[Birdie Retriever]

Well the 2007 Golf Digest Hot List should be here within the next week or so...I thought we should start a thread to get everyones thoughts on the Editor's picks and other clubs that made the list.

Anyone have any predictions or inside knowledge of what you think will be the top picks in each category?

Here are my predictions

Driver: Cleveland Hi-bore XL
Fairway Wood: Cobra HS9
Hybrid: Taylormade R7 Draw Rescue
Game Improvement Iron: Callaway X-20
Super Game Improvement: Adams Idea Tech OS
Players Iron: MP-60 (or Callaway X-forged)
Wedges: Cleveland 588 DSG
Blade Putter: Scotty Cameron
Mallet Putter: Odyssey XG 2-Ball
Lower-priced Ball: Bridgestone E5/E6
Tour Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1/V1x

[mr_divots]

Hmmm.... you have a good list there.

Driver: Ping Rapture
Fairway Wood: Callaway X-Hot
Hybrid: Taylormade R7 Draw Rescue or Cobra Baffler
Game Improvement Iron: Cobra FS9
Super Game Improvement: Adams Idea Tech OS
Players Iron: MP-67
Blade Putter: White Hot XG series
Mallet Putter: Nike Unitized
Lower-priced Ball: Bridgestone E5/E6
Tour Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1/V1x

I hate the time of year they put out this list though. Seems like March would be a much better time. Closer to the time when more equipment releases will be available. Then again, their list is completely biased and means nothing anyway, so I guess I couldn't care less...

[Oaks]

This may be tougher then one would think...

Does Drivers get two Categories this year? Regular and Super MOI?

Driver: Ping Rapture
Driver Super MOI: Nike SQ SUMO
Fairway Wood: Nike SQ2
Hybrid: Adams Idea
Game Improvement Iron: Callaway X-20
Super Game Improvement: Ping Rapture
Players Iron: Callaway X Prototype
Blade Putter: TP Mills
Mallet Putter: Ping Craze-One
Lower-priced Ball: Nike Mojo
Tour Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1/V1x

I'm Done!

[Birdie Retriever]

mr_divots, on Dec 30 2006, 11:56 AM, said:

Then again, their list is completely biased and means nothing anyway, so I guess I couldn't care less...

I couldn't agree more! It seems like whichever companies give Golf Digest the most $$ for advertising always ends up winning the most "Editors Choice" awards

The only reason I enjoy this issue is to used it as a reference when looking at new clubs I am thinking about purchasing...I always take them to the course first before buying.

[GIRmaster18]

moi driver sumo 2
driver rapture
3 wood ping rapture
hybrid titleist whatever it is
players irons r7 tp
game improvment iron nike cci
super game improvement r7 draw irons
wedges new titleist wedge
putter blade nike unitized tiempo
putter mallet the scotty cameron mallet
ball 2007 nike one platnum

[wholeinwon]

Driver: Taylor Made Superquad
Driver MOI: Callaway FT-i
Fairway Wood: Titleist 906F
Hybrid: Cobra Baffler
Game Improvement: Callaway X20
Super Game Improvement: Something from Adams
Players Irons: Callaway X Forged
Blade Putter: Ping Redwood
Mallet Putter: White Hot XG SRT
Wedges: Titleist Spin Milled
Low Price Ball: Bridgestone E5/6
Tour Ball: ProV1/x

[longball300]

Driver: Ping Rapture
Driver MOI: Sumo
Fairway Wood: TM draw
Hybrid: Cleveland halo
Game Improvement: R7 draw
Super Game Improvement: Adams
Players Irons: Ping S58 Tours
Putter: heavy putter
Wedges: TM Y cutter
Ball: Nike platinum

[Zaphod1]

when will the 2007 February Issue of Golf Digest be available (the actual magazine, not just the list on the internet) ?
thanks

[swanry30]

Yellow Labradors, on Dec 30 2006, 01:08 PM, said:

mr_divots, on Dec 30 2006, 11:56 AM, said:

Then again, their list is completely biased and means nothing anyway, so I guess I couldn't care less...

