If you watch any YouTube golf, you will probably already have seen this distinctive shaft in the irons of George Bryan, and maybe even more notably, in the bag of former world number one Jason Day. When you consider that Day used to play what is maybe the godfather of heavy, stiff iron shafts in the Dynamic Gold X7, this sudden switch to graphite certainly raised my eyebrows.

KBS has long established itself in the premium shaft market by utilizing manufacturing processes that prioritize consistent, elite-level performance in traditional steel. However, with the TGI (Tour Graphite Iron) shaft, the brand is branching out. I was incredibly excited to put this shaft through its paces to see if it could finally tempt a long-time steel user over to the dark side.

KBS TGI Tour Graphite Iron Shaft Review: Technology

The TGI distinguishes itself immediately in its core engineering and mission statement. KBS explicitly states that this is its first graphite shaft to play exactly like KBS steel, developed with optimized weight and stiffness profiles to maximize performance. According to the brand, it is designed utilizing the exact same E.I. curve as the renowned KBS Tour Steel shafts, aiming to provide that familiar tour-level trajectory and spin control in a composite package.

Available in both taper tip and parallel tip options, the fitting range is impressively vast. With weight options scaling from a lightweight 60g up to a robust 110g, and flexes ranging from R all the way to X-Stiff+, there is an abundance of options to fit every golfer, from juniors to seasoned Tour professionals.

Before we even get to the swing, I have to mention the aesthetics. Maybe this point shouldn't matter, but it does to so many of us; I absolutely love the look of them! The premium matte black finish paired with the distinctive red TGI banner is brilliantly executed. I genuinely couldn't stop looking at them, and they somehow visually elevated any clubhead I paired them with!

KBS TGI Tour Graphite Iron Shaft Review: Performance

While KBS states that it is actively trying to retain the same playing characteristics of steel, I am not sure I would entirely agree that I saw that in my game. This is no criticism, by the way; on the contrary, I actually found the differences both very obvious and highly beneficial.

For my testing, I utilized the taper tip 110 model. During my rounds, while the elite control and consistency I usually expect from my trusty Dynamic Gold X100 shafts remained completely intact, my peak height popped up a little, giving me a beautifully optimized ball flight. Furthermore, my consistent mishit - which tends to be a slight thin - felt significantly better by the time the composite material had filtered away some of the horrible vibrations I would normally experience.

In terms of in-swing feedback, I would put the TGI on the 'boardier' end of the spectrum of the graphite irons I have tested. They feel much more akin to the firmer Fujikura Axiom rather than the Mitsubishi MMT, which I found a touch smoother. But for some reason, this firmer sensation perfectly suited the overall performance of the shaft and gave me immense confidence not to have to babysit this shaft through impact.

KBS TGI Tour Graphite Iron Shaft Review: Verdict

If you are a long-term steel shaft user looking for your very first flirtation with graphite irons, then this may well be the perfect place to start - the ultimate gateway shaft, if you will.

At just $71.95 per shaft, the price tag also compares very favorably to many of its premium competitors in this rapidly growing market. By combining stunning aesthetics, vibration-dampening forgiveness, and pinpoint control, the KBS TGI is a stellar performer.

KBS has long been a dominant force in the steel shaft market, but its graphite offerings are increasingly turning heads. Its latest offering, the TG Black driver and fairway wood shaft, has already seen significant tour adoption, most notably finding its way into the hands of former world number one, Jason Day.

For me, as a 115- 120 mph driver speed player, finding a shaft that can handle an aggressive move without feeling excessively harsh or boardy is a constant quest. I was excited to put the TG Black through its paces to see if it could deliver the kind of tight dispersion every golfer dreams of, without sacrificing responsiveness.

How We Test Shafts

All of our shaft testing is conducted using the same TaylorMade Qi35 core head driver set to a precise 9 degrees (measured), with each shaft cut to an exact length of 45.5 inches, fitted with a Golf Pride Tour Velvet 60R grip. Furthermore, all testing shots are struck from a white castle tee to ensure consistent tee height during testing.

The data is collected and recorded using a Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor and TaylorMade TP5x golf balls.

Controlling these potential variables allows me to draw accurate and direct comparisons and form a clear picture of each shaft's performance and feel characteristics.

KBS TG Black Shaft Review: Technology

Looking at the technical specifications, the TG Black distinguishes itself as a product engineered by and for elite players seeking control, stability, and an optimized launch. KBS claims it combines the signature feel of steel with the benefits of premium graphite technology. It utilizes a High Modulus Graphite construction designed for consistent energy transfer and tight dispersion, alongside a firm tip section to promote control and accuracy at high speeds.

What is particularly unusual, and a real testament to KBS catering to faster swingers, is the flex options available. Alongside conventional R, S, and X flexes across weights from 40g up to 80g, the TG Black is also available in not only a TX (Tour X) but also a TXX!

For my testing, I opted for the TX and was eager to see how the low launch, low spin profile would translate into real-world performance.

KBS TG Black Shaft Review: Performance

While the overall design is one geared towards stability and that 'low launch/spin' window (a concept in itself I am less and less convinced by), the actual feel is incredibly smooth. I feel as though this is a shaft that ‘stays with me’ extremely well. There is no excessive loading during the transition, but simultaneously, there is no real feeling that you need to try too hard to get anything out of it.

I often feel like a good shaft is a bit like a referee in a sports game - the less you notice them, the better they tend to be doing their job, and I think that is the highest compliment I can give the TG Black. It is kind of stealthy in terms of its ability to remain almost anonymous throughout the golf swing, but for me, it just seems to have a very nice habit of returning to the ball at just the right millisecond to find a centered strike.

I thoroughly enjoyed the consistency and feel on offer.

Interestingly, personally I found it to be an incredibly effective fairway wood shaft, maybe even more so than in driver in my hands for whatever reason. I was lucky enough to get a couple of the 70 TX shafts for testing, which I put in two different manufacturer adapters and have to say it performed equally superbly in both. It is strong without being a poker, and delivers a lovely sensation through strike. I was so impressed, in fact, that I am more than likely going to be making a switch in this area of the bag based on this testing.

KBS TG Black Shaft Review: Verdict

The KBS TG Black is a standout offering that merges power, feel, and stability beautifully. Another plus point for many will undoubtedly be the price tag. For a tour-validated premium golf shaft, $200 is a comparatively reasonable ask when you consider that the - albeit fantastic - Ventus range from Fujikura will set you back more like $350. If you prioritize stability but refuse to sacrifice a smooth feel, the TG Black should be very high on your testing list.

Now this… this is a product I would have died for roughly five years ago. A launch monitor that doesn’t cost over $300, rejoice!

The GolfBuddy Shot Mate has a simple selling point - it wants to be the best value golf launch monitor on the market, delivering accurate data at an affordable price. The best golf launch monitors can cost thousands, so how does this $230/£150 device stack up to some of the big hitters on the market? I tested it over multiple range sessions and compared it to some of the leading competition to find out.

Beginning with first impressions, nothing should surprise you with the Shot Mate. The body of the monitor is made of plastic and doesn’t feel overly premium, but that is fine; we aren’t shopping near the top end of the price scale. I must add it doesn’t feel like a cheap plastic, rather something that isn’t 'top end'.

In terms of both look and feel, this thing looks great. The red and black color scheme is neat and the kickstand on the back is a welcome design feature. Much like the best portable launch monitors, the Shot Mate takes up very little room in your bag and can be easily transported about due to the lack of weight.

As you can imagine given the price, the screen layout isn’t fancy, but it is dead simple and easy to use. With no app to connect to, you can simply set it down and begin swinging, albeit it must be placed in a slightly raised position a couple of meters behind where you are hitting.

The radar-based system delivers four key metrics; club speed, ball speed, smash factor and total carry/total distance. Clubhead speed here is the key metric for me, meaning this is the perfect companion if you fancy starting some speed training and need something to measure your progress.

A fair amount of manual input is needed for a full range session, but that is fine considering how easy it is to use. You’ll have to manually select each club you are hitting, which is done with a few simple button clicks. There is also a backlight to the screen which can swiftly be turned on and off depending on where you are practising, whilst you can also toggle between MPH and KMH depending on your preferences.

Numbers are calculated by combining spin and launch angle, which can lead to a few wonky numbers from time to time, but you have to expect this from a more affordable device.

During my testing, it tended to be the longer clubs in which some numbers seemed inaccurate. Particularly with the driver and my fairway metals, I had the odd shot (maybe one in ten) where I could tell the number I was fed did not meet reality.

I directly compared the Shot Mate to the Garmin Approach G82, a device over three times the price, to see if it could keep up - and it largely did.

The shorter the club, the greater the accuracy, but the aforementioned longer clubs led to more discrepancies compared to the Garmin. Most yardages were within a yard or two of the Garmin, which was pleasing to see, but the gap widened with the longer clubs.

Nevertheless, this is still an incredibly impressive device that can be used by players of all abilities - it is without doubt one of the best cheap launch monitors you can buy. Single-digit players who have a greater understanding of their distance might want to opt for something more feature-packed, but for the mid-to-high handicappers, regular use of this launch monitor can help shave multiple shots off your handicap.

Having a better idea of how far you hit each club is invaluable to shooting a good score, and buying a device that will help you achieve this has never been more affordable.

This is also the perfect companion for those undertaking speed training - the equipment for such training is already expensive before buying a unit to help to track your speeds. If I were to start and was in need of a device for speed training, this is what I would buy.

So, to conclude, this is a great little launch monitor. Cheap, largely accurate, well-made, easy to use and even easier to transport around. It can be used indoors and outdoors, and you can bring it onto the course with you if you'd like. Apart from the odd outlier number (to be expected at this price point), particularly at the top end of the bag, I find it very hard to find fault with the GolfBuddy Shot Mate.

As someone who tests a lot of golf technology and regularly uses launch monitors during practice, I’m always on the lookout for products that enhance by experience at an affordable price.

When the original Square Golf launch monitor arrived on the scene, it turned heads with its affordability, but it was limited to indoor use and lacked some premium data metrics. The Omni launch monitor has been designed addressing those shortcomings in mind.

Coming to market at just £1,599.99, this second-generation unit promises tour-level accuracy thanks to a quad-camera infrared tracking system, as well as seamless indoor-and-outdoor versatility, ideal for those wanting an at-home simulator experience while still wanting real-time feedback when at the driving range.

I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it to see if it truly is the best value launch monitor on the market.

Out of the box, the Omni comes with a folding tripod stand, a removable lithium-ion battery that lasts for around six hours at a time, a short alignment stick for calibration, and the reflective stickers you need for your clubface and shafts in order to track club data.

The technology packed into this relatively compact launch monitor surprised me. It means you don't need specially-marked balls to get accurate data indoors, or worry about having enough room behind the ball that many radar-based launch monitors require.

It captures pretty much all of the key metrics you would need, including ball speed, launch angle, spin rate, spin axis, carry distance, clubhead speed, smash factor, face angle and attack angle.

I tested the Omni extensively, splitting my time between my indoor simulator setup and outdoors at the driving range. I compared the ball flight data against my Foresight Sports GC3 Launch Monitor, which I use for all of my testing, and indoors, the numbers were nearly identical.

I had absolutely no issues with questionable reads or shots not getting picked up, however, outdoors it did struggle a little. It may have been direct sunlight affecting the cameras, but I saw significant discrepancies in the data, and at times with the long irons, the device produced numbers up to 20 yards short of the distance I would usually see that ball travel.

One of the headline features of the Omni is its built-in LCD screen, which displays six core ball metrics immediately after impact. In theory, this should allow for practice sessions without having to sync up the monitor to your phone or tablet, however, in practice, I ran into a bit of a physical hurdle.

If not using a tablet or phone, I found the screen on the monitor too low, and it was annoying having to crouch down to read the data after every single swing. It’s a minor gripe, but something to keep in mind if you prefer to practice entirely device-free or even have trouble constantly bending down.

Another thing that bugged me, and was more apparent when leaving the studio where I did my indoor testing, was the fact that there was no travel case included. Therefore, unless you were transporting the device in the box - which would be inconvenient - then you would simply have to carry the device by hand or put it in your golf bag, where it would be at risk of damage.

The Omni launch monitor comes with 1,000 free credits for Square Golf’s app. It is free to download and is split into distinct practice areas - a traditional Driving Range (complete with day and night environments), a Data Mode for when you're purely using the monitor to work on your yardages or specific launch conditions, as well as closest-to-the-pin challenges.

There's also a highly customizable Putting Practice setup, which allows you to practice putting and simulate greens quicker than you are putting on, using the screen on your tablet or mobile. Most impressively, the Game Mode lets you tee it up on 22 different virtual 3D courses with up to four players - in my opinion, the best feature if you can set this up at home.

The software is functional but definitely the weakest part of the overall package, but fear not, as the launch monitor can be integrated with third-party apps like GSPro, E6 Connect, and Awesome Golf, which are far more advanced and user-friendly.

Overall, my time spent with the Square Golf Omni left me impressed, yet wishing a little more thought had gone into the practicalities. At £1,599, you certainly can’t argue with the affordability compared to some of its premium competitors. However, I would likely only recommend this launch monitor to those who will solely use it indoors.

Getting older comes with plenty of aches, but for a golfer, the absolute worst pain is watching your tee shots get shorter. Creeping into my late 40s, I realized I was suddenly hitting more club into par-3s and failing to clear hazards that used to be a non-issue.

I had almost accepted my fate and resolved to work on my short game — until a medal round at Banchory Golf Club changed everything. Playing with a +4 handicapper friend, I watched him drive the 366-yard 5th hole on the flat. He had gained a staggering 25 yards off the tee since our last game, averaging over 170mph ball speed. His secret? The Stack System.

Famously used by Matt Fitzpatrick to find the extra gear needed to win a Major, it is a speed training system built on dynamic data. Frustrated by feeling like a feeble old man out there, I went straight home and ordered one. To be clear: I paid for this equipment out of my own pocket. While options like Rypstick or SuperSpeed exist, I opted for The Stack purely because I saw proof of its success firsthand.

What is The Stack System? At its core, The Stack consists of a single club shaft equipped with a sensor and an assortment of interchangeable, threaded metal weights (up to 300g). However, the hardware isn't the real story here; the true superpower is the associated app and training program that comes with it.

Included in the box is a specialized speed radar that pairs seamlessly with your mobile device to track and chart your progress. The app functions as a highly intelligent personal trainer. My testing ground was my back garden, setting the speed radar and phone on an old bucket on the lawn.

A quick tip would be to put your golf shoes and a glove on before starting. You are swinging at maximum intensity, and you need real grip to prevent slipping. Every single session kicks off with a mandatory 16-minute warm-up. It involves challenging stretching that is absolutely crucial to the process.

Once loose, the app guides you through various weight configurations. Giving these swings max intensity forces your brain to realize your body can move faster, engraining that speed into your nervous system.

I am only seven sessions into the program, but the data and real-world results have blown me away. After two weeks (7 sessions) my potential driver speed has increased to 104mph and my potential distance with driver has gone up from 256 yards to 280 yards… That is potential of course and, you have to take into account that, as with anything, you get more proficient at swinging the Stack itself as you do more sessions.

But - I played a match on Tuesday night, and I have no doubt I was hitting the ball a good 10 yards further from the tee. My playing partner commented on it. I’ve also picked up 2 to 3 yards of carry with my 7-iron.

The regular stretching allows my upper body to rotate much more freely. To move the heavier weight configurations effectively, you cannot simply thrash at it with your arms. It forces you to engage your core, back, and legs.

It may still be the honeymoon period, but I am entirely convinced. Instead of dropping hundreds on a new driver for a heavily marketed "one or two yards" of factory technology, investing in physically training your body to move faster is the smarter play. I’ll report back later in the year to see if these gains hold over the long term, but for now, the clock on my aging game has officially been turned back.

Trident Align is the world's first fully adjustable ball marker and has been deemed legal for tournament play by USGA and R&A. Why would you need to adjust the line on your ball marker, I hear you ask?

Well firstly, it allows the golfer to begin fine-tuning the aim of their putt even when the ball is not in place on the ground. The Trident Align has a fairly weighty black base and sitting on top is the adjustable white section, which can slide round to the left or right.

WATCH: We outline why Trident Align was selected for Editor's Choice in 2026

The idea being that you are able to do the lining up you would normally do with the ball standing over your marker while others are putting out, in theory speeding up play. While there are some situations where doing this might put off your playing partners, having the option should the circumstances allow can certainly come in handy and have the potential to speed up play.

The second benefit of the Trident shape is that it ensures the long line is exactly parallel to the ground. For a golfer using a line on their golf ball to putt, the line sitting at 90° is critical. If the line is tilted or rotated in either direction it effects how and where the golfer perceives their aim to be when they stand over the putt.

The square shape that is created between the ball and marker ensures this 90° position is replicated and that you're lined up to exactly where you want to do.

This is a clever design that gives you the confidence that the line is positioned correctly, although it can be difficult to get the ball sit in exactly the position you want it to when putting it back.

Visually, there's a lot going on with the markings on your ball, which could put you off a little on shots taken away from the green. That said, the system is especially helpful on the greens and well worth trying for golfers that struggle with their aim or starting the ball on their intended line.

We also like the extra clubface line, which helps set the face perpendicular to the long alignment line.

The Trident Align costs around £30, which is admittedly quite a lot for a ball marker, but for this you get a 25mm marker coin, the stencil tool, a Sharpie marker pen and a carrying pouch for convenient storage.

It comes in two versions, the standard Trident Align and the metal version which offers even greater stability when adjusting your aim and for those looking to "groove" that feel at home or on the practice putting green, the Trident Align marker is supported by the Transform Mirror and Tri-Roll balls to reinforce your setup.

Like many of you reading this, I am always searching for that elusive feeling of consistency with my golf game, whether that be a full swing or on and around the greens. A major part of that comes down to clubface control, which is almost entirely dictated by something the majority of golfers overlook - your wrist angles.

Last year, I reviewed the HackMotion Sensor 3 and was hugely impressed by how effectively it helped me structure my wrists within the golf swing, and so, when the brand announced the new HackMotion Sensor 4, I was eager to get my hands on it and see what all the fuss was about.

Out of the box, the new device immediately felt and looked far more premium, like some of the best training aids. Where the Sensor 3 utilized a hard plastic body, the new Sensor 4 features a soft rubber housing that feels vastly more premium against the skin and is also around 25% smaller than its predecessor.

One of my sticking points with the older model was that it felt fairly unnatural on your wrist, and while the softer rubber feels nicer to touch, the elasticated band that runs around your palm was a little tight, and there was no adjustment option.

It does fit well under the glove, however, meaning once you overcome the awkward and slightly uncomfortable feeling of the device, you can swing away as you normally would for a range session.

Under the hood, HackMotion has doubled the processing power and RAM, upgraded to Bluetooth 6.0, and replaced the old simple buzzer with a linear haptic motor. This means the app is faster, the connection is flawless, and the vibration feedback you get when your wrists fall out of the optimal range is much sharper and more refined.

The feedback from the sensor to the app on my phone was immediate, showcasing the results of your latest swing within seconds - something I was really impressed with, making it one of the most responsive golf gadgets I've used.

Setting the new device up on the app was just as user-friendly as before, calibrating in a matter of seconds, and had me ready to be analysed just minutes after taking it out of the box.

In my testing, the data told me my wrist angles are fairly solid when it came to a full swing, albeit a little work needs to be done on the angles in my takeaway to stop the clubface from closing down. Because the real-time visual and audio feedback is so immediate (capturing at 800 frames per second), I could physically feel where my lead wrist needed to be during the takeaway to keep the green optimal boxes lit up on my phone screen.

However, when it came to putting, it's a different story. While my putting can get red-hot, it’s often the lack of consistency on the greens that sees my scores fluctuate.

I tested the Pro software tier, which unlocks HackMotion's putting analysis. The sensor was telling me I lose my angles in my wrists, flicking the putter head through the ball at impact. It was a lightbulb moment for me, breaking down my wrists is exactly what leads to my inconsistent pace and start line control when under pressure on the greens.

Having that data laid clearly in front of me, alongside interactive drills to help quiet my hands during the stroke, was amazing to see and has certainly given me more motivation to practice ahead of my season really kicking off.

It's worth noting the pricing structure if you're looking to invest in this virtual coach. The base Core package ($345) gives you everything you need for the full swing. The Plus package ($490) adds the brilliant putting features I mentioned above, while the Pro package ($985) unlocks Tour player comparisons, advanced metrics, and multiple profiles for coaches.

Overall, the HackMotion Sensor 4 is a really useful tool that can give you great insight into what you need to work on in your game. Even if you only use it to check in and monitor things a few times a month, the ability to instantly diagnose a destructive flick or a cupped wrist makes it a brilliant addition to your practice sessions, all while giving you drills and things to work on to keep your practice as purposeful as possible.

Fujikura’s Ventus franchise has dominated the professional tours since its inception, but the introduction of the TR line took stability to a new level. Now, with the integration of VeloCore+ technology into the Ventus TR Black, Fujikura has created what might be the most stable, low-launching profile in the history of the company.

How We Test Shafts

All of our shaft testing is conducted using the same TaylorMade Qi35 core head driver set to a precise 9 degrees (measured), with each shaft cut to an exact length of 45.5 inches, fitted with a Golf Pride Tour Velvet 60R grip. Furthermore, all testing shots are struck from a white castle tee to ensure consistent tee height during testing.

The data is collected and recorded using a Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor and TaylorMade TP5x golf balls.

Controlling these potential variables allows me to draw accurate and direct comparisons and form a clear picture of each shaft's performance and feel characteristics.

