc. 20 185 yds Acc. 9.3 distance). Irons? It was the same story sight of how much progress is Accuracy: 10.2 yds 160 for low- and middle-handicappers 15.3 yds being made. Golf has benefited yds 10 hitting three Ping 7-irons introduced in the past two decades. The newest 140 from technological leaps the clubs produced more distance and a past dozen years, but in real time 0 higher ball flight. Of course, your results 120 they can seem like baby steps. might vary from ours, but you won’t 0 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 yards know until you try. —MS “Internally here, I call it aggregate incrementalism,” says Jeff Colton, senior vice president of research and development for Callaway Golf. “It’s the idea year with 471 candidates, each as a criterion. Second, we’ve Golfers have long been that as an R&D team, adding up with a story to tell. Those that added the criterion of Look/ fascinated with technology tenths of yards of improvement excelled in making improvement Sound/Feel because readers as a means to improvement, is OK. You add up slight possible in the most intriguing aren’t just interested in how the but for much of the game’s improvements in ball speed or and appealing ways found their club affects the ball, but how it history new products have had aerodynamic patterns or off- way onto this year’s Hot List. affects the player. no documented impact on center-hit robustness, and all Our process also has been One more change: Our Hot the performance of average of a sudden it becomes a large improved in two ways: First, List for golf balls will appear golfers. In the last decade that macro-effect.” where appropriate, we have in an issue later this spring so we has changed significantly.Two Hot List 2009 changes. split a club category into can review products that weren’t strokes’ worth of change. That’s This relentless pursuit of two price divisions to reflect available for evaluation this something we all can buy into, innovation explains why we the market. As a result, we issue. It’ll be our most complete and what better place to start began our Hot List research this eliminated the need for Value examination of this segment ever. than the 2009 Hot List?

4 / GOLFDIGEST.COM

.COM T GOLFDIGES / 5

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with six prominent retailers to better better to retailers prominent six with

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S WRITER criteria. We then settled on 218 218 on settled then We criteria.

detail that covers our four judging judging four our covers that detail

considered—and examined every every examined considered—and

ON S OHN J ICHAEL M . E

471 separate entries were were entries separate 471 wisdom of our simplification. our of wisdom

We took the universe of clubs— of universe the took We Hot List—or as Fischer might say, the the say, might Fischer as List—or Hot

during the year. the during votes were tallied, we had our 116-club 116-club our had we tallied, were votes

visited numerous manufacturers manufacturers numerous visited cartons of take-out food. Once the the Once food. take-out of cartons

scientists. In addition, our editors editors our addition, In scientists. meetings that included several several included that meetings

and technical panel of Ph.D. Ph.D. of panel technical and 800 debates during nine days of of days nine during debates 800

data to be reviewed by our editors editors our by reviewed be to data clubs—meaning there were more than than more were there clubs—meaning

more than 1,200 pages of technical technical of pages 1,200 than more the end, the judges voted on 218 218 on voted judges the end, the

beginning. Manufacturers submitted submitted Manufacturers beginning. based on each of the four criteria. In In criteria. four the of each on based

data points. But that was just the the just was that But points. data evaluated and debated every club club every debated and evaluated

testing contained more than 5,000 5,000 than more contained testing gathered to discuss the results. We We results. the discuss to gathered

One Excel spreadsheet for driver driver for spreadsheet Excel One After returning home, the judges judges the home, returning After the head is to arced strokes. strokes. arced to is head the the face’s perimeter to be thinner. be to perimeter face’s the ADLER X A M

Hot List process. We do pile up facts. facts. up pile do We process. List Hot abilities and what doesn’t. what and abilities the greater this angle, the more suited suited more the angle, this greater the the joint farther from the face, allowing allowing face, the from farther joint the

He could have been describing the the describing been have could He resonates with golfers of different different of golfers with resonates balanced at the shaft tip. In general, general, In tip. shaft the at balanced the crown, sole and skirt. This pushes pushes This skirt. and sole crown, the

lies in their simplification.” their in lies insight and opinion into what what into opinion and insight putter deviates from horizontal when when horizontal from deviates putter faceplate is part of the front portion of of portion front the of part is faceplate

process of piling up facts; wisdom wisdom facts; up piling of process with 20 player panelists, gathering gathering panelists, player 20 with g han toe The angle the toe of the the of toe the angle The ace ace f up C In this construction the the construction this In

Fischer wrote: “Knowledge is a a is “Knowledge wrote: Fischer

conducted three days of club testing testing club of days three conducted

for drivers is 5,900 grams/cm². grams/cm². 5,900 is drivers for the club to be conforming. be to club the

Author and physician Martin H. H. Martin physician and Author

understand the market, and and market, the understand

limit USGA The forgiveness). called it must bounce off at 83 mph or less for for less or mph 83 at off bounce must it

twisting on off-center hits (sometimes (sometimes hits off-center on twisting projected at a face at 100 miles per hour, hour, per miles 100 at face a at projected m do s wi T S LI HOT at g rrivin A

measure of a club’s resistance to to resistance club’s a of measure and ball). For example, if a ball is is ball a if example, For ball). and

oi) m ( inertia f o ent m o m The The between two colliding bodies (clubhead (clubhead bodies colliding two between ocess pr tHE tHE

refers to the efficiency of energy transfer transfer energy of efficiency the to refers of the sole, opposite the trailing edge. trailing the opposite sole, the of

clubface. The USGA limit is .83, which which .83, is limit USGA The clubface. e g ed g leadin The most forward part part forward most The

to the springlike effect of a flexing flexing a of effect springlike the to

stamped into shape. into stamped

refer to manufacturers by Used

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) COR ( titution s re f o icient ff oe C

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e g lan f The part of a putter that that putter a of part The

of metal by reading code. Grooves and and Grooves code. reading by metal of

machine cuts and shapes solid blocks blocks solid shapes and cuts machine Hot List Summit. List Hot

process by which an automated automated an which by process data during the the during data

illed illed m puter m o C Refers to the the to Refers studies driver driver studies

panelist Jack Hu Hu Jack panelist found at the geometric center. center. geometric the at found

Technical Technical to launch the ball higher. It isn’t always always isn’t It higher. ball the launch to

which the head rotates. A low CG helps helps CG low A rotates. head the which

clubhead. It’s the internal point about about point internal the It’s clubhead.

average location of weight in a a in weight of location average approach

theoretical point that defines the the defines that point theoretical

G) G) C ( y ravit g f o center A A

measurement for clubhead volume. clubhead for measurement

cc cc A cubic centimeter is the unit of of unit the is centimeter cubic A

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t t s ca A way of manufacturing a a manufacturing of way A

toe. to heel or back to front from sole the

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toe that corrects spin on mis-hits. on spin corrects that toe

e e g bul The face curvature from heel to to heel from curvature face The

for firm sand and turf. and sand firm for

better is bounce less grass; lush and

sand soft for better is bounce more

square address position. In general, general, In position. address square

groundline when the club is in the the in is club the when groundline

between the leading edge and the the and edge leading the between

bounce bounce The amount of space space of amount The

ined f de ms ter technical e m So

loss G ary tHE tHE

/ 2009 HOTLIST / /DRIVERSOVER $350/

GOLD GOLD GOLD

clubs listed in alphabetical order CALLAWAY CALLAWAY NIKE FT-9 FT-IQ SQ DYMO/DYMO2 STR8-FIT STREET PRICE STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $400 $500 $450 LOFTS LOFTS LOFTS 9, 10, 11; draw: 9, 10, 11, 13 HT; tour: 8.5, 9.5, 9, 10, 11, 13 HT; tour: 8.5, 9.5 8.5, 9.5, 10.5, 11.5, HL 10.5; tour draw: 8.5, 9.5, 10.5 Tech TALK Tech TALK Tech TALK The carbon-fiber shell of the FT-iQ is Dymo and Dymo2 versions allowed The carbon-fiber composite frame is designed to improve overall head stability designers to manipulate the CG, lie angle, 7 percent longer front to back than the FT-5 (high and low and heel to toe) by using a rear weighting and face size, but the most and uses six materials to push the center hyperbolic X-design in the cupface and a interesting feature is the adjustable hosel. of gravity (CG) low and deep. The titanium rear-weighted, stretched square shape that Players can change to one of eight lie- and cupface has an internal X-pattern design to increases the moment of inertia (MOI). In face-angle combinations. (Lie angle and improve ball speed on off-center hits. addition, to help launch the ball high with face angle can change by 4 degrees.) Player comments low spin, the CG is half the height that it Player comments (M) “They’ve toned down the sound. It now was in the previous model (the FT-i). (H) ‘‘I like the ball flight, and it’s long. The has a more conservative ‘bang.’ ” . . . Player comments ball goes left, for sure.’’ . . . (M) ‘‘A good- (M) “The trampoline effect feels outstand- (M) “Very straight with a muted sound at looking club at setup. It sounds a little ing, and at setup this lies perfectly on the impact. This could benefit a slicer, too, be- thud-ish, but the ball went forever.’’ . . . ground.” . . . (L) “Great feel. Not too busy.” cause it’s almost impossible to curve to the (L) ‘‘My favorite of the square shapes.’’ Hot right.” . . . (L) “Explosive off the clubface. Hot No one is better than Callaway at using There’s no ping or vibration.” . . . (T) “Saw no It’s easily the most interesting, effective multiple materials. Solid and comfortable, curve even on toe and heel mis-hits.” and flexible implementation of theU SGA’s the FT-9 has improved weight distribution Hot recently relaxed rules on club adjustability. (18 percent lower CG), and OptiFit makes As sleek a square shape as there has been. The three weight options of the impressive trying and buying almost seamless. The Mitsubishi Fubuki shaft is a bonus. UST AXIV Core shaft are unique. Not Not Not We like options, but 13 stock loft/weight A closed face on all lofts in the standard The high MOI doesn’t push the USGA limit configurations might cause confusion. version. as it did in last year’s SQ Sumo2 5900 .

the numbers the numbers the numbers Face height...... 55 mm Face area ...... 46 cm² Face height...... 53 mm Face area ...... 43.7 cm² Face height (DYMO2)....49 mm Face area ...... 40 cm² Heel to toe ...... 107 mm Shaft length...... 45 in Heel to toe ...... 103 mm Shaft length...... 45 in Heel to toe ...... 107 mm Shaft length...... 45.75 in Front to back...... 118 mm MOI...... VERY HIGH Front to back...... 112 mm MOI...... EXTREME Front to back...... 115 mm MOI...... EXTREME

LAUNCH ANGLE SPIN LAUNCH ANGLE SPIN LAUNCH ANGLE SPIN

LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH

PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★

INNOVATION INNOVATION INNOVATION ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★★

look/sound/feel look/sound/feel look/sound/feel ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★

DEMAND DEMAND DEMAND ★ ★★★★½ W ★ ★★★½ W ★ ★★★½ W

callawaygolf.com callawaygolf.com NIKEgolf.com

★ CATEGORY LEADER W ALSO IN WOMEN’S (H) HIGH-HANDICAPPER (M) middle-HANDICAPPER (L) LOW-HANDICAPPER (T) teacher

6 / GOLFDIGEST.COM /DRIVERSOVER $350/

GOLD GOLD GOLD

PING TAYLORMADE TITLEIST rapture v2 r7 LIMITED 909D2/909D3 STREET PRICE STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $450 $400 $400 LOFTS LOFTS LOFTS 9, 10.5, 12, 13.5 8.5, 9.5, 10.5, 11.5 8.5, 9.5, 10.5, 11.5* (*D2 only) Tech TALK Tech TALK Tech TALK The clubhead is similar in shape to the The thin-wall titanium construction allows Two options in the all-titanium line include Ping G10 and incorporates crescent-shape room for three movable weights, and the a deep CG in the D2 and a low CG in the D3. tungsten weights in the heel and toe of stretched-triangle shape increases MOI. The more-forward CG in the 440 cubic- the sole. The variable-thickness titanium The weights can affect ball flight by as centimeter D3 promotes workability, and face is milled to help improve ball speed on much as 20 yards left and 15 yards right. the 460cc D2’s shallow face promotes off-center strikes. Player comments forgiveness. A milled face insert has a thick Player comments (M) ‘‘Fantastic trajectory, but I don’t like center section in the shape of an inverted (M) “The club looks great, sets up nicely the triangle shape.’’ . . . (L) ‘‘Produces trapezoid to improve off-center hits. and has good balance. It gives me the right the best feel of any driver out here. My Player comments kind of feedback, and the ball carries a long ‘wow’ club. Call her Crush-A-Rama.’’ . . . (M) ‘‘They’re getting closer to making a way.’’ . . . (M) ‘‘I can feel the way the ball (T) “It’s a great driver. Other attempts at club for me; it really makes me look like a jumps off the face, and the head is easy to a triangle shape have looked irregular and golfer.’’ . . . (M) “The prettiest driver I’ve look at, too.’’ . . . (T) “I give it high marks: It unbalanced, but not this one.” seen. As long as any.’’ . . . (L) ‘‘Everything is spins less than the G10. I’d like it even more Hot consistently positive about this club.’’ if it didn’t have the decal on the crown.” Maybe you’re over the weights, but the Hot Hot powerful feel of a TaylorMade driver never An upgrade from where the company has Like a Mercedes, the look doesn’t veer gets old. The sleek look and finish make this been without departing from the Titleist too far from traditional design, but the a memorable club. The Ozik shaft is a plus. milieu. The SureFit interchangeable fitting engineering is top-notch. The nFlight fitting Not system gets high praise. system is a cool benefit, too. There’s a history of $400 TaylorMade Not Not drivers dropping in price quickly after It’s better at mitigating the lefts than it is Chiclet-green shaft seems a bit much. introduction. at eliminating the rights.

the numbers the numbers the numbers Face height...... 57 mm Face area ...... 45.5 cm² Face height...... 52 mm Face area ...... 42.5 cm² Face height (D2)...... 51 mm Face area ...... 41.8 cm² Heel to toe ...... 111 mm Shaft length...... 45.75 in Heel to toe ...... 106 mm Shaft length...... 45.5 in Heel to toe ...... 107 mm Shaft length...... 45 in Front to back...... 108 mm MOI...... HIGH Front to back...... 112 mm MOI...... HIGH Front to back...... 115 mm MOI...... VERY HIGH

LAUNCH ANGLE SPIN LAUNCH ANGLE SPIN LAUNCH ANGLE SPIN

LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH

PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★★

INNOVATION INNOVATION INNOVATION ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★½

look/sound/feel look/sound/feel look/sound/feel ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★★

DEMAND DEMAND DEMAND ★ ★★★½ W ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★½

PINGgolf.com TAYLORMADEgolf.com titleist.com

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CARRY CARRY

ROLL roll 260 YARDS sILVER sILVER 240

220

200 clubs listed in alphabetical order 180 ADAMS cobra 160 INSIGHT TECH A4 l5v 140 STREET PRICE STREET PRICE 120 $370 $400 LOFTS LOFTS 100 8.5, 9.5, 10.5 X-Speed: 8.5, 9.5; F-Speed: 9.5, 10.5; 80 Tech TALK M-Speed: 11.5 The pear-shape head features a 15-gram Tech TALK 60 external weight on the rear of the sole Take your pick of the technologies here: 40 that allows for a lower and deeper CG by The design maximizes the face area and using internal weighting. The curved footprint, expands the use of weight-saving 20 sole is designed to maintain structural carbon composite in the crown and sole, strength and save weight. and features an adjustable hosel that 0 Player comments changes the face angle by 1 degree. 10˚ 9˚ (M) “It has a nice teardrop shape and isn’t Player comments STIFF REGULAR too closed at address. I feel like I can let ( ) “I like the big, rounded head, and the SHAFT SHAFT H my wrists roll over without risking a snap dimples on the top are cool; it gives me hook.” . . . (L) “That’s a classic metal-wood something to focus on.” . . . (M) “Very TRACKMAN says look. The sound and feel are fabulous.” . . . lightweight, and it screams confidence with The key to distance: (L) “One of the longest I’ve hit. The ball its high trampoline effect.” . . . (L) “It sent just flies off the face, but the head rolls too the ball on a consistent, low-to-middle loft or flex? much at setup; it doesn’t seem to sit flat.” trajectory. Hard to have a mis-hit with it.” The more we discover about the science of distance, Hot Hot the more it seems there is to learn. Golf Digest research It’s more smartly designed than it Few attempt “big” the way Cobra does, over the years has suggested that most average appears, and the Ozik shaft will pique but the L5V offers substance and size. golfers would benefit from a higher-lofted driver. To interest from gearheads. Slicers might Kudos for the Diamana Red shaft. refine this idea, we wondered what role shaft flex want to look at the a4OS. Not plays, especially the combination of clubhead loft and Not Changing the face angle by 1 degree might shaft flex. We wanted to know what works better: less Has 46 custom shafts but no fitting system. not produce a meaningful difference. loft with more flex, or more loft with less flex. To find out, we tested average to above-average golfers with the numbers the numbers swing speeds of 95 to 102 miles per hour and Face height...... 57 mm Face area ...... 45 cm² Face height...... 60 mm Face area ...... 46 cm² discovered that less loft but more flex tended to Heel to toe ...... 104 mm Shaft length...... 45.5 in Heel to toe ...... 115 mm Shaft length...... 45.5 in produce better launch conditions (more carry and Front to back...... 109 mm MOI...... HIGH Front to back...... 120 mm MOI...... VERY HIGH more total distance). In our test, a 9-degree driver with LAUNCH ANGLE SPIN LAUNCH ANGLE SPIN a regular-flex shaft worked better than a 10-degree driver with a stiff-flex shaft. LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH Why would that be? According to Tom Wishon, founder of Tom Wishon Golf Technology and author of PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE The Search for the Perfect Golf Club, the reason has to ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★½ do with a player’s swing type. Less-skilled players who cast the club from the top cause a shaft with more flex INNOVATION INNOVATION to bow and return to straight well before making ★ ★★★½ ★ ★★★★½ contact with the ball. Conversely, a better player who maintains wrist angle for a later release will cause the look/sound/feel look/sound/feel shaft to bow and spring forward just before impact, ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★ essentially adding loft at impact. “This is one of the reasons,” Wishon says, “that we advise our clubmakers ★ DEMAND ★ DEMAND to always err on the side of a more flexible shaft, even ★★½ ★★★½ with later-release players.” —MS ADAMSgolf.com COBRAgolf.com

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N sILVER sILVER laberge charles

TITLEIST Tour edge 909d comp EXOTICS XCG-V K ersting odd STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $500 $400 T of LOFTS LOFTS

8.5, 9.5, 10.5, 11.5 9, 10.5, 12 P hotos Tech TALK Tech TALK The composite crown saves weight and The XCG-V uses a unique mixture of materi- allows for a larger face profile and a deeper als. They include a lightweight magnesium frame than the other 909 drivers. It also crown; a larger (than last year’s XCG) has the deepest CG in the 909 family. The titanium cupface, sidewalls and sole; and sole shape is designed to reduce vibration. a V-shape stainless-steel rear soleplate The face has a thick, inverted-trapezoid designed for a lower and deeper CG than center section to improve ball speed. previous Exotics drivers. The materials are Player comments joined by a chemical-brazing technique. (M) “I can’t believe this is a Titleist. Player comments Incredible distance, soaring ball flight.” . . . (M) “One of the best I’ve hit. The trajectory (M) “Hotter than a honeymoon hotel.” . . . is high, but it doesn’t fall out of the air.” . . . (L) “It’s not pear shape but rather fat and (M) “It has great swingweight, balance and rounded toward the toe. But you get used feel, and it’s hot off the clubface.” . . . to that quick because of how it performs.” (T) “The best driver I hit. The ball feels like Hot it jumps off the face.” The most playable Titleist driver ever keeps Hot Y the familiar feel and embraces a bigger Don’t be fooled by the vanilla packaging. head. The SureFit fitting system and Ozik There’s a lot going on in terms of materials, instruction tips stock shaft are nice amenities. and Tour Edge’s fitting cart is better than Not those of some companies twice its size. Adjust your setup It’s hard to justify the price when others have Not similar—or better—technology for less. The fitting cart isn’t available everywhere yet. to cheat the wind With today’s deep-face drivers, the numbers the numbers I recommend teeing the ball Face height...... 52 mm Face area ...... 43.6 cm² Face height...... 53 mm Face area ...... 44.7 cm² pretty high. But what do you do Heel to toe ...... 103 mm Shaft length...... 45 in Heel to toe ...... 108 mm Shaft length...... 45 in if you want to lower your ball Front to back...... 121 mm MOI...... VERY HIGH Front to back...... 112 mm MOI...... HIGH flight on a windy day? Rather than lower the height of the tee, LAUNCH ANGLE SPIN LAUNCH ANGLE SPIN which makes it more difficult to hit the ball on the LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH sweet spot, you should adjust your setup. The normal driver setup tilts your spine away from the target. PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE You’ll notice that my left shoulder is a lot higher than ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★ my right (above, inset). But when you want to lower your ball flight and cheat the wind, set up with your INNOVATION INNOVATION shoulders more level (above, “Y”). It’s more like your ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★ setup for an iron.

