Our annual equipment guide gets more comprehensive – and personal – than ever.
Just as there was with the first Hot List 22 years ago, there’s a kind of pursuit of the impossible that drives our equipment testing. While “What are the best new clubs?” seems a straightforward enough enterprise, each possible answer only spurs more questions. “Best” is a word that draws a lot of attention, but we here at Hot List Central present our annual collection of drivers, woods, hybrids, irons, wedges and putters each issue over the coming months in terms of what fits your game and your swing. These are the clubs that should move to the top of your shopping list.
Although the intent of our testing hasn’t changed in two decades, the process for getting this year’s Hot List and its 143 winners in front of you is almost unrecognisable. What once took a handful of days now includes three weeks of testing at the Reunion Resort in Florida; study by a group of scientists, editors and player-testers representing golfers like you; plus, months of independent research. We’re doing more work defining clubs by the types of players that match up best with their characteristics. We’re taking the input of each of our testers and making their assessments available in a broader form than ever before. You’ll see some of those improvements on the following pages, but also throughout the autumn and winter as we delve into a different category each issue.
The goal this year is as simple as that original question. What the 2025 Hot List will show you is that there is no such thing as “the best clubs”. Our evolving mission is to reveal “the best clubs for you”.
Our Process
Founded in research from our scientists and extensive testing by players like you
The Hot List is a huge effort by the Golf Digest editorial team, especially staffers Daria Delfino and Jared Goldstein. But the voting is fuelled by contributions from two groups that aren’t getting paid. Our team of scientists advises us on which technologies show the most promise, and our panel of 32 player-testers lets us know which clubs are working and how. Together, they make up the foundation for our three Hot List criteria: Performance, Innovation, Look/Sound/Feel.
Performance
50%
Based on interviews with our testers, we assess the utility of each club. In other words, this is a grade of what happens to the ball when a player hits it. Rapsodo MLM2Pro launch monitors are used at every hitting station, and during testing this time we recorded nearly 29,000 shots. Fitters work with players on-site so that they are evaluating clubs that are ideal for their individual specs. (For example, a tester most likely will hit only the driver model within a driver family that fits his or her game.) Also, our low-handicap players don’t evaluate super-game-improvement irons, just as our high-handicap players don’t hit players irons. All of the drivers are tested for conformance to the rules on spring-like effect before player evaluations begin.
Innovation
30%
In consultation with our scientists and based on our interviews with company R&D teams and our review of company technical documents, this grade reflects how a particular technology advances the category. We also consider how that technology is explained and how much of a commitment to fitting a company has made. In short, the best clubs in Innovation are changing what’s possible.
Look / sound / feel
20%
Using input from our testers, we rate the relative excellence of the visual, auditory and tactile experience of hitting a particular club. The more the club resonates with our understanding of what a golf club should be, the higher the grade it receives. In short, this is a measure of what the player discovers while testing each club.
GOLD
Products earned a score of 93 to 100.
SILVER
Products earned a score of 88 to 92.99.
97-100 ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆
88-96 ⋆⋆⋆⋆
70-87 ⋆⋆⋆
51-69 ⋆⋆
≤50 ⋆
HOT LIST TOP 5 AND VECTOR RATINGS
In addition to our overall star ratings for each club in Performance and Look/Sound/Feel, we also ask our player-testers to provide their input in two other dimensions that you will see in the individual club write-ups. First, we look at the collective average of each player’s score for the Look, Sound/Feel and Performance criteria for clubs that earned one of the Top 5 highest average scores based on player handicap. So you will see in the write-ups a mention of a club that earned a Top 5 average score for a particular handicap group in one of those criterion.
Another area where you will see ratings are what we call “vectors”. These are meant to be descriptive ratings about a certain characteristic of a club, and in most cases (exceptions are the vectors for “Forgiveness” and some wedge performance), these aren’t bad/good evaluations but characterisations across a spectrum where a rating of “1” is on the extreme left side of the graphic and a rating of “5” is on the extreme right side. These scores describe the appearance, feel and sound of a club in specific ways. We think you’ll find these features helpful. – M.S.
OUR EXPERTS
Our scientists and fitters make the Hot List better. The scientists prod manufacturers to find true innovations, and our fitters from Golf Galaxy ensure that players hit the right clubs for their swings. Together, they’re crucial to our search for the clubs that matter.
