The big story is the Ai Smart Face with micro deflections for added ball speed and straighter ball flight. There is also a new 360-degree carbon chassis that is lighter and stronger than the previous model.

Callaway’s Paradym Ai Smoke lineup consists of four driver heads. I am going to take a look at the two most popular models for GolfWRX followers, the “bread and butter” Max, and the Triple Diamond head.

For a more in-depth review of these drivers check out the Club Junkie podcast below or on any podcast platform.

Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond

This head is aimed at the lower handicap golfer who is looking for lower spin, lower launch, and the ability to shape their shots. The shape is the most compact at address of the Ai Smoke drivers and the cleanest looking with the deletion of the chevron alignment mark on the top. The shape also looks to be a little shorter from heel to toe as well as from face to back. I like the forged carbon on the sole and love that no two drivers will ever look exactly the same.

Hitting the new Paradym Ai Smoke TD is a real pleasure as when I first hit it I thought it was louder than the previous Paradym. I was hitting indoors and the sound was greatly amplified because outdoors the TD has a very muted sound and nice soft feel. The new Ai Smart Face lets you feel the ball compress off the face when you strike it solid and the face overall just has a little softer feel than the Paradym.

While the launch number wasn’t that far off from the Ai Smoke Max driver, the overall ball flight was flatter and just slightly lower with the TD. My decent angle was also about one-degree shallower with the TD. The biggest surprise to me was how playable the TD was on poor shots. I expected the head to be a little more demanding and penalizing when you hit it off the toe or heel but was happily met with shots that didn’t venture too far off the fairway.

Keeping the heavy weight in the back makes the TD a driver playable by a wider range of handicaps.  The Ai Smart Face also kept the ball speed numbers extremely consistent no matter where the ball made contact. With how well I hit the Triple Diamond, I am now a little more confident it will perform on even a poor driving day!

Paradym Ai Smoke Max

Callaway’s bread and butter driver is super adjustable to let fitters dial it into a wide range of golfers. While some will argue that the Triple Diamond driver is the best looking, I think Callaway did a nice job on the Max head. A touch longer from heel to toe and the face-to-back length is a little more stretched but it all works together for a larger but good-looking driver. I do like larger profile drivers as they tend to give you confidence that you don’t have to be perfect and they offer some help when you are off. I like the sound on the TD driver, but the Max might be even a touch quieter upon impact. It could be the weight track in the back with additional structure that diverts the sound waves, giving a low-pitched metallic sound.

The launch on the Max was just a little higher than the TD, but it tended to be consistently higher when I hit my low draw miss. That shot seemed to stay straighter and go a little higher with this Max head. Ball flight with the Max tended to be straighter with less curvature to draws and fades. You might miss the fairway on either side, but the ball was on a straight line right or left and didn’t stray that far offline.

Off-center strikes were helped by the Ai Smart Face and kept the ball speed higher than you would expect. Callaway hasn’t made any claims to MOI numbers but the Max is a very stable driver that doesn’t let the face flop open on toe contact and won’t snap shut when you hit it off the heel. This stability gives you a consistent and straight flight that you can count on when you need it.

Callaway has really brought some serious firepower to the driver game this year with the Ai Smoke models. There is the Triple Diamond for the player who needs lower spin and lower ball flight and the Max for the player who wants it all with added forgiveness. There are also two other models, Max D, and Max D Fast, for some added draw, higher launch, and lighter weight (Max D Fast). Overall, Callaway has a driver that should fit your swing!

In addition to riflescopes, spotting scopes, and binoculars, Vortex Optics has been producing rangefinders for years, so they’re anything but novices. The customer-first, family-owned business is leveraging what it already knows about making great rangefinders and applying its technology and Clear View optics to products designed for the fairways, rather than the forest or field.

“Entering the world of golf rangefinders was a natural choice for us,” said Vortex CEO Joe Hamilton. “When our customers, dealers, and team members – all part of Vortex Nation- unanimously called for our expertise in optical quality, technology, innovation, and customer service to elevate their golf experience, it became a clear path forward. We’re excited to bring our proven success to the golfing community.”

Vortex Optics Blade

An impressive laser rangefinder.

Featuring 6x magnification and a black LCD display, the Vortex Optics Blade is reflective up to 1,400 yards and to the flag at up to 350 yards. The minimum range is six yards and accuracy is +/- one yard. The linear field of view at 100 yards is 37 feet 6 inches. Measuring time is one second.

The Blade and Blade Slope rangefinders are slightly smaller than the Anarch, measuring 3.9 inches by 3.0 inches by 1.5 inch. The Blade weighs 6.5 ounces.

Range modes include line of sight and scan and Pin Spotter Mode (vibration when the pin is locked onto) is an additional feature. Handily, the Blade rangefinder is equipped with a cart magnet.

Built from a polymer chassis, the Vortex Optics Blade rangefinder is waterproof and shockproof.

The Vortex Optics Blade retails for $299.

Vortex Optics Blade Slope

A laser rangefinder with slope functionality.

Just like the Vortex Optics Blade rangefinders, the Blade Slope features 6x magnification and a black LCD display and is reflective up to 1,400 yards and to the flag at up to 350 yards. The minimum range is six yards and accuracy is +/- one yard. The linear field of view at 100 yards is 37 feet 6 inches. Measuring time is one second.