I couldn't agree more! It seems like whichever companies give Golf Digest the most $$ for advertising always ends up winning the most "Editors Choice" awards

The only reason I enjoy this issue is to used it as a reference when looking at new clubs I am thinking about purchasing...I always take them to the course first before buying.

Exactly... Isn't this one of the reasons so many of us rely on each other here on this website for unbiased club reviews and feedback? The ranking systems are always so messed up. How does a companies "marketing influence" (insert any other pointless category that is not performance related here) affect how well you or me hit their product? It doesn't... So why is it a category? The days of buying a club without hitting it or getting fit for the right shaft are on the way out the door. Just because my favorite pro hits a certain club, doesn't make it right for me.

[tmac7592]

Driver: Nike Sumo squared
Fairway Wood: titleist 906f2
Hybrid: callaway x hybrid
Game Improvement Iron: nike cci cast
Super Game Improvement: callaway wide sole fusion
Players Iron: nike cci forged
Blade Putter: scotty cameron
Mallet Putter: 2 ball mallet
Lower-priced Ball: nike juice
Tour Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1/V1x seamless
wedge -titlesit spin milled the new ones with different grinds

[samm980]

I would not be surprised to see the Odyssey Black Milled Series, it's a great feeling putter and looks pretty good too.

[golfernut78]

i don't know, who spending what on advertising this year in golf digest?

[samm980]

golfernut78, on Dec 30 2006, 03:22 PM, said:

i don't know, who spending what on advertising this year in golf digest?

That's pretty good!

[Onebulldogs]

I predict they will select equipment based upon who buys the most ads in then next 12 months. Call me a cynic, but it is how I feel about a list that takes sales into account.

Driver: TM 460 or Nike Sumo (or other high MOI drivers). Hi-Bore will be a dud.
Fairway Wood: Cally X Series
Hybrid: Taylormade R7 Rescue
Game Improvement Iron: Mizzy MX-25 or the new Cobras
Super Game Improvement: Ping Rapture
Players Iron: Callaway X-forged
Wedges: Ping iWedge
Blade Putter: Nike Unitized
Mallet Putter: Odyssey 3-Ball
Lower-priced Ball: Bridgestone E5/E6
Tour Golf Ball: TM TP Red/Black

[Ankorgolf]

Driver: Nike sumo2
Fairway: ping rapture
hybrid: Baffler
GI irons: r7
superGI: Adams
Players: ping s58 or X forged
wedge: ping iWedge
blade putter: NC milled
mallet putter: odyssey tri-ball
premium ball: new nike one black
cheap ball: DT Solo

[markmcnultyfan]

What's humorous to me is that so many people spout the conspiracy theory about magazines being influenced by advertisers, yet think nothing about the fact all golf forums (this one included) essentially have "plants" from the various OEM's who purposely don't divulge the fact they work for the specific OEM but are always starting or joining threads any time they can push the greatness of their product. Not to mention advertisers at all the golf forums. You may think everyone posting to threads is just an "everyday Joe Golfer" like you, but don't be fooled. There are plenty of plants in EVERY forum.

[mr_divots]

markmcnultyfan, on Dec 30 2006, 05:26 PM, said:

What's humorous to me is that so many people spout the conspiracy theory about magazines being influenced by advertisers, yet think nothing about the fact all golf forums (this one included) essentially have "plants" from the various OEM's who purposely don't divulge the fact they work for the specific OEM but are always starting or joining threads any time they can push the greatness of their product. Not to mention advertisers at all the golf forums. You may think everyone posting to threads is just an "everyday Joe Golfer" like you, but don't be fooled. There are plenty of plants in EVERY forum.

So very true. But "plants" are usually pretty easy to spot. More often, OEM's cruise the boards for feedback. heck, if these forums aren't the world's best market research study, I don't know what is.

I've been lucky enough to have provided feedback (both positive and negative) on products on various boards, and on more than one occasion have had product sent to me to try to see if I liked it better than the product I did not like. So these "plants" as you call them, can be a very GOOD thing too...

[Hifade]

Look out for the new Exotics CNC milled face forged CB irons and their new fairway woods and tour proto driver. I think big things are ahead for these guys. These clubs flat out outperform most others.

