With the mini driver sector remaining one of the most exciting growth areas in golf equipment, Tour Edge has thrown its hat into the ring with the Exotics Mini Driver. Having extensively tested its direct rivals, I was keen to see how this somewhat more budget-friendly option would stack up.

Aesthetically, there is plenty to admire. At address, I really enjoy the overall shaping of the 280cc head, and the modern, carbon crown frames the ball beautifully. However, as is my recurring gripe with a lot of Tour Edge clubs, the lack of a traditional plastic ferrule above the adjustable adapter creates an unnecessarily clunky transition from the clubhead to the shaft. It’s a minor detailing issue, but one that disrupts an otherwise premium look.

Furthermore, you need to be aware of how the head sits. Visually, it looks very flat, with the toe noticeably falling away from you as you address the ball. If your natural miss is a hook, this anti-left visual will likely look like an absolute dream. But for those of us whose standard miss is an 'over fade', it presents a somewhat scary proposition before you’ve even started your backswing.

From a tech point of view, Tour Edge is utilizing ‘Combo Brazing’ technology - a high-precision bonding process that fuses an ultra-thin titanium face to a heavy stainless steel body. By eliminating the structural gaps found in typical multi-piece designs, it promises maximum energy transfer.

This is paired with its new Pyramid Face Technology to optimize ball speed and forgiveness across the face, while the lightweight carbon fiber crown lowers the CG to maximize stability and MOI.

In terms of performance, I really enjoyed the Exotics Mini. Feel-wise, it is exceptionally good; the acoustic signature is a little more subdued than the PXG Secret Weapon, for example, but the sensation off the face is no less explosive.

More impressively, when tested in the exact same loft configuration as its market rivals, it produced extremely comparable ball speeds and carry numbers - a serious achievement given that it comes in at upwards of £100 cheaper than the competition.

Interestingly, the head somehow felt and looked visually bigger than its stated 280cc size. While this added a welcome dose of confidence when sitting on a tee peg, to my eye it lent itself to slightly easier performance from the tee as opposed to off the fairway, where the footprint felt just a touch bulkier than some alternatives on the market such as the Titleist GT 280.

Out on the course, however, I couldn't entirely get away from a fairly persistent right start line during testing. I managed to straighten the ball flight out somewhat by shifting the adjustable sleeve to the upright setting, but even that adjustment only really got the head looking closer to a standard lie as opposed to truly upright, and threw the shaft graphics into a slightly annoying visual orientation.

Curiosity got the better of me, so I decided to measure the club on a spec gauge. Unsurprisingly, it came in at a very flat measured lie angle of 56°. For context, the TaylorMade r7 Quad mini driver sits at 57°, the Callaway Quantum mini is 57°, and the PXG Secret Weapon sits much more upright at 58°. Just something to bear in mind.

In summary, the Tour Edge Exotics Mini Driver represents a really interesting proposition. It is a mini driver coming in upwards of £100 cheaper than everything else on the shelves, yet it refuses to compromise on great feel, ball speed, and raw carry distance.

It is well worth an audit for anyone looking to optimize their long game on a budget - just be fully aware that if your typical miss is to the right, this might not be the one for you.

The Exotics Mini Driver is available for retail at $399 or £307 and is available in either 11.5˚ or 13.5˚ loft options.

The mini driver certainly seems to be an emerging category of club gaining traction at almost every level of the game. The theory makes sense and yet I’d never had one in my bag… until one of the biggest rounds of my life.

The Old Course at St Andrews is one of the most historic and iconic courses in the world, so to put the brand new Callaway Quantum mini driver in play was a bold move. To use it to play the course in reverse, something golfers are only able to do three days of the year, was bordering on insanity.

But fortune favours the brave, as they say, and I was excited to see what this club could do in some testing weather conditions and an anxiety-ridden environment.

I employed the 11.5° model which comes in 340cc and with a 44” shaft. The look of this club, just like with the Quantum Max driver, impresses from every angle. The extra loft versus a standard driver makes it look inviting to hit and the proportions and shaping are just right for a club of this ilk, although I could lose the chevron near the leading edge if I was being ultra fussy.

The feel of this club is sensational in two ways. Firstly the sensation of power it sends up through your hands when you nut one out of the middle is addictive and testament to the Tri-Force face Callaway has implemented.

Secondly, the way this club engages with the turf, thanks to the Step Sole design, genuinely enhances its versatility and makes clean contact easier to achieve. It came in handy on the second shot to the par five 14th, and while it missed the green right, it got pin high from nigh on 260 yards away, albeit a little downwind.

Performance wise, this club impressed both of the tee and turf, something the best mini drivers have to deliver. It was naturally longer when hit from a tee, but not by as much as you might think. I was pushing 260 yards of carry using a tee height around half what I use for a driver. It was roughly 10 yards shorter from the deck, an admirable performance considering the lack of loft, but on a similar trajectory.

I tended to use it off the tee a lot more than from the fairway, simply because there were more shots that demanded accuracy and staying short of certain bunkers on the route I was playing. On hole 7 on the Old Course (normal) for example, it was the perfect club to stay short of Shell bunker. Then on hole 2 on the Old Course (reversed), it helped me avoid the out of bounds down the left hand side due to its slight right bias.

Overall I think it would be fair to say I was generally more accurate with the Quantum Mini versus a the best golf drivers and was pleasantly surprised about how little distance I was giving up. I could flight shots down into the wind when needed but also unleash some high bombs when the hole allowed. Then to add in that extra playability from the turf was especially useful when trying to reach long par fours and par fives into a stiff breeze.

Yes you need a healthy amount of speed to make it a viable option with the ball sitting on the ground, but I think the spectrum of abilities that could justify adding this club to the bag and benefitting from it both off the tee and into greens is surprisingly broad. This is a highly versatile and forgiving alternative to driver and 3-wood that balances both control and power very well.

When Titleist launches a new metalwood family, the golf world usually expects a steady evolution of its "Total Performance" philosophy, so I was curious to see if the new 2026 lineup continued on that theme and whether it can live amongst the best golf drivers in the game…

Following the unanimous success of the GT family, we now have the GTS series. The subject of this review, the GTS2, is touted as the stable, high-launching "everyman" model of the range, designed to provide maximum speed and stability.

WATCH: Discover why we selected the GTS2 driver for Editor's Choice 2026

The headline story with the GTS2 is the advancement of the Split Mass Frame. Titleist engineers have moved more discretionary weight than ever to the extreme perimeters. This was made possible by the new Thermoform Body, which utilizes a Proprietary Matrix Polymer (PMP).

While the previous GT models introduced this material, the GTS2 features a significant jump in its application, utilizing 26g of the polymer compared to the 13g found in the previous generation.

This ultra-lightweight crown allows Titleist to shift mass low and forward for speed, while simultaneously pushing weight back to boost MOI. Combined with the new Speed Sync Face, which features a thicker support structure to optimize COR, Titleist is saying that the GTS range is technically the most advanced it has ever produced.

Visually, there are no surprises. The GTS2 is exactly what you would expect from Titleist. It retains that classic, clean, glossy profile that sits beautifully square at address in its standard setting.

Titleist clearly knows its audience well; there are no garish colors or distracting alignment aids - just a refined, high-contrast face graphic that helps frame the ball nicely.

However, I do have a couple of small aesthetic gripes...

On every test model I received (this one, GTS3, and GTS4), the paintwork around the new silver back port was a little scruffy. In several areas, the black paint had bled onto the silver or pooled around the edges to create some sub-optimal lumps, bumps, and cracking.

For a premium-priced driver, I would generally expect a slightly cleaner finish in terms of the details.

Furthermore, while I really enjoyed the visual of the sole when I took the wrapper off, with its very premium shiny finish, I was a little disappointed to see the condition of it after just one 18-hole test session. While I would expect fair wear and tear, I wonder whether using a glossy finish was a small error in terms of its longevity.

In terms of pure performance off the center of the clubface, I found the GTS2 eerily similar to the GT2 of last year. When I caught it flush, the launch monitor numbers - ball speed, spin, and carry - were essentially identical to the previous generation, which was a relief, as I was a big fan of GT2.

Where the GTS2 differentiates itself is on off-center hits, though perhaps not in the way you’d expect.

In terms of feel and feedback, I actually found the GTS2 a little harsher and ‘clangier’ on mishits compared to the GT2. There is a distinct hollow vibration on toe and heel strikes that I suspect is a byproduct of extending that proprietary matrix polymer so far around the chassis.

However, both crucially and interestingly, that harsh feel didn't actually match the data. On my Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor, the GTS2 retained a hugely impressive amount of ball speed and maintained a tight dispersion even on my worst swings.

Some golfers might find the ‘clangy’ feedback to be a negative, but to me, it felt like an honest, unfiltered connection. The feel immediately tells you that you’ve missed the center (and by precisely how much), but the ball flight and data barely bat an eyelid. It is an unusual but helpful combination: the hands feel the ‘truth’, but the output hides it brilliantly.

We are at the stage now where no driver produces ‘revolutionary’ performance or vast ball speed jumps; the physical limits of the face simply don't allow for it.

In many cases, this would be the point where I would bemoan a lack of innovation or progress when a brand produces ‘more of the same.’ However, when the previous effort in question was as good as the GT family, more of the same is more than acceptable.

The GTS2 is a reliable, high-performing tool that offers world-class data, even if the feedback through the hands has become a little more vocal.

The new GTS driver lineup offers a comprehensive range of high-performance shaft options to suit every swing profile. The Featured selection includes the Project X Titan Black alongside the Mitsubishi Tensei 1K series (available in White, Blue, and Red variants).

For golfers seeking an upgraded experience, Premium shaft offerings include the Graphite Design Tour AD DI, VF, and FI models.

The GTS drivers are available for fittings and pre-sale immediately, with a global retail launch scheduled for June 11. Pricing is set at an RRP of £629 for standard configurations and £799 for premium options.

Titleist has always been a brand that understands its core user, and nowhere is that more evident than in the low-spin ‘4’ series drivers. Historically, these have been sub-460cc, niche products reserved for the highest of swing speeds. However, with the launch of the GTS4, the narrative may have been altered slightly...

The headline change here is the move to a full 460cc chassis. This immediately opens the GTS4 up to a much wider audience than the GT4 of last season, while under the hood, the performance is driven by the new Split Mass Frame and the Thermoform Body.

By doubling the amount of Proprietary Matrix Polymer (PMP) to 26 grams, Titleist has unlocked an incredible amount of discretionary weight. In the GTS4, this is utilized through a dual-weighting system featuring a heavy forward track weight and a flat weight in the AFT (rear). This is supported by the Speed Sync Face, which is designed to keep ball speeds high even when you wander away from the center of the cup face.

The most significant functional shift in the GTS4’s design is the introduction of a forward weight track, a feature that was notably absent from the previous GT4. While the older GT4 relied on a simpler 'flip' system - swapping two interchangeable weights between fixed forward and aft ports - the GTS4 adopts the more precise track technology previously reserved for the ‘3’ series.

From the top, the GTS4 is predictably Titleist - which is a very good thing. It sits beautifully square, and despite the increase in volume, it retains a sophisticated, tour-inspired shape that masks its size well. It frames the ball with a level of cleanliness that Titleist loyalists have come to expect.

However, I have to mention a couple of recurring aesthetic gripes. On every model I received for testing, the finish around the new silver back port was a little scruffy. I noticed several areas where the black paint had bled onto the silver or pooled to create small, unwanted lumps. At this price point, you expect the details and shelf appeal to match the premium performance.

While the highly polished sole is a highlight out of the wrapper and certainly reinforces the premium Titleist branding, the longevity of the finish is a concern; a single 18-hole test session left it looking unexpectedly and excessively weathered in my opinion.

It’s a great-looking design choice initially, but perhaps less practical for long-term shelf appeal once it actually hits the turf.

On the Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor, the GTS4 proved to be two highly effective drivers in one.

With the heavy weight in the forward setting, it is still a very aggressive spin-killer, so high-speed players looking to flatten out their flight will continue to find it produces piercing, low-spin bullets.

However, the real magic happened when I moved the heavier weight to the 'AFT' (rear) setting. In this configuration, the GTS4 becomes a brilliant ‘in-betweener.’ It’s almost like a ‘GTS2.5,’ sitting right in the middle of the GTS2 and GTS3 launch and spin windows.

This versatility makes it arguably the most intriguing head in the lineup; it offers the aggressive speed of a low-spin head but with a launch window that won't punish the mortal golfer.

Off-center hits (heel and toe) provided a somewhat strange sensation, however, and this was apparent across the whole GTS range for me.

In terms of feel, I actually found it a little less pleasant, slightly harsher, and more hollow on mishits than the previous generation GT3 or GT4, with my suspicions being that extending the proprietary matrix polymer so far around the chassis contributes to this somewhat more abrasive feedback.

However, as with the entire range, that harsh feel didn't match the numbers. Even on my poorest contacts, the data - specifically ball speed and spin- remained remarkably steadfast.

To me, this was actually a great combination: honest, unfiltered feedback through the hands that tells you exactly where you missed it, but coupled with data that remains largely unaffected. This is something better players will love, in my opinion.

With the upgrades in shaping, size, and weighting, the GTS4 is no longer a niche specialist; it is a mainstream powerhouse that will likely become the most popular '4' model Titleist has ever released.

The new GTS driver lineup offers a comprehensive range of high-performance shaft options to suit every swing profile. The Featured selection includes the Project X Titan Black alongside the Mitsubishi Tensei 1K series (available in White, Blue, and Red variants).

For golfers seeking an upgraded experience, Premium shaft offerings include the Graphite Design Tour AD DI, VF, and FI models.

The GTS drivers are available for fittings and pre-sale immediately, with a global retail launch scheduled for June 11. Pricing is set at an RRP of £629 for standard configurations and £799 for premium options.

When Titleist released the GT range, it was a watershed moment for the brand, particularly the GT3, which became a dominant force on professional tours worldwide.

Replacing a huge success story is never easy, and the new GTS3 arrives with some seriously huge boots to fill. Can it rival some of the best golf drivers in the game? Let's find out...

In terms of the tech, the core of the GTS3's design is the evolution of the Split Mass Frame. By utilizing a Thermoform Body constructed from Titleist’s Proprietary Matrix Polymer (PMP), engineers have managed to double the amount of discretionary weight available compared to the previous generation.

Specifically, the PMP content has jumped from 13 grams to 26 grams, wrapping much further around the chassis than previously. The weight savings this has created are then strategically relocated.

In the GTS3, this powers a dual-weighting system featuring a forward track weight and a flat AFT (rear) weight. Combined with the new Speed Sync Face, which features a refined support structure to maximize deflection, the technical goal is clear: retain Titleist's signature speed while pushing the boundaries of stability and adjustability.

Visually, no one will be surprised to hear that Titleist has stayed true to its DNA.

The GTS3 is predictably similar to its predecessor - sleek, minimalist, and devoid of the paraphernalia seen on some competitors. It is a look that Titleist knows its audience loves, and the new high-contrast face graphics are a subtle but effective addition for alignment.

However, I did note some slightly disappointing lack of attention to detail on the sole.

On all of the models I received for testing, the paintwork around the new silver back port was noticeably less than sharp. The black paint had bled onto the silver accents and, in several areas, it had pooled and/or cracked to create unwanted and unsightly lumps.

If I had purchased this premium product carrying a hefty price tag, I would be disappointed to see that upon delivery.

Furthermore, while I was initially very impressed by the sleek, shiny sole once the wrapper came off, the 'honeymoon phase' ended quickly. It showed significant marking to me, not conducive to a single round of play.

While some wear is obviously inevitable, the glossy coating seems particularly unforgiving, and I wonder if a more matte finish would have preserved that 'new' look for longer.

In testing against last season’s GT3 using a Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor, the data threw up some surprises. Interestingly, I actually experienced a slight drop in average ball speed with the GTS3, averaging about 1mph less than the GT3, whereas my highest ball speed numbers came with the new GTS3.

This gave me the sense that while there may be more horsepower under the hood of the newer driver, the older GT3 was delivering slightly more consistent numbers.

However, that minute drop in average speed was more than mitigated by the combination of launch characteristics on offer.

In the exact same D2 setting (from my fitting) and shaft (Fujikura Ventus Black 6-X), the GTS3 produced just under a degree more launch for me, and approximately 150rpm less spin, which is a potent combination. The high, flat trajectory resulted in marginal carry gains, proving ball speed isn't the only metric for distance.

Where the GTS3 (much like its two siblings, the GTS2 and GTS4) creates a real talking point is the feel.

On off-center hits, I had some mixed thoughts. To me, it feels significantly harsher and more hollow than the previous generation, and I suspect that extending the proprietary matrix polymer further around the chassis has contributed to this more resonant feedback.

That said, the feel doesn't match the numbers.

While my hands felt a brash notification of a mishit, the launch monitor barely batted an eyelid. The ball speed retention and dispersion were nothing short of exceptional. Some may find the harshness a negative, but I found it to be an extremely helpful, honest, and unfiltered feedback loop. You know exactly where you’ve struck it, but the data remains largely unaffected.

We have reached a plateau where ‘revolutionary’ ball speed and distance jumps are a physical impossibility due to regulations, no matter how hard we wish for it. As such, gains are more subtle and need to be sought out a little harder, but I genuinely feel that they exist in the GTS3.

Would I be rushing out to snap one up if I were a GT3 owner? Personally, no. To me, the gains aren’t substantial enough with my financial means to justify the upgrade, but that will undoubtedly vary person to person. But, make no mistake about it, there are some minor gains on offer for the right player.

Is it ‘more of the same’? Yes. But when your ‘same’ was the unanimously lauded GT3, there aren’t many higher compliments you could pay a driver in my eyes.

The new GTS driver lineup offers a comprehensive range of high-performance shaft options to suit every swing profile. The Featured selection includes the Project X Titan Black alongside the Mitsubishi Tensei 1K series (available in White, Blue, and Red variants).

For golfers seeking an upgraded experience, Premium shaft offerings include the Graphite Design Tour AD DI, VF, and FI models.

The GTS drivers are available for fittings and pre-sale immediately, with a global retail launch scheduled for June 11. Pricing is set at an RRP of £629 for standard configurations and £799 for premium options.

Of all the ball flights in golf, the “excessive fade” (I'm being sensitive here) is arguably the most debilitating.

An uncontrollable slice not only robs you of distance but also makes the fairway feel about three yards wide. Tour Edge has long been a champion of the "game-improvement" sector, and their new Hot Launch Max-D driver is a focused mission designed to eliminate the right side of the course (for right-handers) once and for all.

I've been testing it out to see how it stacks up against some of the best drivers for slicers in the game...

At $299.99, the Max-D (the 'D' standing for draw) is packed with more technology than its price tag suggests.

The headline feature is the Diamond Face VFT, a series of 37 thick and thin diamond shapes behind the face that act as mini-trampolines. This is tech borrowed from their premium Exotics range, aimed at maintaining ball speeds on off-center strikes.

To combat the slice, Tour Edge has employed a triple-threat of draw-bias features: internal heel weighting, a closed face angle, and a significant offset hosel.

Complementing this is the V-Taper Sole, which pushes weight to the extreme rear perimeter to maximize MOI (Moment of Inertia) and ease of launch.

Pulling the Max-D from its headcover, I was immediately struck by the simplicity of the crown, offering a wonderfully clean appearance at address, free from the distracting banner strips or busy graphics that often plague modern drivers.

However, the notable offset - designed to give the clubhead a fraction of a second longer to square up - is impossible to miss. It is a functional look that will likely divide opinion, but for the chronic slicer, it’s a visual cue of the help on offer.

That said, it is significantly less prominent than the offset on the Oximity driver I tested last year.

If there is a trade-off for the entry-level price point, it’s in the acoustics. The impact sensation is robust, bordering on "clangy." It is a loud, high-pitched acoustic that I didn’t particularly enjoy, and for reasons known only to the engineers, it felt noticeably louder than the standard Max driver in the same family.

It’s a sensation and an acoustic that won't be for everyone.

I tested the 10.5-degree head fitted with an Aldila Ascent shaft in S-Flex. Even as someone who typically suits a 9-degree head and an X-Flex shaft, the results were pretty good.

Firstly, the ball speed.

While there is a slight drop compared to the more expensive Exotics range, it was nowhere near as significant as I had anticipated. The Diamond Face tech clearly does its job in keeping the numbers respectable.

In terms of flight, the Max-D did exactly what it says on the tin: it went left, and very left! For the life of me, I couldn't cut or fade this club. For a golfer who fights a slice, this is the ultimate medicine.

Interestingly, despite the 10.5-degree loft and my higher swing speed, the spin didn't get out of control. It launched easily but stayed remarkably stable, spinning only marginally more than the 9-degree Max version I tested.

The Tour Edge Hot Launch Max-D is a definitive solution to a specific problem. If you can get over the loud impact noise and the unconventional look of the offset hosel, the value proposition here is fantastic. It’s a $299.99 "slice-killer" that allows you to swing freely without worrying about the right-hand rough. For the frustrated slicer, that kind of confidence is worth every penny.