Slope mode, of course, is the distinguishing feature between the Blade and Blade Slope. Slope mode accounts for the changes in gradient, i.e. a downhill shot plays shorter, an uphill shot plays longer. Presently, slope mode is not legal in tournament play, but the Vortex Optics Blade Slope allows users to toggle it on/off.

As mentioned earlier, the Blade Slope rangefinders is slightly smaller than the Anarch. It measures 3.9 inches by 3.0 inches by 1.5 inch and weighs 6.5 ounces.

Again, range modes include line of sight; Pin Spotter Mode is an additional feature. The cart magnet — essential for riders — is present in the Blade Slope.

Polymer chassis. Waterproof. Shockproof — just like the Blade.

The Vortex Optics Blade Slope retails for $399.

Vortex Optics Anarch

An image-stabilized laser rangefinder.

The Vortex Optics Anarch features 6x magnification and a red illuminated LCD display. It is reflective up to 1,400 yards and to the flag at up to 450 yards (100 yards more than the blade). The minimum range is 10 yards and accuracy is +/- one yard. The linear field of view at 100 yards is 31 feet 8 inches. Measuring time is one second.

The Anarch is slightly larger and heavier than the Blade models, measuring 4.0 inches by 3.0 inches by 1.6 inch. It weighs 9.2 ounces.

Range modes include slope, line of sight and scan and Pin Spotter Mode is an additional feature as well as image stabilization. A cart magnet is present here as well.

Like the other rangefinders in the lineup, the Vortex Optics Anarch is waterproof and shockproof. While the blade models feature a polymer chassis, the Anarch is crafted from a magnesium chassis.

The Anarch retails for $599.

In addition to the rangefinder, all packages include a case with a carabiner, a ball marker, and a lens cloth.

All rangefinders are backed by Vortex Optics’ VIP warranty — a lifelong, fully transferable promise to repair or replace your rangefinder should it become damaged.

Rangefinders are available now. For more purchase details, head to Vortex Optics’ website. You can catch up with the company on social media: Instagram, X, Facebook, YouTube.

For the full, more in-depth review, check out the Club Junkie Podcast on every podcast platform and on YouTube.

TaylorMade Qi10 Max

This is the driver that is getting the most buzz it seems from the 2024 TaylorMade lineup thanks to its 10K MOI measurement. This 10K MOI means that the Qi10 Max head is extremely stable on mishits and will prevent the head from swinging open or closed.

The Max definitely has the largest-looking profile from address and has a more rounded shape to it compared to the other Qi10 drivers. I like the more rounded shape, and even though it doesn’t have the classic TaylorMade shape, it is easy on the eyes. The new blue carbon face is also more subtle and you don’t notice it compared to the previous red faces on the Stealth and Stealth 2 drivers.

Out on the course, or range, is where you will notice where the 10K comes into play. The first bad swing will be met with a shot that is more than likely more playable than you would have thought. The head keeps the ball on a straighter trajectory with reduced curve once in flight. You will still miss the fairway right or left with those swings but the shot will typically be straight to either side.

While my numbers from my most recent range session don’t show it, the launch on the Qi10 Max was more mid-high for me on the course. Ball speed was consistent and the Max held onto a good amount of it, even when you didn’t catch the center of the face. I went through my shots and was pretty impressed with the limited variation in ball speed throughout my session.

The spin numbers were also lower than expected and to be fair I was hitting a 9-degree Qi10 Max head, and I typically hit a low draw shot shape. I am not considered a high-speed or spin player, but the Qi10 Max didn’t spin a ton, even when hit low on the face. Only a handful of shots touched the low 3,000 RPM mark while most stayed lower than that. I think moving to the 10.5-degree head would be a better fit for me, adding some launch and a little spin to my shots would increase the distance by a few yards.

TaylorMade Qi10 LS

The model that we first drooled over in Rory and Tiger’s bags early this year! TaylorMade’s 2024 low-spin driver sports a new name, dropping the “Plus” designation. The LS model clearly has the traditional TaylorMade pear shape to it and a noticeably more compact look. A deeper face and shorter length from heel-to-toe give the look of a driver that the more skilled player will be able to easily shape shots with. The head also looks a bit more open than the Max head, and I love that TaylorMade has been able to create toplines that look more open than they appear.

The Qi10 LS creates some very long drives out on the course and range. This driver offers a little more feel and slightly quieter sound than the other two models, you can really feel the ball compress on the face at impact. For players who routinely hit the center, you will be rewarded with consistent fast ball speed and great distance. I hit my two longest drives with this head when I was going through my range session the other day.

Ball flight was flat, but the head is still easy to elevate and hit towering, boring tee shots. I thought the LS was actually going to come out really low, but I had no problem hitting higher shots with almost no spin. If spin is your problem with driver, the LS could be the pill you need as it is a very low spin head. I was rarely getting into the mid-2000s and had most shots in the high 1900 RPM. I never saw a ball go over 2,600 RPM, no matter where I hit it on the face.

Now the LS will show you a little less love when you aren’t swinging well and hitting it close to the center. For me, the start line of my shots was the farthest right of the three heads, but I saw more movement in the air on poor swings. There was also a little more drop-off in ball speed when the ball traveled away from center compared to the Qi10 and Qi10 Max heads.