Technical Specifications

The "TR" designation signifies increased torsional stiffness. Fujikura achieved this by incorporating a spread tow carbon fabric in the mid/handle section. However, the real story here is VeloCore+.

Building on the original multi-material bias core, VeloCore+ utilizes a re-engineered suite of premium materials - including ultra-high modulus pitch 70-ton carbon fiber - to further enhance energy transfer. While the original VeloCore was about stability, VeloCore+ is about maximizing energy transfer across the entire face, ensuring that even off-center strikes provide high levels of ball speed retention.

Performance

In testing, the Ventus TR Black VeloCore+ is unapologetic. If you struggle with a hook or high-spinning, ballooning shots, this shaft is definitely a potential antidote with its ultra-stiff tip and handle section.

During data collection sessions, the most immediate feedback I found was the tightening of my start lines. Because the torsional twist is so well-regulated by the VeloCore+ tech, the face, for me at least, stayed significantly squarer for longer, resulting in a nice tight down range spread.

For golfers with strong or aggressive tempo, or those who load the shaft significantly in transition, the result will likely be a piercing, flat trajectory that simply ignores the wind. Surprisingly, despite its overall stiffness, the VeloCore+ update provides a slightly smoother transition at the top of the swing compared to the original TR Black.

Aesthetics and Feel

Fujikura has stuck with the sophisticated, premium aesthetic the new Ventus line is known for. The TR Black features a sleek matte finish that looks incredible in the sun and minimizes glare. The TR branding is subtle but distinguishes it from the standard line.

In terms of feel, "stout" is the operative word. If you are expecting to be molly-coddled, then look elsewhere. However, unlike lower-quality shafts, there is still a distinct sense of the shaft loading and unloading. Educated hands will still feel the technology working to guide the head back to square, providing a powerful ‘thud’ at impact rather than a clicky vibration.

The Fujikura Ventus TR Black with VeloCore+ isn't just an incremental update; it’s a significant refinement of one of the most popular shafts on Tour. It isn't for everyone - slow-to-mid tempo players will likely find it too demanding - but for the high-launch, high-spin player looking for the ‘gold standard' in stability, it is arguably the best-performing shaft on the market today.

The 2026 Fujikura Ventus TR Red might just be the most misunderstood shaft in the lineup.

Fujikura’s original Ventus family has earned a reputation for industry-leading stability, but player feedback suggested a need for a profile that felt slightly ‘stouter’ than the original models. This led to the TR range - designed in some ways as a series of ‘inbetweener’ shafts.

The TR Red is positioned as the softest of the three TR variants, sitting strategically between the original Ventus Red and Ventus Blue to offer a more stable, yet still dynamic, profile.

How We Test Shafts

All of our shaft testing is conducted using the same TaylorMade Qi35 core head driver set to a precise 9 degrees (measured), with each shaft cut to an exact length of 45.5 inches, fitted with a Golf Pride Tour Velvet 60R grip. Furthermore, all testing shots are struck from a white castle tee to ensure consistent tee height during testing.

The data is collected and recorded using a Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor and TaylorMade TP5x golf balls.

Controlling these potential variables allows me to draw accurate and direct comparisons and form a clear picture of each shaft's performance and feel characteristics.

Technical Specifications

The 2026 Ventus TR Red is engineered with a specific approach: an ultra-stiff handle, a stiff mid-section, and a stiff tip. Despite the "stiff" labels, the profile is designed to be a mid-launch, mid-spin option with enhanced torsional stability compared to the original Red.

Evolution is the name of the game with the new VeloCore+ technology. While its predecessor established the gold standard for stability, this re-engineered multi-material core shifts the focus toward total energy efficiency.

By incorporating a sophisticated blend of premium materials - headlined by 70-ton ultra-high modulus pitch carbon fiber - the VeloCore+ architecture optimizes power transfer from the swing to the ball.

The result is a more forgiving output that prioritizes ball speed retention, ensuring that performance remains consistent even on those less-than-perfect, off-center strikes.

Performance

In testing, the TR Red showcased a remarkable balance of smoothness and heft. Even at my clubhead speeds of 117-120 mph, the shaft never felt either out of control or like hard work. The mid-section feels active but remains entirely controlled, allowing the golfer to maintain command of the clubhead even as the shaft flexes.

Because it features the softest tip of the TR family, I found it the easiest to square up at impact. In my hands, it naturally wanted to turn over, making it a potentially significant asset for golfers who battle a fade but who don’t want to swing a noodle.

However, performance is highly dependent on your release, because of the softer tip and torque profile, a proper fitting, as always, is essential to ensure the shaft unloads correctly for your specific swing timing.

Aesthetics and Feel

The first impression during the ‘pre-shot waggle’ is one of a shaft with a pleasant amount of play. Unlike some ultra-stiff boards, you can feel the profile softening moving down from the handle into the mid-section.

On the course, that ‘smooth loading’ sensation is the standout feature. It provides a dynamic, responsive feel that almost everyone will appreciate, yet it retains enough stoutness to feel trustworthy under slightly aggressive transitions.

The Fujikura Ventus 2026 TR Red is a compelling choice for the golfer who demands a smoother feel but requires a stouter overall profile than a traditional "Red" shaft. It is a refined, high-speed-capable tool that proves stability doesn't have to come at the expense of feel.

Many golfers dream of installing a home simulator, but they are often expensive and require a substantial footprint. If you have the budget and the space, however, there are many excellent components to choose from. One key is finding the right launch monitor, and this one truly stands out.

Uneekor’s Eye XR — which is currently bundled with two cameras and AI Trainer software — doesn't just let you play courses and hit range balls; it uses AI to instantly analyze your swing and offer personalized tips. It truly feels like having a keen-eyed coach working with you in real time.

Of course, the unit must be paired with a screen, hitting mat, computer, etc. Because it mounts to the ceiling, you need at least 9 feet 4 inches of height in the hitting bay to accommodate it. It is the first ceiling-mounted unit from this popular brand that is truly wireless and does not require specially marked balls for tracking.

Its patented “Dimple Optix” feature uses infrared sensors to illuminate the dimples on the ball, which are then captured by high-speed cameras to provide data. This means you can use the ball you normally play and still receive precise ball metrics. It also eliminates the need for club stickers. The unit I tested was sleek, thin, and positioned in the ceiling just behind the hitting mat.

This clean, space-efficient setup stays out of the way both physically and visually. There were two high-speed Swing Optix cameras connected wirelessly, one down the line and one face-on, providing nearly immediate replays after every shot at 120 frames per second.

Advanced infrared cameras track the ball and club through impact at high speeds, delivering 19 data points with every swing, including ball speed, back spin, side spin, side angle, launch angle, side total, angle of descent, flight time, spin axis, distance to apex, apex, ball flight type, carry distance, run, total distance, club speed, smash factor, club path, and face angle.

Through proprietary “Club Optix” technology, the Eye XR also displays an exact overhead moment-of-impact photo after every shot, allowing you to see if you struck the ball on the sweet spot, out on the toe, or towards the heel. This is incredibly useful for adjusting your alignment for the next shot and not something many of the best launch monitors. And yes, the system is fully compatible with left-handed golfers, too.

In my case, the AI Trainer helped improve my impact in just three swings. The software is intuitive and explains corrections very clearly. On my very first swing, it detected a slouch in my stance, erratic head dipping on the downswing, and an off-target clubhead path.

After addressing those factors one by one, I boosted my shot distance by 25 yards over the next three swings, while also achieving cleaner contact and a higher trajectory. It takes recordings of your swing, overlays analytical lines on your body, and tracks your movement. It takes roughly 3 to 5 seconds after each shot to display the analysis, which breaks the swing down into eight steps from address to follow-through.

In each category, it provides a slow-motion video and flags each section with either a green checkmark (no issues), an exclamation point (caution), or a red X (fix required). It then identifies the issue using illustrations of your physical movement compared to the correct positioning, accompanied by a detailed description.

The interface is well-thought-out and easy to understand. After one AI Trainer session, my overall swing score improved from 70 to 86. I later took those tips to a real outdoor golf course and was blown away by how much longer I was hitting my irons.

A one-year AI Trainer subscription is included with the purchase of the EYE XR (RRP $6,999). Speaking of, if you’re installing a home setup for the first time, Uneekor can provide the Eye XR as part of a full simulator kit that includes a screen and enclosure. When

The PGA Show in Orlando every January is a pretty reliable barometer as to which products are going to move the needle for the remainder of the year and the buzz around the Shot Scope LM1 was arguably bigger than anything else that week.

This was not surprising. It was being billed as a compact, affordable, easy-to-use launch monitor that produced accurate numbers - all for just £199.99 - something I was very keen to put to the test.

Out of the box, I was surprised how small and lightweight the unit is. It came in at exactly 300 grams on my scales and comes with a tidy, protective zipped carry case that makes it easy to store and transport in your golf bag safely with plenty of room to spare.

You turn it on and access the settings via the buttons on the side of the unit. To start getting data, simply place the unit 4-5 feet behind where you’re hitting from, select your club and you’re away - it really takes no time at all and there’s no calibration or alignment needed.

The LM1 provides the five key metrics of club speed, ball speed, smash factor, carry distance and total distance. The numbers appear quickly on the screen and are easy to read from where you’re hitting from in most light conditions. They also tallied with what I would expect from each club, but I needed to take my testing a step or two further to validate such claims.

Out of pure curiosity’s sake, I tested the LM1 against a Foresight Sports GCQuad launch monitor (RRP £16,788) - a laughable comparison, some might say, given the disparity between the prices of the two units, but I thought it would be interesting to see how the LM1 stacked up against arguably the gold standard of launch monitor technology.

Admittedly these two launch monitors get their data very differently (the GCQuad is camera based while the LM1 is radar based) but it meant I was able to gather data on the same shot with both units concurrently. As you’ll see below, the data was very comparable on the metrics both products offer.

I then took things to a whole new level and asked a friend to go down the range and watch (from a safe space) me hit three 9-irons. He then went and stood where they landed and I zapped them with my Shot Scope Pro L5 rangefinder. I then compared this number with the carry distance numbers on the GCQuad and the LM1.

The GCQuad was closer each time but the LM1 was never more than 3-4 yards out. This backed up what I saw from my initial comparison in that the shorter the shot, the closer the numbers were, but even with driver they were in the same ball park.

I did also try the LM1 indoors against a GC3 launch monitor and there was certainly more variance in the numbers. The LM1 struggled with shots that had a lot of curve to them, which may limit the appeal to high handicappers who have a home set up. It worked better on straighter, more ‘normal’ shots, but not as well as it did outdoors.

Another useful feature of the LM1 is that you can sync the session to the Shot Scope app on your phone to review at your convenience. On the whole this worked well, with the data presented in a clear, digestible format although some extra rogue shots did appear for me under driver, which skewed my averages, and frustratingly you're not able to delete them (I'm told I will be able too soon).

I also think a lot of golfers will glean added value from the Speed Training feature. The LM1 will detect either a club or a Speed Stick like I had and give you your clubhead speed, which is useful if you’re trying to make strides on this area of your game. It sometimes measured my backswing rather than my downswing and while there were a couple of questionable readings over the two sessions I used it for - generally this worked very well.

I was skeptical as to how viable a portable launch monitor coming in at this price could be but I was very pleasantly surprised. It doesn’t work as well indoors as it does outdoors and it’s not supremely accurate all the time but the tolerances are reassuringly tight.

The fact the numbers were comparable with GCQuad, one of the best golf launch monitors on the market, and it comes in at a mere 1.19% of the cost demonstrates the value for money for golfers seeking basic feedback on their speed and distances they can trust.

Whether it’s for gapping, club comparisons or building on-course strategies, the LM1 is an impressive addition to Shot Scope’s growing range of useful tech designed with the golfer in mind.

For years, the industry narrative has been simple: if you swing fast, you need a heavy, boardy, extra-stiff shaft. Then came AutoFlex.

Developed by Dumina Co. in Korea, this "hidden" technology challenged everything we thought we knew about lead-arm physics and shaft frequency.

While the original pink-and-black shaft became a viral sensation, the brand has expanded its stable to include the AutoPower series - KHT, Flex, and Snipe - offering different weights and stability profiles.

I spent several extremely interesting sessions testing these four options to see how they compared to my usual gamer, the Fujikura Ventus Black.

How We Test Shafts

All of our shaft testing is conducted using the same TaylorMade Qi35 core head set to a precise 9 degrees (measured), with each shaft cut to an exact length of 45.5 inches, fitted with a Golf Pride Tour Velvet 60R grip. Furthermore, all testing shots are struck from a white castle tee to ensure consistent tee height during testing.

The data is collected and recorded using a Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor and TaylorMade TP5x golf balls.

Controlling these potential variables allows me to draw accurate and direct comparisons and form a clear picture of each shaft's performance and feel characteristics.

AutoFlex Original

Specs Tested: SF505xx (57g, 220cpm)

The original AutoFlex is the shaft that started the conversation. For this test, I used the SF505xx. At 57 grams and an incredibly low 220cpm (cycles per minute), it sits in a frequency range usually reserved for senior or ladies' flexes - yet allegedly is designed to handle high swing speeds.

The Feel: Switching from a stout Ventus Black to something more akin to a fishing rod was certainly a strange departure. However, once the initial "shock" wore off, the sensation was incredibly smooth. Unlike many shafts that feel "hingy" in the tip or soft in the handle, the AutoFlex felt remarkably balanced to me. Whereas many ‘softer’ options can produce obviously softer sections, the flex felt refreshingly uniform throughout the entire profile.

Performance: Initially, with the hugely different sensation and noticeable loading, my timing was off, and I couldn't stop over-drawing the ball. However, once I adjusted my rhythm, my strike, and the dispersion tightened significantly. Regarding the "miracle" speed gains, I certainly didn't experience the 5-10mph clubhead speed boost some claim; instead, I found a consistent 1 to 1.5mph ball speed increase. It’s a subtle gain, but the ease of swing was the real story here. I would be lying if I said dispersion was optimal, but it was definitely significantly tighter than maybe I had anticipated.

Choose this shaft if…
You want to maximize "ease of swing" and reduce the physical effort required to generate clubhead speed.

Avoid this shaft if…
You have a very aggressive, quick transition.

AutoPower KHT

Specs Tested: 607+ (66g, 275cpm)

If the original AutoFlex feels like a leap of faith, the AutoPower KHT is the "gateway drug" for those afraid to jump two-footed (and two-walleted!) into the ultra-soft story.

The Feel: The 607+ model felt like a bridge between the radical AutoFlex tech and a more conventional X-flex offering from the likes of Fujikura or Mitsubishi. There is a noticeable bit of "give" in the handle section, but you get more traditional feedback up the shaft than the original AutoFlex.

Performance: This is for the golfer who wants the AutoFlex "kick" but finds the original a bit too disconnected. It provides a sense of control that aggressive swingers will find comforting while still benefiting from the brand's proprietary KHT (Korea High Technology) construction.

Choose this shaft if…
You want to experience Korean "hidden" technology but still want the feedback of a traditional X-flex.

Avoid this shaft if…
You are looking for the radical, ultra-soft "magic carpet" feel of the original AutoFlex.

AutoPower Flex

Specs Tested: 7 Flex (71g, 285cpm)

The AutoPower Flex may well have been my favorite of all four profiles tested within the AutoFlex family. Moving into a heavier 71g weight class, this shaft felt perfectly calibrated for my action.

The Feel: It is exceptionally smooth through the backswing and transition, but features what felt like a pretty stout tip section. One of its standout qualities was impact absorption; it felt incredibly gentle on the hands to me, even on off-center strikes.

Performance: For me at least, this was the easiest of the four to "time up." It felt stable enough to support high-end speed without ever feeling like "hard work." For the player who wants stability without the harsh, boardy feel of traditional heavy X-flex shafts, this is a genuine standout.

Choose this shaft if…
You prefer the stability and "heavier" feel of a 70g+ shaft but hate the "boardy" sensation of most Tour-X profiles.

Avoid this shaft if…
You like a lot of "kick" or active loading through the hitting zone.

AutoPower Snipe

Specs Tested: 707 (71g, 295cpm)

The AutoPower Snipe is the heavyweight contender of this particular group. At 295cpm, it is the stiffest on paper and the closest in DNA to a "tour-spec" profile.

The Feel: This felt most similar to my current Fujikura Ventus Black, offering a much more traditional or conventional profile. While AutoFlex doesn't officially provide torque readings, my hands told me the Snipe is very low on torque. It feels rigid, stable, and built for speed.

Performance: I launched this lower than the other three shafts, a testament to its rigid profile and lower spin characteristics. It was a solid, predictable performer. If you are a high-speed player who loves the feeling of a shaft that stays with you no matter how hard you "lash" at it, the Snipe is the choice.

Choose this shaft if…
You have an aggressive tempo from the top, or you need to lower your launch and spin rates while maintaining maximum stability.

Avoid this shaft if…
You have a moderate to smooth tempo and struggle to launch the ball, or you are looking for the signature "soft and whippy" performance that made the brand famous.

You may think that golf nets are a thing of the past. A reminder of the COVID era, when courses were shut and us golfers were forced to create home set-ups to get our fix of the sport.

However, that's not the case and, with many golf courses closing during the winter period due to the weather, they are still handy to have, especially as the best golf nets can keep your swing fine-tuned for the spring.

I've had golf nets previously, and I was tasked with testing the Practice Net from TS Golf, a popular model on Amazon.

To begin with, you have three options when you purchase - Net only (£79.99), the Net bundle £119.99 and Net bundle with chipping net (£139.99) - I was given the latter, and I was pleased to see you get a fair amount for your money, including the golf net and chipping net, as well as a nice towel, a golf mat, golf balls, tees and a handy carry bag to store it all in.

So far, so good, but now comes the first negative, which is the set-up process. Constructed from nylon, polyester mesh with fiberglass rods, the rods themselves don't connect together overly well and separate quite easily when sliding into the various sections.

It does come with instructions, but they aren't the clearest, and because there's a lot of netting material, it can take a considerable amount of time to work out exactly where the fiberglass rods need to be inserted.

Eventually, the net was built and, overall, it looked sturdy. Measuring 10 x 7 x 6 feet, it is a nice size and can be used both inside and out (if you've got the space). What's more, because of its wide and deep construction, it is easy to hit any type of shot into it.

Being held down by pegs in the corners, TS Golf has also provided a back board that features three holes for chipping. This back board also provides an extra layer of protection when it comes to striking full shots. Although it is another added layer, it is quite loud when the ball makes impact, but I'm happy to report both the double and single layers held up well.

Speaking of performance, the net works well on irons shots, as the ball drops down and doesn't bounce back. Certainly, the nylon and backboard felt sturdy enough to hit fully committed shots, but I was a little hesitant with the driver and fairway woods.

Admittedly, I have a quick swing, so it might not be as much of an issue for those with slower swing speeds but, over time, I feel it might start to wear with the repeated, quick blows.

It's a decent performer, and what I like is that a smart and practical hitting mat is provided in the bundle. There are three sections on it, one of which is like a standard fairway consistency. There's also a rough section and a handy training section.

The training section works by showing you the club path and strike pattern when you hit the ball. When impact is made, the sequin surface flips to showcase how the club has interacted with the surface, leaving a trail that provides instant feedback, which is really useful to identify any problems with path or low point.

Overall, the TS Golf Practice Net does many things well, but a fiddly construction process lets it down somewhat. That said, once erected this is a non-issue if you plan to leave it in situ and it has proved to be a helpful companion in working on my game in the off season.

The three chipping holes really hone your focus and provide a scoring element that allows you to measure the success of your practice, while the three different hitting surfaces add a large amount of versatility to what's on offer here for a very appealing price.

Fujikura’s Ventus line has become a juggernaut in the golf industry. In 2025, it achieved a historic milestone by being the driver and wood shaft of choice for all four Major Championship winners. Now, with its latest release, Fujikura is looking to build on that success with the next generation of its acclaimed TR line: the Fujikura Ventus TR Blue with VeloCore+ technology.

I’ve been testing the latest iteration to see if the addition of VeloCore+ and new material technologies can actually improve upon a profile that many already considered the gold standard for the sought-after combination of stability and feel.

How We Test Shafts

All of our shaft testing is conducted using the same TaylorMade Qi35 core head driver set to a precise 9 degrees (measured), with each shaft cut to an exact length of 45.5 inches, fitted with a Golf Pride Tour Velvet 60R grip. Furthermore, all testing shots are struck from a white castle tee to ensure consistent tee height during testing.

The data is collected and recorded using a Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor and TaylorMade TP5x golf balls.

Controlling these potential variables allows me to draw accurate and direct comparisons and form a clear picture of each shaft's performance and feel characteristics.

Fujikura 2026 Ventus TR Blue Shaft Review: Technology

The core of the new TR Blue is VeloCore+ Technology. This isn't just a marketing buzzword; it’s a construction update that pairs Fujikura’s cutting-edge spread tow fabric with an evolved material suite to maximize energy transfer.

Using its Enso 3D motion capture technology, Fujikura found that this combination allowed for even greater stability, especially for players who tend to pull or load the shaft aggressively.

Visually, the TR Blue maintains the premium, understated aesthetic that has become synonymous with the Ventus name, with understated graphics and just a pop of colour with the ‘TR’ branding executed in a subdued gold.

If I were being super critical, I’m personally not totally in love with the black blending into blue colour scheme; to me, there is something of a clash there. However, many of the people I have shown this shaft to already really liked this combination, so what do I know!

Fujikura 2026 Ventus TR Blue Shaft Review: Performance

While the original TR Blue was a favorite of top-tier players like Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood, don't let the high-end player association put you off. With weight profiles ranging from 50g to 90g and flexes from Regular to Extra-Stiff, there is a profile here for almost any swing speed.