The driver market is often a battle of the behemoths, with flagship models now routinely clearing the $600 mark. While Tour Edge’s own Exotics line competes at that top-tier performance level (but still without the price tag), its Hot Launch range has long been the standard-bearer for the "everyman" golfer.

With the release of the new Hot Launch Max, Tour Edge is promising high-end technology and stability for a fraction of the cost.

I have been testing it out to see if this budget-friendly stick can truly hold its own against some of the best drivers in the game.

The "Max" moniker is all about MOI (Moment of Inertia). To achieve this, Tour Edge has utilized a rear weight to reposition mass toward the back perimeter of the 460cc head. This is paired with its Diamond Face technology - featuring diamond-shaped variable thickness zones - and a 360-degree Cup Face design. The goal is simple: maintain ball speed even when you miss the center.

Additionally, the new V-Taper Sole is designed to pull the CG lower, aiding in an effortless launch.

In terms of the looks, I really liked this driver. It is fairly basic, sure, but that wasn't to its detriment.

I very much enjoyed the simplicity of the crown; it offers a nice, clean appearance with no off-putting banner strips or unnecessary graphics that can often clutter modern drivers. It sits squarely and confidently at address, looking every bit the part of a premium game-improvement club.

I tested the 9-degree head with an X-Flex Fujikura Ventus shaft (it’s worth noting this is the non-Velocore version). Right away, the impact sensation was interesting.

There is a fairly ‘clangy’ sound to impact, which might be a polarizing trait for some; however, it is significantly quieter and more refined than its Max-D sibling. While it doesn't have the muted "thud" of a carbon-heavy driver, it feels powerful and energetic.

Performance-wise, the Hot Launch Max exceeded my expectations in several areas. First, while there is a slight ball speed drop from the flagship Tour Edge Exotics range, it wasn't nearly as much as I had anticipated. The Diamond Face tech clearly does its job in preserving energy.

In terms of ball flight, I found it pretty neutral in terms of bias - there was no real noticeable fade or draw tendency, which is refreshing in a category often dominated by "draw-bias" designs even on those that don’t aim to achieve it!

However, the standout data point was the spin. There was an abundance of spin offered here, which will make this driver very playable for moderate swing speed players who need help keeping the ball in the air.

That said, it is likely to be too much spin for quicker swingers who might find the ball "ballooning" slightly into the wind, so I wouldn’t expect much traction from that demographic, but I doubt Tour Edge anticipated that either.

Frankly, for $299.99, this is a fantastic value proposition. Tour Edge has managed to package genuine stability and impressive face technology into a clean, no-nonsense aesthetic.

If you are a moderate swing speed player looking for a well-built, easy-to-hit, neutral-bias driver that won't break the bank, the Hot Launch Max should be at the very top of your testing list.

The Wilson Dynapwr Max+ marks a significant milestone for the brand as Wilson Golf’s first foray into the super high MOI driver market. With Moment of Inertia (MOI) surpassing the magic 10,000 g-cm² barrier, the Max+ promises to be the straightest driver Wilson has ever produced.

I was keen to see if the "Max+" moniker truly delivered on its claims of elite stability and whether it could compete with the heavyweights of the 10K category.

The headline story here is, of course, the MOI.

By surpassing the 10K mark, Wilson has designed the Dynapwr Max+ to resist twisting on off-center hits more effectively than any of its predecessors. This is achieved through a combination of a larger, stability-driven shape and strategic weight distribution.

A key feature driving performance is the 26g flippable rear weight. This significant mass allows golfers to fine-tune their shot shape, helping to mitigate a slice or promote a draw to find more fairways.

Supporting this is Wilson’s AI-driven PKR-360 face technology. Unique to each model, this design optimizes face thickness in an attempt to maintain ball speed across the entire hitting area, ensuring that even strikes missing the center still pack a punch.

Visually, the overall aesthetic sits very nicely within the Dynapwr range it is joining. It retains the modern, tech-forward look established by the original Dynapwr launch, utilizing premium finishes and subtle accents that signal premium performance.

At address, the shaping is excellent. The elongated front-to-back and heel-to-toe dimensions create a large footprint that offers huge amounts of confidence. It looks very inviting behind the ball, allowing you to swing aggressively without fear of the consequences.

However, in the playing position, if I were being fussy, I would get rid of the red banner strip on the back heel area. I find it a little distracting and contrasting for my liking.

Furthermore, I also don't love the ‘D’ that has been used as the alignment aid on the top. I don't really know why(!), I just think the Wilson ‘W’ or the new shield logo would have been more appropriate and looked better.

In terms of performance, Wilson has done a fantastic job of making this driver incredibly stable and forgiving. You can barely notice the feel difference between a centre and off-centre contact, let alone see much performance degradation. The super high MOI movement has been a really big moment in driver design for me over the past couple of years, and the Dynapwr Max+ proves that Wilson can compete in this space.

The stability through impact is palpable. Strikes that felt toe-side or low on the face still launched high and held their line remarkably well.

I gathered my data using my Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor, and compared to some of its competitors, like the Ping G440 K, it is definitely a slightly spinnier profile (in my hands at least).

Whilst that robbed me of a little distance, this driver isn't necessarily designed for me at nearly 120mph club head speeds, and the additional spin will be very welcome to a lot of its target audience of more moderate speeds.

Overall, I really liked this driver. It does everything it needs to do to be in the purchasing argument alongside drivers like the Qi4D Max and the Ping G440 K. It successfully brings super high MOI benefits to the Wilson lineup, offering a genuine solution for players seeking maximum forgiveness and straighter drives.

The Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond (TD) driver arrives with a clear intent: to reclaim Callaway's dominance at the top end of the better-player driver market.

After a somewhat quiet year where the Elyte family struggled to gain widespread traction, could the Quantum TD offer a return to form with its tour-inspired, compact 450cc head built for speed, workability, and a penetrating flight?

I’ve been testing this new offering extensively to see if the next-gen of A.I. optimization delivers the performance better players demand and position the Quantum TD among the best golf drivers in the game…

The Quantum TD is built around what Callaway is saying is a breakthrough Tri-Force Face. This technology layers ultra-thin, high-strength Titanium, Poly Mesh, and Carbon Fiber into a fully integrated system - a combination never before used in driver face design.

This is paired with an ‘AI-Optimized Face Design’, where every part of the face is tuned to optimize speed, spin, and launch based on real impact patterns. Furthermore, the 360° carbon chassis is Callaway's lightest and strongest yet, freeing up weight for precise CG placement.

I have to say I was astounded when I first put the Quatum TD in behind the ball for testing; I thought I had entered a time warp! The look behind the ball is barely distinguishable from the Ai Smoke Triple Diamond of a couple of seasons ago. I mean, it is quite remarkable to be honest. We often see similar looks from manufacturers, but I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a model replicated so closely from this angle before.

Some may deem this as unimaginative and repetitive, while many others will be delighted at the return of a very popular playing profile from an extremely popular previous model. I would be interested in your opinions in the comments section below…

I would be lying if I said I was in love with the shaping; in truth, the last three low-spin drivers from Callaway have all been a touch on the triangular side in terms of playing profile to me.

For some reason, I personally lean towards rounder shapes in the driver, although that would be my only criticism of an otherwise excellent-looking head.

From the other angle, the sole aesthetic is as good as Callaway has produced in many years, in my opinion. The dark carbon weave, minimal branding, and very subtle red accent colors give it a mean, sophisticated, and high-tech appearance that looks fantastic in the bag.

My first hits with Quantum TD were extremely enjoyable. The feel is superbly powerful, providing a hefty crack at impact that really lets you know the ball has been hit. It’s not a muted thud; it’s an explosive sensation that matches the speed output on offer.

Performance-wise, the Quantum Triple Diamond is a beast. I gathered my data on my Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor, and the first thing to say is that it is quick in terms of ball speed. Extremely quick.

In my testing, it was only second behind the TaylorMade Qi4D in that respect, and that was primarily because the aerodynamics of the TaylorMade driver simply allowed me to move it quicker through the air. Crucially, the Quantum Triple Diamond actually produced more bang for its buck for me in terms of a higher smash factor, suggesting the Tri-Force Face is more efficient at transferring energy.

The adjustability on offer is also a key feature for the better player. In the neutral setting, its ball flight offered a slight left-to-right bias for me, and shifting the 9-gram weight in the rear over to the toe side will genuinely help those who want to take the left side (for the right-handers) of the golf course completely out of play.

After a somewhat underwhelming year in 2025, Callaway is well and truly back, fighting at the very top end of the driver market with the Quantum Triple Diamond.

It combines raw speed with a tour-proven shape and meaningful adjustability. For the high-speed player looking for a penetrating flight and a powerful feel, this driver is a serious contender.

The Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond driver will be retailing at $699.99/£649.

Callaway has a little history in terms of releasing highly sought-after ‘tour only’ models that eventually trickle down to retail, but often years later.

The Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond Max breaks this mold, launching concurrently with the standard lineup, and it is genuinely refreshing to see a brand bringing what was a 'tour only' model to retail, offering the public access that many brands deny. It's only fair, right? We are the ones paying their bills, rather than the tour pros who take their money, so why should we not get at least the access the tour players get!

I’ve been testing this new, slightly larger tour-inspired head to see if it can challenge the best golf drivers in the game and deliver the best of both worlds: tour-level speed with a hint of added forgiveness.

The Quantum Triple Diamond Max is built on the same Tri-Force Face platform as the standard Triple Diamond, layering ultra-thin Titanium, Poly Mesh, and Carbon Fiber for maximum speed. The key differentiator is the chassis: it is built for skilled players seeking lower spin and speed but with added forgiveness in a full 460cc shape.

This blend of tour-level performance with more stability in a slightly larger footprint could be the holy grail for many amateur players.

The look behind the ball is superb, although barely distinguishable from a finish and colouring point of view, to the Ai Smoke Triple Diamond of a couple of seasons ago.

Essentially, it is just a marginally bigger version (450cc to 460cc) of the Quantum Triple Diamond aesthetically, and the slightly bigger footprint suits my eye well, offering just that little bit more real estate behind the ball without looking clunky.

The standard Triple Diamond version still gives a very triangular address profile, which definitely wouldn't be my ideal look, and is what ultimately wrenched the Elyte Triple Diamond out of my bag last season.

However, the Triple Diamond Max head is definitely a little rounder than the standard Quantum Triple Diamond, so it is much closer to my preferred profile.

The sole aesthetic is another plus point in my opinion, with the dark carbon weave, minimal branding, and very subtle red accent colors blending brilliantly. It may well be the best driver of this launch season, as far as raw aesthetics go.

The feel at strike is a powerful one, offering plenty of feedback at impact and not doing too much to soften or subdue it, which I love. You know exactly where you've hit it, and center strikes are rewarded with a dense, explosive sensation.

Performance-wise, this driver is a rocket in terms of ball speed. It was only second behind the TaylorMade Qi4D in that respect in my testing, and that was only because the aerodynamics of the TaylorMade driver allowed me to move it a touch quicker through the air.

The sheer ball speed efficiency of the Quantum TD Max head is undeniable and unmatched this launch season.

The adjustability is a key feature too. Along with Callaway’s ever-popular two-cog hosel adapter, we have an adjustable rear weight system. In the neutral setting, it is exactly that - neutral. However, shifting the 10-gram weight in the rear over to the toe side makes a tangible difference to flight, helping to mitigate a left miss without making the club feel in any way unbalanced.

While far from a ‘game improvement’ driver, the Quantum Triple Diamond Max offers not insignificant levels of stability in comparison to the Triple Diamond, all while maintaining very similar launch monitor data from my Foresight Sports GC3.

Marginally more spin from the Max model on average was the only real distinguishing feature for me, aside from the additional forgiveness.

Overall, I think Callaway has played a masterstroke in offering the Quantum Triple Diamond Max to the mass market. Not only does it make normal players feel as if they are getting a glimpse behind the tour curtain, but the additional playability it provides will also help this driver appeal to more people than Callaway possibly expects. Superb work.

The Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond Max will be retailing at $699.99/£649.

The Callaway Quantum Max driver arrives as the cornerstone of the new Quantum family, designed to be the ultimate blend of speed, consistency, and forgiveness for the widest range of golfers.

While the Triple Diamond models cater to the elite ball striker, the Quantum Max is built to deliver total control and confidence off the tee without demanding the same precision of input.

I’ve been testing this new offering to see if the combination of the revolutionary Tri-Force Face and next-gen A.I. optimization can truly elevate the game of the everyday golfer and rival some of the best golf drivers in the game.

The Quantum Max is engineered for speed and consistency, utilizing the same ‘Tri-Force Face’ as its tour-inspired siblings. This technology layers ultra-thin, high-strength Titanium, Poly Mesh, and Carbon Fiber into a fully integrated speed system.

This is paired with a next-generation AI-optimized face Design, which supposedly tunes every part of the face to optimize speed, spin, and launch based on real impact patterns from real players.

In regards to the looks, as with all of the other drivers in the Quantum family, the address aesthetic is almost eerily similar to the equivalent model in the Ai Smoke family of two seasons ago, right down to the shade of grey! While many see this as lazy design, just as many people will be thrilled to see essentially a carbon copy of what was a really popular model. It’s a safe, familiar look that undeniably works.

However, I have one specific gripe, and it is a long-standing one: I don't love the chevron being added to the crown of the Max and Max-D models.

While it is a Callaway tradition, it always feels a little patronizing to the higher/mid-handicap players that will be playing this model, somehow suggesting that they need help with even the most basic of tasks, such as pointing in the right direction and lining the ball up in the middle of the head!

Why should they not be afforded the same clean crown as the more tour-inspired models? I’ve never quite understood that one, but this is of course just my opinion.

That said, the slightly rounder head than the Triple Diamond models suits my eye a little better, and the overall shaping is excellent, sitting square and large behind the ball.

The feel is exceptionally powerful, but crucially remains so even when struck away from the center, like you would expect among the most forgiving drivers. It delivers a solid, satisfying acoustic across the face that instills much confidence.

Despite my reservations with certain elements of the aesthetic, the performance is nothing short of outstanding. Recorded on my Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor, ball speeds were impressively high, but came along with a solidity and reliability that make it a standout offering that will appeal to a huge array of players.

It wasn't just fast on center hits; the speed retention on toe and heel strikes was genuinely impressive, potentially validating the Tri-Force Face technology.

The APW (Adjustable Perimeter Weighting) system features a refined 10g weight that allows you to adjust for a neutral or draw setup. This helps fine-tune shot shape and launch direction, making it easy to personalize your ball flight for more confidence off the tee.

The popular and familiar OptiFit Hosel adds another layer of customization, offering eight total configurations for loft and lie.

Overall, I was extremely impressed with the Callaway Quantum Max. It takes the winning formula of previous generations and supercharges it with new face technology that delivers genuine speed and forgiveness gains. While the aesthetics are far from original, the performance speaks for itself. It is a powerful, reliable, and highly forgiving driver that will undoubtedly help many golfers hit it longer and straighter.

The Callaway Quantum Max driver will be retailing at £599/$649.99

The Callaway Quantum Max D arrives as the dedicated draw-biased option in the new Quantum family, built to tackle the amateur golfer's most common enemy: the slice.

While it shares the same high-tech DNA as its siblings - including the new Tri-Force Face - it is specifically engineered for easy launch and maximum forgiveness. I’ve been testing this new slice-killer to see if it can deliver the powerful, corrective performance of the best golf drivers that many golfers desperately need without sacrificing too much speed.

The Quantum Max D is designed for easy launch and maximum forgiveness, pairing the Tri-Force Face with Callaway’s next-generation A.i.-Optimized Face Mapping. This tech is crucial, as it aims to optimize speed and spin based on real impact patterns, which for this player profile often means heel and toe strikes.

Internal heel-side weighting has also been strategically added to promote a slight draw bias for slice reduction or draw enhancement, depending on which way you’d like to phrase it!

Despite the unoriginality of the playing position (it is essentially a re-packaged Ai Smoke Max-D from that angle), the overall aesthetic package is a solid one. The graphics and branding all look very premium, utilizing the dark carbon textures well.

However, I would have steered away from adding the grey accents to the sole. The Triple Diamond models don't have the grey, and they look all the more premium for it; the grey just cheapens the look slightly in my opinion. That said, the confidence-inspiring shape sits nicely behind the ball, looking friendly and eager to launch.

The feel at impact is powerful and 'thuddy'. It doesn't have the hollow, tinny sound that some draw-biased drivers suffer from. Instead, it offers a solid, deep acoustic that feels substantial at impact, letting you know you've moved the ball with force.

For whatever reason, many drivers that sit in the draw bias category often somehow feel a little weaker than other members of the same brand family - almost like the "junior" partner in terms of raw power. Truthfully, the Quantum Max D was no exception in that regard, although it got a lot closer to keeping its speed than most other anti-slice drivers.

In my testing on my Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor, it was only 2 mph behind the Triple Diamond model in terms of ball speed. When coupled with the fact that it produced over 500 rpm more spin, this equated to an 11-yard distance gap for me, although for slower speed players, the additional spin may be welcome and have the reverse effect on carry.

However, speed isn't the primary purpose of this model. Its main task is to fight the slice, and it does that admirably. The internal weighting and face design work together to help close the face, and this produced a substantial amount of left curvature for me.

The ease of launch is another standout feature here and will certainly help maximize carry for players with moderate swing speeds who struggle to keep the ball in the air.

Overall, I really like the Callaway Quantum Max D. It is one of the more powerful drivers of its type, offering genuine help for the slicer without looking or feeling like a training aid in any way.

It’s a serious piece of equipment that brings the speed of the Quantum line (almost) to the most forgiving, draw-biased chassis. If you battle a right miss but still want a premium, powerful feel, this is a top contender.

The Callaway Quantum Max-D driver will be retailing at £599/$649.99

The Ping G430 Max 10K was a driver that set an incredibly high bar for forgiveness and performance, and one of the few drivers I have ever given the full 5-star rating to, so the new Ping G440 K driver has huge boots to fill as its successor.

I've been testing it out on and off the golf course to see what this latest iteration has to offer and if it can maintain its reputation as one of the best golf drivers in the game.

Picking up the club for the first time, I was delighted to see that the overall footprint and visual in the playing position is every bit as good as the original G430 Max 10K.

The 460cc head is just as rounded and beefy, inspiring great confidence at address. Something about the much rounder heads that have been introduced since the '10K MOI revolution' really suits my eye more than traditional pear shapes.

However, as I mentioned in my other G440 driver reviews, I personally just don’t love the blue colorway. In truth, though, this is a totally subjective and minor point, and it will likely suit many other people's eyes as it is highly inoffensive and has been used very sparingly.

From a tech standpoint, the G440 K has predictably been engineered for maximum speed and forgiveness, introducing a new 32-gram adjustable back weight to help achieve what Ping is touting as its straightest and highest-MOI adjustable driver ever.

The new back weight is 4g heavier than the fixed back weight in the G430 Max 10K (Ping's previous highest-MOI driver), with the goal being to position more weight to the perimeter of the driver to increase stability and forgiveness.

The adjustable back weight is a key part of the new technology story, along with the Dual Carbonfly Wrap and Free-Hosel Technology, which save discretionary weight from the sole (3.5g), crown (1.5g), and hosel region (3g), allowing the CG to be positioned lower and deeper for high MOI and faster ball speed.

Another technology feature worth noting is the composite crown bridge and acoustic sole 'ribs,' which have been implemented to improve the sound with a more muted and solid impact experience by dampening unwanted vibrations.

Trying to produce a more stable driver than the G430 Max 10K must be a daunting task, but this is the route Ping has taken to achieve it.

While the 4g heavier back weight would, on paper, suggest increased forgiveness and stability, it is very difficult to accurately quantify that in terms of real-world performance differences. The best I can do is to say that in terms of performance, it is every bit as good as the G430 Max 10K, which, frankly, is the highest praise I can think of.

I tested the G440 K indoors and outdoors using my Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor, and the data results were remarkably similar to its predecessor in terms of spin, speed, and carry. However, there are a couple of slight improvements to speak of in terms of performance…

The adjustable back weight offers a touch of adjustability that the G430 version did not have, allowing you to shift the CG into neutral, draw, or fade positions, which Ping says will help you dial in your shot shape.

Now, I did not necessarily see a distinct shift in shape bias when moving that around; however, I did find that aligning the weight directly behind my standard miss (in the heel position) was very effective in terms of increasing ball speed retention, which is something I would very much recommend trying to anyone with a fairly consistent miss on the face.

Interestingly, Ping has decided to add a quarter of an inch to its 'standard' build length from the previous model, stretching things out to 46 inches (swing weight remains unaffected as they have dropped the head weight from 206 to 203 grams).

Ordinarily, I would preach caution at this point as going that long can often lead to inconsistency of strike, but when a head is this forgiving, quite honestly, I'm not sure it even matters. Just enjoy the small swing speed boost you might see!

