Equipment
Editors’ Choice 2013
[dropcap]G[/dropcap]olfWRX’s editorial team recognizes golf equipment of the highest quality, design and performance with our “Editors’ Choice” award, which signifies that a club is one of the best in its category. This year’s “Best of 2013″ nominees are the results of many months of observation, discussion and debate, along with countless hours spent reviewing data.
But don’t just take our word for it.
A product that receives an Editors’ Choice award and makes the “Best of” list must pass through multiple stages of review, including feedback from our panel of elite custom fitters located throughout North America.
Their feedback, combined with objective analysis and reviews from our editorial team, allows us to filter through the hype to provide the GolfWRX community with a list of the absolute best golf equipment currently available. Click here to read the specifics on the voting committee and how we picked the best.
Note: Because new golf equipment is released year round, the “Best of ” list will grow and change as new clubs and data become available.
Add all this up and one thing becomes clear: We take our Editors’ Choice awards very seriously. You can spend countless hours in the GolfWRX forums reading, writing and asking questions about the latest golf gear. If you’re really hardcore, you might even buy and sell clubs in our BST (Buy/Sell/Trade) forum to find the best match for you. We certainly don’t want to discourage you from doing that, because it’s a lot of fun, and our team and up to 1.4 million monthly visitors do it every day.
But we offer our “Best of” list as a much quicker and easier route to equipment nirvana.
Award Categories
Drivers
Fairways
Hybrids
Irons
Wedges
Shafts
Rangefinders
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[dropcap]T[/dropcap]his year’s crop of drivers seem to have more buzz than we remember in the past. Even though golf’s ruling bodies capped the COR (coefficient of restitution) limit on drivers to 0.83 and club head size to 460 cubic centimeters more than a decade ago, manufactures have still found new ways to improve on their designs every year. This year is no exception — crazy graphics, cavity back sole designs and small tweaks have made this year’s drivers better than ever before. Here are eight new drivers that have rolled out these recent months.
[button color=”black” link=”http://www.golfwrx.com/62101/launch-season-for-6-big-dogs/”]See Best Drivers for 2013[/button]
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[dropcap]G[/dropcap]olfers love fairway woods that allow them to hit long, straight shots off the tee and off the ground. But fairway woods are not only some of the hardest clubs to hit consistently — they’re also some of the toughest to fit. Start with these five top-ranked fairway woods in your next fitting session and we guarantee that you’ll be on your way to hitting more fairways and greens in no time.
[button color=”black” link=”http://www.golfwrx.com/90773/2013-best-fairway-woods/”]See Best Fairways for 2013[/button]
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There’s a lot fewer long irons played on the PGA Tour these days than in years past. That’s because the pros have realized that some of the long irons they used to play aren’t as consistent as similar-lofted hybrids, which they can also hit higher and farther. Unfortunately, many amatuer golfers haven’t caught on with the trend. If you’re one of them, make your way to the nearest golf store and give one of these hybrids a swing.
[button color=”black” link=”http://www.golfwrx.com/97848/2013-best-hybrids/”]See Best Hybrids for 2013[/button]
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[dropcap]E[/dropcap]very year brings an opportunity for all the golf companies to release something that makes us gasp, a set of irons that will make us want to kick out our current gamers out of the bag for something new. Maybe longer, more forgiving irons will be the spark we need to take our game to the next level? Here are some of our Editors’ picks for best irons for the year.
[button color=”black” link=”http://www.golfwrx.com/95050/best-irons-2013/”]See Best Irons for 2013[/button]
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[dropcap]G[/dropcap]olf equipment companies are currently offering more sole options than ever before, so there’s no excuse for not playing a grind that gives you the best chance to get it up and down. To help you narrow it down, we’ve created an Editors’ Choice list for the best wedges currently available. They’re offered in a slew of lofts, grinds, finishes and custom options, and are a great starting point if you’re in the market for a new wedge.
[button color=”black” link=”http://www.golfwrx.com/90151/the-best-wedges-for-2013-editors-choice/”]See Best Wedges for 2013[/button]
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[dropcap]O[/dropcap]ne of our favorite subjects to cover on GolfWRX is shafts. They can be confusing, but golfers who get fitted and know what works for them can get into a comfort zone on the course that can make the difference. But golfers buying new or looking to dial in their old gear need to know about the hottest shafts that are hitting stores this year. You can look HERE to see what shafts the Pros are playing in their equipment and also read through this article to find some inspiration prior to your fitting.
[button color=”black” link=”http://www.golfwrx.com/74447/hot-shafts-for-2013-latest-hot-picks/”]See Best Shafts for 2013[/button]
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Whats in the Bag
Ben Kohles WITB 2024 (May)
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 8 X
Hybrid: Titleist TSR3 (19 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue HB 9 x
Irons: Titleist T200 (4, 5), Titleist 620 CB (6-9)
Shafts: Project X 6.0
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46-10F, 50-12F, 54-12D, 60)
Shafts: Project X 6.0
Putter: Scotty Cameron P5 prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
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Whats in the Bag
Kris Kim WITB 2024 (May)
- Kris Kim what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (15 degrees @13.5)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 73 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (2, 4), TaylorMade P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 X
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-09SB, 56-12SB, 60-11TW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 WV 125
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Kris Kim’s equipment here.
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Equipment
Welcome to the family: TaylorMade launches PUDI and PDHY utility irons
TaylorMade is continuing its UDI/DHY series with the successor to the Stealth UDI and DHY utility irons: PUDI and PDHY (which the company styles as P·UDI and P·DHY). TaylorMade is folding the designs in with its P Series of irons.
