The post We put Nikon’s latest rangefinder to the test | Proving Ground appeared first on Golf.

The post We put Nikon’s latest rangefinder to the test | Proving Ground appeared first on Golf.

Welcome to GOLF.com’s ClubTest Proving Ground, where managing equipment editor Jonathan Wall puts the latest designs and groundbreaking technology in the equipment space through its paces on the range and course.

The tools: Nikon Coolshot Pro II Stabilized rangefinder

The test: Put Coolshot Pro II through a thorough evaluation to see how it performs on the course.

The results: This is the part where I’d offer my thoughts on the Coolshot Pro II Stabilized rangefinder, but my unit was recently commandeered by True Spec Golf’s VP of Tour and Education, Kris McCormack. In truth, he needed it more than I did after his previous rangefinder bit the dust.

Nikon COOLSHOT PROII Stabilized Rangefinder

Nikon’s fastest, most accurate golf rangefinder with stabilized optics and laser, incline/decline detection, pin recognition and more. Unshakable confidence. Borrowing technology from Nikon’s innovative cameras and lenses, the COOLSHOT PROII counteracts hand shake and environmental factors to steady both your view and the ranging laser. It’s easier to find your target, and it’s easier to lock onto it. Fast. Accurate. HYPER READ technology provides near-instant measurements (approx. 0.3 seconds) that are comfortably visible within the bright, crystal-clear OLED display. Explore more options for your shots without slowing down your game. Oh, what a view. Nikon has been a world-leader in optics for more than 100 years. The COOLSHOT PROII uses a brilliant 6x power monocular with Nikon’s innovative anti-glare and high-contrast coatings, plus a diopter adjustment to fine tune for your vision. Lock onto the flag. Targeting the pin? DUAL LOCKED ON ECHO—confirms you’ve hit the flag and not something in the background. It also gives a green visual cue and a pleasant audible confirmation that you’re measuring the pin, not a tree or other object 20 yards behind it.

$449.95 from Fairway Jockey

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As a form of “repayment,” he offered to take the rangefinder for a spin and offer an honest assessment. And with that, I’ll hand the equipment mic over to Kris.

Not all rangefinders are created equal. During my time in the industry, I’ve had the opportunity to test more units than I can remember. Some lasted a few months before things started to go haywire. Others were like the Energizer Bunny and kept hanging around.

You always want the latter, provided it’s easy to use and doesn’t break the bank. No one wants to pay full boat for a rangefinder that takes a PhD to figure out. After testing the Coolshot Pro II, I can assure you Nikon’s newest rangefinder earns high marks in both departments.

The amount of features included with the rangefinder is impressive — from the Dual Locked on Echo to the ID (incline/decline) technology. The easy-to-read display for the slope adjustment is an added bonus that I didn’t know I needed. It’s very clear to decide if it is being calculated uphill or downhill, and which number is the playable number versus the static number. It’s all about ease of use for me.

The optic also gives you an added level of confidence when you lock on the target and know that you are getting a number to what you intend to shoot, rather than something that could be behind or in front of the target. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried to shoot a bunker or pin, only to get a different number on the screen. It’s frustrating and shouldn’t happen when you’re paying $300-plus for a unit.

Something else I appreciated was the overall size and weight. It’s big enough to fit in the palm of your hand but not get lost in the cart. The lightweight frame also makes toting it around a breeze.

Since I started testing the rangefinder, I haven’t encountered one thing I’d change about it, which is a first for me during testing. It’s withstood the Arizona heat and some drops along the way, but it continues to produce accurate readings to the target time and time again.

At just under $400, I believe it’s the best rangefinder in the marketplace at this particular price point. It’s a bell ringer for one of the leaders in optical technology.

Want to overhaul your bag for 2024? Find a fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

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The post How good are Mizuno’s JPX925 Hot Metal irons? We found out | Proving Ground appeared first on Golf.

The post How good are Mizuno’s JPX925 Hot Metal irons? We found out | Proving Ground appeared first on Golf.

Welcome to GOLF.com’s ClubTest Proving Ground, where managing equipment editor Jonathan Wall puts the latest designs and groundbreaking technology in the equipment space to the test on the range and the course.

The tools: Mizuno JPX925 Hot Metal Pro

The test: To see how JPX925 Hot Metal Pro performs in a head-to-head competition against the gamers.

The results: Those who’ve followed GOLF’s Proving Ground reports for the last few years know I don’t shy away from putting my gamers to the test. In most cases, it’s a great opportunity to verify if my current stuff is dialed in or needs some subtle tweaking. And there’s nothing wrong with taking the latest offerings for a spin to see where they excel.

Mizuno JPX 925 Hot Metal Pro Custom Irons

The JPX925 Hot Metal Pro redefines the performance of an already industry-leading franchise. Combining the power and speed of Nickel Chromoly with a newly engineered CORTECH Design featuring a Contour Ellipse face, the consistency of distance across the entire impact zone has never been as long and predictable. Designed for golfers seeking a more compact profile, the Hot Metal Pro offers the same advanced technology in a sleeker, more refined package. Contour Ellipse FaceA completely re-engineered multi-thickness face profile, with a 30% thinner face than the previous generation. The Contour Ellipse enhances center ball speed and ensures maximum speed retention at impact. Multi-Material ConstructionTungsten positioned low in the 4-7 irons creates a higher launch with a lower sweet spot, producing a steeper landing angle. Balanced Stability FrameBalanced weighting improves control while maintaining forgiveness and producing a tour preferred vibration and sound. Acoustic Sound RibsPrecisely dialed in vibration patterns for a solid, explosive impact sound.

$165.00 from Fairway Jockey

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As someone who grew up playing Mizuno T-Zoid irons as a kiddo, there are two attributes I’ve come to expect from the equipment manufacturer — consistency and reliability. There’s never been a need for flashy marketing campaigns or eye-catching colors. You know what you’re getting with a Mizuno product, and that’s generally enough for loyalists to plunk down the hard-earned cash.

What makes Mizuno’s latest JPX925 Hot Metal such an intriguing product is how it blends classic Mizuno looks with game-changing technology that’s screaming out to you from underneath the hood. This product has routinely pushed the performance limits of what a Mizuno iron can do.

The Mizuno JPX925 Hot Metal Pro is the better player offering in a lineup that consists of three models (Pro, Standard and HL), and it’s the one that most closely matches up with my Ping i230s, in terms of blade length, offset and topline. At 28 degrees, the Hot Metal Pro 7-iron had an immediate advantage over my 33-degree i230 iron, so I expected there to be a noticeable difference in spin, launch, ball speed and distance.

My hypothesis played out during testing as JPX925 Hot Metal Pro ended up nearly 7 yards longer than my gamers with a lower launch angle (2-degree delta), spin rate (1,200 RPM delta) and peak height (5-yard delta). Some might crow about the stronger lofts — some call it “loft-jacking” — but I’ve come to realize there are golfers out there who generate too much spin and benefit from the loft difference.

Something else that impressed me was the overall dispersion pattern Pro produced. In most cases, I try to match the specs of any club I’m testing to whatever is currently in the bag. However I was too excited to test the Pro, in particular, so I conducted initial testing with the stock build, which wasn’t too far off from what I’m currently using.