Cardo

[samm980]

Hifade, on Dec 30 2006, 07:08 PM, said:

Look out for the new Exotics CNC milled face forged CB irons and their new fairway woods and tour proto driver. I think big things are ahead for these guys. These clubs flat out outperform most others.

Cardo

Good points, I think that with this latest line they will make a step-up, people realize how good the first Exotics were.

[zeke4351]

There will be 2 or 3 Ping items in the list. Look for them to jump on the Srixon balls.

[Viking Golfer]

Driver: Callaway FT-5
Fairway Wood: Titleist 906F2
Hybrid: Taylor Made Rescue Dual
Game Improvement Iron: Mizuno Mx-25
Super Game Improvement: Ping Rapture
Players Iron: Callaway X-forged
Wedges: Mizuno Mp-R
Blade Putter: YES! Callie Forged
Mallet Putter: Odyssey XG 2-Ball
Lower-priced Ball: Bridgestone E5/E6
Tour Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1/V1x

[press]

markmcnultyfan, on Dec 30 2006, 05:26 PM, said:

What's humorous to me is that so many people spout the conspiracy theory about magazines being influenced by advertisers, yet think nothing about the fact all golf forums (this one included) essentially have "plants" from the various OEM's who purposely don't divulge the fact they work for the specific OEM but are always starting or joining threads any time they can push the greatness of their product. Not to mention advertisers at all the golf forums. You may think everyone posting to threads is just an "everyday Joe Golfer" like you, but don't be fooled. There are plenty of plants in EVERY forum.

<<<<<<<<<<


I think marketing intrest by major OEM`s in these forums is limited. The reason I say this is by and large the people that frequent these forums are avid golfers and better players. Essencially we make up a very small segment of the buying public. The major OEM`s get there sales volumes by other means.

Now what I think these forums get used by are small niche companys and the component companys these guys are all over these forums and I would suggest that some of these forum owners/managers have direct connections to these component companys.

[3puttbogey]

Good luck finding someone who is unbiased about golf clubs. Who's playing what matters. Every thing about a club is designed to give a positive bias about the club including shape, size, graphics, graphics on the clubshaft, etc. If a reviewer loves or hates black and gold then this influences how they feel about Nike. If you think Mickleson will only play the absolute best equipment then is he plays the fti maybe you might try it. I think the magazine does a good job of letting you know whats out there and gives some opinions that may or may not matter to the reader.

[Evil R1]

These are my guesses

• Driver: Nike SUMO Sq
  
• Fairway Wood: Callaway X Hot/X Series
  
• Hybrid: Adams Idea Pro
  
• Game Improvement Iron: Callaway X-20
  
• Super Game Improvement: Callaway Fusion Wide Sole
  
• Players Iron: Adams Idea Pro
  
• Wedges: Ping iWedge
  
• Blade Putter: Ping Redwood
  
• Mallet Putter: Heavy Putter B2M
  
• Lower-priced Ball: Titleist NXT
  
• Tour Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1/Pro V1x (That's a given)

[Hifade]

Don't think the publishers don't know which companies spend the most with them. Afterall, that's the publishers job. Trust me, there will be something from each major OEM on that list. That's business.

[dncm2002]

I am surprised that many are listing the callaway x-20 - will it "qualify" since it will have justed come out?

Is the hot list a preview of new items for 2007, or a review of the top items for 2006 that were "hot".

[Evil R1]

dncm2002, on Dec 31 2006, 09:25 AM, said:

I am surprised that many are listing the callaway x-20 - will it "qualify" since it will have justed come out?

Is the hot list a preview of new items for 2007, or a review of the top items for 2006 that were "hot".

Yes, the X-20's do qualify, here is a like to the nominees: Clicky Clicky

[texcrom]

mr_divots, on Dec 30 2006, 08:28 PM, said:

markmcnultyfan, on Dec 30 2006, 05:26 PM, said:

What's humorous to me is that so many people spout the conspiracy theory about magazines being influenced by advertisers, yet think nothing about the fact all golf forums (this one included) essentially have "plants" from the various OEM's who purposely don't divulge the fact they work for the specific OEM but are always starting or joining threads any time they can push the greatness of their product. Not to mention advertisers at all the golf forums. You may think everyone posting to threads is just an "everyday Joe Golfer" like you, but don't be fooled. There are plenty of plants in EVERY forum.