In terms of feel, Fujikura has not reinvented the wheel here - and thankfully so.

The TR Blue has always been the answer for the player who found the standard Blue a little too active but the Black too boardy. As before, you can still think of it as a slightly stouter version of the standard Blue profile, dissecting that Blue and Black area of the matrix.

The new TR Blue offers an extremely stiff tip section with very little torque, but that ultra-stiff tip sits adjacent to a slightly softer (albeit still stiff) mid and butt section. This creates a relatively smooth-feeling profile that delivers far more stability than its feel would suggest.

Testing on my Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor, the stability was immediately apparent. As someone with a slightly "flippy" release, my miss pattern with this shaft was consistently just right of the target.

I didn't mind this at all, as it took the "big left" out of play for me - something a lot of quicker players will potentially enjoy. However, if you are a persistent right-misser who struggles to square the face, you may find the tip section a little too stubborn.

Centeredness of contact was a standout metric too; even on poor feeling swings, somehow the shaft felt like it knew exactly where the clubface was, and this feedback relationship really worked for me personally.

Fujikura 2026 Ventus TR Blue Shaft Review: Verdict

Fujikura has wisely chosen to evolve rather than replace. The original Ventus TR Blue was a powerhouse in fitting bays worldwide, and this latest iteration picks up exactly where the original left off. It is stable, predictable, and now, just a little bit smoother.

The Fujikura 2026 Ventus TR Blue is available now, and has an MSRP of $350.

Choose this shaft if:
You have a relatively brisk change of direction at the top, but you don't want to manage that load with a harsh or boardy-feeling profile.

Avoid this shaft if:
You are a smoother tempo player who struggles with a fade or slice and are looking for a shaft to help you square the clubface at impact.

Winter is a great time to practice the fundamentals of putting. It's when I recalibrate with putter in hand, honing in on my setup, alignment and stroke ahead of a busy year on the golf course. I don't like to overcomplicate putting - the last thing I want standing over a six-foot putt for par is my brain moving at 100mph, so I tend to keep things simple. Pleasingly, this new training aid helps me do that.

Say hello PuttAIM. To summarize, it's a mounted laser, and that's about it. It doesn't sound too exciting, but it can prove as useful to your game as any of the best training aids.

The first impressions out of the box are very positive. The carry case is high quality and that extends to the rest of the product. Nestled inside the case are all the components of the laser and the accompanying stand which took only two minutes to successfully set up.

The laser sits atop a sturdy stand that also gives users a cup-sized aiming target. I must mention that like many of the best putting mats, my go-to mat already has alignment aids on it and thus it means the laser is less useful than if I was putting on a plain mat or surface, but that doesn't mean I didn't benefit from using it. You're met with a strong green laser that's very easy to see and gives you a nice visual aid that you want your ball rolling end over end on.

I mainly focused on practicing short putts with the laser - I hit four-footer after four-footer, focusing on hitting straight putts out of the center of the putter face and keeping the ball on the green line for as long as possible. A great feature as part of this package are the putting drills available online by scanning the QR code included in the carry case. Not only will these show you how to use the laser correctly, but they can give you further ideas for drills to work on.

As part of my testing, I brought in my assistant reviewer (my mother) to give it a go. As a 13 handicapper who struggles with short putts, she found the laser a great aiming assist to help hit purer putts from short distance. I feel of all the things this aid will help you with, confidence with short putts is top of the list.

Whether you're putting on a specific putting mat or simply the carpet in your living room, you can get some quick, easy putter practice in with this laser. You can aim to hit the ball into the regulation-size cup underneath the laser itself, but if you already have a putting map with a hole you can put the laser behind the ball to focus on bringing your putter back in-line on your back stroke.

The laser is best used inside, particularly in darker, shaded areas, but I did get some use out of it on the main practice putting green at Royal County Down, albeit on a gloomy December day - I think on brighter, sunnier days it would struggle, but this is the case with all laser-based products, like the SkyTrak launch monitor.

It's a fairly inexpensive device, coming in around £129.99/$149.99, and I can see myself using a lot going forward given the simplicity of both setup and when physically using it. It's certainly worth a try if you struggle with aim or starting putts on your intended line.

In the crowded market of golf training aids, where products often promise revolutionary results but can deliver somewhat underwhelming results, I was keen to see if the TRS Slider stands out.

Developed by European Tour winner Robert Rock, this aid is aimed at correcting one of the most common and destructive faults in the amateur swing: a flying right elbow and a disconnected right arm. I put the TRS Slider through its paces to see if this simple, ingenious device could provide a genuine solution without compromising freedom of movement.

The TRS Slider addresses the common fault of separation between the arms and body, a disconnection that leads to a loss of power, inconsistent contact, and an 'over-the-top' swing path. Its unique approach to solving this problem is what immediately caught my attention.

The beauty of the TRS Slider lies in its simplicity and subtle genius. It consists of a durable seat belt-style strap that connects the golfer’s torso to the trail elbow.

While there are a number of devices on the market that promise to achieve a similar thing, the USP here is the slider component that sits on the strap. This slider allows an appropriate range of motion during the takeaway and backswing, whereas many aids attempting the same are simply too restrictive, forcing an artificial, and potentially damaging swing motion. The TRS Slider prevents the trail elbow from flying away from the body without locking it in place.

This concept is rooted in the practical experience of professional golf. Having spoken with the man himself, I know that Robert Rock actually fully prototyped this himself originally using seat belt material and clips that he had sourced from eBay! This homegrown, trial-and-error approach gives the product real authenticity - it’s a solution a professional devised for his own game, not just a gadget dreamed up in a boardroom.

On the range, the impact of the Slider was immediate. It provided instant feedback, letting me feel exactly when my trail elbow strayed too far from my body line in the takeaway, a common cause of steepening the shaft. The feeling is one of connectedness; it teaches the body and arms to work as a unified piece, facilitating a much better structure to the takeaway and backswing.

Unlike rigid aids, the TRS Slider allows the arms to fold naturally at the top, preventing the feeling of being constricted. This focus on allowing appropriate movement, rather than violently stopping it, is what makes the training so effective and transferable to the actual swing. After hitting just a few balls, the feeling of the arms staying "in front" of the chest becomes ingrained.

The TRS Slider is not just another novelty; it is a genuinely innovative and unique way to control the right arm function in the swing. For golfers struggling with a flying right elbow, a disconnected takeaway, or inconsistent structure at the top, this device offers instant feedback and a clear path to a more compact, powerful, and repeatable motion.

The world of home golf simulators has exploded in recent years, with more golfers than ever looking to convert garages, spare rooms, and garden studios into personal practice grounds. However, the barrier to entry has often been the complexity of the build - wrestling with steel pipes, ill-fitting canvases, and confusing diagrams. SimSpace aims to change that narrative with its latest range of simulator enclosures.

I recently tested the SimSpace Sim 4 enclosure, and to say it changes the game for DIY installs would be an understatement.

The SimSpace enclosure system is designed around a modular steel pole framework connected by sturdy joints, but the real magic lies in the materials. The enclosure features premium velour siding, which serves a dual purpose: it looks high-end, blocking out ambient light for a better projected image, and it acts as a safety buffer for errant shots.

At the heart of the unit is the ‘Platinum Impact Screen’. This is a 3-layer, fibre-bonded material designed to withstand high ball speeds while minimizing bounce-back and noise. The screen is tensioned using a system of bungee cords and Velcro straps, ensuring a flat surface without the "trampoline effect" that plagues cheaper alternatives.

The range is vast, catering to virtually any space. Sizes range from the compact Sim 1 (2.6m wide) up to the cavernous Sim 6 (4m wide x 3m deep). I tested the Sim 4 option, which measures 4m wide x 2.5m tall and 1.5m deep. This size struck a perfect balance for our testing space, offering a wide immersion area without eating up too much depth in the room.

If you have ever struggled with flat-pack furniture, you will appreciate the engineering here. The speed and simplicity of the construction process are exceptional. Where other enclosures feel like a construction project, this felt more like a simple assembly task.

The instructions provided are as simple and easy to follow as it gets. The poles are clearly identified, and the connectors snap into place with a reassuring solidity. All of the fabric pieces - including the screen, the velour sides, and the roof piece - were cut with laser-like precision.

This was perhaps the most surprising element; often, you expect to have to stretch, strain, or even settle for a bit of sag. With the SimSpace enclosure, everything aligned perfectly, leaving no slack and requiring zero wrestling to fit.

Once built, the user experience was fantastic. The first thing I noticed when hitting shots was the acoustic profile. The screen provided is of outstanding quality and is far quieter than many others I have tried. There is a dull thud rather than a loud crash, which is a massive bonus if you are installing this in a house with family members in adjacent rooms.

The SimSpace enclosure would match perfectly with any of the best portable launch monitors on the market, and we did our testing with the Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor.

Visually, the screen provided a superb canvas for very clear projection. The image looked crisp, with excellent contrast against the black velour surrounds. The "Platinum" surface is smooth enough to show 4K graphics without the graininess you sometimes get on heavy-duty impact nets, but crucially without compromising any feeling of safety or sturdiness.

The SimSpace Golf Simulator enclosure is a triumph of user-friendly design. By dramatically reducing the headache of installation and providing materials that feel genuinely premium, they have created a product that feels less like a DIY kit and more like a professional studio install. Whether you are working with a tight corner or a double garage, the fact that the enclosure comes in numerous sizes means you are very likely to find exactly what you need.

If you are on the fence about building a simulator because of the hassle, the SimSpace enclosure is the solution you have been waiting for.

Mitsubishi's Tensei line of shafts has been a dominant force in golf since the CK series was released, and the new 1K family continues this tradition by integrating exotic materials and sophisticated engineering. The "1K" designation refers to the 1K Carbon Fiber - a super-premium material three times thinner than Carbon Kevlar - used to create a tighter, more consistent weave that produces what Mitsubishi claims is an exceptional "1K feel."

I wanted to put the full range to the test to see if they deserve their spot in the best driver shafts conversation, and which one or ones might suit your game…

How We Test Shafts

All of our shaft testing is conducted using the same TaylorMade Qi35 core driver head set to a precise 9 degrees (measured), with each shaft cut to an exact length of 45.5 inches, fitted with a Golf Pride Tour Velvet 60R grip. Furthermore, all testing shots are struck from a white castle tee to ensure consistent tee height during testing.

The data is collected and recorded using a Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor and the same TaylorMade TP5x golf balls.

Controlling these potential variables allows me to draw accurate and direct comparisons and form a clear picture of each shaft's performance and feel characteristics.

Mitsubishi Tensei Shafts: Technology

The key technology of the Tensei 1K Pro and 1K lines in held in their recipe of materials:

1K Carbon Fiber: Used in the handle section of the Pro models, this super-premium material reduces ovalization under load for increased stability and consistent center-face contact.

Xlink Tech Resin System: This proprietary system dramatically increases the carbon fiber volume in the shaft, resulting in a smoother, more responsive feel while simultaneously increasing strength and durability.

Color-Coded Performance: Mitsubishi uses a consistent color system to define the launch characteristics across its entire range, making it easier for fitters and players to select their optimal flight profile.

Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange

The Orange profile is unique because it is counterbalanced (more weight at the grip end than normal), achieved by placing tungsten powder in the handle section. It is designed for low launch and low spin, promoting increased clubhead speed.

My testing noted real stability in the handle, feeling solid both at the waggle stage and through the transition. Its counterbalanced nature made the head feel a bit lighter (it actually measured around 2 swing weights lighter than the white profile, interestingly), encouraging me to swing harder and faster without the fear of the head getting left behind.

Players who like a heavy total weight in their clubs may find success here. Because, as I mentioned, the swing weight gets lighter due to the counterbalance, this allows some additional headweight to be added back in and still have the club play at its previous swing weight/balance while adding up to a heavier overall weight.

Players who create a lot of leverage or lag in their golf swing often find success with these counterbalance style shafts, because by moving the balance point further up the shaft, it just becomes a little easier to unload that lag. Players like Sergio Garcia and Matt Fitzpatrick are classic examples of this, with the latter still using the shaft to this day.

Choose this shaft if:
You create a lot of lag in your golf swing, and/or you like a heavy total weight without compromising swing weight

Avoid this shaft if:
You struggle with an early release or ‘casting’ from the top

Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro White

The 1K Pro White is specifically built for the player seeking maximum stability and a piercing, low-spin flight.

Make no mistake about it, this shaft is stout, utilizing MR70 and high-modulus 46-ton material to fortify the tip; there aren’t many firmer tip sections out there.

My experience echoed its reputation: this shaft felt like just about every robust adjective I can think of! Hefty, firm, rigid, strong, and stable are just some of them. If you are looking for a nice, gentle, smooth ride with a shaft, then look elsewhere; this shaft needs full effort to reap the benefits.

More me, it generated a low, controlled ball flight that cut through the wind exceptionally well with spin rates barely exceeding 2000 rpm with much regularity. If you are a high-speed, high-spin player who battles ballooning shots, the 1K Pro White delivers the stiffness and controlled tip section you may have been craving.

I don’t see this shaft as a great fairway wood option for many players, in truth. For most, the lack of assistance with dynamic loft may be a bit of a struggle, but for those who like to cut loose with the driver, they don’t come much more stable than this.

Choose this shaft if:
You have a snappy, aggressive transition and tend to release the club more with your hands than your body.

Avoid this shaft if:
You have a smooth tempo and transition and are looking for a shaft that is easy to load.

Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Blue

The 1K Pro Blue is the versatile, all-around performer of the Pro range, using an enhanced stiffness profile to control the shaft's curvature during the swing. Its profile fits very much in the mid launch and spin profiles that manufacturers often like to categorize their products with.

In my testing, this shaft felt extremely smooth - a hallmark of the Blue profile over the years. I didn’t feel like I needed to work it particularly aggressively from the top to get a response, but equally, it provided ample stability down by the ball, which was very reassuring when I wanted to dial up the speed a little.

It provided excellent energy transfer and stability, feeling powerful without being overly demanding, and the feedback through the hands was apparent without being too much. At the waggle stage, the Tensei 1K Pro Blue actually felt like it might be harder work than it was due to its relatively firm handle section, but as the momentum of the swing kicked in, the softer corresponding mid and tip sections offered a beautiful balance in feel.

The resulting ball flight was a true mid-launch and mid-spin, making it the ideal "do-anything" shaft that will fit the widest range of golfers looking for consistency. Along with the red profile (below), I think this would also be a potentially excellent choice for many players in a fairway wood, as well as the driver.

Choose this shaft if:
Balance in feel and stability is a priority.

Avoid this shaft if:
You like a soft, responsive feel while waggling pre-shot.

Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Red

The 1K Pro Red is touted as the highest-launching profile in the Pro series, engineered to provide easy height without sacrificing stability.

In truth, to me, this shaft felt almost undiscernible from the blue profile, with the only tangible difference being a fractionally softer mid-section, and it delivered predictably similar launch monitor data overall.

The slightly more noticeable "action" in the mid-section certainly promoted high levels of feel and feedback, along with a very comfortable launch. If you are a player who struggles to get the ball up in the air or needs more carry distance, the 1K Pro Red definitely offers the active profile needed to increase launch angle and optimize carry distance.

Interestingly, the torque profile measures pretty much the same throughout the Tensei range in this TX - around the 3.8 mark, but for some reason, the red profile felt just a touch easier to square up at impact than the white, for example, which promoted a little more of a draw-bias ball flight for me.

Choose this shaft if:
You are looking for the biggest advantage in launch in the Tensei Pro 1K range.

Avoid this shaft if:
You are looking for ultimate stability throughout the swing and impact.

Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Black

The 1K Black is the “non-Pro” version's low-launch model, built specifically for very powerful, brisk swings. It utilizes a focused application of 1K carbon fiber to increase handle strength and drive down torque. If we compare it to the 1K Pro White, the actual raw data produced for me was basically identical, but it achieved this with very different feels. While I stated that the White was as robust and stable as it comes, there is an argument I would listen to, to suggest that the 1K black has a slightly stiffer overall profile, with the White just giving a hint more feedback in the handle section.

This profile felt predictably stout and controlled. It’s built for players who don't want any unwanted movement in the shaft, providing a low-spin, penetrating trajectory.

There are no frills with this shaft; it's just an excellent, stable performer, ideal for aggressive swings that need a strong, no-nonsense shaft.

Choose this shaft if:
You are looking for a poker stiff feel at a slightly cheaper price than the Pro range.

Avoid this shaft if:
You prioritise feel and feedback. This gives you very little of either; it’s just a pure stability machine.

Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Blue

The 1K Blue (non-Pro) is the slightly more affordable mid-launch, mid-spin option that sits in the standard 1K line. It provides a noticeably smoother feel than the Black and is designed to suit the broadest spectrum of golfers.

At the waggle stage pre-shot, I have to say the 1K Blue feels very digestible. Absolutely no sense of harshness, but coupled with a pleasingly stable mid to tip section. In the swing, it offered excellent energy return - actually producing my highest ball speeds of the entire 1K and 1K Pro ranges - and a stable, consistent ball flight.

This shaft is arguably the best fit for most club golfers, providing the ideal blend of distance, forgiveness, and smooth feel necessary for consistent results across 18 holes.

Choose this shaft if:
Your budget doesn’t permit you to head into the 1K Pro Blue.

Avoid this shaft if:
You are particularly jerky or snatchy in transition from backswing to downswing.

Verdict

As you can see from the data, there was actually very little to pick from between the shafts in terms of launch, with only a degree between the six shafts that I tested. Furthermore, in my testing there was only a 300rpm spread of spin between every shaft for me, which is a little tighter than some of the other major shaft manufacturers.

The overriding takeaway for me from my testing, however, was the incredibly stable feel of the whole range. Even in the supposed higher launch profiles that can sometimes feel a little flimsy, the Tensei Red and Blue profiles still offered a fairly hefty feel which many players will enjoy.

If you are a player with a lot of lag in your swing, you for certain should test out the Tensei 1K Pro Orange, as one of the few truly counterbalanced offerings in the premium market currently.

Another point I enjoyed with the Tensei range is the two price point offerings within the family, making still premium shafts a little more accessible.

Breakthrough Golf Technology (BGT) earned its reputation by revolutionizing the putter shaft market with the Stability line. It has brought that same commitment to stability and control into the driver space with the Brava Tour Driver Shaft, designed for serious golfers with faster swing speeds (90+ mph) who demand better control and accuracy.

How We Test Shafts

All of our shaft testing is conducted using the same TaylorMade Qi35 core head set to a precise 9 degrees (measured), with each shaft cut to an exact length of 45.5 inches, fitted with a Golf Pride Tour Velvet 60R grip. Furthermore, all testing shots are struck from a white castle tee to ensure consistent tee height during testing.

The data is collected and recorded using a Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor and TaylorMade TP5x golf balls .

Controlling these potential variables allows me to draw accurate and direct comparisons and form a clear picture of each shaft's performance and feel characteristics.

BGT Brava Tour Shaft: Technology

The Brava Tour shaft is an evolution of BGT’s original Brava, shifting the focus firmly toward stability to handle more powerful golf swings. BGT states that the added weight and enhanced stiffness are engineered to stabilize the clubhead, allowing for more consistent and controlled swing outcomes.

BGT claims this stability helps to generate more momentum, leading to increased ball speed and distance. The shaft's design philosophy is clear: provide a stable foundation through impact to tighten dispersion, a principle BGT champions across all its product lines.

BGT Brava Tour Shaft: Performance

My testing immediately confirmed the shaft's intention: it is very much a tip-stiff product, likely to be more effective for higher tempo players who need resistance against excessive shaft droop or deflection.

The overall feel was firm and solid through impact, and to me, it felt very similar to the Mitsubishi Diamana WB in the swing, sharing that powerful, low-torque stability that appeals to high-speed golfers.

Crucially, this shaft certainly doesn't feel as lively as its predecessor, the standard Brava. Where the original had a more active, responsive feel, the Brava Tour leans into control. However, the added feeling of stability will appeal to the stronger player for sure, offering a sense of command over the clubhead that minimizes the feeling of "whip" through the transition.

I found the launch window a little lower than I expected, particularly when compared to my ‘gamer’ Fujikura Ventus Velocore+ Black shaft, but this was a welcome sight to me as I am always looking for ways to bring my ball flight down. This was accompanied by some fairly low spin numbers, which cemented the Brava Tour in the 'low-spin bomber' category.

Maybe I care too much about aesthetics, but the look of the shaft is superb - the black and copper colorway looks really cool and modern. I am even very tempted to pair it up with my TaylorMade Burner Copper Mini Driver for the ultimate coordinated look!

For the player seeking maximum rigidity, the Brava Tour is definitely worth adding to the test list.

TPT Golf has established itself in the premium shaft market by utilizing a revolutionary automated manufacturing process that prioritizes consistency above all else.

Its latest offering, the TPT Nitro shaft, aims to deliver maximum stability and feel, and I was excited to put this shaft through its paces to see if its unique manufacturing process translates into the kind of tight dispersion every golfer dreams of.

How We Test Shafts

All of our shaft testing is conducted using the same TaylorMade Qi35 core head driver set to a precise 9 degrees (measured), with each shaft cut to an exact length of 45.5 inches, fitted with a Golf Pride Tour Velvet 60R grip. Furthermore, all testing shots are struck from a white castle tee to ensure consistent tee height during testing.

The data is collected and recorded using a Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor and TaylorMade TP5x golf balls .

Controlling these potential variables allows me to draw accurate and direct comparisons and form a clear picture of each shaft's performance and feel characteristics.