Scientists
Martin Brouillette, Ph.D.
Professor of Mechanical Engineering, University
of Sherbrooke
Tom Mase, Ph.D.
Professor of Mechanical Engineering,
Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo
John McPhee, Ph.D.
Professor of Systems
Design Engineering, University of Waterloo
Dick Rugge
Senior Technical Director (retired), USGA
Fitters
Chris Marchini
Director of Golf Experience, Golf Galaxy, Coraopolis, Pennsylvania
Andrew Farlow
Golf Galaxy, Richmond, Virginia
Alex Kennedy
Golf Galaxy, Pittsburgh
Devin Logue
Golf Galaxy, Richmond, Virginia
Daniel Martinez
Golf Galaxy, Orlando
Pat Snyder
Golf Galaxy, Pittsburgh
OUR TESTERS
Telling you what you need to know
At the Hot List Summit, our panel of intrepid testers – from 90-shooters to pros – analysed, scrutinised and pulverised golf’s newest clubs. Let’s meet them.
Gary Abbott, 37
Dundas, Ontario, Canada
Solutions engineer
Handicap: 13 / Driver: 265 yards / 7-iron: 170 yards
“I minimise big mistakes by playing a fairly conservative game from tee to green so I chase par and bogey on most holes. I lack the higher gear to make a bunch of birdies in a round.”
Favourite Hot List driver: Callaway Elyte X
Thomas B. Allen, 60
Middletown, Ohio
Attorney
Handicap: 7 / Driver: 250 yards / 7-iron: 153 yards
“About once a week, I put in a practice session, mostly on my short game, so I excel with a wedge or putter in my hands. I fight a two-way miss off the tee, which is where I lose most of my strokes.”
Favourite Hot List wedge: Titleist Vokey Design SM10
Alejandra Bedoya, 26
Bogotá, Colombia
Corporate financial planner
Handicap: 5 / Driver: 240 yards / 7-iron: 150 yards
“I have competitive experience, so I’ve put a premium on keeping the ball in play off the tee and scoring around the greens. I sometimes struggle to hit greens with my long irons.”
Favourite Hot List players-distance iron: Callaway Apex Ti Fusion
Jack Bingham, 35
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Caddie
Handicap: 1 / Driver: 275 yards / 7-iron: 170 yards
“I’m a straight-and-in-play guy. Nothing fancy from me. I play more than I practise, typically a couple of times per week. My low-launch, high-spin combo can be an issue into a headwind.”
Favourite Hot List driver: Ping G440 LST
Molly Braid, 37
Shorewood, Wisconsin
Golf professional
Driver: 235 yards / 7-iron: 145 yards
“I hit a lot of fairways with my longer clubs, but I miss more greens than I’d like. As a result, I’ve got a deep arsenal of recovery shots around the green. And I’m a streaky putter.”
Favourite Hot List wedge: Ping s159
Ricky Brown, 46
Fort Worth, Texas
High school principal
Handicap: +3 / Driver: 285 yards / 7-iron: 180 yards
“I’m a long hitter, and I keep the ball fairly straight with the driver. I tend to have
some issues on short shots around the green. I’d say I practise my putting more than anything.”
Favourite Hot List driver: TaylorMade Qi35 LS
Alan Cooke, 30
Denver, Colorado
Service solutions specialist
Handicap: 1 / Driver: 270 yards / 7-iron: 175 yards
“My opponents should be nervous if I’m standing over a short or middle iron. My driver, on the other hand, can get a bit wild. My ball flight is too high, which only adds to the problem.”
Favourite Hot List mallet putter: Ping Scottsdale
Scott Dickinson, 36
Greenville, South Carolina
Producer/editor
Handicap: 14 / Driver: 310 yards / 7-iron: 190 yards
“I’m a power guy, and like most long hitters, I don’t always keep the ball on the planet. I do have decent touch when I get down to the wedges. Reading greens is one skill that baffles me.”
Favourite Hot List driver: Cobra DS-Adapt LS
Skylar Frankiewicz, 26
Concord, Massachusetts
Growth/partnerships associate
Handicap: 7 / Driver: 260 yards / 7-iron: 155 yards
“The best part of my game is my versatility around the green. I struggle to hit lower-lofted irons with enough trajectory to hold the greens. I practise and play about two or three times a month.”