Mizuno JPX925 Hot Metal Pro

As you’ll see above, the Pro kept up with a highly customized set of irons in the dispersion department. Only one ball crossed the center line — I try to keep everything left of center — which is impressive considering it didn’t have my midsize grip (with extra tape wraps) or additional weight in the toe. I was so impressed that I plan to conduct additional testing with my current build specs to see if the numbers can be improved.

The overall feel is what many have come to expect from Mizuno’s Chromoly head material: it’s fast, firm and responsive. The sound bar in the back cavity did a nice job keeping the sound within a range I deemed to be pleasing. It’s not muted, but it’s definitely not loud. Goldilocks would be a fan.

Ping i230

Conclusion: I need to do some work to see if I can bump up the launch and spin rate, but the iron checked a lot of boxes for me right out of the gate. The compact profile and minimal offset suit my eye, and I appreciate how Mizuno keeps the colors and graphics to a minimum on the JPX lineup. I’m not looking for flash, just performance.

The overall consistency is also what I’ve come to expect from a Mizuno product. I didn’t have one squirrely shot in the first seven swings I took, and that continued throughout the rest of the session. The multi-material face construction helped keep bad swings in a playable range and rewarded center-face strikes. It’s exactly what you want to see from a new offering.

Want to overhaul your bag for 2024? Find a fitting location near you at True Spec Golf

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The post Is Titleist’s GT driver worth the fanfare? We put it to the test | Proving Ground appeared first on Golf.

The post Is Titleist’s GT driver worth the fanfare? We put it to the test | Proving Ground appeared first on Golf.

Welcome to GOLF.com’s ClubTest Proving Ground, where managing equipment editor Jonathan Wall puts the latest designs and groundbreaking technology in the equipment space to the test on the range and the course.

The tools: Titleist GT2 and GT3 drivers

The test: To see how GT compares to the gamer driver in a head-to-head competition.

The results: Several years ago, I sat down with Tiger Woods to discuss his equipment testing process and walked away with a valuable piece of insight: Never test when you’re scraping it around the course. As much as we all want to believe rust can be knocked off after a half-bucket, it always takes longer than you imagine.

“I’ve always tested when I’m actually hitting well,” Woods told me. “I don’t want to test when I’m hitting poorly because then I think you can find a club that’s going to Band‑Aid it, and you really don’t know what truly is going to happen when your game turns around.  And so I would push off testings until I worked on my game.”

Titleist GT3 Custom Driver

GT3 – Speed-Tuned Distance & Control GT3 offers Titleist’s boldest combination of power and personalization. With a speed-tuned design that allows you to precisely match performance to your most frequent contact location, you can make your biggest drives even bigger while taking total control over flight and shaping. For players with a relatively consistent impact location, GT3 offers a precisely adjustable CG Track to max out distance and directional control. Seamless Thermoform Crown A reimagined ultra-lightweight design, born from a new Proprietary Matrix Polymer. The tunable acoustic properties of this unique composite allow Titleist engineers to realize new material gains while maintaining our signature sound and feel. All wrapped in a clean look that inspires total confidence. Split Mass Construction A breakthrough in internal weighting unlocks longer drives and enhanced directional control in GT3. The Adjustable CG Track now sits closer to the face for more dynamic CG control, while additional discretionary mass is pushed to the back of the club to maintain optimal stability through impact. Advanced Aerodynamics GT3 features a new raised tail contour that represents a dramatic shift in driver aerodynamics. Previously impossible to execute due to design constraints, this advanced shaping results in a driver that swings faster while still providing optimal CG control.

$649.00 $449.99 from Fairway Jockey

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This is me outing myself for not following Tiger’s advice during a recent trip to TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) for GT driver and fairway wood testing. Life got in the way and I couldn’t put in the range time before leaving time. It happens.

My worst fears were realized shortly after I linked up with my fitting guru, Joey Saewitz, and started making some driver swings. Clubhead speed was down in a big way — I’m used to registering 110-plus mph but was hovering around 103-105 — and I couldn’t find face center. To keep me from spiraling, Saewitz pulled me over and offered some sage advice.

“We’re not as efficient as we should be,” he said. “If you hyper-focus on efficiency, that to me would mean you’re going to find center more frequently. If we can get there first, I would imagine launch and spin is going to become a lot more consistent.”

If you’ve never heard the term “smash factor” before, it analyzes the amount of energy transferred from head to ball at impact. Simply divide ball speed by club speed to get your number. The closer you can get to 1.5, the more efficient the strike. I’ve looked at the number before when testing, but I tend to fixate on ball speed (particularly on mishits), dispersion and spin rate more than smash.

To flip the testing script, Joey handed me a GT3 driver — I also tested GT2 as well, but the adjustable CG track in the sole made it easier to eliminate the right miss for this lefty — with what I could quickly tell was a shorter shaft. But he didn’t reveal anything about the build beyond the model. The first swing felt pure. So did the next.

“Let me show you this real quick,” Saewitz said. “This will be really cool for you to see.”

Joey wasn’t kidding. The combination of GT’s new design, more loft (11 degrees) and a shorter 44.5-inch shaft produced back-to-back 1.5s. In other words, perfectly efficient driver strikes.

From that point forward, I could feel my confidence growing as I continued to take additional cuts and watched my ball speeds normalize. For someone who has historically played a 45.5-inch driver, going to a shorter, heavier build didn’t sap my ball speed. During recent at-home testing, I produced almost the same ball speed numbers as my gamer with tighter spin rates across the entire face that ranged from 2,300 to 2,700 RPMs on most strikes. (In the interest of full transparency, I left my gamer at home due to some travel issue and wound up testing a different TSR head while I was at TPI, which is part of the reason why the initial ball speed gains, over 6 mph, were so extreme. So when I talk about my ball speed numbers normalizing, I’m comparing it to recent testing I conducted at home.)

While the tight spin rate deltas were impressive, the biggest win in my eyes was finding a way to keep the numbers playable on high-toe misses. In most cases, I’m used to seeing spin dip to 1,200 and below as the ball knuckles hard to the right. There’s a feeling of helplessness that comes with a high-toe miss as it’s leaving the planet.

However, I never saw the usual shot shape replicated with GT3. Instead, I watched in amazement as the ball hung in the air and crossed the center line with a gentle draw shape at 2,000 RPMs. I’m not sure I can ever recall testing a driver that all but negated my snap-hook. To say it’s been an absolute game-changer would be an understatement.

If anything, the GT3 has made it easier to swing freely without having to worry about the “big miss.”

Conclusion: Over the years, I’ve come to prioritize ball speed retention on off-center misses and dispersion more than pure ball speed out of the center. If it’s consistent and doesn’t expose my biggest flaws, I’ll most certainly consider it for future testing and a spot in the bag. Pure distance is nice, but I’m no longer willing to make sacrifices for a few more yards.

Since the fitting at TPI, I’ve seen the same results play out during initial on-course testing. My fairways hit percentage has ticked up and I’m letting it rip without doubt creeping in on when the snap-hook will surface. Both of those make the game more fun, which is all that matters these days. Lose fewer balls, shoot lower scores and embrace the quiet hours spent on the course. What a life.