So very true. But "plants" are usually pretty easy to spot. More often, OEM's cruise the boards for feedback. heck, if these forums aren't the world's best market research study, I don't know what is.

I've been lucky enough to have provided feedback (both positive and negative) on products on various boards, and on more than one occasion have had product sent to me to try to see if I liked it better than the product I did not like. So these "plants" as you call them, can be a very GOOD thing too...

"...on more than one occasion have had product sent to me to try to see if I liked it better than the product I did not like."

I can't believe that's the case.

However, let me go on record to any "plants" on this forum as saying that the quality and playability of the following products is substandard, and my opinion will not be swayed by a "plant" sending me the following items free of charge (including shipping):

Mizuno MP-67's (thought I'd get backups to cover poor quality control)
Taylor Made Forged R7 irons (Japan only...not good enough for the US?)
Taylor Made Superquad 8.5 degree stiff (Not as good as the Titleist?)
Titleist D2 9.5 degree V2 stiff (Not as good as the Superquad?)
Sonartec GS 15 degree stiff (Aren't you a wedge company now?)
Titleist Vokey Oil Can Spin Mill new grinds (Not as good as Sonartec?)
1 case of new Titleist ProV1 (Anyone hit the new TM Red ball?)
1 case of Taylor Made TP Red (Anyone hit the new ProV1?)
1 case of new Bridgestone B330S (Aren't you a tire company?)
Mizuno 10" Staff Bag (the blue is nice, the running bird however...)
Butch Harmon Golf School Coupon (Tiger told me it's not worth it)

Try as you will, "plants", my loyalty will not be bought with free products, even those sent to my address, which is readily available thru a PM at your request!!

[Hifade]

Laughed my a$$ off.....too funny

texcrom, on Dec 31 2006, 09:02 AM, said:

However, let me go on record to any "plants" on this forum as saying that the quality and playability of the following products is substandard, and my opinion will not be swayed by a "plant" sending me the following items free of charge (including shipping):

Mizuno MP-67's (thought I'd get backups to cover poor quality control)
Taylor Made Forged R7 irons (Japan only...not good enough for the US?)
Taylor Made Superquad 8.5 degree stiff (Not as good as the Titleist?)
Titleist D2 9.5 degree V2 stiff (Not as good as the Superquad?)
Sonartec GS 15 degree stiff (Aren't you a wedge company now?)
Titleist Vokey Oil Can Spin Mill new grinds (Not as good as Sonartec?)
1 case of new Titleist ProV1 (Anyone hit the new TM Red ball?)
1 case of Taylor Made TP Red (Anyone hit the new ProV1?)
1 case of new Bridgestone B330S (Aren't you a tire company?)
Mizuno 10" Staff Bag (the blue is nice, the running bird however...)
Butch Harmon Golf School Coupon (Tiger told me it's not worth it)

Try as you will, "plants", my loyalty will not be bought with free products, even those sent to my address, which is readily available thru a PM at your request!!

[Bridgestone4life]

Driver: Callaway FT-5(TOur Edge PROTO)
Fairway Wood: Titleist 906F2
Hybrid: Taylor Made Rescue Dual
Game Improvement Iron: Mizuno Mx-25
Super Game Improvement: Ping Rapture
Players Iron: Callaway X-forged
Wedges: Mizuno Mp-R
Blade Putter: YES! Callie Forged
Mallet Putter: Odyssey XG 2-Ball
Lower-priced Ball: Bridgestone E5/E6
Tour Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1/V1x

[dncm2002]

Evil R1, on Dec 31 2006, 09:35 AM, said:

Yes, the X-20's do qualify, here is a like to the nominees: Clicky Clicky

Thanks for that link.