Todd Kersting, Golf Digest’s No. 1 teacher in New Mexico as voted by look/sound/feel look/sound/feel his peers, gives lessons at Puerto del Sol Golf Course in Albuquerque. ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★ check out the interactive hot list DEMAND DEMAND at golfdigest.com/go/hotlist. It will ★ ★★½ ★ ★★½ W let you virtually build your dream set of golf clubs and allow you to enter for a chance to win it. TITLEIST.com Touredge.com

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GOLD GOLD GOLD

clubs listed in alphabetical order ADAMS CALLAWAY CLEVELAND SPEEDLINE big bertha diablo LAUNCHER

STREET PRICE STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $300 $300 $300 LOFTS LOFTS LOFTS 8.5, 9.5, 10.5; draw: 9.5, 10.5, 12.5, HL 8, 9, 10; draw: 9, 10, 11, 13 HT 9, 10.5, 12 Tech TALK Tech TALK Tech TALK The company believes big, boxy drivers The all-titanium construction uses a A thin, 0.5-millimeter crown slopes down lose clubhead speed because of increased variable-thickness hyperbolic cupface for from the large face (which is 21 percent drag, so the head shape of the Speedline optimizing ball speed on off-center hits. bigger than the original Launcher 460) has been streamlined to help achieve aero- In addition to the face, the head fuses three to help launch the ball high. An internal dynamic efficiency. Design features include separate sheets of titanium, including a horseshoe-shape weight pad at the back scooped heel and toe slots, a smaller face .68-millimeter crown that frees weight for of the sole improves perimeter weighting and optimal crown height and curve. use in an internal chip in the sole. Available and lowers the CG. Player comments in two head shapes (for golfers who prefer Player comments (M) “Just flat-out bombs it. The head shape neutral and draw-bias ball flights). (M) “Swings itself. Get it started, and the is different but not distracting.” . . . (L) “It Player comments balance just allows it to get through impact might be ugly, but I could be dating it. The (H) “Straightest club in the bunch.” . . . on its own. Similar to a Momentus training ball goes far.” . . . (L) “The rounded sole (M) “Sleek graphics. A little closed, aid, it won’t let you swing off plane.” . . . rocks like an egg, but the ball comes off but it’s extremely forgiving and feels solid. (M) ‘‘I found it difficult to align, but once the face easily.” . . . (T) “Surprised. Hit some Definitely a high-launch driver.” . . . I did, the ball went long and straight.’’ . . . beautiful soft fades with that toe-y head. (T) “Anybody who has never hit a draw will (L) ‘‘The most consistent one I hit.’’ Smaller face can encourage center hits.” love this club.” Hot Hot Hot Think hidden, efficient power, like a butler There is a sense that Adams has discovered The differing head shapes aren’t especially with a maul in the umbrella stand. This is something others have overlooked. The noteworthy, but the intriguing construction about skill-enhancement, not correction. good news is, it still looks like a driver. results in a club as hot as its color. Not Not Not A breakout face technology would be nice. Some MOI has been sacrificed. Wish it could be part of OptiFit. As would a serious commitment to fitting.

the numbers the numbers the numbers Face height...... 47.5 mm Face area ...... 40.6 cm² Face height...... 55 mm Face area ...... 46 cm² Face height...... 55 mm Face area ...... 46.8 cm² Heel to toe ...... 117 mm Shaft length...... 45.5 in Heel to toe ...... 106 mm Shaft length...... 45 in Heel to toe ...... 109 mm Shaft length...... 45.5 in Front to back...... 110 mm MOI...... HIGH Front to back...... 118 mm MOI...... VERY HIGH Front to back...... 119 mm MOI...... VERY HIGH

LAUNCH ANGLE SPIN LAUNCH ANGLE SPIN LAUNCH ANGLE SPIN

LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH

PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★★

INNOVATION INNOVATION INNOVATION ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★½

look/sound/feel look/sound/feel look/sound/feel ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★½

DEMAND DEMAND DEMAND ★ ★★★ W ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★

adamsgolf.com callawaygolf.com clevelandgolf.com

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GOLD GOLD GOLD

cobra PING TAYLORMADE s9-1 G10 BURNER (’09) STREET PRICE STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $300 $300 $300 LOFTS LOFTS LOFTS F-Speed: 9.5, 10.5; M-Speed: 10.5, 11.5; 7.5, 9, 10.5, 12, 13.5; draw: 9, 10.5, 12, 13.5 9.5, 10.5, HT M-Offset: 9.5, 10.5; Pro: 8.5, 9.5, 10.5 Tech TALK Tech TALK Tech TALK Certain sections of the crown are thinner to The 49-gram, 46¼-inch shaft promotes The all-titanium driver has been selectively save weight and to help lower the CG. The speed, as does the deep face enhanced by downsized to optimize the CG for each sole and sloped crown are designed to work the company’s inverted-cone technology. loft. Changes include a slightly narrower with the variable-thickness face to improve The gently triangular dual crown positions front-to-back measurement, a smaller face energy transfer. Draw versions have extra the CG lower than the previous Burner. and less crown-surface area. The weight heel-bias weighting. Player comments has been reduced by six grams to increase Player comments (M) ‘‘Foolproof. A straight ball on every clubhead speed, and the variable-thickness, (M) ‘‘Seems to be missing a ‘wow’ factor, swing. The club feels good through the “dual-rhombus” face has been enhanced. but it’s a nice club with good results.’’ . . . whole swing.’’ . . . (M) ‘‘Great, consistent, Player comments (L) “This is a ’57 Les Paul Junior. Very solid solid feel and sound. It goes far, and the ball (H) “I had no slice whatsoever on any shot. and soft at the same time. Nothing about has a nice, boring trajectory.’’ . . . (M) “Long, Feels great and goes straight.” . . . (M) “It’s it says technology, but the results are forgiving, accurate.’’ . . . (L) “Longest club to so easy to swing, and it feels lighter. Easy to amazing. A heck of a driver.” . . . date. Put a star next to this one.” square the clubface.” . . . (T) “Every player (T) “Love lining up that half-moon.” Hot could find a match in this line.” Hot Anybody can stick a 46¼-inch shaft on a Hot The G10 is so blue-collar it should come driver and pretend it’ll increase distance. Cobra’s face technology is interesting, with its own lunch pail. But good doesn’t Only the exceptional can figure out how and the S9-1 shows that the only extremes need flash. The nFlight fitting software is to make a better, hotter driver and stick worth pursuing are in performance. game-changing and video-game cool. a genuinely faster 46¼-inch shaft on it to Not Not impressively feed our need for speed. Four different 10.5 models and two Pro The stock shaft is still at least a quarter- Not versions seem confusing. inch too long (45¾ inches) for many. Average shaft length, PGA Tour 45 inches. the numbers the numbers the numbers Face height...... 53 mm Face area ...... 43.7 cm² Face height...... 57 mm Face area ...... 43 cm² Face height...... 57 mm Face area ...... 48.5 cm² Heel to toe ...... 107 mm Shaft length...... 45.5 in Heel to toe ...... 110 mm Shaft length...... 45.75 in Heel to toe ...... 108 mm Shaft length...... 46.25 in Front to back...... 120 mm MOI...... VERY HIGH Front to back...... 107 mm MOI...... HIGH Front to back...... 121 mm MOI...... VERY HIGH

LAUNCH ANGLE SPIN LAUNCH ANGLE SPIN LAUNCH ANGLE SPIN

LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH

PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★★

INNOVATION INNOVATION INNOVATION ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★½ ★ ★★★★½

look/sound/feel look/sound/feel look/sound/feel ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★★

DEMAND DEMAND DEMAND ★ ★★★★★ W ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★★ W

cobragolf.com pinggolf.com tAYLORMADEGOLF.com

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sILVER sILVER

MEASURING VOLUME clubs listed in alphabetical order All shapes CLEVELAND MIZUNO and sizes HIBORE MONSTER XLS MX-700 To determine the head size of the modern-shaped woods and hybrids that made the Hot List, who knew STREET PRICE STREET PRICE we’d have to borrow a method from classical $300 $300 antiquity? The Greek thinker Archimedes discovered LOFTS LOFTS that the volume of fluid an irregular-shaped object 8.5, 9.5, 10.5, 11.5; draw: 9, 10.5, 12; 9.5, 10.5, 12 displaces is equal to its own volume. So by dipping tour: 8.5, 9.5, 10.5 Tech TALK each clubhead in a bucket of water on a scale, careful Tech TALK The wide-body geometry is designed to first smoothly fill in concavities with clay, we The scooped crown is designed to lower to push the CG toward the back, and the determined its volume by the weight (in grams) of the the CG, and the wide shape helps increase face incorporates Ti-9, a titanium alloy water it displaced. This is the same method the USGA MOI. Internal ribs strengthen the crown designed with a grain structure that allows uses to determine clubhead-size conformance. to improve energy transfer. for a thinner face, which helps improve You’ll notice that not all drivers are at the Player comments ball speed on off-center hits. maximum head-size limit of 460 cubic centimeters. (H) ‘‘It goes straight and has just the Player comments Volume can vary across lofts, with the highest lofts right height, even if it’s ugly. It’s more (M) ‘‘It’s just about perfect. I couldn’t not typically being the largest. Sometimes stretching the solid-feeling than other drivers and is very hit it straight.” . . . (M) ‘‘This is just a cannon, volume can mean a compromise in other aspects of forgiving. I like the loud sound.’’ . . . deadly long, and it looks very comfortable the design, especially in clubs for better players who (M) ‘‘They sure did fix the sound and at address.’’ . . . (T) “I like the graphics. They most often hit the center of the face. “Large faces feel of this club; both are great now. The accentuate how big the head is, which will take up a lot of weight and pull the center of gravity trajectory is nice and high without being give a lot of players confidence.” forward,” says Tom Wishon, founder of Tom Wishon too high.’’ . . . (M) “The ball has a lot of roll Hot Golf Technology. “Smaller faces can save weight that and is exceptionally long overall. A very Maybe average hacks have been can then be used in back at the perimeter.” —MA hot face. If you have the room to run— intimidated by Mizuno, but they shouldn’t and ear plugs—this is a great club.’’ CLUB (10˚-10.5˚loft) VOLUME be with this club. Its subtle use of geometry

ADAMS INSIGHT TECH A4...... 460cc Hot is effective without sacrificing looks. This is a powerful shape, and the MOI is ADAMS SPEEDLINE...... 454cc Not among the highest we measured. CALLAWAY BIG BERTHA DIABLO...... 460cc Mizuno offers dozens of custom shafts,

CALLAWAY FT-9...... 456cc Not but with no interchangeable-head fitting

CALLAWAY FT-IQ ...... 450cc It’s louder than Boo Weekley’s fan base. system, it’s hard to test all those options. CLEVELAND HIBORE MONSTER XLS...... 460cc the numbers the numbers CLEVELAND LAUNCHER ...... 460cc Face height...... 54 mm Face area ...... 45.75 cm² Face height...... 52 mm Face area ...... 44.6 cm² COBRA L5V...... 460cc Heel to toe ...... 109 mm Shaft length...... 45 in Heel to toe ...... 113 mm Shaft length...... 45.5 in COBRA S9-1...... 460cc Front to back...... 122 mm MOI...... EXTREME Front to back...... 120 mm MOI...... HIGH

MIZUNO MX-700...... 460cc LAUNCH ANGLE SPIN LAUNCH ANGLE SPIN NIKE SQ DYMO/DYMO² ...... 460cc/460cc

NIKE SQ DYMO/DYMO² STR8-FIT...... 460cc/460cc LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH

PING G10...... 460cc

PING RAPTURE V2...... 450cc ★ PERFORMANCE ★ PERFORMANCE TAYLORMADE BURNER (’09)...... 460cc ★★★★ ★★★★ TAYLORMADE R7 LIMITED...... 434cc TITLEIST 909D2/D3...... 454cc/440cc ★ INNOVATION ★ INNOVATION TITLEIST 909D COMP...... 452cc ★★★★ ★★★½

TOUR EDGE EXOTICS XCG-V...... 460cc look/sound/feel look/sound/feel WILSON SMOOTH...... 444cc ★ ★ ★★★ ★★★★ Want to learn more about what’s new in driver technology? head ★ DEMAND ★ DEMAND to golfdigest.com/go/hotlist to ★★★★ ★★½ W watch the hot list judges discuss moi, variable-thickness face and more. CLEVELANDgolf.com mizunousa.com

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270 yards

240 sILVER sILVER

210

NIKE wilson 180 sq dymo/dymo2 smooth

STREET PRICE STREET PRICE LEFT OF riGHT OF $300 $300 SHOTS center center TOTAL SHOTS...... 147...... 56 LOFTS LOFTS 8.5, 9.5, 10.5, 11.5, HL 8, 9, 10.5, 12* (*also in offset) TOTAL YARDS...... 226.2...... 219.6 AVG. DISPERSION (YDS)...... 26.2...... 13.5 Tech TALK Tech TALK Round or square, each loft is treated as a It progressively incorporates a changing TOTAL DISPERSION (YDS) : 15.3 LEFT (all shots) separate design. Many crucial elements are weight pad in the sole to optimize the CG optimized, including the CG (deeper as loft within each loft (middle-low in the low increases), lie angle (the highest loft is 4 lofts, low and deep in the high lofts). Also, TRACKMAN says degrees more upright than the lowest) and a “trap face” doubles the face area with the face height (lower as the loft increases). highest coefficient of restitution (COR). just how anti-slice Player comments Player comments can a driver be? ( ) ‘‘I don’t love the square head, but it H (M) ‘‘That club’s on steroids. Maybe not It’s a fact: Anti-slice drivers will help you hit the ball works well on center hits and corrects a the most forgiving, but great distance.’’ . . . straight, or even (gasp) draw the ball. To test how well slice nicely.’’ . . . ( ) ‘‘I think the round ver- M (M) ‘‘A terrific performer. I’d tell you how it they work, we had a group of low- to high-handicap sion is incredibly long, a beast. Won’t hurt does on mis-hits if only I could mis-hit golfers hit 11 anti-slice drivers (aiming for a center line) you for forgiveness, either, but the square it, but I can’t!’’ . . . (L) “Wow, that’s a good and used TrackMan to measure the ball flights. Of 203 is better.’’ . . . ( ) ‘‘Trajectory is somewhat L club. I missed two or three, and all would hits, 72 percent went left of center, and the average high, but the ball carries a long way.’’ have been in the fairway.” dispersion of all shots was 15.3 yards left. Another piece Hot Hot of good news: Shots that went left went an average of A free-thinker’s design, this update is It has softer edges, and there’s some 6.6 yards farther than those that went right. handsome, solid and Nike’s best-sounding interesting work here on the CG and the So how do these slice-fighting clubs work? “A true effort ever. The company’s fitting commit- face design. Wilson even points to research anti-slice driver is designed with more technology than ment is finally worthy of its product line. that shows R-flex and S-flex players picking just a closed face,” says Jeff Sheets, vice president of Not up extra clubhead speed with its club. research and development at Golfsmith and designer We would like to see more innovation in Not of the Killer Bee B-Sting (below left). For instance, the face design. Its MOI is nothing groundbreaking. Sheets says the center of gravity in the Killer Bee is back and toward the heel of the club to produce a the numbers the numbers higher launch angle that imparts less ball spin. This Face height (DYMO).... 52 mm Face area ...... 40.5 cm² Face height...... 48 mm Face area ...... 40.5 cm² causes toe and center hits to have draw spin. The driver Heel to toe ...... 111 mm Shaft length...... 45.75 in Heel to toe ...... 127 mm Shaft length...... 45.5 in also is 5 degrees more upright than usual to encourage Front to back...... 115 mm MOI...... VERY HIGH Front to back...... 111 mm MOI...... HIGH face closure at impact. The Bob Burns No Bananas DAT (below right), which in our testing averaged 38 LAUNCH ANGLE SPIN LAUNCH ANGLE SPIN yards left of center, has a 7-degree closed face and a LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH lightweight head to promote a draw. Only you know how much slice correction you really ★ PERFORMANCE ★ PERFORMANCE need, but regardless of how bad you have the rights, ★★★★ ★★★½ today’s driver technology offers help. —AM ★ INNOVATION ★ INNOVATION ★★★★ ★★★½ ★ look/sound/feel ★ look/sound/feel ★★★★ ★★★★ ★ DEMAND ★ DEMAND ★★★★ W ★★★

nikegolf.com wilson.com

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GOLD GOLD GOLD GOLD

clubs listed in alphabetical order cleveland cobra PING launcher s9-1 G10

STREET PRICE STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $180 $180 $220 LOFTS LOFTS LOFTS 13, 15, 17, 19, 22 Pro: 13, 15, 18; F- and M-Speed: 15.5*, 18*, 21*, 14, 15.5, 17, 18.5, 21.5, 24.5; Tech TALK 24†, 27† (*also in offset, †seniors only) draw: 15.5, 17, 18.5, 21.5 The crown is a half-millimeter thick, saving Tech TALK Tech TALK weight that has been added to the Cobra has addressed the needs of three Weight taken from the crown, face and horseshoe-shape weight pad on the types of golfers: fairway woods for better hosel is redeployed in an internal weight perimeter of the sole. The result: A moment players (the Pro) and two versions—a pad that positions the CG in an optimal of inertia (MOI) exceeding 3,000 and regular-hosel configuration and an offset location to increase ball speed and reduce a center of gravity (CG) that promotes a model—for those who need a higher launch. spin. A shallow face and increased heel-to- higher trajectory. The face is 11 percent larger The standard model has a weight-saving toe length provide a larger effective hitting than previous Launcher fairway editions. shaft and a wide, shallow-face profile. area and promote forgiveness. Player comments Player comments Player comments (M) “The longest one I’ve hit so far. (M) “They got it right. Solid at impact, and (M) “Just perfect. It’s what a fairway wood The ball took off.” . . . (L) “Has a crispness the ball leaps off the club.” . . . (T) “The should look like.” . . . (L) “After having the at impact that is hard to beat. The ball regular version flies high, and the pro version same fairway wood for five years, I have just shoots off the face. A nice surprise.” . . . penetrates. Nice management of game- a new date. Send me an invoice. This thing (L) “Long, straight and high—who wouldn’t improvement and player trajectories.” . . . is amazing.” . . . (T) “A great, solid club. like that?”. . . (M) “Very easy to hit. Doesn’t (L) “Standard in terms of looks, but there’s Hard to mis-hit.” . . . (M) “Came off the face feel like it has a tiny sweet spot—it has the nothing standard about its performance. with a lot of heat.” same feedback all over the face.” There’s that hot Cobra ‘crack’ off the face.” Hot Hot Hot Ping has covered all areas technologically The rear weighting seems like a nifty A solid entry with MOI benefits that are and otherwise, including a 17-degree arrangement, and we like a trio of 3-wood readily apparent. We especially like the 4-wood with a 43-inch shaft for players lofts. Two versions of R- and S-flexes is a confidence provided by the shallow face. who need more loft than a 3-wood offers. keen idea as well. Not Not Not Check the number on the sole. That 7-wood The shallow face requires an adjustment for We’d like to see a hot-steel face insert. looks as big as a 3-wood. those who like a 3-wood as a backup driver. the numbers the numbers the numbers Face height (3-wood)... 33 mm Face area ...... 23.5 cm² Face height (3-wood)... 33 mm Face area ...... 21.5 cm² Face height (3-wood)... 33 mm Face area ...... 23 cm² Face width ...... 91 mm Head volume...... 180cc Face width ...... 84 mm Head volume...... 172cc Face width ...... 88 mm Head volume...... 142cc Front to back...... 84 mm Shaft weight...... 55-65 g Front to back...... 87 mm Shaft weight...... 55 g Front to back...... 80 mm Shaft weight...... 64-68 g

PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★½

INNOVATION INNOVATION INNOVATION ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★

look/sound/feel look/sound/feel look/sound/feel ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★★

DEMAND DEMAND DEMAND ★ ★★★½ ★ ★★★★½ W ★ ★★★★

clevelandgolf.com cobragolf.com PINGgolf.com

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GOLD GOLD GOLD

taylormade TITLEIST TOUR EDGE burner 909f2/f3 exotics xcg-v

STREET PRICE STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $200 $200 $370 LOFTS LOFTS LOFTS 15, 18, 21; tour: 13, 14.5, 17.5 F2: 13.5, 15.5, 18.5; F3: 13, 15, 18 13, 15, 16.5, 18, 21 Tech TALK Tech TALK Tech TALK Each model comes with “dual-crown” These are modestly different designs A lightweight titanium V-shape cupface, technology, which features a wide base that accommodate the needs of different crown and hosel allow 60 percent of the beneath a more compact and thin top players. F2 lofts are a half-degree higher, total weight of the head to be concentrated section. In addition, weight-saving thin- and the CG is lower to produce a higher in a high-density steel soleplate, improving wall casting techniques reduce wall launch angle. Also, its face is longer and MOI and launch characteristics. The thicknesses to 0.6 millimeters. The weight wider. The F3 is designed to produce titanium hosel saves 30 grams and has the saved allows for a lower and deeper CG, a lower, boring trajectory, and its face is benefit of enhancing feel. thus improving launch conditions. smaller and deeper. Each comes with a sole Player comments Player comments weight screw to customize swingweight. (T) “Simple and traditional, and it (L) “It feels and reacts just like a fairway Player comments performs. If that’s your thing, look no wood should, and the trajectory was the (L) “Has that ‘wow’ factor.” . . . further.” . . . (L) “The ball goes long, long.” . . . same all the time.” . . . (M) “Probably the (T) “Attention to detail everywhere.” . . . (M) “Solid impact. Nice, traditional look. It’s best of the bunch. Extremely solid feel, (M) “It feels great and gets the ball almost perfect.” . . . (T) “Toe hits went just closest to an old persimmon. Jumps off the up nicely.” . . . (M) “I’ve always been as far. Hot face, high trajectory. I’d put this face with tight dispersion.” . . . (T) “I get all intimidated by Titleist, but the company in my bag in a minute.” warm and fuzzy inside hitting it.” has made a move toward players like me.” Hot Hot Hot This is where the future meets the past, An impressive tour-player solid feel, It has the traditional look that everyone a high-tech club in a traditional shape. even if you’re not a pro. The technology likes. Those who think Titleist targets No idle mixing of materials, this is a provides a high-launch antidote to only better players need to reconsider, technology high-wire act that delivers. hitting low-spin balls off the fairway. given efforts here. Not Not Not The $370 price tag is borderline offensive, The standard lofts all feature a slight draw Where’s the 21-degree 7-wood that some and tacking on $20 for a shaft upgrade is bias that not everyone needs. middle-handicappers would want? like charging us for tees.