Crucially (for me at least), this driver, maybe more than any other 'super' MOI offering, has the capability to cope with higher speed players such as myself. It offers insurance against mishits without producing unplayably high spin, as so many other drivers in this realm do.

Too often, we, quicker players, are forced into uncomfortably low lofts to mitigate spin levels if we are looking to play a more forgiving driver; however, Ping once again seems to have kept that performance element under control, cleverly opening this driver up to a very wide audience.

Ping is a brand all about functionality, and it looks like, once again, it may well have created the industry leader here in terms of raw usability in a driver. A friend of mine often uses the phrase: "If you can't swing it, Ping it!" and while that's doing a huge disservice to a brand that brilliantly covers all players' requirements, it very much applies to this driver. If you don't have the time or inclination to hone your swing and you want the maximum amount of help from your driver with a premium look and feel, look no further.

The G440 K comes in lofts of 9°, 10.5°, and 12° with a 460cc head size. Standard specifications include a 46" length, 203g head weight, and a 32g back weight. There is also a High Launch (HL) build available in all lofts for slower-swing-speed golfers, featuring a 28g back weight and once again, a 46" length.

The Ping G440 K driver will be retailing for £630/$705.

When it comes to the driver market, Cobra has carved out a distinct niche for marrying high-level innovation with striking aesthetics. With the release of the new Optm lineup, it is doubling down on stability by introducing a new metric to the lexicon of club design: POI (Product of Inertia).

WATCH: Joe and Sam test all the new Cobra Optm drivers in the Performance Lab

I recently took the Optm X model - the mid-spin, high-forgiveness option in the range, into the testing bay and onto the course to see how these claims translate to performance relative to the best golf drivers in the game.

The headline story for the Optm family is the shift from focusing solely on MOI (Moment of Inertia) to optimizing "POI."

According to Cobra, this new approach accounts for club rotation across all three axes - horizontal, vertical, and the "toe up or down" Z-axis - rather than just resistance to twisting on a single plane.

By using AI and supercomputing to optimize mass placement, Cobra claims to have reduced this POI by over 50% compared to previous designs. The goal is to dramatically reduce the gear effect on mishits, tightening dispersion by up to 23%.

The Optm X specifically is designed to balance accuracy and forgiveness in a footprint slightly larger than the lower-spinning LS model. It features an advanced descending weight system with two adjustable weights (11g and 3g) that can be positioned in the back for neutral flight or the toe for a fade-biased flight.

Returning tech includes the H.O.T. Face Technology, a forged insert designed to maximize ball speeds across the face, and the FutureFit33 hosel, offering extensive loft and lie adjustability while keeping the face square via the SmartPad.

Pulling the headcover off, fans of Cobra will immediately enjoy the familiar aesthetic styling. It looks undeniably premium, sporting a gloss black carbon crown that feels modern and aggressive, along with a subtle use of color.

At address, Cobra drivers have in recent years leaned toward a distinct shape, and the Optm X is no exception.

While I don’t personally love the more triangular shape that Cobra often produces in the playing position, I must admit the execution here is pretty good. The crown is clean and "unfussy," which I really like; it frames the ball well without the distraction of overly busy graphics or alignment aids.

I put the Optm X through its paces on a Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor to gather some ball data, and the results depicted a club that is a fairly solid all-round performer without really being outstanding in any single category. The ball speeds were competitive, and the spin rates sat comfortably in that mid-range window expected of an "X" model.

Anecdotally, during the testing session, the driver proved to be reasonably forgiving on mishits. The "POI" reduction story seems to have some merit regarding stability, as the clubhead felt stable through impact, even on some pretty poor strikes. However, it wasn't necessarily more forgiving than its predecessor, the DS-Adapt X or even the Darkspeed X, in my hands. It was, however, relatively easy to launch.

The Cobra Optm X is a perfectly decent driver that purchasers will not be disappointed with, especially given the RRP once again sits slightly under the new drivers from the big four companies. It checks all the boxes for a modern driver: clean looks, solid stability, and a premium adjustable hosel system.

However, if you are currently gaming one of its immediate predecessors and are looking for substantial gains in distance or dispersion, you will likely not find them here. It is an evolution rather than a revolution - a reliable fairway finder that performs well but doesn't radically change the game.

The Cobra Optm X driver will be retailing for £479/$599.

When Cobra speaks about the new Optm line, the conversation heavily revolves around a lesser-known measurement called POI (Product of Inertia).

While the golf industry has long chased MOI (forgiveness), Cobra claims to be the first to optimize both MOI and POI to reduce club rotation across all three axes during off-center hits. For the slicer, however, the most important "axis" is usually the one curving the ball into the trees on the right. Enter the Optm Max-D, a model designed specifically to be one of the best drivers for slicers.

WATCH: Joe and Sam test all the new Cobra Optm drivers in the Performance Lab

Aesthetically, Cobra has done a nice job here. The driver features a gloss black carbon crown that looks premium and compact enough to inspire confidence without looking bloated. I really like the overall aesthetic of the driver. The sole design is particularly striking, blending the black carbon with light grey panels and subtle red accent coloring that hints at the power under the hood without being garish.

Often, the trade-off for a heavy draw-bias driver is a face that looks shut or closed at address - a look many golfers find off-putting - but that isn't really the case with this model.

In its standard setting, unlike many draw-biased drivers, it didn’t visually point in any way off to the left (as a right-hander), offering a much more neutral position than some.

This may largely be down to Cobra’s FutureFit33 adjustable hosel and the innovative Smartpad design. The Smartpad allows the face angle to remain square regardless of the loft setting, meaning you can get the benefit of the tech without the visual distraction of a hooked face. The FutureFit33 system itself - introduced last year - is robust, offering 33 unique settings to fine-tune ball flight by +/- 2 degrees.

Under the hood, the Max-D utilizes a fixed 11g heel weight to pull the Center of Gravity (CG) closer to the hosel. This strategic weight placement helps close the clubface quicker in the downswing and get the ball airborne more easily.

I did a lot of my testing on my Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor, and the results were good. In terms of its draw bias, this is right up near the top of the list of anything I have tested this launch season in terms of prevalence.

If you struggle with a slice, the gear effect provided here is substantial. But it isn't just a one-trick pony; the H.O.T. Face Technology - a forged insert designed for improved face flex - ensures that ball speeds remain pretty high even when you miss the center.

The impact feel is a nice combination of 'hot' or quick off the face, coupled with plenty of feedback so you know exactly where you’ve struck it very quickly after strike. The forgiveness on show is ample, likely aided by Cobra's work in balancing high MOI with low POI to minimize twisting.

Overall, when combining aesthetics, tech features, and of course, performance, the Cobra Optm Max-D driver is a compelling option for those in the market for a slice correcting driver that sits slightly under the premium pricing of the big four companies in Titleist, Ping, Callaway and TaylorMade.

The Cobra Optm Max-D driver will be retailing for £479/$599.

After what felt like a period of stagnation for Cobra with the DS-Adapt range last season - where traction seemed to stall both on professional tours and at retail - the brand has returned with a bold new narrative centered on advanced physics.

WATCH: Joe and Sam test all the new Cobra Optm drivers in the Performance Lab

I have been thoroughly testing the new Cobra Optm LS driver to see if Cobra can get back amongst the best golf driver conversations.

The headline story for the new Optm family is the optimization of "POI" (Product of Inertia) alongside the traditional MOI (Moment of Inertia) measurements. While most manufacturers focus heavily on MOI for forgiveness, Cobra engineers are now emphasizing POI, a lesser-known measurement that accounts for club rotation across all three axes (horizontal, vertical, and toe up/down) during off-center hits.

Cobra claims that by using supercomputing and A.I. methods, it has created a "design harmony" that maximizes MOI while reducing POI. The theoretical result is a dramatic reduction in the gear effect, which should lead to up to 23% tighter dispersion and straighter off-center shots.

Specifically, the Optm LS (Low Spin) model packs this technology into a compact head shape designed for faster players seeking maximum speed and control. It features an advanced descending weight system with three adjustable weights (11g, 7g, and 3g). These can be positioned to tune trajectory for neutral, draw-biased, or fade-biased flights.

Additionally, the forged H.O.T. Face technology returns, utilizing variable thickness to maintain ball speeds on mishits.

Out of the box, the Optm LS strikes a sophisticated and contemporary pose. The gloss black carbon crown gives it a premium, stealthy aesthetic that looks high-quality on the rack.

However, once set behind the ball, the shaping becomes a bit of a polarizing "love it or hate it" scenario.

The profile is somewhat asymmetric and distinctly triangular. For players who prefer a traditional, softer, and more rounded profile (like me), this angular look might be jarring. While the compact footprint appeals to the better player, the specific geometry did not suit my eye during testing, lacking the classic curvature found in some rival drivers.

I tested the Optm LS using my Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor to see if the new POI optimizations translated to raw numbers.

In terms of pure output, the Optm LS sat very much in the middle of the pack regarding ball speed and carry distance compared to other low-spin drivers I have tested this year. While the H.O.T. Face technology promises robust distance across the face, I didn't see the jump in ball speed I was hoping for to separate it from the competition.

Where the driver did shine, however, was in its stability.

The previous generation's low-spin model could be a touch volatile, particularly with left-to-right dispersion. The Optm LS felt significantly more controlled. The engineering focus on reducing POI seems to have merit here; the clubhead felt stable through impact, and the dispersion was noticeably tighter than the DS-Adapt LS.

It delivered on the promise of reducing side spin on off-center hits, making it a more playable option for the faster swinger who fears the big miss.

The adjustability is also a strong point. The "FutureFit33" hosel allows for loft and lie adjustments of +/- 2 degrees independent of lie and face angle, which, combined with the moveable weights, offers a high degree of customization.

The Cobra Optm LS is a good, solid low-spin driver option that marks a definite step forward in stability compared to its predecessor. The inclusion of POI optimization offers a genuine technical benefit for keeping the ball in play.

However, for me, Cobra still needs to do more to bridge the performance gap between them and the traditional "big four." While the stability is improved and the value for money compelling, the polarizing shape and middle-of-the-road distance numbers mean it might struggle to unseat the current market leaders in the bags of the most demanding golfers.

The Cobra Optm LS driver will be retailing for £479/$599.

The 'high MOI' (Moment of Inertia) driver sector has become the fiercest battleground in golf equipment, and looking to rival some of the best golf drivers out there, Cobra is introducing its latest contender.

WATCH: Joe and Sam test all the new Cobra Optm drivers in the Performance Lab

Every manufacturer is currently racing to hit that magic 10K inertia number to promise golfers straighter drives, and with the release of the Optm Max-K, Cobra hasn’t just entered this crowded arena; it has attempted to redefine the geometry of forgiveness entirely.

Cobra’s headline claim with the Optm Max-K is audacious: it calls it the "most stable driver in golf," citing a combined 3-axis MOI of 13K.

While most brands focus solely on horizontal and vertical MOI, Cobra has optimized a lesser-known metric called POI (Product of Inertia).

By reducing POI by over 50% and utilizing strategic weighting, Cobra aims to minimize the "gear effect" that causes twisting on off-center hits. The head features a fixed 11g back weight to drag the Center of Gravity (CG) low and deep, paired with the H.O.T. Face technology - a variable thickness insert designed to maintain ball speeds across the face.

In terms of looks, the Optm Max-K strikes a distinct balance between modern tech and classic cool. I think the black and grey colorway (officially gloss black carbon with silver accents) is clean and sophisticated. It avoids the overly busy graphics that I find off-putting in many models, sitting aggressively but elegantly behind the ball.

On the course, the stability is immediately apparent. The dispersion numbers with the Optm Max-K were remarkably tight for me - perhaps more so than any other driver I have tried this year.

The 13K MOI story in this model isn't just marketing fluff; the resistance to twisting on toe or heel strikes is palpable. Cobra claims this leads to 82% more playable drives compared to the previous DS-Adapt model, and my testing supports that sensation of security.

However, there is a trade-off that I noticed while testing on my Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor...

While the forgiveness is exemplary, I found it lacks a little in the delivery of ball speed compared to some of its main competitors. It is not a vast difference - we aren't talking about losing 10 yards - but a couple of mph slower ball speed over the course of a season can add up for players who rely on every ounce of distance.

The Optm Max-K is an engineering success that solves a specific problem: keeping the ball in play. It effectively reduces side spin and straightens out miss-hits via that massive MOI and low POI combination.

If you are willing to trade a tiny fraction of absolute top-end speed for the peace of mind that comes with hitting more fairways, this is the driver for you.

The Cobra Optm Max-K will be retailing for £479/$599.

The mini driver category has been quietly gaining momentum over the past couple of years, evolving from a niche curiosity into a genuine solution for golfers who struggle to control the big stick.

I first spotted a prototype of what would become the Cobra King Tec-MD mini driver over twelve months ago out on the PGA Tour, so it is fair to say this release has been a long time in the making.

Now, it joins a select group of specialized clubs, including the Callaway Elyte Mini, TaylorMade R7 Quad Mini, PXG Secret Weapon, and the Titleist GT280, and I was eager to see if Cobra’s take on this versatile category could stand out in such a competitive field.

The King Tec-MD arrives with a clear mission: to offer accuracy and maximum versatility. It features a compact 303cc clubhead with a standard loft of 13.5° and a shorter, (almost) fairway wood-length 43.75" shaft. This combination is designed to be easier to swing and more accurate than a conventional 460cc driver, making it a perfect option for tight par-4s or aggressive approaches into par-5s.

In the playing position, the King Tec-MD is immediately one of my favorite-looking of the mini drivers currently available. It sits beautifully square in behind the ball with minimal fuss, avoiding the busy graphics that can sometimes plague modern clubhead design.

The glossy carbon crown gives it a premium aesthetic, and the overall shaping inspires confidence with well-balanced proportions.

The impact feel is very lively. It doesn't feel dead or overly muted; instead, there is a crisp, powerful sensation that lets you know the ball has left the face with speed. Crucially (for me at least), off-center, this mini driver excelled, not only in terms of retaining ball speeds, but also retaining that solid feel, which is a massive plus for a club with a smaller face area.

Based on the data I collected from my Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor in the Golf Monthly Performance Lab, the King Tec-MD was confirmed as a high-quality product.

One of the challenges I have found with mini drivers in general is that their design characteristics often favor either performance off the tee or performance off the fairway. The Cobra offering, however, strikes a tremendous balance.

During my testing, I found that the spin levels on the lower side from the tee (2624 rpm) due to the inevitably higher strike location. This resulted in a nice, powerful ball flight that chased down the fairway well and offered far more stability into a headwind than I would normally see with my 3-wood.

When hitting off the deck, the spin pleasingly picked up (3149 rpm) without getting excessive, providing the necessary lift and control to maximise carry while offering a stable ball flight.

Again, this is due to the vertical strike location moving lower on the face, but what was most interesting from this was the similarity in data: my ball speed was 162 mph from the tee and 163 mph off the floor, and I only experienced an 8-yard difference in carry between tee shots and ground shots. Often, lower face strikes are punished with a significant drop off in ball speed, but not so here.

The technology driving this performance includes a titanium ‘PWRSHELL’ face insert with 'H.O.T. Face Technology', which has been designed to deliver more robust distance on off-center strikes, and to my mind, based on the data I saw, it's working.

The two moveable sole weights (12g and 3g) allowed me to fine-tune the spin and forgiveness, while the FutureFit33 adjustable hosel offers a class-leading level of loft and lie customization to dial in the perfect launch conditions.

Overall, the Cobra King Tec-MD is a very impressive release that successfully bridges that sometimes awkward gap between a driver and a 3-wood.

It offers a level of versatility and consistency that is rare in this category, backed by a lively feel and stunning looks. For the golfer who struggles with the driver or wants a reliable alternative for finding fairways, this club is a serious contender.

The new mini driver will be retailing at $479, and will come as standard with a Mitsubishi Kai’li shaft, although it can be fitted with any 3-wood shaft through Cobra’s custom options.

TaylorMade has absolutely thrown down the gauntlet with its latest flagship driver, the Qi4D, declaring it (as equipment manufacturers often do) the company’s fastest and most fittable driver family yet.

Following on from the Qi35 franchise, the Qi4D is basically designed around one primary goal: delivering speed off the tee. TaylorMade says that this new driver family represents much more than a cosmetic update; it's a technical evolution focused on aerodynamics, feel, and a revolutionary approach to shaft fitting.

As someone who was genuinely impressed by the overall package of the previous Qi35, I was curious to see where TaylorMade would take this launch, especially given the increasingly tight restrictions placed on club performance by governing bodies. So let me take you through my thoughts, and see if the Qi4D driver can upset some of the best drivers in the game.

Visually, the Qi4D has moved on from Qi35 in a couple of ways: colorway and head profile in the playing position.

Firstly, I have to admit a personal bias: I actually probably preferred the colouring of last year's Qi35. Its aesthetic was clean, modern, and with that light grey, matt finish, it was one of the best-looking drivers to my eye that I had seen in a long time.

The Qi4D adopts a slightly different, perhaps more understated palette, but while I may marginally prefer the previous model’s hues, this new core model's shaping has completely superseded any minor aesthetic preferences.

The Qi35 core model was quite significantly larger and more rounded than many other models on the market, and that voluminous footprint at address somewhat alienated a few players. It was a perfectly high-performing and forgiving head, but some (particularly better) players couldn't quite get comfortable with the profile.

One of the worst-kept secrets in the golf equipment space was that for the majority of the last couple of seasons, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy were using a tour-only 'dot' version of the older Qi10 core head. This smaller, slightly more traditional shape was clearly preferred by them and many others who value a compact look.

The exciting news is that, to my eye, it seems as though TaylorMade has replicated this tour-only 'dot' profile almost exactly in the new Qi4D core model, and it’s reasonable to assume this change was made with significant input from players like McIlroy and Scheffler.

In fact, when I went for my initial fitting, I actually found a spare 'dot' head (albeit a Qi35 version) lying around and put it side-by-side with the new Qi4D core model, and the profile was identical. This is a massive tick in terms of the playing profile, offering a look that will appeal to the widest possible range of golfers.

The true innovation in the Qi4D, though, lies in its relentless pursuit of speed. During the media presentations I attended, the major story was centered on aerodynamics, with one of the tag lines being, "there is no limit on clubhead speed" (or something along those lines!). This alludes to the fact that while limits exist on parameters such as ball speed (COR) and forgiveness (MOI), a golfer’s ability to move the club quicker remains uncapped.

TaylorMade has clearly invested heavily in this area, designing head shapes that maximize aerodynamic efficiency across the lineup.

I am pleased to report that this focus was unequivocally successful in my personal testing. I picked up around 1.5 mph of clubhead speed over and above any other driver I have tested this launch season, which I genuinely was not expecting. Furthermore, having seen Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy's actual raw data from their test sessions, it seems I am not alone in this finding. This is not insignificant news.

The early adoption by McIlroy provides powerful validation of the speed story. After spending pretty much all of the previous two seasons in the Qi10, his immediate (in fact, early) switch into the Qi4D was telling.

His speed and distance numbers over the first two weeks of using the driver in Abu Dhabi and Dubai were significantly enhanced from his season average.

While I found that the head as such is no 'hotter' than anything else I have tested, the ability to just move it quicker resulted in a 2-3 mph ball speed gain for me and between 5-8 yards of additional carry. That is a real-world, tangible gain that will certainly translate to shorter approach shots on the golf course.

Interestingly, you can now purchase all of the new Qi4D drivers in two face options: Standard and another ‘custom fitting’ version, which is marked up with reflective markers embedded into the face. Referred to as Launch Monitor Enabled (LME) drivers, these markers allow for more accurate readings in terms of face angle, rate of rotation, and other key parameters when using camera-based launch monitors like the Foresight Sports GC Quad, eliminating the guesswork of constantly replacing stickers.

This neatly segways into a new fitting strategy TaylorMade is implementing around shafts.

TaylorMade says that through extensive research analyzing over 11 million driver shots, they can categorize players' swing types based on their release style, and "rate of rotation" through impact into three categories: High rotation, Mid rotation, and Low rotation, and they have partnered up with Mitsubishi to produce a bespoke line of shafts they are calling 'REAX' (a small but nostalgic step back in time for those who remember the name) to complement these release types.

TaylorMade emphasises that there is no such 'right or wrong' or 'good or bad' with these release types, citing that even within its tour staff, they have numerous players in each category of release. Charley Hull (Active), Rory McIlroy (Mid), and Collin Morikawa (Low), were the examples I was shown on video.

While I personally feel precise shaft fitting is a little more nuanced than a three-category system, I really feel this is an excellent way of breaking down shaft fitting into an easy-to-understand concept, and it can provide a great, easy-to-digest starting point for shaft testing, particularly for the average club golfer who finds shaft choices overwhelming.

While the speed gains massively grabbed my attention, my favourite aspect of the new Qi4D driver was actually the feel. As mentioned in my initial review, my one complaint with the previous Qi35, which I otherwise really liked, was that the feel was a little harsh, particularly on mis-hit shots.