[airball7]

Driver: MacGregor Eye O Matic Persimmon Deep Face (Kwok'd)
Fairway Wood: Ping Eye 2 Laminate (blonde)
Hybrid: Stan Thompson Ginty w/aluminum shaft
Game Improvement Iron: Wilson FG-17
Super Game Improvement: Muirfield Jack Nicklaus
Players Iron: Titleist Accu-Flo
Wedges: Northwestern Tom Weiskopf
Blade Putter: Bullseye flange
Mallet Putter: Ram Zebra
Lower-priced Ball: Titleist 384 Tour Balata
Tour Golf Ball: Molitor

[mr_divots]

texcrom, on Dec 31 2006, 09:02 AM, said:

mr_divots, on Dec 30 2006, 08:28 PM, said:

markmcnultyfan, on Dec 30 2006, 05:26 PM, said:

What's humorous to me is that so many people spout the conspiracy theory about magazines being influenced by advertisers, yet think nothing about the fact all golf forums (this one included) essentially have "plants" from the various OEM's who purposely don't divulge the fact they work for the specific OEM but are always starting or joining threads any time they can push the greatness of their product. Not to mention advertisers at all the golf forums. You may think everyone posting to threads is just an "everyday Joe Golfer" like you, but don't be fooled. There are plenty of plants in EVERY forum.

So very true. But "plants" are usually pretty easy to spot. More often, OEM's cruise the boards for feedback. heck, if these forums aren't the world's best market research study, I don't know what is.

I've been lucky enough to have provided feedback (both positive and negative) on products on various boards, and on more than one occasion have had product sent to me to try to see if I liked it better than the product I did not like. So these "plants" as you call them, can be a very GOOD thing too...

"...on more than one occasion have had product sent to me to try to see if I liked it better than the product I did not like."

I can't believe that's the case.

However, let me go on record to any "plants" on this forum as saying that the quality and playability of the following products is substandard, and my opinion will not be swayed by a "plant" sending me the following items free of charge (including shipping):

Mizuno MP-67's (thought I'd get backups to cover poor quality control)
Taylor Made Forged R7 irons (Japan only...not good enough for the US?)
Taylor Made Superquad 8.5 degree stiff (Not as good as the Titleist?)
Titleist D2 9.5 degree V2 stiff (Not as good as the Superquad?)
Sonartec GS 15 degree stiff (Aren't you a wedge company now?)
Titleist Vokey Oil Can Spin Mill new grinds (Not as good as Sonartec?)
1 case of new Titleist ProV1 (Anyone hit the new TM Red ball?)
1 case of Taylor Made TP Red (Anyone hit the new ProV1?)
1 case of new Bridgestone B330S (Aren't you a tire company?)
Mizuno 10" Staff Bag (the blue is nice, the running bird however...)
Butch Harmon Golf School Coupon (Tiger told me it's not worth it)

Try as you will, "plants", my loyalty will not be bought with free products, even those sent to my address, which is readily available thru a PM at your request!!

That's good. Unfortunately, my "freebies" have been things like grips. While appreciated, they are decidedly less cool than your list of "inferior" products!

[Rabidpenguin45]

I think the title is misleading, its called the hotlist. Its not called the superbiasedinformationthattheoemspayedourtesterstosay list. If they just gave pictures, and full specs including what shafts you can get in a detailed, organized list, i'd like that A LOT more.

[Onebulldogs]

texcrom, on Dec 31 2006, 10:02 AM, said:

mr_divots, on Dec 30 2006, 08:28 PM, said:

markmcnultyfan, on Dec 30 2006, 05:26 PM, said:

What's humorous to me is that so many people spout the conspiracy theory about magazines being influenced by advertisers, yet think nothing about the fact all golf forums (this one included) essentially have "plants" from the various OEM's who purposely don't divulge the fact they work for the specific OEM but are always starting or joining threads any time they can push the greatness of their product. Not to mention advertisers at all the golf forums. You may think everyone posting to threads is just an "everyday Joe Golfer" like you, but don't be fooled. There are plenty of plants in EVERY forum.

So very true. But "plants" are usually pretty easy to spot. More often, OEM's cruise the boards for feedback. heck, if these forums aren't the world's best market research study, I don't know what is.

I've been lucky enough to have provided feedback (both positive and negative) on products on various boards, and on more than one occasion have had product sent to me to try to see if I liked it better than the product I did not like. So these "plants" as you call them, can be a very GOOD thing too...