the numbers the numbers the numbers Face height (3-wood)... 34 mm Face area ...... 23 cm² Face height (3-wood)....33 mm Face area ...... 23.4 cm² Face height (3-wood)....35 mm Face area ...... 25 cm² Face width ...... 86 mm Head volume...... 168cc Face width ...... 91 mm Head volume...... 170cc Face width ...... 89 mm Head volume...... 185cc Front to back...... 82 mm Shaft weight...... 73-74 g Front to back...... 84 mm Shaft weight...... 55-65 g Front to back...... 87 mm Shaft weight...... 66-68 g

PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★½

INNOVATION INNOVATION INNOVATION ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★★ look/sound/feel ★ look/sound/feel look/sound/feel ★ ★★★★½ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★½

DEMAND DEMAND DEMAND ★ ★★★★★ W ★ ★★★½ ★ ★ W

taylormadegolf.com TITLEIST.com touredge.com

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sILVER sILVER sILVER

clubs listed in alphabetical order adams bobby jones cALLAWAY insight tech a4/a4os workshop edition BIG BERTHA DIABLO STREET PRICE STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $270 $200 $200 LOFTS LOFTS LOFTS a4: 13, 15, 18; a4OS: 16, 19 Workshop: 15, 18; tour: 13, 15 13, 15, 18; draw: 16, 18.5, 21, 23.5 Tech TALK Tech TALK Tech TALK These clubs combine the qualities of a The lightweight magnesium crown is The unusual shape of the stainless-steel fairway wood (distance) with a hybrid used to save weight, which is redistributed head is what Callaway calls “edge technol- (ease of use). Each model features pull- to create a CG that is low and back. This ogy.” It allows designers to place weight face construction and a maraging-steel results in a higher trajectory. Weight also is deep behind the face to help improve face insert. The a4 has an adjustable taken from the hosel and the 1.6-millimeter- stability on off-center hits and to optimize weight port in the sole. The a4OS has thick face and moved to the rear sole to the CG and trajectory for a neutral or draw tungsten inserts in the rear perimeter and a help with ball flight. ball flight. The traditional Callaway short, lightweight magnesium crown that allows Player comments straight hollow-hosel design saves weight weight to be relocated low and deep. (L) “Get out the flight plan—this thing is to be distributed on the perimeter. Player comments a rocket ship.” . . . (M) “Funkiest look of Player comments (M) “Everything about this club inspires the bunch, but the sound and the feel are (M) “The look takes some getting used confidence for a player like me.” . . . fantastic.” . . . (L) “Not my look with the to, but it still has that classic Callaway (T) “Looks more like a hybrid, which has got triangle stuff, but the Jones woods continue feel. Pretty forgiving.”. . . (T) “Get these to to be a bonus if you have more confidence to get my attention with how sweet they my pro shop.” . . . (M) “I like this shape; it in hitting a hybrid.” . . . (M) “Looks a little are at impact. ‘Solid’ just doesn’t seem to encourages you to take it back on an inside like a blob on a stick, but the trajectory was do it justice.” . . . (T) “I don’t know the idea path. The ball goes very straight.” perfect and extremely long.” behind the shape, but it works.” Hot Hot Hot Not a typical fairway wood in looks, but its Adams continues to change the paradigm The low profile and relatively small size functional geometry is refreshing. Many with an improvement in shape (especially inspire confidence along with the solid middle- and higher-handicap players will the sole radius) and ball flight. performance the club delivers. like the less-than-60-gram shaft. Not Not Not The a4’s weight screw clogs with dirt; the It’s so easy to hit for so many players that Ugly? Maybe. And why not offer a neutral a4OS might be too new wave for some. we’d like to see some higher lofts. 21-degree model? the numbers the numbers the numbers Face height (a4 3-wood).33 mm Face area ...... 23.4 cm² Face height (3-wood)... 28 mm Face area ...... 16.5 cm² Face height (3-wood)....33 mm Face area ...... 23.4 cm² Face width ...... 91 mm Head volume...... 157cc Face width ...... 76 mm Head volume...... 164cc Face width ...... 91 mm Head volume...... 190cc Front to back...... 84 mm Shaft weight...... 55-65 g Front to back...... 95 mm Shaft weight...... 60 g Front to back...... 84 mm Shaft weight...... 57-59 g

PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★

INNOVATION INNOVATION INNOVATION ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★

look/sound/feel look/sound/feel look/sound/feel ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★½

DEMAND DEMAND DEMAND ★ ★★ W ★ ★★★ ★ ★★★★ W

ADAMSGOLF.com bobbyjonesgolf.com callawaygolf.com taylormadegolf.com TITLEIST.com

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sILVER sILVER sILVER

callaway nike PING FT sq dymo/dymo2 rapture v2

STREET PRICE STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $250 $230 $250 LOFTS LOFTS LOFTS 15*, 17*, 19*, 21†, 23† (*also in draw, †draw Dymo: 13; Dymo2: 15, 17, 19, 21 16, 17.5, 19, 22 only); tour: 13, 15 Tech TALK Tech TALK Tech TALK Its Quad Keel sole design results in only The 61-gram tungsten soleplate on the Fusion technology is the foundation of four points of the club interacting with the 17-4 stainless-steel head moves the CG low Callaway’s research and development. The ground, diminishing the likelihood of turf and deep, reducing spin and encouraging FT features a stainless-steel face and interference with the swing. The back of the a higher launch. The wide sole and steeply body fused to a soleplate featuring heavy sole is elevated, reducing friction with the tapered crown are designed to improve tungsten. This gave company engineers the turf. Like in its big brother, the DYMO driver, forgiveness. The variable-thickness face is ability to situate the CG where they wanted to its characteristics (CG, MOI, lie angle) are intended to help enhance ball speed even improve launch and ball flight. Dual runners adjusted as lofts and head styles change. on off-center strikes. on the sole help with turf interaction. Player comments Player comments Player comments (M) “Wait out that first impression, be- (T) “Looks Martian-y, and I hit it off the (M) “I feel like it straightened out some of cause this thing works. Even fat shots were planet, too.” . . . (L) “Its traditional look my mis-hits.” . . . (L) “I had a big mis-hit off a going 200 yards.” . . . (L) “I love this club, instills confidence at setup. I felt like the tee, and it still went a long way.” . . . (T) “If you even though it looks like a shovel to me. The club was made precisely for me.” . . . need to hit it in the fairway on a tight hole ball flight was exactly what I look for, and it (T) “Great sound. If you get used to hearing and not lose distance, this is the club.” . . . might be the straightest of the bunch.” . . . the sound of a great shot, psychologically (T) “Stands out. Must have its goodies in the (T) “Great club off the tee and the fairway.” you’re more apt to hit one.” . . . (M) “This is right places inside the head.” Hot really long despite being a degree weaker.” Hot This club delivers a punch, but its real Hot Inspired technology finds a way to look strength is a sole design that’s a Ginty-like There’s a lot of technical expertise in the classic. The tungsten soleplate serves as throwback. Add some 21st-century mixing of materials, and isn’t a 16-degree a launching pad for long, high shots. horsepower and thinking, and you have 3-wood an idea whose time has come? Not a genuine winner. Not All 7-woods are draw versions? Maybe it Not The six-piece alignment decal is at least five makes sense, but it doesn’t look right. Square look of Dymo2 is still a tough sell. pieces too many. the numbers the numbers the numbers Face height (3-wood)... 34 mm Face area ...... 22 cm² Face height (3-wood)... 33 mm Face area ...... 22.5 cm² Face height (3-wood)... 34 mm Face area ...... 21.5 cm² Face width ...... 86 mm Head volume...... 160cc Face width ...... 85 mm Head volume...... 164cc Face width ...... 90 mm Head volume...... 170cc Front to back...... 75 mm Shaft weight...... 65-66 g Front to back...... 84 mm Shaft weight...... 45-55 g Front to back...... 83 mm Shaft weight...... 59-63 g

PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★

INNOVATION INNOVATION INNOVATION ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★

look/sound/feel look/sound/feel look/sound/feel ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★½

DEMAND DEMAND DEMAND ★ ★★ W ★ ★★★ W ★ ★★★ W

taylormadegolfCALLAWAYgolf.com.com NTITLEIST.IKEGOLF.comcom PINGgolf.com

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GOLD GOLD GOLD

clubs listed in alphabetical order ADAMS BOBBY JONES CALLAWAY idea tech a4/a4Os WORKSHOP EDITION BIG BERTHA DIABLO STREET PRICE STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $170 $200 $160 lofts lofts lofts 17, 19, 22, 26 (a4); 17, 19, 22, 25, 28 (a4OS) 16, 18, 20, 22, 26, 30 18, 21, 24, 27 Tech TALK Tech TALK Tech TALK Adams combines a square head and a A thin, lightweight hosel helps lower the This straightforward 17-4 stainless-steel maraging-steel face to increase ball speed center of gravity (CG) and features a notch design incorporates Callaway’s variable- and moment of inertia (MOI)—to 3,400 in that allows the lie and face angle to be ad- thickness face for increased efficiency the a4OS. An adjustable sole weight in the justed. Constructed of multiple materials, on off-center hits. A pair of rails on the back a4 allows the company to customize the clubhead has a thin, strong Carpenter of the sole helps improve turf interaction; swingweight to fit any player. The a4OS 465 face and a thin maraging-steel crown they also get the leading edge of the face comes with a lightweight magnesium to relocate 30 grams to the sole. closer to the ground so players can get the crown and heel-toe tungsten sole weights Player comments ball up fast, even from heavy lies. to optimize the launch angle. Its offset (M) “Amazing. I just hit three balls right on Player comments hosel is designed to reduce slicing. top of each other. It’s incredibly easy to get (M) “A stealth-fighter-looking club Player comments in the air. Certainly good enough to get over with cool graphics. Without question, (M) “Adams has figured out hybrids better the looks.” . . . (L) “For such a small head, it’s easy to hit and very long.” . . . (L) ‘‘This than anybody. The ball just takes off, and it gets the ball in the air, and you can really club does every trick in the book. I hit it’s forgiving, too.’’ . . . (L) “Wow! This hits work it any way you like.’’ about seven different shots with it, and the ball longer than any other hybrid out Hot it did everything I wanted it to do.’’ there.” . . . (T) “It’s really easy to hit, even Being able to bend the hosel for differ- (T) ‘‘This is one of the most user-friendly off tight lies. Versatile, like an iron.’’ ent lie and face angles on a hybrid is new hybrids you could hit.’’ Hot thinking other companies will soon copy. Hot Another hybrid leap for Adams, and the This feature and designer Jesse Ortiz’s con- A favorite across all groups, Callaway premium shafts (Graphite Design YSQ-HL toured sole get high marks for versatility. finally gets the hybrid category right. and Mitsubishi Rayon Javln FX) are a bonus. Not Not Not The snub-nose toe shape of yesteryear’s We get it: Diablo, the devil, heat. The red A rectangle lacks an aesthetic flow. cleeks might not appeal to modern tastes. color still looks “roller rink.”

the numbers the numbers the numbers Face height (a4)...... 37 mm Face area ...... 25 cm² Face height...... 30 mm Face area ...... 17 cm² Face height...... 35 mm Face area ...... 20 cm² Heel to toe ...... 83 mm Head volume...... 124cc Heel to toe ...... 73 mm Head volume...... 92cc Heel to toe ...... 83 mm Head volume...... 110cc Front to back...... 53 mm Shaft length...... 40 in Front to back...... 65 mm Shaft length...... 40.25 in Front to back...... 63 mm Shaft length...... 40.25 in

PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★★

INNOVATION INNOVATION INNOVATION ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★½ look/sound/feel ★ look/sound/feel look/sound/feel ★ ★★★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★½

DEMAND DEMAND DEMAND ★ ★★★★★ W ★ ★★★½ W ★ ★★★★

adamsgolf.com bobbyjonesgolf.com callawaygolf.com

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GOLD GOLD GOLD

COBRA PING TAYLORMADE BAFFLER TWS/PRO G10 BURNER rescue STREET PRICE STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $175 $150 $160 lofts lofts lofts 16, 18, 20, 23 (Pro); 16, 18, 20, 23, 26, 29 15, 18, 21, 24, 28, 32 18, 20, 23 (tour launch); 17, 19, 22, 25, 28 (men’s TWS); 23, 26, 29, 32, 35 (women’s Tech TALK (high launch) TWS); 23, 26, 29, 32 (seniors’ TWS) The unassuming 17-4 stainless-steel head Tech TALK Tech TALK features more technology than meets the Both models feature thin clubhead walls The TWS has three internal weight pads eye: An internal weight pad in the sole and (0.6 millimeters) and a sole that’s distinctly on the perimeter of the sole to place the CG a thin, sloped crown are designed to lower wider than the crown. This allows back and low. This is designed to increase the CG and help raise the MOI. A plasma- designers to redistribute weight and move the MOI and help launch the ball more eas- welded, variable-thickness face is intended the CG deeper and 35 percent lower than ily. The large, laser-welded 275 maraging- to help players add ball speed. last year’s Burner Rescue. The longer, steel face is intended to provide consistent Player comments lighter shaft and grip are aimed at boost- ball speed across the entire face. (M) “Has a very powerful sound. Really ing clubhead speed. The smaller head has Player comments forgiving on mis-hits.” . . . (L) “This is the a slight fade bias, and the larger head is (M) “Just a fantastic golf club in all aspects. Holy Grail. I could hit this thing for a month. designed to draw the ball. It’s so easy to swing, and the weight seems Super-workable. Plus, it doubles as a driver Player comments just right. It has great distance, too.”. . . because you can use it off the tee on short (M) “It’s so forgiving, you can’t mis-hit it.” (L) “The leading edge makes you feel par 4s.”. . . (T) “It works the ball back into . . . (M) “I found the smaller version more like you can dig the ball off the ground and play even on heel shots.” appealing. Definitely very long and high.”. . . launch it way in the air for a mile.” Hot (L) “I hit it out of divots and off the toe, and Hot Extensive research—and 10 radial ribs in- it still performed well.” A genuine upgrade from DWS, it defines side the crown—went into tuning the sound Hot easy, and the smorgasbord of lofts of this club, to great effect. It’s one of the These two models from TaylorMade cover guarantees something for everyone. most solid-feeling hybrids on the market. all types of skill and size preferences. Not Not Not No maraging-steel face for women and The sloped crown and orange color might Wide, fairway-wood-style footprint might seniors. Why? turn off some traditionalists. not be the most versatile from all lies.

the numbers the numbers the numbers Face height...... 37 mm Face area ...... 24.5 cm² Face height...... 34 mm Face area ...... 21 cm² Face height (HL)...... 30 mm Face area ...... 18 cm² Heel to toe ...... 83 mm Head volume...... 110cc Heel to toe ...... 79 mm Head volume...... 100cc Heel to toe ...... 79 mm Head volume...... 110cc Front to back...... 61 mm Shaft length...... 40.5 in Front to back...... 63 mm Shaft length...... 40 in Front to back...... 69 mm Shaft length...... 39.5 in

PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★½

INNOVATION INNOVATION INNOVATION ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★★

look/sound/feel look/sound/feel look/sound/feel ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★½

DEMAND DEMAND DEMAND ★ ★★★★½ W ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★★ W

cobragolf.com pinggolf.com taylormadegolf.com

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panelists / SCIENTISTS

sILVER sILVER

clubs listed in alphabetical order john axe martin Lecanto, Fla., 7-hdcp. brouillette ADAMS CALLAWAY A retired physicist, Quebec, 6 idea pro gold ft Axe studied Trained at Caltech, STREET PRICE STREET PRICE features of solid this rocket scientist $220 $200 materials and teaches mechanical served as a tech- engineering at the lofts lofts nical advisor to University of 16, 18, 20, 23, 26 18, 21, 24, 27 several companies Sherbrooke and Tech TALK Tech TALK on ball-club researches high- A square-shape player’s hybrid might The FT’s stainless-steel body is equipped interaction. speed air flow. sound like an oxymoron, but the Idea Pro with a high-density, tungsten-infused sole Gold’s narrow sole, neutral face angle, that moves 50 percent of the clubhead’s lower-loft options, maraging-steel face weight to the sole. This optimizes launch and mid-range CG are designed for the conditions and offsets the weight of faster swinger who’s looking for a hybrid the longer hosel—a feature that allows with a high MOI that will produce a long- for a constant distance between the iron-like ball flight. leading edge of the face and the shaft axis throughout the different lofts. jack hu david lee Player comments Ann Arbor, Mich., 18 Wenham, Mass., 28 (M) “I really prefer the smaller profile of Player comments This professor and Associate professor this one; it feels like you can get it off the (M) “It has a nice sound and ball flight.” . . . associate dean for of physics at ground much easier.”. . . (L) “I hate how it (M) “Very traditional-looking. In a way it’s research in the Gordon College, looks, but it performs really well. There’s a almost too long—you definitely don’t need College of Lee is an expert in lot of ‘oomph’ when it strikes the ball.’’ . . . two of these in your bag. Really amazing Engineering at the advance-materials (T) “Set it down on the turf, and you can tell in the rough.”. . . (L) ‘‘A really solid club. It’ll University of science, including right away it’s a player’s club.” keep you in contention.’’ . . . (T) “It’s Michigan studies golf-club parts. He Hot forgiving on tough lies, even downhill.” manufacturing owns eight U.S. Maybe not a traditional look, but a real Hot systems. patents. crowd-pleaser for the high-speed set. The The technology’s hidden but powerful, and 17 custom-shaft options help, too. the look is almost vintage. The neutral and

P draw options serve two kinds of players. anelists Not Good luck getting more than $200 for Not a hybrid in this economy, and that sole Super game-improvement players need weight clogs with dirt. more help than the draw version offers. and scientist the numbers the numbers john mcphee george springer Face height...... 34 mm Face area ...... 24 cm² Face height...... 34 mm Face area ...... 20 cm² Waterloo, Ontario, 7 Stanford, Calif., 20 Heel to toe ...... 80 mm Head volume...... 98cc Heel to toe ...... 77 mm Head volume...... 104cc images Teaches systems- Professor in the Front to back...... 50 mm Shaft length...... 40 in Front to back...... 62 mm Shaft length...... 40.25 in design engineering department of at the University of aeronautics and charles Waterloo, Canada’s astronautics at PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE largest engineering Stanford University, ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★½ school. His expertise his studies include laberge is in design mixed materials ★ INNOVATION ★ INNOVATION optimization and and their uses in ★★★★ ★★★★ dynamic modeling. sports equipment. look/sound/feel look/sound/feel ★ ★★★½ ★ ★★★★½ want to know how we chose the six scientists shown above? visit DEMAND DEMAND golfdigest.com/go/hotlist ★ ★★★½ ★ ★★½ W to listen to the hot list judges explain their selection process. ADAMSgolf.com callawaygolf.com

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sILVER sILVER

Cleveland mizuno laberge launcher mx-700 charles STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $150 $160 lofts lofts 16, 19, 22, 25, 28 17, 20, 23, 26

Tech TALK Tech TALK H urter D on of The company’s first “traditional” hybrid The strong, lightweight ES230 steel face might be its most effective. Engineered on is plasma-welded to a 431 stainless-steel an iron chassis, the Launcher has a body to expand the hottest area of the I mages parabolic leading edge for easy turf inter- face. The drop-down crown design helps action, and the horseshoe-shape perimeter lower the club’s CG and allows lie and loft to sole weighting helps create the highest- be adjusted. ever MOI for a Cleveland hybrid. To save Player comments more weight, the crown has stayed low, and (M) “I could hit it blindfolded. Super per- the rear walls have been minimized. formance. Excellent ball flight.”. . . M( ) “The Player comments two-tone crown graphics are busy, but it (M) “Good feel and balance. It breeds sets up perfectly flat and square. Perfect, confidence.”. . . M( ) “I really like the look of aggressive ball flight.” . . . T( ) “It’s got a the longer head and how the ball jumps off hot face. Every ball felt like a flier—a great the clubface. This is the longest hybrid I’ve distance club. Trajectory was a little incon- hit.” . . . (M) “The alignment aid is distract- sistent, but that won’t bother the average ing, but this club is very easy to launch off player because the distance is there.” the ground and very forgiving.” Hot Hot Known for forged, soft-feeling irons, Proof that good sound, feel and Mizuno isn’t afraid to turn up the volume in performance don’t have to come with its utility metals. a hefty price tag and an odd shape. Not Not Another odd-looking crown decal that It’s unanimous: The flame alignment decal will keep some players moving on to the instruction tips looks like an unfinished tattoo. next contender. Don’t dig: THE HYBRID

the numbers the numbers will get the ball out Face height...... 36 mm Face area ...... 23.5 cm² Face height...... 32 mm Face area ...... 21.5 cm² The beauty of hybrids is that you Heel to toe ...... 80 mm Head volume...... 108cc Heel to toe ...... 88 mm Head volume...... 100cc can play them from almost any Front to back...... 58 mm Shaft length...... 40 in Front to back...... 64 mm Shaft length...... 40.25 in lie—even when your ball is in a divot hole. The sole of a hybrid, if used correctly, helps prevent the PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE clubhead from getting stuck in ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★ the crater. Most amateurs have a tendency to try to dig INNOVATION INNOVATION the ball out of this lie, and the result is usually a steep ★ ★★★½ ★ ★★★½ swing and poor contact. What you want to do is let the club glide through the divot. To hit the ball solidly, feel look/sound/feel look/sound/feel as if your shoulders are level as the club swings ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★½ through impact. That feeling will keep the bottom of your swing as level as possible. If your lead shoulder is DEMAND DEMAND lower than your trailing shoulder, the club will dig. ★ ★★★½ ★ ★★★ W Don Hurter, ranked among Golf Digest’s 50 Greatest Teachers in America, is based at Castle Pines Golf Club in Castle Rock, Colo. clevelandgolf.com mizunousa.com

