How Golf Monthly Tests Products

When it comes to buying new golf equipment, be it a new driver or a pair of the best spikeless golf shoes, the wealth of choice on offer can be overwhelming. Golf Monthly has proudly become your first port of call when it comes to giving you crucial insights into how the latest releases perform, how they compare to their predecessors and where they stack up in relation to the competition.

Our commitments to you are:

The products we review are tested by competent golfers – we believe that's more useful than relying on the strike and swing patterns of inconsistent players or robots.
If we say we've reviewed a product, that means we've used it multiple times, both out on the golf course and on a launch monitor where applicable.
Manufacturers can't pay for a good review – we tell it how we see it.
From the latest launch monitors to shot tracking technology, we will always endeavour to use the best technical equipment to assess performance.

It's worth mentioning that everyone's golf swings and style choices are different, so a club or shoe that works for one golfer might not work for another. Please keep this in mind when reading our reviews, much of the content is subjective but based on years of experience in every field.

We also try and verify manufacturer claims about performance details such as 'five yards longer than its predecessor' or 'improved grip', where applicable. If it's not possible, we'll refer to these features as 'manufacturer claims'.

Who tests products for Golf Monthly?

Golf Monthly's equipment content is overseen by deputy editor Joel Tadman, who looks after a team of talented testers and writers ranging from low single-figure handicaps to elite golfers with mini tour experience and PGA Pros. Sam De'Ath, Joe Ferguson and Dan Parker are the main equipment testers and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the content.

Golf Monthly also has a mid-handicap tester in Dave Usher based in the north east of England as well as a US-based product tester in Mike Bailey, bringing a fresh perspective from the other side of the pond. Women's golf editor Alison Root heads up the reviews of women's products, supported by 3-handicap Carly Cummins.

With so much new golf equipment hitting the shelves every year, Golf Monthly has established a category leaders approach to develop experts in different areas of the market. Each category has a small team of reviewers testing products and working under an experienced lead writer who themselves are consistently testing new products to hit the market.

By dividing golf equipment into categories, the team are in a better position to compare between brands, identify stand-out products and trends and offer game-improving buying advice. Below is a list of categories and their leaders:

Drivers - Joe Ferguson
Fairway woods - Sam De'Ath
Hybrids - Dave Usher
Utility irons - Joe Ferguson
Irons - Joe Ferguson
Wedges - Dave Usher
Putters - Sam De’Ath
Balls - Sam De’Ath
GPS/Laser - Conor Keenan
Shoes - Dan Parker
Trolleys - Dan Parker
Bags - Dan Parker
Women’s gear - Alison Root

Where are the products tested?

Before testing, the Golf Monthly team will usually attend product launches and meet with the manufacturer's R&D experts to understand the new technology.

For 2026, Golf Monthly has entered into a partnership with Foresight Sports, one of the market leaders when it comes to launch monitors and golf simulators, to create the Performance Lab. This new state-of-the-art venue, located at Future's Reading office location, is where the majority of equipment will be tested using the Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor and FSX Pro software to gain quantifiable insights into club performance.

It has also been equipped with various items of measuring equipment, such as loft and lie machines, digital swing weight machines, face angle measuring machines and it even has the ability to cut shafts to a specific length. Golf Monthly also creates video content from this location, which can be found on the Reviews YouTube channel.

Follow up testing, and that of non-hardware products, will usually take place at courses local to the team members. This will usually be Burghley Park for Joel, Saunton for Joe, North Hants for Sam and Fulford Heath for Dan.

We also have a data partnership with Shot Scope, to provide on-course insights into product performance over the course of many rounds.

How does Golf Monthly rank products?

Golf Monthly reviews have a percentage star rating system, which then converts into up to five stars. No product that receives less than 3 stars will be published. Golf Monthly doesn’t rank products within its buyers guides, but it will reference stand out features and link to individual reviews for those who want a deeper dive into how a product performs based on recommendations from the category expert.

Golf Monthly Star Rating Guide

5 stars - Stands out from its competitive set by tangibly looking, feeling and performing better. Has innovative new technology that delivers on all attributes a golfer looks for with no significant weakness, at a price that offers value for money.

4.5 stars - Delivers a high level of all-round performance that matches the best of its competitive set in all areas and has minimal weaknesses of relative insignificance or that are subjective to the user.

4 stars - Performs to a high standard in multiple areas of consideration but falls short against competitors in the category in areas golfers typically consider important - be it looks, feel, performance or value.

3.5 stars - Didn’t perform to the level of products that lead their respective categories. Has some plus points but enough negative points to be of concern and that need referencing around the design, how the product looks/performs or the value on offer.

3 stars - Somewhat delivers what is expected but broadly offers a disappointing user experience. Lacks modern technology and resulting performance. Questions over build quality, durability, looks and performance.

Joel has worked in the golf industry for over 15 years covering both instruction and more recently equipment. He now oversees all equipment and video content at Golf Monthly, managing a team of talented and passionate writers and presenters in delivering the most thorough and accurate reviews, buying advice, comparisons and deals to help the reader or viewer find exactly what they are looking for.

One of his career highlights came when covering the 2012 Masters he got to play the sacred Augusta National course on the Monday after the tournament concluded, shooting a respectable 86 with just one par and four birdies. To date, his best ever round of golf is a 5-under 67 back in 2011. He currently plays his golf at Burghley Park Golf Club in Stamford, Lincs, with a handicap index of 3.1.

Joel's current What's In The Bag?

Driver: Titleist GT3, 9°, Fujikura Ventus Black 6 S shaft.

Fairway wood: Titleist TSR3, 15°

Hybrid: Titleist TSi2, 18°

Irons: Titleist T150, 4-PW

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM10, 50°, 54° and 58°

Putter: LAB Golf DF3

Ball: 2025 Titleist Pro V1x

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