Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2025 i Golf Magazine

WELCOME TO GOLF'S ANNUAL CLUBTEST ISSUE! We cover a lot of ground—32 pages, in fact—to deliver the intel you need to revamp your bag with drivers, fairway woods, hybrids and irons that really can make a difference in your scores. You've got to hand it to the likes of Callaway, PING, TaylorMade, Cleveland, Srixon and all club manufacturers. Imagine the yearly task of improving on proven designs. Somehow they always do it, and in ways that consistently break barriers in terms of materials, construction and engineering that—as our 32 ClubTesters can attest to after swinging the new 2025 gear—really make a difference. More love for the club builders: In dreaming up new designs, they're increasingly democratic and holistic. As you peruse our pages, you'll find that most brands create product…

WHAT IS BOUNCE? I'd say bounce is a tough thing to precisely define, but, generally speaking, it's the angle between the leading edge and the trailing edge of the sole of the club. To visualize it, place your wedge upright on a flat surface. The bounce is the angle created between the club's leading edge and the ground. The closer the leading edge is to laying flat, the lower the bounce. Bounce lofts range from 4 degrees on the low end to 14 degrees on the high end. So, which bounce is right for your game? There are two main factors to consider: where you play and your swing style. If you typically play in soft, wet conditions, wedges with more bounce will help. On firmer conditions, less bounce is…

BEST FOR BALL SPEED CALLAWAY ELYTE $599 9.5˚, 10.5˚, 12˚ WHY TESTERS LOVED IT 1. Options! In addition to the core Elyte driver (the one that fit most testers), Callaway offers the Elyte X, Elyte Max Fast and Elyte Triple Diamond (all reviewed on these pages). 2. To help get the CG of the Elyte family lower to increase launch, Callaway used a new material it calls thermo-forged carbon for the crown. 3. With Elyte's new Ai10x face, Callaway says it has 10 times the number of control points to shape the face. Our Testers Said “I liked the look and round face. The green is nice and looks sleek. Weight is great—easy to swing and hit straight. Distance is good and no change on mishits. This club has everything…

BEST FOR PLAYABILITY MIZUNO ST-Z 230 $160 16°, 19°, 22°, 25° WHY TESTERS LOVED IT 1. It's an all-arounder that performs well in every category—sound, feel, distance and forgiveness. 2. Designed with input from Tour players, yet remains a playable option for any player type. Promotes a mid-spin/ high-launch ballflight. 3. Bigger than Mizuno's CLK, making it a bit more playable and easier to hit. TAYLORMADE Qi35 RESCUE $300 17°, 19°, 22°, 25° WHY TESTERS LOVED IT 1. Multimaterial design allows for a medium-sized shape without a bulky profile. 2. Adjustable loft sleeve allows tweaks up to 3 degrees, making it easy to find the right shot shape. 3. Expect a boring ballflight, but in a good way. More stopping power can be added by increasing the loft. Our Testers…

OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND, offers pretty much everything for every vacationer—and that very much includes golfers. This iconic midAtlantic resort town provides an ideal mix of coastal sun and fun, rich history and activities galore. Golf is at the forefront, with a fantastic array of highly regarded championship golf at remarkably reasonable prices. Outdoor options abound beyond the fairways, including world-class fishing in the “White Marlin Capital of the World.” Surfing, crabbing, boating, water sports—it's all here. Dining options are no less varied, and the wealth of accommodations can likewise meet any needs, wants or budget. Temperate weather means that Ocean City, while famously a summertime mecca, can be enjoyed year-round. The O.C. welcomes more than 8 million visitors each year. All this, and Ocean City is a tap-in to get…

FRIED EGGS… good for breakfast but bad for your scorecard. You know the deal: Your ball is buried in the bunker, surrounded by a ridge of sand. Your first thought may be to add as much loft as you can at setup to lift the ball out. Trust me and millions of others—that rarely works. In this situation, you need more of a scooping action, and to get that scoop you actually need to close the clubface at address. I mean really close it (as pictured in the middle photo above). Turn the toe in a lot. It may sound counterintuitive to what you're trying to accomplish, but when your club enters the sand, the club will naturally open (picture an ice cream scooper) and give you the loft you…

G: You picked up golf pretty late. How'd you get the bug? AR: When I retired from tennis [at age 30], I got on a run where I was playing golf, like, five days a week for two years, when I was unemployed and not really doing much of anything. I would shoot out the door and be on the first tee by 8:00 a.m. pretty much every day. G: Was it therapy for you? AR: [Laughs] Yeah, I think so. In my last years on tour, I was trying to hold onto my ability, which is different and probably not as happy a process as actually getting better at something. So I think that was fun for me. G: Who are the tennis pros we'd be most surprised to…

Talk about a dynamic duo. Nicklaus Golf, one of the most recognizable and revered names—and brands—in the sport, has partnered with disruptive club manufacturer Stix (stixgolf.com) for an exciting brand collaboration that delivers a full line of high-quality club sets for men, women and juniors. The goal of this innovative initiative is driven by both partners’ passion to grow the game and take advantage of Stix's goal of creating, in their words, “high performance clubs at half the price.” Never heard of Stix? Do your research. The company definitely turned heads when debuting the new Nicklaus x Stix lineups at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla., in January. Quality stuff, and affordable, thanks to the manufacturer's experience in selling direct to consumer without a ton of marketing expenses. Stix…