"...on more than one occasion have had product sent to me to try to see if I liked it better than the product I did not like."

I can't believe that's the case.

However, let me go on record to any "plants" on this forum as saying that the quality and playability of the following products is substandard, and my opinion will not be swayed by a "plant" sending me the following items free of charge (including shipping):

Mizuno MP-67's (thought I'd get backups to cover poor quality control)
Taylor Made Forged R7 irons (Japan only...not good enough for the US?)
Taylor Made Superquad 8.5 degree stiff (Not as good as the Titleist?)
Titleist D2 9.5 degree V2 stiff (Not as good as the Superquad?)
Sonartec GS 15 degree stiff (Aren't you a wedge company now?)
Titleist Vokey Oil Can Spin Mill new grinds (Not as good as Sonartec?)
1 case of new Titleist ProV1 (Anyone hit the new TM Red ball?)
1 case of Taylor Made TP Red (Anyone hit the new ProV1?)
1 case of new Bridgestone B330S (Aren't you a tire company?)
Mizuno 10" Staff Bag (the blue is nice, the running bird however...)
Butch Harmon Golf School Coupon (Tiger told me it's not worth it)

Try as you will, "plants", my loyalty will not be bought with free products, even those sent to my address, which is readily available thru a PM at your request!!

Luckily, I went to law school and traded in my integrity for a Bar Card. For any OEMs wanting to buy my loyalty, I am willing to sell it for a dozen of Tiger's Platinums. If you want my absolute loyalty, please send the following to Connecticut ASAP:
TM - Superquad 10.5 degrees - X-Stiff
Mizzy - MP-67's blueprinted with S300 shafts
In a brand new - Jones Single Strap Stand Bag Circa early 1990's.

[dinkoh]

Absolutely shocked that TaylorMade TP MB irons aren't nominated!
The best player irons in my opinion.

[Viking Golfer]

Bridgestone4life, on Dec 31 2006, 06:45 PM, said:

Driver: Callaway FT-5(TOur Edge PROTO)
Fairway Wood: Titleist 906F2
Hybrid: Taylor Made Rescue Dual
Game Improvement Iron: Mizuno Mx-25
Super Game Improvement: Ping Rapture
Players Iron: Callaway X-forged
Wedges: Mizuno Mp-R
Blade Putter: YES! Callie Forged
Mallet Putter: Odyssey XG 2-Ball
Lower-priced Ball: Bridgestone E5/E6
Tour Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1/V1x

Hey - you copy & pasted mine

[TXgolfer130]

Driver: Callaway FT-i or TaylorMade SuperQuad
FW: Callaway X-Hot
Hybrid: Callaway X
Game Improvement: X-20 or MX-25
Player's Iron: Mizuno MP-67 & Callaway X-Forged
Super Game Improvement: Callaway Fusion Wide soles
Wedges: Callaway X-Tour
Putter: Heavy Putter
Balls: Bridgestone B330S & Callaway HX Tour 56

[hksaikung]

I just bought the golf digest feb 07

Official Hot List 2007

Driver Callaway FT-5
Fairway wood Callaway big bertha
Hybrid Adams idea pro
Game improvement irons Callaway x20
Super game improvement irons Cobra s9
Player's irons Tm r7 tp
Wedge Titleist vokey spin milled
Mallet putter Odyssey white Hot xg2 2-ball srt
Blade putter Ping g5i
Tour ball Titleist pro v1x
Value ball Callaway hx hot

[Evil R1]

hksaikung, on Jan 2 2007, 08:03 AM, said:

I just bought the golf digest feb 07

Official Hot List 2007

Driver Callaway FT-5
Fairway wood Callaway big bertha
Hybrid Adams idea pro
Game improvement irons Callaway x20
Super game improvement irons Cobra s9
Player's irons Tm r7 tp
Wedge Titleist vokey spin milled
Mallet putter Odyssey white Hot xg2 2-ball srt
Blade putter Ping g5i
Tour ball Titleist pro v1x
Value ball Callaway hx hot

Wow, how did the Fusion Wide Soles not win the Super Game Improvement catagory? Well, I'm sure it had something to do with the rediculous price of them, but I haven't hit anything that is more forgiving than those.