TPT Nitro Shaft Review: Technology

The TPT Nitro distinguishes itself immediately in its construction. During the process of cutting and installing the adapter to my demo model, I immediately noticed how thin the shaft walls are compared to a competitor like the Fujikura Ventus.

TPT uses a unique automated process to continuously wind carbon fibers, eliminating the inconsistencies inherent in traditional roll-wrapping.

This method creates a perfectly uniform spine and manifests itself in the aforementioned 'thinner-than-normal' wall structure, which is the secret sauce behind the company's stability claims.

For my testing, I tried the 16/LO shaft (a 65-gram shaft that translates to an S+ flex, sitting between stiff and X-stiff).

TPT Nitro Shaft Review: Performance

My first impressions when waggling the club pre-shot were great. I loved how responsive the shaft felt - not soft, just plenty of feel and feedback throughout, providing a really smooth and friendly feeling under the hands, suggesting a refined, uniform energy transfer.

In the swing, the Nitro continued to impress me. The feeling was the absolute counterpoint of harsh or boardy, and despite its relatively high stiffness rating, I could feel the load and unload happening in a seamless, fluid way.

The launch monitor numbers were very similar for me to the Fujikura VeloCore+ Ventus Blue shaft that I tested a few weeks ago, matching its high ball speed and launch window.

However, the standout feature of this shaft was its remarkable dispersion. While sometimes you can just stumble across a shaft that simply matches your delivery and all the moons and stars align, this is not an isolated finding with TPT for me.

I tested the previous iteration in my former life as a fitter and was equally blown away with the tight down-range dispersion of that shaft, too, suggesting something in the tech is very much doing its job. I typically operate at a dispersion average of around 15 yards, but with the TPT Nitro shaft it was down to 10 yards - a level I have not experienced before - with a much smaller standard deviation too.

I can't fully explain it - I'm not intelligent enough to delve into the micro-manufacturing reasons this might be the case - but every single time I test a TPT product, I know it isn’t going to take me very long to collect my practice balls because they are generally right next to each other!

The consistent, repeatable nature of the manufacturing seems to translate directly into unparalleled accuracy down the fairway.

TPT Nitro Shaft Review: Verdict

The TPT Nitro shaft delivers a compelling combination of speed, feel, and stability that makes it a standout offering in the premium aftermarket shaft market, and make no mistake about it, it is premium, coming in at $650.

Its smooth, responsive profile and impressive speed output are only surpassed by its frankly ludicrous consistency. If you are a golfer looking to eliminate the wide miss and prioritize tight dispersion above all else, the TPT Nitro should be the very first shaft on your testing list.

Graphite Design is a name synonymous with precision, quality, and a unique, smooth feel that has been validated by generations of tour professionals. Its Tour AD (Accuracy and Distance) series has long been lauded for its aftermarket excellence, using proprietary materials and manufacturing processes to create distinct profiles tailored for every type of player.

I've had the opportunity to put five of their most popular current wood shafts through a rigorous testing process to understand their unique feel and performance characteristics.

How We Test Shafts

All of our shaft testing is conducted using the same TaylorMade Qi35 core head set to a precise 9 degrees (measured), with each shaft cut to an exact length of 45.5 inches, fitted with a Golf Pride Tour Velvet 60R grip. Furthermore, all testing shots are struck from a white castle tee to ensure consistent tee height during testing.

The data is collected and recorded using a Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor and TaylorMade TP5x golf balls.

Controlling these potential variables allows me to draw accurate and direct comparisons and form a clear picture of each shaft's performance and feel characteristics.

Graphite Design Tour AD Shafts: Technology

The core of Graphite Design's reputation lies in its meticulous use of premium, high-modulus materials, particularly Torayca M40X Carbon Fiber. This material is employed in critical areas of the shaft to maximize stability and minimize unwanted twisting (or ovalization) during the swing.

Unlike many competitors that use a continuous flex core, Graphite Design focuses on distinct bend profiles for each model, ensuring the shaft loads and unloads precisely where the golfer needs it most. Its proprietary DI Technology allows for a generally softer mid-section feel without sacrificing control through impact, a characteristic that defines their most popular shafts.

Graphite Design Tour AD VF

The VF is built for speed and extreme stability, aiming for a low/mid launch with low spin, and before his latest injury layoff is a shaft you may have seen in the driver of the great Tiger Woods.

Immediately upon setting up to the ball, the profile of the VF felt incredibly robust in my hands. The waggle felt very rigid, with little to no give under the handle section, very much indicating what was to come.

In the swing, it was more of the same. I felt very little give or play in any section of the shaft, and felt it required a very aggressive move to get the most out of the profile. Definitely not a shaft for the faint of heart.

The only word to describe the impact feel of the VF is solid. The stiff tip section resists rotation very well through the strike, offering a penetrating ball flight with minimal curvature. If anything, my shot pattern favored a slight block off to the right, which felt to me was down the very strong tip section, not allowing me to square the clubface up quite as quickly as I would have liked.

Visually, I am a big fan of all the Graphite Design Tour AD shaft range with their familiar rings, and the red/black contrast on show with the VF is a very premium look.

In terms of comparison, if you’re someone who has found good results with the Ventus Black profiles or the Diamana WB, this is certainly a shaft worth testing. Stability and heft are on offer in abundance with the Tour AD VF.

Choose this shaft if:
You possess high clubhead speed and an aggressive transition. Could also be an ideal choice for a player who battles a persistent pull-hook.

Avoid this shaft if:
You are a moderate speed and tempo player whose shot pattern is either a push or a cut (unless you want to double down and ensure this shape).

Graphite Design Tour AD CQ

The CQ profile is designed primarily to be a mid-to-low launch shaft with controlled mid-spin, prioritizing stability and tight dispersion. In terms of how that looks in terms of the key sections of the shaft, it features a fairly stiff butt and mid section, with a slightly more active tip than some of the other shafts in the Graphite Design offering.

The feel in terms of the waggle was noticeably firmer than the very popular DI (below), but definitely not as demanding as the VF; however, I wouldn’t necessarily say that this waggle feel carried over into the full swing.

The slightly more active tip section gave a sense of kick and life to impact that I really enjoyed. It is worth noting that for me, this tip section produced a little more dynamic loft and a slightly higher ball flight than my current ‘gamer’ shaft, the Fujikura Ventus Velocore+ Black.

Based on that active tip section, I am very keen to test this out as a fairway wood shaft next.

Overall, I found the CQ offered exceptional consistency; while lively, the shaft felt very controlled, staying with my body rotation well through the transition, and for me at least promoted a nice, consistent center contact. This shaft provides excellent structure without being overly harsh, making it ideal for players who want to raise their trajectory slightly for better carry without sacrificing the stability needed to find the fairway.

Choose this shaft if:
You value stability, but also need a little help with launch.

Avoid this shaft if:
You are an over spinner of the golf ball with the driver.

Graphite Design Tour AD DI

The DI could stake a claim to being the most famous shaft in the modern era (it is certainly the most recognizable) and is celebrated far and wide for its unique feel and noted high launch, low spin performance.

Having tested the DI profile numerous times before, I kind of knew what to expect. I launch and spin the ball quite high with the driver personally, so I have often steered towards stiffer profiles with lower launch characteristics, and as normal, I found much the same in my testing.

The feel when waggling at address is not too harsh or stiff, particularly in the mid-section, yet the tip section felt stable and reassuringly predictable. In the swing, I could feel the shaft load beautifully, creating a sensation of effortless power that translated into excellent ball speed and higher peak height.

While the feel is absolutely exquisite, I have to knock off a little too much loft in my driver setup to make this a comfortable option for me off the tee. That said, with many people craving a little more launch, this is a brilliant option to combine launch and stability.

The CQ (above) does a great job of that launch and stability combo too; however, for me, the DI does so in a more balanced and subtle way. While you can really feel the tip section working on the CQ, the DI produces somewhat similar launch numbers for me, but with a more balanced spin output and a very ‘together’ feel through the swing.

Look around the next time you are watching golf on TV, and I guarantee you will see a huge number of these familiar orange shafts in both hybrids and utility irons on professional tours around the world. For some reason, the DI profile and hybrids/utilities are a match made in heaven, and if you haven’t already, it is a must-try.

Choose this shaft if:
You are looking for launch, but without excessive spin

Avoid this shaft if:
You are seeking a low ‘bullet’ ball flight

Graphite Design Tour AD GC

The GC features a technical, mid-low-spin profile built for stability. It has a pretty hefty, stiff handle section, and gets a little softer down towards the tip of the club, so I was anticipating a little bit of extra dynamic loft (delivered loft at impact) than I would ordinarily be used to.

In practice, I didn’t really find that at all. This is an incredibly well-balanced shaft. The GC offers a wonderfully smooth feel, and while it can absolutely support a strong tempo and high speeds, it doesn’t demand it to make the shaft work.

To me, it felt just a touch stiffer than the DI in transition and offered a very strong, low-piercing trajectory that was excellent for cutting through the wind. The stability throughout the downswing was palpable, making it feel very difficult to miss wildly offline.

I really enjoyed the feel and performance of the GC, and this is a real contender for a place in my bag based on that. The only thing that may stop that (and I appreciate this is ridiculous!), would be the color. Something about the white and copper combo doesn’t really suit my eye, but many will disagree.

Choose this shaft if:
You generate decent speed and want a smooth feel, producing a penetrating trajectory that maximizes roll.

Avoid this shaft if:
You are seeking more height on your tee shots

Graphite Design Tour AD UB

The UB offers a mid-launch, low-spin profile, which, in theory, should be optimal for the launch characteristics we know produce the longest drives.

In terms of the waggle test, it immediately felt very smooth and pliable, likely due to being one of the softest shafts in the range under the grip section. The overall profile is what Graphite Design calls a ‘Medium+’ stiffness under the grip and in the mid-section, before transitioning to a ‘Stiff+’ in the tip section to keep that dynamic loft, and as such, spin under control.

In swing, the UB offered some really nice feedback, and I found it to be in all the right places at the right times during my standard golf swing, although when I did decide to ramp up the speed a little, I found myself craving the stability of a VF or even DI profile.

I found the UB to be a very versatile performer, delivering strong ball speeds and a dependable mid-height flight with no hint of floatiness due to any excessive spin.

Impact offered a noticeable, solid thump due to the relatively stiff tip section, and on the whole, my dispersion was notably tighter than almost all of the other shafts in the family for me personally.

For some reason, I had a hunch that this would be a great mini-driver shaft for me, so I duly loaded up into my TaylorMade Burner Copper mini (albeit gripping down), and the results were absolutely as I’d hoped. A nice high-ish launch window, coupled with some really stable and consistent spin numbers, was exactly what I was looking for and something I will absolutely be pursuing a little more moving forward.

While it may not be that important, I think this colorway suited my eye the most of the whole family, with the blue and grey combining brilliantly. This shaft will appeal to golfers who need low spin for distance but want a smoother feel and easier loading characteristics than the most aggressive low-spin options on the market.

Choose this shaft if:
You place a premium on accuracy and enjoy a solid impact feel.

Avoid this shaft if:
You need a bit of give in the tip section to square your clubface.

Verdict

The Graphite Design Tour AD family remains an absolute favorite among gearheads around the world, and for good reason. It is one of the most comprehensive shaft ranges out there (if a little confusing at times), and each shaft is a carefully engineered tool designed to meet specific launch and spin needs.

Whether you crave the sublime feel and height of the DI, the uncompromising low-spin control of the VF, or the consistent stability of the CQ, there is an optimized AD shaft for your swing. The level of quality and consistency across the entire range ensures that once you find your ideal profile, you can trust that performance will be repeatable and reliable.

Summer is over which means the temperatures are dropping, the evenings are shortening and the golf offseason (for some) is fast approaching. This offers some players to put the clubs away for a few months and reset, but it also offers the perfect time for us to undergo those swing changes we might need to reach that next level of our games. Equipping yourself with one of the best golf training aids and using it correctly over the winter months could well be setting yourself up for success in 2026.

SuperSpeed golf helped me do just that by sending me the Force Board Pro, a unique training device which encourages us to use the ground to generate force and not only improve our golf swing, but to increase our clubhead speed at the same time.

I've used this board on and off for all of 2025, religiously in the colder months and more sparingly in the summer as I focused less on a swing change I was going through and more on simply going out and attempting to play golf, rather than play my golf swing - if that makes sense. During this time, I got a lot of 'what is that??' questions thrown my way whilst on the range, so before continuing with this review, it's important I answer that question first.

Force Board Pro is a dual sided adaptive training platform which comes with different attachments to help you create customized drills for stability, balance and correct use of the ground to create more speed and power. It's all about giving the user a platform to learn how to use the ground to create pressure shift, lateral force, torque, and vertical force.

The best way I can explain this is to talk you through the swing change I went through in 2025 - I've always been a short hitter, mainly because I don't use my lower body enough to generate speed. My goal was to create more hip turn and my trigger to do this on the back swing was the transfer my weight to my back right heel - by using the Force Board Pro, I played the green attachment under my heel to emphasize the feel I was looking for.

The two-sided board can be used in different ways, too. Placing the firmer, larger grey attachment in the middle of the underside of the board turns it into a balance board which you can use to create that sensation of your weight shifting in your golf swing.

No matter your ability, any golfer can benefit from using this board, especially once paired with the SuperSpeed app which will guide your through specific drills for what you want to improve. Whether it's using the attachments to increase hip turn like I have, using the board and attachments to work on feet alignment or just general balance, there's a wide range of things you can work on.

Two green circle attachments, two gray oval attachments, two red tri-circle attachments, eight yellow pegs and a very useful carry bag which makes this board easy to transport. It's worth noting this is a rather large board, so may not be the easiest to store, but it fitted well in the floor of the trunk of my car alongside my sticks.

The majority of the time I used the board was outside, but I did notice two things in terms of its use. Firstly, I'd recommend wearing a pair of spikeless golf shoes as the firm feeling of the board means your studs won't dig into the board like the would with grass, meaning you don't get much grip. I'd also acknowledge that if the grass is damp underfoot or it is raining, the grip you have on the board will suffer as a result, meaning it's best used either inside or when it is dry outside.

My 2025 has been a difficult one in terms of my performance due to the serious swing changes I've undergone, but using the Force Board Pro has given a great platform to undergo these changes and help me really feel them underfoot and receive feedback through the swing. It's also taught me a lot more about not only my own golf swing, but how we have to use the ground to generate speed and power.

This will be a piece of kit I can see myself using for years to come, for anything from continuing my swing changes to even giving myself balance-based challenges on the range to spice up practice sessions - it's easy to frown at the price once you see it, but the versatility of this training aid and how beneficial it can prove to be make it a must try for those looking to work hard on their game over the winter.

The premium aftermarket shaft landscape is fiercely competitive, often dominated by brands touting the stiffest and most stable possible profiles. Aretera Golf, with its EC1 line, takes a different, highly nuanced approach, focusing on feel and cohesion in a way few others achieve.

I was intrigued by the technical claims from Aretera with the EC1 range, so I've been testing the 65 (raw weight 69g) in 6-flex (Aretera's version on X-Flex) in both the Blue and Grey profiles to see if this design philosophy translated into measurable performance.

How We Test Shafts

All of our shaft testing is conducted using the same TaylorMade Qi35 core head set to a precise 9 degrees (measured), with each shaft cut to an exact length of 45.5 inches, fitted with a Golf Pride Tour Velvet 60R grip. Furthermore, all testing shots are struck from a white castle tee to ensure consistent tee height during testing.

The data is collected and recorded using a Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor and TaylorMade TP5x golf balls.

Controlling these potential variables allows me to draw accurate and direct comparisons and form a clear picture of each shaft's performance and feel characteristics.

Aretera EC1 Shafts Review: Technology

Aretera built the EC1 line on a proprietary concept they call Control Centr technology. This innovation is designed to address stability issues often associated with shafts that have a more compliant (or soft to you and me) mid-section.

It employed an advanced layered technique to unify the plies responsible for resisting twist and bending throughout the wall thickness. The goal of this seems to me to be to eliminate the feeling that the three sections of butt, mid, and tip are separate entities.

The design features a softer mid-section balanced by firmer butt and tip sections, utilizing 'ultra-premium exotic materials' to promote an enhanced torsional stability with a seemingly effortless transfer of power. They specifically aim to enhance overall connectedness and stability throughout the shaft without compromising the buttery feel.

It's also worth noting that Aretera does not believe in labeling shafts with a certain spin or launch profile. Like me, it believes profiles perform very differently in different players’ hands, offering only general guidance rather than prescriptive data.

Aretera EC1 Shafts Review: Performance and Feel

My testing quickly confirmed the idea that Aretera has focused heavily on feel with the EC1 shafts.

I was seriously impressed with the feedback and responsiveness on offer, particularly from the Blue profile. Where some shafts feel almost modular, with the three sections of butt, mid, and tip often feeling like separate and somewhat disconnected entities, with these shafts, the sections seemed to work incredibly cohesively. The result is a simply outstanding, unified feel that flows smoothly throughout the swing.

The Grey profile definitely felt a touch tighter or stiffer than the Blue overall, but both provided a really nice, lively feel that was very responsive without being unstable.

Interestingly, the actual launch monitor data produced from both was very similar (almost identical in fact) for me. As such, the differentiation between profiles here was more of a feel preference than data-driven, allowing me to choose the profile that felt best without sacrificing performance consistency.

The seamless transition from the butt to the active mid-section made the shaft feel easy to load, reinforcing the sense of "effortless flowing transfer of power" that Aretera claims.

Aretera EC1 Shafts Review: Conclusion

The Aretera EC1 is one of the smoother-feeling premium shafts I have tried in a long time. The Blue profile, in particular, offers a unique smoothness and controlled responsiveness that is rare.

The successful implementation of their Control Centr Technology - creating a unified feel from tip to butt - makes this shaft a compelling alternative to some of the current industry leaders.

I could see the Blue profile in particular working extremely well as a fairway wood shaft, where players often prioritize feel and higher launch off the deck, which is something I will most certainly be trying in my own bag.

Choose the Aretera EC1 blue if:
You are looking for the smoothest profile possible.

Choose the Aretera EC1 grey if:
You still value a soft, smooth feel but are coming into the EC1 range from a 'boardier' profile.

Mitsubishi's Diamana shaft franchise has an iconic legacy in golf, with a reputation built on performance, feel, and tour validation. While many golfers are familiar with the "White Board," "Blue Board," and "Red Board" names, the latest generation has been refined with modern technology to deliver a trio of shafts perfectly suited to different players.

I was eager to put the newest Diamana WB, BB, and RB shafts through their paces to see how their distinct profiles performed in a consistent testing environment and if they still sit alongside the best driver shafts in the game.

How We Test Shafts

All of our shaft testing is conducted using the same TaylorMade Qi35 core head set to a precise 9 degrees (measured), with each shaft cut to an exact length of 45.5 inches, fitted with a Golf Pride Tour Velvet 60R grip. Furthermore, all testing shots are struck from a white castle tee to ensure consistent tee height during testing.

The data is collected and recorded using a Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor and TaylorMade TP5x golf balls.

Controlling these potential variables allows me to draw accurate and direct comparisons and form a clear picture of each shaft's performance and feel characteristics.

Mitsubishi Diamana Shafts: Technology

Mitsubishi has packed the latest Diamana shafts with a blend of classic design and cutting-edge materials. The core of their stability and feel comes from a super high-modulus 80-ton Dialead Pitch Fiber in the butt section, which is engineered to maximize stability and energy transfer.

To further enhance control and feel without adding weight, they incorporate high modulus 46-ton fiber in the shaft's angle plies. The Xlink Tech Resin System is a key component, increasing the shaft's strength and durability while boosting carbon fiber volume for a better feel.

This combination of materials allows each profile to deliver a distinct performance without sacrificing the underlying quality.

Diamana WB (White Board)

The Diamana WB is touted as Mitsubishi's low-launch, low-spin offering.

My first impressions of a shaft always come from the pre-shot waggle, and the overall profile felt somewhat similar to the Fujikura Ventus VeloCore+ Black, although the WB felt a touch stronger and meatier in the handle section to me, both at the waggle stage and during the swing.

In swing, there is very little give in this shaft anywhere, and certainly not much torsional movement (I tested the 63X version, which has a torque reading of 3.1˚). I found this torsional stability particularly useful on my poorly struck shots, which seemed to produce less twisting on the clubhead than normal, retaining a squarer face and producing a nice, tight dispersion pattern.

Despite the lack of flex or load on offer from the WB, it didn't feel harsh in any way, which is likely a testament to the quality of materials used. The best way I can describe the feel I experienced would be a hefty shaft, but not one that felt overly hard work to me.

One thing I didn’t totally love was that I felt like I got a touch more feedback and vibration up the shaft at impact with the WB than, for example, the Ventus Black, which seems to absorb more. Some people enjoy that more blatant feedback, but I prefer mine softened a little.

That said, this is, without a doubt, a model for a player who puts a lot of pressure or load onto the shaft in transition and wants a profile that can keep up with their aggressive move. If you are looking for a shaft with ultimate stability and feel that provides the most feedback, this is an excellent option.

Choose This Shaft If:
You have a very aggressive transition.
You value stability and control over feel.

Diamana BB (Blue Board)

The Diamana BB is the "middle" profile of the bunch, and after hitting a vast number of shots, it struck me as almost the "diet WB" - similar levels of stability, just slightly softer and friendlier everywhere through the shaft sections of butt, middle, and tip.

That said, there is nothing 'diet' about its performance. This is a shaft that, in my opinion, sits in a brilliant middle ground of stability and feel. The initial waggle is very friendly, with a nice bit of bounce under the handle that gives you a clear sense of what (and where) the shaft is doing.