TaylorMade Qi10

This is TaylorMade’s “bread and butter” head should fit a wide range of golfers. We have seen Rory move into this head, and we should see it in a lot of amateur bags as well this year. The Qi10 head bridges the gap between ultra forgiveness and low-spin distance with a little larger profile than the LS.

The shape is closer to the LS with a slightly more tapered line from the back of the hosel to the round back of the driver. I can’t stress enough how much I like the sleek look of the new Infinity Carbon Crown as it just gives a great view to the golfer.

This driver is the underrated one of the bunch in my opinion. While it isn’t the most forgiving or the lowest spin, it does everything rather well. It is pretty darn forgiving and definitely isn’t in a high spin category so plenty of golfers will find this head working for them.

I found the standard Qi10 the most consistent for me as it was easy to launch, and I think if you took away a few of the shots I hit higher on the face on the LS, this would have been the highest launching head of the group. The launch was mid-high and with that, the spin still never got wildly high. The misses were very straight and like the Max had less curve to them, more straight right or left.

To me, the ball speed numbers seemed to stay more consistent on mishits compared to Stealth 2 and center strikes had a softer feel to them. High-toe misses stayed in play with a more gentle draw and more carry than I expected, most of those shots ended in a pretty tight area. Swinging the Qi10 also felt a little different than the Max as I think the CG placement gives each driver its own unique feel through your swing. The Qi10 felt like it was a touch easier to release and rotated back to square at impact just a little faster than the Max. I don’t know if you could tell if you didn’t hit them side-by-side but if you do you can probably feel the difference.

TaylorMade definitely brought some changes to the Qi10 line, and I think, overall, they’ve crafted some really good drivers. The Qi10 Max will be great for those players who need the most stability they can to find the fairways, and I think will play to lower handicaps than expected. The Qi10 LS will be a skilled player’s wand to create shots and work the ball to positions on the fairway that allow them to score better. The Qi10 will fit a wide range of golfers who are looking for a driver that helps them on bad shots but still has the ball speed and spin to hit their longest drives.

L.A.B. Describes Lie Angle Balance: “Lie Angle Balance (L.A.B.) Technology makes it effortless for golfers to deliver a square putter face at impact because, unlike other putters, it keeps the putter face square to the arc throughout the stroke. It makes putting as easy as picking the right line, the right speed, and making your natural stroke.”

I will admit that the DF3 is not the first L.A.B. Golf putter that I have owned or reviewed. I have had the pleasure of rolling the original Mezz.1 and the larger Mezz.1 Max putters as well. But the new DF3 looks very good when you take it out of the box. The Platinum finish has enough texture to ensure you won’t have to worry about glare from the sun but also has a depth to it that looks luxurious. I think L.A.B. nailed the size of the DF3 as it is compact but has some thickness to it that is very proportionate. Picking up a ball is also so easy and simple, just set the hole in the rear of the putter down on the ball. With almost zero pressure the ball sticks to the putter and you effortlessly bring it up.

I rolled the DF3 initially indoors for about 4-5 days and the first thing I noticed was the softer feel and very muted sound. Across the entire face you get a slightly softer feel than the Mezz.1 Max but it isn’t mushy or unresponsive. You can still tell when you mishit the ball or strike it dead center on the face.

When you get the DF3 on a real green, you can see how the horizontal grooves on the face produce a smooth roll with plenty of topspin and very little skid or hop. L.A.B.’s lie angle balance does just work and it has proven in every putter head they make. The face stays pointed at the target through the whole stroke without any need for you to manipulate it. I found that for me very light grip pressure allows the putter to move straight back and straight through the ball, getting it started on line easily and consistently.

Confidence on short putts is through the roof as you know you just have to aim the putter correctly in order to make a short and straight putt. Greens here in Michigan are far from smooth in February, but I never once felt like I didn’t start my putt on the intended line. Longer putts for me took a little more practice to get used to as you don’t have to try and guide the face back to square on a bigger backswing. Trusting that the DF3 will be square to your target is all you have to do, then just pull the putter back and let it go. Lag putts are very accurate and after a little while you start to imagine that you should make a few more than you statistically should. Once you get comfortable with a L.A.B. putter, it all comes down to your read and the speed you hit the putt.

The DF3 does have a little different feel than my Mezz.1 Max, and I have to think that’s due to the added stability of the DF3. The new putter also has a new grip that feels a little more familiar in your hands, a pistol version of the Press grip. Press grips are designed where the shaft installs on an angle, vertically through it, to work with the forward press in the shaft angle. This new pistol option is immediately comfortable and sits in the pads of your fingers really well. The pistol shape feels more traditional compared to the more oval shape of the Press II that I have on my Mezz.1 Max. L.A.B. also added some texture to the grip and that should provide some added tackiness when the hot and humid summer days roll in.

Overall, I think L.A.B. Golf did a wonderful job with the new DF3 putter. They were able to enhance the shape of the head, increase stability, and keep the same Lie Angle Balance technology working in harmony together. Add these up, and I think golfers who were turned off by the looks of the DF2.1 will be excited to try the DF3.

With the release of the Mizuno Pro 241, 243, and 245, there is an iron for just about any golfer. I was hitting these irons on a very cold (about 18 degrees) range, so the carry and ball speed numbers are probably not the most optimal, but the signature Mizuno feel was impressive! For the full review please check out the Club Junkie Podcast below and on any podcast platform.

