Equipment

Predicting the hottest drivers of 2016

Published

8 years ago

Dec 9, 2015

“What driver should I play this year?” It’s a question we all ask when heading into a new season, and looking at all the drivers on the shelf of your local golf store can be overwhelming.

The best answer is to get fit.

That being said, PGA Tour players can help indicate what the hottest drivers will be each year. They’re playing for serious paychecks, and they don’t just switch drivers on a whim — they need to believe in the product. Although most players get paid to play what their sponsors want, it’s rare that a Tour player will switch into a driver during tournament play that he doesn’t like, or one that doesn’t perform for him.

That’s why we’re looking to see what PGA Tour players are switching into late in 2015, and some of our own early club testing, to give us a hint at what the hottest drivers will be in 2016.

TaylorMade M1

The TaylorMade M1 430 and 460 drivers are flashy, unique, and from our testing… very long. In a recent poll (which is still open for voting at the bottom of this article), GolfWRX readers are saying it’s the driver they most want to test in 2016. And for good reason.

Related: Our TaylorMade M1 review

TaylorMade’s newest driver is jam packed with awesome adjustability, including two sliding weights that allow golfers to move center of gravity (CG) forward and backward and tweak hook/fade bias independently. The M1 also has an adjustable hosel and a half carbon-fiber, half-titanium crown that looks as good as it performs.

Jason Day switched into the M1 460 amidst his late-season winning streak, with notable players such as Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia and Justin Rose following suit. Players currently bagging the M1 430 include J.B. Holmes, Daniel Berger, Rory Sabbatini and Aaron Baddeley.

Callaway Great Big Bertha

While not as flashy as other drivers on this list, Callaway’s new Great Big Bertha has been a hit with PGA Tour players on the company’s staff, and has found it’s way into the winner’s circle around the world.

The Great Big Bertha is noteworthy for a sliding weight that allows players to control hook and fade bias, but golfers will more admire the club for its combination of high launch, low spin and forgiveness.

Since its release, the Great Big Bertha was used by the winners of multiple worldwide events, including Kevin Kisner (PGA Tour’s RSM Classic), Kiradech Aphibarnrat (European Tour’s Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Matchplay) and Thomas Pieters (back-to-back wins on the European Tour’s D+D Real Czech Masters and the KLM Open). Other notables currently using the driver include Jim Furyk, Gary Woodland and Chris Kirk.

Callaway is also offering an ultra low-spin option in the Big Bertha Alpha 816 Double Black Diamond (DBD), which will be great for high speed golfers looking to lower their spin rates. A few golfers gaming the 816 DBD include Patrick Reed, Phil Mickelson and Harris English.

Check out the Callaway Great Big Bertha, DBD MegaThread in our forums for more info, photos and buzz.

Nike Vapor Fly “Prototype”

Talk about standing out on the range, golf course and television broadcasts. The new sparkly blue drivers with bright green Swooshes, unofficially named “Vapor Fly Prototypes” by Nike, have been winning tournaments and turning heads of late.

Many PGA Tour players have already made the switch, including Charl Schwartzel (African Dunhill Links) and Rory McIlroy (DP World Tour Championship), who have both won with the new driver in play. Other players bagging the blue Vapor prototype include Patrick Rodgers, Seung Yul Noh, Paul Casey and Nick Watney.

Although Nike’s Vapor Flex driver wasn’t the most popular on Tour last year, the new Flex 440 (pictured above) has already made its way onto the ranges at Tour events, although we have not yet confirmed any players who have used the new Flex in competition.

Spotted: Nike Vapor Fly
First look: Nike Vapor Fly drivers, USGA conforming list
Spotted: Nike Flex 440
Nike 2016 thread

Titleist 915D4

At least in recent years, the Titleist’s 915D4 marks the first time Titleist has offered a driver with an aggressively forward center of gravity (CG). While Jordan Spieth and Jimmy Walker are still playing Titleist’s most forgiving driver, the 915D2, a slew of other Titleist staffers have taken a liking to the newer, lower-spinning model.