In the swing, I could certainly feel a touch of load at the transition stage, but in truth, I didn't notice a very apparent feeling of unloading; it just felt like it stayed with me throughout, delivering a smooth, consistent performance.

I would suggest that far more people will gravitate towards this shaft over the WB simply because, from what I experienced, you are giving up very little in terms of stability, but gaining a significant amount of feel and playability.

That being said, there will always be a strong market for high-speed players just looking for the strongest feeling and performing profile possible. I guess I’m just not one of them. Maybe I am getting soft in my old age, but the slightly less aggressive profile of this BB felt superb to me, beautifully balanced.

I could see this working exceptionally well as a fairway wood shaft too, offering a touch more launch and feel than the WB.

In terms of who should be using it, an easier question might be ‘who shouldn’t use it?. This is a profile that almost every player should be testing if they are looking for a new shaft, even if just as a brilliant middle ground starting point.

Choose This Shaft If:
You are looking for a strong all-rounder.
You are starting your shaft testing and looking for a base to work from.

Diamana RB (Red Board)

The Diamana RB brings back the classic "Red Board" profile, which is known for a more active tip section designed to promote higher launch and, in some cases, more speed.

Both at the waggle stage and during the swing, this profile felt a lot more together than some of the shafts on the market that are categorized as high-launch/high-spin products. Some in this category have very obvious kick points or loading zones that, for me personally, require a bit of timing up; however, the RB, despite only being categorized as ‘medium’ stiffness in the butt and mid section, felt a little sturdier than others I’ve tested.

In truth, in terms of data, I actually noticed very little difference in launch between this and the BB version, which was interesting, but I did notice more spin. My hunch is that this was probably due to the more active tip section creating some lead deflection (shaft kicking forwards and up through impact) and moving my strike slightly lower on the face, thus offering more of a low launch and high spin kind of output.

On the whole, I really liked the RB, although I didn't find this shaft very typical for its profile; it felt a lot more sturdy than some others in this category, but did jump my club speed up a little, once again potentially through the more active tip section.

I would consider this shaft if you like the feeling of an active tip section and the potential speed benefits thereof, but you are still looking for more WB or even Ventus Black style stability. This could be a very interesting option as a fairway wood shaft also in the heavier models.

Choose This Shaft If:
You like a bit of kick in the tip through impact.
You are looking for some added spin but don’t want to compromise a stable feel.

Mitsubishi Diamana Shafts: Data Comparison

The more I test shafts, the more incremental (or sometimes non-existent) I find launch and spin changes to be between profiles. So much so that I often wonder whether the labelling of these shafts in terms of launch and spin is of any benefit at all to players.

These parameters are purely controlled by how much loft is presented to the ball at impact (dynamic loft), and on a robot, set at a predetermined speed and tempo, a softer tip profile will likely produce more dynamic loft, as such, more launch and spin, thus determining the profile of the shaft.

However, in my experience of fitting, you can see quite the opposite results, depending on tempo, and where/how in the swing a player releases the club, the results can be the exact opposite.

With the Diamana range, for me personally, the data was remarkably similar between the models, with the only exception to that being the small jump in spin from the RB profile. However, as I said, when looking at the juxtaposition of the lower launch, it is safe to assume that this came from a lower strike location on the face.

The real difference between these shafts is purely feel for me, which is purely subjective, with preferences only determined by testing.

Fujikura's original Ventus line took the golf shaft industry by storm, and for good reason. They are built on a foundation of stability, with profiles meticulously engineered to suit a wide variety of swing types and speeds, and the tour adoption of the original profiles was nothing short of astounding.

As a dedicated gear tester, I've had the opportunity to put the updated versions of the incredibly successful original —the Ventus Black, Blue, and Red—through a rigorous testing process to understand their unique feel and performance characteristics.

In addition to those three familiar profiles, I was also sent the intriguing, ultra-lightweight Ventus White to put through its paces to see how that slots into the lineup and compares among the best driver shafts on the market.

How We Test Shafts

All of our shaft testing is conducted using the same TaylorMade Qi35 core head set to a precise 9 degrees (measured), with each shaft cut to an exact length of 45.5 inches, fitted with a Golf Pride Tour Velvet 60R grip. Furthermore, all testing shots are struck from a white castle tee to ensure consistent tee height during testing.

The data is collected and recorded using a Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor and TaylorMade TP5x golf balls .

Controlling these potential variables allows me to draw accurate and direct comparisons and form a clear picture of each shaft's performance and feel characteristics.

Fujikura Ventus Velocore+ Shafts: Technology

The core (forgive the pun) of Fujikura's performance in the original Ventus family lay in its proprietary VeloCore Technology. This is a multi-material bias core that runs from the handle all the way through the tip section. Fujikura believes that it's the secret behind the incredibly stable and consistent performance the Ventus family is known for, effectively resisting twisting and bending in the areas where it matters most.

Building on the Velocore technology, the latest Ventus iteration features Velocore+, which has been upgraded to provide what Fujikura describes as “ultimate clubhead stabilization”, promoting consistent center-face contact, tightening dispersion, and increasing control of the club throughout the swing.

Featuring a re-engineered multi-material bias core, VeloCore+ has also been engineered to enhance the feel and performance of this Ventus line with an additional premium bias core material, promoting even tighter dispersion and increased ball speeds.

Fujikura Ventus Velocore+ Black

According to Fujikura's profile scale, the 2025 Ventus Black features an ultra-stiff handle, a stiff mid-section, and an ultra-stiff tip (based on a scale of soft, medium, firm, stiff, and ultra-stiff for context), designed to be the lowest launching and lowest spinning option in the Ventus family, built for players who generate high speed and demand ultimate control and stability.

My first impression, as always, came from the pre-shot waggle, which backed up the Fujikura claims and gave me an immediate sense of a shaft that represented serious stability and heft. There was really not much play or give at this stage anywhere along the profile, and I knew instantly this was likely to be a shaft suited to players with a brisker, more aggressive tempo and change of direction at the top.

During the swing, this theme of stability continued, but in truth, it did not feel as stout or hard work as I felt it might from waggling it; in fact, if anything, it may have a touch more life to it in terms of feel when compared with the original black. Due to the robust overall profile, it very much felt like it stayed with me throughout my swing rather than loading and unloading much, which is a great feeling for a player who wants to feel a constant connection to the clubface. For quick tempo players, shafts with more obvious loading often require the user to wait for the clubhead to recover, and it can be difficult to sync up. No such issues here.

With my swing, I noticed that I really had to work my release quite hard through impact to avoid a leaky shot out to the right. The combination of the ultra-stiff tip and the relatively low torque (3˚) did not provide much help in squaring up my sometimes-open clubface through impact, which is a crucial point for a player considering this shaft; you very much have to generate your own clubface stability and release.

The overall sensation I was left with was one of substance and control. There weren't many moving parts, and the whole profile just stayed with me during the swing, but crucially, it also didn’t feel like swinging an iron rod. For those who crave that stability without the boardiness that sometimes accompanies it, the Ventus Black Velocore+ could be a great option.

Choose This Shaft If:
You have a brisk change of direction from backswing to downswing or you like the feeling of stability throughout the swing.

Fujikura Ventus Velocore+ Blue

The 2025 Ventus Blue features a firm handle, a stiff mid-section, an ultra-stiff tip and is designed to be very much the middle ground of the Ventus family, offering a balance of feel and low-spin stability.

My first impressions from the pre-shot waggle, however, surprised me. The handle section felt a touch firmer than the scale rating would suggest, and there was more play in the mid-section than I expected, so I was interested to see how that would play out in terms of performance.

During my swing, I really enjoyed the kind of ascending levels of rigidity from handle to tip that this profile offered. It facilitated a nice amount of feedback and feel under the hands (more so in full motion than to at the waggle stage), giving me a sense of what the shaft was doing in terms of loading, but it provided more overall stability than that feeling would suggest in terms of its performance, presumably through the ultra-stiff tip section. It’s a very satisfying sensation—a controlled, lively feel that doesn’t sacrifice an ounce of stability through impact.

In my testing, I noticed nothing in the way of a flight bias; the ball flights were fairly consistently neutral and straight, with no surprises or outliers in terms of launch angle, launch direction, or spin. This predictability is a huge asset for any golfer and, in truth, is not evident in every shaft I test, even at this very premium end of the market.

The stiffer tip section seemed to do its job well, providing a stable, low-spin flight without feeling overly boardy or harsh, and I noticed that with this and the Black profiles, both performed brilliantly well on toe struck shots. My hunch would be that this is down to a combination of the ‘ultra-stiff’ tip, and the Velocore+ resistance to twisting.

The new blue profile will genuinely be a great option for players craving stability but without the occasionally harsh feel that shafts in the ‘low launch and spin’ bracket often provide, and if you are a toe side misser, this could be a valuable addition to your bag.

Choose This Shaft If:
You value stability but still enjoy a somewhat lively feel.
Well worth a try if you are a consistent toe striker with driver.

Fujikura Ventus Velocore+ Red

The 2025 Ventus Red features an ultra-stiff handle, a firm mid-section, and a stiff tip, which Fujikura has designed to provide a balance of stability and moderate launch.

In contrast to the firmer, slightly more aggressive feel of the Ventus TR Red, this new model felt like it had a touch more life in it with the initial waggle test. To me, there was a more even balance to the flex and kick than with the TR version, which I would hazard a guess is due to that softer mid-point allowing for a smoother loading sensation.

During the swing, I found the Ventus Red very easy to load without it feeling unstable in any way, which is very reassuring for someone with speed. Despite what felt like less unloading or "kick" near the tip section compared to the TR Red, I could very much feel the shaft loading and recovering in that mid-section in real time, which is a feeling I really enjoyed and made it feel very playable.

In my testing, I noticed a slight left bias to my ball flight and dispersion grouping. I felt the softer mid-section genuinely allowed the clubhead to catch up with me well through impact, which is a key characteristic for players who struggle with an over-fade or a slice. This effect is something those golfers should certainly experiment with, depending on their release pattern.

Crucially for me, as someone whose predominant miss is a low heel strike, I found that the softer mid-section aided shaft droop, which allowed me to find the center of the clubface much more consistently. The shaft drooped just enough to bring the center of the club closer to my body at impact, a notable improvement over the much firmer Black profile I've been using and may also explain the left bias I saw compared to the driver setup I currently have in play.

This is a personal performance benefit I will certainly be pursuing further, as it addresses a core inconsistency in my own swing. For a player who struggles with a specific heel-side miss, the Ventus Red's profile could be a fantastic solution. Don’t confuse the Red profile with just a shaft for those who need help launching it. If you’re smart, there are a number of ways you can utilise this profile to positively influence your shots.

Choose This Shaft If:
You are looking for an ultra-smooth feel.
You have a relatively smooth transition from the top.

Fujikura Ventus Velocore+ White

The 2025 Ventus White is a very interesting profile featuring a soft handle, a medium mid-section, and a firm tip. This shaft is all about stripping out weight, adding flex in all the right places to promote launch, but all the while incorporating the tech that makes Ventus what it is.

My first impressions from the pre-shot waggle were, predictably, that it felt exceptionally light and there was a notable amount of movement to the shaft with a little pressure. Much of this movement was to be expected, as I normally test X-flex shafts, and the stiffest version of the White profile is an S (stiff) flex (I tested the 4-S), but it gave me a very clear sense of the profile.

During the swing, I was genuinely surprised by the performance. While it was incredibly easy to move and I could very much feel the load and unload, the stability and consistency of something this light was genuinely shocking. It felt much more stable than its weight would suggest. This is definitely not a shaft designed for my swing speed, but it produced very consistent numbers for me, which was a huge surprise. The firm tip section held up remarkably well through impact, delivering a consistent ball flight and exceptionally consistent spin numbers, far beyond what I had anticipated.

For many slower swing speed players who often question the value of aftermarket shafts, believing they won't get the benefit, this shaft provides a compelling argument. I am not for a second saying that you will all of a sudden pick up 20 yards, but, if you are using an off the shelf stock option currently, I can almost guarantee that the consistency and manufacturing quality of this shaft will allow you to find the center of the club more often, which will for sure help dispersion and, over the course of a season, also your cumulative distance output.

The Fujikura Ventus White 2025, while niche, is an exceptional shaft for its intended audience. If you have a snappy or harsh transition, even if your overall speed is slow, this is one to avoid—look at the softer flexes of the stouter Blue and Black profiles. But for the smoother swingers among you who crave a lightweight, high-launch shaft with incredible stability, this is a dream.

Choose This Shaft If:
You are a moderate to slow swing speed player with a smooth tempo.
You enjoy a light feel in your driver shaft.

Fujikura Ventus Velocore+ Shafts: Data Comparison

As you can see from the data results, launch and spin between models do not always match up with what the manufacturer suggests for every individual.

For example, in my testing, I was spinning the Red profile around 300 rpm less than the Black which doesn't tally with the spiel that describes the design profiles of each shaft. However, we must bear in mind that we are not robots, we are human beings who all release and load the shaft in different ways and in different parts of our swing. The profiles of launch and spin that shaft companies assign to their models are merely guidelines to help categorise their ranges.

The only real way to know whether a shaft is going to suit you both in terms of launch monitor data and feel is to get out there and test them. I went through this process and hopefully you found it useful in narrowing down the shaft options that will work for your game.

As much as my friends and I talk about getting a golf trip in or even just a group of us together to play locally, the idea rarely makes it out of the group chat. It can be chaotic trying to organise availability, dates, and tee times through the likes of WhatsApp, making it feel like more effort organising the game than playing the golf itself. That was until I tried and tested the ParUp Golf App.

I was invited down to The Leatherhead Club in Surrey to test the app, learn all about its features, and have a game of golf to see if it could be considered one of the best golf apps on the market. After downloading the app from the App store (which is free) and joining a group on the app that I had been invited to in advance of attending the day, I flicked through.

I could quickly identify that it had been designed by golfers who understood how frustrating organising a game can be. The app is available to download on both iPhone and Android, so there's absolutely no excuse for anyone in the group to say they can't get involved

The main page after joining the group in the app showed me everything I needed to know about the day ahead, including the green fee, tee times, the day's format, and add-ons such as food included.

The ParUp app has over 39,000 courses worldwide pre-downloaded, so the chances are, you won’t have any struggles to find your local course. While the pre-game app experience is good and very helpful, it’s on the golf course where the ParUp app shone. The digital scorecard is incredibly intuitive and easy to use. I found the app's responsiveness to be instant, with no lag when switching between leaderboards and individual scoring.

While on the day we only had a fourball, the live leaderboard feature would be perfect for golfing groups with multiple tee times, giving it that feeling of a mini tour event, always knowing exactly where you stand coming down the stretch on the back nine. One of the only things I found to be missing was a GPS function - something that some golfers rely on, particularly when playing golf courses for the first time. But as a rangefinder user, it didn't bother me too much.

Alongside the live leaderboard on the app, you can see which holes are nearest the pin and longest drive thanks to the bullseye and bicep icons next to the respective holes. This just added to the anticipation and banter throughout the round.

If you were skilled enough (or lucky enough) to win one of the two side-challenges, you simply click the icon and that stays next to your name for the rest of the day - the ultimate bragging rights in the bar afterwards.

The live scoring can be used in both strokeplay, matchplay, and stableford formats, so you’re not limited in choices when organising your games. You’re also able to use the multi-round scoring function, so if you’re on a golf trip or running multiple events throughout the year, the ParUp can keep track of all your past results and a season-long leaderboard. It even features an auto-handicap feature, which automatically adjusts your handicap throughout the series, keeping things fair for everyone.

I found the app to be really easy to use and is one I’ll be putting to use on a few golf trips I have planned over the next year or so. The future of the app also sounds interesting with the possibility of in-game betting, allowing you and your friends to put your money where your mouth is, whether that be on the whole round or even just on the longest drive.

If you're struggling to find the app on the app store, you can simply visit the ParUp website to find a link to the download, as well as plenty more information about the app itself.

It certainly takes the headache out of the logistics when organizing a golf trip or weekend game, and puts the emphasis back on the golf and the fun that should come with that.

As someone who enjoys the grind and working on their own game, I’m constantly on the lookout for the next training aid that can help me improve and get me sharp for my next competition. I’ve tried my fair share of the best training aids over the years, some proving more effective than others, but I’m always curious when I stumble across a new one that is affordable and versatile.

When I came across the V-Plane training aid, I was intrigued by its simplicity and how it has been designed to help with all aspects of the short game - putting, chipping, and pitching. Could this be the all-in-one solution I've been looking for? I took it out to the practice area at my golf club to find out.

My first impression upon receiving the V Plane was noticing how simple and well-made it is. The leather case with a button closure exudes a premium aesthetic, and upon opening the case, you’re greeted with a complimentary seven-day course from Flowcode golf, which is a nice added touch.

Setting the V Plane up is simple; it clips onto the shaft of your club in seconds. Once you’ve tightened the screws and made sure you’ve aligned the front of the V Plane square to your clubface, you can add your alignment sticks and choose what you’re going to work on. I opted for the bundle with the drill stix, which I highly recommend, as they are essential for the full range of drills, and not all models of alignment sticks will necessarily fit into the device.

I started by working on my putting, which has always been an inconsistent part of my game. I can get a bit ‘handsy’ under pressure, leading to pushing and pulling putts, particularly on close-range efforts. The V Plane, with its alignment wings and twin pocket system for the drill stix, provides a fantastic visual guide, encouraging a pure, shoulder-led rocking motion, taking the hands and wrists out of play.

After just five minutes of practice, I could instantly feel the difference, with my stroke feeling more connected and stable. The immediate feedback on my clubface alignment, thanks to the smaller horizontal stick at address, was enlightening and helped me understand exactly where my clubface was pointing with ease. After just one session, I felt more confident over the ball and was starting my putts on the right line with a consistency I had only experienced when previously going through a hot spell on the greens.

Once I felt solid and stable on the greens, I moved on to chipping. I’ve always struggled with the occasional thinned chip, especially from tight lies, largely due to a lack of practice in the winter months and then returning to practice on wet and muddy ground. The V Plane’s visual cues helped me to maintain the correct shaft angle and prevented me from leaning the shaft too far forward as well as releasing the club far too early.

The result was a much crisper strike and better distance control. I then tried the 'Club Extension Dril' for pitching, using a tour stick in the fixture point at the back of the aid. This drill was a revelation. It promotes a more efficient body rotation through the ball, and I could feel a real improvement in my compression and strike. The ball was coming off the clubface with more spin and a much more penetrating flight.

The real test, of course, is how this practice translates to the course. I’m happy to report that the V Plane has had a significant impact on my game. My putting is more consistent, my chipping is more reliable, and my pitching has more control. The confidence I’ve gained from my practice sessions has been immense, and it’s showing in my scores.

At £79.99 for the clip on its own, or £94.99 for the bundle with the drill stix, the V Plane is a worthwhile investment for any golfer who is serious about improving their short game. It’s easy to use, provides instant feedback, and, most importantly, it delivers results. If you’re looking to build a more consistent and reliable short game, I can’t recommend the V Plane highly enough. It’s become an essential part of my practice routine, and I’m confident it will be for you too.

The golf season is well and truly in full swing, and if, like me, you have a busy diary of competitive golf on the horizon, then you’ll want to ensure your ball striking is as sharp as it can be. Eyeline Golf is known for producing some of the best training aids on the market, specifically putting training aids, but it was the Speed Trap 2.0 that caught my eye when scanning through its website. So I took it out for a practice session to see if it could have a positive impact on my ball striking.

As is the case with all Eyline Golf products, the Speed Trap 2.0 feels sturdy and is very self-explanatory when it comes to setting up. In the handy travel case, you’re given the detailed plastic base, as well as four foam rods and four plastic ties to hold the rods down. The only qualm I had when setting the Speed Trap 2.0 up was that the plastic ties are very tight on the foam rods, and so it was a little bit of a struggle slotting them on. While this was a little annoying, I’d rather deal with this struggle as opposed to the ties not being tight enough and having the embarrassment of having to go and fetch one of the foam rods down on the range should you make a poor swing.

One of the things I loved the most about the Speed Trap training aid was the fact that you have set ball positions marked out for different shots, such as chipping, pitching, and full swings. The marker for chipping is placed further back towards the plastic base to encourage a more downward strike, therefore improving contact and generating more spin. These markers also act as great indicators of firstly setting your clubface up square to your target at address, but then ensuring you’re returning it squarely through impact.

As someone who has recently been swinging too far to the left and wants to get my natural draw shape back, I instantly set the foam rods up to deliver an in-to-out swing path. However, if you regularly hook the ball, it’s easy enough to set the rods up to promote a path that moves more from out-to-in by removing two of the rods from the opposite corners. While you can adjust how close these are to your shaft and the ball to make the drill harder, but just the visual indication in the widest setting should be enough for most golfers.

After about an hour of hitting balls into a net using the Speed Trap 2.0, I gained a really good understanding of how I needed the club to move to produce a smooth draw. I then went onto the course to put my practice to the test and the results were exactly as I had hoped. I had brought back a smooth baby draw and had eradicated the push-slice out of the heel. If I incorporate one practice session with the Speed Trap 2.0 every couple of weeks, then I believe I could be on for my best ball-striking golf season in years!

Coming to retail at $119, I understand this training aid is somewhat of an investment but if you’re serious about making changes to your swing and want to improve your ball striking, then this is without doubt one of the best training aids on the market.

Driving is the one of the biggest separating factors between different abilities of golfer. The gap in total distance between tour players and low handicaps, and then low handicaps to high handicaps, is huge (relatively speaking) and so increasing your distance output is one of the best methods of fast tracking your way to lower scores.