• RELATED: New Mizuno Pro 241, 243, 245, Pro Fli-Hi irons take forging further

Mizuno Pro 241, 243, 245 irons review

Mizuno Pro 241 irons

If you are a highly skilled player or just love blades, the 241’s compact size and single-piece forged construction should lure you in. I think the shape of the 241 is great with a little more of a boxy and sharper toe. Mizuno has really improved the look of the short irons over the past few iron generations, and the PW flows well with the set, not looking too large. The added bounce is welcome for steeper swings or players who play in softer conditions.

Mizuno also created more of a progressive set with flighted long irons for softer landings and more penetrating short irons for added control. The 241 are compact irons, but less intimidating than I expected when I took them out of the box. Feel is absolutely textbook Mizuno with a soft, yet solid feel even with less-than-ideal range balls.

Launch was higher than I initially expected but then I remembered the more traditional, weaker lofts. Distance wasn’t long by today’s standards but it was very consistent. Solid strikes launched through the same window and traveled the same distance every time; mishits were predictable in their distance loss. I was hitting the 241’s pretty well, and my misses weren’t too extreme but you do notice a little larger variation in distance between well-struck and toe misses.

While the launch is high, this is a blade, and it allows skilled players to flight the ball down, hit it high, or right and left very easily. I also noticed that the 241 is a little more forgiving than you might expect. Now, you aren’t going to get away with hitting it anywhere on the face, but slight misses will still probably get to the front of the green. We are stuck on mats here so no way for me to test turf interaction yet, but the added bounce should give steeper-swing players or those playing in soft conditions some added playability.

Mizuno Pro 243 irons

Right out of the box, these seemed a little chunkier than the previous 223 from all angles but address. I loved the look from address as they are a little more rounded and softer than the 241. These might have the widest sole out of the three models, but there is some trailing edge relief that should allow the iron to get through the turf quickly and without added digging.

I liked that the 243 was the highest-launching iron for me and was a little surprised with that since they are a couple of degrees stronger than the 241. I don’t hit a high ball, and the 243 was giving me the best visual window of the group to hit high shots that land softly on the green. The slightly large blade size gives you a little more confidence that you don’t have to be as surgically precise as with the 241, and if you do miss a little, you won’t be penalized for it. Shots off the toe, my usual miss, still carried good ball speed and stayed online better than I expected.

• RELATED: New Mizuno Pro 241, 243, 245, Pro Fli-Hi irons take forging further

For more of a players cavity design, the 243 was a very straight iron on most misses. Now, if you got far from the center, you would be able to see some distance drop off and more movement to the shot. Strikes made lower on the face still elevated and you didn’t see a huge difference in the launch window on those. The 243 also gave you a little sense of speed with the 4- and 7-irons, not 245 speed, but I felt like the iron was helping add a little to the shot with the longer irons.

Sound and feel were very good as you would expect with a Mizuno Pro iron. Center and close-to-center contact gives you this soft and solid thud as the ball leaves the face and the 243 retains a good amount of that even slightly outside of center. More extreme misses are met with a decent click, but the longer irons are slightly more dampened than the short irons due to the insert behind the face.

Mizuno Pro 245 irons

This is the iron where I think Mizuno made the biggest improvement from the 225. Sound and feel are very subjective, but I felt like the 245 offered a more muted sound and softer feel than its previous version. While the hollow body design doesn’t offer the solid feel and responsiveness of the 241 and 243, it does give the player plenty of both. The face definitely gives the sensation of the ball jumping off it for added speed, but it doesn’t feel uncontrolled.

From my range session with them, the performance delta between good and poor struck shots was small and tight. Center shots left the face quickly and for me flew a little more penetrating and boring into the sky. These have the strongest lofts of the trio, but you still won’t have any issues getting the ball in the air, even with the long irons. The look of the 245 is also really good, giving you that more players compact look and little offset that promotes confidence and comfort.

I loved how straight and far mishits flew with this iron as the hot face was able to make up for my lack of perfection. My shots that were further off the toe than I care to admit still stayed in play as gentle draws instead of big hooks that smaller irons would produce. Striking the 245 a groove or two low also didn’t penalize you with a screaming ball six feet off the ground that runs forever, the iron was still able to elevate that shot and provide enough lift to hit the green and hold it. This iron is going to fit a wide range of players and combo up nicely with the 243 for some added help in the long irons.

In conclusion, Mizuno really upgraded the Pro iron line without disrupting the DNA of the design. Added playability and forgiveness in the 241 will open that iron up to golfers looking to work the ball around the course. At the same time, the 243 will fit a wider range of golfers who love compact irons but need a little added distance and forgiveness. Players who fit into the 245 will love the performance they expect from a hollow body iron and experience soft feel and sound that you don’t always get with those types of irons.

• RELATED: New Mizuno Pro 241, 243, 245, Pro Fli-Hi irons take forging further

The “GPS” name stands for Graphite Putter Shaft, and that is exactly what it is. KBS built the GPS from premium composite materials and fibers to dial in the feel and stability. Golfers can get the GPS shaft in a plethora of colors, both matte and gloss finishes, and two tip sizes.

Installation is easy and straightforward like a traditional steel shaft. Pick the correct tip size, sand the paint off the tip, and then use standard club epoxy to glue the shaft into the hosel.