I am not sure what has specifically changed to rectify that with Qi4D, or whether it is simply an accumulative effect of the various material and shaping advancements, but the feel is absolutely spot on.

Somehow, it has struck a beautiful balance of being both lively and soft at the same time, which is very tough to achieve. The acoustic is equally brilliant, sitting perfectly in that middle ground, neither high-pitched and ‘clangy’ nor dull and muted. It is, simply put, perfect. This improvement alone significantly enhances the player experience.

Overall, the TaylorMade Qi4D is a genuine upgrade that delivers on its promise of increased clubhead speed through aerodynamic efficiency. When you combine the knock-on ball speed gains with the adoption of a much preferred, tour-inspired head profile and a completely optimized feel and sound, the result is a driver that is simply outstanding.

Despite marginally preferring the visual colouring of the Qi35 (which is entirely subjective), the total package is impossible to ignore here.

I fully anticipate this being a roaring success both on tour and at retail, and this is the driver that will be (starting at least!) in my own personal bag for 2026.

You can purchase the standard TaylorMade Qi4D driver for £549/$649.99 or the LME head for £579.00/$699.99.

The TaylorMade Qi4D LS (Low Spin) driver is designed for players seeking maximum ball speed, minimal spin, and a piercing ball flight. As the model realistically aimed at the fastest swingers, the LS version seems to encapsulate TaylorMade’s aggressive aerodynamic advances and its new fitting philosophy, delivering a driver that’s already proven its worth in the hands of the world's best.

It was very interesting to see Tommy Fleetwood make the switch so swiftly. Given the incredible form he has been in during the second part of the season, a professional of his calibre surely wouldn't have made a driver change lightly. As such, I was extremely keen to see if the Qi4D LS had the performance to usurp some of the best drivers in the game from their thrones.

In terms of the looks, many loyal TaylorMade enthusiasts will be pleased to hear that a familiar, somewhat traditional pear-shaped profile remains in the LS model. The pear shape seems inherently appealing to the faster, better player's eye, often hinting at workability and a penetrating flight.

While this profile has never personally been my favourite - I confess I tend to prefer a larger footprint and rounder shapes - I can absolutely see why so many golfers adore this classic shaping.

The Qi4D LS maintains that traditional tour-preferred aesthetic while hiding substantial aerodynamic improvements, which TaylorMade says were achieved through "softer blends and tucked protrusions." In practice, TaylorMade has essentially removed a whole section from the sole relative to the previous Qi35 LS.

While performance numbers often drive the narrative, the experience of hitting the Qi4D LS was, for me at least, defined by its feel. Where the sound and feel of the previous Qi35 LS was something I personally found a little harsh, the Qi4D LS is a complete turnaround.

I’m not entirely sure what specifically has been changed - whether it is simply an accumulative effect of optimized internal acoustics, the new Carbon Face, or the improved Speed Pocket design - but the feel is absolutely spot on.

The acoustic feedback hits a brilliant sweet spot: it is neither high-pitched and metallic nor dull and heavy. Instead, it has struck a beautiful balance of being both lively and soft at the same time, delivering a powerful, yet refined sensation at impact. This is, for me, one of the most notable improvements over the previous generation.

The primary technical story across the Qi4D family is the heavy focus on aerodynamics. A big story from all of the media presentations I sat through was encapsulated by a tagline along the lines of, "There is no limit on clubhead speed." This correctly identifies the one area manufacturers can still optimize for distance, as the governing bodies have already capped MOI and COR.

I am pleased to report that, out on the test field, this focus was absolutely and tangibly successful. Using the LS model, much like with the core model, I picked up around 1.5 mph of clubhead speed over not only the previous generation but also this year's competitive set, which was completely unexpected.

While we know the head itself can be no 'hotter' than anything else on the market (due to the COR limit), the ability to simply move it quicker resulted in a 2-3 mph ball speed gain for me and between 5-8 yards of additional carry.

Crucially for a low-spin head, I found the Qi4D LS to be less volatile than the Qi35 LS in terms of its left-to-right dispersion. I found the previous low-spin model to be very aggressive on spin (or lack thereof), sometimes leading to significant carry distance losses or unpredictable flight on slight misses.

The Qi4D LS appears to have found a better balance, allowing me to find a few more fairways than I remember from my testing last year, making it much more playable.

There is also the option of two Trajectory Adjustment System (TAS) weights - 15g and 4g - to allow golfers the option to dial in launch and spin.

The Qi4D LS, like all of the new models, is available in two face options: a standard version and one marked up with reflective fitting markers embedded into the face. Referred to as Launch Monitor Enabled (LME) drivers, these markers eliminate the need for manually placed stickers, allowing camera-based launch monitors like the GC Quad to more accurately capture highly accurate face angle and rate of rotation data.

I actually opted for the fitting heads for my order, not only for the data capture benefits, but also for the fact that the slightly lighter face allowed me to see a little more loft, which I enjoyed.

This idea of precision fitting ties directly into TaylorMade's new shaft strategy, the REAX system (a nostalgic step back in time for those who remember the name). Through significant and lengthy research at its Kingdom facility in Carlsbad, TaylorMade has come up with a system that categorizes players' swing types based on their "rate of rotation" through impact into three types: High rotation (like Charley Hull), Mid rotation (like Rory McIlroy), and Low rotation (like Collin Morikawa). The REAX shafts are then designed to complement these release types.

While I personally believe precise shaft fitting often requires more nuance than a three-category system, I really feel this is an excellent way of breaking down shaft fitting into an easy-to-understand concept, and it can provide a great starting point for testing, making the custom process more accessible.

TaylorMade has also color-coded these profiles to make it even easier to recognize - red for high, blue for mid, and white for low rotation.

The Qi4D LS is a very strong offering in the low-spin market. The core technology delivers genuine, validated speed gains through refined aerodynamics, while the improved feel and acoustic package, for me, correct the one major drawback of the previous model.

Add in the improved control over dispersion compared to the Qi35 LS, and you have a low-spin driver that already has significant tour validation and is ready to compete at the very top of the category.

You can purchase the standard TaylorMade Qi4D LS driver for £549/$649.99 or the LME head for £579/$699.99.

The TaylorMade Qi4D Max driver is the new stability and forgiveness-oriented offering in the new Qi4D family, engineered specifically for golfers seeking maximum MOI (Moment of Inertia) without sacrificing adjustability or the latest speed technology.

This design aims to expand on the forgiveness that has become a hallmark of its ‘Max’ driver models, so I was keen to see if the new model could reach the heights of some of its other offerings in this niche space, and even challenge for a spot in our best driver selection for 2026.

Starting with the looks, and for those of us (I include myself here) who like to see a big round lump behind the ball with the driver, the profile of the Qi4D Max will be immediately pleasing. It maintains a large, round footprint that inspires enormous confidence at address. Something about that expansive, circular profile really does frame the ball beautifully to my eye at least, suggesting a large, welcoming sweet spot.

Aesthetically, the head is a marginal departure from its predecessor.

The new colorway, to me, isn't quite as nice as the slick, sophisticated light grey of the Qi35; instead, a darker crown with something of a bronze hue has replaced it. That said, it still genuinely looks great, and it is all a matter of personal taste. I have heard at least as many people I have spoken to saying they much prefer the Qi4D coloring, so make of that what you will.

While the performance metrics were interesting (more on that later), my absolute favourite part of the new Qi4D Max driver was the dramatic improvement in feel.

The feel of the previous Qi35 family was often described as slightly harsh at impact. Now, I’m not sure what has specifically changed to rectify that with the Qi4D Max - whether it's the new Carbon Face, the introduction of forged and machined 7075 aircraft-grade aluminium in the collar, or the accumulation of new material damping. However, the result is an acoustic and impact feel that is everything I look for.

It has struck a beautiful balance of being both lively and soft at the same time, and the acoustic signature sits brilliantly in that middle ground, avoiding both high-pitched tinniness and dull thud. No notes, great job.

The marketing I have seen has heavily pushed the aerodynamic improvements across the family, with the clever tag line "there is no limit on clubhead speed." This refers to how the design aims to improve speed, where governing bodies cannot restrict it - swing speed rather than ball speed.

However, strangely, I didn't see the speed gains as much (if at all) in this model as I did with both the Qi4D and Qi4D LS versions, recording very similar clubhead speeds to both the Qi35 Max and other high MOI drivers that I have tested over this period. While the head may technically be aerodynamically faster, the gains were not quantifiable in my hands, at least, with this model.

I gathered my data on my Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor, and in truth, I didn't really see any progress in terms of raw numbers from this model over either the Qi35 Max or even the Qi10 Max of a couple of years ago now; the data was virtually identical for me at least. That’s not to say it isn't impressive data - TaylorMade has consistently made one of the most forgiving drivers for a while now - it just isn't tangibly better in terms of pure distance or spin characteristics in my hands.

The Qi4D Max employs two moveable weights (13g and 4g) to help you tune in your flight preferences. Placing the 13g weight closer to the face provides faster ball speeds and lower spin, while placing it in the back enhances stability and forgiveness, allowing golfers to tailor the highest-MOI head to their needs. I tested both settings out, and can report that for me they performed exactly as designed.

One thing I do love is that TaylorMade has pushed its fitting process further than ever with the Qi4D family. Firstly, all models are available in two face options: Standard and the Launch Monitor Enabled (LME) version, which features reflective fitting markers embedded into the face. These LME drivers eliminate the manual task of placing stickers, allowing camera-based launch monitors to capture highly accurate data on face angle and rotation.

This accurate data ties directly into the new shaft philosophy built around the REAX system - a familiar name making a welcome return.

Through extensive research, TaylorMade categorizes players' swings by their "rate of rotation" through impact into three types: High rotation (like Charley Hull, as per the presentation I was given), Mid rotation (like Rory McIlroy), and Low rotation (like Collin Morikawa).

The REAX shafts - designed in conjunction with Mitsubishi - are then designed to complement these release types. You will be pleased to know that these REAX shafts are the stock offering for TaylorMade this year and will incur no upcharges. That said, I did my testing in a Fujikura Ventus Black 6X shaft.

The Qi4D Max nicely continues TaylorMade's presence in the maximum forgiveness category. While I personally didn't experience the speed gains seen in the other models, the Max still delivers highly reliable, high-MOI performance that matches the best in the market. Its chief improvements are the introduction of TAS weighting into the Max model and, crucially, the vastly superior feel and acoustic package, making it an absolute joy to hit.

For golfers prioritizing stability and forgiveness above all else, the Qi4D Max remains a top-tier choice.

You can purchase the standard TaylorMade Qi4D Max driver for £549/$649.99 or the LME head for £579/$699.99.

Mizuno's identity in the golf world is intrinsically linked to the feel and tradition of its forged irons, a reputation that is decades old.

However, the brand’s metalwood journey, which has been quietly stretching back decades, seems to have reached a significant new landmark with the introduction of the JPX One family. This new line signals Mizuno's intent to translate its core values of precision and material science into the demanding driver category.

I was eager to test the JPX One driver, positioned as the more forgiving, ‘core’ model of the range, to see if Mizuno’s cutting-edge material science could translate into a performance driver for the everyday player, and to see how it compares to some of the best drivers in the game.

The JPX One Driver is introduced as the world's first to feature Nanoalloy face technology, developed in collaboration with materials specialists Toray.

This material is designed to produce a face that dynamically alters its elasticity under impact, claiming to store and release more energy than traditional titanium. This breakthrough pairs with a newly engineered CortechFace, up to 0.35mm thinner than previous generations, expanding the high-speed rebound zone by over 15% versus the previous ST-Max 230 model.

Unsurprisingly, from Mizuno, the looks of the JPX One driver are absolutely fantastic. As soon as I took these drivers out of the box, I loved the overall aesthetic and vibrant colorway.

The new bright blue face gives more than a visual hint of the hugely popular TaylorMade Qi10 driver, looking modern and fresh, and is a great aesthetic success. With this model, I particularly loved the large footprint and rounded profile at address, which offers plenty of confidence, sitting large and squarely behind the ball.

The stock Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 grip Mizuno has selected for the JPX One line is an absolute triumph, too! The merest hint of cord on top of an otherwise silky soft rubber makes it one of the nicest stock grips I have ever held, providing an immediate sense of premium quality and control.

However, the subjective experience of striking the ball was where things started to unravel a little for me personally. I desperately wanted to love this driver because I was so enamored with the looks (superficial, I know), but I just didn't love the impact feel. It felt a little clunky and slightly harsh to me, although I did enjoy the somewhat muted, dull acoustic.

Even when I struck it in the geometric centre of the face, I just wasn’t getting a feeling through the hands that resonated with me at all, and it obviously didn’t fare any better when I met with the resistance of a heel or toe strike. However, feel is entirely subjective, and other players may appreciate the impact sensation more than I did.

Despite my issues with the feel, in my testing, the stability and forgiveness on offer were genuinely impressive. Mis-hits maintained their directional integrity well, showing that the expanded Cortech face and overall MOI design are working nicely in unison to keep the ball in play.

However, the central issue for my game was speed and spin. I just couldn't generate anywhere near the ball speed I wanted to see from my clubhead speed input.

For context, Mizuno only sent me a 10.5° head in this model as opposed to the 9° in the Select head, so you would expect some ball speed differences based on that; however, I obviously lofted it down to as close to 9° as possible to compare like for like.

Whatever I did, though, I found that I was consistently 2-3 mph slower than my established ‘gamer’ drivers. I tested and re-tested, even trying some different shafts, but I just couldn’t get much higher than a 1.43 smash factor (ball speed divided by clubhead speed), which is fairly low on efficiency.

Studying the data from my Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor, as a high-speed player, I also found a little too much average spin to make it a playable option, resulting in a flight that was just a touch floaty and susceptible to wind conditions. However, the added spin could be of great benefit to some more moderate speed players to enhance carry distances.

The Mizuno JPX One is a driver built with a supremely high-end aesthetic and ground-breaking material science, representing a significant technological undertaking. While I loved the overall aesthetic and the premium grip, and recognized its strong stability, the inability to generate sufficient ball speed and the high spin profile made it unsuited for my game.

However, for the golfer with a moderate swing speed who prioritizes a high, stable launch and forgiveness in a visually stunning package, the JPX One could be a good option.

The JPX One driver is available at an RRP of $600/£529.

Mizuno's identity in the golf world is intrinsically linked to the feel and tradition of its forged irons. However, its metalwood journey, stretching back decades, reaches a significant landmark with the introduction of the JPX One family.

I was excited to test the JPX One Select driver, positioned as the more compact, tour-preferred model, to see if Mizuno’s cutting-edge material science could translate into a dominant performance that could challenge the best drivers in the game.

The JPX One Select driver is introduced as the world's first to feature Nanoalloy face technology. This material uses microscopic polymer dispersion to produce a face that dynamically alters its elasticity under impact. The result, Mizuno claims, is a material that stores and releases more energy than traditional titanium, paired with a newly engineered Cortech Face, which is up to 0.35mm thinner than previous generations, expanding the high-speed rebound zone by over 15 percent.

Unsurprisingly, from Mizuno, from both the 'in the bag' perspective and the playing position, they look fantastic. I genuinely loved the overall aesthetic and colorway, and it only heightened my excitement to start testing.

I couldn’t help observing that the new blue face gives the visual a hint of the TaylorMade Qi10 driver, and I immediately loved the compact, squat head and the shaping on offer. This is clearly the tour-preferred look, appealing to my eye by sitting perfectly square behind the ball.

Another thing that deserves a shout-out in this review is the new Golf Pride grip Mizuno has used on the JPX One driver range. It might be the nicest grip I have ever held! It is a very lightly corded Tour Velvet 360 in an attractive, blue/grey colorway, and it just feels absolutely fantastic.

However, the experience of striking the ball was where I began to feel a slight disconnect with this driver. I just didn't love the feel of the brand new face; in truth, it felt a little clunky to me. While the sound was powerful, the sensation was significantly less refined than the soft, dense impact Mizuno achieves in its forged irons.

This may be the inevitable trade-off for using the Nanoalloy material for maximum speed, but it wasn't the signature "Mizuno feel" I have become accustomed to, even from last year's ST drivers.

The JPX One Select is billed as the model that delivers a neutral-to-fade bias, and I certainly saw that in terms of shot shape. A pretty repeatable, gentle fade was the order of the day in all my testing sessions with my Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor, which was pleasing to see.

Out of the middle for me, it performed excellently, with strong, low spin numbers and high ball speed output.

In robotic testing, Mizuno claims the JPX One Select outperformed many leading competitors for both ball speed and carry from the center, and while I would say that 'outperformed' is a stretch, my own pure strikes confirmed its power potential.

However, in truth, I did find it a little unforgiving when I missed the absolute middle of the club. In particular, for me, it did not perform well on low heel strikes on the face, spinning up significantly more than I would have liked, and feeling sub-optimal to say the least.

Where the best drivers today, like the Ping G430 Max 10K and even some of the ‘low spin’ brigade like the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond, mitigate the effects of mis-hits, the JPX One Select seems to demand a more center-focused swing than I was capable of producing with much regularity.

The lack of perimeter stability on off-center strikes I experienced contrasts somewhat with the claims of expanding the high-speed zone across a wider area of the face.

The data suggests that for the elite ball-striker who consistently finds the sweet spot and needs to manage spin, the JPX One Select is a formidable weapon. However, players seeking high forgiveness may want to look elsewhere.

The Mizuno JPX One Select is a compelling driver that has genuinely pushed the boundaries of material science with its Nanoalloy face. I absolutely loved the overall aesthetic and colorway and found its speed from the center of the face to be excellent.

However, the slightly harsh feel and limited forgiveness on common mis-hits hold it back from being a true top-tier all-rounder. Ultimately, this driver will appeal most to the golfer who trusts their strike and wants a compact head packed with revolutionary face technology.

The JPX One Select driver is being sold with an RRP of $600/£529.

I was a big fan of last year's Black Ops drivers from PXG, so I was excited to see what was on offer with its new Lightning family.

The PXG Lightning Max-10K+ driver has been designed to be the most forgiving model in the lineup, representing PXG's first venture into the maximum 10K MOI driver market. This club is built specifically to deliver exceptional stability and forgiveness, aiming to capture the market share dominated by models like the Ping G430 Max 10K and TaylorMade Qi10 Max.

Having tested this head extensively during my winter sessions, I wanted to see if PXG could deliver maximum forgiveness without compromising feel.

The PXG Lightning driver family is built around the principle of increasing forgiveness (MOI) and efficiency through its Frequency Tuned Face technology. The idea of this feature is to try and match the face’s natural vibrational frequency with the compression of the ball, producing a more efficient transfer of energy.

The Lightning Max-10K+ specifically serves as the ultra-forgiving model, aimed at players who need maximum stability.

Visually, the Lightning Max-10K+ retains the signature matte black and carbon fiber look of the Black Ops range I enjoyed last year. However, on this brand new model, the head shape is its defining feature: I love the large, rounded profile that clearly differentiates it from the Tour models.

This shape offers bucket loads of confidence at address, looking large and friendly behind the ball, but also sitting extremely squarely and framing the ball well. This aesthetic reflects the technology beneath: a massive 84% larger carbon fiber sole area compared to the Black Ops, which pushes discretionary weight to the extreme perimeter for maximum forgiveness.

However, the subjective experience of impact was a mixed bag. I didn't love the feel, finding it a little too hollow and clicky in the hands. Despite PXG's great work in refining the acoustics with their Frequency Tuned Face, the sound remained sharper than the soft, heavy thud of some major competitors.

However, as I mentioned, feel is a very personal preference, and others may love it.

In terms of performance, the Lightning Max-10K+ performs exactly as it was designed to.

The forgiveness on offer is superb, rivaling the popular Ping G430 Max 10K and TaylorMade Qi10 Max in that regard. The MOI measured at 10,095 g/cm² - an intentional boundary-pushing number - ensuring the head resists twisting under virtually any load.

Along with the impressive dispersion performance, off-center hits, while not feeling as good as other drivers in this category, maintain impressive ball speed retention, minimizing the punishment for a toe or heel strike.

Testing with my Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor, I found the spin numbers to be on the high side as I expected, but not excessive. PXG’s own testing recorded 2359 RPM at 100 mph swing speed, whereas mine were a little higher (around 2800 rpm on average) based on my 118mph club head speed.

I also didn't notice any discernible flight bias in terms of draw or fade, which is something I enjoyed, as many of this driver type often are armed with a distinct draw bias. This driver is very neutral and designed purely for height and stability.

All of my testing and data gathering were conducted in a fairly neutral weight setup (which I was custom fit for), but for those looking to fine-tune a ball flight preference, there are three movable weights on the sole to allow you to manage CG location to your liking.

The PXG Lightning Max-10K+ is a successful realization of a maximum MOI concept. It’s an incredibly reliable, high-launch, and highly stable driver. While the feel was not my personal preference (finding it too hollow), its performance in dispersion and stability is top-tier. For any golfer battling wide misses and seeking ultimate confidence off the tee, this driver delivers. It would very much be on my test list in the max MOI driver market.