WATCH: Discover why the GFORCE Driver Swing Trainer was chosen for Editor's Choice 2025

Achieving more distance could come from an ability to move the clubhead faster or strike the center of the face more consistently, or ideally both! One training aid that claims to help in both of these areas is the GFORCE Driver Swing Trainer.

This training aid consists of a 10°, 460cc driver head attached to a highly flexible yet robust shaft. Successfully hitting straight shots with this club requires precise tempo, rhythm, and timing by moving the body, arms and club in the correct order to deliver a better strike with more clubhead speed and power.

Our first impressions of this product aiming to be among the best golf training aids was a good one. The headcover has a premium look and feel to it and when removed, it reveals a similarly premium looking head with a simple but classic profile to it at address that I'm confident most golfers will enjoy. There the familiarity ends though...

While the feel of the flexible shaft was strange initially and it led to the first few shots missing a long way right of target, I quickly adapted to how it released and began to make squarer contact after just a few swings. This trainer helps golfers understand the necessary adjustments in how you move to hit straighter shots - leading with the body and letting the arms follow naturally.

After a while I was flushing high draws down the range shot after shot. This was no different when I tested the GFORCE 7-iron or the GForce Wedge trainer - you soon become accustomed to how it needs to be swung and these feelings can then be transferred to your normal swing with an orthodox club. I wouldn't say I was able to hit drives with the GFORCE driver swing trainer anywhere near as far as my normal driver, but I enjoyed the feelings it engrained in my swing. In particular that feeling of releasing the clubhead as late as possible for maximum power.

Common issues like slices and hooks often result from a sharp pull at the top of the swing or a flick of the hands during impact. The GFORCE Driver Swing Trainer discourages these destructive moves through better body engagement and increased awareness of the clubhead position throughout the swing. The flexible shaft makes the head feel much heavier than a regular driver, therefore helping increase awareness of the clubhead throughout the swing, making it easier to feel the positions I needed to get into to make solid contact with the ball.

The GFORCE driver swing trainer is suitable for use on the driving range, and because it conforms to the Rules of Golf, it can also be used on the course or in competition. You can even use it as a speed trainer, with this club having the obvious advantage over its competitors in that you can hit balls with it. Making swings with headcover on is a good way to add some weight to the club to help build speed.

You can even purchase the flexible shaft without a head separately (£99.99) should you be a left-hander looking to reap the benefits or if you want to attach a more familiar clubhead to speed up your improvement.

Over time, I can say with confidence that this training aid will lead to a little more speed and consistency of strike for most golfers. The immediate feedback helps you understand exactly where you may be making a wrong move in your swing and helps you gain greater club face awareness and ultimately gets you hitting better shots. Priced at £159, the GFORCE Driver Swing Trainer is an effective and affordable tool for golfers looking to enhance their driving accuracy, speed and consistency.

Golf Pride is a colossus within the golf industry making many of the best golf grips in the game. Chances are if you are reading this, you have definitely picked up a golf club before and if so, it is more than likely you will have touched a Golf Pride grip. More than 80 per cent of the world's touring professionals choose to play Golf Pride grips, and not one of them is paid a penny to do so. One of the company's most recent successes has been with the Align series of grips, and new for 2025, we have the Align Max.

WATCH: Robert Rock shows you how to build the perfect swing using Golf Pride Align Max Grips

Those of you familiar with the grip landscape will know that you can separate grips into two main categories in terms of shape - ribbed and round. Round grips are exactly what you would expect, perfectly round in circumference. Ribbed or ‘reminder’ grips as some people refer to them have a spine, or raised ridge along the back, sometimes hidden like in the historic Tour Velvet ribbed grip, but very visible as a red stripe in the Align grip series.

This spine provides a point of reference on the club to help not only finger placement at address but also to provide a reference point of feel for clubface alignment throughout the swing.

In 2025, Golf Pride has taken this to a new level with its new grip the Align Max. In basic terms, it has taken the Align concept and pushed it to its legal limits within the rules of golf. It has increased the protrusion of the ridge section to the maximum allowable height (25 per cent higher than on the Align series), lengthened the area the rib covers to help players who like to go up and down on the grip, and finally has made the ridge rubber firmer than before to make it feel even more prominent.

During testing, I immediately noticed that the rib was significantly more prevalent than the original Align and much, much firmer, which I wasn’t necessarily in love with at first touch, but as I began to hit balls the benefit soon became very apparent. I would consider myself more of a feel player than a technique sort of a guy generally, but the awareness the Align Max gave me of the clubface orientation throughout the swing was very difficult to ignore, and that certainly manifested itself in my dispersion during my testing sessions. I found myself with a visual in my head of almost trying to bring that red line back to square at impact, and that focus seemed to be an excellent catalyst for straight golf shots.

Club builders and PGA Professionals will be thrilled with the new design also as it makes it significantly easier to install the grip consistently and accurately. The firmer ridge holds its shape and alignment more stoutly and as such it is much easier to avoid wobbles and curves when installing Align Max.

Overall, the introduction of this model makes a lot of sense. For those players who favor a ribbed grip, they don’t come any more ribbed than this, and for any player that struggles with consistent hand placement and/or facial awareness, this could be a game changer.

The Align Max is now available in standard and Plus4 models in both standard and midsize sizing. It will initially only be available in the Multi Compound finish, however, Golf Pride will be adding a Tour Velvet option in 2026.

I’ve been reviewing golf equipment for over 10 years now but I struggle to recall a buzz around the launch of a new product as sizeable as what engulfed the unveiling of the Garmin Approach R50. The hype was justified - this was the first (pretty much) launch monitor to also include built-in golf simulator capabilities. Not only did it promise to solve existing issues like expensive subscription add ons and the need for gaming laptops, it also came in at a very appealing price point (under $5,000). But was all the euphoria justified? Well I finally got my hands on the Approach R50 and gave it a thorough test at the indoor studio at Peterborough Milton golf club - here are my findings.

My first impression, having tested a lot of the best golf launch monitors, is that the Approach R50 is a pretty sizeable unit. This works in its favor in one sense when it comes to the screen (more on this soon) but to its detriment in others. While it’s bulky, it’s not heavy or cumbersome, tipping the scales at just over 4kg and is easily portable thanks to the ergonomic design (you can lift up with one hand) as well as the robust case with shoulder strap included, which means you can carry it with you without fear of the unit getting damaged.

The Approach R50 comes to life through the 10-inch full color touchscreen, which is bright, crystal clear and very responsive. Enter your settings and pair it with your Garmin Golf account (if you want to sync your clubs and session data for review at a later time) and you’re then greeted with the three modes to choose from: Practice, Play and Connect.

Practice is the place where golfers can work on their game at one of four simulated driving ranges, depending on how many targets and other visual stimuli you want to look at. The R50 uses three cameras to track 15 club and ball data points, it also uses the cameras to adjust your alignment - which is worth doing at the start of the session by lining up two balls. To get club data, you need to apply a sticker to the top of the clubface, which is a little annoying but doesn’t take long to do and the case includes a pack of 250 stickers, so you won’t run out for a while.

What I really liked about the R50 was how customizable the view of the data was. I could drag up the metrics I was most interested in and see them alongside my ball flight, which isn't something all the best portable launch monitors offer. I could see all the numbers together or I could see them on a graphical representation of impact between club and ball. Hook the R50 up with a screen using a direct connection to a projector via a HDMI cable means you can have a combination of both between screen and unit. I also enjoyed watching the high speed impact playback, which provides a super slo-mo video of the moment of strike. This could be useful if trying to ascertain if a new swing move is leading to an improvement in ball striking, although the front angle arguably isn’t the one most people would choose to view it from.

The numbers certainly stacked up for me versus what I was used to seeing from premium launch monitors like the Foresight Sports GCQuad and GC3. I tried to run the R50 alongside the GCQuad I also had access to at the time, but there was clearly some interference going on that meant neither unit tracked any shots.

There was barely any delay from the ball hitting the screen to the ball flight appearing and while I experienced a couple of questionable ball flights, generally my sessions were seamless. That said, I did struggle to locate the setting that turned on club data initially - by default it won’t show, even if you’ve applied the sticker to the clubface, which was strange and took me a good 10 minutes to find.

The hitting area is pretty generous, perhaps not quite as big as with Foresight but plenty big enough, although this does get smaller when you choose to gather club and ball data, which might become a problem when hitting outdoors on grass and you have to keep moving the unit to get away from divots. The fact that the ball placement area is almost directly in front of the unit means that even the worst of shanks shouldn’t make contact with the unit - no promises though!

As great as the practice experience was, the Play mode is where the most fun is to be had. Garmin has really enhanced the graphics on its Home Tee Hero software and golfers have over 43,000 courses to choose from, so you can play pretty much anywhere you want. You get very cool flyovers of each hole before you tee off and the courses are realistic enough - it makes power deductions for lies in the rough and bunker and it shows you the breaks on the greens. The putting element worked well too after some practice - you can choose how far you want to get gimmies from, I'd recommend somewhere between 6-8 feet as from that distance it starts to get a little awkward.

The greens were also incredibly quick to chip on to, despite being set to a modest 8 on the stimp meter. But being able to play any course in under an hour, whether it’s hooked up to a screen or just using the R50’s display, without any laptop or iPad required, is a game changer. All this enjoyment does come at an extra cost via a Garmin Golf subscription, which works out to £8.99 a month or £89.99 a year. It’s a little annoying, but is par for the course with these things and actually comes in a lot cheaper than some of the software packages provided by competitors.

There is a practical benefit of having the golf simulator functionality built into the R50, having such an extensive course list and the device being easily portable. Before an important round at your home course, you’re able to take your R50 to the driving range or even the practice net (the R50 is camera based, so it doesn’t need to track your ball through the air) and play the first few holes. This makes your pre-round preparation so much more effective - you can hit shots with the clubs you’re about to use, see how the shots fly and make any necessary adjustments. The mulligan feature means you can have another go at certain shots on the course that have you worried if you don’t execute them correctly the first time. Once you’ve nailed them, this will only serve to boost your confidence when you come to this shot in real time.

All in all, my experience with the Approach R50 was an extremely positive one and it absolutely lived up to all the hype. It’s not perfect and I’ve got a few niggles with it - like having to bend or kneel down all the time to change the settings, or the rudimentary look of your session data on the Garmin Golf app, but these are minor qualms. The elephant in the room, perhaps, is that you still require a safe space to hit balls to actually use the R50, which will naturally come at an extra cost that will likely spill over into the thousands. But compared with other products that offer both launch monitor and simulator functionality, the investment would still be relatively modest. The R50 has really moved the needle in the golf simulator space and for anyone contemplating setting up their own indoor golf space, the launch of this product might well tip them over into doing it.

The home launch monitor/simulator market has become a real growth sector in golf over the past few years with brands like Garmin and Rapsodo offering relatively affordable solutions for the home practicer. In this review, I will be taking a look at the Square Golf indoor launch monitor that offers both range and on-course functions. Coming in at an RRP of £699.99, I was keen to see whether it delivered the type of experience to place it amongst the best portable launch monitors in the game.

Upon unboxing the launch monitor, I was greeted with five individual boxes containing all the required components including the unit itself, charging cables, balls, etc and I was impressed with the quality of the packaging and the organization of the parts. The launch monitor itself is very lightweight coming in at only 470g with the battery so those of you who see weight as a barometer of robustness or quality won’t glean much confidence from your initial impression, but the construction looked very neat and clean to my eye.

Once I had everything out of the boxes and somewhat set up, it was time to download the Square Golf app which was very quick and easy and the app even gave me a little run-through of how to get started. Now it was time to start hitting some shots!

You can use any golf ball you wish with Square Golf, however, the recommendation is to use the pre-dotted balls provided as this will offer the most accurate and optimal ball data from your sessions. This may disappoint some who want to get the spin numbers from their gamer golf ball, but for the startlingly low price tag, there has to be one or two compromises. That said, if you happen to use a ball with visual tech such as the TaylorMade TP5 or TP5x Pix or the Callaway Chrome Soft Truvis, this will provide the same accurate readings as the Square Golf provided balls.

I started on the range as I wanted to get a feel for how responsive and accurate the unit was and I have to say I was very impressed on both counts. Some launch monitors have a somewhat annoying time delay from the time the ball impacts the screen to how quickly the software projects a ball flight, but with Square Golf this is almost instantaneous, which makes for a very realistic experience. In terms of the data, I put it up against my testing launch monitor the Full Swing KIT, and once again was impressed.

Barring one outlier in a 50-shot range session, yardage was comparable within two yards throughout, and the spin rate was never further than 300 rpm different on any club I used. This is even more impressive and reassuring when you consider that FullSwing is radar-based and considerably more expenses, whereas Square Golf is camera-powered. The only parameters I would like to have seen additionally would have been clubhead speed and smash factor, but seeing the regularity of firmware updates on offer, I doubt it will be long before we do.

When heading onto the course setup I was impressed by the quality and variety of courses on offer and the gameplay was genuinely excellent. Speed between shots kept a nice cadence with no frustrating loading times and due to the accuracy of the data, the whole experience was very enjoyable. Putting (as always with simulator golf seemingly) was a little trickier.

Having to imagine a distance in your head from a number is always tough for a visual player, however, there is little any simulator company can do about that (short of installing massive spinning putting greens like TGL) and the four feet gimmie circle of trust option makes things a little easier to digest. You can also set the green speed between 8 and 13 on the stimp meter to personalize your experience even more.

It should be noted that there will be a cost over time for the simulator experience with the requirement to purchase extra credits (see below image), however, you do get 1000 free credits straight out of the box which equates to around 55 rounds of golf.

Overall I am seriously impressed with the Square Golf launch monitor. So much so that I have actively encouraged my local driving range to consider purchasing a few units for commercial use in the clubhouse area. The gameplay is realistic, the speed is excellent and the data is more than accurate enough to satisfy the majority of golfers. If you have the space for a home indoor setup, you will get a lot of fun and value for money from a Square Golf launch monitor. For £699, there's excellent value for money on offer here compared to many of the best budget launch monitors.

One of the best ways to sharpen up your game this winter ahead of the new season is by working on your putting. The first thing you’re going to want to do is purchase one of the best putting mats and I wanted to test the PuttOut Medium putting mat to see if it could be considered one of these.

Watch: Best Putting Mats 2024

When thinking about whether putting mats actually help you get better at putting, it's important to remember that using a mat versus putting on your carpet is not only more run, it's also more realistic and there are usually lines and other graphics to guide you and give you feedback.

The PuttOut medium putting mat falls at the lower end of the price spectrum when it comes to putting mats - $59 to be precise. While it doesn’t have the slope and ball retriever features more expensive mats like the PuttOut Airbreak does, this mat is ideal for someone who wants to sharpen their skills with the flatstick without wanting to break the bank on a putting mat.

This mat totals out at 7ft 11” long and has distance markers displayed at every foot up to six feet. The mat is only 1ft 8” wide which does mean you don’t actually stand on the mat when putting but it’s not thick as the likes of the PrimePutt putting mat, so it didn’t feel as though the ball was considerably above your feet.

There are other alignment features on the mat to help you align the putter face square at address and there is a ghost hole feature to aim at. While this mat is perfectly usable by itself, it’s also great to lay some training aids on it to help with your practice. I threw down a putting mirror for some extra feedback and added the PuttOut Premium Pressure putt trainer - a little gadget that acts as a hole and gives you a more precise target to aim at.

There are many putting mats out there and they all run at slightly different speeds. To get the most out of your practice on a mat, having a good understanding of the general speed of the greens at the course you play most regularly will help you massively when it comes to pace control. The PuttOut medium putting mat is said to run between 9 and 10 on the stimpmeter but after testing I would say it runs closer to a 9. This could be because the surface is fairly new and the pile-cut nylon hasn’t quite bedded in and so after more consistent use and wear, I could see how the surface could compress and the speed could creep up to about 10 on the stimp.

Overall the PuttOut Medium putting mat has pretty much everything you need in order to sharpen up your putting this off-season. At just under $60 it’s very affordable and thanks to the durable rubber sole it rolls flat instantly after being removed from the handy drawstring carry bag it comes with. If you’re not fussed about extra features and just want a simple putting mat to tide you over, the PuttOut Medium putting mat is a great option.

Putting is the one part of the game where very little energy is exerted. It requires little strength and power and so there is no excuse for anyone to not become a better putter. One of the best ways to keep on top of your game is by practicing on a putting mat to groove your stroke. I wanted to test the PGA Tour Deluxe golf putting mat to see if, despite its very affordable price, it could compete with some of the best putting mats on the market.

Watch: Best Putting Mats 2024

While some putting mats range well north of $300, such as the PrimePutt putting mat, the PGA Tour Deluxe putting mat is far more on par with the PuttOut Medium putting mat in terms of price point. They both are available online for $59 and can be easily stowed and carried via a handy drawstring bag.

The mat unravels fairly well but isn’t quite as thick as other mats, meaning it does leave some creases in the mat that will need flattening out before use. The rubber on the bottom doesn’t grip quite as well as others on the market and so I found the mat does move around a little if you happen to step on or off it. Aside from that, the surface is soft to touch and fairly smooth. The PGA Tour Deluxe putting mat is said to run at medium to fast pace although this was definitely one of the slowest putting mats I have recently tested.

There are pretty basic markings down the sides of the mat measuring each foot in distance and a line that runs through the middle of the mat to help with clubface alignment and start line. While this mat is fairly basic and doesn’t offer the adjustability of say the PuttOut Airbreak or the features of the Perfect Practice putting mat, it definitely helped me just dial in the fundamentals of the putting stroke, such as set-up and aim.

The best thing about this putting mat was the zonal target around the hole. Outside of the hole is a small perimeter that indicates perfect speed control but you then have a larger target around that ring named the ‘Lag Zone’, spanning roughly 1ft long and short of the hole. This is great for if you find yourself becoming too aggressive with your putting and will test your control when moving to the back of the mat.

The mat is only 8ft or so long although you can only really hit a putt from just over the 6ft mark without the back lip of the mat interfering with your stroke. While I think this mat is perfect for beginners or those purely wanting to focus on their shorter putting, if you don’t mind stretching your budget a little further, the Eyeline Golf Roll The Rock putting mat or the Perfect Practice putting mat both offer a smoother and faster roll while reaching lengths of just over 8 and 9ft respectively.

When looking for a training aid to improve my golf swing, I want it to be completely versatile and help me with many facets in my game. The Connector from Sure Golf is one of the best examples of this I've experienced in a long time. With the aim of improving synchronisation between your arms and body in the golf swing while also helping improve compression, it’s no wonder this training aid has been seen used by Rory McIlroy in almost all of his practice sessions and warm ups over the past few months along with a few other tour players.

With all of the technology floating around in today's game, it's somewhat ironic that the Connector is comprised of a simple memory foam wedge with two rods. Yet it does a great job of shining a light on the importance of fundamentals in the golf swing and clearly you don’t always need one of the best golf gadgets to get it right.

The Connector has two indentations on the side for your arms to comfortably slot into position and then a rod running horizontally across to help ensure a proper fit. This rod also serves as a reference point throughout the golf swing so when looking back at recordings of your practice session, you can easily analyze how much arm rotation has occurred and whether you have made the improvements you intended.

The vertical alignment aid with the white cap poking out from the top of The Connector is a great indicator of not only where you setup at address but also of shaft lean through impact. One of the main ideas behind The Connector is to be able to engage the larger muscles in the golf swing to help create more power and compression.

In order to create compression you will need a forward shaft lean at impact and so when filming from face on, you can easily identify whether or not you are achieving this. As someone who sometimes sees the club race past the hands back to the ball on the downswing, I found this to be particularly beneficial during my practice sessions.

There was very little to grumble about when it came to the Connector but if I was to have a little pop it would be that it doesn’t fit in your golf bag, so you will have to carry this separately to the driving range. This for the most part obviously isn’t an issue but if you wanted to use it during your warm up before a round, you’ll have to pop back to the car to put it away.

One of the main things I loved about this training aid is that you really don’t need to be hitting balls to get use out of it, but you have the option to if you want. Simply placing it between your arms and just ingraining the feeling of the movement and how your body and arms are going to work together is enough to give you a solid understanding of how you’ll have to swing with a club in your hands.

When purchasing The Connector from the Sure Golf website you will also receive access to the Sure Golf Knowledge Center where you can find over 100 specific lessons with video to help you improve any part of the game you may be struggling in and how the Connector and any other of the brands training aids, like the popular Sure Set training aid or the Sure Strike training aid, may be able to help. For just over $100 ($109) this is one of the best golf training aids that could comfortably improve multiple aspects of your game for the same price as two lessons with a golf professional - which when used correctly, makes it a smart investment.

I’m very much a player who relies on feels and training aids in order to make changes to my golf swing and that’s why I love The Connector from Sure Golf. Like any training aid attempting to help iron out a swing flaw, it can feel awkward at first but with some determination and perseverance you will reap the benefits of it. This training aid is perfect for those looking for a more consistent strike, particularly with their wedges and irons and if using the product efficiently, you’ll likely see an increase in power and distance too.

The HackMotion Golf Swing Analyzer is a step beyond the more basic training aids by using a clever, interactive sensor system to help you engrain the correct wrist angles during the various stages of the golf swing and in turn hit better golf shots thanks to a more neutral and stable club face. So, is the device as useful as advertised? I took it out for a thorough practice session to find out.

I feel like it’s worth noting at this point that I tested the HackMotion Pro package ($995). This gives you the ability to do some ‘free practice’ as well as the option of a practice putting feature, which are features that you will not receive with the core package ($295). There is a third option called the Plus Package ($495) that sits in between these two packages that would be worth considering.