Spotted: Titleist 915D4

Justin Thomas notched his first ever PGA Tour victory with a 915D4 in the bag (2015 CIMB Classic), while Bill Haas, Brooks Koepka, Marc Leishman, Tom Gillis, Graham DeLaet and Cameron Tringale are also currently playing it.

The 915D4 is only available through Titleist’s MOTO, or “Made Only to Order” program, where it can be purchased for $625 with a variety of custom shafts.

PXG 0811

The PXG driver’s screw-laden sole might seem like overkill to some golfers, but company founder Bob Parsons may actually be onto something with the design — at least if PGA Tour use is any indicator.

The buzz that began with Ryan Moore — who has since put the 0811 driver in the bag along with the irons and wedges — seems to be circulating to his peers on the PGA Tour. We’ve spotted Charles Howell III testing the 0811 driver in our Tour photos, and he recently began gaming the driver at the OHL Classic at Mayakoba. Also, players like Zach Johnson (wedge), Davis Love III (irons and wedges) and James Hahn (irons and wedges) have gamed PXG clubs in recent weeks, so it may be just a matter of time until we see more players with the drivers, too.

In the driver, PXG offers two different weights — lighter titanium screws and a heavier tungsten screws — allowing golfers to place them in the ports around the perimeter of the sole. This allows golfers to fine tune CG location (thus spin, launch and fade/hook bias) with a level of precision unseen in other drivers on the market that use heavier, singular weights to shift CG more dramatically.

Here’s the PXG 0811 driver that we spotted Charles Howell testing

Cobra King LTD/King F6+

Cobra drivers have made a splash in performance and bright-color options in recent years, but we expect this year’s batch of King (LTD, F6 and F6+) drivers to make a big impact for an increased amount of golfers.

Whatever driver Rickie Fowler decides to play in 2016 — most likely the King LTD — will capture the majority of the eyeballs and buzz for a company who has few other sponsored players.

Cobra’s King F6+ driver, with a Carbon Trac for adjustable CG.

The King LTD boasts what the company calls “Zero CG,” or in other words, a very low center of gravity that boosts both performance and forgiveness. But the recently released F6+ is another viable option, and is one of the most adjustable drivers in terms of moving CG forward and rearward on the market.

King Cobra LTD
Cobra King F6+

Where art thou Ping

In one of the most anticipated driver launches of the year, Ping is expected to drop the successor to the Ping G30 driver soon, but it hasn’t happened just yet. Of course, GolfWRX members are already postulating about the release.

Why is it such a big deal? Well, the Ping G30 is one of the most highly regarded drivers in recent memory, and it topped our 2015 Gear Trials list in forgiveness, scoring a 10/10. It’s a fairway-splitting beast.

The newest release will answer a slew of questions we have for Ping, like: How can they make a G-series driver any better? Will it have turbulators? Will they offer it in all pink for Bubba Watson? Will Bubba release videos of himself on social media ripping the new driver #urwelcome?

Join the conversation about Ping’s new G-Series/DragonFly driver here.

Which new driver are you most interested in testing in 2016?

TaylorMade M1 430/460 (22%, 3,355 Votes)
I'm happy with what I have. (21%, 3,157 Votes)
Cobra King LTD, F6+/ F6 (18%, 2,794 Votes)
Ping's rumored new driver (18%, 2,678 Votes)
Callaway GBB/Alpha 816 (9%, 1,371 Votes)
Nike Vapor Fly, Pro, Flex 440 (8%, 1,237 Votes)
Wilson FG Tour F5 (2%, 279 Votes)
Tour Edge Exotics EX9/Tour (2%, 258 Votes)

Total Voters: 15,125

Loading ...

Your Reaction?

LIKE198
LEGIT33
WOW8
LOL16
IDHT10
FLOP16
OB5
SHANK94

Related Topics:

Up Next

Nike’s Vapor Fly will hit stores on Jan. 29

Don't Miss

Who will change equipment sponsors in 2016?