For those wanting a similar level of performance but in a lighter head weight, PXG is also offering a Max-Lite model, which offers all of the performance benefits of the Max 10K+ but in a 189g head as opposed to the standard 203g of the rest of the range.

The Max 10K+ comes in loft options of 9˚, 10.5˚, and 12˚ in both right and left-handed orientations, whereas the Max lite has 10.5˚ or 11.5˚ options, once again, in both left and right hand.

The RRP is $649.00/£569.00.

The PXG Lightning Tour Driver is the most aggressive model in terms of spin of the new Lightning family lineup, built for players demanding low spin at high clubhead speeds. I was keen to determine if this new low-spin iteration truly refines the playability of its predecessor, the Black Ops Tour-1. Having rigorously tested this head over the past few weeks, it is time to report my findings and see if the Lightning Tour is one of the best golf drivers of the year.

The whole PXG Lightning driver line is built around increasing forgiveness (MOI) and efficiency through its Frequency Tuned Face technology. This core technology aims to align the face’s natural vibrational frequency with the compression of the ball, producing a more efficient transfer of energy. The Lightning Tour specifically serves as the low-spin profile, aimed at high-speed players who need to manage RPMs.

Visually, the Lightning Tour is largely unchanged from the Black Ops Tour-1, maintaining a familiar shape and footprint. It keeps PXG’s signature premium, high-tech aesthetic, driven by extensive carbon fiber usage.

Overall, the club’s build quality and premium materials are evident, right down to the headcover, which is arguably my favorite among all current drop of drivers.

In the playing position, I really like the very straight top line on the Tour model. Many modern drivers show an awful lot of curvature in that area from the bulge of the face, but I have always liked how PXG presents a very neat, straight top edge, as I feel this helps with my alignment, giving me a clear visual path to the target.

Regarding impact feel, the acoustics are excellent; the sound is solid and refined, which is a continuation of the excellent work PXG did with the Black Ops range. However, for some reason, the feel and sound didn't harmonize perfectly for me. I experienced slightly excessive vibration and feedback through my hands on both centered strikes and mis-hits across this family of drivers.

While the impact stops short of being truly harsh, this firmness prevented the Lightning Tour from ranking among the most refined feels in my winter testing. I would also suggest it lacks a certain ‘zip’ off the face of some of its competition, at least in terms of feel.

I gathered all of my data using my Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor, and the data showed that while it was always an mph or two behind some of its major competition in my testing, it remains a powerful club. Simply put, you aren’t noticing 1 or 2 mph out on the field of play.

The core progress here is in playability. It is slightly less aggressive on spin than last year's Black Ops Tour model, which makes it slightly less volatile in terms of left-to-right dispersion, although it is still very much a low-spinner.

This small concession to playability is crucial. The stability is excellent, benefiting from a 67% larger carbon fiber sole area compared to the Black Ops Tour-1, which dramatically increases forgiveness (MOI-Combined up by 2% to 8,290 g/cm²). This ensures that even when hit slightly off-center, the low-spin nature doesn't result in the ball dropping out of the sky or deviating too far from its launch direction.

The comparative dispersion numbers confirmed this: the Lightning Tour was tighter than the previous Tour-1 model.

I did all my testing and data gathering in a fairly neutral weight setup, but for those looking to fine-tune a ball flight preference, there are three movable weights on the sole to allow you to manage CG location to your liking.

The PXG Lightning Tour is a driver that blends aggression and playability well, and represents progress from the Black Ops Tour-1 in terms of its usability.

It delivers a strong, penetrating ball flight and a low spin profile, exactly as the target player demands. While I am not in love with the feel, and if I were fussy (which I am), I would prefer a tiny bit more speed to match the absolute market leaders, the Lightning Tour enters the market as a formidable, reliable option for high-speed players who need stability and spin control.

The Tour model is available in 8˚, 9˚, and 10.5˚for right right-handed players, and just 9˚ for left-handers. The RRP is $649/£569.

PXG's driver releases always command attention, blending high-end materials with the promise of maximizing performance metrics. The PXG Lightning Tour Mid Driver is one of four distinct models in the new lineup, positioned as a versatile performer that offers an excellent balance of speed and forgiveness, aimed at a broad spectrum of players who need tight dispersion.

Having tested this head extensively during my winter sessions, I wanted to see if the new iteration truly delivers a measurable step forward from its predecessor, the Black Ops, and if it can challenge some of the best golf drivers in the game.

The PXG Lightning driver line is built around increasing forgiveness (MOI) and efficiency through its Frequency Tuned Face technology. This core technology aims to align the face’s natural vibrational frequency with the compression of the ball, producing a more efficient transfer of energy. The Lightning Tour Mid specifically serves as the versatile model, offering a slightly more compact shape than the Max models while maintaining high stability.

My first impression confirmed that the aesthetic is not a massive change from its predecessor, the Black Ops driver. It retains the brand's signature matte black and carbon fiber look, which I've always liked for its premium, high-tech appearance.

In fact, I have always appreciated the overall branding of PXG and its use of high-end materials, and the headcover might be my favorite of the current crop of drivers, feeling soft, luxurious, robust, and well-designed.

The Tour Mid model offers a classic, slightly rounded profile at address that appeals to my eye, sitting confidently behind the ball. However, the first strikes were a slightly mixed experience.

I really enjoy the sound - it's solid, powerful, and at just the right pitch to me, but strangely, the feel and acoustics don't quite match up. I found I get a bit too much feedback and vibration through my hands with this range as a whole, especially on mis-hits, offering up a slightly hollow sensation, lacking the heaviness of strike that many of my favorites offer.

Sometimes this feedback can be shaft-related, so I switched this about a little during testing, but the feel was much the same. It stops short of being harsh, but it wasn't at the top end of my winter testing for pure soft feel.

In terms of speed, the Tour Mid delivers reasonable numbers without excelling. My data (gathered with my Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor) showed that while it was always 1-2 mph behind drivers like the TaylorMade Qi35, Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond, and the Ping G440 LST, it is far from slow. At my typical speed, a loss of 1-2 mph is often negligible on the course, but it’s worth noting for those seeking to wring out every last drop of speed.

Where the Lightning Tour Mid excels is in stability and control. The consistency of data was very impressive, which is a testament to the build quality. The new design uses more carbon fiber in the sole compared to the Black Ops (74% larger carbon fiber sole area in the Tour Mid), allowing discretionary weight to be pushed to the perimeter for higher MOI (Moment of Inertia). This translated directly into tighter dispersion for me, which is always a welcome addition to my arsenal.

When shots were hit away from the center, the club resisted twisting exceptionally well, keeping the ball closer to the centerline than many other drivers.

The Tour Mid profile would provide excellent launch conditions for a wide range of golfers, avoiding the ultra-low flight of the pure Tour model or the highest launch of the Max. It successfully marries forgiveness and speed, and does so without a heavy directional bias.

I carried out all of my testing and data gathering in a fairly neutral weight setup, but for those looking for that aforementioned directional bias, there are three movable weights on the sole to allow you to manage CG location to your individual preference.

The PXG Lightning Tour Mid is a highly dependable driver that offered me consistency and forgiveness over and above peak speed. I don't feel it is a massive step forward in overall performance from the Black Ops driver, and from a feel point of view, it didn't hit the right notes, but it was a very consistent performer. It’s a beautifully built, highly adjustable, and reliable driver that will undoubtedly help golfers find more fairways and maintain confidence off the tee.

The Tour Mid is available in 8˚, 9˚, and 10.5˚for right right-handed players, and 9˚ and 10.5˚ for left-handers with an RRP of $649/£569.

Tour Edge has always been a brand that focuses on pure performance and value. Its Exotics line, in particular, has earned a reputation for being a "sleeper" choice, often competing with the best golf drivers on the market without the corresponding flagship price. The Exotics Max driver is the latest offering aimed squarely at golfers seeking maximum forgiveness and playability.

This model replaces the well-regarded E725 driver, promising enhanced stability and a powerful corrective bias.

I put the Exotics Max through rigorous testing to see if Tour Edge continues to offer the comprehensive, high-value package we've come to expect.

In terms of looks, I have to say the aesthetics are somewhat of a disappointment compared to last year's equivalent in the E725. In truth, I thought the previous model was a lot sleeker and more sophisticated.

On E725, I preferred how the 'alignment logo' on the top of the crown was both slightly longer and positioned a little further back on the head; whereas it now sits on a top edge banner strip, which just doesn't suit my eye as well as it did.

I’m also not particularly keen on the new logo - it lacks the subtlety and sophistication of the previous branding to my eye. But this is, of course, completely subjective - if you like it, let me know in the comments!

The sound at impact is a definite improvement from the E725, which was always a little hollow and high-pitched, whereas the Exotics Max delivers a more solid thud at strike, which is much closer to the heavy sound I look for in a driver.

The feel at impact is very stable, giving you immediate feedback wherever you have struck the ball without being overly punishing to the hands on those off-center strikes, comfortably placing it amongst the most forgiving drivers on the market.

Despite my thoughts on the looks, the driver performed pretty much as reliably as the E725 model, which I was a big fan of. This model is engineered to be extremely forgiving, and it fulfils that brief.

The large profile and deep Center of Gravity (CG) create a high MOI, meaning the driver is exceptionally stable through impact.

The standout performance feature is the 18g sliding weight positioned at the rear of the sole. This is a nice addition, allowing players to dial in their shot shape bias as desired.

I tested the Max model on my Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor and it delivered me a decent, albeit quite spinny, ball flight that had no trouble consistently finding fairways, although for me personally I would worry about my distance loss when hitting into any sort of headwind. However, I am at the higher end of the swing speed spectrum and those players shopping in this market may well welcome this additional spin.

The Tour Edge Exotics Max is priced at $499.99/£379, and the brand offers a wide selection of custom shaft options at zero upcharge, allowing golfers to dial in a premium shaft - a feature many major OEMs still charge extra for. Furthermore, Tour Edge even offers a trade-in program, which is a nice touch.

The Exotics Max is a solid, forgiveness-focused driver. While I may not prefer the new aesthetic, its performance, sound, and high-value proposition make it a viable choice for the high-to-mid handicap player who needs more help finding the fairway.

Tour Edge has carved a respectable niche in the equipment market by consistently delivering high-performance metalwoods at prices that often undercut the established manufacturers. The Exotics LS driver is its latest offering aimed squarely at the better player, replacing the well-regarded C725 driver, which tested brilliantly for me last year.

This driver is engineered for low spin and high stability, the two attributes demanded by faster-swinging golfers. I put the Exotics LS through its paces to see if Tour Edge continues to offer what I've now come to expect, even with a refreshed aesthetic.

In terms of looks, I have to say the looks are somewhat of a disappointment to me compared to last year's equivalent, the C725. I personally preferred the slightly rounder head shape of the previous model; this version is a touch angular for my taste, although many will feel the exact opposite (let me know in the comments).

If you were a fan of the Cobra DS Adapt range, you will also likely be a fan of this profile as there are genuine similarities in shape.

Furthermore, I preferred how the 'alignment logo' on the top of the crown was both slightly longer and positioned a little further back on the head last time around; whereas it now sits on a top edge banner strip, which, for some reason, doesn't suit my eye as well as it did.

While we are talking aesthetics, I also don't love the new logo - it is lacking the subtlety and sophistication of the previous branding for me.

On a more positive note, the sound has seen a slight improvement from the C725, which I found to be a little tinny if I were being super picky. The Exotics LS delivers a more solid, pleasing, and lower-pitched acoustic at impact, which I think most players will enjoy.

The impact feel remains pleasingly solid, giving you immediate feedback that you’ve struck the ball well (or otherwise), fitting the expectations of a high-end, low-spin carbon driver.

Despite my visual reservations, I was pleased to see that the Exotics LS performed equally as reliably as the C725 model, which I was a big fan of. The Exotics LS is engineered for speed, utilizing a multi-material design that concentrates mass precisely where it maximizes ball speed and minimizes spin and that seems to ring true in the data. This was captured on a Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor.

While it isn't sitting right at the very top of the current crop of drivers in terms of raw ball speed, we are talking less than 2 mph below the top performers in this category. For a club in this price bracket, that difference is pretty negligible in the real world and a fitting could well help to close the gap. Its stability and consistency in flight also more than make up for those marginal losses.

The driver had reasonably low spin without being overly aggressive, which is a great characteristic and will make it accessible to more players than some other low-spin offerings. It delivered a strong, penetrating flight ideal for maintaining distance into the wind, and stayed pretty stable even in fairly strong crosswinds, offering up a nice, tight dispersion pattern.

Furthermore, the handling of mishits was dealt with very well for what would generally be deemed a less forgiving, low-spin model.

Tour Edge continues to excel in its dedication to value and customization. The fact that the Exotics LS is priced at $499.99/£379, along with its performance output, makes it a bargain compared to competitors, particularly when you factor in the shaft options.

The brand offers an abundance of custom shaft options at zero upcharge, allowing golfers to dial in a premium shaft - a feature many major OEMs still charge extra for. Furthermore, Tour Edge even offers a trade-in program, lowering the barrier to entry even further.

The Exotics LS is a very impressive low-spin driver for the price. While I may not prefer the new aesthetic, its performance, sound, and unrivalled value proposition make it worthy of testing for any serious golfer.

The golf equipment market is a crowded place, dominated by established giants with decades of R&D behind them. So, when a new name like Oximity Golf emerges with a driver promising to tackle one of golf's most persistent frustrations – the slice – it certainly grabs my attention.

I approached the Oximity driver with a healthy dose of skepticism, eager to see if this newcomer could genuinely deliver on its bold claims and compete with the best drivers in the game…

WATCH: See the anti-slice properties of the Oximity driver in action!

Some of the best drivers for slicers feature a closed face angle, some feature an upright lie angle, and some rely heavily on a heel-bias CG location. For a time, many manufacturers also relied on creating offset in their drivers to battle slices; however, this became less fashionable as many of these heads were prone to breakage.

Oximity Golf has basically chucked all of these design features into one driver, and crucially believes it has created a manufacturing process that provides the requisite durability.

My first impression upon pulling the Oximity driver from its headcover was, without a doubt, its incredibly unusual aesthetic from the playing position. The unique and significantly offset hosel design, clearly visible at address, is unlike anything I've seen in a modern driver. It's a look that will certainly divide opinion, and for a moment, I wondered if I could get past it.

However, to my surprise, during my testing, I found that I actually got used to the visual really quickly. Once my eye adjusted, it began to look less like a design anomaly and more like a purpose-built tool.

When it came to impact, the Oximity driver delivered a very solid feel. It wasn't overly "tinny" like some drivers can be, nor was it too soft. It struck a good balance, providing clear feedback without any harshness. The sound at impact complemented this feel, a satisfying 'thwack' that felt powerful and consistent.

Where the Oximity driver truly shines, and where its unconventional looks find their purpose, is in its performance, particularly its anti-slice properties. Oximity Golf highlights its "Extreme Draw Bias" and "Unique Offset Hosel" as key features, and in my testing, these absolutely worked. I genuinely could not stop this driver going left!

For a right-handed golfer prone to a slice, this is, of course, the holy grail. I found it to be the most draw-bias driver I have ever used, consistently producing a strong draw or even a hook if I over-released it. This is a club designed to correct a slice, and it does so at levels I haven’t experienced before.

Beyond the directional correction, the numbers were also very respectable. I found the Oximity driver was generating ball speeds that were within three mph of some of the much more established brands and far more expensive models I've tested recently. This is a significant achievement for a new brand and suggests that the premium materials – including a carbon fiber crown and a titanium face – are effectively translating swing speed into ball speed.

The forgiveness on offer was pretty impressive too, maintaining ball speed and direction (albeit to the left) well on off-center strikes, which is crucial for a game-improvement driver. The launch was consistently high, helping to get the ball airborne quickly, and while the spin was low enough to promote distance, it wasn't so low that it became unmanageable for typical swing speeds.

The Oximity driver is a fascinating and highly effective product for a very specific but sizeable segment of the golfing population. Its incredibly unusual look from the playing position is the most striking feature, but I found it surprisingly easy to adapt to. The driver is very well built, and its ball speed numbers are genuinely impressive, putting it at least in the conversation with more established brands. Crucially, its anti-slice properties absolutely work – this is the most left-biased driver I have ever used, a true slice killer.

The £415 price tag feels a little steep for such a new brand entering a competitive market. However, when you consider the tech required to strengthen the hosel section to withstand the forces of an extreme offset, it must cost a reasonable amount to achieve. More importantly, if you've battled a slice for 20 years or more, the relief this driver could provide would likely make you pay anything to fix it! For the chronic slicer seeking a definitive solution, the Oximity driver is a bold, effective, and potentially game-changing investment.

Kirkland Signature is a name that has become synonymous with value, quality, and often, pleasant surprises in unexpected product categories. While its golf balls have already disrupted the market, the introduction of a Kirkland Signature Adjustable Driver was something I approached with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. Could a driver from a warehouse club truly compete with the established giants of the golf industry? I was keen to put this intriguing offering through its paces to see how it compared to some of the best drivers in the game.

WATCH: Joe Ferguson tests the Kirkland Signature Adjustable driver

My first impression upon unboxing the Kirkland Signature driver was genuinely positive. It boasts a very clean and minimal aesthetic, which I found appealing. There are no flashy graphics or overly aggressive lines; just a sleek, matte black finish with subtle branding, presenting a surprisingly premium look that certainly doesn't scream "budget club" in any way.

The accompanying headcover is also of high quality, feeling durable and well-padded, a small but appreciated detail that reinforces the overall presentation.

However, once I started hitting balls, the sound was the first characteristic that stood out, and not entirely in a positive way. The impact produced a somewhat 'tinny' sound that, while not overtly harsh, lacked the satisfying, muted thud or crisp crack that many premium drivers offer. It's, of course, a subjective element, but for me, it didn't quite match the visual appeal. In terms of feel, the club felt solid enough on center strikes, but the sound did influence my overall perception of impact.

Where the Kirkland Signature driver truly began to impress me was in its launch monitor performance, particularly with its ball speed output. Despite its unassuming appearance and sound, I found it capable of generating ball speeds comparable to many of the bigger brands and significantly more expensive models I've tested recently. This was a genuine surprise and a significant positive for the Kirkland. It took me by surprise, and for golfers looking for raw speed without breaking the bank, this driver certainly delivers.

The adjustability on offer is another strong point that I was impressed to see on a driver that costs well under £200 (£159.99 to be precise, or $219 in the US). The hosel allows for both loft and lie adjustments, enabling golfers to fine-tune their launch conditions and shot shape, a level of customization typically reserved for higher-end clubs. This adjustability significantly enhances its versatility and potential fit for a wider range of players.

The stock shaft I had, the Project X EvenFlow Red, was definitely not stable enough for my swing, however, and I found it difficult to consistently deliver the clubhead squarely, leading to some inconsistent dispersion patterns. For players with moderate swing speeds, this might not be an issue, but those who generate higher clubhead speeds would likely need to head to a club builder for a custom shaft upgrade to unlock the driver's full potential for accuracy and control, which would kind of negate the concept of entering this budget market.

Overall, though, the driver massively surprised and impressed me in my testing, and I found the Kirkland Signature Adjustable Driver to be a genuinely intriguing proposition, which has made me completely re-evaluate a lot of my preconceptions. Very impressive.

When it comes to high-end golf equipment, the conversation has long been dominated by a handful of major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). However, in recent years, brands operating on a direct-to-consumer model have made a name for themselves by offering premium clubs at a significantly reduced cost simply by missing out the ‘middle man’. Let's see if the PTX LST driver can compete with some of the best drivers in the game...

Ben Hogan Golf, in particular, stands out not just for its value but for its sophisticated design language; with irons like the PTX Tour, FT Worth MB, and Legend, Hogan has consistently proven that DTC brands can lead the way in aesthetics, and the PTX LST driver will be looking to continue that trend.

Ben Hogan PTX LST Driver Review: Technology

The Ben Hogan PTX LST driver is engineered with a clear focus on delivering a penetrating ball flight for high-speed players (I would be suggesting north of 100 mph with the driver).

It's 4-piece construction features what Hogan calls a “hot face” with variable thickness and a carbon-fiber crown to maximize ball speed and forgiveness. A key technology is the "Speed Slot," which has been designed to enhance aerodynamics to reduce drag while also helping to optimize the CG. Furthermore, discretionary weight is positioned forward in the head, closer to the face, to actively reduce spin and lower the launch angle.

This design is complemented by a proprietary adjustment sleeve, which allows golfers to fine-tune the loft and lie by two degrees, providing a highly customizable, low-spin profile for those who demand ultimate control and distance.

Ben Hogan PTX LST Driver Review: Looks

From the moment you place it behind the ball, the driver's aesthetic is absolutely out of the top drawer. Its sleek, all-black profile with a carbon-fiber crown and a subtle "Speed Slot" on the side exudes confidence and a sense of classic, purposeful design. This sophisticated look is for me a hallmark of the Hogan brand and a significant factor that sets it apart from many other value-driven offerings.