Want to overhaul your bag for 2024? Find a fitting location near you at True Spec Golf

The post Is Titleist’s GT driver worth the fanfare? We put it to the test | Proving Ground appeared first on Golf.

The post How XXIO’s lightweight clubs make golf so much easier | Proving Ground appeared first on Golf.

The post How XXIO’s lightweight clubs make golf so much easier | Proving Ground appeared first on Golf.

Welcome to GOLF.com’s ClubTest Proving Ground, where Managing Equipment Editor Jonathan Wall and Senior Equipment Editor Ryan Barath put the latest designs and groundbreaking technology in the equipment space to the test on the range and the course.

This installment, however, is a little different. Rather than one of our editors testing the clubs, we brought in someone to help us evaluate clubs that are a little out of our spec range. Dana Barath (16 handicap, avid golfer, and yes, my wife) is jumping in to break down her firsthand experience with XXIO’s newest line of women’s clubs.

Let’s have Dana take it from here.

Tools: A full set of XXIO 13 women’s clubs from the driver down to the sand wedge.

The set included said driver, 3-wood, 7-wood, 5-hybrid, 5-iron to pitching wedge, sand wedge, and a Never Compromise Model 1 putter. I chose these clubs to test since it’s how the clubs in my bag are usually set up.

XXIO 13 Driver

XXIO 13 is a lightweight and premium set of Woods and Irons that helps moderate swing speed golfers hit longer, straighter golf shots. Its unique technologies specifically benefit the golfer who swings 90mph or less, improving speed, accuracy, and consistency for your easiest golf yet. NEW DUAL ACTIVWING This new, two-stage airfoil design harnesses aerodynamic forces to better stabilize the clubhead during your downswing. New ActivWing helps guide the club face into optimal strike position, making it easier for you to hit the sweet spot and improve ball speed. FLAT CUP FACE To Improve COR across the entire face, our Flat Cup Face has a larger, thinner center portion. This design allows for increased ball speed and distance no matter where you strike the ball. The Driver face is made from special Super-TIX® 51AF Titanium to allow for an even thinner, faster face.

$699.99 from Fairway Jockey

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The test also included two Cleveland CBX4 ladies’ spec wedges in the lofts of 50 and 56 degrees, since I was curious to compare the XXIO sand wedge to the more traditional Cleveland offering.

The test: Rather than simply grabbing numbers with a launch monitor and calling it a day, I have been using these XXIO 13 clubs since they arrived in March and have played a lot of golf with them. From my local nine-hole course to some recent travel that took me to Pinehurst and Prince Edward Island, I have used these clubs under different conditions and on various course types to see how they truly benefit my golf game.

The results are focused on qualitative observations, along with specifics about how certain clubs made the biggest differences for my on-course results.

XXIO 13 design notes

I’ll leave this part for Ryan…

As one of the leaders in the lightweight club market, XXIO offers premium technology designed to help golfers with moderate clubhead speeds hit the ball higher and longer through the entire set.

The driver includes technologies like Rebound frame to boost ball speeds and forgiveness along with ActivWing aerodynamics to help stabilize the clubhead during the start of the backswing, making it easier to close the club face and square it up at impact.

The fairways and hybrids offer a similar BiFlex Rebound frame design and cannon sole to a substantial amount of mass low in the head. This provides a deeper center of gravity to increase launch and normalize spin on mishits — especially on common lower face strikes.

As for the irons, the four-piece, hollow-cavity XXIO 13 irons are equipped with a thin titanium face and tungsten-nickel sole weight (on the longer 5- through 7-irons) to move the CG low and away from the face to help get the ball in the air easier and peaking higher. This helps with carry distance and stopping power on approach shots.

XXIO testing results

OK, now it’s my turn again.

How could I not start with the driver?

Even though I have used various women’s-specific clubs in the past, the weight and balance of the XXIO 13 driver felt extremely easy to swing faster and with greater control. To gain control with previous drivers that always felt heavier, I usually played them at 44 inches or less even though I knew I was giving up some swing speed.

With the XXIO I don’t feel like I give up anything off the tee, and with the lighter weight and extra length (44.5 inches) I have hit some of the longest drives of my life — and I’m hitting it higher! This has helped so much on par-4s and 5s and at my local course where conditions can be on the soft side.

Gaining height and distance is a big theme with these new clubs.

Similar to the driver, the XXIO 13 3-wood has been a great addition to my golf bag and added a lot of distance. With my previous 3-wood, I would only ever hit it off the tee because I found it hard to get up into the air, but with the XXIO I have full confidence off the ground and the tee. I even hit it at least 50 percent higher than I did before, and that’s with the same 16 degrees of loft.

The hybrid and irons follow the same trend as the driver and fairway wood with extra distance and height. Since changing to the XXIOs I play a much more consistent straight-to-drawing shot with my irons, whereas with my previous irons I used to default to a fade.

I also used to dread par-3s but now I’m more excited than ever to play them. On our recent golf trip to PEI, I made two par-3 birdies in the same round at Andersons Creek, and I can’t think of a time where I have ever done that before.

Average carry distances based on launch monitor data
Driver: 170 yards
3-wood: 150 yards
7-wood: 132 yards
5-hybrid: 125 yards (I really like it from the rough)
5-iron: 125 yards
6-iron: 116 yards
7-iron: 104 yards
8-iron: 90 yards
9-iron: 78 yards
Pitching wedge: 70 yards

As for the wedges, the matching XXIO 13 sand wedge is, in my opinion, a great option for golfers who don’t try to do too much around the green with their short game and are more focused on maximum forgiveness.

As a golfer who has always used blade-style wedges, I preferred the Cleveland CBX4’s contrast to the XXIO because of their traditional look from address and the rounded sole shape. They felt like they moved through the grass a bit easier when chipping with the face open and the front edge of the club sat closer to the ground on the sand wedge when opening it in bunkers too.

I still think the XXIO wedge is a great option, but the Cleveland was just a better fit for me.

Conclusion: From the top to the bottom of my set, the XXIO 13s have improved not just my golf game, but also the confidence to execute shots that I wasn’t able to before, especially when it comes to my woods and irons.

As a golfer who generally feels like I make good contact but struggles to stop approach shots into greens, I found the XXIO irons to be a huge help to my game, especially on par-3s where I often found myself rolling off the back. The extra height and easy-to-swing feel the XXIO 13 clubs provide is something I believe any golfer can benefit from, especially for a golfer like me who lives in that moderate swing speed range.

Want to overhaul your bag and find your own perfect fit? Find a fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

The post How XXIO’s lightweight clubs make golf so much easier | Proving Ground appeared first on Golf.

The post Are Cobra’s Limit3d irons worth the $3K price tag? | Proving Ground appeared first on Golf.

The post Are Cobra’s Limit3d irons worth the $3K price tag? | Proving Ground appeared first on Golf.

Welcome to GOLF.com’s ClubTest Proving Ground, where managing equipment editor Jonathan Wall and senior equipment editor Ryan Barath put the latest designs and groundbreaking technology in the equipment space to the test on the range and the course.