Andrew Tursky

He played on the Hawaii Pacific University Men's Golf team and earned a Masters degree in Communications. He also played college golf at Rutgers University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

30 Comments

The rule

Dec 18, 2015 at 8:36 pm

I’ve never been a callaway guy, but I went with the big Bertha double black diamond and I absolutely love it. Id go with that again most likely

Reply Report comment
Johnnythunders

Dec 10, 2015 at 2:23 pm

Played the Cobra encore zl for years switchd to ping g30 sf tec, accurate, forgiving and long. Put it up against m1, king ltd, gbb and alph 816 and guest what.

There is no magic driver that is the hext coming.

Its what fits you best, performance wise they are all maxed out.

Staying with my Ping G30 sf tec with diamana b series 60 gram shaft at 45″.

Reply Report comment
Dan Corun

Dec 10, 2015 at 11:08 am

R15 460 in the bag again for 2016. Didn’t find anything better in 2015 to spend my money on. Will of course hit most of the new ones but, on Social Security a $400-$500 new driver better give me 15-20 yards for real (not just what people claim on the golf sites) and never miss a fairway before I give up my R15. It gives me more adjustment options than I’ll ever use and I crush it. Plus, adjusted right and it is a very forgiving driver which some sites claim it isn’t. Maybe next year.

Reply Report comment
Wallace

Dec 10, 2015 at 8:30 am

Truly the best thing I have read in months!

Reply Report comment
Rich

Dec 10, 2015 at 2:10 am

You forgot about the updated version of the Callaway XR line. Saw the new ones the other day and they look really good actually.

Reply Report comment
Dylan

Dec 9, 2015 at 8:59 pm

Every driver is built to the same tolerances. If you have a recent driver and it fits you then buying a new driver is just for show. Don’t spend your hard-earned money on something “hotter” than last year. If you’re really looking to buy a new driver then get properly fit and find what fits YOUR swing. No driver is “best” or “hottest”, but totally a personal preference. Never buy a driver off of someone else’s opinion of how it performed for THEM. Try them all! Each club has a number of variables that make it different from others and once you find the right one then you’re ready to play at your highest level!

Reply Report comment
cody

Dec 9, 2015 at 6:22 pm

hottest drivers. Meaning they paid the most for advertising typically. Just like the golf digest hot list.

Reply Report comment
ph00ny

Dec 9, 2015 at 5:41 pm

Already got the M1 after the TM demo fitting

Reply Report comment
tom

Dec 9, 2015 at 3:17 pm

Glad Garry said it! Got fitted for an expensive shaft a few years ago but the “feel”was too stiff for me. Started using a stock shaft Cobra Fly + and drove the ball so much better. I’m barely a stiff in a usual fitting, but hit the ball better with a regular flex.

Reply Report comment
Tim

Dec 9, 2015 at 2:07 pm

I still think the BStone J715 or J815 is a great driver but of course never makes any list. Either way, if you can track one down to test – i do not think you will be disappointed….

Reply Report comment
- Rich
  
  Dec 10, 2015 at 5:50 pm
  
  Good call Tim. I’ve got a JDM J715 and when I get the right shaft into it, it will be a weapon.
  
  Reply Report comment
Tim Buttles

Dec 9, 2015 at 1:24 pm

No mention of the new Exotics Drivers? That 430cc driver needs more love I can’t wait to hit the EX9 tour!!!

Reply Report comment
Dj

Dec 9, 2015 at 1:10 pm

Not a single driver on this list is much, if any, better than their predecessor. With that said, give me the Nike, please.

Reply Report comment
Scooter McGavin

Dec 9, 2015 at 12:48 pm

I think a better title for this article would be “Here is a list of the top companies’ drivers… because we are out of things to talk about so we’re going to just do another driver article… about the drivers you’ve already read about…”

Reply Report comment
Robin

Dec 9, 2015 at 12:24 pm

No love for the new Wilson driver

Reply Report comment
- Bill
  
  Dec 9, 2015 at 12:51 pm
  
  they must not advertise enougy
  
  Reply Report comment
Mbwa Kali Sana

Dec 9, 2015 at 12:21 pm

I play a KRANK FORMULA 6 DRIVER ,10°5 loft ,shaft STIFF ,FUJIKURA TOUR LIGHT , 45 inches :it’s far better and longer than all those exotic clubs you mention .
Don’t say it ‘s difficult to play:I’m over 81 ,and still play to a 7 Handicap .
Why isn’t it on your test list ?
The FAIRWAY WOODS 3 and 5 are also outstanding ,as well as the HYBRIDS