The designers have ticked the boxes from all angles for me with the "in the bag" perspective, complementing the neat playing position beautifully. It can be a tricky balance offering something visually pleasing and interesting without it spilling over into being fussy or busy, but it has been executed perfectly here, in my opinion, with subtle functional shaping and a sparing use of colour.

Ben Hogan PTX LST Driver Review: Performance

The performance of the PTX LST driver does not disappoint either. In testing, the club consistently produced strong ball speeds, comparable to even some of the quicker drivers on the market, such as the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond or the TaylorMade Qi35, leading to impressive carry and total distance.

The low-spin output, as the name suggests, was a standout feature and created a powerful, penetrating ball flight that cut through the windy test conditions with ease. The feedback at impact is another area where the driver truly shines. The feel is exceptionally solid and powerful, providing a rewarding sensation on well-struck shots that is every bit as satisfying as its premium-priced competitors.

Ben Hogan PTX LST Driver Review: Final Thoughts

This driver serves as a clear signal that the days of a severe performance drop-off between "major" brands and smaller DTC companies may be behind us. The gap has never been smaller, and with a world increasingly focused on value without sacrificing quality, a shift in the market could be on the horizon.

Available from £279.99/$379.99, and with numerous customisable options, the Ben Hogan PTX LST driver is a fantastic example of a brand hitting all the right notes—aesthetics, performance, and price—and it's a driver that serious golfers should be putting on their list to try.

Takomo Golf has rapidly gained a reputation in the direct-to-consumer space, primarily for its highly-regarded irons that offer impressive performance at competitive prices. With the introduction of the Ignis D1, Takomo is making its first foray into the demanding driver market. As a PGA Professional, I'm always curious to see how brands known for their irons translate their design philosophy into the big stick, so I approached the Ignis D1 with an open mind, eager to see if it could deliver the same blend of value and performance that Takomo has become known for and rival some of the best drivers in the game.

Takomo Ignis D1 Driver Review: Technology

The Ignis D1 driver is built around a philosophy of maximizing performance where golfers need it most, integrating several key technologies to achieve this. Takomo has engineered a new face design with variable thickness, specifically with the idea of optimizing performance in commonly missed areas – the low heel and high toe. This intelligent design effectively increases the sweet spot by a claimed 25% compared to their prototype, aiming to provide more consistent ball speeds across a wider area of the face.

Underneath the hood, the driver's chassis and weighting system have been meticulously designed to keep weight as low as possible. This low center of gravity (CG) is crucial for promoting easy launch and efficient energy transfer from the clubhead to the ball. Complementing this, a lightweight carbon fibre crown further contributes to discretionary weight savings, which are then strategically positioned to enhance forgiveness. Takomo emphasizes that the combination of these elements creates a "fast, forgiving beast."

The use of premium materials throughout, including tungsten weights, the carbon crown, and a highly durable, lightweight steel composite for the body, is a promising sign, and the fact that it comes stock with a Fujikura Ventus shaft (albeit not the premium velocore version) and a Lamkin grip also highlights Takomo’s commitment to quality components.

Takomo Ignis D1 Driver Review: Looks

My first impression of the Ignis D1 from the address position was exactly what I've come to expect and appreciate from Takomo – a typically minimalist look. The crown is exceptionally clean, free of distracting graphics, and sits very squarely behind the ball. It has a classic, almost understated aesthetic that will no doubt inspire confidence for those who prefer a less busy visual.

However, my opinion shifted slightly when viewing the sole of the club. While it maintains a relatively minimalist approach, I felt it was in danger of veering somewhat into cheap and basic territory, dare I say it, more akin to a package set driver than a standalone premium offering from this angle. The design on the sole felt a little uninspired and lacked the refined detailing seen on many of its competitors. It's a small point, with precisely zero bearing on performance, but for a brand aiming for a premium feel, the sole design could be improved to match the clean lines of the crown.

Despite this, the overall build quality felt solid, and the details of paintwork and the joints between multi-material constructions are executed nicely from a manufacturing standpoint.

Takomo Ignis D1 Driver Review: Performance

On the Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor and out on the course, the Ignis D1 delivered reasonable performance overall, particularly excelling in its designed purpose. It is genuinely very forgiving, as advertised. Shots struck slightly off-center still maintained impressive ball speed and stayed remarkably close to the target line, which is a huge plus for golfers who struggle with consistency off the tee. This forgiveness makes it a very user-friendly driver, and if you are looking for a fairway finder even on your bad days, this should be high on your test list.

However, for higher swing speed players like myself, I found a significant drawback: the spin output for me personally bordered on excessive. Even with a 9-degree head lofted down 2 degrees (effectively playing at 7 degrees), I could barely get the spin under 3000rpm. While high spin can contribute to stability and straighter shots, for faster swings, it typically robs the ball of valuable distance by causing it to balloon or lose forward momentum too quickly. This meant that while my dispersion was excellent, my overall carry distance was certainly not optimized for my swing speed and was reflected in my launch monitor data.

The sound and feel at impact were also a mixed bag for me. The Ignis D1 has a slightly more tinny and high-pitched sound than would be my personal preference. It wasn't harsh, but it lacked the deep, satisfying thud or explosive crack that many modern premium drivers offer. This subjective element did influence the overall feel of impact for me, making it feel a little less powerful than the ball speed numbers might suggest.

Takomo Ignis D1 Driver Review: Verdict

The Takomo Ignis D1 driver is a compelling product, especially when considering its price point. For £299 / $319, this driver offers a genuinely very forgiving performance that will undoubtedly satisfy the needs of a lot of golfers looking to just keep the ball in play with a user-friendly driver. However, it's not without its compromises. The high spin output for higher swing speed players means those with faster swings are likely going to need to invest a little more money into a driver that can optimize their launch conditions for maximum distance.

The sound is also a subjective point that might not appeal to everyone. Ultimately, the Ignis D1 is a solid, forgiving, and aesthetically pleasing option for its target market, but elite or high-speed players might find themselves wanting more.

The Ignis D1 is available in both 9˚ and 10.5˚ and with Fujikura Ventus (non-velocore) Red and Blue shafts in R, S, and X flex (blue only).

Vice Golf has carved out a strong niche in the golf world with its distinctive, colourful golf balls and apparel, challenging the traditional giants with a fresh, modern approach. Now, they've taken a significant leap into the club market with the VGD01+ driver. As someone who appreciates innovation but more often leans towards minimalist club aesthetics, I was particularly intrigued to see how Vice's unique style would translate into a driver, and more importantly, how it would perform against some of the best drivers in the game.

The Vice Golf VGD01+ driver is packed with technology and features. Its design incorporates a thin, high-strength titanium face to generate ball speed and promote high launch. It also features an adjustable hosel, allowing golfers to fine-tune loft and lie for optimal trajectory and spin. Furthermore, an interchangeable weighting system provides the ability to adjust for draw or fade bias, enabling precise shot shaping. This, combined with optimized CG placement and aerodynamic shaping, aims to deliver enhanced forgiveness and consistent performance across the face, helping golfers achieve greater distance and control. For the price point of £379/$399, this is a solid offering tech-wise.

My first impression of the Vice Golf VGD01+ driver out of the box was, admittedly, a moment of surprise. As I said, I typically gravitate towards very clean, understated club designs, but the VGD01+ features a somewhat playful aesthetic, particularly its patterned crown. Against my usual preference, I found myself genuinely loving this bold, almost artistic pattern, maybe because it offers a refreshing departure from the modern norm that gives the driver a distinct personality without feeling overly garish. The overall shaping is modern and confidence-inspiring at address, sitting nicely behind the ball, with a neat, somewhat squat but nicely rounded head, which I felt looked excellent in the playing position.

The sole design is also noteworthy in its aesthetic, featuring a stepped design that wouldn’t look out of place on the Batmobile! However, again, for some reason, I really liked it!

When it came to impact, the VGD01+ truly excelled. This driver delivers a premium, deep, and incredibly satisfying impact sound and feel. It's a solid thud that resonates perfectly, giving you immediate feedback that you've compressed the ball well. This sensation is something I often associate with top-tier drivers, and Vice has absolutely nailed this often tricky part of driver design, inspiring confidence and making hitting the driver a genuinely enjoyable experience.

From a performance standpoint, the VGD01+ driver proved to be a very capable performer. It provided good ball speeds and a generally high, stable launch, which is what most golfers are looking for. I found it to be reasonably forgiving on off-center strikes, maintaining decent ball speed and a relatively tight dispersion, helping to keep drives in play. The overall flight was strong with a pretty aggressive spin output of around 2200rpm for me on average. For context, that is in the TaylorMade Qi35 LS and Callaway Elyte TD region of spin.

While the overall performance is nicely rounded, this is still more of a niche driver for those looking to drive down spin and launch, and those looking for a touch more playability should probably steer themselves more towards the VGD01 driver, which is designed to offer a higher MOI with more spin and launch.

On the whole, I was seriously impressed with the Vice VGD01+ (although maybe the name could do with some work!). Essentially, I saw top-tier launch monitor data comparable with any of the big names, from an exceptional feeling and a really fun-looking driver. All of this, and it is priced around £200 lower than most of the ‘big guns’. This driver is not a gimmick and should be a serious consideration if you are in the market for a low-spin driver and you’re looking to save a little money.

So many golfers are plagued by a scorecard-wrecking slice off the tee, and Tour Edge Golf believes it may be able to help you out. It has brought to market the Hot Launch X525 driver, and I took it out to see how it stacked up against some of the best drivers for slicers…

From a technology point of view, it features pretty much all the bells and whistles, such as Diamond Face VFT, and Ridgeback technology of the Hot Launch E525 driver (so I will let you wander over to that review to catch up on that), plus a bit more. On this model, the substantial MOI-enhancing back weight has been positioned more on the heel side to promote a draw bias CG, and probably most notably, Tour Edge has introduced a very heavy offset hosel. This offset design allows the clubface a fraction of a second more time to rotate and square up to the target for players who struggle with a persistent open face delivery.

Looks-wise, the Hot Launch X525 driver is very much an acquired taste, with the offset providing a very unusual look down behind the ball. Now, I am not saying this is the first time I have ever seen this because it isn’t, but it is some of the most noticeable offset I have seen on a driver. Aside from that, the overall look is strong, and I am particularly fond of the black/grey contrast that runs throughout the Hot Launch range.

In terms of the performance, I am not sure I have ever hit a driver that so easily fulfils its brief. Tour Edge tells us that the Hot Launch X525 Driver is easy to launch and that it will help mitigate your slice, and I can confirm it delivers superbly on both of those promises, so full marks there.

Some of the less quantifiable areas could maybe do with some refinement, for example, the sound and feel are a touch tinny, but this has precisely zero effect on the impressive output of the driver, and for the super low price point, you can’t have it all, I guess. The sound and feel by no means reflect build quality here, which feels pleasingly premium and robust, and as with the Hot Launch E525 driver, I am a big fan of the Ridgeback contouring on the crown to aid alignment.

The Tour Edge Hot Launch X525 Driver is available in 10.5˚, 12˚, and 15˚ lofts and in A, R, and S flex shafts, for a retail price of $249.99/£193.00.

Tour Edge is rapidly becoming the go-to brand for me outside of the ‘major’ manufacturers. It has been consistently producing high-quality products at sensible prices for a good few years now, so when I heard that the new Hot Launch drivers were en route to my house, I was eagerly anticipating the delivery. Let's see if the Tour Edge Hot Launch E525, priced at $249.99/£193 can rival some of the best drivers in the game…

From a technology standpoint, the story here is all about offering ultimate playability while keeping the price point as accessible as possible. The 460cc titanium head houses a hefty, MOI boosting rear weight, and also Tour Edge’s Ridgeback technology that is featured on every 525 metal. Essentially, it is a bar that sits along the crown, which is primarily to provide structural stability, but also acts as a handy alignment aid. Furthermore, we have Diamond Face VFT technology, which is a face technology that features 37 different thick and thin diamond shapes or “mini-trampolines” behind the face. Diamond Face VFT has been designed to produce a hotter face with faster ball speeds and better performance on off-center hits, as well as reduced spin.

Looks-wise, I was very impressed. I absolutely love the matt black and gold colorway, and the overall shaping at address is seriously good, offering my favoured more rounded driver profile. As I mentioned in the technology section, the Ridgeback feature on the crown is very useful for helping to centre the ball at address and also for face alignment. The finish is as good as anything else in the Tour Edge range, such as the Exotics C725 or E725, giving no indication that this is a ‘budget’ product. So far, so good…

The performance did not let me down either here. Ball speeds were comparable to drivers twice this price, but the real star of the show is the sheer playability of this model. Off-centre strikes were severely flattered both in terms of heel-to-toe and top-to-bottom, and the ease of launch is staggering. Be warned, however, that ease of launch does come with some fairly high spin numbers, so if you are a higher speed or spin player, this will certainly limit your distance output, but it is absolutely perfect for more moderate swingers.

The impact noise of the all-titanium head is a little more robust and ‘clangy’ than many multi-material drivers on the market, so that should be noted, but it is not loud enough to turn heads on the driving range. For reference, it is somewhat comparable to the Srixon ZXi drivers in terms of sound.

Overall, for a price tag of $249.99/£193, this is an exceptional driver. Incredibly user-friendly, great-looking, and with some useful tech features, this is another top job from Tour Edge.

The Hot Launch E525 is available in 9˚, 10.5˚, and 12˚ lofts, and with A, R, and S-flex shaft options. Tour Edge also allows you to specify grip size, additional wraps, and customise shaft length.

As someone who has paid close attention to Bryson DeChambeau’s equipment adventures over the past few years, my interest was piqued when I heard he would be co-designing a driver with a brand he is heavily involved with - LA Golf. The day finally came, and I was put in touch with the LA Golf team, and the new LA Golf driver was winging its way to my house. Can it hold its own against some of the best drivers on the market? Here’s what I thought of it…

The tech story here is a very interesting - and potentially game-changing - one, and it mainly centres around face curvature and gear effect. Essentially, what Bryson and LA Golf are saying is that players of different club head speeds should not be using the same level of face curvature on their drivers, and it is a theory I can get behind.

Most of you reading this review will know that the curvature is present to mitigate a heel or toe struck shot and straighten it out somewhat through gear effect, however, the research from LA Golf has shown that the less speed that is present, the less gear effect will kick in and too much face curvature can be detrimental to dispersion. This is something Bryson discovered himself at the other end of the speed spectrum when he was on his quest for speed, competing in the long drive scene.

He found that as his output increased, his heel and toe shots were being penalised significantly more than they previously were, leading him to the conclusion that more face curvature would be beneficial at his speed, and the result is what LA Golf is calling ‘FACE ID’, where the radius of the curvature will be matched to your individual speed. We have the 13-12 (which refers to the radius of the circle in inches), which is designed for speeds below 90mph, the 12-11 for those in the 90-109mph bracket, the 10-10 for 110-124mph, 9-9 for 125-134mph, and finally the 8-7 which is for the select few in the +135mph bracket.

I was asked to complete the online fitting ‘quiz’ to establish what head would be suitable for me, and was asked around half a dozen questions pertaining to shot shape, speed, tempo, etc, before being recommended the 10-10 head. Now, truth be told, I found the online fitting process a little underwhelming. Maybe because I have been a fitter throughout my career, I know there is a lot more involved in accurately identifying things such as the correct loft and shaft profile for a player than half a dozen questions; however, that is what I got, so I decided to trust the process. I have also heard since from the brand that they are seeing some excellent results from this process, so I may be an outlier.

The second somewhat disappointing part of the pre-purchase journey was the lack of information provided both on the website and at the end of the online fitting. For example, I was told that I would be in the 10-10 head, but had no indication as to what shaft had been recommended and what loft would be optimal for me based on my answers. As it happens, each level of curvature only comes in one base loft, and you have 1.5 degrees of play either way to tune yourself in once the product arrives. However, many will find this disappointing, as if you do need an alteration, the shaft graphics and grip no longer line up neatly, which will frustrate some players.

Furthermore, I felt there was a significant lack of technical information on the website to work with for those interested in such things. For example, at the time of writing, there is zero information even on things such as what the head is made of, let alone any more technical nuances such as launch/spin profiles or what altering loft does to the lie angle on the LA Golf adapter. Fortunately for me, I could pose such questions to the PR team (it is a forged beta titanium cup face that is laser-welded to a cast titanium aft body for those interested) and get the answers, but most customers don't have that resource so I would suggest more transparency on that front would be a good thing for all.

Looks-wise, I actually really liked this clubhead. The sole features small repeating LA Golf text and not a lot else, which keeps it very clean, and speaking of clean, the crown is as neat and minimalistic as it comes, which is something I can always get on board with. It has a very smooth black finish somewhere between matt and gloss, which looks great, but I will say that as soon as it gets a touch of moisture or fingerprints on it, the blemishes stick out like a sore thumb.

In terms of the all-important performance, I had my hopes set very high, and frankly, I was a little disappointed. In terms of the raw data, I tested it against my current gamer, the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond, in the same base loft of 8 degrees, and it was generally slightly outperformed across the board. Off an average clubhead speed of within 0.6mph, the Callaway driver was producing 2mph more ball speed and a 297-yard average carry versus a 284-yard average from the LA Golf driver. Spin was up significantly, too, with a 2868 rpm average (LA Golf) versus 2435 rpm (Callaway).

While the all-titanium head looked and genuinely felt fantastic, a 13-yard carry difference is tough to ignore, particularly when it didn’t come with the promised enhanced accuracy - in fact, it was actually a little less accurate overall when I consider the comparable widest shots and the general dispersion patterns over my testing shots. However, my gut instinct (which I cannot prove just yet) is that this was simply a shaft and fitting issue more than anything else. The Bryson Series 65W Low shaft my driver came fitted with, while very high quality, did not feel a great match for my timing and delivery at all. It felt much softer in the tip than my Fujikura Ventus Black 6-X, and the subsequent deflection and droop through the ball compromised my strike location considerably, which I believe led to the drop-off in performance.

I watched another independent review of the LA Golf driver on YouTube recently, and the reviewer in question (who was also a high-speed player) found some excellent results, but he was playing the driver in his gamer shaft that he had been fitted for in person. Unfortunately, I feel that this highlights a real flaw in the current online model, and one that I don’t feel is doing justice to what I think is genuinely sound technology and innovation, and an otherwise strong product. It is quite a risk to shell out a not insignificant amount of money on a driver that has been fitted simply by using a quiz, and it is a risk that will lead to many not getting the best out of a potentially excellent driver.

I have contacted LA Golf to see if they can send me some adapters so that I can re-test this driver on a shaft that I know works well for me, and to their credit they have offered to send over a few more options which I am very keen to explore, because as I've said multiple times, there is serious potential in this design concept.

If I were to review this driver based purely on my experience and the club as is, it would have to be classed as a slight let down in terms of the results; however, I have hit enough drivers to know a good head when I see one, and this fits the bill. I just hope I get the chance for an apples to apples comparison to prove it.

The driver is priced from $494; however, there is a $150 upcharge for the Bryson Series shaft. It is available now from the LA Golf website.

One Month On...

To their credit, LA Golf were as good as their word and swiftly sent me a few new options of shaft (and the 9-9 head in 8˚) to see if we could improve on the data from my initial testing. I was sent two versions of the A-Series Low 60-W-5 shaft - one tipped 1" and one with zero tipping, as well as a couple of adapters to fit on any other shaft I wished.

Genuinely, I have to say the results were much improved all around. The tipped version of the A-Series shaft felt a lot more stable and akin to what I am used to, and the Fujikura Ventus Black 6-X I installed (a shaft I am very familiar with) also worked well for me.

Simply finding the centre more often obviously made a big difference to what I saw in terms of results. My ball speed jumped consistently over the 170mph mark, but most notably was how much tighter my dispersion became, which was very encouraging, and I can hand on heart say that it was noticeably straighter than my current gamer when struck off centre in this more appropriate shaft set up.

While I still have my reservations about any fitting process where a qualified fitter is not actually laying eyes on a player, I genuinely feel there is real merit to this progressive curvature story. If the fitting process catches up to the technical innovation here, then look out!

The Callaway Elyte mini driver is the brand’s second mini driver offering, following on from the impressive Ai-Smoke 340Ti mini driver. The mini driver market has grown exponentially over the past few years, with the majority of manufacturers now offering their spin on this versatile club that falls between a driver and a fairway wood.

While the opinion on the looks of the whole Callaway Elyte range was divided when first launched, I personally think the range looks smart and premium. The Elyte mini driver is aesthetically just a smaller version of the impressive Elyte driver. Despite being one of the larger mini driver heads on the market, the Elyte mini driver has been designed with enhanced shaping, which Callaway claims offers improved aerodynamics over its predecessor, resulting in more clubhead speed and ultimately more distance.