The tools: Cobra Limit3d (7-iron; N.S. PRO MODUS³ Tour 105X shaft), Ping i230 (7-iron; N.S. PRO MODUS³ Tour 105X shaft)

The test: To determine if a 3D-printed iron with a $3K price tag can live up to the hype.

The results: Sticker shock is a good way to grab a golfer’s attention. Throw a $2K-plus price tag on a set of irons and watch what happens. Curiosity usually takes hold, which is exactly what happened in 2016 when PXG introduced its original 0311 irons at $400 per club. The polymer-filler, hollow-cavity iron was unlike anything in the industry.

Fast forward to 2024 and nearly every major equipment manufacturer has a hollow-cavity players-distance iron.

Who’s to say if Cobra’s 3D-printed Limit3d will follow a similar path, but it’s interesting to note the two irons share some similarities. A sky-high price tag ($3K per set), limited availability and groundbreaking technology. It also helps that Bryson DeChambeau is using a set of 3D-printed printed irons with custom bulge and roll baked in.

This could be the future of iron design. Or it could be a fad.

To get a better handle on Limit3d’s bona fides, I pitted the 3D design against my Ping i230 gamers to see how they stacked up. While the iron looks like a blade at address — it’s slightly more compact than i230 — the lattice design on the back of the head creates a weight reduction that makes it possible to add upwards of 100 grams of tungsten within the heel and toe.

More tungsten means better ball speeds on severe misses. As Mike Yagley, Cobra’s VP of innovation and AI, noted during a recent conversation, he saw minimal ball speed loss on toe misses during his initial testing. Just to put that observation into perspective, it’s natural to see anywhere from 13-18 yards of distance loss with similar better-player models, according to GOLF’s robotic data.

It almost sounded too good to be true.

However, based on the numbers I saw during my own testing, the hype is for real. Let’s start with the launch monitor numbers from Foresight’s GCQuad launch monitor.

Cobra Limit3d: 131.1 mph (ball speed) | 20.4 degrees | 6,652 RPMs | 179.8 yards (carry)

Ping i230: 127 mph (ball speed) | 20 degrees | 6,396 RPMs | 175.3 yards (carry)

Gear

The numbers above are an average of the 8 shots I hit with each iron. The numbers tell an interesting story that highlights the importance of getting fit. The Limit3d was 4 mph faster than my i230s with a similar launch angle and 300 RPMs more spin. If I spent the time finding the ideal shaft, I might be able to squeeze a few more yards out of the Limit3d.

Not only was the iron faster, it produced impressive ball speed numbers on toe strikes, too. At one point during the testing session, I hit several balls out on the toe to see how it performed. For the most part, ball speed dropped roughly 2 mph on even the most extreme toe misses — a sign that the additional tungsten packed inside the heel and toe was doing its job.

The overall feel of the club was what I’d deem to be muscleback solid with a touch of game-improvement protection. It feels like a solid-construction model at impact, but you don’t get the negative vibrations when it misses out of the toe or heel. The sound at impact was heavy and purposeful. If I didn’t know what I was using, I’d swear it was a forged model. It felt that good.

If there was one quibble, it’s that the Limit3d was almost too far left of the target line for my liking, which is saying something considering I like to stay left of the center with my shot shape. The i230 had a tighter overall dispersion and was ever-so-slightly left of center.

I spent nearly a half day building my i230 irons at Ping headquarters, so I expect them to be dialed. Could I get the Limit3d to produce a similar dispersion pattern and shot shape? Possibly. But with only the 7-iron to test, I’m likely going to put an end to testing instead of continuing down the rabbit hole. My biggest fear is finding the iron to be noticeably better and not having the opportunity to test it through the bag.

For the right-handed crew who does have the ability to pick up a full set, I can confirm the Limit3d does a lot of things really well. The overall feel and ball speed retention were seriously impressive, to the point that I’m willing to proclaim they are worth the $3K number.

This feels like the infancy stages of 3D printing in the equipment space, but there’s no question Cobra is already onto something with its initial iron offering.

Want to overhaul your bag for 2024? Find a fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

The post Are Cobra’s Limit3d irons worth the $3K price tag? | Proving Ground appeared first on Golf.

The post I tried it: These user-friendly wedges make short-game shots much easier appeared first on Golf.

The post I tried it: These user-friendly wedges make short-game shots much easier appeared first on Golf.

Of all the parts of the game that vex golfers, one of the most frustrating can be shots inside 50 yards and around the green.

Thankfully, the game-improvement sharpies at Cleveland Golf have worked hard to help turn those weaknesses into strengths and give golfers more confidence around the greens with the help of the new Smart Sole Full-Face wedges.

Cleveland Smart Sole Full-Face Custom Wedge

This completely new Wedge system now includes four specialized clubs to fulfill every short-game shot on the course, giving you the complete package. Featuring the largest striking areas we’ve ever put on a Wedge, plus dynamic HydraZip and UltiZip technologies, Smart Sole Full-Face is now even more forgiving than before. A Wedge For Every Shot Bump-and-run it with the Chipper. Get full swing forgiveness with the Gap. Easy bunker escapes with the Sand. And short-side pin confidence with the Lob. Larger Faces Our largest faces ever on any Cleveland Golf Wedges, new full-face grooves, and improved MOI makes these the most forgiving Wedges we’ve ever made.

$149.99 from Fairway Jockey

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The key to the Smart Soles is…yep, the wide soles, which are designed for forgiveness and ease of use. As a golfer who values control and versatility in my short-game shotmaking, I wasn’t convinced the Smart Sole wedges for me. But, like many other clubs that I have tested, giving this wedge a shot opened my mind to how smart design can help make the game feel a lot easier.

For another opinion, I also brought in a second, less experienced testing subject — my wife, who is a 16 handicap.

Let’s get started.

Of all the options available, I decided to test the 50-degree gap wedge because that is the loft option that I prefer to chip with around the green and also is a club with which I hit a lot of full shots. On full shots, the Smart Sole design performed exactly as I would have expected, offering a ton of confidence to strike down aggressively into the ball without worrying about chunking it.

I found this especially useful considering early-spring ground conditions have been much softer than usual; it felt like the club moved effortlessly through the ground.

On chip shots, the Smart Sole really shined. On tight lies, all I had to do was sweep the club into the ball and the club glided through impact. Out of fluffy lies, the club was even better, because the wider sole prevented the club from digging and kept contact much more consistent in the middle of the face improving my distance control.

Clubs like this make me question why I don’t add more game-improvement-style clubs to my arsenal!

Now, for my co-tester.

With her slower swing speed and less aggressive transition into the ball, the first thing my wife asked when I handed her the Smart Sole Full-Face wedge was, “Do I hit this like my normal gap wedge?” To which I quickly replied, “Yep.”

This is what makes a club like this so handy: You don’t need to change anything about the way you swing it because the club is designed to universally simplify the way you hit shots when approaching the green.

After working her way around the practice green and hitting shots from the fridge and rough, and then pitching from around 50 yards away, my wife’s verdict was brief: “It makes me feel like I can make confident swings from basically any lie and the ball is going to get up and I’m not going to stub it into the ground.” She added, “It’s not the most traditional-looking wedge, but it is a club I could very quickly get used to if I keep hitting shots like this.”