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panelists / RETAILERS

sILVER sILVER

clubs listed in alphabetical order leigh bader casey baker South Easton, Mass. Ypsilanti, Mich. nickent ping Bader has co-owned The vice president 3dx rc rapture v2 Joe & Leigh’s Discount of operations at STREET PRICE STREET PRICE Golf Pro Shop at Pine Miles of Golf says $100 $200 Oaks Golf Course for 2009 “will bring 28 years. “You’ll see higher-lofted lofts lofts more sets that blur wedges, longer 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29 17, 20, 23, 27 the line between a shafts and more Tech TALK Tech TALK traditional hybrid and adjustable-face- The tungsten-polymer inserts in the sole An investment-cast 17-4 stainless-steel a hybrid-iron,” he says. angle drivers.” serve two purposes: They increase the body with a machined, variable-thickness club’s MOI by 25 percent over the original face has been plasma-welded to a two- 3DX Ironwood, making the club more tiered tungsten soleplate. That moves 48 stable through the swing, and the polymer percent of the clubhead’s weight to the backing helps dampen vibration. Six lofts sole and positions the CG low and deep to will fill every possible gap you might have enhance launch conditions. in your bag. Player comments Player comments (M) “Anyone could hit this. Very easy to john LyBERGER ken morton jr. Bethesda, Md. Sacramento, Calif. (M) “Goes right where you’re aiming, launch, and that scoop in the back isn’t good swing or bad. Easy to hit.” . . . distracting at all.”. . . (M) “It’s certainly The director of golf The vice president (M) “Destined to be a classic. It might not plenty long enough.” . . . (L) “Got to be the at Congressional of retail and be as forgiving, but when you hit the ball, farthest yet. Off the tee it released when it Country Club marketing at Haggin it goes.” . . . (M) “The weight and balance hit the ground.’’ . . . (T) ‘‘More penetrating says “component Oaks Golf Super made it very easy to swing. Good distance ball flight than the G10.” fitting and Shop says “the and a nice sound.’’ . . . (L) “I think I’m going interchangeable evolution of hybrids Hot to hit this well just by looking at it.’’ shafts are game- deeper in the set will The second go-round on Rapture is just changing and will be the iron- Hot as powerful and more playable. The weight be big in 2009.” technology story.” Nickent’s reputation was built on this movement is no small party trick. Plus, kind of quality. Golfers get tour-proven Ping’s fitting options are unmatched. P anelists performance for $100. Not Not Are we sure there’s a performance leap Off-center hits feel worse than on others. between this and the G10 at $50 less? and retailers the numbers the numbers dale robbins susan roll Face height...... 31 mm Face area ...... 22.5 cm² Face height...... 32 mm Face area ...... 22.5 cm² Knoxville, Tenn. Carlsbad, Calif. Heel to toe ...... 86 mm Head volume...... 100cc Heel to toe ...... 93 mm Head volume...... 100cc images The owner of Dale’s “People often Front to back...... 58 mm Shaft length...... 39 in Front to back...... 62 mm Shaft length...... 40 in Winning Edge Golf come to me with a Headquarters for jumbled mess of charles 20 years says “golf clubs, and they PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE companies with have no idea which ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★½ first-class fitting ones to pull out,” laberge systems will have says the co-owner ★ INNOVATION ★ INNOVATION a leg up, but it’ll be of Carlsbad Golf ★★★ ★★★★ a tough year.” Center. look/sound/feel look/sound/feel ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★ What do the judges have to say about our retailers? And what do DEMAND DEMAND retailers have to say about ★ ★★★½ W ★ ★★★ W the industry? Go to golfdigest.com /go/hotlist to find out. nickentgolf.com pinggolf.com

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sILVER sILVER

HYBRID: GOOD PLAYER iron: GOOD PLAYER titleist TOUR EDGE hybrid: AVERAGE PLAYER 909H EXOTICS XCG-V IRON: AVERAGE PLAYER 220 YARDS STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $190 $220 SWITCH TO 210 lofts lofts HYBRID> 15, 17, 19, 21, 24 16, 18, 21, 24 200 Tech TALK Tech TALK The size, shape, CG location and offset The lightweight, V-shape titanium cupface change gradually from loft to loft in this 17-4 is brazed to a heavy steel soleplate SWITCH TO 190 stainless-steel clubhead that also features a to move 66 percent of the clubhead’s HYBRID> fast, Carpenter 455 steel face insert. The face weight to the rear of the heel and toe for 180 is larger and longer than previous Titleist a higher MOI and improved launch. hybrids to add a touch more forgiveness. A A complicated brazing technique bonds factory-adjustable swingweight screw in the the two materials without leaving a weld. 170 back of the sole allows for customization The titanium hosel frees an additional and a low, deep CG. 30 grams of weight to add to the sole. 160 Player comments Player comments 4i / 4h 3i / 3h 2i / 2h 4i / 4h 3i / 3h (M) “Beautiful club. It looks like a BMW. (M) “A wind-cheater. It flies like nothing’s Simple and elegant.”. . . (T) “Great in its way—like a bullet.”. . . (L) “There’s TRACKMAN says trajectory. Not too spinny.”. . . (L) “I’ve never nothing bad about this golf club. No hit a Titleist hybrid I liked until now.”. . . manipulating necessary: You just set it where does your (L) “Super-traditional-looking at address. down perfectly and swing.”. . . (T) “I roasted Rock-solid feel at impact, and mis-hits a few out of divots.” swing fall apart? didn’t travel too far off-line.” Hot When it comes to versatility and ease of use, hybrids Hot This meaty hybrid is in fourth gear right have no peer. But just because a hybrid has the same It’s elegant and efficient, provided you out of the headcover. Its low spin rates give number (or loft) as the iron it’s replacing doesn’t mean have the training. it a distinctly metal-wood-like ball flight. it will go the same distance. In fact, where the gap becomes meaningful differs by player type. Not Not Using TrackMan ball-flight analysis, we tested This is truly a club for high-speed players Resale value can justify some expenditures, middle-handicappers hitting long irons and who don’t want a high-launching hybrid. but this brand isn’t there yet. corresponding hybrids. On average, the players we tested hit the 4-iron and 4-hybrid about the same distance (180 yards), and the 3-iron just four yards the numbers the numbers farther (184 yards). But the 3-hybrid went 192 yards, Face height...... 32 mm Face area ...... 23 cm² Face height...... 33 mm Face area ...... 22.5 cm² making it an ideal replacement for the 3-iron. Heel to toe ...... 86 mm Head volume...... 104cc Heel to toe ...... 86 mm Head volume...... 116cc We also tested low-handicappers. They hit hybrids Front to back...... 63 mm Shaft length...... 40.5 in Front to back...... 64 mm Shaft length...... 39.5 in farther than the corresponding iron in every instance, and that leaves a huge distance gap between the 4-hybrid and 5-iron—not a desirable scenario. Instead, PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE the low-handicappers tested should replace the 2-iron ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★½ with a low-lofted hybrid (16 to 19 degrees), which they INNOVATION INNOVATION hit an average of 215 yards. That’s 12 yards farther than ★ ★★★½ ★ ★★★★½ a 2-iron. (Their 3-iron went 197 yards and 4-iron 187 yards.) The 2-hybrid offers a better gap and a stronger look/sound/feel look/sound/feel option as a driving iron. ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★ Perhaps that explains why hybrids used on the PGA Tour tend to be lower-lofted. At last year’s Barclays DEMAND DEMAND ★ ★ W tournament (the first of four FedEx Cup playoff ★★★½ ★★½ events), 64 of the 92 hybrids used (69.6 percent) had less than 20 degrees of loft. —EMJ titleist.com touredge.com

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GOLD GOLD GOLD

clubs listed in alphabetical order ADAMS CALLAWAY mizuno idea tech a4 x-22 mx-200

STREET PRICE STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $800 (set of eight, steel) $700 $700 lofts lofts lofts 6-iron: 29 degrees, PW: 45 degrees 6-iron: 30, PW: 45 6-iron: 29, PW: 45 Tech TALK Tech TALK Tech TALK This is a combination set that includes a The sixth iteration of this cast club incorpo- An external power bar and an inner Y-shape pair of hybrids. The six forged irons are rates several hallmarks of previous X-series cavity pad extend the sweet spot toward made from a soft 8620 carbon steel and irons, such as a variable-thickness face and the toe to deliver forgiveness on mis-hits. feature a stabilizer bar designed to provide a 360-degree undercut channel that aids A slightly larger clubhead (than its MX-25 feedback at impact and improve feel. The in the location of the center of gravity (CG). predecessor) and a deep, milled pocket cavity-back design pushes weight to the The Tru-Bore hosel has a polycarbonate tip cavity help launch the ball high. perimeter for forgiveness. A four-way tour- for vibration control. Player comments cambered sole reduces turf interaction for Player comments (M) “I’m very impressed with the whole more consistent results. (M) “I could hit these blindfolded. Sign me set. It’s the ultimate point-and-shoot Player comments up right now.” . . . (M) “I was smoking the club.” . . . (L) “The traditional look hides (M) “Now this is a good idea! Loved being 3-iron. I can’t remember the last time I was the game-improvement features nicely, able to pick up some extra distance with able to do that.”. . . (T) “You can get forgive- and it has a blade feel on center strikes.” the hybrids.” . . . (T) “I like the hybrid-to-iron ness on just about every shot. That’s cool.” . . . (T) “The softest feel in a game- progression.” . . . (T) “Crisp impact with the . . . (T) “Doesn’t dig, yet doesn’t look boxy— improvement iron.” irons that any player could appreciate.” a rare combination.” Hot Hot Hot When it comes to forgings, few (if any) do it The hybrids, with Boxer technology that When you have a proven winner, there’s no better than Mizuno, and that extends from increases moment of inertia (MOI) and a need to change much, but upping the MOI its player’s irons to this game-improvement Mitsubishi Javln FX shaft, make this a set to is a nice bonus in forgiveness. That snazzy set. The aggressive, triple-cut sole is a cool consider. Reducing the number of hybrids cavity badge adds a touch of class, too. feature for those middle-handicappers from three to two is a plus in this category. Not who like to work the ball. Not There are three stock shaft-flex choices Not No matter how good, square hybrids look in graphite, but just one (UniFlex) in steel. The big, honkin’ sole on the long irons is a wrong in the minds of some. Excuse me? bit scary to look at.

the numbers the numbers the numbers Sole width (6-iron)...... 23 mm Topline ...... 6 mm Sole width (6-iron)...... 22 mm Topline ...... 9 mm Sole width (6-iron)...... 25 mm Topline ...... 7.1 mm Toe height ...... 55 mm Surface area...... 32.4 cm² Toe height ...... 57 mm Surface area...... 31.6 cm² Toe height ...... 55.2 mm Surface area...... 33 cm² Heel to toe...... 86 mm Stock shaft weight.....106 g Heel to toe...... 91.4 mm Stock shaft weight...... 110 g Heel to toe...... 88.4 mm Stock shaft weight...... 113 g

PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★½

INNOVATION INNOVATION INNOVATION ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★

look/sound/feel look/sound/feel look/sound/feel ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★½

DEMAND DEMAND DEMAND ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★★ W ★ ★★★★ W

adamsgolf.com callawaygolf.com MIZUNOUSA.com

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GOLD GOLD GOLD

PING TAYLORMADE TITLEIST G10 BURNER AP1

STREET PRICE STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $700 $700 $700 lofts lofts lofts 6-iron: 30.5, PW: 46 6-iron: 27, PW: 45 6-iron: 29, PW: 45 Tech TALK Tech TALK Tech TALK A deep cavity allows Ping’s engineers to TaylorMade has taken its core driver Made from multiple materials, the AP1 uses concentrate more weight in the perimeter technologies and used them in a progres- a tungsten-nickel box that is laser-welded and low-toe areas to increase MOI and sive iron design. Features include the to the back and sole to place the CG low optimize the CG. Offsets are larger in the sweet-spot enhancing inverted-cone face and deep, promoting a higher launch. A long irons (for more forgiveness and higher technology and a reduced total club weight dual cavity helps push weight to the club’s launch) and less in the short irons (to con- through the lightweight grip and lighter, perimeter, and an elastomer cushion helps trol trajectory). The wide sole is designed longer shafts to increase ball speed. dampen vibration. to move the CG away from the face, thus Player comments Player comments promoting a high launch. (M) “There is nothing not to like about this (M) “Titleist has finally answered the call Player comments club. Simply the best.” . . . (L) “The gold to middle-handicappers.” . . . (L) “A surpris- (L) ‘‘It’s a club that has a combination of standard. This iron inspires the kind of ingly forgiving club. I hit it thin and saved everything going for it: the look, the con- confidence you want.” . . . L( ) “The name the shot. I’m very impressed.” . . . (T) “It’s sistency, the trajectory, the sound, the feel. fits—this oneis a burner. By far the longest nice being able to stand up there and know This one has it all.” . . . (M) “It’s all about in this group.” . . . (T) “Wow! Even a solid you don’t have to hit it perfect. Feels better forgiveness.” single-digit player could use these clubs.” than any other cast.” Hot Hot Hot This iron has been one of the category’s A round of applause for targeting the dis- In prior years Titleist has stepped up its leading sellers since its debut, and it’s tance-gap issue and smartly using lofts and game in this category, but this club qualifies easy to see why. The game-improvement club lengths to address it. Expect this club as a huge leap. Even the Aldila VS Proto features are disguised, and Ping is a master to supplant the Tour Burner as the most graphite-shaft option won’t turn off the at offering fitting and set-makeup options popular iron in the TaylorMade line. traditional Titleist player. galore. Too big a look for you? Try i10. Not Not Not It will take time for some to get used to the Long irons are still too close to tour level The irons lag in the soft-feel department. longer-shafted long irons. and a little too far from hacker level. the numbers the numbers the numbers Sole width (6-iron).. 23.4 mm Topline ...... 7.5 mm Sole width (6-iron).... 25 mm Topline ...... 8 mm Sole width (6-iron).. 22.3 mm Topline ...... 8.4 mm Toe height ...... 54 mm Surface area...... 31.5 cm² Toe height ...... 57.6 mm Surface area...... 33 cm² Toe height ...... 55 mm Surface area...... 32 cm² Heel to toe...... 84.5 mm Stock shaft weight..... 99 g Heel to toe...... 90 mm Stock shaft weight..... 85 g Heel to toe...... 91 mm Stock shaft weight.....120 g

PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★½

INNOVATION INNOVATION INNOVATION ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★½

look/sound/feel look/sound/feel look/sound/feel ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★

DEMAND DEMAND DEMAND ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★½

PINGgolf.com TAYLORMADEGOLF.com TITLEIST.com

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sILVER sILVER

TRACKMAN SAYS clubs listed in alphabetical order steel shafts CALLAWAY CLEVELAND aren’t for every- FT cg7

one STREET PRICE STREET PRICE What’s the difference between a steel iron shaft and $1,100 $600 a graphite iron shaft of the same flex? To study this lofts lofts consumer conundrum, our 5-handicapper hit two 6-iron: 30, PW: 45 6-iron: 29, PW: 45 7-irons—one with a stiff-flex shaft in steel and one in Tech TALK Tech TALK graphite. Our 14-handicapper did the same, except A tungsten-nickel alloy cradle that is 20 Microcavities reduce weight in the topline with a regular-flex shaft in steel and graphite. percent heavier than stainless steel that is distributed to the sole. Additionally, The steel shaft worked best for the 5-handicapper. surrounds a thin titanium face. The result the microcavities progressively decrease He averaged eight more yards in carry distance, and his is that 80 percent of the clubhead’s weight in size from 3-iron through pitching shots had a tighter dispersion. Conversely, the has been pushed to the perimeter, boosting wedge to optimize the location of the CG 14-handicapper was more accurate with the graphite- MOI. A thermoplastic-urethane cavity insert horizontally and vertically, moving from shafted 7-iron and hit it three yards farther on average. improves feel by reducing vibration. a small heel bias on the long irons (to fight Another bonus: His maximum trajectory was 2.5 yards a slice) to the center on short irons. higher with the graphite shaft. Player comments “Graphite shafts usually have lower bend points (M) “I could put it in the bag tomorrow and Player comments than steel shafts, and so they tend to kick the ball up score better.” . . . (M) “It felt so good, I was (M) “They cut through the turf so well. I in the air,” says Mike Dickerson, president of the looking for a forged stamp.” (L) “How great could hit these clubs all day.” . . . (M) “Felt International Professional Association of Clubfitters. does this club feel? I shanked one, and it like I didn’t have to muscle the shot, which “In general, driver swings of 95 to 100 miles per hour is wasn’t awful.” . . . (T) “The rounded shape was great.” . . . (L) “Looks too big, but when the range where you can play either graphite or steel is pleasing, not overdone.” . . . (T) “Get in the you hit it, my word, does it fly.” shafts. I often ask people if they’re a hitter or a swinger right shaft, and you’re home free. The club Hot to help them decide. A hitter is someone with tempo will do the rest.” A ton of tech for the money, the CG7’s CG is like Jesper Parnevik who really goes after it. I’ll steer Hot 10 percent deeper than last year’s CG Gold, that person toward steel. However, a swinger, or One of the sexiest-looking irons on the with 5 percent more MOI. There is a lot someone with tempo more like Freddie Couples, I’ll shelf. The titanium face on the long irons going on in back, but you don’t hit the ball steer toward graphite.” has Formula One horsepower, and the short with aesthetics. The trajectory is powerful, So the difference between steel and graphite irons don’t sacrifice control. and it forgives faster than your best friend. depends on who’s swinging it. —MA Not Not With this price tag, it’s a good thing gas The clunky-ness factor is fairly noticeable, prices have come down. especially in the short irons. good player AVERAGE player the numbers the numbers Sole width (6-iron)...... 22 mm Topline ...... 9 mm Sole width (6-iron)...... 18 mm Topline ...... 7 mm 30 YARDS Toe height ...... 56 mm Surface area...... 33 cm² Toe height ...... 55 mm Surface area...... 32 cm² Heel to toe...... 92 mm Stock shaft weight..... 110 g Heel to toe...... 85.6 mm Stock shaft weight...... 117 g 20

10 PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★½ 0

0 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 INNOVATION INNOVATION ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★ GRAPHITE steel look/sound/feel look/sound/feel ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★½ we realize that Budgets have gotten tighter. That’s why you can keep track DEMAND DEMAND of how much you’re virtually spending ★ ★★½ W ★ ★★★½ when you build your ideal set of clubs at golfdigest.com/go/hotlist. callawaygolf.com clevelandgolf.com

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sILVER sILVER

NIKE tour edge laberge VR FULL CAVITY EXOTICS XCG charles STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $700 $600 lofts lofts

6-iron: 30, PW: 45 6-iron: 29, PW: 46 mages I uss Tech TALK Tech TALK An increase in the face thickness as the The dual-density dampening system uses G ason club moves from topline to sole is designed a soft insert in the 7-iron through pitching J to lower the CG. The undercut cavity is wedge for added feel around the greens. contoured to position weight behind the The long irons have a firmer insert for a center of the clubface for better feel. more solid feel. The tour grind on the heel Player comments section is designed to reduce grabbing. (M) “Nike has amazed me with its Player comments continuous improvement in looks, design (M) “The variability on mis-hits was so and feel in the irons.” . . . (M) “Easy to small, the shots would be on the green.” . . . hit, very stable, and it made it effortless (L) “One of the better ones. Sound to repeat my swing.” (L) “It’s a lot cleaner and feel were great.” . . . (T) “Good, sharp looking than most game-improvement feel coming off the head. This is a nice set.” irons. It went through the turf perfectly.” Hot Hot Somewhat of a player’s look in a club The 4-iron-through-AW set configuration with more than enough technology, this is perfect for this level of player. The iron will prove to anyone not already Eaton grip—which is designed for added convinced that Tour Edge is more than traction on the top and a softer feel just the “good value” company. In fact, on the bottom—is a sound idea. Better still it might be the best iron the company is a sole that has been smartly designed has ever made. to interact with the turf from various Not attack angles. The 5-degree gaps between the 8-iron, Not 9-iron and pitching wedge are too large for instruction tips Lacks the visual pizazz and technological the scoring clubs. wizardry you’d expect from Nike. ‘PUll’ the club down

the numbers the numbers with your knee Sole width (6-iron)....24.4 mm Topline...... 9 mm Sole width (6-iron)...... 22 mm Topline...... 7 mm Game-improvement irons have Toe height...... 56.6 mm Surface area...... 31.3 cm² Toe height...... 54 mm Surface area ...... 33 cm² made it easier than ever for Heel to toe...... 88.4 mm Stock shaft weight.....120 g Heel to toe...... 87 mm Stock shaft weight.....120 g beginners to hit passable shots. But to start hitting it pure, you need to get into the proper PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE impact position. You can do this ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★½ with some simple swing imagery. As you complete your INNOVATION INNOVATION backswing, picture a string connecting the butt end of ★ ★★★½ ★ ★★★★ the club to your right knee. To get your hands to start down, imagine that your right knee has to move first to look/sound/feel look/sound/feel pull the club toward the ball. This will help you start the ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★ downswing with your lower body and move your weight laterally to your front foot and will put you in position DEMAND DEMAND to hit down on the ball. ★ ★★★½ W ★ ★★½ W JASON GUSS, ranked among Golf Digest’s top-10 teachers in Michigan as voted by his peers, is based at the Treetops Resort in Gaylord. NIKEGolf.com TOUREDGE.com