The new Thermoforged carbon crown is a feature that runs throughout the whole Elyte range and I think looks superb, particularly in the sunlight. The banner strip running across the top of the face acts as a great alignment feature, helping me set the face square to the target more regularly. This lightweight carbon fiber crown also plays a crucial role in providing a solid feel and muted sound through impact - something I particularly enjoy over a louder, metallic sound.

So how did the Callaway Elyte mini driver perform and who do I think it’s most suited for? There are two main reasons golfers will be delving into the mini driver world; firstly, you may be seeking more accuracy from the tee but not wanting to sacrifice the yardage lost by hitting a 3-wood. Secondly, you might want to find a little more distance than what your fairway wood offers, giving you the potential to reach the green on longer par-4’s or attack par-5’s on a more regular basis.

After multiple driving range sessions and rounds on the golf course, I would recommend the Elyte mini driver more towards those seeking an alternative to the driver from the tee. The fairly deep face and ability to change the CG location through the rear weight ports on the sole certainly leant this club more towards finding a ‘safe’ shot from the tee, which allowed me to put the ball in play more often, particularly on tighter, more daunting holes. The playing length of 43.75” is also another reason why I felt in more control than my driver and when gripping down on the shaft, I could take another inch or so off the length, only enhancing my accuracy.

As a fairly high club head speed player (116mph) and someone who spins the ball a fair amount, my TaylorMade Qi35 driver is designed to launch and spin fairly low. Having a higher lofted and spinning option of the Elyte mini driver, definitely provided me with a little more confidence when I needed to hit the fairway. The Elyte mini driver actually surprised me with how well it performed from the fairway, despite a fairly intimidating deep face. The fact it is offered in both an 11.5° and 13.5 ° head options and both come with adjustable hosels as standard means golfers can precisely dial in the loft of their mini driver and tailor it to their specific needs.

Like the Elyte driver family, the mini driver boasts a Ai10x face, which I found to be particularly effective when hitting this club from the ground. I found a few shots felt as though they were struck fairly low on the face but because of the multiple sweet spots and variable face thickness, the ball was still launching high and for the most part, travelling my intended distance.

At $449/£449 the Callaway Elyte mini driver isn’t a small investment but I think it’s well worth doing so if you’re serious about improving your game at the top end of the bag. I always believe if I’m hitting the ball well from the tee and find myself putting the ball in play regularly, that I can produce a decent score on the day and the Elyte mini driver certainly lets me do that.

The mini-driver category has been a real growth area in the golf equipment space in the last couple of years, with companies such as Titleist, Callaway, and PXG all coming up with their own models to sit between their best fairway woods and best drivers. It is, however, TaylorMade that can probably lay claim to being the modern-day pioneer of this interesting club, with numerous models appearing at retail over the past few years such as the SLDR, Aeroburner, 300 Series, The Original One, BRNR, and last year's BRNR Copper mini driver. TaylorMade has once again gone back into the archives for inspiration and is now bringing us the R7 Quad mini driver.

Personally, I love what Taylormade has been doing with this mini-driver category, seemingly using it as an opportunity to just have a bit of fun with design and pay homage to some of its greatest hits. Every time I get a tip-off that a new one may be coming, my inner child can’t help but get excited to see which model it will revisit next, and to be honest the R7 Quad would have been very high on my wish list.

In terms of the tech, we still have proven TaylorMade technologies such as the Speed Pocket and Twist Face, but moving on from the split crown of last season's BRNR Copper mini driver, we now have the infinity crown that is present on the Qi35 drivers. The main tech story, however, is the adjustable weighting system on the sole as it was with the R7 Quad driver. This four-way weighting system allows for huge versatility, not only moving CG forward and back for launch and spin but also allowing to bias mass towards the heel or toe to dial in the preferred shot shape.

Looks wise, for me this is an absolute cracker. It could be the nostalgia, but I love everything about it. From the underside, TaylorMade has got it so close to the original R7 Quad driver which will massively please the middle-aged brigade like myself that may have played the driver in their youth. From the top, the infinity crown is a significant upgrade in my eyes from the split crown of last season's version, creating a very clean, minimalistic look in the playing position with just a slight hint of accent color on the heel side. On a slightly less positive note, I'm not in love with the headcover, but that is a minimal gripe for sure.

The R7 Quad mini driver sits a touch more closed at address than the BRNR Copper mini did (at least my sample does although there can be subtle differences in this between heads), but it frames the ball beautifully, and if you want a more neutral position you can easily achieve that by manipulating the loft sleeve. Because the face is essentially the same color as the crown now, there is less loft visible at address than its predecessor which is something I love to see personally but may slightly intimidate some.

There are many reasons why golfers should consider adding a mini driver to the bag but the blend of distance with enhanced accuracy is probably the leading one. Performance-wise, the raw numbers and flight windows I experienced were basically identical to that of the BRNR Copper mini (which I have gamed for the past 12 months), and I could barely detect any tangible difference in feel or sound. It is essentially the same club with just a cool new makeover. What was different however was the heel/toe adjustability, and I feel this is a significant enhancement.

One of the big reasons I use a mini driver is because I find it a bit easier to hit a draw with than my main driver, and with the R7 Quad mini driver it is now even easier. Dropping those heavy weights over to the heel shifts that CG and allows the toe to release through a bit more freely making it infinitely easier to hit a more pronounced draw for me. Similarly, popping them over to the toe side has the opposite effect and will be music to the ears of the hookers out there.

As with the previous version, this is one of the more versatile mini-drivers I have used, working just as effectively off the deck as it does from the tee - even with the 11.5° version I have. That versatility, coupled with the super cool looks and beautiful shaping make this my standout in the mini driver category and the best TaylorMade drivers and it will be going straight into my bag!

The R7 Quad Mini driver has an RRP of £399 and is available in 11.5°of loft in both right and left-handed while the 13.5° head is available in right-handed only. The lie angle is 57° and the head measures 305cc. The length is 43.75” and the swing weight is D4. The stock shaft is the Fujikura Speeder MD in 6x, 6S, and 5R. The stock grip is the Golf Pride Z-Grip Black/Red 52g 0.600.

Cleveland Golf has always been a fairly innovative equipment manufacturer over the years, not afraid of pushing the design envelope, particularly when it comes to the best fairway woods and best drivers. Models like the VAS and the Launcher spring to mind, but the latest design from the Cleveland think tank is the HiBore XL…

In terms of technology, the HiBore XL features a triangular chassis, which has been designed to optimize forgiveness, distance, and sound.

“As our R&D research has developed hand in hand with advancements of our A.I. simulation capabilities, the realization came that removing the constraints of a ‘traditional’ looking Driver shape would allow for new and exciting performance opportunities. By taking advantage of the unique HiBore philosophy of a performance-first design, we were able to unlock levels of forgiveness and distance that weren't possible before. But there is one key difference with the new model compared to that of the past. It also sounds great!” Joe Miller, European Product Manager at Cleveland Golf.

The chassis was narrowed to maintain the desired head volume, get the weight as low and far back as possible, while losing some volume at the back facilitated the HiBore’s extra large face. Cleveland is saying that this results in a 19% increase in sweet spot size from the Launcher XL 2. It has also launched a new technology called ActivWing, which is essentially some fins on the heel side of the crown designed to promote stability of the face during the downswing.

Looks wise, this is a grower. At first, you are likely to be hyper-aware of the very ‘non-traditional’ shaping of the head, but I can assure you that is likely to wear off pretty swiftly. Within about a dozen shots I was happily hitting shots, giving no thought to the visual at all. I found the triangular shape actually very easy to line up in truth, with the contrasting angles making the top edge stand out maybe more than usual.

I found the HiBore XL to be an excellent performer in testing, which was conducted with a FullSwing KIT launch monitor and TaylorMade TP5 golf balls at Saunton Golf Club. The stand-out feature for me was without a doubt the forgiveness on offer from across the face. Not only did the mishits seem to retain an awful lot of ball speed and a tight dispersion, but the retention of feel was outstanding making this one of the most forgiving drivers I have tested. Even the most extreme heel and toe strikes didn’t seem to reverberate in the hands like so many other drivers which really enhanced the playing experience.

Tightness of dispersion was another noteworthy finding during testing, and this was apparent not only left to right but also from front to back. You have to do something very wrong to not get a playable result from the HiBore XL putting this up there as one of the best drivers for high handicaps.

While ball speeds didn’t blow me away, this is by no means a slow driver and the adjustability on offer with the loft sleeve allows performance-enhancing tweaks to help you dial in those launch characteristics. I found myself settling at a loft around 0.5 degrees lower than my standard as the spin rates were just on the higher side for me, but those with slow to moderate speeds will love this profile.

If you are looking for a fairway-finding machine that can flatter you on even your poorest of swing days, then this is a driver well worth considering, and at £399/$399 there is most certainly value to be had.

I recently filmed a YouTube video in which I put together Bryson DeChambeau’s full bag setup and played a PGA event. It was an extraordinary day for a lot of reasons, but within that set, there were a couple of standout clubs that I wanted to investigate further, the first of those being the Krank Formula Fire LD driver. Could it stand up against some of the best drivers in the game? Let’s find out….

To give some context before I begin the review, it should be noted that I ordered this in as close to Bryson’s spec as possible for the purposes of the video, and it is not a setup that will be suited to many! This driver plays at a 5˚ compared to my normal 8.5˚ and has primarily been designed for use in Long Drive (hence the LD) competitions. It even comes with a Bethpage Black style warning on the website…

From a technology standpoint, the Formula Fire LD is jam-packed. Firstly, a Forged Beta Titanium face is used to provide optimal strength and energy transfer, which is important when dealing with the speeds some of the long drive competitors generate, and Krank says that is over 4 times harder than cast driver faces. To refine the face even further, Krank has added micro CNC milling to maximize the spring effect. On the crown, we have ‘air flow stabilizers’, which do a similar job to the turbulators on top of the best Ping drivers, and on the back, we have a dual weight port system designed to help minimize curvature and produce straighter drives.

In terms of the looks, there is nothing subtle about the Formula Fire LD, that’s for sure. While it won’t be to the tastes of traditionalists out there, I actually quite liked the brashness and audacity of it. The bold red accent colours really pop against the glossy jet black of the rest of the head, the sole and face are embossed with flames, and the ‘air flow stabilizers’ look mean in the playing position. Everything about this driver screams power.

Performance-wise, I didn’t really know what to expect, having only ever tried a driver as low lofted as this once before (I borrowed a Long Drive competitor friends 4˚ Callaway Paradym on a press trip for a couple of shots!), so I set up my FullSwing KIT launch monitor and began to gather some data. Fairly predictably, my initial ball flights were pretty low and a little scattered, with not much spin on the ball to stabilize things, but I soon decided to switch tactics and copy the long drive competitors by teeing it up as high as possible and really trying to increase my attack angle.

This proved to be a breakthrough, and my launch monitor data output jumped up massively. With my standard loft, hitting up as much as I was would result in inefficient, floaty shots, but because of the very low base loft on the Krank, the spin loft remained very low, and I saw some very powerful numbers in terms of ball speed and carry.

For context, I normally cruise at around 118mph with the driver, but I was seeing clubhead speed numbers in the early 120s pretty consistently here. This may be in part due to the aerodynamics on offer, but I also suspect it was born somewhat out of necessity, with my body reacting to the need for speed to produce the requisite launch.

I have to say, I absolutely loved the feel from this driver. Despite being designed to be as hard and durable as possible, that didn’t translate into the impact sensation at all. It felt springy and lively but also very aggressive, and the feedback through the hands made it very clear it was producing ball speed.

DeChambeau has mentioned on a few occasions now that one of the reasons he went into this driver originally was that there was a more apparent curvature to the face, which assists higher-speed players in producing gear effect to help mitigate their heel and toe misses. I would be lying if I said I personally noticed that more than on any other drivers I have tested, but the likelihood is I wasn’t producing enough speed to do.

Despite the warning from the manufacturer itself, I didn’t experience any dramatic loss of accuracy in my testing, and once I had figured out the required impact dynamics to optimize the flight, I saw some pretty massive hits for me.

Overall, I really enjoyed using the Formula Fire LD. It is extremely well built, packed with power, and as someone who sees an awful lot of drivers(!), it is refreshing to see such a different approach. This is no gimmick, this is a serious and impressive product - lest we forget it has won the US Open and is still in the hands of arguably the most discerning equipment geek in the game - Mr Bryson DeChambeau!

The Krank Formula Fire LD is available for $649, or if you are looking for a head only, you can pick this up for $449 from the Krank website. There are also a multitude of other models (and importantly higher lofts!) to take a look at.

The low spin driver category is a very crowded and competitive space in 2025, with models such as the Ping G440 LST and the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond setting a very high bar in terms of looks and performance. Wilson has now thrown its hat into the ring and has brought to market the Dynapwr LS for the first time. Looking to disrupt some of the best golf drivers on the market, let’s see what is on offer…

Technology-wise, Wilson’s A.I.-driven PKR-360 has been employed to make adjustments to face and body dimensions in order to create a bigger sweet spot and boost those ball speeds, even away from the middle. ‘Open hosel construction’ has also been introduced which is essentially a shedding of excess or as Wilson describes it ‘inefficient’ material from the hosel infrastructure, allowing the face to flex a little more.

Sound has been tackled through the use of precise rib placement throughout the body of the clubhead to create a powerful and appealing sound.

In this LS model, we have a more compact 445cc head which has been influenced and inspired by Wilson’s tour staff. Furthermore, there are two weights (one 8g and the other 12g) that can be interchanged to offer different launch and spin profiles.

Visually I think Wilson has done a quite excellent job. This is the first time I could honestly say that from an aesthetic perspective, a Wilson range could sit at the same table as some of the bigger driver manufacturers and absolutely hold its own. The glossy carbon crown looks great and the branding has been executed well also.

In behind the ball the addition of the white/grey score lines on the face do a really good job of making you feel you have more loft than you actually do, which is great for confidence, and the more compact head shape of this model looks superb in the playing position.

From a performance standpoint, this is a very interesting driver that could end up being quite niche (in my opinion), and that is mostly due to the extraordinarily prevalent fade bias inherent in this clubhead. Rarely have I seen such a blatant bias, maybe only the Cobra Darkspeed Max of last season (which for context had the opposite bias - a very heavy draw) could be comparable. This club simply does not want to go left! For someone who struggles with a pull or hook, this could be the one you have been waiting for, but for more neutral players or even faders, it may just be too much.

I actually like the concept of taking one side of the course out of play, but as a natural fader, I found the cut tendency just required me to start the ball too far left to be comfortable.

In terms of the feel and acoustics, I can’t fault it. I loved where this has been pitched and actually had a few compliments from passers-by on the practice ground regarding the audio. I would describe it as a very satisfying 'click'.

Spin was very aggressive for me in testing. Even in the more neutral setting, I was barely averaging over 2000rpm, which will be music to many people's ears who swing the driver fast, and obviously satisfies the brief for this genre of driver.

Overall, I would say I was genuinely impressed. This driver is long and doesn't go left, which to many players will be music to their ears. The improved looks and exceptional acoustics are the standout features of this aggressively low-spinning driver. Natural faders may want to steer clear, but if you are looking to take out that left side (for a right-hander), then look no further than the Dynapwr LS.

The Dynapwr LS will be available in 8°, 9°, and 10.5° lofts for right-handed players and 9° only for the left handers, at an RRP of £480/$549.

High MOI drivers were very much the story of the 2024 season, with models such as the TaylorMade Qi10 Max and the Ping G430 Max 10k taking center stage. Golfers seemingly began to see the benefits of extra stability over maybe chasing that lower spin profile, and the category keeps expanding. Looking to get involved in the conversation is the Wilson Dynapwr Max, so let’s see if it is a match for some of the most forgiving drivers in the game...

With regard to the tech story of the new Dynapwr range, I would encourage you to head over to my review of the Dynapwr Carbon driver where I go into it in a little more detail, but in terms of this particular model, there are some noteworthy differentiators. Firstly we are dealing with an all-titanium 460cc head, and secondly, there is some inherent draw bias built into this driver with the flippable 19g rear weight allowing some adjustability of CG.

Looks wise I feel this is a giant leap forward for Wilson. The whole aesthetic has been massively elevated over every cubic cm of the clubhead in my opinion. I think the glossy finish has just the right amount of sheen, and the predominantly black coloring offers a very sophisticated feel that I don’t know if I’ve seen before from Wilson drivers.

In the playing position, the good news continues with a very unfussy crown present, only interrupted by a subtle red banner strip along the back/heel area and a tiny alignment aid on the top edge. Minimal and classy.

The performance also impressed me. Having done most of my testing at Saunton Golf Club on my FullSwing KIT launch monitor using TaylorMade TP5 golf balls, the overriding feeling was one of safety. Throughout all of my sessions, I found this one of the easiest drivers to keep on the short grass of anything I have tested. The TaylorMade Qi35 Max sits in a league of its own in that regard for me, but this would be very close to the ‘best of the rest’ title.

As you would expect from a driver of this ilk, the spin number was a little high for me pushing 3000rpm, but this isn’t a driver designed for my levels of swing speed (120mph plus). More moderate to slow swinging players will love how easy this driver is to get airborne both from a spin and launch perspective, and many will be pleased to hear that the draw bias is certainly noticeable. Maybe not quite as noticeable as the opposite (fade) bias in its sibling, the Dynapwr LS driver, but certainly useful for those looking to mitigate that slice.

The sound - whilst far from offensive - is a touch louder than the other two drivers in the range but that is likely due to the all-titanium construction in this model, and the accompanying feel is reassuringly solid. Another impressive model from Wilson for 2025. Stable, excellent looking, and extremely user-friendly. There isn’t much to dislike about the Dynapwr Max.

The Dynapwr Max will be available in 9°, 10.5°, and 12° lofts for right-handed players and 10.5° only for left handers at an RRP of £435 or $499.

As soon as I set eyes upon the new Dynapwr range of woods from Wilson, it was very apparent that time and money had been invested into this product line, so I was very keen to start some thorough testing. Looking to sit amongst the best golf drivers of 2025, this review focuses on the new Wilson Dynapwr Carbon driver for 2025…

In terms of the technology, Wilson’s A.I.-driven PKR-360 has been hard at work tweaking face and body dimensions in an attempt to create a larger hittable area and enhance ball speeds across the face. It has also introduced what it calls ‘open hosel construction’ which is essentially a clear out of excess or ‘inefficient’ material from the hosel infrastructure that allows the face to flex a little more, offering up more ball speed. This is a very similar principle to Ping’s ‘free hosel design’ in drivers like the G440 Max, G440 LST, and the G440 SFT.

Acoustics have also been addressed through the use of precise rib placement throughout the body of the clubhead with the idea of creating a powerful and appealing sound. The Dynapwr Carbon is a 460cc driver and features swappable front and back weights of 3 grams and 9 grams to allow you to fine-tune spin preference.

Visually, this is a massive step up from Wilson. While Dynapwr drivers of the past have provided some genuine quality at a digestible price point, I always felt they lacked a bit of sophistication in terms of aesthetics. This has most certainly been addressed in my opinion with what is an excellent-looking driver from all angles. Plenty of visible carbon coupled with relatively discreet branding provides a classy visual, to my eye at least. The contrasting face helps to inspire confidence by highlighting the loft and is very similar to the Titleist GT and Cobra DS-ADAPT ranges in that regard. If I were being mega fussy, I would love to see Wilson drop the ‘Wilson’ logo as they have on the Staff Model irons, which I think gives an even more premium feel.

On to the all-important performance, and things have stepped up a notch or two once again. Firstly the feel off the face is excellent along with the accompanying acoustics, which strike a nice balance of loud enough to convey power, but with the undertone of that carbon 'thud' that has become familiar to golfers over the past few years. Ball speed is one of the parameters that stood out to me in testing also. For many years this has been an area where I have felt Wilson drivers have lacked a little horsepower, but I am pleased to say I was experiencing some really good numbers in that regard, not completely matching the numbers of a TaylorMade Qi35 or a Callaway Elyte TD for example, but getting seriously close.

I found the driver to have no real pronounced shape bias in flight, producing very neutral shots on the whole and the launch/spin windows were exactly where I would hope them to be for a ‘core’ offering in a driver family.

I didn’t find the Dynapwr Carbon to be the most forgiving driver I have tested this launch season, and my dispersion did suffer a bit when I missed the middle, but it must be said the ball speed retention on mishits was very impressive.

On the whole, I am seriously impressed with what Wilson has done here. Clear investment and effort have paid off, and while there may still be work to be done in terms of marketing to get players to consider Wilson over the likes of Callaway, TaylorMade, Titleist and Ping, the quality of this driver is a very good start.

The Dynapwr Carbon driver will be available in 8°, 9°, and 10.5° lofts for right-handed players and 9° and 10.5° for left handers, at an RRP of £480 or $549.

The driver market in golf is one of the most hotly contested categories in the game. Trying to break into the big leagues and create one of the best golf drivers has to be one of the toughest tasks in golf club manufacturing. The sheer amount of complex R&D and high-tech materials involved are mind-boggling, but one company that is up for the challenge is Tour Edge, and I have been looking at its new E725 driver.