So, yes, if you’re a golfer who struggles with shot selection and is looking for a solution around the greens, these clubs are definitely worth trying.

As a secondary option for those golfers who love the look of a full-face wedge but prefer something that offers a bit more versatility when it comes to sole design, Cleveland also has the RTX Full-Face wedges that come in lofts from 50-64.

The Cleveland Smart Sole Full-Face wedges come in several lofts: 42-chipper, 50-gap wedge, 58-sand wedge and 64-lob wedge, to help create bigger gaps and help golfers separate the highest lofted clubs to make shot selection easier.

Want to overhaul your bag for 2024? Find a fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

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The post Does this red-hot putter live up to the hype? | Proving Ground appeared first on Golf.

The post Does this red-hot putter live up to the hype? | Proving Ground appeared first on Golf.

Welcome to GOLF.com’s ClubTest Proving Ground, where managing equipment editor Jonathan Wall and senior equipment editor Ryan Barath put the latest designs and groundbreaking technology in the equipment space to the test on the range and the course.

The tools: L.A.B. Golf’s DF3 putter

The test: To determine how L.A.B. Golf’s latest putter offering stacks up to the tester’s gamer.

The results: I’m a creature of habit. Ask anyone in my inner circle and they’ll tell you I stay at the same hotels when I travel for work, eat at the same restaurants, stick to the same workout routine and continually ask my wife the same inane questions — all in the name of consistency.

That doesn’t mean I won’t chase a wild hair or try a different restaurant, but I need to be convinced it’s worth deviating from the daily script. As far as equipment in my bag, I’m the same way. I’ll test equipment all day, even though I know the bag setup most likely isn’t changing. I like what I like and generally don’t see a need to change.

Of course, I’m always willing to give the newest gear products on the block a fair shake — even if it’s something I would’ve never considered for personal use. Before the DF3 was introduced, L.A.B. Golf had never been on my radar for putter testing. The original Directed Force, in my opinion, had a profile that never appealed to my eye, and no matter how many times I rolled in putts from inside 10 feet, I just couldn’t get past the look.

As someone who has played a traditional Anser-style blade for decades, most mallets never passed the eye test. And like most golfers, if it doesn’t pass the eye test, it generally isn’t making the cut for further testing. What caused me to change my tune about DF3 was the smaller profile and positive feedback I kept hearing from recent L.A.B. converts on Tour.

As you can see from the above photos, the overall DF3 shaping is unlike anything in the marketplace. A whopping 8 individual sole weights are positioned along the wings to stabilize the head throughout the stroke, thereby reducing the amount of head twisting at impact.

What I immediately noticed after several practice sessions was how stable the head felt from practically every distance. I found it easier to make a confident stroke on putts from inside 10 feet and not sweat how the ball might react to a heel or toe impact.

L.A.B. Golf DF3 Putter (Stock)

Ever since we launched our first putter, Directed Force, golfers have been asking if we could make it less weird. DF3 is that putter. DF3 still does everything golfers love about the original. It stays square by itself. It’s still irrationally forgiving on mishits. But there’s a lot less to think about. The DF3 is entirely CNC milled from 6061 aluminum, with 8 screws on the bottom made of steel or tungsten in various densities to precisely target swing weight and lie angle balance each putter.

$449.00 from Fairway Jockey

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I’d chalk up the overall uptick in consistency to the weighting and optimal lie angle that was designed specifically for my stroke. Possessing a putter that’s made for your stroke and delivery is key if you want to make more putts.

The Press Pistol 2 Degree grip offers a unique design that took some getting used to, especially for someone used to a more traditional grip. Unlike my standard pistol, when the shaft is situated in the middle of the grip, the shaft is inserted on the right of the Press Pistol, creating a built-in forward shaft lean that automatically throws your hands forward during the stroke.

Another aspect that took some acclimation was the overall feel of the head at impact. The 6061 Aluminum head with grooves running across the face required a firmer stroke when compared to my milled PLD. I’d describe the DF3 feel as “buttery” at impact, which might appeal to some golfers.

Once I got a handle on the pace needed to get the ball to the hole, the softer feel wasn’t an issue. But there was a period of acclimation. Again, feel at impact is incredibly personal, so take my insight with a grain of salt.

Conclusion: Golfers with inconsistent contact could benefit from DF3. The overall weighting and carbon composite shaft play a major role in reducing torque, which in turn keeps the head from twisting during the stroke.

From my recent rounds with DF3, I found myself with more makeable second putts from 30-plus feet away. Putts per round were relatively close to what I see with my gamer, but I enjoyed being a few feet closer or within tap-in range instead of having to sweat a 5-footer.

As a traditionalist, it took me some time to warm to the unique shaping, but I can tell you it’s a big upgrade from the larger Direct Force. The head is more compact and feels a bit more like a standard mallet. In my opinion, it’s the little improvements that make DF3 a better option for golfers who currently play a blade but are intrigued by L.A.B. Golf’s recent success on Tour.

One other thing I appreciated was L.A.B. Golf’s attention to detail. In a world where gear is increasing in price, their putter design process is second to none. Instead of simply buying one off the rack, I was able to choose from standard or counterbalance, 3 different head weights, 5 shafts, 33 alignment aids and 6 grips. Lengths range from 28 inches to 50 inches, and the lie angles range from 63 to 79.5 degrees. The build menu is extensive.

The putters aren’t cheap ($559 and up), but with so many options available, at least you can feel good knowing you’re getting a highly detailed wand built to your specifications.

Want to overhaul your bag for 2024? Find a fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

The post Does this red-hot putter live up to the hype? | Proving Ground appeared first on Golf.

The post Can this golf-ball design help your game? We put it to the test | Proving Ground appeared first on Golf.

The post Can this golf-ball design help your game? We put it to the test | Proving Ground appeared first on Golf.

Welcome to GOLF.com’s ClubTest Proving Ground, where managing equipment editor Jonathan Wall and senior equipment editor Ryan Barath put the latest designs and groundbreaking technology in the equipment space to the test on the range and the course.

The tools: Bridgestone Tour B X Mindset golf ball

The test: To determine if Bridgestone’s Mindset visual technology can improve your pre-shot routine.

The results: About two years ago, I stopped relying on a visual aid that had been a part of my golf game for more than a decade. The putter had gone cold, and I was spending an inordinate amount of time lining up the side stamp to the target, which led me to do something Scottie Scheffler did recently: remove the line and shake up the pre-shot routine.

“I like not having to line the ball up,” Scheffler said of his Titleist Pro V1 after his win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. “I line this putter up well in the middle of the face. It’s very good visually. And yeah, I try not to focus too much on the results, but my process was really good this week and the results so far are pretty tough to argue with, I would say.”

Scheffler started focusing on the single black alignment line on the putter crown and allowed himself to rely more on his eyes and feel to visualize the path to the hole. As the great Ty Webb once said, “Be the ball.”