The GPS is only offered as a straight shaft, no bends, so your putter will have to have a hosel where the shaft sits inside of it. Something like an L neck, plumbers neck, or center shaft will be the most common hosel for this shaft. Most slant or flow necks won’t work since the shaft has to slide over a post, and the GPS is not engineered for that style hosel.

Once on the course, you will notice that the GPS has a stiffer feel than a traditional, stock steel shaft from just taking a few practice swings. While the GPS is stiff, it isn’t crazy stout like some other high-end putter shafts, enabling the shaft to still provide good feel.

The stiffer feel and low torque on the GPS can be felt on short and long putts immediately as you have a feel where the head is through the whole stroke. A 30-foot or a 3-foot putt have the same feeling of face awareness, and I never felt like the face was anything but square.

While no club, shaft, or grip can guarantee you make more putts, I do feel like the stability of the GPS helps me get the ball started on my intended line more often. I still have to read the putt correctly and hit it with the right speed, but I feel like the shaft can help reduce one putting factor for me.

There is also some added stability on those toe and heel mishits that we all encounter. While most mallet putters help keep the putter face square on those misses, the GPS adds something to it. My miss is typically the toe. I did feel like the face doesn’t want to swing open as much compared to the stock shaft. Feel is sorted a touch as the GPS will absorb some of the vibration on impact.

I have the GPS in a TaylorMade Spider X Tour Proto with the fully milled face, and you can instantly tell a slight softness as the ball leaves the face compared to the stock KBS steel shaft that was in it. The sound also feels a bit more muted and the pitch lowered just a slight bit for a more solid sound.

If you are looking to upgrade your putter shaft for some added stability and a different feel, then the KBS GPS putter shaft is worth trying. While it may not make the putts for you, it can help keep the putter pointed at your target; that should help you make putts.

The Apex Pro packs a ton of technology into a small head size with reduced offset and a thinner topline. Callaway updated the new Apex CB with a new sole design for better turf interaction and shot consistency. The Apex MB is the blade for elite players who are looking for precise distance control and shot shaping.

Callaway knows some golfers like to mix and match clubs from different sets to optimize their performance, so I was very intrigued to see how the Apex Pro Series Triple Play iron set combined all three irons.

Callaway Apex Pro Long Irons (4, 5, 6)

When you set the new Apex Pro irons down, you will be pleased with the look of reduced offset and a compact shape. The irons aren’t so small that you get intimidated, I think Callaway picked a good size. Being slightly larger than the CB and MB gives you a little more confidence that you don’t need to strike it dead center in order to get a good shot out of them.

The Pros use multi-material construction to add distance and forgiveness while the forged face and body give you soft feel and distance control. Urethane Microspheres are also used to dampen vibration and give the Pro irons a soft and solid feel. Now the GolfWRXer in me wishes the Pro had a touch less offset, but I like the overall shape and think the more rounded toe gives them a softer look.

Out on the course, the 4, 5, and 6-irons are easy to hit and do offer you a little extra firepower for those longer shots. The feel is soft and muted, even on mishits, and the turf interaction from the Dynamic Sole design resists digging in soft conditions. The 4-iron is a real cannon off the tee on short par 4’s and long par 3’s, giving you the distance as well as added height to stop the ball on the green.

Off the turf, you can easily elevate the 5 and 6-iron shots into greens, but all of the Pro irons offer better forgiveness than you might expect. My miss is generally off the toe and those shots still get up in the air and carry. When you miss, you can still carry that bunker or get the ball to the front of the green.

Apex CB Mid Irons (7, 8, 9)

These might be my favorite looking out of the three iron sets in terms of size and shape. They blend some of the roundness from the Apex Pro with a slightly sharper toe and more compact size. The Apex CB have very little offset, and the transition from hosel to leading edge is done well and without too much curvature.

The soles are more narrow, but you can see more of the angles in the Dynamic Sole. The pre-worn leading edge and trailing-edge relief stand out more and work very well. I play in Michigan, and you rarely come across a firm and fast fairway, so turf interaction is very noticeable in these softer conditions. Much like the Apex Pro, the CB gets into the turf immediately and wants to shallow out and exit quickly.

Solidly struck shots feel so solid and soft with a heavy “thud” at impact. When it comes to feel, these irons will easily hold their own against other popular forged CBs. Shots hit thin or off the toe will bring more vibration to your hands and produce a clickier sound.

Distance control with the Apex CB irons is very, very good. Well-struck shots seem to fly exactly the same distance and height every time. The launch is a little lower than the Apex Pro but you still can elevate them off the turf or tee. These irons also seem to spin a bit more as you notice shots having a little more curvature to them. Into the wind, you can see a touch of rise in the shot. You will notice a little more of a dropoff in carry when you miss the center of the face, but directionally the ball stays online well.

Callaway added MIM weights in the toe, and as much as they perfect the balance of each iron, they seem to add some forgiveness as well. Skilled players will love the shotmaking ability of the CB: You can hit them high, low, left, or right, and in any combination of the aforementioned.

Apex MB Short Irons (10, 11)

First, just having irons with a “10” and an “11” on the sole is flat-out cool. That little difference is fun to see and they always get comments from other golfers. While all of the new Apex irons blend well together, these have the most distinctive look to my eye. They are the edgiest look with a sharper toe and straight leading edge. There is a lack of softness and roundness to the me, but again, they blend in well with the set.