TaylorMade outlined the process of developing its new utilities this way. The company started with the data on utility iron usage. Not surprisingly, better players — i.e. those who generate more clubhead speed and strike the ball more precisely — were found to gravitate toward the UDI model. DHY usage, however, covered a wider swath than the company might have expected with six-to-18 handicappers found to be bagging the club.
TaylorMade also found that the majority of golfers playing UDI or DHY utilities were playing P Series irons at the top of their iron configurations.
Can you see where this is going?
Matt Bovee, Director of Product Creation, Iron and Wedge at TaylorMade: “As we look to the future, beyond the tech and the design language, we are excited about repositioning our utility irons into the P·Series family. P·UDI is an easy pair for players that currently play P·Series product and P·DHY is an extremely forgiving option for players of all skill levels. It is a natural fit to give these players the performance in this category that they are looking for.”
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TaylorMade PUDI
Crafted with tour player input, TaylorMade sought to develop a confidence-inspiring utility iron that blends with the rest of the P Series irons. Also of note: Interestingly, the PUDI has a more compact head than the P790.
In comparison to past UDI products, the PUDI has a more traditional iron shape, slimmer toplines, and less offset with a little of the backbar visible at address.
TaylorMade PDHY
Larger in profile than the PUDI, the PDHY seeks to position center of gravity (CG) lower in the club for ease of launch. The toe height is larger and the profile is larger at address — roughly five millimeters longer than PUDI — the sole of the club is wider for improved forgiveness.
Club Junkie’s take
Golfers who feel like they are missing something at the top of the bag could find the PUDI or PDHY a great option. The look of the PUDI should fit the most discerning eye with a more compact look, less offset, and a thinner topline. If you want a little more confidence looking down the P-DHY will be slightly larger while still being a good-looking utility iron.
For being small packages both models pack a pretty good punch with fast ball speeds, even off-center. The feel is soft and you get a solid feel of the ball compressing off the face when you strike it well. Your ears are greeted with a nice heavy thud as the ball and club come together. The PDHY will launch a little higher for players who need it while the PUDI offers a more penetrating ball flight. Both utility irons could be the cure for an open spot in the top end of the bag.
PUDI, PDHY, or Rescue?
TaylorMade offers the following notes to assist golfers in filling out their bags:
- PUDI has mid-CG right behind the center face to create a more penetrating mid-to-low ball flight
- PDHY has a lower center of gravity to produce an easier-to-launch mid-to-high ball flight.
- Both PUDI and PDHY are lower-flying than the company’s hybrid/Rescue clubs.
- PUDI is more forgiving than P790.
- PDHY is the most forgiving iron in the entire TaylorMade iron family
Pricing, specs, and availability
Price: $249.99
At retail: Now
Stock shafts: UST Mamiya’s Recoil DART (105 X, 90 S and 75 R – only in PDHY)
Stock grip: Golf Pride’s ZGrip (black/grey)
PUDI lofts: 2-17°, 3-20°, 4-22° in both left and right-handed
PDHY lofts: 2-18°, 3-20° and 4-22° in both left and right-handed
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.U7X-H5SSxXo
Sep 30, 2014 at 9:14 pm
We all know videos will be invoked among the appropriate
and effective alternative to develop the business conveniently.
As they update regularly, engines remain on
this website for longer time periods. —Want to share his knowledge
and experiences, in hope that I reach a high level of achievement.
cg
Oct 10, 2013 at 5:26 pm
taylor made will come out with at least 3 new drivers before december…wait to them!!
Travis
Oct 5, 2013 at 5:55 pm
Got balls?
ragnar9
Sep 26, 2013 at 3:05 am
All in all a great presentation. Could we also have a “best bags” category for 2014? I’ve been struggling to find just the right one this year. Categories ultralight, carry, hybrid, cart, staff?
Wheaton
Aug 19, 2013 at 8:47 am
wow. almost 9 months into the year and they still have not done hybrid or ball reviews. Great website
GolfWRX
Sep 19, 2013 at 11:41 pm
http://www.golfwrx.com/97848/2013-best-hybrids/
Alfredo
Aug 2, 2013 at 11:23 am
Guys need to relax. We see the reviews on most the hybrids out. Try them all out, and see which you hit the best.
Sam
Aug 1, 2013 at 1:13 pm
Sooo…. It’s now August…. Still waiting for those hybrid reviews.
What’s going on here?
GolfWRX
Sep 19, 2013 at 11:41 pm
sorry. Came out a few weeks ago… http://www.golfwrx.com/97848/2013-best-hybrids/
Michael
Jul 21, 2013 at 8:19 pm
Like Travis, I’m also wondering where the hybrid and ball reviews are. As well as some of the unfinished iron reviews
Travis
Jul 14, 2013 at 5:36 pm
July is halfway over, where are the ball and hybrid reviews? Especially since they were originally supposed to be up in June.
Travis
Jul 1, 2013 at 11:18 pm
Where are the hybrid and ball reviews? Says coming in June, it’s July
Dugan
May 20, 2013 at 4:55 pm
Do you have lists for previous years? Would like to see how my current setup ranks
pablo
May 8, 2013 at 9:41 pm
2013 is barely 1/3 complete.
GolfWRX
May 8, 2013 at 11:43 pm
Yes but the 6 clubfitters that fit over 500 players a month each have weighed in and formed an opinion… http://www.golfwrx.com/reviews/best-of-awards-and-the-inside-scoop/
Also as new models come into the picture or a revelation/shift in votes occurs we always acknowledge. We ask the fitters to cast their votes for all categories once a quarter.