Simplifying the process not only worked for Scheffler, but this gear scribe as well. Relying on a single sight dot and removing the sight line — I have the blank space on the ball facing me at address — brought the feel and confidence back within a few practice sessions. This was a massive win in my book.

There was no reason to mess with a good thing, but my interest was piqued when Bridgestone sent me a dozen Tour B X’s with their new Mindset visual technology, the multi-colored design developed by Bridgestone, major winner Jason Day and Day’s long-time mental performance coach, Jason Goldsmith.

Since he was 12 years old, Day has employed a multi-step visualization process that came about through work with Goldsmith. It was through their work that Mindset was conceived.

The visual technology on the side of the ball is designed around three different circles that act like a stop light: Red helps the golfer stop and identify what needs to be calculated — things like distance and wind. From there, the yellow circle is designed to help the golfer prepare for the shot by visualizing what needs to be accomplished. Once the golfer is fully engaged, the green circle gives them the permission to fully commit to the pre-shot work and execute.

Even though I have simplified my process on the greens, I tried my best to be mindful (no pun intended) of the pre-shot process and focus on the colors before tee shots and putts. It wasn’t all that easy at first. As someone who plays fast and tries to keep the brain free of additional thoughts on the course, making sure the visual technology was visible on the tee and putting green took some getting used to.

Taking an extra beat to consider the variables and visualize the shot is something more golfers should do before they pull the trigger, but we’re so focused on avoiding a pesky fairway bunker or the lake running down the left side of the hole that we tend to forget how even a simple pre-shot routine can help us block out the noise.

As I started logging more rounds with Mindset, I began to notice how much I enjoyed leaning into visual tech. I tend to get frustrated after a poor shot and let the bad vibes linger, but I found myself becoming more resilient after a poor shot and focusing on the one at hand.

In my estimation, I removed roughly 1.5 “poor shots” — one that required a punchout or drop from the hazard line — during each round, which ended up improving my score anywhere from 1 to 3 shots depending on how I was hitting it that day.

While it’s still early days, I believe Bridgestone’s visual technology can make you a more resilient golfer, provided you stick to the pre-shot process and don’t consider it a quick fix.

Conclusion: I’m not going to sit here and proclaim Mindset will make you a worldbeater overnight. What it can do is give you a valuable pre-shot process that can help you cut down on silly mistakes. It adds purpose to each shot and forces you to live in the moment instead of continually focusing on the last three-putt or the long par-3 ahead that always eats your lunch.

If you’re a golfer who doesn’t have a pre-shot routine or gets easily frustrated, consider giving Mindset a shot. And if you’re like me and have a simplied approach on the greens, don’t sweat staring at the visual tech. Never once did I feel like I had to rely on design to help me line up the ball, so rest easy knowing you won’t become robotic with your approach.

Want to overhaul your bag for 2024? Find a fitting location near you at True Spec Golf

The post Can this golf-ball design help your game? We put it to the test | Proving Ground appeared first on Golf.

The post How Titleist’s newest gear improved my on-course confidence | ClubTest 2024 appeared first on Golf.

The post How Titleist’s newest gear improved my on-course confidence | ClubTest 2024 appeared first on Golf.

GOLF.com’s ClubTest Proving Ground, where Managing Equipment Editor Jonathan Wall and Senior Equipment Editor Ryan Barath — along with a cast of GOLF writers and editors — put the latest designs and groundbreaking technology in the equipment space to the test on the range and the course.

For 2024 ClubTest, we paired members of our staff with the latest gear from manufacturers to give you, the potential club buyer, real insights from real golfers and their firsthand experience testing new clubs.

***

TESTER: Zephyr Melton, Assistant Editor | 5 HCP

GOAL: Find clubs more suited to my increased swing speed

THE LOWDOWN: This wasn’t my first trip to the Titleist Performance Institute. Almost exactly a year prior, I made the long trip out west to one of the grandest club-fitting properties in the world for my first glimpse at TPI. Safe to say, I was wide-eyed and awed throughout the experience.

A couple of months ago I was headed back for another appointment with the brains at TPI to get fitted for a new set of clubs, and although I largely knew what to expect — which faces I’d see, what the club-fitting process entails, how to speak “gearhead” — I wondered how my second trip would be different.

I might work for a golf publication, but that doesn’t mean I’m the most gear-savvy individual. My first visit to TPI was my maiden voyage in the fitting process and an enlightening one. When I walked away from that experience I figured I’d be set with my new gear for years to come.

Well, I was wrong. You see, my goal over the past year has been to gain speed. I spent much of last winter dedicated to speed training and increasing my swing speed and ball speed numbers throughout the 2023 season. No one is going to mistake me for Cameron Young or Wyndham Clark, but I did see some gains in the speed department by year’s end.

This extra distance was great for my ego, but not so great for my golf game. I’ve always plodded my way around the golf course, but with the extra yards I packed on, I tried changing my strategy. That strategy change saw mixed results on the course and let’s just say 2023 wasn’t a banner year for my scores.

Another issue was my gear wasn’t optimized for my new faster and more aggressive swing. My spin rate would jump to untenable numbers on slight mishits, and I lost tons of clubface awareness with the light shafts. Sure, I was swinging faster and hitting the ball further, but it unearthed a new set of issues. I knew I needed some gear that better suited my new swing.

FITTING PROCESS: As a golf nerd, a trip to TPI evokes similar feelings as walking into Disneyland as a child. The 33-acre site has everything a golfer could dream of — and more. From beautifully manicured driving ranges, to perfectly kept bunkers and slick greens, the entire compound is a sight to behold.

When I walked through the doors, TPI Fitting Analyst Chris Baingo met me at the front desk. “Welcome back,” he said as he snapped a spiffy Titleist tag on my bag. “You still playing ProV1?” he asked. That’s right, they let you hit perfect balls of your choice while they fit you.

Next, we shuttled out to the vast expanse of greens, fairways, and bunkers nestled behind the main building at TPI. For the next few hours, I would be hitting the latest and greatest gear Titleist had to offer. It’s not a bad gig if you can get it.

My Fitted Gear

Driver

Titleist has always made great clubs, but they’re also pretty good at making clubs that look good too. When you see a Titleist club, it has a certain chicness that draws you in. They aren’t in your face flashy — they’re elegant.

Such is the case with the TSR1 driver I was fit into. The jet-black crown has a polish that you can see your reflection in, while the sole features a minimalist look that will make you swoon.

Here’s where it gets interesting. You see the TSR1 is marketed for slower swing players. Yes, I know my increased speed caused me to need new clubs, but even so, the TSR1 was perfect for my game. Why? Well, because even with slightly faster swing speeds, the model can do wonders for your driving thanks in part to its added level of stability.

With my previous driver, we opted for a model with more loft and a lighter shaft to help me get the ball up in the air. However, my increased swing speed made mishits super spinny and without much distance. This year, I was fit into a driver with a slightly lighter head with less loft (10 degrees), but with a heavier shaft to help me with club awareness in my swing — problem one solved!