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GOLD GOLD GOLD

clubs listed in alphabetical order ADAMS Cleveland cobra idea tech a40s hibore xli sz

STREET PRICE STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $900 (set of eight, graphite) $700 $800 lofts lofts lofts 6-iron: 28 degrees, PW: 44 degrees 6-iron: 30, PW: 45 6-iron: 29, PW: 44 Tech TALK Tech TALK Tech TALK Adams has tweaked its set makeup from Cleveland has stuck to its hollow-construc- A shorter hosel lowers the CG, and the last year’s a3OS by adding a hybrid-like tion concept, but it redesigned this hybrid hefty offset helps promote a draw. The 9-iron, leaving one cavity-back iron set to include a larger chassis and face area, wide sole—nearly 20 percent wider than (the pitching wedge) instead of two. The along with progressive sole widths (thinner the S9 model—helps prevent digging Boxer hybrids have a magnesium crown as you move toward the short irons). into the turf, and it allows the CG to be that is 77 percent lighter than stainless Player comments moved back to improve lift. steel. The hybrids feature tungsten weights (H) “I can go home right now as long as I Player comments in the heel and toe to improve forgiveness. can take these with me. They feel crisp, and (H) “Love the sole. There’s no way to chunk Player comments I’ve never been able to hit a hybrid before— it with these.” . . . (H) “Effortless. It doesn’t (H) “It’s not a club you’d fall in love with let alone an entire set.” . . . (M) “You’d never feel like I’m hitting the ball, just swinging looking at it on the rack, but you do once know the clubhead was hollow from the the club.” . . . (M) “A really high flight. It just you hit it.” . . . (M) “The feel is fantastic sound. It’s sweet!” . . . (M) “Much improved seems to soar out there.” . . . (M) “There’s no for this kind of club, and the transition over the previous version.” vibration anywhere when you hit it, even on throughout the set seems spot-on.” Hot the thinnest of shots.” Hot The number of shaft options for a hacker Hot When it comes to helping golfers, Adams set is impressive, and the redesign has The swings in this player group are widely clearly makes an effort. A maraging-steel resulted in a sleeker-looking clubhead that varied, making custom options critical, and face and the pull-face construction on the is more palatable at address. Even the Cobra doesn’t disappoint. Among the high- hybrids give choppers added distance, short irons don’t look offensive—no small lights are the ability to move the lie angle and Adams doesn’t skimp on the shaft feat in an all-hybrid set. up or down 4 degrees and no restrictions on (Graphite Design’s Tour AD YSQ-HL). Not custom set makeup. Not The hybrid sand-wedge option is pushing Not Wood-like hybrids extending to the 5-iron the concept too far. What’s next, a hybrid For a company so successful in hybrids, the slot might not suit some players. chipper? lack of them in the standard set is puzzling. the numbers the numbers the Numbers Sole width (6-iron)..... 31.1 mm Topline ...... 11 mm Sole width (6-iron)...... 45 mm Topline ...... 11 mm Sole width (6-iron).... 27.3 mm Topline ...... 9.5 mm Toe height ...... 55 mm Surface area...... 34 cm² Toe height ...... 49.2 mm Surface area...... 29.6 cm² Toe height ...... 54 mm Surface area...... 33 cm² Heel to toe...... 89.3 mm Stock shaft weight...... 86 g Heel to toe...... 86 mm Stock shaft weight...... 78 g Heel to toe...... 90 mm Stock shaft weight...... 70 g

PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★★

INNOVATION INNOVATION INNOVATION ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★

look/sound/feel look/sound/feel look/sound/feel ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★★

DEMAND DEMAND DEMAND ★ ★★★★ W ★ ★★★★ W ★ ★★★★★ W

adamsgolf.com clevelandgolf.com COBRAgolf.com

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GOLD GOLD GOLD

mizuno nike Taylormade mx-100 slingshot hl burner plus STREET PRICE STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $700 $700 $800 loft lofts lofts 6-iron: 29, PW: 45 6-iron: 30, PW: 45 6-iron: 28, PW: 45 Tech TALK Tech TALK Tech TALK The hybrids are designed with a drop-down The set has three hybrids (3, 4 and 5) The oversize head has generous offset and crown that allows them to be bent for loft and “slingback” game-improvement irons a wide sole to help the strong-lofted irons and lie-angle adjustments. Like the MX- that feature more offset in the middle get the ball airborne. A thin (2.4 millimeter) 200, the Y-Tune bar pushes weight to the irons than in the short irons. The middle clubface combines with the company’s toe to help mis-hits, and the Exsar graphite irons have an elongated face to increase inverted-cone technology to optimize shaft comes in regular (65-gram) and light MOI. This helps improve ball speed on ball speed on off-center hits. A longer, (60-gram) versions. For those seeking mis-hits. Nike worked with shaftmaker UST lightweight shaft is designed to further custom-shaft options, Mizuno offers 48. on a proprietary graphite-shaft option. enhance distance. The CG is positioned to Player comments Player comments promote launch and spin (as much as 300 (H) “This set makes a perfect transition (H) “These irons get up so high they might revolutions per minute). This allows the from hybrids to irons. Are the hybrid shafts need a parachute for landing.” . . . lofts to be strengthened by 1 degree. shorter than normal?” . . . (M) “What you (M) “Cool-looking and contemporary. Center Player comments get is a repeatable ball flight with no crazy hits feel soft; I wasn’t expecting that.” . . . (H) “They pretty much have it all: good jumps.” . . . (M) “This club is in the wrong (M) “Provides a confident feel at address.” distance, solid impact, no slice and great category—and I mean that as a compliment. Hot feel.” . . . (M) “Whoa! Absolutely no need to It has the feel of a player’s blade.” The sole design is a hallmark of Nike irons, lay up with these irons in the bag.” Hot and that attention to detail shows—not Hot Mizuno gets major kudos for starting the only in the variable width sole of the The large clubhead and thick topline help set with 4- and 5-hybrids that use 4- and 6-iron through pitching wedge, but in the create a “can’t miss” confidence. And for 5-iron-length shafts, respectively. We’d like functional keel-sole design of the hybrids players who aren’t able to hit a 3- or 4-iron, to see more companies follow. that cuts through lettuce-like rough. there’s an option to grab a pair of Burner Not Not Rescue clubs for an extra $100. A lightweight steel shaft would be nice. High-handicappers might hit a few worm Not burners with the 19-degree 3-hybrid. Burner Rescues should be standard.

the numbers the numbers Sole width (6-iron).... 31.3 mm Topline ...... 8.1 mm Sole width (6-iron)....29.5 mm Topline ...... 8.6 mm Sole width (6-iron)...... 31 mm Topline ...... 9.1 mm Toe height ...... 51 mm Surface area...... 34.5 cm² Toe height ...... 51.4 mm Surface area...... 31 cm² Toe height ...... 56 mm Surface area...... 33 cm² Heel to toe...... 92 mm Stock shaft weight...... 65 g Heel to toe...... 90 mm Stock shaft weight...... 94 g Heel to toe...... 90.1 mm Stock shaft weight...... 85 g

PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★

INNOVATION INNOVATION INNOVATION ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★½

look/sound/feel look/sound/feel look/sound/feel ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★

DEMAND DEMAND DEMAND ★ ★★★ W ★ ★★★½ W ★ ★★★★½ W

MIZUNOUSA.com NIKEGOLF.com taylormadegolf.com

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sILVER sILVER sILVER

clubs listed in alphabetical order CALLAWAY CALLAWAY NICKLAUS big bertha FT I-BRID polarity hct

STREET PRICE STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $650 $1,500 $700 lofts lofts lofts 6-iron: 29, PW: 45 6-iron: 28, PW: 44 6-iron: 28, PW: 44 Tech TALK Tech TALK Tech TALK A 360-degree undercut channel improves The multimaterial construction allows The sole on the hybrids has a center rail perimeter weighting by moving the CG weight to be moved to the perimeter of the loaded with 50 grams of weight to lower low and toward the back of the clubhead, clubhead, and a lightweight titanium body the CG. Thin rails on each side of the club- providing stability and added forgiveness. allows for an oversize clubhead with more head are designed to reduce turf drag. The There’s a tip plug at the end of the shaft offset for optimum forgiveness. Tungsten- 5-, 6- and 7-irons use a thin, high-strength to dampen vibration. nickel weight ports in the sole are designed Carpenter steel sheet face that is plasma- Player comments to improve MOI and stability. welded to a cast stainless-steel body for (H) “I hate the large flange on the hybrid Player comments a hotter face. Short irons have a narrower 3-iron but, man, does it go.” . . . (H) “It’s got a (H) “This is like Tiger’s putt on the 17th at sole width for greater playability. powerful sound and ball flight.” . . . TPC Sawgrass: better than most.” . . . Player comments (M) “It’s just about impossible to slice or (M) “Going, going, gone! A home run!” . . . (H) “The best 3-hybrid of all the sets.” . . . hook these.” . . . (M) “There’s a comfort to the (M) “A classic Callaway helper club that has (M) “Jack is back! Terrific. Club is attractive, rounded toe on the middle and short irons.” it all. The feel is superb, and it seems like well-balanced and delivers great ball flight. Hot the ball stays on the face longer.” They finally got it right.” . . . M( ) “What an Once the darling of super-choppers Hot eye-opener. The hybrids are elegant and everywhere, Bertha has more than held her There’s no denying that Callaway has found bomb it. Nice transition through the set.” own as the competition in this category has useful ways to bring Fusion technology Hot grown fierce. Giving players the option of to its clubs, including the FT i-Brid. The The multitiered approach to the set makes more traditional 3- through 5-irons instead hybrids in this set are game-changers, and perfect sense, and the 100-gram FST shaft of the hybrid-like irons was a heady move. the oversize middle and short irons are like is intriguing. Plus, it has the Nicklaus name. Not having training wheels on golf clubs. And we’re not talking about Bill Nicklaus. Wouldn’t it be easier for all involved if Not Not they just made a traditional-looking hybrid For the $1,500 price tag, you could buy a We doubt we’d ever catch the Golden Bear for this set? used car with actual wheels. using a 44-degree pitching wedge. the numbers the numbers the numbers Sole width (6-iron).... 26 mm Topline ...... 11 mm Sole width (6-iron)... 31.4 mm Topline ...... 10.5 mm Sole width (6-iron).. 26.2 mm Topline ...... 9.3 mm Toe height ...... 56 mm Surface area...... 32 cm² Toe height ...... 56.6 mm Surface area...... 36 cm² Toe height ...... 57 mm Surface area...... 34 cm² Heel to toe...... 87 mm Stock shaft weight...... 75 g Heel to toe...... 99.7 mm Stock shaft weight...... 75 g Heel to toe...... 91 mm Stock shaft weight...... 82 g

PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★½

INNOVATION INNOVATION INNOVATION ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★½

look/sound/feel look/sound/feel look/sound/feel ★ ★★★½ ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★

DEMAND DEMAND DEMAND ★ ★★★★ W ★ ★★½ W ★ ★★ W

CALLAWAYgolf.com CALLAWAYgolf.com nicklausgolf.com

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sILVER sILVER

B

PING wilson laberge rapture v2 DI9 charles STREET PRICE STREET PRICe $1,200 $550 lofts lofts 6-iron: 29, PW: 45 6-iron: 28.5, PW: 42.5 Tech TALK Tech TALK A technological treat made of multiple After Wilson’s research revealed that more materials (a tungsten weight in the sole, than 80 percent of iron strikes are from I mages K ersting odd a titanium face and a stainless-steel the center to the toe area, the company T body) that place weight where it’s most turned its focus to helping players with needed. A tuning port is designed to help mis-hits on the toe by increasing the hosel stabilize the titanium face for improved length, using wide-tip shaft technology and feel and consistency. moving weight to the toe. A wider sole and Player comments lower blade height than its predecessor (H) “They make you feel and play like a big help increase MOI as well. boy. Are the lofts jacked up on these?” . . . Player comments (M) “Just effortless distance.” . . . (M) “You (H) “A nice, clean look for such a forgiving can’t really see any of the crazy stuff, and set.” . . . (M) “Even the wide shaft seems to that’s good. The topline is a bit thick, but fit nicely with this set.” . . . M( ) “I think it’s that’s about it.” . . . (H) “Dynamite clubs. safe to say anyone could play with these.” A great impact experience every time.” Hot Hot Padraig Harrington’s major wins have given The ascending-weight shaft system (with the company some visibility, and golfers lighter shafts in the long irons and heavier would be wise to give this iron a look. The shafts in the short irons) shows smarts, but urethane badge offers a syrupy feel for a what really rocks is Ping’s online Web-Fit super game-improvement iron. A program. For do-it-yourself fitting, this is as Not good as it gets. Calling a 42.5-degree club a pitching Not wedge is misleading. Calling an 18-degree instruction tips Why even make a 3-iron? club a 3-iron is dangerous. hide your cell phone

the numbers the numbers to hit solid irons Sole width (6-iron).... 32.2 mm Topline ...... 9 mm Sole width (6-iron)....25.6 mm Topline ...... 8 mm Considering the advancements Toe height ...... 54.3 mm Surface area...... 32.4 cm² Toe height ...... 53 mm Surface area...... 30 cm² in iron technology, especially in Heel to toe...... 94.2 mm Stock shaft weight...... 71 g Heel to toe...... 87 mm Stock shaft weight...... 99 g super game-improvement clubs, the time to trust the club to get the ball airborne is here. Yet I PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE still see amateurs keeping their ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★½ weight on their back foot and trying to scoop the ball INNOVATION INNOVATION into the air. This scooping motion often results in poor ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★½ contact. I’ve never been a fan of cell phones on the course, but if you want to hit solid shots, I’ve found a look/sound/feel look/sound/feel good use for your mobile phone. Clip it to your left hip ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★½ (A), and practice hitting shots trying to hide the phone from view. If you hang back, it’ll still be visible. DEMAND DEMAND ★ W ★ But if you shift your weight to your front foot and ★★★ ★★½ rotate around that leg, your hip turn will move the phone out of sight (B). TODD KERSTING pingGOLF.com wilson.com

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GOLD GOLD GOLD

clubs listed in alphabetical order CALLAWAY MIZUNO MIZUNO x-22 tour MP-52 MP-62

STREET PRICE STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $800 (set of eight, steel) $900 $900 Lofts Lofts Lofts 6-iron: 30 degrees, PW: 46 degrees 6-iron: 31, PW: 47 6-iron: 31, PW: 47 Tech TALK Tech TALK Tech TALK To get the CG low and toward the center A pair of deep, crescent-shape pockets The dual-muscle design blends two muscle of the face (as opposed to some irons that are milled into the back cavity, saving 14 pads—the outer pad allows Mizuno’s have the CG high and toward the heel), Cal- grams of weight that has been moved engineers to precisely place the CG in each laway thinned out the hosel and topline, lower. The sole design, with a rolled leading iron, and the inner pad puts mass behind lowered the blade height and redistributed edge, cambered mid-sole and beveled the sweet spot for optimal feel. And, of weight in the undercut channel. trailing edge, is designed to improve turf course, the iron features the company’s Player comments interaction in a variety of conditions. “grain-flow” forging process. (L) “Not the cleanest topline in the world, Player comments Player comments but it’s a fine club.” . . . L( ) “This one is for (T) “Excellent across the board. (T) “Surprisingly good workability in the me!”. . . (T) “The compact head and lack of Forgiveness in longer irons was short irons.” . . . (L) “The harder you hit offset make this a club that is classic and exceptional.” . . . (L) “I bought the MP-60s these, the softer they feel. That’s a pretty pure. A nice feel for cast, too.” but could never adapt to them. These are neat trick.” . . . (T) “Slightly lower trajectory Hot much better than those.”. . . (T) “I like the and more responsive than the MP-52.” Although it says X-22 Tour on the badge, this fact that off-center hits still felt solid.” Hot iron is less like its predecessor, the X-20 Tour, Hot A Plain Jane that scores well in the talent and more like the X-Tour, one of our favorites The sole is a bit beefier than you’d expect portion of the competition. The sole glides from the 2006 Hot List. It’s a change we in an MP iron, but these are a fine option through the turf, and the minimal offset favor, along with the sole design that fea- for the player who wants the sweet, forged helps move the ball anywhere you want it tures a beveled trailing edge that narrows feel of a Mizuno iron but doesn’t have quite to go. If you’ve got game, you’d be a fool the sole. The X-20 Tour was a player’s club enough game to handle the MP-62. not to look at these. for wannabes. This one is the real deal. Not Not Not Unfortunately, you can catch a glimpse Stronger players will gravitate to this club, When it comes right down to it, the iron still of the pocket cavity at address on the so we’d like to see the stock shafts include emphasizes forgiveness over feel. 3- and 4-irons. the Project X 6.0, not just the 5.5.

the numbers the numbers the numbers Sole width (6-iron).... 16.4 mm Topline ...... 5.4 mm Sole width (6-iron)... 20.5 mm Topline ...... 5.5 mm Sole width (6-iron)...... 19 mm Topline ...... 6 mm Toe height ...... 54 mm Surface area...... 30.2 cm² Toe height ...... 56.6 mm Surface area...... 32 cm² Toe height ...... 54.3 mm Surface area...... 29.3 cm² Heel to toe...... 88 mm Stock shaft weight.....120 g Heel to toe...... 86.4 mm Stock shaft weight..... 125 g Heel to toe...... 84 mm Stock shaft weight..... 125 g

PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★½

INNOVATION INNOVATION INNOVATION ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★

look/sound/feel look/sound/feel look/sound/feel ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★½

DEMAND DEMAND DEMAND ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★

callawaygolf.com MIZUNOUSA.com MIZUNOUSA.com

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GOLD GOLD laberge charles

TAYLORMADE TITLEIST tour preferred AP2 STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $900 $1,000 Lofts Lofts I mages orgensen J oralee

6-iron: 31, PW: 47 6-iron: 31, PW: 47 C Tech TALK Tech TALK The look of the TaylorMade player’s iron Although it has an elastomer cushion and a has been streamlined. It features a thinner dual-cavity design similar to the AP1, there topline and incorporates a shorter blade are distinct differences, starting with the length from heel to toe than the r7 TP. The club being forged from carbon steel instead inverted-cone technology helps to optimize of cast from stainless steel. The lofts are distance on off-center hits, and the 2 degrees weaker than the AP1 in the 6-iron undercut cavity moves weight to the heel through pitching wedge, and the stock and toe, increasing MOI. shaft is the Project X. Player comments Player comments (L) “There seems to be a bit more space out (T) “Workability and feel were there. Even on the toe, but it looks good at address.” . . . the toe hits held on.” . . . (T) “A soft feeling (T) “Perhaps the most forgiving club in this that gives you feedback to help you tune category.” . . . (T) “As much confidence over your swing.” . . . (L) “This is a clear winner. the ball as I’ve ever had.” Hit it the highest and longest of all.” Hot Hot An effective mix of classic look and When designing irons for better players, contemporary technology. The SelectFit the challenge for engineers is how much fitting system is an idea that makes game improvement is appropriate. This instruction tips tremendous sense, especially when trying forged club strikes just the right balance, to sell to players at this level. with more playability and better looks and USE two TEES To FIND Not feel than any of its predecessors. THE SWEET SPOT The inverted cone is not as large as the Not The reason the best golfers cosmetics lead you to believe. At least that’s The topline is a tad thicker than some in choose player’s irons is that what we saw when we peeled off the badge. this category. So is the price tag. they offer great control, workability and distance—but the numbers the numbers only if you hit the ball on the Sole width (6-iron)...... 22 mm Topline ...... 6.7 mm Sole width (6-iron).... 21.5 mm Topline ...... 6.6 mm sweet spot of the club. However, Toe height ...... 56.5 mm Surface area...... 32 cm² Toe height ...... 54 mm Surface area...... 32 cm² if you’ve ever seen one of these irons up close, you know Heel to toe...... 89 mm Stock shaft weight.... 124 g Heel to toe...... 83.3 mm Stock shaft weight.....120 g the sweet spot isn’t very big. To hone a swing that delivers a center-face hit every time, try this tee drill: Place two tees in the ground about four inches apart, PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE and put a ball between them. Now take one of the most ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★★ unforgiving irons in the bag, say, the 4-iron, and practice hitting the ball without touching either tee. This drill INNOVATION INNOVATION will help you pure your irons consistently. ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★★ Coralee Jorgensen, Golf Digest’s No. 1 teacher in South Dakota as voted by her peers, works at Westward Ho Country Club in Sioux Falls. look/sound/feel look/sound/feel ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★★ the Teachers we invite to the hot DEMAND DEMAND list summit are top-ranked, and ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★★ they have a wealth of knowledge to share. go to golfdigest.com/go/ hotlist to read more tips. TAYLORMADEGOLF.com TITLEIST.com