So what exactly does the HackMotion Pro package offer? To start, the device comes in a sturdy, protective case that is easily small enough to slide into one of the pockets of your golf bag. Once you’re set up with the device around your wrist, which takes just a few seconds, and you have the HackMotion app downloaded, the device connects via Bluetooth instantly. To keep the sensor attached and in place, it simply slots onto the back of the Velcro strap on your golf glove.

Calibrating the product was fairly straight forward but in order to gain reliable data, is a crucial part of the set-up procedure. There is real-time feedback and absolutely no lag which really shows how cutting edge the technology that powers the device is. I have only seen this immediate feedback through the likes of the Bal.On Smart Kit - another one of the best golf gadgets on the market for improving your understanding of how you swing the club.

The app interface is extremely user friendly and gives you a step-by-step process in setting up your device, asking exactly what you want to get out of your practice so it can tailor drills to you specifically. There are short videos on the app which really help you understand how to analyse the data collected and there is even the ability to look at comparative data collected by the average PGA and DP World Tour players - such as wrist angles while hitting a driver or even a putt.

Be aware that the HackMotion Pro does provide a lot of information but as standard practice I would primarily focus on the wrist angles at the top of the backswing and then at impact. The full data mode gives you access to both of these as well as at address. If you get both of these nailed down, it really won’t matter what the rest of the golf swing looks like. The visual indicators and numbers make it very easy to digest whether your angles are correct or not with the green being the good and red colored boxed indicating you have some work to do.

Obviously not everyone swings the golf club in the same way and so there are numerous built-in profiles but the standard swing will suit most amateur golfers. You can be more precise with what you want to achieve with your wrist angles through the app. For example, if you tend to have a more open club face and want to strengthen your club face for a little extra power, you can program this so your left wrist (as a right handed golfer) is encouraged to become a little more bowed than flexed at the top of the backswing.

While practicing, I quite like to put my phone away and focus on my task for that session and so if looking at your phone is likely to be a distraction, you can add audio cues to help indicate whether you are in the right position at whatever point in the swing you are working on.

If you purchase one of the two more advanced HackMotion packages, you will also gain access to the putting feature, which will benefit golfers who are particularly 'wristy' throughout their putting stroke or just want to know if their technique is to blame for poor performance on the greens.

The HackMotion Golf Swing Analyzer is certainly worth the investment if poor wrist angles are the main downfall in your golf game or if you value to ability to get realtime feedback on how you move during the swing. It certainly isn’t a cheap investment for a device that specifically targets just one of the key fundamentals. For example, how each golfer grips the club will also play a massive role in clubface control and ball flight, of which the HackMotion device really can’t do much about. If you’re serious about improving your game and are looking to make changes with your wrist angles to hit more consistent golf shots, you’ll be hard pushed to find a more effective training aid than the HackMotion.

For November only you can now purchase HackMotion at a reduced rate. The savings see the core model drop from €295 to €245. The Plus package from €495 to €395 and the Pro package from €995 to €795. The following savings can be taken advantage of through the following link. https://hackmotion.com/golfmonthly

If you’re an avid golfer, you’ve probably fantasized about having a home simulator setup. If you’re on a budget, you probably thought it was out of your reach, and for many golfers, it certainly still is. But launch monitors and simulators are becoming more and more affordable, and the technology to make the experiences more accurate and realistic continues to evolve.

To check into this, we took a look at Uneekor’s Eye Mini Lite. Not to be confused with the Eye Mini, which is a portable launch monitor that can be used on a driving range and the course as well as indoors, the Eye Mini Lite from the Korean-based company is not really that portable. In fact, it has to be plugged in. But if you’re wanting to just set up something at your home, it’s a serious option, offering loads of data points, impressive graphics and speed, options to play different courses, challenges, an evaluation of your game, and other features, many of which are found on units costing way more than the Eye Mini Lite.

The compact Eye Mini Lite, which costs less than $3,000, features dual cameras and infrared sensors for ball and club measurements. You can get more detailed club measurements, like clubhead speed, by using a small sticker on the face of the club. The unit is fairly easy to set up right out of the box, but you do need to connect it with a PC computer using an ethernet cable. It will not work with an Apple product and certainly not a Chromebook. A gaming PC is probably the way to go to get the fastest processing.

You’ll need adequate space to set this up. If you’re thinking about your garage or anywhere indoors, of course, you’ll need higher than normal ceilings to accommodate longer clubs in your bag or taller players. I don’t have that at home, so I opted for a temporary backyard setup, employing a large golf net, a mat, and a TV monitor for a larger display than the computer screen and a canopy to cover everything in case it started raining.

Again, ideally, you would want to set something up indoors. Even better, you can hook up an overhead projector into a screen in front of you instead of a monitor. And for around $2,500 you could add a couple more cameras to video your swing from behind and face-on, as well as a force plate to measure weight shift in your swing. The software to run these optional add-ons is included.

Start at the Driving Range

In the free Player Package, the Eye Mini Lite is a driving range, capable of showing you your shots with different backgrounds. You get all sorts of ball data, like ball speed, spin, launch angles, carry distance, descent angle, distance to apex and peak height, spin axis, flight time, angle descent, and total distance. You can also get club data, such as clubhead speed, attack angle, smash factor, and club path. It’s a pretty complete picture of each shot.

And speaking of pictures, the Eye Mini Lite can display a short video and still shot of your club at impact, thanks to the included cameras. That immediately tells you exactly how you are striking the ball. It’s a really cool feature.

To bring in all the features of the Eye Mini Lite, you’re going to want the Pro Package (about $200 annually) or the Champion Package ($400). These subscriptions bring in lots more features, courses, and different games and challenges as well as more sessions. I tested this with the Champion Package, so it pretty much gave me the full suite, minus the optional optics and force plate.

Besides driving range, there are several different fun and helpful games. One of the most intriguing is the Evaluation mode, which tests you through different aspects of your game like driving, mid-irons, short-irons, short-game, and even putting. It assigns a score to each and an overall score depending on your accuracy. If I had the Eye Mini Lite setup at home permanently, I could see myself doing the Evaluation every week, trying to improve in each area, but especially areas I was deficient in. The putting part of it I didn’t take as seriously because as much as putting has improved on simulators, it still doesn’t seem like real putting to me.

There’s also a Short Game Complex and Challenge game, both of which I found fairly addictive. The Short Game Complex gives you various lies and distances from the green, where you can test yourself on all sorts of different shots in different conditions like out of the rough or through the rough, uphill downhill and to sloping greens. This is where you can really hone in on your distance control, and it’s another game I could see myself playing endlessly both for enjoyment and improvement.

The Challenge game sets up targets surrounded by water with varying distances with some cool cityscape backgrounds. It’s fun and great for dialing in wedges and short irons.

Play 18 holes

The Pro Package comes with a handful of golf courses, and the Champion Package includes at least 25. None of them are well-known American or European Courses, but these Uneekor courses all seem to have good holes and are plenty challenging.

Uneekor also works with golf simulator software like E6 Connect and GSPro, which opens up hundreds of golf courses, including some that are pretty well known. Playing one of the courses is a great way to compete against your friends. For the most part, I felt like my shots were fairly well represented in terms of accuracy.

Best of all, like the driving range, the display is almost instantaneous, so you can move quickly from shot to shot and between players. Once the tee shots are hit, it automatically prompts the player who is farthest from the hole to hit next.

The only thing I don’t like about simulated golf is the putting. I think if you play it enough, you figure out how to putt on a simulator, but merely stroking a ball off a mat has never felt very realistic to me. I had a three putt on the majority of holes, which is not something I do in real golf.

Overall, the Eye Mini Lite is an incredible piece of technology at an affordable price. Again, if you have the dedicated space, you can put together a pretty nice simulator setup that won’t break the bank and even add pieces later on.

If you’re like me and do your best to keep your game sharp throughout the winter, then making sure you have one of the best putting mats available at home is a must. Eyeline Golf is known for its variety of high quality training aids, specifically putting mirrors but I wanted to know how the Roll The Rock putting mat could help me groove my putting stroke, so I got to testing.

The first thing I appreciated about the Roll The Rock putting mat is the fact it rolls up to a very convenient size and you'll receive it in a small drawstring bag that makes storing and transporting the mat particularly easy. The mat itself is only just over 8” wide and therefore can be used in most places around the house, even a tight hallway, and the 8ft in length is perfect to give enough variability in length during your practice. The backing on this mat does mean that it lays particularly flat, even after having been stored for some time, so there are no annoying ripples or crinkles to iron out.

I’ll be the first to admit, I can often get a little bored practicing a dead straight put over and over again but the Roll The Rock putting mat has five different markers on the mat to hit from. Two of these are positioned at a slight angle, so while the putt itself may be straight, it certainly changes your perception of the putt when not just putting straight down the mat and this adjustment will help your putting practice not become too monotonous. The cleverly designed putting cup can be easily popped into the cutout hole and has been designed in such a way that putts hit too firmly will run through it, just as it would in real life (providing there’s no flag in the hole to stop it).

The Tour Grain Velvet surface is extremely soft to touch and produces a seriously smooth and rapid roll and while the brand claims this makes it more realistic, I can count on one hand how many greens I’ve putted on that run both that smoothly and that fast. The surface can be brushed back towards your putting location and that does slow the ball down to a slightly more realistic pace. When brushed back towards you, the ball leaves a track which is a good reference on your start line, but you’ll need to brush the mat back every time, otherwise you’ll find the ball getting stuck in the previous track and diverting your current putt off-line.

The Eyeline Golf Roll The Rock Putting mat is well designed and perfect as an affordable option for those looking to work on their stroke indoors and get some basic feedback. There are others with more variety and that run at a slightly more realistic speed but this mat is perfect for practicing when the weather is poor outside and can easily be used alongside some of the best putting training aids.

I love a good training aid, and here at Golf Monthly, we get sent some of the very best training aids on a pretty regular basis. The ButterBlade from RYP golf however was a little different. I had seen so much of this little yellow golf club on my Instagram feed that I had become personally intrigued, so I actually contacted RYP myself to see if they would send me one. They kindly obliged, so let’s take a look and see if it could help your game…

The premise couldn’t be much simpler, and we see it with training methods across numerous other sports - if you make practicing a skill harder than competition, when it’s time to compete, the skill should feel significantly easier and your confidence and competence will increase. From distance runners training with weighted vests to boxers shadow boxing in swimming pools for extra resistance and many more, all take advantage of this concept, and that is what RYP is bringing us with the ButterBlade.

Essentially what we have here is a tiny little 7-iron clubhead, significantly smaller from heel to toe than any other ‘regular’ 7-iron you will find on the market. It comes in both right and left-handed options, ladies, and junior weights, and with numerous shaft flex options which is a real plus.

When you first place the ButterBlade in behind the ball, you wonder how you are ever possibly going to make contact, as it is barely bigger than the ball you are intending to strike! That initial shock passes, however, and my first few swipes were genuinely good, solid golf shots. 

For context, I am a PGA Professional, so my ball striking is reasonable, but it was still a fairly intimidating initial aesthetic. I continued on for around 25 balls with some mixed strike results which was to be expected, and I must say that feedback was excellent. The ButterBlade would not win any awards for the most forgiving irons, but that is exactly what it is designed for. You can immediately tell where you have struck the ball on the tiny club face and can take the necessary corrective action.

The fun really starts when you switch back into your own ‘gamer’ iron, however. After ten minutes or so I pulled out my Callaway Apex CB 7-iron, put it in behind the ball, and it looked enormous! All of a sudden one of the best low-handicap irons had transformed into one of the best game improvement irons right before my eyes. This new perspective genuinely filled me with confidence and the feeling that I just couldn’t miss, and my ball striking reflected that. 

The ButterBlade absolutely achieves what it sets out to do which is sharpen your focus for higher quality ball striking, and a residual benefit of that is the incredible confidence boost you receive when looking down at your own clubs after a ButterBlade session. For players lacking confidence in their iron game on the golf course, I would thoroughly recommend a warm-up with the ButterBlade, as by the time you get to your first iron shot you’ll be presented with a much less daunting prospect looking back up at you.

My one gripe with this product would be the shaft, and I am being a little picky here as I really like the ButterBlade as a whole. There is an awful lot of torque to the bright yellow shaft that comes as standard, even in the X Flex that I was sent. When I slowed down some of the videos I took of my swing while using the ButterBlade I noticed some fairly violent twisting of the clubhead through impact that could be reduced with a higher-quality shaft offering less torque. Shots struck slightly off the toe twisted the head extremely open and vice versa. That said, this served to make the ButterBlade trickier to use, which is the whole point right? Even so, I liked this training aid so much, that I am actually going to re-shaft the head with the Project X LS shafts that I use in my actual set and implement the ButterBlade in my practice and warm-up sessions moving forward. 

One of the easiest areas of your game to work on at home, besides putting, is your chipping providing you have some space to work with. Portable chipping nets are a one of the best training aids to use in the garden and when I saw the Saplize chipping net, what came with it and what the cost was, I knew I had to get my hands on one and put it to the test to see if the price was too good to be true.

WATCH: See the Saplize chipping net in action among our best golf gadgets for under $100

While it was injury that stopped me practicing my chipping for a substantial period of time, a lot of golfers prefer to avoid playing in inclement weather and with shorter days in the winter, practice after work is often not a possibility. That’s where the Saplize chipping net comes in. You can purchase just the net for $39 or you can opt for the whole package which includes a set of eight foam golf balls and a hitting mat with three different playing surfaces for just $58, making this easily one of the best golf gadgets for under $100.

Sure, you can go online and purchase a net and then balls and mats separately but the convenience, price and quality of the Saplize product reassured that I didn't make a mistake purchasing the bundle. As I alluded to earlier, daylight closing in throughout the winter makes it extremely hard for club golfers who work to find time to get out to the course in the day and practice, so the ability to chip the foam balls inside to a target was something I particularly enjoyed (annoyingly so did the dog)! 

The mat that comes with the bundle has three different playing textures so you can get a feel of how the club is going to glide through this artificial grass. One plays similar to a fairway and has a little more padding despite the grass length being fairly short. The second is a tight-cut, fringe-style surface that is a little firmer and the last has longer grass to mimic the first cut of rough around the greens. While it’s hard to replicate any lie you’re likely to see on the course, I thought this was a superb attempt and when using real balls in the garden, I did notice how the different surfaces affected the spin and flight. The inclusion of the mat in the bundle also stops you taking divots out of the grass in the garden or more importantly the carpets in the house.

The net itself is really easy to set up and fold back down. Like all the best golf training aids, it collapses and can be stored away very easily in a convenient travel case with a handle. The net is stable and can be secured in the ground with some pegs and was capable of handling some of my thinned chips that had some serious speed to them. There are three target holes so golfers can practise, high, medium and low shots although I feel the larger net on the outside designed to collect any stray shots could be slightly bigger.

All in all this really is a superb piece of kit that can be set up for use all year round and keep your short game sharp. For an extra $20, it’s definitely worth going for the bundle deal that gives you the foam balls and mat over just purchasing the net itself, although the net alone still represents excellent value.

Having experienced one of the wettest winters and springs I can remember, there has been very little golf played and so my short game is very much on the ropes. I often find my swing doesn’t feel too bad if I don’t play much but my putting suffers severely and so I couldn’t have been more excited when the PrimePutt putting mat arrived on my doorstep.

As soon as I took this golf mat out of the box, I knew it was going to be different from any other putting mat I had used before. The heavy weight indicated straight away that it was made from premium, robust material and I wasn’t disappointed. PrimePutt uses tour-grade nylon turf that it claims mimics the feel and roll of PGA Tour greens at tournament speed, running between 10-11 on the Stimpmeter. Thanks to the realistic nature of this putting mat, it's ideal for using some of the best putting aids on to help develop your stroke. 

The PrimePutt putting mat boasts a proprietary cup design which mimics a full depth cup on the course and so when putting from an angle, you can actually shave the lip of the hole - exactly what I’m trying to stop doing when on the course! 

The mat unrolls easily and while it did have a few humps in initially, after walking on it and leaving it to rest, over time these bumps flattened out providing a smooth roll, similar to the greens at my home course and making it one of the best indoor putting greens. By rolling the mat up turf-side out, you should decrease the chances of any bumps and continue to get a good roll from the mat. The mat is really low maintenance as well which I love and can easily be hoovered to pick up any debris that is disrupting the performance.

While it can be used on any surface, I only had the chance to lay my mat on carpet which meant it moved around a little and that was a little annoying having to adjust it after my customary three putts. The rubber on the underside of the mat I’m sure would stick in place much better when used on either wood or tiled flooring.

The mat is available in multiple size options, ranging from a 1.5ft x 9ft single hole mat, all the way up to a 3ft x 15ft 3-hole mat. I opted for somewhere in the middle at the 3ft x 9ft length which I found to be the right size to fit in most rooms. The three holes may be a little overkill if I’m honest as no matter which hole you putt towards, it’s still a straight putt and there is less than 6” in length between the hole at the back and the two at the front, so it’s not as though it’s a longer putt. If I was to make one main criticism, it would be that if there are three holes, the mat has to be wider. Even when putting to the middle hole, my heels were hovering over the edge of the mat and it was only by putting to the hole on the right of the three, that I felt I could stand comfortably.

All in all I was really impressed with the quality of this mat and there’s no doubt it’s one of the best putting mats that I have used. The sleek, wooden engraved back-stop collects balls without them bouncing back in the way of your next put and gives the mat a premium look to sit nicely in your home or office. Speaking of home take a look at our best putting drills guide, or the 32 best putting tips.

The market for home golf simulators is one of the biggest growth areas within the game right now, and Korean-based company Golfzon is right at the forefront of this phenomenon. With golfers getting ever time-poorer and requiring their recreation to fit conveniently around their work and family life, fitting one of the best home golf simulators is proving the answer for many.

Watch: Joe Ferguson details why the GolfZon Wave Launch Monitor was included in Golf Monthly's Editor's Choice for 2024. 

Golfzon believes the WAVE might just be the ideal solution for players looking to create a home golf set-up. 

In terms of the technology, The Golfzon WAVE system includes a bespoke version of its Vision software and I was genuinely impressed by the incredible high-definition 3D recreations of some of the world's most famous courses, with incredibly realistic details right down to individual trees! With Vision WAVE you receive access to over 100 worldwide courses all from the comfort of your own home. 

One area of separation with the Golfzon WAVE is the WAVE Putt device that Golfzon says allows golfers to play with extreme accuracy from the tee all the way to the green. Many other simulators have disappointingly inaccurate putting features, or in fact don’t actually allow you to putt at all, instead replacing with “auto-putt” features. I found the WAVE Putt device worked well, although it still does take some time to get comfortable with putting to a distance or number in your head rather than the familiar visual of a hole. That said, once you are used to it, it is good fun and much more accurate than many other simulator putting I have tried.

The playing experience is absolutely what I would want it to be. There are no unnecessarily long loading times, the written graphics are informative, and the clarity of the animations is exceptionally realistic. There are a number of formats that will suit a broad spectrum of golfers, from young kids and complete novices to more experienced, serious players, there really is something for everyone. Another feature that genuinely enhances the user experience is the super speedy response time when using theGolfzon WAVE. As soon as the ball hits the screen, the ball flight projection begins with little to no lag that can be apparent in other products. This really enhances the reality of the simulation.

Another feature that I feel makes the Golfzon WAVE a real standout in this space is the versatility of the unit in terms of its functionality as a high-quality outdoor launch monitor. I put it through its paces extensively outdoors up against one of the industry leaders in the launch monitor space and it performed admirably. At no stage did the variance in yardage exceed +/- 2 yards and the spin and launch numbers were equally comparable.

While a price tag of £3999.99 is not insignificant, the value here is unquestionable. With many other solutions running into the tens of thousands with very comparable functionality and accuracy, the Golfzon WAVE is a standout product. The exceptional graphics and gameplay experience, combined with the impressive versatility as an incredibly accurate outdoor launch monitor make the Golfzon WAVE a must-try for shoppers in this market.

I am thrilled to be able to say that PuttOUT Golf is bringing to market a new putting mat that will allow players to manually adjust and practice putts of different breaks and slopes in the comfort of their own homes, the AirBreak. For a number of years, PuttOUT has been making some of the best putting mats that allow you to hit straight putts and work on technique and start line, which is a crucial element of putting practice.

Watch: Joe Ferguson details why the PuttOUT AirBreak was included in Golf Monthly's Editor's Choice for 2024.

However, how many dead straight putts did you face in your last round of golf? My guess would be not many. Reading greens and learning how to match up line and pace on breaking putts is fundamental to becoming a great putter and lowering your scores.

Over the past few years, I have seen, and tested, a number of hydraulic-based systems that allow you to manipulate break and have both thoroughly enjoyed and found them very beneficial. What I haven’t enjoyed however is the price tag of these which can run into the tens of thousands of dollars! Now for $349/£299 PuttOUT is saying that you can manipulate break and learn the green reading and technical skills required for improvement in your very own home. I put the AirBreak mat to the test to see what it had to offer...

Firstly, the technology. Featuring a light, flexible, and extremely strong EPP base, with 8 points of adjustment, AirBreak allows you to quickly create an almost limitless amount of breaking putts across its 8ft putting area. This is cleverly achieved by having 8 air pockets built into the frame, with players using the pumps and release valves to raise and lower the base which PuttOUT says allows users to create break in seconds.

Users of AirBreak can create up to 7.5% of side slope (right to left and vice versa) as well as a continuous up-hill or down-hill slope of 3%.