Titleist TSR1 Custom Driver

Moderate swing speed, meet maximum performance. Titleist TSR1 Driver’s incredible lightweight configuration and enhanced aerodynamics make it easier to generate more speed. The new Multi-Plateau Variable Face Thickness design optimizes ball speed across the entire face. Benefits Maximized Launch & Distance Exceptional Forgiveness Features Ultra-Lightweight Configuration Multi-Plateau Variable Face Thickness Design Improved Aerodynamics Aerospace Grade Titanium SureFit Adjustability

$599.99 $449.99 from Fairway Jockey

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Fairway woods

This part of my setup needed an entire overhaul. In our first fitting, I opted for one fairway wood I could use for maximal distance, and two hybrids for attacking greens. But after a season of that setup, I needed a shakeup.

For whatever reason, I could not hit my hybrids with consistency, and it was hurting my ability to go for greens from farther distances. To supplement, Baingo fit me into two high-lofted (18 and 23 degrees) TSR1 fairway woods.

Not only did the higher loft help me get the ball up into the air more easily, but the technology packed into the TSR1 helped as well. Thanks to their hosel construction and rear sole weight, the center of gravity is pushed deeper, which promotes not only higher launch but also forgiveness on off-center hits.

After a few whacks with the TSR1, I knew I’d found my new fairway woods. I hit them more consistently than my old hybrids, while still getting the high launch necessary for attacking greens from longer distances all the while keeping spin right where it needed to be.

Irons

I loved the T200 irons from my first fitting, but much like the driver found it difficult to control the face with my light shafts. To make matters worse, I always found it a little difficult to cut through the turf on certain grasses with my shorter irons.

This is where the new T150s came in to help solve both of those problems. We opted for heavier shafts in my new irons, which helped with clubface awareness, and when I came through the impact zone, the new heads cut through the turf so much easier for me and my delivery.

Coming off the face shots just had a different feel, and one that makes me giddy when I get an iron in my hands from the fairways. In another boon for my confidence, these new models gave me a considerable jump in spin rate (nearly 500 rpms), which means I can hit the ball higher and with more stopping power.

With my old setup, I opted for a 5 hybrid instead of an iron, but after I struggled with the club last season, I wanted to stay away. Thanks to getting fit into the T150s, a blended set was an option. So after hitting the T150s through 6 iron, Baingo handed me a T200 5 iron.

Even after playing the T200s all last season, I felt like I was hitting an entirely new golf club. The feel of the new T200s was entirely different, and the sound was much better, too, especially when I missed higher on the face. Oh, and I could hit this year’s 5-iron with some serious height.

I’m not sure what exactly Titleist’s R&D team did over the past year, but I can say that their work paid off. The new clubs are quite tasty.

Wedges

Getting a wedge fitting from Bob Vokey was my highlight of 2022. As a kid who grew up with a single Vokey wedge as his prized possession, getting a chance to pick his brain for an hour was bucket list stuff. But after rolling out the red carpet for me in 2022, I didn’t expect to see Vokey again my second time around.

Boy was I wrong. When the fitting process turned to wedges, there was my old pal with a smile on his face. “Ready to get to work?” he asked.

Going through a wedge fitting with Vokey is akin to Harry Potter testing wands at Ollivanders. Vokey will hand you a wedge and ask you to hit it, changing the grind and bounce each time. Sometimes you’ll make what you thought was a perfect swing and the ball will come out funky. Or you’ll make a pass at the ball and your club will get stuck in the ground. All the while, Vokey stays close by, muttering to himself and brainstorming how to make you the best wedge player you can be.

After a while, Vokey will start to get you dialed in — and the feeling is unlike anything else. Sometimes he’ll point at a flag and have you fire at it and your ball will stop on a dime. Other times he’ll put you in a bunker and coach you into the best sand shot you’ve ever hit. Once he gets you hitting the right set of wedges, you’ll feel like Seve Ballesteros around the greens.

Titleist Vokey SM10 Tour Chrome Custom Wedge

Adding Vokey Design® SM10 Wedges to your bag opens a world of scoring opportunities. Between the crisp contact, optimal flighting, incredible spin – and those magical Bob Vokey grinds – they give you everything you need to grow your short game skill. From the simple to the sensational, SM10 are made to make great shots happen. Improved Flighting & Feel Get lower, more attacking flight in a wedge that feels amazingly solid at impact with SM10. A precise shift in the center of gravity gives you even more control and stability for greater confidence over every shot. Ultimate Shot Versatility Your swing is unique and requires the right tools. Finding your ideal mix of grinds will provide you with flawless contact and maximum versatility so you can be prepared for everything the course demands.

$189.99 $159.99 from Fairway Jockey

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The Results

Driver: TSR1, 10 degrees (65-gram shaft)
Fairway woods: TSR1, 18 and 23 degrees (65- and 75-gram shafts)
Irons: T150s (P-6), T200 (5)
Wedges: SM10 48.10 F grind, 54.12 D grind, 60.12 D grind

Want to overhaul your bag for 2024? Find a fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

The post How Titleist’s newest gear improved my on-course confidence | ClubTest 2024 appeared first on Golf.

The post How PXG’s new Black Ops woods added confidence and control | ClubTest 2024 appeared first on Golf.

The post How PXG’s new Black Ops woods added confidence and control | ClubTest 2024 appeared first on Golf.

Welcome to GOLF.com’s ClubTest Proving Ground, where Managing Equipment Editor Jonathan Wall and Senior Equipment Editor Ryan Barath — along with a cast of GOLF writers and editors — put the latest designs and groundbreaking technology in the equipment space to the test on the range and the course.

For 2024 ClubTest, we paired members of our staff with the latest gear from manufacturers to give you, the potential club buyer, real insights from real golfers and their firsthand experience testing new clubs.

***

TESTER: Ryan Barath, senior editor | 3 Handicap

GOAL: To find a driver and fairway woods that offer more distance through spin control along with a repeatable fade bias ball flight.

THE LOWDOWN: Since being founded, PXG has almost always released woods and irons together in full series, with the most recent being the PXG Gen6 which featured two driver and fairway woods options, along with hybrids and two sets of 0311 irons. But, much like the 0317 iron family (which you can read all about here) which was released a few months after the Gen6 series and geared towards better players, the new Black Ops woods represent new territory for the ever-evolving PXG.  

The stand-alone Black Ops line of metal woods has been engineered to deliver the highest performance possible thanks to the introduction of new face materials, new face geometry and a manufacturing processes designed to deliver more consistent results and, most importantly, more distance.   

What also separates the Black Ops line from previous options is that although there are two driver options; the Black Ops (standard model) and the Black Ops Tour-1. There is only one fairway wood and hybrid model to choose from. But thanks to PXG’s fitting system and adjustable weights there is no lack of adjustments that can be made to help any golfer find the best fit.

THE FITTING PROCESS: To get dialed into the PXG Black Ops woods, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to head to PXG testing HQ at Scottsdale National Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz., and work with their lead fitter Nick Jahnke.

My favorite part of this process was I went into the fitting without any information on the clubs or the options available — which as someone who covers equipment extensively, is something I’m not used to doing. It helped me go in with an open mind and “let’s see what happens” attitude. 