Reply Report comment
Garry

Dec 9, 2015 at 12:17 pm

I’m so so fed up with this ‘get fitted’ mantra. Is you have a repeatable swing AND have something peculiar in your swing (very very short/tall or massive swing speed) then it makes no difference. I’ve been fit twice, once by Mizuno and then by Cobra. Both times I bought their recommendations and it made no difference, in fact in the Cobra instance, the recommended and purchased club was awful.

99% of golfers are either regular or stiff….end of.

Reply Report comment
- Mbwa Kali Sana
  
  Dec 9, 2015 at 12:27 pm
  
  Dear Garry ,You’re damn right .I have exactly the same experience as you have .I’ve been fitted once ,it didn’t make any difference with the “OFF THE SHELF “clubs I buy .
  I now play the KRANK GOLF clubs:I was never “fitted ” for them ,and they play outstandingly well .
  It’s now 60 years I’m playing golf(I’m over 81) :fitting is merely a merchandising fad!
  
  Reply Report comment
- Vince
  
  Dec 9, 2015 at 12:31 pm
  
  True, but than also kick point of the shaft is key, weighting of shaft, Loft is key as well. My setup I have not another person with my swing speed can hit, but I can cause of my swing and timing.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Weeprogolfer
  
  Dec 9, 2015 at 12:32 pm
  
  You should go to club fitter/ builder rather than a
  Manufacturer who only use there heads – shafts
  Where you have a choice of head and shaft combo who will build to your exact spec
  
  Reply Report comment
- Scott
  
  Dec 9, 2015 at 12:47 pm
  
  Garry, I do not agree. Getting properly fit is the best way to maximize performance or provide you a choice on solutions to problems. With my last fitting a few years ago, after narrowing the head down, I had a choice of two shafts – one provided the best distance and one the most accuracy. I knew that there was a trade off when I made my choice.
  
  I have a friend who is a decent player and will buy anything if he has one good swing with it. He bounces around from driver to driver, all the while looking for the holy grail, all without getting fit. He has spent more money on drivers in the last few years than I spent with the fitting and club.
  
  I do agree that a fitting can provide a lot of information and utilizing it is ultimately up to the golfer. I have seen a couple of golfers get fit, buy the clubs, and end up buying something else or going back to an old set. I am not sure why, if it was their expectations to high on what the new clubs would do or they fact that the club was very different (loft, lie, offset, etc) from what they were used to.
  
  I will also say that if you have a bad swing, it is better to spend the money on lessons, but a proper fitting can provide you a lot of information that you would not be able to get otherwise.
  
  Reply Report comment
- DWK
  
  Dec 9, 2015 at 1:09 pm
  
  Garry…You are now a marked man. Speaking the truth nowadays is out of vogue. Give me a lie board, a PGA Pro with a good pair of eyes and a few different brands to try out. That’s a good old fashioned club fitting!
  
  Reply Report comment
- Philip
  
  Dec 9, 2015 at 1:18 pm
  
  Fitting myself over time with cheap used options until I developed an understanding of my swing and what works best for me – has been the only true fitting for myself. The trick is to figure out what works best for “you” – nothing else matters.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Shallowface
  
  Dec 9, 2015 at 2:09 pm
  
  Garry, agree 100%. I went through that with a SLDR 430. Hit it great on the monitor, bought one with the exact same specs and it was so bad I wondered if the head was defective. Went back to my old G10 with stock stiff that I bought used from 3balls and had the best year of my life at 55. Eight rounds of par or better and a personal best of 66. BTW, my putter is a Zebra that cost $1 at a thrift store.
  As far as fitting is concerned, all I need are my eyes and my hands.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Regis
  