I only have the pitching and gap wedge in the set, but that is about where my skill tops out! The MB will demand your attention as they obviously are the least forgiving in the set. While well-struck shots will reward you with impeccably soft feel and a solid “thud” sound, off-center will be a little more harsh on your hands and ears. My misses tend to be the most dramatic and you will see a big drop off in distance when you hit it out on the toe. Where the Apex Pro will get you on the green, the MB can keep you just off depending on the miss.

For being such high-lofted clubs, they do keep a lower ball flight that carries a lot of spin into the green. You can easily fire at tight pins with confidence that the trajectory and spin will keep the ball close to its landing spot. And since they are MBs, you can flight those shots any way you would like with ease.

Turf interaction is good, but these will dig the most out of the set. But even with the deeper divot, the irons get through the turf very quickly.

Matching the gap wedge to the set is something I have liked in this set. There is just a feeling of consistency on full, or close-to-full shots that you don’t get with a sand wedge-style head. Those full shots kind of feel like you are just hitting a pitching wedge but at a shorter distance. The “11-iron” still works around the green, and you can hit little pitch and chip shots with plenty of spin, even with an open face.

Overall, Callaway’s Triple Play offers a little bit of everything for players who need a little help in the long irons but want consistency in the scoring clubs. Feel, distance, and forgiveness are all added to the mix in good amounts in order to balance out the set. If you are a single-digit handicap who wants a players look from address but needs a little help, Callaway’s Apex Pro Series combo sets are well worth trying out.

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• Mitchell Golf Steelclub E-Z Commercial Shaft Puller review – Club Junkie Reviews
• Fujikura Ventus TR Blue Shaft review – Club Junkie Reviews

When you get the Nikon Coolshot Pro II Stabilized out of the box, you are greeted by a black carrying case that is made from woven black nylon. The case itself is pretty basic with less padding than you might expect at this price point. The latch looks like a standard plastic clip but is actually a magnet for quick opening and closing. I will be honest, it would be nice to get a heavier-duty, more molded case for this $400 laser rangefinder, but it works and clips onto your bag with ease.

The Nikon Coolshot Pro II itself is a smaller profile that fits in your hands comfortably and with a good grip. The rubberized touch points make it easy to hold even with hot, sweaty hands, or in the cold when your hands might be a little numb. While the buttons don’t stand out aggressively, they are easy to find without looking, and once you use the unit for a little bit, they become second nature to press.

Out on the course, the Coolshot is lightweight, and you don’t notice it hanging from your bag even when walking. The 6X magnification is clear and seems to have a slight tint to it that works well on sunny days. The view is still clear and pins are easy to see in overcast conditions. The eyepiece rotates to focus the lens, but once I dialed it in I didn’t feel like I had to do any further adjustment on the course. I could easily see 200-yard shots as easily as 50-yarders. The accuracy is very good, and if you shoot the flag multiple times, you get the same distance every time. Using the Coolshot Pro II to measure the distance to trees, bunkers, or even grass hills was easy and again accurate. I have yet to shoot a target that gave me a reading that looked off or incorrect.

Now the one thing missing from the Coolshot Pro II is a magnetic side to attach to the cart. This isn’t very pleasant, but I spoke with Nikon about it and any magnet on the side of the range finder would interfere with the gyroscope that stabilizes the view. The slope measurements can be turned off and on and are indicated by a small light near the front lenses of the unit. I found the slope to also be pretty accurate, and only found some issues with extreme downhill greens — but a lot of that could be put on the golfer as well!

Nikon’s image stabilization is really what makes this unit stand above a lot of other laser range finders. Originally I thought it was great for those targets over 200 yards, but the more I use it even the shorter distance targets are easier to shoot. 120-150 yard targets can easily, and quickly, be targeted with one hand. No longer do I have to support my right hand with my left to reduce the shake in my arms. Longer par 5s take me half the time compared to other rangefinders as the stable crosshairs slowly move onto the flag. Once you shoot the flag, you get the vibration indicating the laser found the flag. I have also become a big fan of the bright red LCD markings in the scope as they are easier to use in darker conditions or when the background of the green is very wooded.

Overall, I am very impressed with the Nikon Coolshot Pro II Stabilized, and it has become the rangefinder I use in my bag. The stabilization just makes it easy to use from any yardage and the clear optics help aim at any target. This may not be the cheapest rangefinder out there, but it is one of the best I have used.

More Club Junkie Reviews

• Mitchell Golf Steelclub E-Z Commercial Shaft Puller review – Club Junkie Reviews
• VA Composites Synystr shaft review – Club Junkie Reviews
• Fujikura Ventus TR Blue Shaft review – Club Junkie Reviews

I have used a few different shaft pullers over my 15 years of working on golf clubs. I have gone down the super cheap (under $100) road and used high-strength hydraulic pullers. All of these models work and some have bigger pros and cons, but over the years, I have learned that a high-quality puller can make life much easier and safer for the shaft. If you want to save a graphite shaft to use again, you have to pull it carefully and without any twisting. If you twist a graphite shaft while pulling it the heat and pressure with cause the layers of carbon fiber to delaminate and the shaft will be ruined.