*** It was only after the fitting process that I received the tech breakdown of the Black Ops line from Brad Schweigert, Mike Nicolette, and Caleb Kroloff, which helped to answer a lot of questions I had about why I fit into the clubs, and specs that I did. It was a good reminder that although it’s our goal to help educate golfers about their equipment and the fitting process, approaching a club fitting with an open mind and a questioning mindset is something we greatly encourage. ***

After a brief warmup and discussion with Nick about my long-game goals and typical ball flight and misses, it was right into the driver. The fitting started with the standard Black Ops driver (9 degrees) in the stock hosel and weight configuration to establish a baseline. 

The thing that quickly stood out with the baseline testing and after further adjustments to the hosel and weight settings was that as much as the numbers and forgiveness were close to what I was looking for with the driver, I struggled to get a handle on a consistent start direction. Distance was awesome but dispersion needed work.

The reason for this is I generally struggle with drivers that are longer from heel to toe and even with the standard and Tour-1 drivers having the same 460cc volume, I found the standard version harder to aim. (I should make it very clear that the standard option is the more forgiving model – close to 10K total MOI in the standard weight configuration, and this is a me problem, but it goes to show why the fitting process is so important).

So about the Black Ops Tour-1 driver. 

Nick brought all of the specs from my testing with the standard Black Ops to the Tour-1, and just like slipping into a perfectly fit pair of shoes, the numbers and consistency were quickly apparent. 

I saw a tiny jump in ball speed with the Tour-1 which I believe can be attributed to the gained confidence I had in being able to aim the driver and swing freely knowing where the ball was going to start and eventually end up. Dispersion shrunk dramatically and in less than five minutes I knew we had found the winning driver combination.

So, if you’re a golfer looking for a classicly shaped 460cc driver with a larger face and need spin reduction, let me tell you, the Black Ops Tour-1 could be your winning combination, too.

Next up was fairway woods and hybrids — and after quickly coming to a conclusion for my driver I was confident we were going to get them dialed in very quickly.

I explained that I usually play a strong lofted 3-wood (usually between 12-13.5 degrees) but with the low spin characteristics of the Black Ops, we started with the 15-degree head lofted down 14.25. 

It took less than ten swings and I knew that whatever combination Nick had assembled, it was the perfect fit. I was easily able to get it off the ground without much effort (which is a shot I need to have with my 3-wood). Off a tee, I also saw the results I was looking for — the ability to pick an aim point slightly left of my target and let the ball fade to the right.

The slightly larger (but certainly not oversized) head shape of the Black Ops 3-wood had me a tiny bit worried I would struggle to elevate it off the ground, but it was as easy as any fairway wood I had ever hit. I even tested it off a couple of very tight lies and not once did I have an issue with launch or spin. 

Last but not least came the 5-wood — and this was an interesting one. The reason is, for the longest time I have always defaulted to a 5-wood without much thought, but when presented with the option of the new Black Ops hybrid and its compact profile from address we had to dig in a little bit more. I could have easily gone with the 17-degree hybrid to fill the spot in my bag after the 3-wood because it delivered on distance and control — plus the taller head shape gave me a lot of confidence to hit down into the ground. However, old habits die hard, and at the end of the fitting session, and after looking at the numbers with Nick, it was hard to argue with the extra height and spin I was seeing with the Black Ops 5-wood.

With that said, if I played in firmer conditions more often I’d likely carry the hybrid as a secondary option off the tee, and for faster players that want a flatter ball flight towards the top end of their set before moving into fairway woods, the Black Ops hybrid and its multiple loft options and weight configurations create a big opportunity to find that perfect fit.

My Fitted Gear

Driver – Black Ops Tour-1, 9 degrees, hosel set to flat / -.75 degrees of loft. Weights are set to neutral with the heaviest in the rear position. Shafted with a Ventus Blue 6X at 45.5” long.

Being able to align slightly left/open and swing as hard as I want with the confidence of knowing the ball will fade without creating too much spin is what makes this driver special. Seeing spin between 2200 and 2500 was a HUGE win for me, and a big reason why it was a clear winner.

PXG 0311 Black Ops Tour-1 Custom Driver

The PXG 0311 Black Ops Tour-1 is a tour-inspired head design featuring a taller face with a more curved crown to unlock maximum distance with a penetrating ball flight. AMF Face Technology Propriety high strength, and more flexible, Titanium Alloy face material supports increased face deflection during impact for big distance gains. Variable Face Thickness This proprietary design helps to optimize the driver’s performance by ensuring consistent and efficient energy transfer across various impact points on the clubface. High Strength Composite Construction Lightweight crown and sole inserts, made from high-grade carbon fiber using advanced compression molding, enable optimal weight distribution in the clubhead. This enhances the moment of inertia (MOI), shifts the center of gravity (CG) lower and farther back, resulting in improved distance and forgiveness. Non-Uniform Bulge and Roll Face Strategically adjusting the horizontal and vertical curvatures across the face offers enhanced forgiveness and improves the club’s reaction to off-center hits.

$649.99 from Fairway Jockey

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3-Wood – Black Ops 15-degree, hosel set to flat / -.75 degrees of loft. Weights set to neutral rear position with Ventus Blue 7x at 43” long. 

This was the biggest departure from my usual 3-wood specs, but the results speak for themselves. It also demonstrates that when you approach a fitting with an open mind (and a knowledgeable fitter) you can truly focus on solving a problem, rather than try to fit into something you “think” you need. 

5-Wood – Black Ops 18 degree, hosel set to flat with no loft adjustment. Weights set to neutral rear position with Ventus Blue 7x at 42.5” long.

A great fitter once said “it’s easier to make up go down than it is to make down go up”, meaning it’s easier to flight the ball down with a club designed to hit it high rather than hit a ball high with a club designed to hit it low. As someone who prefers to take some distance off a shot when required rather than try and squeak out a few extra yards, the longer shaft of the 5-wood gave me that option, and the slightly larger and deeper head profile gives me a lot of confidence to hit that club out of the rough, too. 

PXG 0311 Black Ops Custom Fairway Wood

High-Strength Carbon Fiber Crown Crown made entirely from high-grade carbon fiber. This lightweight material saves mass in the crown, allowing it to be redistributed low and to the perimeter of the clubhead for optimal CG and addedforgiveness. Supported Weight Structure Innovative supported weight structure that delivers unbelievable sound and feel. High-Speed, Squared Face PXG 0311 Black Ops Fairways present a proprietary stainless steel face engineered to position the CG low for high launch, optimal spin performance, and insanely fast ball speeds.

$349.99 from Fairway Jockey

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Bonus Hybrid Specs: Although I didn’t end up with it being the final winner, here are the specs from the hybrid I was hitting. Black Ops 17 degree, flat hosel setting, Graphite Design Tour AD Di-85X.

So there you have it, my experience testing out and getting fit for PXG’s newest Black Ops metal woods. They are without a doubt the best-performing woods PXG has ever produced and whether you’re a lower handicap like myself or a higher handicap golfer looking for extra forgiveness to go along with the search for more speed, I think you can find it with the Black Ops line.

PXG Black Ops drivers, fairway woods and hybrids are available now through PXG-authorized fitters, as well as at PXG stores across the United States. 

Want to overhaul your bag for 2024? Find a fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

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