In terms of the technology, this is a driver geared almost entirely towards forgiveness, with features such as a 3D Diamond Face and 360-degree Ridgeback designed to provide optimal feel and maximize ball speed. This is Tour Edge’s highest-ever MOI driver, with the 10,000 g-cm2 reading matching that of drivers such as the Ping G430 Max 10K and the TaylorMade Qi10 Max. It is keeping heady company in that regard so it will be interesting to see if it delivers.

With regards to looks, the Tour Edge Exotics E725 driver is a very premium-looking offering featuring a carbon fiber crown and a banner strip of matte black along the leading edge which offers a nice contrast and I found it very useful for alignment. The head is much more rounded than pear-shaped which is a look I enjoy and the overall playing profile is very strong, there is nothing here to suggest you are dealing with anything less than a premium driver.

My only slight visual gripe is with the loft adapter, which might sound strange but Mizuno is another company guilty of this, where (in my opinion) the adjustable hosel stops too abruptly before joining the shaft, creating an unsightly ledge. I think this could easily be softened with the addition of a small tapered ferrule and the visual would go up a notch. However, as I write these words, I am aware of how fussy this sounds!

The shelf appeal is no more than fine for me. I like an understated look so it is in my wheelhouse, but some may prefer a little more visual stimulus to have their head turned on the shop floor.

Performance wise the E725 delivered everything it promised and arguably a little more. This is up there with the new TaylorMade Qi35 Max in terms of forgiveness levels for me, you can almost feel the head self-correcting through strikes on any heel or toe hits, and is the closest I have hit to the Qi35 Max in terms of tightness of dispersion this season. In terms of a metric of dollars per yard, this driver was streets ahead of all the other major launches from Callaway, Ping, TaylorMade, Titleist and Cobra.

One of the surprises was the feel and acoustics, which is often one of the first things to be compromised when looking at more budget-friendly drivers. While this is always subjective, the E725 offers a near-perfect impact sensation to me. Lively enough to know you’ve struck one, but just absorbent enough to not offer any unpleasant feedback, and the sound matches. Far from dull, but not loud or clangy, just somewhere perfectly in the middle, similar to another great feeling driver in the PXG Black Ops. There are eight available hosel settings that allow you to alter the lie, loft, and face angle to get you dialed in even further.

I have really enjoyed testing both this E725 model as well as the lower-spinning C725. Both do exactly what they profess to and for a fraction of the price ($399) of some of the bigger brands. The savvy shopper will be eyeing up this Tour Edge driver family for sure and won't be disappointed with the on-course experience.

In recent years, Tour Edge has really begun to establish itself as a very credible, high-performing brand at a significantly more digestible price point than many of the major manufacturers. Players like Bernhard Langer and many of his contemporaries on the PGA Champions Tour have been using Tour Edge equipment very successfully for some time. In this review, I am going to take a look at the new C725 driver to see if it can rival some of the best golf drivers in the game…

In terms of the technology, this is very much a low-spin/low-launching driver, with features such as a 3D Diamond Face and 360-degree Ridgeback designed to provide optimal feel and maximize ball speed. Tour Edge has very much tried to blend a low-spin profile with more stability than typically available in that category of driver.

With regards to the visual the Tour Edge Exotics C725 driver is a very premium-looking driver with a carbon fiber crown and a banner strip of matte black along the leading edge which looks excellent and frames the ball beautifully. It has a very rounded profile which always suits my eye, and overall is very impressive from this angle. My only negative - and this is very pedantic - is with the loft adapter. Much like with Mizuno models such as the ST-G, the adapter stops too abruptly for me before joining the shaft, lacking a small ferrule to help taper it down more subtly.

From a shelf appeal perspective, again Tour Edge has done a fine job. The adjustable weights are neatly tucked away and there is a real simplicity to the ‘in the bag’ angle that I very much enjoy. Not basic, just understated.

In terms of performance, the C725 was a genuine surprise to me. I don’t know what I expected but the FullSwing KIT launch monitor data was very impressive. While maybe not reaching the ball speed and distance numbers of a TaylorMade Qi35 or Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond, it is pretty close. On top of the impressive measurables, I enjoyed so much more about this driver, in particular the feel.

A lively combination of power and feedback really struck the right chords with me and quite honestly the consistency of ball flight was up there with anything else I have tried in the low-spin category. In terms of that spin, I would put it in the middle grounds of aggression in terms of the rpm, averaging around 2250 for me personally, which was plenty low enough to offer a solid, penetrating ball flight. The C725 also has a weight port in the front of the head to allow the spin to be fine-tuned to your preference and I found it very effective.

There are eight available hosel settings that allow you to alter the lie, loft, and face angle to get you dialed in even further. There really isn't a shape or trajectory this driver can't produce, all while sending your ball a competitive distance down the fairway.

Overall, I couldn’t be much more impressed with what Tour Edge has created here with the C725. When you consider the speed, adjustability, premium visuals and the solid, powerful feel on offer here for $400, the value for money is genuinely exceptional.

PXG is the latest major equipment manufacturer to hop on the mini-driver bandwagon by bringing to market the Secret Weapon. With this being very much a growth sector in the equipment space I was keen to see how PXG had tackled its first attempt at this type of club.

This club has been a long time in the making with early prototypes of this club on tour in the bags of two of the brand's flagship players, Eric Cole and Jake Knapp months ago, and has actually already grabbed its first tour win, delivered by Knapp at the Grant Thornton Invitational.

In terms of aesthetics, the Secret Weapon seems to sit very much as part of the Black Ops family, with very similar branding and graphics. Fortunately, I very much liked the visual of the Black Ops drivers, and this continues in my appreciation of the Secret Weapon. It’s tough to say whether it resembles a shrunken down driver more or a blown-up 3-wood, seemingly sitting perfectly in the middle of the two.

Whereas a competitor such as the Callaway Ai Smoke Ti340 mini driver absolutely still looks like a driver, the Secret Weapon has an impressive balance to it in terms of shape and profile that can actually probably flit between the two visually depending on who is looking at it. The sole is somewhat fussy - there are four adjustable weights, which facilitate PXG’s Precision Weighting Technology - but around that is just some simple high gloss and a large PXG logo which offers a fairly striking look.

The headcover is also very cool, featuring some sharp yellow accent color and an interesting skull holding a finger to its mouth! PXG is never afraid to be different, that is for sure.

From a tech point of view, PXG is offering a high-strength ultra-thin titanium face to help provide maximum ball speed and ideal launch conditions which coupled with a high-strength composite construction PXG is promising durability without sacrificing performance. PXG is also providing us with a deep face to optimize performance from the tee and the aforementioned Precision Weighting Technology to allow you to customize your ball flight.

Robotic polishing allows refinement of the bulge and roll characteristics for consistent performance across the face and the adjustable hosel allows players to fine-tune loft and lie angles.

In terms of the performance, I really enjoyed the Secret Weapon. Already being a user of the TaylorMade BRNR Copper mini driver, I had a fair idea of what to expect but there were some subtle differences.

Despite being a touch deeper in the face, I found the Secret Weapon a touch easier to launch than the TaylorMade version off the deck. Now that could obviously also be attributed to the fact that the PXG version comes in at 13° whereas my TaylorMade is at 11.5°, but even when I set them to the same lofts on the adapters, I was definitely seeing a touch more flight out of the Secret Weapon. As someone who plays a lot of my golf in very windy seaside conditions, I actually prefer the lower flight, but this characteristic may open the Secret Weapon up to a wider audience.

In terms of distance output, the Secret Weapon sat neatly between my gamer driver and 15˚ 3-wood in terms of carry, almost exactly dissecting them in fact with an average carry of 280 yards for me. For context, my average driver carry is around 295, and 3 wood just a shade over 260.

The adjustability is something that differentiates the Secret Weapon from its competitors, however, with the four weights on the bottom of the sole – two heavy (15g) weights and two light (2.5g) – which are extremely effective, while the adapter allows this to play anywhere from 11.5° to 13.5°.

Despite being a small and emerging category at the moment, I would slot the PXG Secret Weapon straight in at number two on my mini-driver list, just behind the TaylorMade BRNR Copper and just ahead of the Callaway Ai Smoke Ti 340. Its combined performance both off the ground and the tee just pip the Callaway for me, which is significantly better off a tee peg.

The PXG Secret Weapon is available now at an RRP of $449/£429 and is well worth considering if you want a club capable of finding more fairways without sacrificing too much yardage.

The best drivers for slicers category is a competitive one, with most top manufacturers offering something to tackle the most predominant bad shot in golf. Ping has traditionally always done so with its SFT model, and 2025 sees the launch of the latest iteration the G440 SFT. I have been putting it through its paces to see what is on offer…

WATCH - Joe Ferguson puts the Ping G440 Max driver up against the TaylorMade Qi35!

In terms of the tech, like many manufacturers this year the story is CG related. Through a combination of a shallower face, lightweight carbon crown, and a technology Ping is referring to as Free Hosel design, Ping has managed to move CG closer to what it calls the force line to improve launch conditions. Much like with the TaylorMade Qi35 range, engineers have decided that striking on or above the CG is key for maximizing distance and optimizing launch and spin.

Any golfers in need of slice-correction technology will likely fit best into this model of the G440 range which has been designed with a two-position (Draw and Draw+), adjustable 23-gram back weight. As with the G440 Max and G440 LST, it features Ping’s 8-setting Trajectory Tuning 2.0 hosel (+ or - 1.5° loft adjustment and up to 3° flat from standard).

Looks-wise, as I have mentioned in my reviews of the other two drivers in the range, the new (or old if you remember the original G range) color scheme isn’t to my taste, and the overall look of the sole of the G440 range could be better. However, the most important and looked at angle is the playing position and Ping has absolutely elevated this from the G430 SFT. The addition of the Carbonfly Wrap crown is long overdue and looks fantastic, elevating the look-at address to a whole new level.

On to the performance and this is going to be a real favorite among the slicers of the world in 2025! First and foremost the back weight settings offer strong adjustability to create significant draw bias, but something else seems to have happened to this head, quite honestly, I just couldn’t stop this thing from going left which will be music to the ears of any excessive faders (polite term for slicers!).

To be frank when I was reading about the Free Hosel Design technology (whereby weight has been stripped from the hosel/heel side, I had major concerns for this model in particular as draw bias drivers rely heavily on heel weighting generally speaking. How wrong I was! I honestly couldn’t give you the reasoning behind it but it feels to me at least that the draw bias has gone up at least 15-20% from G430 SFT to me. It is not excessive in any way, the face just seems to want to shut down very organically through impact and obviously this is a significant help in mitigating any cut or fade spin. Very impressive and will be a savior to many.

The feel has also been upped a notch for me with less vibration at impact apparent from the G430 SFT which I very much like as that was my only real criticism of the G430 range, and players that miss low on the face will appreciate the new lower CG positioning.

Overall, I thought this was a fantastic driver that achieves its brief admirably. I fully expect this to be the standout product of its category this season.

Head weight: 199g
Lofts(adjustable +-1.5°): (9°, 10.5°)
Stock shafts: PING Alta CB (counter-balanced) Blue 55 (SR, R, S), PING Alta Quick 35/45 (HLbuild only)
Optional stock shafts: PING Tour 2.0 Chrome 65 (R, S, X), PING Tour 2.0 Black 65 (S, X), Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Black 65 (S, X), PRJX Denali Red 50 (5.5, 6.0), PRJX Denali Red 60 (5.5,6.0, 6.5), PRJX Denali Red 70 (6.0, 6.5)
Stock grip: Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet in six sizes
RRP: $650 each with stock shaft

As one of the most popular brands in golf, when Ping releases a new driver range the golfing public wants to know about it! So in this review, I will be putting the new Ping G440 Max driver through its paces to see if it can carry on from the incredibly popular G430 Max and sit amongst the best golf drivers of 2025.

WATCH - Joe Ferguson puts the Ping G440 Max driver up against the TaylorMade Qi35!

The tech story is an interesting one and is centered around CG location, or more specifically lowering the CG location. Ping has done this through multiple weight-saving advancements higher up on the head. A combination of a shallower face, lightweight carbon crown, and a technology Ping is referring to as Free Hosel design, which helps save significant weight in an attempt to align the CG closer to what Ping calls the 'force line' for faster ball speed, optimal spin and higher launch.

Essentially lowering the CG will give you more chance to hit those high-launching, low-spinning flights that we know offer maximum distance - it's a theme that was also covered with the launch of the TaylorMade Qi35 driver.

The G440 Max comes in at 460cc and is the most forgiving model of the G440 range. It is engineered with a 29-gram, three-position adjustable back weight for dialing in your ball flight requirements.

In terms of the looks from the sole perspective, I am a little undecided, and asking around, it seems the general opinion is also divided. The blue colorway harks back to the original ‘G’ range and some people love it. However, for me, it dates the look a little and the rest of the sole is a touch on the basic side to my eye at least. As I often say though, that perspective is nearly irrelevant to me personally, as I am more concerned with how a driver looks in the playing position, and from here I think it is excellent.

The new Carbonfly Wrap crown has upped the visual significantly from the G430 Max in my opinion and for some reason, it seems to have a slightly neater footprint although this is likely an optical illusion from the new crown. The somewhat divisive turbulators remain, but I have to say I have become totally desensitized to them over the years and barely notice them nowadays.

Performance-wise, I found the G440 Max to be predictably strong, gobbling up mishits with ease and producing some really nice numbers on my FullSwing KIT launch monitor. To be honest, the only noticeable change in data from G430 Max was in the launch angle category where the G440 produced around a degree more for me. This is to be expected from the CG location change, and Ping is cleverly using this to its advantage by suggesting that players may well be able to drop down in loft a touch from what they are used to, thus producing higher ball speed without compromising height.

I found the feel to have improved a touch also. The G430 range was very good in this regard but did notice a bit of vibration at impact throughout the models, whereas with G440 strike feels a little smoother and stable. The back weight works nicely in terms of dialing in flight and has been executed fairly discreetly from a visual point of view.

One other observation that I had was that, if like me, you are someone whose miss tends to be low on the face, you will likely love the entire G440 range. Similar to the Qi35 range, because the CG has been moved so much lower, there is simply more mass behind strike now and I was seeing much less drop off in ball speed when I caught one a little on the thin side.

No surprises here, Ping has done what it always does, methodically and sensibly made incremental improvements to its technology to make it easier for us to play better golf. It is not my favorite aesthetic of the past few years from the sole, but in the playing position, it is excellent. This will be a very popular model in fitting studios across the world in 2025.

Head weight: 203 grams
Lofts(adjustable +-1.5°):(9°, 10.5°, 12°)
Stock shafts: PING Alta CB (counter-balanced) Blue 55 (SR, R, S), PING Alta Quick 35/45 (HLbuild only)
Optional stock shafts: PING Tour 2.0 Chrome 65 (R, S, X), PING Tour 2.0 Black 65 (S, X), Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Black 65 (S, X), PRJX Denali Red 50 (5.5, 6.0), PRJX Denali Red 60 (5.5,6.0, 6.5), PRJX Denali Red 70 (6.0, 6.5)
Stock grip: Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet in six sizes
RRP: $650 each with stock shaft

The Ping G430 LST was a roaring success on global professional tours in 2024. From scouring tour bags as I do, I would say that it was probably the most-played driver by non-contracted tour professionals in 2024 by some distance. As such the new Ping G440 LST driver has some big shoes to fill! I have been testing it out to see if it can take its place among the best drivers of 2025.

WATCH - Joe Ferguson puts the Ping G440 Max driver up against the TaylorMade Qi35!

From a tech standpoint, the story is mainly centered around CG location. Along with the G440 Max and G440 SFT, Ping has created a range with its lowest-ever CG locations and has done so through multiple discretionary weight-saving advancements higher up on the head.

A combination of a shallower face, lightweight carbon crown, and a technology Ping calls Free Hosel design (they have basically lightened the structure that houses the adapter sleeve), helps save significant weight in an attempt to align the CG closer to what Ping calls the force line for faster ball speed, optimal spin, and higher launch.

Essentially lowering the CG will give you more chance to hit those high-launching, low-spinning flights that we know offer maximum distance. The G440 LST (Low Spin) is a 450cc design that features a 29-gram back weight to offer stability while still trying to appeal to players with faster swing speeds, providing lower spin and more control.

Looks wise, it is a tale of two halves for me. Truth be told, I much preferred the design and colorway of the G430 range. Something about the new blue colorway just doesn’t do it for me, but that is totally subjective and you might very well love it! More importantly though, from the playing position it is as strong as ever. The slightly more compact 450cc head looks tidy behind the ball and the rest of the crown retains a very similar look to the exceptionally popular G430 LST. ‘If it aint broke, don’t fix it’.

I really enjoyed the performance on offer from the G440 LST, despite no real tangible or measurable improvements from the previous model. My standout performance factor was probably just how well it retained ball speed from strikes low on the face, which is maybe a somewhat biased opinion as this is very much my predominant miss. Not only from here did ball speed remain high, but it felt a lot more solid than comparable mishits on G430 LST where I sometimes noted some fairly prominent vibrations.

Aside from that, and a very slight increase in launch, I found the overall performance very similar to the G430 LST, which is by no means a bad thing. Finally, the slight fade bias, which is synonymous with the LST model, remains, which will keep lower handicap players happy in the main.

Overall, I was pleased to see only minor refinements to what was a brilliant previous model, and if you are someone like me who tends to miss low on the face, then this is a must-try.

Head weight: 205 grams
Lofts(adjustable +-1.5°): (9°, 10.5°)
Stock shafts: PING Alta CB (counter-balanced) Blue 55 (SR, R, S), PING Alta Quick 35/45 (HLbuild only)
Optional stock shafts: PING Tour 2.0 Chrome 65 (R, S, X), PING Tour 2.0 Black 65 (S, X),Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Black 65 (S, X), PRJX Denali Red 50 (5.5, 6.0), PRJX Denali Red 60 (5.5, 6.0, 6.5), PRJX Denali Red 70 (6.0, 6.5)
Stock grip: Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet in six sizes
RRP: $650 each with stock shaft

Srixon has been making premium golf equipment for many years now, and it has been gaining more of a following in the driver category of late. The latest driver family, ZXi, will be looking to capitalize on that and sit among the best golf drivers of 2025. In this review, I am looking at the low-spin model of the range, the LS.

In terms of features and tech, Srixon has made a few notable changes to the design from the previous ZX Mk II range. An all-new ‘i-FLEX’ face has been redesigned with what Srixon refers ot as a ‘variable thickness pattern’ for the purpose of creating a more efficient energy transfer at strike and subsequently creating more ball speed as a result. Srixon says that the added strength of this face structure allows the center of the face to be engineered thinner than ever before to boost ball speed.

There are two interchangeable weights at the front and back of the ZXi LS to help you pinpoint your optimum spin number, while Srixon has also introduced some horizontal face milling in order to help the driver perform better in wet conditions.

In terms of the looks, Srixon has clearly worked hard to produce a very sophisticated and premium-feeling driver model here. When looking at the ‘in the bag’ angle, there are lots of welcome changes that make this the best-looking Srixon driver range I have ever seen. In the all-important playing position, Srixon has done a nice job of by adding and taking away in equal measure.

The crown has been given a textured makeover which is much improved as the previous smooth matte finish showed up every little smudge and drop of moisture, while the outlining graphics have been removed to give a much cleaner look. You would be hard-pressed to find anyone offended by the look of this head.

The performance is also strong. Having tested the ZXi LS on and off the course with my FullSwing KIT launch monitor, I was genuinely impressed with the improvements on offer. Firstly the sound is much improved. I found the previous ZX5 LS MK II driver very ‘clangy’ and loud at strike but while fully titanium drivers will always produce a touch more volume than carbon, the ZXi LS is more muted and feels excellent.

Ball speed was comparable with pretty much the rest of the 2025 low spin driver market, including the TaylorMade Qi35 LS and Cobra DS-ADAPT LS, and I was achieving a pretty comfortable and playable mid-to-low 2000 spin rate throughout my testing. Nothing too aggressive but low enough to be considered ‘low-spin’. It may not have produced the longest carries of the range, but my total distance output was the longest with this model.

I noted a slight fade bias which is often the case in this category of driver but nothing too extreme, and much like with the standard ZXi model, I enjoyed the predictability and consistency of flight on offer. Surprisingly forgiving for a low spinner, on the whole, the ZXi LS is very playable.

Unfortunately for Srixon, I guess you have to do something fairly remarkable or outrageous to break the hold of the likes of TaylorMade, Callaway, Titleist and Ping et al on the driver market and whilst it is a really good solid performing driver, remarkable or outrageous it is not.

This is a real thinking golfers tool to me - neat, understated, and a brilliantly consistent performer that is a genuine, tangible improvement on the previous model.

The Srixon ZXi LS driver will be available from $549/£549 and in a variety of custom shaft and grip options. The ‘stock’ shaft option will be a Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 6 in R, S and X flex, while the grip will be a Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360.