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sILVER sILVER sILVER

clubs listed in alphabetical order adams CALLAWAY ping idea pro gold x-forged s57

STREET PRICE STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $900 $900 $900 Lofts Lofts Lofts 6-iron: 30, PW: 46 6-iron: 31, PW: 47 6-iron: 30.5, PW: 47 Tech TALK Tech TALK Tech TALK Two shallow Boxer hybrids complement six The short blade length and minimal offset The dense tungsten toe weight, longer hosel carbon-steel, forged cavity-back irons that appeal to the traditionalist, even if they and small cavity are designed to increase have grooves with 14 percent more volume are un-Callaway like. The CG is lower in the MOI for forgiveness. The dual-stabilizing than the original Idea Pro. The mirror- long irons and moves progressively—but bars in the cavity and urethane insert help chrome plating and the constant offset subtly—higher through the set to create the improve feel. Ping’s Web-Fit system will provide a traditional look. proper ball flight with each club. make sure you’re correctly matched to one Player comments Player comments of the company’s 12 color codes. (L) “The finish on these is as pretty as (L) “Love the old-school look.” . . . Player comments anything I’ve seen.” . . . (L) “I’m not a fan (T) “You’ve got to be on your game to use (L) “This club produces shots with a of the hybrids, but I would play these irons these. A beautiful set, but definitely not nice, climbing trajectory.” . . . (L) “Quite any day.” . . . (T) “These are the perfect for the weekend warrior.” . . . (T) “A terrific workable. Everything you would want in recommendation for a player who likes the player’s iron for a company long associated a player’s iron.” . . . (T) “Good, sharp feel look of a player’s iron but doesn’t have the with game improvement.” coming off the head. Not the softest feel, skill to hit a player’s 3- or 4-iron.” Hot but it’s still a nice club.” Hot It has the thinnest topline, narrowest sole, Hot The shaft options (Project X for steel least offset and shortest blade length of any This is a stellar upgrade from the S58 and and Mitsubishi Javln FX for hybrids) are a Callaway iron. This should appeal to those S59 offerings, both in technology and nice surprise. This is the only player’s iron turned off by the more game-improvement appearance. With this clean-looking club to make our list that comes with hybrids X-22 Tour. Ernie Els and Annika Sorenstam and its game-improvement features, Ping standard, and the one that replaces the used these irons during wins in 2008. continues to add the form to the function it 3-iron is nothing short of cheating. Not has long been known for. Not Ernie and Annika can hit these. But Not However, two hybrids in a player’s set is one new endorser Justin Timberlake, like most The cast feel remains noticeable in a too many. 6-handicappers, would struggle. mostly forged field.

the numbers the numbers the numbers Sole width (6-iron).... 20 mm Top line ...... 5.6 mm Sole width (6-iron).....17.2 mm Top line ...... 6.2 mm Sole width (6-iron)...... 19 mm Top line ...... 8 mm Toe height ...... 53.4 mm Surface area...... 31 cm² Toe height ...... 54.4 mm Surface area...... 31.5 cm² Toe height ...... 50.5 mm Surface area...... 29 cm² Heel to toe...... 84 mm Stock shaft weight.... 120 g Heel to toe...... 84 mm Stock shaft weight.....120 g Heel to toe...... 84.7 mm Stock shaft weight.... 124 g

PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★

INNOVATION INNOVATION INNOVATION ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★½ ★ ★★★★½

look/sound/feel look/sound/feel look/sound/feel ★ ★★★½ ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★½

DEMAND DEMAND DEMAND ★ ★★★ ★ ★★★½ ★ ★★★½

ADAMSgolf.com CALLAWAYgolf.com pinggolf.com

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women’s Report YOUR GAME is worth an upgrade Last March, during a fun-filled but hard- core women’s golf retreat at Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina, I Cleveland ping Adams peeked inside the bags of the 75 women hibore bloom Rhapsody designer tech who each had paid at least $1,400 to STREET PRICE STREET PRICE STREET PRICE participate in the three-day event. $1,000 (eight clubs, bag) Driver: $300; fairway woods: $220; $1,500 (13 clubs, Keri Golf What I found appalled me. Hidden The set has a 15.5-degree high- hybrids: $150; irons: $113 (each) designer bag) inside designer golf bags and under chic launching HiBore Bloom HT driver Ping doesn’t believe in pre-pack- This limited-edition set (only a headcovers were countless steel shafts, (above) with a low center of aged set configurations. Instead, thousand were made) includes numerous 1980s-era blades, at least a gravity (CG), a HiBore 5-wood, five the company encourages women women-specific versions of the dozen 3-irons and a few persimmon HiBore XLi irons, and a Classic II to take advantage of its custom- Insight Tech a4OS 460cc driver, woods. (Yikes!) I could count on one mid-mallet putter—all in a light- fitting program to create the ideal 3- and 5-woods, six Idea Tech a4OS hand the number of sets that had been weight, women-specific design. set from an array of wide-soled, hybrid irons (above), three wedges (Each club is also sold separately.) high-lofted Rhapsody drivers, and a mallet putter. The woods purchased within the past two years, Other options include an 11.5-de- irons, hybrids and fairway woods and hybrids have the Adams Boxer and the vast majority were at least 10 gree driver; 3- and 7-woods; 3-, 4- (all the way up to the 30-degree technology to help increase stabil- years old. When I asked the women— and 5-hybrids; 3-iron through SW; 9-wood shown here). Clubs are ity on off-center hits. Each club most of whom were avid golfers—why a 42-degree Niblick chipper and a available in two shaft flexes and comes with a lightweight Graphite they were using such outdated gear, the VP509 mallet putter. multiple lie and length options. Design Pershing shaft. typical reply was: “I’m not good enough to notice the difference.” As I told the women at Kiawah, I don’t care how bad of a player you think you are. If you don’t update your equipment, then you’re never going to get better. (And by update, I don’t mean buying a 1995 Great Big Bertha on eBay—I mean getting custom-fitted on a launch monitor and investing in a high-lofted 460-cubic-centimeter driver with high moment of inertia.) If you happen to use your husband’s hand-me-downs, you might as well hang up your FootJoys and take up blind-folded cliff diving. You’re just as likely to hurt yourself. Today’s women’s equipment is significantly better than it was three Cobra mizuno callaway years ago, and it will allow you to play Transition-S sora gems better golf. Many of the clubs included street price STREET PRICE STREET PRICE in this year’s Hot List are available in $700 (eight clubs) $800 (11 clubs, bag) $600 (eight clubs, bag) women’s versions (indicated by “W” Cobra combines 4- and 5-utility With 4- to 5-degree loft gaps Designed for the beginning icons). But most female players—those woods, 6- and 7-hybrids (above) between clubs, this set features a female player who needs a lot with driver swing speeds of less than and wide-soled short irons 15-degree, 460cc titanium driver, of help getting the ball air- two low-profile fairway woods, borne, the Gems set comes with 65 miles per hour—should use women- (8-iron through sand wedge) to create optimal turf interaction one hybrid, six extreme cavity- a draw-bias, high-lofted tita- specific “flow sets” that seamlessly and forgiveness on shots into back middle and short irons nium driver and stainless-steel integrate lightweight, high-launching greens. The lightweight Aldila (above) and a mallet putter with fairway wood, one hybrid, three woods, hybrids and short irons in a Proto-HL shaft is designed to a soft polymer face. The result is short, wide-soled i-Brid irons, smaller set (eight to 13 clubs) with help launch the ball high and in- consistent, noticeable yardage a chipper and a women-specific larger loft gaps. Clubs like the ones crease clubhead speed. The clubs differences between clubs. The 2-Ball putter (above). Each shown here are different from anything can be matched to a Cobra Speed woods and irons come in regular club is designed to launch the the guys play (weight, lofts, flexes, LD-M women’s driver and fairway or petite lengths to accommodate ball high, even at slower club- golfers of different sizes. head speeds. lengths) to optimize the performance woods to complete the set. of slower swingers. —SS

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GOLD GOLD GOLD

clubs listed in alphabetical order Cleveland Cleveland titleist cg12/cg12 dsg CG14 VOKEY DESIGN Spin milled

STREET PRICE STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $110 $110 $110 Tech TALK Tech TALK Tech TALK DSG (dynamic sole grind) technology A lightweight viscoelastic “gelback” The retooled Spin Milled line features adds another element to the classic material has been positioned behind grooves that are made using a small circular CG12 design. The leading portion of the the hitting area to improve perimeter saw that produces deep, precision cuts with sole is narrow and has a high bounce weighting, diminish vibration on mis-hits a tighter groove-edge radius. This increases angle. The wider trailing edge has a low and provide feedback. It features the same the volume of the grooves to help retain bounce angle. This allows a square face “zip groove” technology used in spin from the rough. The groove angle is to deliver the performance of standard the Cleveland CG12. Zip grooves are steep on higher lofts (for spin) but less bounce yet lowers the leading edge when designed to have the most volume and extreme on lower lofts (to avoid excessive the face is open. sharpest edges of any groove in company spin on full shots). The soft 8620 carbon- Player comments history. In addition, the CG14 has the steel heads come in three finishes (tour (M) “These grooves are amazing—one, two familiar toe-and-heel sole grind for chrome, oil can and black nickel). hops, then fffft.” . . . (L) “The way it nips improved club-ground interaction. Player comments the ball, there must be something to this Player comments (M) “An all-around terrific wedge. Whatever DSG sole.” . . . (M) “It hits every ball crisply. (M) “A perfect shape and a very stable you need it to do, it does: bump-and-run, Automatic out of the sand.” head through any type of shot.” . . . flop or spin. And it’s perfection on the long Hot (L) “You can feel this club more in your shots.” . . . (L) “The face is neither too hard Cleveland continues to take its classic hands than others.” . . . (T) “Very forgiving. nor too soft, and it’s easy to open the face designs and make them more versatile. If you hit it fat, you’ll still get it on the green.” or close it.” . . . (T) “It lives up to its name. The finishes are appealing, and the grooves Hot It’s very adaptable.” are effective without ripping up the cover The cavity gel enhances this classic Hot of your golf ball. If you can’t find what you design and improves the feel, something Sixteen majors have been won with need in the many lofts and bounce angles that any caliber player can appreciate. The Bob Vokey clubs. This updated set reflects available, then you’re beyond hope. “standard” and “low” bounce options are everything he knows about wedges. Not distinct and easily understood. Not The DSG model might require care on Not Left-handers don’t have access to all of the especially tight lies. There are fewer options than the CG12. 17 loft/bounce options. the OPTIONS the OPTIONS the options Loft/bounce: CG12: 46/8, 48/8, 50/10, 52/10, 54/8, 54/12, Loft/bounce: 46/6, 48/6, 50/8, 52/10, 54/9, 54/12, Loft/bounce: 48/6, 50/8, 52/8, 54/8, 54/11, 54/14, 56/8, 54/14, 56/10, 56/14, 56/16, 58/8, 58/12, 58/14, 60/4, 60/10, 56/11, 56/14, 58/10, 58/12, 60/8, 60/12, 64/12 56/11, 56/14, 58/4, 58/8, 58/12, 60/4, 60/7, 60/10, 62/7, 64/7 60/14, 64/12; DSG: 52/10, 54/12, 56/14, 58/10, 60/3, 64/3

PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★★

INNOVATION INNOVATION INNOVATION ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★★

look/sound/feel look/sound/feel look/sound/feel ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★★

DEMAND DEMAND DEMAND ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★ W ★ ★★★★★

clevelandgolf.com clevelandgolf.com TITLEIST.com

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sILVER sILVER sILVER

clubs listed in alphabetical order adams bobby jones callaway puglielli 418 Tour pelz wedge x-forged STREET PRICE STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $100 $150 $110 Tech TALK Tech TALK Tech TALK The forged 8620 carbon-steel head The face insert is made from Carpenter The C-grind sole (in which material is features a high-density polymer weight 440XH steel, a wear-resistant alloy typically removed from the heel and toe of the sole chip in the back to dampen vibration. The used in industrial bearings and valve to improve playability) is a result of chip is factory-adjustable, which helps assemblies that permits the grooves to feedback from tour players, who wanted keep the swingweight consistent after last for years instead of months, according more versatility on a variety of lies and the grinding is done. Grooves are milled to to designer Jesse Ortiz. The hard insert is turf conditions. Other updates include a USGA limits on width and depth. Sound countered with a 3M structural-bonding tighter angle on the leading-edge radius, and feel are controlled through an insert membrane that is slightly spongy, giving it a and the “mack daddy” grooves, once and a rear pocket cavity featuring multiple shock-absorbing effect. available only in the higher lofts, have thicknesses. The head shape is angular like Player comments been added to three models (52, 54 and 56 a traditional pitching wedge in the lower (M) “Rounded toe and leading edge set degrees). The company’s two traditional lofts and rounded in the higher lofts. up well for all types of shots.” . . . (L) “Easy finishes (white chrome and vintage) have Player comments to use out of the thick stuff and from undergone some tweaking as well. (M) “Might not look like you can hit delicate tight lies.” . . . (L) “From the sand this Player comments shots with it, but you can.” . . . (M) “Cuts is outstanding, and it has great turf (M) “I guess [designer] Roger Cleveland through the sand nicely and is good in the interaction. I would buy this sand wedge.” improved on a good thing.” . . . (L) “It has rough. Works great on long shots.” . . . Hot great turf interaction and feels super (L) “This is the club of the year for me. I love It’s intriguing to imagine having the smooth on long shots. Doesn’t dig, even the feel, and it’s great around the greens.” equivalent of new grooves even after years on tight lies.” Hot of use and abuse. With these you won’t have Hot Through bending, this tradtional-looking to stockpile enough to get you through to When Callaway’s tour players speak, wedge accommodates 105 combinations of 2024, the anticipated end of the grandfather Roger Cleveland listens, and the consumer loft, bounce and offset. period for clubs with old grooves. benefits. Not Not Not Those who need 105 choices are not getting It doesn’t have the variety of loft and The grooves might impart too much spin for their equipment advice from this magazine. bounce options desired by better players. players without the ability to control it.

the options the options the options Loft/bounce: 48/8, 50/8, 52/8, 52/10, 54/10, 56/10, Loft/bounce: 52/4, 56/10, 56/14, 60/4, 60/8, 64/4 Loft/bounce: 48/10, 50/12, 52/12, 54/14, 56/14, 56/12, 56/14, 58/8, 58/10, 60/4, 60/6, 60/8 58/9, 58/10, 60/9, 60/10, 62/9, 64/9

PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE ★ ★★★½ ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★½

INNOVATION INNOVATION INNOVATION ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★

look/sound/feel look/sound/feel look/sound/feel ★ ★★★½ ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★½

DEMAND DEMAND DEMAND ★ ★★½ ★ ★★ ★ ★★★½

adamsGOLF.com bobbyjonesGOLF.com callawaygolf.com

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THE GAP FOR PLAYER a

0 YARDS

80 sILVER sILVER

sw 90

100 Gw1 clubs listed in alphabetical order

110 Pw MIZUNO NIKE mp-t VR FORGED 120 STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $100 $110 Tech TALK Tech TALK THE GAP FOR PLAYER b Mizuno uses its “grain-flow” forging process Made from 1025 forged carbon steel, on a special billet of 1025E Pure Select the wedge was designed with significant mild carbon steel. Deep square grooves are input from Tiger Woods and with the careful 0 YARDS computer-milled for maximum spin, and grinding touch of the well-regarded and the C-grind sole helps improve playability. somewhat unknown master craftsman Mike 80 The teardrop head shape features Taylor. The heel grind allows for opening the minimal offset and a rolled leading edge clubface and hitting a variety of shots from sw 90 to prevent digging. different lies. Player comments Player comments (M) “Very much a piece of artwork. The heel (M) “This definitely would be an GW1 100 and sole grinds are functional.” . . . overperformer. Does everything you ask it (M) “Maybe not as much spin as the others, to do, and it inspires a lot of confidence.” . . .

GW2 110 but I didn’t miss it at all. Great feel.” . . . (M) “Simple, elegant, yet performs fantastic (L) “Out of the sand, I don’t know how you out of the worst lies and the bunker.” . . . get any better.” . . . (L) “This is how I like my (M) “An exceptional wedge with great feel Pw 120 wedges to look.” . . . (T) “It’s got that forged on good and bad hits.” . . . (L) “The setup feel that’s so nice to have around the greens.” blew me away.” TRACKMAN says Hot Hot Nothing says forged like Mizuno. It has a A club blessed by Tiger deserves Mind the gap classic shape and plenty of heft that’s easy consideration. And the shot that set up the A set of new irons can solve one problem but create to like. We love the 51- and 53-degree lofts putt that got Tiger in the U.S. Open playoff another: You might have to rethink your wedge for the gap wedge, too. at Torrey Pines (18th hole, 60-degree wedge situation. Because pitching wedges come in different Not to 12 feet) was executed with this model. lofts, the carry distance between them and your It’s a solid wedge, but its groove technology Not highest lofted wedge changes. hasn’t been updated since 2005. That’s too Will middle- to high-handicappers balk at Our test player hit his 56-degree sand wedge an long in this field. its no-frills player’s-club profile? average of 88 yards and his 47-degree pitching wedge an average of 110 yards. This leaves a 22-yard gap to fill. If he finds a club that goes about 100 yards (likely a the OPTIONS the options 52-degree wedge), he’ll split that gap with about 10 Loft/bounce: 47/6, 51/6, 53/8, 56/10, 56/14, Loft/bounce: 52/10, 54/12, 56/10, 56/14, 58/6, yards on each side. And because it’s easier to choke 58/10, 60/5, 60/8 58/10, 60/6, 60/10 down or take a three-quarter swing rather than muscle a sand wedge, he’ll learn to hit the gap wedge as short as 90 yards. However, if he buys a super game- PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE improvement set with a 45-degree pitching wedge, ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★½ which our tester hit 117 yards, he’ll have a 29-yard gap to worry about. To get optimal spacing he might INNOVATION INNOVATION consider changing to 50-, 54- and 60-degree wedges, ★ ★★★½ ★ ★★★★ or maybe 52- and 58-degree wedges. Golf Digest Top 50 teacher Jim Suttie suggests look/sound/feel look/sound/feel 4-degree gaps between your clubs, but if you’re not ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★ sure, a number of fitting systems can determine how to fill out your new set. One example: Ping’s nFlight ★ DEMAND ★ DEMAND fitting system can recommend a full-set makeup after ★★★ ★★★½ just a few swings with three clubs. —MA Mizunousa.com nikegolf.com

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sILVER sILVER

PING TAYLORMADE laberge tour-w Z TP charles STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $110 $120 Tech TALK Tech TALK The 17-4 cast stainless-steel head has The milled “Z” grooves are named for the a tungsten toe weight and a small cavity cutting tool that the company says is more that’s designed to increase the moment advanced than the one used for its previous of inertia (MOI) and improve feel. A Y-cutter grooves. The result is a 10 percent I mages K ersting odd

polymer insert in the cavity helps optimize increase in groove volume that helps channel T swingweight, dampen vibration and push debris and maintain maximum spin. The the center of gravity (CG) low and slightly C-grind sole available on some lofts increases forward to control clubhead rotation during the club’s versatility. Its smoked PVD finish the swing. The contoured sole helps with helps diminish glare. shots from a variety of lies. Available in a Player comments brushed-silver or black-nickel finish. (M) “You can fly it to the hole and it stops, Player comments even from the rough, which is fun.” . . . (M) (M) “It screams forgiveness.” . . . “That dark-brown finish is easy on the eyes.” . . . (M) “The feel is fantastic, with plenty of (T) “The leading edge stays down when you spin.” . . . (L) “Terrific out of the sand. It open it, so you know you’ll hit it crisp.” almost felt like I was hitting a good drive.” . . . Hot (T) “Recessed area behind the hosel It features the qualities (grooves, sole, look) instruction tips makes it really playable from all lies.” better players seek in a wedge. That Hot nice, soft feel is the result of the channeled COME FACE TO FACE It has a sophisticated look and is smart. area on the backside, an innovation that It’s proof that wedges can facilitate new isn’t new but remains effective. with your wedge thinking and the use of different materials Not You probably know that the but not look like a metal detector. Its loft and bounce options are limited. bounce on the bottom of your Not Just one finish probably won’t satisfy sand wedge is there to help you Some will like the fact that these grooves everyone. The lack of a C-grind sole on the get out of a bunker. You can also won’t scuff your ball. Others won’t. 60-degree model is curious. use it to hit effortless pitch shots, particularly from tight lies. I see many amateurs chunking shots around the green as a the options the options result of the clubface sticking into the ground. That’s Loft/bounce: 47/10, 50/12, 52/12, 54/10, 54/14, 56/10, Loft/bounce: 52/8, 54/10, 56/12, 58/8, 60/6 because the shaft is leaning too far forward at impact, 56/14, 58/6, 58/8, 58/10, 60/6, 60/8, 60/10 and the leading edge gets stuck. This chunk can be avoided. A good swing thought to help you use the bounce: Try to finish the swing with the face of the

PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE wedge looking back at you. To achieve this finish position, you have to allow the club’s bounce to glide ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★ across the ground (the shaft will be nearly vertical INNOVATION INNOVATION through impact). You’ll feel and hear more of a thump ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★ through the grass, and the ball will fly high and land softly. This face-to-face image also helps to get you to look/sound/feel look/sound/feel accelerate through impact. TODD KERSTING ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★½ can’t figure out which clubs DEMAND DEMAND you’d like the most? take the player-profile quiz, and we’ll ★ ★★★ ★ ★★★½ suggest ones that fit your needs. visit golfdigest.com/go/hotlist. PINGGOLF.com taylormadeGOLF.com

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clubs listed in alphabetical order

GOLD GOLD GOLD

ODYSSEY taylormade TITLEIST BLACK SERIES i #6 daytona tp-kia ma CAMERON STUDIO SELECT STREET PRICE STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $270 $300 $300 Tech TALK Tech TALK Tech TALK The fusion of a milled 1025 carbon-steel There are five models available in this All three blades in the line—the Newport 2.6 body to a dense tungsten flange moves introductory series from in-house (near center-shaft), 2.7 (double-bend shaft the center of gravity (CG) low and deep for craftsman Kia Ma (three blades, one with offset) and the traditional Newport 2— a better roll. Two head weights are used mallet and one mid-mallet). Each is milled are milled from forged 303 stainless steel. to accommodate different shaft lengths, from soft 1020 carbon steel. Six five-gram The topline curves slightly up from heel to and the dual-layer face insert comprises tungsten weights in the heel and toe help toe. The purpose is to raise the toe to reduce a resilient elastomer back and a urethane lower and deepen the CG, as well as provide the tendency of aiming left. Screw weights outer surface that’s thin but firm. The finish a crisp feel. The toe hang across the three of 10, 15 and 20 grams in the sole allow is black nickel. Also available in #1 (Anser- blade models ranges from 40 degrees to the swingweight to match different shaft style) and #9 (mid-mallet). 54 degrees. lengths and player preferences. A single Player comments Player comments white line is the aiming feature. (M) “Such clean, beautiful lines. The (M) “The detail in this is unbelievable. Player comments best-looking putter they make.” . . . The head weight is perfect. It feels like a true (L) ‘‘It feels exactly like a blade should.’’ . . . (L) “Sound and feel are fabulous, very piece of art.” . . . (L) “The white alignment (L) ‘‘Doesn’t feel or sound like a metal face, quiet and distinct.” . . . (T) “A perfect putter aid really pops nicely off the black head.” . . . yet here I am looking at one.’’ . . . (M) “This for someone who focuses on path.’’ . . . (T) “It’s fast off the face. This allows you has a cool neck—different, but I like it. All of (T) “If you’re an instinctual putter, this to shorten your putting motion, which the Newports just set up perfectly.” . . . is your instrument because it has just translates into more control .” (T) ‘‘I tried hard not to like this, but, man, the that single dot.’’ Hot Cameron putters always feel like butter.’’ Hot The midnight-black finish and skinny, eight- Hot The sleek application of extra weight to millimeter topline are darn sexy. For starters, it’s the Performance and Look/ the flange encourages this classic shape to Not Sound/Feel winner. The custom weighting is swing close to the ground. The plain milled face. If this is TaylorMade’s an exceptional addition. Not most expensive putter line, why isn’t the Not The soft “click” might not provide enough technorific Rossa groove face insert, which How can the modern icon of puttermaking audio feedback for some. the company touts, an option? not offer a lefty 2.6 or 2.7?

the numbers the numbers the numbers Face width...... 111 mm Shaft lengths...... 33 in Face width...... 111 mm Shaft lengths...... 34 in Face width...... 115 mm Shaft lengths...... 33 in

Front to back...... 29 mm ...... 34, 35 in Front to back ...... 29 mm ...... 35 in Front to back ...... 32 mm ...... 34 in

Loft...... 3˚ ...... custom Loft...... 3.5˚ Loft...... 4˚ ...... 35 in

PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★★

INNOVATION INNOVATION INNOVATION ★ ★★★½ ★ ★★★½ ★ ★★★

look/sound/feel look/sound/feel look/sound/feel ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★★

DEMAND DEMAND DEMAND ★ ★★★ ★ ★★½ ★ ★★★★★

ODYSSEYGOLF.com taylormadegolf.com titleist.com

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GOLD GOLD sILVER sILVER

YES! COUTOUR TP MILLS TRACY III PLUS dornoch TRADITION II XL STREET PRICE STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $300 $250 $360 Tech TALK Tech TALK Tech TALK During the fitting process, golfers can The head is milled from hot-rolled A36 The first one-piece forged plumber’s neck choose from four interchangeable hosel carbon steel and features a traditional in the 40-year history of the company is designs. Not only does this provide a plumber’s neck with one-quarter-inch available in 1030 carbon steel and 304 variety of aesthetic options, but it affects of offset. You cannot purchase a putter stainless steel. Instead of cutting loft into the putter’s balance (from face-balanced from this company, even online, without the face, the “parallel-pocket” design to 60 degrees of toe hang). Hosel switches being fitted. Its Tri-Fit Method employs ensures that the distance between the front are quickly made with a wrench that the Pythagorean Theorem in which a2 (the and back walls of the face is a constant fits a small locking fixture on the sole of the distance from the hands to the feet) plus thickness. The milling process is specifically putter. The company’s face technology b2 (the distance from the feet to the ball) engineered to avoid creating faces that is another interesting story: The concentric combine to solve the dimensions for c2 (your appear closed in the address position. grooves, milled in 20-degree upward slants, appropriate shaft length and lie angle). Player comments are designed to grab the ball at impact and Player comments (M) “It’s got a sweet, pitched sound.” . . . impart forward roll. (T) “It’s a great fitting idea. With this (T) ‘‘I enjoyed solid hits everywhere on the Player comments system you could buy a putter like you’d buy face, and no wavering on off-center strikes. (M) “One of the coolest things I’ve seen a suit.” . . . (T) “Felt like I could get right into Classy.’’ . . . (L) “The face is softer than the this year. I could definitely see myself my stance.” . . . (L) “Impact was loud for my gunmetal finish would indicate.’’ . . . fiddling around with looks in the shop.” . . . liking, more like a ‘knock’ than a ‘click.’ ” (T) ‘‘The grip is great, too. It fits nicely across (L) “Quiet sounding.” . . . (L) “Nice roll. Ball Hot the palm and sets in easy.’’ seemed to really hug its line.” Having three head weights (335, 350 Hot Hot and 365 grams) to match different shaft Each putter is hand-milled by David Mills, This is a breakthrough for adjustability lengths exemplifies the company’s who learned from his father, legendary in the category, and rumor has it a mallet commitment to fitting. founder Truett P. Mills. version will be along soon. Not Not Not The matte-nickel finish and sharp corners Availability is limited. Mills isn’t running off The strong 2.5-degree loft has potential to at almost every edge make for a somewhat 10,000 of these at a time from his shop in get stubby on slow greens. militaristic aesthetic. Tuscaloosa, Ala. the numbers the numbers the numbers Face width...... 108 mm Shaft lengths...... 32, 33 in Face width...... 112 mm Shaft lengths...... custom Face width...... 113 mm Shaft lengths...... 34 in

Front to back ...... 30 mm ...... 34, 35 in Front to back ...... 29 mm Front to back ...... 29 mm ...... 35 in

Loft...... 2.5˚ ...... 36, 37 in Loft...... 4˚ Loft...... 3˚ ...... custom

PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★★

INNOVATION INNOVATION INNOVATION ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★

look/sound/feel look/sound/feel look/sound/feel ★ ★★★½ ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★

DEMAND DEMAND DEMAND ★ ★★★½ ★ ★★ ★ ★★

yesgolf.com coutourgolf.com tpmillsputters.com

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clubs listed in alphabetical order

panelists / TESTERS

GOLD GOLD

tom beattie ricky brown Morgan Hill, Calif., 20-hdcp. Fort Worth, 0 The retiree uses game- “The difference odyssey PING improvement irons but between a good and white hot tour #1 I-series ANSER is considering the a great club is STREET PRICE STREET PRICE switch to super game- minute,” says the $150 $120 improvement irons. business teacher. Tech TALK Tech TALK The elastomer-core face insert addresses The heel-toe-balanced, 17-4 stainless-steel feel and stability. Its surface is infused body is investment cast and then heat- with urethane to augment sound, and the treated. The machined face has an insert weighting scheme of the insert has been that combines a thick, urethane piece with shifted toward the perimeter to increase a softer central layer. The taper-tip shaft moment of inertia (MOI). The rationale is stepless, and the grip is Winn AVS. The leeann fairlie bob greig behind using a 355-gram head for 33- and company’s online Web-Fit program Oklahoma City, 1 Los Angeles, 0 34-inch shafts and a 340-gram head for calculates the proper length, lie and “Technology is CPA and nine-time 35-inch shafts is to keep the torsional grip size based on static measurements making golf easier,” club champ at Riviera balance—or how heavy the putter feels in provided by the consumer. says the stay-at- says “all golfers should a player’s hands—constant. Player comments home mom. “What a look at a game- Player comments (T) “I was very impressed with the terrific bonus!” improvement iron.” (T) “This insert could make a Pinnacle feel feedback on off-center hits. It lets you soft.” . . . (L) “Roll was end over end, and make stroke corrections quickly.” . . . this alignment line seemed really simple (M) “If you like the Anser style, you’ll love yet effective.” . . . (T) “I could putt with this.” . . . (L) “I actually liked this insert, and my eyes closed, and I would still know this I’m not a guy who normally likes inserts.” putter was for me. Something about its Hot weighting just felt so right.” An example of product evolution that matt horton jim jones Hot would make Darwin proud. The company Los Gatos, Calif., 20 Park City, Utah, 9 The burnt tour finish provides a regal that invented the Anser has made it better. “I never knew there “Performance and appearance and won’t reflect glare even in The insert is a sign that the metallic sound were clubs designed quality is so high that the brightest sunlight. that gave Ping its name has been bred out. to negate bad swing feel is essential in Not Not habits,” says the auto- club selection,” says Some panelists complained of distance- It would’ve been nice to have heavier head- repair business owner. the retired pilot. control issues with the soft insert. weights for the shorter shafts. P anelists /T esters the numbers the numbers Face width...... 111 mm Shaft lengths...... 33 in Face width...... 111 mm Shaft lengths...... 30, 31 in

Front to back ...... 30 mm ...... 34, 35 in Front to back ...... 30 mm ...... 32, 33, 34 in

Loft...... 3˚ ...... custom Loft...... 3˚ ...... 35, 36, 37 in

kevin littlejohn john keeler charles San Antonio, 2 West Sand Lake, N.Y., 9 PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE The IT analyst is The sales engineer ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★½ surprised by “how says technology laberge good little-known helps him have more ★ INNOVATION ★ INNOVATION and unendorsed golf fun: “Companies ★★★½ ★★★½ clubs perform.” should be praised.” look/sound/feel look/sound/feel ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★ the 13-day hot list summit took place at cordevalle, DEMAND DEMAND in san martin, Calif. ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★ visit golfdigest.com/go/hotlist to see behind-the-scene photos. ODYSSEYgolf.com PINGgolf.com

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GOLD GOLD laberge ping taylormade charles

iwi anser daytona STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $170 $120

Tech TALK Tech TALK mages I uss The 17-4 stainless-steel body features The 304 stainless-steel construction is a two-piece face insert (machined 304 finished in Tuscan nickel. This model G ason stainless steel encased in elastomer) and employs the company’s AGSI+ (Anti- J housings for adjustable weights in the heel skid Groove System Insert) technology, and toe. It comes standard with two 12- designed to minimize backspin at impact gram weights, but an optional wrench kit to reduce initial skidding. The 14 computer- with 20- and 28-gram weights permits nine milled, polymer-filled grooves are designed custom options. In addition to total weight, to grab the cover of the ball, increasing by altering the putter’s toe-hang balance, face friction and imparting forward spin. one can influence how it might rotate open Lighter material choices for the insert and closed for a particular stroke. enable saved weight to be distributed lower Player comments to improve CG and roll. (M) “A classic with just the right amount Player comments of technological tweaks.’’ . . . (L) “I’m a (L) “Insert feels soft yet there’s some tinkerer, so I love the ability to change the authority to it. It really put a good roll on weights.’’ . . . (L) “I like the softness. the ball for me.” . . . (L) “Wow! I dig the jazz Sounds and feels like a putter should.’’ of the matte-red and matte-black colors. Hot Plus, it lined up perfectly.” . . . (T) “Ball Packs about as much innovation as is came off the face slow and soft.” . . . possible within the confines of a blade (M) “Even my bad putts felt pretty good.” head, yet it’s deftly hidden where you can’t Hot see it: right in the sole. The face insert feels so uniform you’ll never Not know if you’ve mis-hit it. Charging an extra $70 for the weight kit. Not Automatic access to what makes a product The face insert feels so uniform you’ll never instruction tips unique should be part of the deal. know if you’ve mis-hit it. Let the shaft dictate

the numbers the numbers your putting path Face width...... 111 mm Shaft lengths...... 30, 31 in Face width...... 113 mm Shaft lengths...... 33 in Whether you prefer a mallet Front to back ...... 30 mm ...... 32, 33, 34 in Front to back ...... 30 mm ...... 34 in putter or a blade like the ones on Loft...... 3˚ ...... 35, 36, 37 in Loft...... 3.5˚ ...... 35 in this page, your putting path does not have to change. However, if you prefer a straight-back, PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★★ straight-through path over an arcing path, a center-shafted putter (above) could help INNOVATION INNOVATION you. Why? When the shaft is positioned in the center of ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★ the putter, instead of near the heel, the amount the putterface opens or closes during the stroke is reduced. look/sound/feel look/sound/feel If you putt on a straight line, you don’t want the face to ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★★ open or close at all. Not sure if you putt this way? Lay a shaft on the ground, and make a few practice strokes ★ DEMAND ★ DEMAND with your putter on top of it. If your putter doesn’t trace ★★★★½ ★★★★½ the shaft and moves closer to your body, you’re probably more of an arc putter. JASON GUSS PINGgolf.com taylormadegolf.com

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clubs listed in alphabetical order

sILVER sILVER sILVER

HEAVY PUTTER PING snake eyes K4 KARSTEN SERIES ANSER tour platinum

STREET PRICE STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $170 $90 $180 Tech TALK Tech TALK Tech TALK At 750 grams, this toe-droop design This current model of the time-honored The face of the 304 stainless-steel head is about 50 percent heavier than a style might look no-frills, but it has one: an features what the company calls ARC conventional blade. However, because this elastomer insert behind the 17-4 stainless- (Advanced Roll Control), which is a pattern is the introductory piece of the company’s steel face designed to improve the sound of semicircular scales milled at an upward Mid-Weight series, it has been scaled back and feel. Much of the head’s total 340- angle of 44 degrees. The width of each from the usual model weight of 850 grams. gram weight is pushed to the heel and scale is 0.4 centimeters and is designed to The idea behind a weighty putter is to toe to increase forgiveness on off-center consistently enter the space of a traditional engage the larger muscles in the body to strikes. A white line across the split-level 0.5-centimeter-wide dimple to grip the create a better pendulum stroke. flange provides the alignment feature. ball’s cover. The design objective is less Player comments Player comments skidding with quicker forward roll. (L) ‘‘Releases automatically. The block to (M) “Just what you’d expect: nothing fancy Player comments the right is no more.”. . . (T) “Great on short but very effective. Ping does this shape (M) “Just an incredibly solid look at address putts, but distance control could be an better than anybody.” . . . (T) “Love the and well-balanced.” . . . (L) “I like the issue on long ones.” . . . (M) “Much sleeker simple contrast of the gunsmoke finish gunmetal finish. Whatever’s going on with than the company’s past models. A little bit against the white line.” . . . (L) “Produces a the face sure gave it a nice feel.” . . . of a hollow feel, but I like the simplicity of nice ‘pop’ at impact. It’s definitely got that (L) “The way the hosel flows straight into its alignment.’’ metal feel, but it doesn’t deafen.” the head is an example of great design.” Hot Hot Hot Keeps your stroke smooth even after the Everything you need and nothing you don’t The Tour Platinum series is available in second cup of coffee. The thin topline for less than $100. Plus, the company lets four body styles with three neck designs, and slightly reduced weight will make the you go online to customize length, lie, loft so even the pickiest players should find company’s concept more palatable to a and grip size for free. something that fits the eye. wider pool of golfers. Not Not Not Don’t expect this putter’s beauty to pull If you like a strong alignment feature, A beefier shaft might eliminate the faint you out of a three-putt funk. The look is the single gray line doesn’t provide much wobbly feel. about as exciting as eggs on toast. contrast against the rest of the head. the numbers the numbers the numbers Face width...... 115 mm Shaft lengths...... 32 in Face width...... 110 mm Shaft lengths...... 30, 31 in Face width...... 109 mm Shaft lengths...... 33 in

Front to back ...... 35 mm ...... 33, 34 in Front to back ...... 30 mm ...... 32, 33, 34 in Front to back ...... 30 mm ...... 35 in

Loft...... 3˚ ...... 35, 36 in Loft...... 3˚ ...... 35, 36, 37 in Loft...... 3˚ ...... custom

★ PERFORMANCE ★ PERFORMANCE ★ PERFORMANCE ★★★★ ★★★★½ ★★★★½ ★ INNOVATION ★ INNOVATION ★ INNOVATION ★★★★½ ★★★ ★★★½ ★ look/sound/feel ★ look/sound/feel ★ look/sound/feel ★★★½ ★★★½ ★★★★ ★ DEMAND ★ DEMAND ★ DEMAND ★★½ ★★★★★ ★★

HEAVYPUTTER.com pinggolf.com golfsmith.com

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clubs listed in alphabetical order

GOLD GOLD GOLD

MACGREGOR ODYSSEY titleist DCT SERIES WHITE HOT XG 330 Cameron Fastback

STREET PRICE STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $130 $120 $300 Tech TALK Tech TALK Tech TALK The cast, 17-4 stainless-steel head The design is based on Odyssey’s popular Like the Titleist Newport blade line, the features “distance control technology,” 330 Dual Force model from 1998. This Fastback (shown) and Switchback models which is a polybutadiene insert with revamped version has the “hi-def are milled from forged 303 stainless steel, a blend of five responsiveness zones. The alignment system” of two white bars and each features a topline that curves farther a strike occurs from the center bordered with three thin black lines on the slightly upward from heel to toe. The idea of the face, the livelier that portion of the flange and the soft, textured two-piece is to discourage the user from lifting the insert will be. The purpose of this design face insert shared by all XG models. toe and inadvertently aiming left. The is to get mis-hits to roll out the same The hosel is a traditional plumber’s neck. Fastback has a rounded flange, and the distance as center strikes. Player comments Squareback’s is square. Both models are Player comments (M) “Sets up perfectly square without near face-balanced and have double-bend (M) “Looks cheap but doesn’t play like it. manipulation. It’s just ready to go and has shafts with a half-shaft’s width of offset. Deadly accurate.” . . . (M) ‘‘Has a cushy predictable distance control.” . . . Player comments impact.” . . . (L) ‘‘I’m not a soft-face guy, but I (M) “It’s a very good-looking, effective (M) “[Designer] Scotty Cameron knows like this. The roll is fabulous.” . . . (L) “I love the alignment system.” . . . (L) “This is the first what he’s doing.” . . . (T) “The face has diamond as an alignment aid. Original.” . . . mid-mallet that has truly fit my eye. I’ve that Cameron ‘click.’ ”. . . (L) “You get (T) ‘‘No hops, baby. Love that true roll.’’ been waiting for this.” . . . (T) “The insert the stability of a big mallet in a compact Hot gives great feedback and good roll.” package, which is awesome.” . . . (T) ‘‘I find Enlivening the outskirts of the face is one Hot the short heel-toe length refreshing.’’ of the most inventive putter technologies Achieves the perfect middle ground that Hot to emerge in recent years. Usually there’s a defines this category. After a while the You can expect to see a lot of these in play premium to be paid for such innovation, but slender body starts to feel and look like a on professional tours next year. Money this is a great value. blade, but the forgiveness never leaves. players rely on Cameron, and so can you. Not Not Not The ultra-soft face doesn’t let you know A lot of alignment features are crammed What was the rationale behind having if you’ve mis-hit it. Some golfers will want into a small space, which will be a deterrent a lefty version for the Squareback, but not more feedback. to some players. the Fastback? the numbers the numbers the numbers Face width...... 94 mm Shaft lengths...... 34 in Face width...... 100 mm Shaft lengths...... 33 in Face width...... 91 mm Shaft lengths...... 33 in

Front to back ...... 50 mm ...... 35 in Front to back ...... 50 mm ...... 34, 35 in Front to back ...... 48 mm ...... 34 in