ON THE BACK PATIO AT DUTCHMAN'S PIPE GC IN WEST PALM BEACH, JUST AHEAD OF THE ‘25 PGA TOUR SEASON Dylan Dethier: Do you feel different now than you did this time last year, two major wins ago? Xander Schauffele: More accomplished. More satisfied, for sure, career-wise. I don't feel more confident right now, but going into the next spot in a major I imagine I will. Do I feel different sitting here talking to you? I mean, I feel like me, fortunately. Same guy. DD: I know that part of winning is random. Get enough bites at the apple and it'll happen. But the difference between you being close to winning majors and ultimately winning—was that more mental or technical? XS: It's always a combination of both. I mean, you're going…

PRETTY MUCH every player understands how important it is to create torque in the swing. More torque equals more power, and you get it as you separate your upper body turn from your lower body turn. Both rotations are important, but the more you can turn your upper against your lower, the more torque—and potential energy—you create. However, it's not just about turning. Creating torque has everything to do with how your feet interact with the ground, and where you place your feet is key. Traditional instruction says to situate your feet under your shoulders. My studies and that of many other Top 100 Teachers and researchers suggest that doesn't quite cut it. The new standard is to take your stance so that your knees—not your feet—are under your shoulders.…

“Dear Chef, I get a lot of mudballs around the green at my local course. Is there a strategy for success with these?—Taylor K., Seattle The key to success with mudballs is minimizing the time the ball spends in the air, since the mud can create a lot of ballflight uncertainty. Luckily, on shots around the green, you have some options. If there's nothing in front of you requiring carry, go with a lower lofted club and hit the trusty bump-and-run to minimize air time. If you do need to carry the ball over an obstacle, don't forget to release your hands to add some loft to the club at impact. Scan this code for 20% off the monthly membership price of Parker McLachlin's online video lessons (shortgamechef.com).…

For GOLF's 2025 ClubTest, we brought back legitimate player testing to produce a quality firsthand look at how the market's new drivers, fairway woods, hybrids and irons really perform. Testing occurred at Desert Mountain GC in Scottsdale, Ariz., with 32 amateur players paired with eight True Spec Golf master fitters to work through more than 100 new clubs. Each tester spent two days testing all products. We divided them into four groups relative to their established USGA handicap, which ranged from +2 to 23, and guided each to products our fitting experts felt would suit them best. For example, players who normally struggle to get the ball in the air were given super-forgiving and highlaunch products. On the flip side, testers with high swing speeds and who generate lots of…

CLASSIC PERFORMANCE BRIDGESTONE 220 MB $1,050 4-PW WHY TESTERS LOVED IT 1. Bridgestone's first new golf clubs in five years are born out of a partnership with legendary Japanese forging house Endo Manufacturing. 2. Tour Groove design features super-precise .02mm grooves for stable, consistent spin on all shots with every club. 3. Balanced center of gravity with every club helps maintain consistent ballflights throughout the set. ➤ WHY IT'S A GAME CHANGER Testers commented on the playability and forgiveness of the 220 MB, despite it being a more traditional players blade. Likewise, multiple testers saw more consistent turf interaction and mentioned the softness and feel of these irons compared to others in the “performance” category. 10% The percentage of our testers who found that the 220 MB provided the fastest…

THE REALITY IS there's not always time for a proper pre-round range session. For my money, the most effective use of those precious minutes before go time is to hone your smash factor. Here's how you do it. Set up to the ball and pull out three tees. Stick one of them inside the heel of your iron and one outside the toe, both angled toward the target. Place the third tee at the same angle in front of the ball (see above). Now, all you're looking to do is pass the clubhead through two of the tees and then take out the third. If you do it right, you'll find the center of the face and ensure downward, ballfirst contact. Carry these two feels to the course and see…

You miss putts you should make. We all do. I find the major culprit is overactive hands and wrists, which, in the putting stroke, tend to unduly manipulate the putterface and path. Good strokes rely more on torso movement than twitchy actions with the hands and wrists. Here's a drill to solidify your stroke and improve your tempo and rhythm as well. Take a weighted bag tag and attach a piece of string to it. Secure the end of the string under your usual putting grip so that the tag dangles in line with your puttershaft [1]. Now, make your stroke. If you're too handsy or overuse your wrists and fail to engage your torso, the putter will move but the tag won't [2]. That's a recipe for inconsistency. Instead,…

Scan above to learn more about and purchase your very own BAL.ON Smart Kit. Game improvement technology has fully embraced artificial intelligence and wearables of all kinds, which makes it easier to track and record key swing metrics from anywhere. The BAL.ON Smart Kit ($600; bal-on.golf) features pressuresensitive insoles (pictured on Skechers’ handsome GO GOLF Prestige SL slip-ins) that monitor weight shift and pressure patterns during your swing. The accompanying smart pods and smartphone app allow you to record and analyze your swing with A.I.-driven coaching feedback and heatmap graphics (below). If you're looking to take things a step further (pun intended), you can connect to the BAL.ON Academy, where you'll work with a coach and receive personalized guidance. —Ryan Noll…