I thoroughly enjoyed testing the AirBreak out and found both the setup and usage really simple and intuitive. The flexibility of the base means that, unlike some other solutions, AirBreak doesn’t just pivot on a single plane, which allows you to create double-breakers even within a 6.5 ft putt. This flexibility allows AirBreak to mirror the realistic, gradual slopes you experience out on the course. The artificial surface ran extremely smoothly as you would expect and the pace (although adjustable) was comfortable in the flat position.

Another feature of AirBreak that I enjoyed was the automatic ball return. It is battery-powered, and holed putts are returned to your feet instantly, which is a great reward for a successful putt for a lazy golfer like me! It is a little firey however so be on alert otherwise the balls will zip past you off the mat!

As well as all this, in order to help users easily set up specific putts and generally improve their ability to read greens, AirBreak will come accompanied by PuttOUT’s brand-new green-reading app. Essentially this acts as a digital spirit level and can help the AimPoint users out there to quantify the break into numbers and percentages. The app is easy to access and provides some good insight and learning.

I genuinely feel that this is a real breakthrough in the home practice space and that golfers of all abilities will benefit. From the seasoned elite player looking to hone their feels, to the novice player just trying to figure out the complexity of breaking putts, there are serious benefits across the board.

AirBreak will be available for pre-order in the US and UK throughout May and June, prior to general release in July, and there is some early bird incentive for Golf Monthly readers. AirBreak is on sale now in the US for $369 and will be available in the UK in January 2025 for £319.

Unless you’re already a great putter, one of the fastest ways to lower your handicap is to increase your proficiency on the greens. For example, If you go from 36 to 29 putts per round, well, that’s seven strokes off your score. That turns a 92 into an 85, and an 82 into 75.

Of course, if putting is by far the strength of your game, then you might not be interested in the product I recently tested - the GloPro Firefly, an innovative putting trainer that clubfitters, golf instructors, and many golfers would find very useful. 

I came across the GloPro Firefly at this year’s PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando. They were in a small booth, and each time I went by, I noticed a golf pro or two there, checking it out. They seemed intrigued, and I witnessed more than one making an order on the spot. 

The GloPro Firefly ($149.99) is a system that combines a clamp, laser light, and a glow-in-the-dark pad that traces the beam. The clamp fits on the shaft of your putter. The laser goes in the clamp and points down. From there you can put a ball on the pad on an indoor putting green, or simply make putting strokes over the pad without a ball. In either case, the laser traces your exact stroke in real time.

The inventors of the GloPro Firefly got the idea from swinging a 9-iron in tall grass. They were a bit surprised to see the exact path of the clubhead wasn’t what they expected, which led to creating something that could do this for putting. A family member who worked in medical research helped find the materials to create GloPro Firefly, which records a line marked on the pad that disappears after a few minutes. You can either take a picture of it, or simply remember what it looked like. In any case, it gives you a real time picture of your putting stroke.

So the big question, of course, is how do you use this information? Well, it can tell you a lot. Do you have much of an arc or do you tend to go pretty straight back and straight through? You might have a combination of both - an arc going back and a straight follow through or just the opposite. Can you retrace your path when you change direction? How long is your stroke, both back and through? (If you're promoting a pendulum stroke, for example, without a ball, the back stroke and through stroke should be fairly even.)

According to GloPro founder Anthony Metzger, the first thing to look for is are you pushing or pulling your putts? From there you can start to make adjustments, with or without a coach or instructor, which makes it one of the best golf training aids for instant, useable feedback.

I used it to confirm a change I made a couple of years ago. When I made a right-handed stroke, the laser line was all over the place, and my through stroke was a big push, which confirmed why most of my misses were right of the hole as a righty. But when I tested it left-handed, my strokes were consistent and almost straight back and straight through. They were even length on both sides, and the arc was very slight. And I could repeat it almost every time. 

Putter fitters can use this to dial in different types of putters - changing out heads, shaft types, weights, whether they are face-balanced, etc., to come up with a combination that produces the best and most consistent strokes. Instructors naturally can teach off this too, to correct flaws they see in your strokes in real time.

Obviously this isn’t the only tool for measuring putting strokes. The SAM PuttLab, for example, can measure pretty much everything about a putt, including skid, loft, and exactly how the putter is contacting the ball. It costs thousands of dollars. There's also PuttLink and Capto EZ, which are also good systems in their own right.

But if you’re just looking to dial in a great stroke, the GloPro Firefly is an inexpensive, unique tool that gives you instant feedback. 

Over the past few years, many well-established driving ranges have taken the plunge and opted to upgrade their facilities to include interactive ball-tracking technologies, and at the forefront of that with over 75% of the market share is Toptracer range. With over 1,000 Toptracer ranges worldwide, it doesn’t feel as if you are ever far from one, so I decided to check out my local facility to see what all the fuss is about.

Essentially, Toptracer is an optical-tracking based system, with cameras mounted discreetly above every bay to accurately track the journey of the golf ball, which the clever software can then translate into a multitude of functions and games.

My local Toptracer range is Portmore Golf Park, just outside Barnstaple in North Devon, and for many years it was a very traditional wooden shed, with concrete flooring and some fairly tired bay dividers. Walking in now is a very different experience with high-tech screens at both eye level, and above each bay, modern flooring, and tables and benches behind each bay for food and beverage offerings. 

It’s not just the aesthetic that is different either, the clientele seems to have changed massively. Generally from my previous visits, the standard user was clearly a devoted regular golfer or someone warming up for a round on the course. On the particular day I went, however, I saw a much broader spectrum of users, from kids as young as around 5 years old, to teenage couples on a date, all the way to the dedicated practitioner I mentioned before.

After my visit, I was left with no doubt that this was down to the Toptracer software and the variety of entertaining features on offer. One of the most impressive things about the technology for me was that I could quite happily practice my wedge distance control in one bay as my two young daughters were busy trying to whack digital sharks with golf balls in the next bay! The sheer variety on offer is extraordinary and is undoubtedly contributing to the diversity I saw on the driving range.

But as a somewhat(!) serious player, I wanted to know that the data I was looking at was correct, so to test out the accuracy of the data, I took along my FullSwing KIT launch monitor and set it up in my bay. Of the 20 or so shots I measured, only one had more than a 3-yard discrepancy in carry distance which was very reassuring. 

Speed of play was another feature that really impressed me with Toptracer range. After playing around with the longest drive function, and the practice mode, I decided to tackle one of the numerous golf courses on offer. I must admit I was a little skeptical as to how realistic it would be, but I genuinely enjoyed it. I completed 18 holes on my own in little over 40 minutes which for a full-time working, time-poor father of two like myself is amazing! It was easy to pick and adjust targets, and the reaction time of the software was also very impressive, with hardly any lag between the strike and the visual, which really enhanced the experience.

I will say that the driving range was a lot noisier than it ever used to be, with loud shouts and laughter echoing around the structure, so concentrating on a serious practice session was a little more challenging than I was used to, but that was a small price to pay for seeing so many different ages enjoying the game, and something easily rectified with a decent pair of headphones!

One of the other notable areas in which Toptracer excelled was the quality of graphics. Toptracer uses 3D graphics as opposed to 2.5D graphics that feature on other systems. This is most visible in Virtual Golf in Toptracer whereby the camera moves to follow the ball's flight mid-air until the ball comes to rest. With other systems, the rolling ball comes into view in static / fixed cameras at the end of a ball flight. All of these seemingly small touches genuinely added up to an enhanced experience for both me and my kids.

All in all, I was extremely impressed with my Toptracer experience. It has revolutionized my local range from a quiet and dull shed to a hive of family-friendly fun. Not only has it given us a new family activity for rainy days, but it is also actively bringing new people to the sport which can only be a good thing.

Chipping anxiety can be one of the most debilitating and frustrating ailments a golfer suffers with. Often it can seem like there’s no route out and that you’re destined to be forever known as a bad chipper, the thought of which compounds the problem. 

Watch: Joel Tadman details why the GForce Wedge Trainer was included in Golf Monthly's Editor's Choice for 2024. 

But one possible solution, along with a switch to the most forgiving wedges, is to try the GForce Wedge Trainer, which has been designed to engrain a better strike, rhythm and tempo on all types of wedge shot. Where the GForce 7-iron swing trainer helps with the full swing, this product is specifically designed for the short game (although you can hit full shots with it too).

Its main design feature is a strong yet highly flexible shaft which encourages a smoother motion around the greens. Problems with chipping often arise when the golfer pulls the handle or flick the clubhead too quickly and aggressively, causing issues with strike and distance control. This isn’t possible with the GForce wedge trainer if you want to make solid contact with the ball. Instead, you are encouraged to implement smooth changes in direction by using a more body-driven motion and feeling the weight of the clubhead as you swing. 

Our first impressions when picking up the NXT Gen wedge trainer were of surprise - we weren't sure how this was going to help our chipping and the first few attempts were not pretty! But in time and with practice, the results became more favourable as we learned to sync up the movement of the hands, arms and body. If we didn't do this, the feedback from the flexible shaft was immediate in the form of a poor strike. It's worth mentioning the ball flight too, which on well-struck shots was comparable to our normal wedge, as was the control we experienced when the ball landed on the green.

Eventually, you can cover all distances and even transfer the feelings into your full swing. The GForce wedge trainer is surprisingly easy to use. By starting with full swings and working your way up to longer pitches and eventually full shots, it begins to engrain good habits like correct sequencing and a smoother transition. 

The clubhead itself has a lovely brushed steel finish and we particularly enjoyed the jazzy ferrule. With 10 degrees of bounce, it’s playable in all conditions and fully conforming to the Rules of Golf should you wish to take it out on the course. It also comes with micro milled CNC grooves to ensure you get similar greenside control to your normal wedge and an online video series to get the most out of it and ensure you're using it correctly.

While we’d only recommend transferring the feelings the GForce Wedge trainer provides into a round of golf rather than the club itself, there’s no doubt that spending some time with this effective training aid will have a positive impact on your short game performance. 

With that comes added confidence and commitment to pull off the most difficult of shots, which should ensure your scores start to come down. This clever training can really help golfers that perhaps struggle with the yips by encouraging a more body or pivot driven action or for those who simply don't release the club correctly.

Up until a couple of years ago (right before I turned 60), I still had driver clubhead speed close to 100 mph. With a respectable smash factor, that translates into drives around 270 yards. I would take that all day long.

But in the last couple of years, that clubhead speed has dipped to the low 90s. While adequate for a senior player, I sure like hitting shorter clubs into greens (And yes, I know I can move up another set of tees). I decided to see if there was anything I could do about it. So I recently employed a product called Perfect Hands, which I checked out at this year’s PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, to see if I could regain most of, if not all of that lost speed. 

Perfect Hands claims if you follow the regimen that goes along with this product, you will gain clubhead speed - 8 to 10 mph or more - and it also will create muscle memory to help your swing.  In fact the first time you use it, they say it’s not unusual to see speed tick up a couple of miles per hour, probably more because it smooths out your swing motion rather than creating more speed. But again, I was definitely more intrigued by the idea of adding clubhead speed rather than fixing any swing flaws. It is important to note here that if your swinging motion is already pretty solid, using the middle ring on the gloves will not change, but rather reinforce a good motion. 

The backstory is that Perfect Hands founder Mario Karagianis developed this product - which uses stretch bands connected to special gloves and a pivot point on a special waistband - as a way to help his own game. He went through several prototypes before arriving at the current product, which has four different resistant bands from 10 pounds to 40 pounds that connect from the strap to special gloves you wear. Once you set up, you simply make swings, without thinking about it, to build speed, strength, and perhaps muscle memory to build a better swing motion.

Each system comes with two gloves, one for the left hand and one for the right hand, so you can balance out your workout by swinging both ways. And here’s the part I really like: it only takes 10 minutes or less to get in a daily workout. And you do not hit balls with it, so you can do it anywhere you can swing a club.

I started with the 10-pound, just like the program says, and made 20 swings on each side and slowly increased my reps after a few days. Then because I was at a range the first time. I hit a few shots. I might have seen an uptick of a mile or two right away - from 92 mph that I measured before I did the workout - to around 93 or 94 mph. But that might be just because I was loosened up more at that point. It’s hard to say. More important to me was where I would be in a few weeks.

After week two, I already saw a difference. I was in the 96 to 97 mph range. I measured again in week three, and I hit 98 mph. And in week four, I made it to 99 mph. By week six, I was almost at 100 mph, so I did seem to plateau a bit later in the program. Still, 99.7 mph isn’t bad for a 62-year-old. And if I can continue, it seems I might be able to add a little more.

As far as helping to round out my swing, I can’t say it did that, but here’s the part of the system that’s supposed to help with your swing: Each glove is equipped with three rings. The center ring is neutral. The one closest to the forefinger is supposed to help you close the clubface faster. The one nearest the pinky is to help you keep the clubface open longer if you have a tendency to hook. The bands are also supposed to help you stay on plane.

The Perfect Hands folks will tell you, “Don’t think; just swing.” But best I can tell, it strengthens about every muscle you need to produce faster speeds, from the lats on both sides, your core muscles, triceps, and your hands and wrists. It’s been my experience that you can’t underestimate how important it is to have strong hands and wrists in the golf swing. 

My workouts consisted of the basic regimen, which started with the 10-pound band at 20 reps on each side. After you're comfortable at 20 reps, you can increase to 25 and so forth until you reach 50 and then move onto the next band. There is a more advanced program you can do for more dramatic results, but I felt like this was enough for me. 

It’s no surprise that several long drive competitors use this product, and it’s endorsed by several partners, including a couple of junior tours and the NAIA, as well as the Southern Texas PGA Section. 

In the end, I went from 92 mph to just a tick under 100 mph. That translates into driving distances that went from around 245 yards to 270 yards. On a 400-yard par-4 for me, that’s the difference between coming in with an approach with a 7- or 8-iron to a 9-iron or wedge. I like the latter better, which makes this one of the best golf training aids I've tried in recent times. And on shorter par 5s, it means I have a chance to hit them in two with the faster swing speeds. What’s not to like?

The feeling of the perfect backswing, or should we say a more neutral backswing free of common faults, is something we all strive to achieve and the Sure-Set is a gadget that helps golfers experience close to what this feels like.

The Sure-Set golf training aid trains you on how to ‘set’ the club into the correct loaded position at the top of the swing with great width, on the right plane and with all the right angles. 

But how?

Well, it starts with the grip and golfers will appreciate how the Sure-Set comes with a moulded grip trainer to ensure you take a neutral hold on the club that is neither too strong or weak. It’s the training aid that Scottie Scheffler has been using with great success and ensures you set up with your hands and arms in the correct position.

From there, the idea is to swing back and for the ball positioned at the end of the L-shaped device to naturally come to rest inside your lead armpit by blending the correct amount of forearm rotation, wrist hinge and shoulder turn. If the ball misses this position, you have immediate feedback that you need to make adjustments in how you move in the backswing.

Achieve it correctly and you get a magnificent feeling of width and stretch at the top of the backswing, something nearly all of the best players in the world are able to achieve on repeat due to their high levels of flexibility. From here, the idea is to maintain this feeling of width and connection into transition and then the early part of the downswing. There’s no question that the Sure-Set helps improve sequencing on the way down with the lower body leading and getting the club into a better delivery position.

Not only is the Sure-Set a great way to achieve more width, which in turn should generate more power, but it also helps with swing plane too. If the hands and arms move in a way that sends the ball of the Sure-Set over or under plane, the ball will miss your armpit. By matching width of the golf swing to your turn, levels of control are cranked up a notch — everything feels so much more connected and in sync with the Sure-Set.

The Sure-Set is versatile too thanks to an adjustable lever, which means it can cater for any arm or torso length. The benefits of the Sure-Set reach far and wide into various areas of the set up and swing, which means it offers excellent value for money. It also seems easy to take the feels that it engrains onto the golf course —there inevitably will be a transition period of getting used to your new movement patterns, but our testing has shown this to be short and well worth the investment in time.

Not many training aids engrain as many good golf swing habits as the Sure-Set. A neutral grip and swing plane is paired with additional width and connection, helping increase both power and ball-striking control.

Like so many of you, I spend a fair amount of time scrolling through golf content on social media and occasionally stumble across something very interesting. This time it was a photograph of Rory McIlroy wearing what appeared to be some sort of wrist brace on his trail arm while practising. With some further digging it became apparent that it was the ProSENDR training aid, and Rory absolutely wasn’t the only top pro using it!

Justin Rose, Erik Van Rooyen, Camilo Villegas and Cameron Champ have all been seen on PGA Tour ranges working with this intriguing practice accompaniment, so I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.

WATCH: See the ProSENDR in action among the best golf gadgets of 2024.

The ProSENDR is the brainchild of leading golf coaches David Woods and Sean Foley, along with input from motor control and learning expert, Will Wu. 

Essentially, the object of the ProSENDR is to place golfers' wrists into the optimal level of extension to deliver the golf club effectively into the ball more consistently. The ProSENDR is placed on the trail wrist and the golfer should try to hinge their wrists to sit perfectly in the prefabricated cradle, which should provide neutral wrist conditions. From here, the object is to maintain the connection as long as possible during the downswing, which promotes a number of positive swing outcomes.

The ProSENDR arrived in a very premium looking box and upon pulling it out, the quality of construction was very apparent. The carbon fiber wrist cradle feels extremely solid and has been thoughtfully designed with comfort in mind. The wrist strap is both thick and flexible, giving the impression that it will last for many thousands of golf swings. 

I found the ProSENDR very easy to use. So many other training aids force you to grip on to them at address or make some other compensation, but your address position is uninterrupted with this training aid. 

Then just making my normal swing, I was guided into nice, neutral wrist conditions at the top of my backswing. I have to say that this didn’t feel too alien to me, which I hope means my natural backswing wasn’t too far off. For me the real benefit came on the downswing.

With my wrist set in the cradle, I developed a really nice feeling of trying to keep my wrist in that position as long as possible on the way down. Maintaining the wrist angle for longer in the downswing forced me to rotate my body more through the ball as opposed to throwing my hands through the impact zone, which in turn pacified the club face and resulted in noticeably tighter dispersion. I also found that by maintaining my wrist set for longer, the compression of my strike got better and better, and when looking at the resulting impact position on video, I noticed a nice bit of extra forward shaft lean at impact.

It’s all very well producing the goods when you are wearing a training aid, but it is a bit like having the bumpers up at the bowling alley. However, I have to say, even after only a dozen or so shots with the ProSENDR, I found it very easy to replicate the feel without it which I think is the hallmark of a great training aid.

I really like the habits this ingrains in my golf swing and will be using it as a regular part of my practice for the foreseeable future. It's worth noting that the ProSENDR also comes with a compression sphere, which attaches via Velcro to the wrist strap to then sit between your forearms to help maintain better connection through the swing, which is a nice addition that enhances the value on offer.

Whether you’re looking to compete in long drive or simply out-drive your friends off the tee on a weekend round, increasing your clubhead speed and hitting the ball further is something every golfer longs to do. Most of the time, this would require a serious change in technique, one of the best golf drivers or endless hours in the gym, which, let’s be honest, nobody particularly wants to do. The team at VKTRY has designed a carbon fiber plated insole, that it believes can create more energy return in the golf swing and therefore increase clubhead speed and total distance. But at £121 a pair, how much performance is on offer?

Before getting started, it’s worth noting that if nothing else, these insoles certainly look the part. The carbon fiber really stands out on the sole and the gold and black detailing provide a premium aesthetic. As someone who is currently trying to recoup some speed lost through a shoulder injury, I was very excited to get on the Trackman 4 launch monitor at My Golf Matters, Berkshire and see if these VKTRY performance insoles could work their magic and give me a little speed boost without having to push my body to hard.

The VKTRY insoles are direct replacements for your shoes' stock insoles, so you will need to remove your current insoles before adding these ones. Upon first use I found them fairly hard to get into narrower pairs of shoes, such as my FootJoy Premiere series, considered one of the best spiked golf shoes, however they slotted into my casual indoor golf shoes, the Nike Air Max very easily. Once inside, they certainly took a little getting used to as they felt significantly firmer than the insoles I had in those shoes before. Like I mentioned earlier, my first test in these shoes was indoors and this testing session was all about speed. 

I gathered all my data with my regular insoles before diving into the comparison session with the VKTRY insoles. I started off with wedges before progressing through the irons and then onto the driver where I wasn’t trying to swing it as hard as I could, but swing it as if I were on the course and trying to still hit a fairway. This way I knew the performance would be replicated on the course rather than If I was just lashing at the ball as hard as I could indoors.

Did I gain speed and distance while using the VKTRY Performance insoles? Unfortunately, no. As you can see from the data (below) with the average of 10 drives from both my standard insoles and the VKTRY performance insoles, I actually swung the club nearly 1mph faster and produced a solid 2mph more ball speed in my current factory insoles.

Now this doesn’t necessarily mean the VKTRY insoles should be immediately written off. Our bodies get used to how things feel and if we are comfortable in what we are already using, we often swing more freely than we do in something we are not used to or that feels different. Perhaps over a longer period of time, the VKTRY insoles will provide some performance gains, but anyone looking for a quick fix won't get it here.

VKTRY claim these performance insoles aid foot protection and stability and so I did play 18 holes while carrying my bag after my testing and found the insoles did to provide good levels of comfort and actually helped me out with my mild case of plantar fasciitis. I experienced far less pain in my foot after playing with the VKTRY insoles.

In summary, I was a little disappointed with the initial testing performance, especially for the price of £121 a pair, but I believe the VKTRY performance insoles may come good over time if I was to wear them regularly and get used to them under my feet. But given the price tag, I was expecting a little more straight out of the gate.