Loft...... 3˚ Loft...... 3˚ ...... custom Loft...... 4˚ ...... 35 in

★ PERFORMANCE ★ PERFORMANCE ★ PERFORMANCE ★★★★ ★★★★½ ★★★★★ ★ INNOVATION ★ INNOVATION ★ INNOVATION ★★★★½ ★★★★ ★★★★ ★ look/sound/feel ★ look/sound/feel ★ look/sound/feel ★★★★½ ★★★★½ ★★★★★ ★ DEMAND ★ DEMAND ★ DEMAND ★★½ ★★★★★ ★★★★½

macgregorgolf.com ODYSSEYgolf.com titleist.com

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clubs listed in alphabetical order

sILVER sILVER sILVER

cleveland PING rife classic #2 iwi 1/2 craz-e abaco STREET PRICE STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $70 $170 $180 Tech TALK Tech TALK Tech TALK First, the heel-shafted head is cast from This center-shafted version has the same This computer-milled 304 stainless-steel 17-4 stainless steel, and then the face is construction as the blade and mallet head is reminiscent of the flange-blade computer-milled. The gooseneck hosel models: a 17-4 stainless-steel body and styles of the middle 20th century. The flows forward to provide a full shaft’s a machined 304 stainless-steel insert T-shape alignment aid is formed by the width of offset. For alignment, a white line with an elastomer back for feel. It comes intersection of two white lines. A small extends to the back of the rounded flange face-balanced with two 12-gram weights, notch on the topline allows you to check and is framed by a shallow rectangular but total weight and toe hang can be if your eye and hand positions are correct. cavity. The hand-polished satin finish is customized nine ways with a kit of 20- Like every model in the company’s line, the designed to be durable and reduce glare. and 28-gram tungsten weights for the face has horizontal grooves designed to grip Player comments heel and toe. the cover of the ball at impact, lift it out of (M) “There’s something very familiar about Player comments its depression and impart forward roll. this. It’s comfortable and has a squeaky (M) “Easy to align. Plus, distance control is Player comments clean look.” . . . (L) ‘‘I liked that I didn’t have easier with this versus the full mallet.” . . . (M) “It has a true roll, and it sure seems to jiggle it. It just sat there on the ground on (L) “I felt like I was putting with a blade, like these grooves really do what they’re its own.’’ . . . (M) “Back to basics. Had good but it still offered the forgiveness of a supposed to.”. . . (T) “The solid weight control of the stroke.” . . . (M) ‘‘This thing’s mallet.” . . . (T) “The center of the face feels tunes your tempo.’’ . . . (T) “The notch might not entirely milled? You’re kidding.” harder than it should.” . . . (T) “It has enough not be so great for players who hang their Hot weight where it’ll swing itself, which is hands low.” Just about any putter for $70 is a steal, uncharacteristic of a putter this small.” Hot let alone one that still has the shrinkwrap Hot The lines of the square toe and square on it and performs as well as this one. If you’ve never liked center-shafted putters, heel want to flow straight back, but the They’ve taken a classic design and this might change your mind. gooseneck hosel and rounded flange keep manufactured it efficiently. Not the overall look soft. Not We said it once; we’ll say it again: Dinging Not Fitting is limited to three lengths, and the us an extra $70 for the weight kit just ain’t Two degrees of loft as standard isn’t weight might be too light for some. right. Some putters sell for that amount. enough for even mildly shaggy greens. the numbers the numbers the numbers Face width...... 101 mm Shaft lengths...... 33 in Face width...... 103 mm Shaft lengths...... 30, 31 in Face width...... 97 mm Shaft lengths...... 33 in

Front to back ...... 44 mm ...... 34 in Front to back ...... 44 mm ...... 32, 33, 34 in Front to back ...... 47 mm ...... 34, 35 in

Loft...... 3˚ ...... 35 in Loft...... 3˚ ...... 35, 36, 37 in Loft...... 2˚ ...... uncut

PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★½ ★ ★★★½

INNOVATION INNOVATION INNOVATION ★ ★★½ ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★½

look/sound/feel look/sound/feel look/sound/feel ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★½ ★ ★★★★

DEMAND DEMAND DEMAND ★ ★★★½ ★ ★★★½ ★ ★★★★

clevelandgolf.com pinggolf.com rifeputters.com

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panelists / TESTERS

sILVER sILVER

Ronn loewenthal donnie luper, Tiburon, Calif., 15-hdcp. Bridgeton, N.C., 1 seemore taylormade “Using so many clubs The endodontist fgp2 stainless suzuka at once really made learned that “an me realize how many R-flex shaft helps me STREET PRICE STREET PRICE options golfers have,” decrease spin and hit $185 $120 says the investor. it 15 yards farther.” Tech TALK Tech TALK The distinctive asset of this milled 303 The 304 stainless-steel head has a stainless-steel head is the company’s “rifle- plumber’s-neck hosel and an aiming line scope” technology. The bottom portion of framed by a slight cavity in the flange. The the shaft is painted black to conceal a red Anti-skid Groove System Insert, common dot located between two white aiming lines to all putters in the basic Rossa line, has on the heel. Seeing the dot indicates that the 14 polymer-filled grooves designed to grab setup is incorrect or the head is not releasing the cover of the ball at impact and impart bob macdonald larry mccoy properly during the stroke. A new option forward spin. Light materials, such as Los Angeles, 20 Newtown, Conn., 6 is the “whistle” offset shaft that permits aluminum, are used for the insert, and the “Golfer-friendly clubs The rewards- golfers with forward presses to utilize the saved weight is redistributed throughout make the sport more company COO now red-dot system. the head to increase MOI. enjoyable,” says the knows to be “open- investor. “You actually minded about Player comments Player comments believe you’re good!” brands and specs.” (M) ‘‘Their technology works for me.” . . . (T) “I like the soft edging around the (M) ‘‘Unless you’re custom-fit, I think the perimeter. Not so robotic-looking.” . . . alignment system could be a distraction.’’ . . . (L) “Great touch on downhillers. The ball (T) “Might be one of the ugliest putters out comes off the face real nice.” . . . (T) “Seems here, but the roll was excellent.” . . . like the perfect size for this category. (T) “It’s simply a great-rolling putter.’’ It’s easy to see the line with this offset Hot hosel.” . . . (M) “Sweet feeling.” The new whistle offset shaft cleverly Hot sterling price ryan sakowski addresses (pun intended) what used to be The Tuscan nickel finish over the softly Nashville, 12 Toledo, Ohio, 10 a problem: The Zach Johnson “hands-back” milled curves produces an artful mix of The actuary is excited “The best club might style was a prerequisite. It no longer is. shade and reflection. that “companies are not be the prettiest,” Not Not using R&D dollars to says the computer- The nickel-satin finish reduces glare, but No versions for southpaws is unfair to make great clubs for app. builder. “The looks an awful lot like Civil War gray. 10 percent of the golfing population. mid-level players.” options stun me.”

the numbers the numbers Face width...... 90 mm Shaft lengths...... 35 in Face width...... 97 mm Shaft lengths...... 33 in laberge Front to back ...... 51 mm ...... custom Front to back ...... 50 mm ...... 34 in

Loft...... 3.5˚ Loft...... 3.5˚ ...... 35 in charles jason shipley todd stewardson PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE Towson, Md., 5 Danville, Calif., 10 ★ ★★★½ ★ ★★★★ “Underexposed clubs The consultant work as great as the changed his thinking ★ INNOVATION ★ INNOVATION popular ones,” says about flex: “Shafts that ★★★★ ★★★★ the realtor. “No hype, fit your swing speed /T esters anelists

but solid principles.” make a big difference.” P look/sound/feel look/sound/feel ★ ★★★½ ★ ★★★★ choosing the hot list player DEMAND DEMAND panelists isn’t a matter of random ★ ★★★ ★ ★★★★ selection. visit golfdigest.com/go /hotlist to hear the hot list judges explain the process. seemore.com taylormadegolf.com

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clubs listed in alphabetical order

GOLD GOLD GOLD

ODYSSEY PING taylormade BLACK SERIES i 2-ball IWI CRAZ-E ITSY BITSY SPIDER

STREET PRICE STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $270 $200 $200 Tech TALK Tech TALK Tech TALK The head is constructed of multiple materi- The shape places weight along the perime- The 303 stainless-steel frame and als and includes a urethane bridge between ter to increase MOI. An elastomer backing is lightweight aluminum core save weight, the top and sole. It has a 58-gram tungsten designed to improve the feel of a machined which is concentrated into heavy screws in plug that pulls the CG deep. According to 304 stainless-steel face insert. The black- the rear cartridges. The screws are movable Odyssey, in a comparison of mass proper- white-yellow alignment aid is raised to sit so total weight and face balance can be ties against the White Hot XG 2-Ball, this even with the topline to avoid the two- customized. At first glance it appears to be putter’s MOI is 25 percent higher at 4,580, dimensional look of the original model. Two a shrunken version of its older sibling, but and the CG is 28 percent deeper at 1.58 ports in the heel and toe accommodate 12-, the black wings have been pulled inward, inches back from the face. It features the 20- and 28-gram weights, allowing for nine and the white alignment decal has been line’s two-piece elastomer face insert. customized possibilities. abbreviated for a simpler look. With an Player comments Player comments MOI of 5,500, it still has 82 percent of the (T) “Couple this with a soft ball and you can (L) “Impact was very responsive. The stability of the previous (and bigger) version. really control your putts.” . . . (L) “It’s one of distance the ball rolled was true to how it The face has the Rossa AGSI+ groove insert. the more conservative-looking mallets.” . . . felt.”. . . (T) “Love the subtlety. The features Player comments (M) “It’s the best 2-Ball they’ve made. are easy to line up, but then mentally you (L) “Still looks like a spaceship with two Refined. The heavier head feels very solid, can get away from the lines and think about engines, but I’m OK with that.” . . . and the metal finish is handsome without making your stroke.” . . . (M) “Ping keeps (M) “The way the Spider should’ve been being reflective.” . . . T( ) “The 2-Ball has making a good thing better.” made in the first place.” . . . L( ) “Heavier than become a classic look.” Hot it looks, which is good. Rolls beautifully.” Hot Ping is already one of the best when it HoT This isn’t just a cosmetic tweak. The land- comes to offering stock length and lie op- A symphony of function over form. The two mark optical innovation of the last decade tions. The iWi takes fitting a leap further. hosel options—plumber’s neck or double- has been retooled for the better. Not bend—nicely anticipate different tastes. Not Still charging an extra $70 for the weight Not If you want a mallet with ultimate forgive- kit? Seriously, without that upcharge this Even 82 percent of the world’s fattest man ness, other putters have higher MOI. space would be blank. is still a lot to look at. the numbers the numbers the numbers Face width...... 88 mm Shaft lengths...... 33 in Face width...... 98 mm Shaft lengths...... 30, 31 in Face width...... 82 mm Shaft lengths...... 33 in

Front to back ...... 87 mm ...... 34, 35 in Front to back ...... 88 mm ...... 32, 33, 34 in Front to back ...... 86 mm ...... 34 in

Loft...... 3˚ ...... custom Loft...... 3˚ ...... 35, 36, 37 in Loft...... 2.5˚ ...... 35 in

PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★★

INNOVATION INNOVATION INNOVATION ★ ★★★ ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★½

look/sound/feel look/sound/feel look/sound/feel ★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★½ ★ ★★★★½

DEMAND DEMAND DEMAND ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★½

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clubs listed in alphabetical order

sILVER sILVER sILVER

NIKE ODYSSEY ODYSSEY IC white hot xg 2-ball f7 WHITE HOT XG SABERTOOTH STREET PRICE STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $140 $170 $170 Tech TALK Tech TALK Tech TALK The monochromatic head (20-20A shown), What we have here is a fusion of the Two dense, semicircular fangs account shaft and grip are designed to optically company’s two most popular alignment for 132 grams, which spread 37 percent of blend into the putting green so the white systems, the 2-Ball and the parallel “fangs” the head’s total weight away from the CG alignment stripes stand out. The most of #7. With 120 grams repositioned in the location to increase stability on off-center significant change from last year’s intro- fangs, this model has an MOI of 4,800, hits. The soft, elastomer-backed face insert ductory mallet is that the open spaces in which is 40 percent more than the original is designed to complement multilayer the head have been filled in, creating a 2-Ball. As with most mallets in the XG line, balls and features a textured sweet spot to solid green shape. The benefit of the large, it includes a double-bend shaft with a enhance feel. Parallel bars and two stacked square design is a high MOI that mitigates shaft’s width of offset as well as the two- aiming dots assist with setup. twisting on off-center strikes. piece elastomer-based face insert with a Player comments Player comments textured sweet spot. (M) “Real easy to rotate the clubface (L) “Sometimes I have trouble setting up Player comments through the ball.” . . . (L) “I’m looking for a closed, but this corrected that problem.” . . . (M) “Center hits and off-center hits all go ‘click’ that is not tinny, and this provides that. (T) “The green-white concept really does the same. I could get used to this.” . . . It’s easy to set down square, perhaps the help, but I found the face profile a smidge (T) “Looks like it can balance itself. I think easiest putter ever to align.” . . . (T) “Good high.” . . . (T) “You could leave this on the I could set this putter up, walk away, and it stuff. How can a putter be solid and soft at putting green and never find it again.” . . . would still be lined up at the hole when I got the same time?” . . . (L) “Nice contrasting (M) “Good touch on short ones; great feed- back.” . . . (L) “One of the softest inserts.” . . . colors.” . . . (T) “Good for Generation X. Too back on long ones.” (T) “A lot of features, yet it’s simple.” flashy for Baby Boomers.” Hot Hot Hot Free your mind and free your stroke. For anyone struggling with alignment The optical bonus of the round shape is When you can’t see the putter, all you can issues, this could be the best cure around. that it corresponds perfectly with the (and will) think about is speed. The combination of bars and balls is as dimensions of a cup. Not effective as it is bold. Not The extra-large sole has the potential to Not Shaft-length options (three) and hosel get scuffy if you’re not stroking it well. It looks like the Millennium Falcon. choices (one) seem parsimonious.

the numbers the numbers the numbers Face width...... 105 mm Shaft lengths...... 33 in Face width...... 87 mm Shaft lengths...... 33 in Face width...... 87 mm Shaft lengths...... 33 in

Front to back ...... 88 mm ...... 34 in Front to back ...... 88 mm ...... 34, 35 in Front to back ...... 86 mm ...... 34, 35 in

Loft...... 3˚ ...... 35 in Loft...... 3˚ ...... custom Loft...... 3˚ ...... custom

PERFORMANCE ★ PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE ★ ★★★★ ★★★★ ★ ★★★★ INNOVATION ★ INNOVATION INNOVATION ★ ★★★★½ ★★★★ ★ ★★★½ look/sound/feel ★ look/sound/feel look/sound/feel ★ ★★★½ ★★★½ ★ ★★★★ DEMAND ★ DEMAND DEMAND ★ ★★★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★★

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sILVER sILVER sILVER

GOLD

ODYSSEY PING RIFE WHITE HOT XG TERON KARSTEN SERIES CRAZ-E BARBADOS TOUR MALLET

STREET PRICE STREET PRICE STREET PRICE $170 $120 $180 Tech TALK Tech TALK Tech TALK The design is similar to Odyssey’s A lightweight elastomer insert in The computer-milled 304 stainless-steel Sabertooth, especially the idea of pushing the cavity behind the face is designed for head has a notch cut into the back of the weight toward the perimeter to improve double duty: reduce vibration and topline directly above the sweetspot. When stability on off-center hits. The outer redistribute weight to the perimeter for the central white aiming line appears in the wings occupy 147 grams, or 41 percent of a high MOI. The body is investment cast notch, you know your eyes are over the ball. the head’s total weight, helping it achieve from 17-4 stainless steel and is face- Because the horizontal grooves are an MOI of 5,750. The face has the XG line’s balanced. Two tones of blue accentuate designed to grip the cover of the ball and soft and textured elastomer-backed the multiple-level alignment feature. lift it from its depression on the green, the insert. Alignment features borrow the Player comments face has a strong loft of 2 degrees. The shaft Marxman’s white bars. (L) “I like that it doesn’t have an insert features a half-degree of kickback, meaning Player comments on the face. Just the solid feel of steel.’’ . . . it leans slightly toward the right eye. (L) ‘‘A no-brainer to align. If you can’t get (M) “Feels like it just glides across the Player comments this pointed at the hole, just give up.’’ . . . grass. This one’s impossible to miss with (M) “Very balanced. Doesn’t wobble at all (T) “Busy-looking, but it draws your eyes from short range.” . . . (T) “Fairly heavy, when you set it down.” . . . (L) ‘‘It makes sense right to the center spot.” . . . (L) “I love so it promotes the use of the big muscles visually.’’ . . . (T) “Three prominent lines make scooping up balls with it.’’ . . . (M) ‘‘The more in the stroke.” . . . (M) “If you read the putt alignment a cinch, but they’ll distract some putts you make with it, the prettier it looks.’’ right, it’s going to go in.” players during the stroke.” . . . (L) ‘‘Ball comes Hot Hot off syrupy. One of the most consistent rollers Having the highest MOI of any putter in If you prefer the traditional sound of steel out here.’’ the Odyssey line makes for serious bragging but want a modern shape, Ping has played Hot rights. Its stability can help win nassaus, matchmaker with this model. And the price The two-tone look of the tour-black finish then the wings can help pop the tops to tag makes it a cheap wedding. and polished grooves puts it high in the the free beers at the clubhouse. Not running for most attractive mallet on our list. Not Gunmetal gray and muted blues will be Not Forget to put the headcover on, and the a welcome subtlety to some but will feel If the putt on 18 must drop, do you want to sharp ends can give a nasty scratch. industrial and boring to others. worry about an alignment notch?

the numbers the numbers the numbers Face width...... 87 mm Shaft lengths...... 33 in Face width...... 93 mm Shaft lengths...... 30, 31 in Face width...... 84 mm Shaft lengths...... 33 in

Front to back ...... 92 mm ...... 34, 35 in Front to back ...... 91 mm ...... 32, 33, 34 in Front to back ...... 77 mm ...... 34, 35 in

Loft...... 3˚ ...... custom Loft...... 3˚ ...... 35, 36, 37 in Loft...... 2˚ ...... uncut

PERFORMANCE ★ PERFORMANCE ★ PERFORMANCE ★ ★★★★ ★★★★½ ★★★★½ INNOVATION ★ INNOVATION ★ INNOVATION ★ ★★★★ ★★★½ ★★★ look/sound/feel ★ look/sound/feel ★ look/sound/feel ★ ★★★½ ★★★★ ★★★★ DEMAND ★ DEMAND ★ DEMAND ★ ★★★★ ★★★★½ ★★★

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sILVER

Best values How about a full SeT for less than $1,o00? We know that $500 drivers, $370 fairway woods and (preferably former Hot List selections). Visit sites such as $1,500 iron sets might be difficult to afford in today’s valueguide.pga.com, callawaygolfpreowned.com or economic climate. We also know that you can get quality golfexchange.com to find good deals. Or you can try this clubs for a lot less. Here are two options to consider: First, list of our favorite new-club values. This set of 14-clubs taylormade there’s the exceptional value of a used set of clubs will cost you $980 ($1,040 with bag). MONZA SPIDER

STREET PRICE driver, $220 FAIRWAY HYBRID, $150 IRONS, $200 $200 Tour Edge’s GeoMax 2 WOOD, $150 A fresh idea on the The Hireko Acer XK Tech TALK has a 20 percent A good enough club hybrid, the Snake series of irons comes in The combination of a large steel frame larger face and a 22 to be used by Padraig Eyes Q4-U features three versions (Stan- and a light aluminum core allows more percent deeper center Harrington (winner a concave sole that’s dard, HT and Pro), but weight to be pushed rearward. The purpose of gravity (CG) than of two majors last designed to reduce each set of eight irons is a CG depth that is 40.5 millimeters back last year’s model be- year), Wilson’s Fybrid ground contact. has an undercut cavity from the center of the face. Because the cause of four internal has heel and toe sole Four weight ports for optimal forgive- movable weight cartridges extend farther weight pads deep in scallops that create a on the rear perimeter ness and a low CG. On from the heel and toe, 60 percent of the the sole (lofts: 9, 10.5, railed sole (lofts: 15, help push weight the Pro version, the head’s total weight lies outside the center 12, 15; touredge.com). 18; wilson.com). low and deep (lofts: sole on the cast 431 portion, as defined by the outskirts of the 15, 19, 23, 27, 31; stainless-steel head white alignment graphic. As a result, the golfsmith.com). gets narrower, and MOI is 6,750. the blade length gets Player comments shorter (hireko.com). (T) “The adjustable weights really give you the chance to get it the way you want it.”. . . (M) “Within six feet, it’s deadly.” . . . (M) “A lot going on visually, but not too distracting. Loved the roll of the insert.” . . . (T) “Real easy to line up; the ball feels like PUTTER, $100 part of the putter.” . . . (T) “Last year I was The lightweight poly- like ‘whoa,’ but now I like the look.” mer face insert and Hot three-pointed mallet One of last year’s hottest-selling mallets. shape on the Nike Oz About 50,000 Americans can’t be wrong. 6 push weight to the extreme heel and toe Not for optimal stability Full-court-press alignment graphics could (nikegolf.com). upset the stomachs of some golfers.

the numbers Face width...... 92 mm Shaft lengths...... 33 in

Front to back ...... 96 mm ...... 34 in

Loft...... 2.5˚ ...... 35 in BAG, $60 The Sunday X-Strap ★ PERFORMANCE from Sun Mountain ★★★★ WEDGE, $80 weighs just two Weight has been redis- pounds, including a INNOVATION ★ dual-strap system ★★★★ tributed to the flange on the Lynx LXW to lower with hip padding, four pockets and a vinyl- ★ look/sound/feel the CG. The grooves cover ★★★★ nearly 6 percent more reinforced bottom area than previous mod- (sunmountain.com). ★ DEMAND els (golfsmith.com). ★★★★½

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