Favourite Hot List game-improvement iron: TaylorMade Qi
Jason Guss, 47
Westmont, Illinois
Golf professional
Driver: 250 yards / 7-iron: 165 yards
“My short game and putting are rock-solid. A lack of distance with the driver and on iron shots is a big weakness for me. I practise most days, but I play only about once every other week.”
Favourite Hot List mallet putter: Meridian Milled Stainless Series
Sean Harper, Snr, 53
Columbus, Ohio
Retired
Handicap: 6 / Driver: 260 yards / 7-iron: 170 yards
“My short irons and wedges are great, and I save lots of strokes around the green. Driver is the worst club in my bag. I play most days, weather permitting, and mix in some practice sessions.”
Favourite Hot List players-distance iron: TaylorMade P·790
R.C. Hill, 62
DeLand, Florida
Auto and powersports dealer
Handicap: 7 / Driver: 270 yards / 7-iron: 173 yards
“I’m pretty consistent at both ends of my bag. The driver, wedges and putter are definitely where I have some advantage. My irons can get a bit dicey. Plus, I play only a few times a month.”
Favourite Hot List mallet putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour
Paul Ianniello, 63
Scottsdale, Arizona
Retired
Handicap: 4 / Driver: 260 yards / 7-iron: 160 yards
“I’m consistent with my tempo, which leads to pretty solid ball-striking, especially with my driver and woods. My short irons and wedges usually prevent me from shooting better scores.”
Favourite Hot List players iron: Cobra 3DP Tour
David Ilsley, 65
Wolfeboro, New Hampshire
Financial adviser
Handicap: 8 / Driver: 230 yards / 7-iron: 150 yards
“My driver is the best club in my bag. I struggle with wedge play, particularly my chipping. When I’m in-season, I play three or four times a week and practise most of the other days.”
Favourite Hot List driver: Titleist GT1
Wayne Johnson, 59
Palm Coast, Florida
Pilot
Handicap: 6 / Driver: 240 yards / 7-iron: 160 yards
“I hit the ball a decent distance, especially for my age, but when my swing is off, I can get it going left or right. I try for two or three practice sessions a week and play usually three times.”
Favourite Hot List blade putter: Odyssey Ai-One Square 2 Square
Ryan Kroll, 49
Chanhassen, Minnesota
Stay-at-home father
Handicap: 10 / Driver: 237 yards / 7-iron: 157 yards
“My short irons and bunker play are pretty good, and I’m a very positive person, which helps. I fight early extension on the downswing and lose accuracy with longer clubs. I’d like more distance.”
Favourite Hot List driver: Ping G440 Max
Peter Lee, 56
San Diego, California
Attorney
Handicap: 7 /Driver: 250 yards / 7-iron: 165 yards
“I’m generally a good ball-striker, but, ironically, I struggle with the mental game
and end up not trusting my swing. I mix practising and playing on average four or
five times a week.”
Favourite Hot List game-improvement iron: PXG 0311 XP GEN7
Dan Lupo, 32
New York City
Leveraged credit analyst
Handicap: 12 / Driver: 260 yards / 7-iron: 170 yards
“I’m an over-the-top swinger, so I fight a fade, but I account for it and can usually control it. As a weekend golfer, I struggle with feel, so my short game is not always there.”
Favourite Hot List blade putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron Studio Style
Wei Mao, 54
Sacramento, California
Rural mail carrier
Handicap: 13 / Driver: 240 yards / 7-iron: 155 yards
“My ball-striking is a definite strength, albeit with only modest distance. Putting is a sore spot for me. I practise about as much as I play – once, maybe twice per week.”
Favourite Hot List driver: TaylorMade Qi35
Anand Mudaliar, 42
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Head of product
Handicap: 6 / Driver: 265 yards / 7-iron: 160 yards
“I’m a strong driver, and my putting – especially green-reading – has improved over the past few years. I’d benefit from smarter course management and better bunker play.”