Scan the code above to shop the entire line of these special-edition Boxto shoes. WITH A GROWING NUMBER of professional tour endorsements and a high-profile partnership with Nicklaus Companies, Mexicobased Boxto (boxtogolfint.com) is quickly becoming a major player in the golf shoe market. The collaboration features two models. The first is the all-white, navy-soled Jack Nicklaus Legacy Pro (above; $259), which resembles the classic design often worn by the Golden Bear during his prolific career. The second model is Boxto's Heritage Malaga (top; $459), a classy white wing tip. Both shoes feature subtle Golden Bear branding, full-grain leather, waterrepellent technology and FTS 3.0 cleats by Softspikes. Boxto's philosophy is simple: Revere tradition, quality and innovation. It's a noteworthy pursuit that aligns perfectly with the Nicklaus brand. —Ryan Noll My birdie…

Cauliflower Steak Ingredients > ⅓ cauliflower head > 1 tsp Tajin spice > 1 tbsp olive oil > Salt and pepper to taste Method 1. Slice cauliflower so it is about ¾ inch wide, leaving part of the stem. 2. Coat cauliflower with Tajin spice, olive oil, salt and pepper. 3. Place on a baking sheet and cook in the oven at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. 4. Finish the cauliflower on a grill to add a smoky flavor. The plated version of the entrée includes > 1 cup pigeon pea risotto > cauliflower pieces layered on top > 1 tbsp mint chimichurri > pinch pistachios and golden raisins to finish AT THIS MONTH'S Puerto Rico Open, visitors to Prime 787—an upscale steakhouse at the PGA Tour stop's host…

Peter Kostis: For years, manufacturers have been making lofts stronger and stronger, pursuing distance. And all of that is good if you have enough clubhead speed to create spin to keep the ball in the air. If you don't, you're screwed. Gary McCord: You're screwed. PK: And if you don't have X amount of clubhead speed, you shouldn't be trying to hit Y club. You must understand clubhead speed, launch angle, spin rate and how that all melds together. And you've got to measure those variables with a launch monitor. Otherwise, it's a guessing game. The single greatest enhancement for a person being fit for clubs, in my opinion, is the launch monitor. It makes things a whole lot easier. Trying to put new clubs in the bag without a…

BEST FOR BALL SPEED CALLAWAY ELYTE Ti $450 15°, 16.5°, 18° WHY TESTERS LOVED IT 1. The titanium face and body deliver driver-like distance and forgiveness via A.I. technology. 2. The shaping is a blend between the Elyte Max and Triple Diamond, with a footprint that resembles the Elyte. 3. Interchangeable weights and an adjustable hosel make it easy to dial in ballflight and spin rates. COBRA DS-ADAPT X $329 15°, 16.5°, 18°, 21° WHY TESTERS LOVED IT 1. FutureFit33 has up to 33 loft and lie settings that include varying lofts by up to 4 degrees for a precise ballflight. 2. The rear weighting promotes a higher launch, and the internal PWR-BRIDGE reduces spin. 3. Comes with a H.O.T. face insert that flexes and rebounds for added power and…

There's a lot that goes into creating force, speed and a solid strike when hitting an iron. To simplify things, focus on what I call the Three L‘s. Nailing these can make a huge difference in the quality of your ball striking. The first L stands for Low. At address, make sure you're hinging from your hips to get your body over the ball, not standing up [1]. This is critical for controlling swing radius and avoiding topped shots. The second L stands for Lean. At address with an iron, feel as though the majority of your weight is on your front side, as if you're leaning into a preset impact [2]. Sure, your weight will shift back as you swing to the top, but presetting front-side pressure like this…

The late, great Payne Stewart was one of the best ball strikers of his generation. While Stewart may no longer be with us, you can still learn from his rock-solid swing. From the GOLF archives—pulled from Stewart's prime—the three-time major winner outlines a common flaw he saw in many golfers’ swings and offers a great way to go about fixing it. In his words: “Failing to properly shift your weight during the backswing is a swing flaw that many recreational players struggle with. Either they don't shift their weight at all, or, in an effort to make a big turn, they ‘reverse pivot’ and leave themselves in a poor position at the top. The proper weight shift is to go from the front side to the back. Then, reverse the…

1. CAUTION! Keeping your head down isn't great on wedge shots—it makes rotating your body through to the finish a challenge. Rory makes it work because of his incredible flexibility, but it's mostly a negative for rec players. 2. BELLY IT Sir Nick Faldo was an exceptional wedge player. His focus was to keep his navel going around to the finish to ensure solid contact and control distance. Rory keeps his belly going around (despite keeping his head down). Copy this! 3. LET IT GO There's no holding on for Rory. This is the same free and aggressive release you see with his driver and midirons. It's perfectly fine to carry your full-swing mechanics into your wedge swing. No need to reinvent yourself. 4. GO LONG AND LEFT While Rory…