The first thing about the Mitchell is that you have a few options as to where you can set it up in your shop. The puller features welded on feet that give you the option to permanently bolt it to your workbench or your can mount it in your bench-top vice. The vice option also allows you to take it off and store it out of the way when not in use. Either option provides a solid platform to use the puller. This E-Z Commercial Shaft Puller is built, really over-built, for a lifetime of high volume use. All of the parts are made from very thick steel and you will be very surprised on the weight of it. The parts are precision milled and held together with heavy duty bolts for zero flex while in use. The rotating handle that pulls the shaft uses a large bearing for very smooth and easy use. The rubber shaft clamps are interchangeable and the puller has a thick metal plate that can be adjusted for .335 through .500 hosels quickly with a small hex bolt.

Loading shafts into the puller is easy and quick as the shaft clamp uses a T handle that rotates quickly to open and close. That hosel adapter plate has four settings and the small hex bolt comes out easily by hand so you can quickly pull and wood shaft and then move to a larger setting for an iron. Once the shaft is clamped down, you rotate the balanced handle, and the hosel plate slides across the unit to pull the shaft. This design allows the head to be pulled straight off the shaft without any chance or rotation or adding extra stress on the shaft. I have used some cheaper pullers that don’t twist, but put some lateral pressure on the shaft as it slides the head off, but the Mitchell slides on a steel track that keeps any of that stress off the shaft for a safer pull.

The clamps are strong and hold steel or graphite shaft in place really well. You might notice a touch of slip on a very stubborn shaft, but a quick quarter-to-half half turn of the clamp’s T-handle will stop that. The big pulling force also allows you to use far less heat from your torch or heat gun on the hosel of the club. Using less heat means less chance of damaging the resin holding the carbon fiber layers together in the tip of the shaft. I feel like I could almost pull some shafts without any heat!

I mentioned the balanced handle that pulls the shaft earlier and it runs so smoothly and freely, you can forget it is putting a lot of force on that clubhead. Years of broken-down epoxy and dust haven’t changed the feel at all and it is still spinning smoothly on its large bearing. The whole hosel plate glides on a large screw that sits under the club, exposing it to the epoxy coming out of the hosel. This epoxy can get caught on the screw, but it doesn’t affect the rotation at all. The hosel plate assembly cleans off any debris as it glides right and left, almost cleaning itself with each pass.

My only negative thought on the Steelclub Puller is you can get some oil on your hands or clothing from the screw, if you aren’t paying attention.

Mitchell Golf Steelclub E-Z Commercial Shaft Puller sets the standard for shaft pullers, offering high strength, zero flex, and quick use for club builders. The ease of use will help new builders learn and reduce mistakes while the solid build quality will last more than a lifetime. If you are looking to set up your own club building shop, the Mitchell Golf Steelclub E-Z Commercial Shaft Puller should definitely be at the top of your list.

For a full, more in-depth review, check out the Club Junkie podcast on YouTube or any podcast streaming platform.

When you look at any VA Composite shaft, you can’t help but notice the amazing, detailed graphics that all of their shafts have. The Synystr is no exception as the multi-colored splatter graphics with an evil green face on the underside. The paint splatter does make its way to the top of the shaft, breaking up the gloss black paint that runs through the majority of the shaft. Like most wood shafts, the install is pretty simple into the All Fit adaptors I use. All of my shafts are installed untipped and cut to 45 inches playing length.

On the course, the Synystr offered me low launch and spin shots with a very smooth feel. Every VA Composites shaft I have ever swung produces a smooth and responsive feel. I have hit about five different VA Composites shafts, and the Synystr is by far the lowest launching, spinning, and stiffest feeling shaft out of those. VA lists the Synystr as low/mid-launch but for me that shaft seems to launch a little lower than that.

Most of the 10.5-degree driver heads that I used I found the best performance to add a little bit of loft to ensure I was getting enough carry. Flat is an understatement for any drive that I hit, the ball just didn’t want to rise even if you were hitting into a steady breeze. Spin was also very low for me as my typical range is around 2,600-2,800 RPM but the Synystr kept that number around 2,300-2,400 RPM on almost every shot.

Even drives that started left and went right didn’t ramp up the spin, and I rarely saw a shot that touched 3,000 RPM during any range sessions. Stronger players with a lot of club head speed can sometimes be worried about overpowering a shaft and hitting draws without much control.

The Synystr is not a shaft that will be overpowered easily and it took a whole lot of effort to hit it left. The stiff handle section along with the x-stiff mid and tip sections offer a ton of stability and control for even the hardest swings. But you don’t have to be afraid of the shaft as you can pretty easily get it squared up and hit some straight, boring, bullets down the fairway.

As much as I talked about the shaft having a stiff profile and anti-left, it still offers a nice, smooth feel. As you get the club to the top you will feel it load, but less than other shafts. As you bring the shaft down through the swing you get a little bit of a kick, but you definitely feel stability keep the shaft with your swing.

At impact, there is a decent kick for such a stout and stable shaft. I mentioned it earlier but the Synystr is easy to hit a straight or slight fade, but doesn’t like to turn over hard and hit it left. The Synystr is also pretty responsive as you will feel the vibration difference between a center strike and a mishit pretty easily. I noticed that my miss, an over-the-top move with a shut face, produced a much straighter ball that didn’t curve. Those misses just started left of target and stayed there.

