Editor’s Picks: 8 golf clubs that should be on your gear radar
Zak Cedarholm
The release of GOLF’s 2021 ClubTest is your friendly reminder to start looking for that new driver you’ve been putting off for the last few years. The old one works great (most of the time), but there are plenty of worthy options out there that are worth your time and money.
Of course, not everyone is in the market for a new driver. Maybe it’s a fairway wood or a putter. The list below is meant to offer some suggestions when it comes time to test with a certified club-fitter. All eight selections received high marks from our panel of 40 testers during the three-day session at Silverleaf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona.
8 golf clubs that should be on your radar
Callaway Epic Drivers
Golfers have come to expect a lot from the Epic name, specifically more speed, distance, forgiveness and stability. Testers found all three Epic models to be up to the challenge, heaping praise on everything from the feel at impact to the impressive Tour-quality sound. “I put it through its paces and it never let me down,” said one tester.
Srixon ZX Drivers
The ZX packs a two-fisted punch of added distance and forgiveness. One tester chimed in by saying, “The traditional shaping and the red line on the back look great. The ball feels really fast off the face. It’s the best driver I’ve hit today.” Speaking of hits, the two models offer golfers a choice between a higher trajectory with the ZX5 or a more penetrating flight courtesy the ZX7.
TaylorMade SIM2 Fairway Woods
“I love the high launch.” With that simple statement, one of our testers summed up exactly what TaylorMade was striving for with its SIM2 fairways. While the overall look is comparable to the original SIM heads, our GOLF testers repeatedly commented on the higher trajectories they were seeing. “Even my mishits are towering — the ball just flies,” another tester said. “It feels lively and easy to hit off the ground.”
PXG 0211 Hybrid
Your ball can end up in some challenging spots. Maybe it’s sitting down in the long grass or on top of hardpan. Perhaps you even kept your ball in the fairway only to see it roll into someone else’s divot. Frustrating, yes. But PXG’s 2021 0211 hybrids are here to help you escape consistently and with confidence. “The black matte finish looks great, and the club delivers a soft, solid strike on contact,” said a tester. “But for me, a hybrid shows its true mettle when you’re in trouble. I purposely played from some hairy lies, and the 0211 came through like a champ.”
Ping G425 Irons
Before buying irons, you must first start by assessing your own game. What are your weaknesses and how do you fix them? Ping’s G425 irons fit the bill for those looking for higher launch and more distance. “The higher launch was a sight to behold,” one tester said. Sometimes, tech-packed irons sacrifice in sensory categories, but GOLF testers noted their soft feel and sound.
Miura PI-401 Irons
When Miura develops a new iron design, it’s safe to assume they went all-in in terms of research, development and engineering to ensure they deliver the best possible version of what they have in mind. As is the case with the all-new dual-material PI-401 irons, which are designed to be exceptionally long, forgiving and playable for all player types.
Titleist Vokey SM8 Wedges
Spin-milled wedges by Bob Vokey get better with each new iteration, proving that the wedge is not only the most versatile club in the bag but the most important. Our testers spoke boldly of the SM8, stating, “These wedges have some serious sauce. The low-bounce models are amazing, and nary is there a wedge that cuts through the turf as well as the SM8s do.” High praise again for Vokey. We expected nothing less.
Mizuno M.Craft Putters
Mizuno’s commitment to precision clubmaking is evident in the M.Craft putter line, which combine precision forging, CNC milling, traditional stylings, color options and removeable weights. “The balance is great, and the feel is crisp and solid — you know the ball is rolling as it’s supposed to,” said one of our pleased club testers. “I wasn’t sure I’d like the blue color, but it looks really clean.”
Want to overhaul your own bag for 2021? Visit the expert fitters at our sister company, True Spec Golf. For more on the latest gear news, check out our latest Fully Equipped podcast below.
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