Favourite Hot List driver: Titleist GT2
Matt Nestler, 27
Tenafly, New Jersey
Acquisitions manager
Handicap: 5 / Driver: 270 yards / 7-iron: 170 yards
“Short game and putting are where I’m at my best. I hit a high cut off the tee, which can get away from me when I’m quick in the transition. I play three times a week and practise once.”
Favourite Hot List wedge: Mizuno Pro T1
Megan Padua Buzza, 39
Frisco, Texas
Golf professional
Driver: 230 yards / 7-iron: 150 yards
“I drive and putt for dough. My wedge play can cause some issues here and there. I try to practise once or twice a week, but I only get to play about once a month.”
Favourite Hot List mallet putter: Bettinardi Antidote
Shane Popham, 36
Norwalk, Connecticut
Channel sales director
Handicap: 15 / Driver: 285 yards / 7-iron: 177 yards
“I’m that player who bombs a drive in the team scramble. The scramble part is key because I’m not always able to find it. I like the hero shot over the smart one, despite knowing better.”
Favourite Hot List driver: Srixon ZXi LS
Alex Reinhart, 40
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Private equity consultant
Handicap: 11 / Driver: 255 yards / 7-iron: 170 yards
“My strengths are scrambling and punch-outs. I struggle with putting and making consistent swings with good tempo, which is probably why I excel at punching the ball out.”
Favourite Hot List players-distance iron: Callaway Apex Ai200
Jin Roh, 29
Tenafly, New Jersey
Personal trainer
Handicap: 13 / Driver: 280 yards / 7-iron: 165 yards
“I hit the ball high and get plenty of distance through the bag. I’m told I have really nice tempo, but I struggle with reading greens and controlling distance with my putter.”
Favourite Hot List game-improvement iron: Cobra King Tec-X
Robert Shaw, 27
Cumming, Georgia
Consultant
Handicap: 2 / Driver: 305 yards / 7-iron: 180 yards
“I’m usually the long hitter in my group, so where I get into trouble is with accuracy. I’m a ball-striker; I’m most comfortable with an iron or a wedge in my hands.”
Favourite Hot List players-distance iron: Mizuno Mizuno Pro 245
Matt Singer, 52
Portland, Oregon
Trial lawyer
Handicap: 11 / Driver: 240 yards / 7-iron: 150 yards
“I played more than 100 times this past year, often six, nine or 12-hole outings. I’ve got a reliable short game because I miss lots of greens and have many opportunities to practise.”
Favourite Hot List super-game-improvement iron: TaylorMade Qi HL
Jamie Struck, 51
Okatie, South Carolina
Test pilot
Handicap: 5 / Driver: 250 yards / 7-iron: 160 yards
“Most of the time, I hit the fairway, and I know how far each one of my irons goes. I tend to lose strokes with my short game when I miss a green and have to recover.”
Favourite Hot List players-distance iron: Titleist T200
B.K. Suhr, 41
Orlando, Florida
Nurse practitioner
Handicap: 1 / Driver: 290 yards / 7-iron: 174 yards
“I’ve got a wide range of wedge shots I’m comfortable hitting from 30 to 100 yards out, where I often find myself because of my length off the tee. I often battle a two-way miss with my irons.”
Favourite Hot List wedge: Titleist Vokey Design SM10
Sandor J. Valls, 35
Miami, Florida
Dentist
Handicap: 9 / Driver: 290 yards / 7-iron: 185 yards
“My strong suit definitely is my power. Keeping the ball in play is a different story for me. Sometimes I lack the concentration to avoid putting big numbers on the scorecard.”
Favourite Hot List players-distance iron: Callaway Apex Ti Fusion
John Vampatella, 54
Storrs, Connecticut
Author/chaplin
Handicap: 11 / Driver: 270 yards / 7-iron: 170 yards
“I’m a good wedge player, and in the peak of the season, I know all my numbers and can even shape shots. Poor putting, especially knee-knockers, and inconsistency plague me.”
Favourite Hot List mallet putter: Evnroll Zero
Ryan Woyski, 46
Agency, Missouri
Sales automation specialist
Handicap: 14 / Driver: 275 yards / 7-iron: 165 yards
“I practise a few times a week, mostly in my garage, and I get out three or four times a month on work or golf trips. I’m a good scrambler and putter, but I struggle to stay in play.”
Favourite Hot List driver: Callaway Elyte ♦♦♦