  Dec 9, 2015 at 2:39 pm
  
  I tend to agree. I’ve been fitted by a legitimate fitter several times. But what works in the shop seldom meets my expectations for more than a few rounds. What I’ve ended up doing is creating a quiver of perhaps 3-5 aftermarket shafts that I know work for me and then matching them to heads (usually TMAG or Cobra) after I demo them with a stock shaft. That being said I think most golfers would benefit from a good fitting-at least once. Since most top drivers now use adjustable hosels, I ‘d love to see manufacturers start offering head only packages for those of us that love their current shafts and don’t see the need to drop unnecessary dollars to upgrade.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Tony Wright
  
  Dec 10, 2015 at 7:01 am
  
  Garry thanks for sharing your fitting experience. Hope you will not mind a few comments.
  
  1. Since you said you were fitted for a new driver, can you share how long that process took? True custom driver fitting is not something that takes less than 1 to 2 hours, sometimes even longer.
  
  2. Does your present driver already fit you well, not possible to know this from a post like this. You might like to watch this recent Tom Wishon video on The State of Modern Driver Head Design…..where he makes the point that because there are limits on Driver head COR and head size, and because the moveable weight technology is not likely to help anyone who is not a very good ball striker, new head technologies are not likely to result in more distance and performance for many golfers. Hope you enjoy this video and look forward to any comments….
  
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTh-TgRC3mE
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Dave
    
    Dec 10, 2015 at 7:29 pm
    
    I’m not one to do a lot of comments, but there has reached a point in driver design that we cannot go beyond. For the most part all specifications of design have limits for conforming to the rules of golf have been reached. With that being said, we can only see changes in appearance and very minor changes in design. The flat black paint was the first new innovation along with some dimples on the surface, and now newer paint and some old designs being re-introduced.
    So I’m left with some pretty “Stoopid Dave” ideas running through my head…
    Fitting a player for the right shaft/head/grip combination is going to be more of a trail and error thing. 23 different measurable club specifications and one non-measurable one “feel”.
    And the issue of physics keeps running through my thoughts. Unless you can generate 105 mph of club-head speed you won’t adequately compress a five piece golf ball to maximize it’s potential. So I gotta ask; What do you do to get to the maximum performance a player can create? Trying every new driver design on the planet won’t help a player if he can only get 87 mph of head speed. And at that level spin numbers are meaningless. Help me out here, because I am not sure about what new driver technology is offering. Smiles, Dave
    
    Reply Report comment
  - mhendon
    
    Dec 10, 2015 at 7:40 pm
    
    Speaking of moveable weight technology. I’ve always been a skeptic and have always advocated playing a driver with a standard square set up. I think by most peoples standards I would be considered a good ball striker. A little while back I was demoing a taylormade sldr. The fitter watched as I consistently hit my usual draw so he took the club from me and moved the weight all the way out to the toe just to see what would happen. First ball faded then after that I clearly made a subconscious adjustment and was back to my draw. I guess the point is in principle the weight did effect the ball flight but like most people my mind overpowered it because I like to see a draw.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Reeves
      
      Jan 3, 2016 at 10:52 am
      
      Is it not true that your grip pressure is going to over ride most of the move able weight features anyway?? A lighter grip and soft hands and you do get some benefit of the move able weight (same as lead tape) but a strong grip on the club and you over ride most all the effects of the weight unless it is a huge weight (like 5 or 6 pieces of lead tape)?
      
      Reply Report comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Equipment

A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic

Published

9 hours ago

Apr 25, 2024

Andrew Tursky

Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.

Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.

We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.

Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).

See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here

Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge

Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by GolfWRX (@golfwrx)

A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.

See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here

Turning Back the clock

Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.

But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.

For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.

Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.

The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.

The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.

Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter

Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.

Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by GolfWRX (@golfwrx)

It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.

If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.

Brilliant.

See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here

Stricker’s unrecognizable putter

Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.

Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by GolfWRX (@golfwrx)

Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates

Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.

Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.

It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.

Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines

Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.

Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.

FitzMagic teams back up

Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.

See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here

And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.

We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!

Your Reaction?