If you are looking for a lower launching and spinning shaft for your driver that doesn’t sacrifice a smooth feel, then you should look to try out the VA Composites Synystr shaft. I think most stronger, faster players will be impressed with what they can get out of this shaft.

Ventus TR offers three profiles, just like the original, and the Ventus TR Blue offers mid-launch with low spin.

Fujikura Ventus TR Blue Shaft review

Fujikura added a little flair to the Ventus TR Blue graphics with a slightly lighter and more metallic blue paint. While the metal flake isn’t bass boat heavy, I love the added shimmer from the paint in the sunlight. The silver Ventus graphic near the handle is unchanged, as is the VeloCore near the tip, but under that, you get to see the weave of the Spread Tow fabric as the shaft fades into black. The only other difference would be the gold “TR” logo next to the Ventus text on the underside of the shaft. Installation is very straightforward, and no tipping is required for drivers, just prep the tip and glue on your adapter.

I am lucky enough to have this shaft in my driver as well as my 7-wood and the shaft performs great in both applications. The TR Blue has a much different feel than the original Ventus Blue, even though they are both mid-launch options. Ventus TR Blue has a stouter, more stiff feel and a tightness I was never able to feel with Ventus Blue. I have a quicker tempo swing, that I am trying to fix — it is a little over the top with a shut face. So my miss is typically a hook and a ball that starts left of target. As you take TR Blue back you can immediately feel that reinforced handle section as the shaft has less give to it. As you start the downswing the TR Blue loads with a little more effort but you can still feel the sensation easily.

At impact, the shaft kicks well and it feels like most of that is coming from the midsection of the shaft. This shaft gives you a mid/low launch that is a little flatter and more boring. Even though Fujikura lists the TR Blue as mid-launch, for my swing it launches just a little lower than that. The stiffer profile also makes it a little harder to turn over and takes a little draw out of the shot compared to Original Blue. Ventus TR Blue still is easy to square up and will allow those draw players the ability to do that still. For players like me who are looking for a mid-launch shaft that takes some of the left out of the equation, I think the TR Blue fits that bill nicely.

The shaft also has really good stability when you don’t hit the center of the face. The driver head doesn’t feel like it is twisting much when your strike is out on the toe or down on the heel. Toe shots will still have some curve to them but stay in play and the low spin seems to help keep some distance on those shots. For me, the TR Blue is a low spinning shaft as I routinely see my driver spin rates around 2,500-2,600 RPM.

Overall the Fujikura Ventus TR Blue has been a great addition to my bag and has been my gamer shaft for most of this year. I found that the combination of control, distance, and mid-launch have really helped my driving game. If you are looking for a mid-launch shaft with low spin and great accuracy, then the Ventus TR Blue is definitely worth talking to your fitter about.

For a more in-depth review, please check out the Club Junkie podcast below or on any podcast platform, just search GolfWRX Radio.

Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Blue wood shaft review

When you first take any of the Tensei 1K Pro shafts out of the box, you are immediately impressed with the look. While mostly black, the 1K fiber weave near the handle has a shine and depth to it that are just impressive. A simple metallic blue band separates the woven carbon from a gloss grey mid-section. The grey fades to a gloss black down near the tip, and if you install it logo down, you see very little to distract your eyes. The logo area of the shaft contains the Tensei and 1K series names in a holographic silver paint that isn’t really noticeable until you get it in the sunlight.

Out on the course, the Tensei 1K Pro Blue is smooth and responsive like you would expect from any Mitsubishi shaft. Compared to the 1K Pro White the Pro Blue is a little softer and has more of an elastic feeling to it. The Blue has a smooth feeling to it that loads easily and you can really feel the shaft build up some energy as you start the downswing.

As you progress through the swing, down to impact, the Blue offers the feel of an aggressive kick into the ball. You can definitely feel that the Blue wants to generate a little more power and ball speed compared to White or Black. With the firmest handle section of the Tensei shafts, that energy transfer doesn’t feel like it lacks control. Even with my quick tempo swing, the 1K Blue feels tight and stable.

The Blue is an easy shaft to square up as the softer mid and tip sections allow it to release easily but it doesn’t want to go hard left. Straight to controlled draws seem to be where the Blue likes to take your shot shape. Players who are looking to take a little of the right side out of play could find success with the Blue in the correct flex.

Launch and spin for me are very close to the mid-launch and spin that Mitsubishi describes. The 1K Pro Blue launches just a little higher than my previous favorite Tensei shaft, the CK Pro Blue. Center shots produced a mid-launching and slightly boring ball flight. Not as boring as some other shafts in the mid-launch category but we weren’t seeing any ballooning from the shaft. Shots hit off-center stay online well and work well with these new heads in keeping those shots online and the spin consistent.

Overall, the Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Blue is a solid offering for players who need mid-launch and maybe a touch of spin to help keep the ball in the air. You will be rewarded with great performance and a smooth feel.

For a more in-depth review, please check out the Club Junkie podcast below or on any podcast platform, just search GolfWRX Radio.

The Spider Tour V is a new and more sleek head shape for this 2023/2024 model line. Most of the Spider Tour putters have small “wings” on the sides of them to push weight to the outside and add stability and forgiveness. The Spider Tour V leaves the wings off and has more of a sloping shape from the face to the back of the putter. This more flowing shape also gives the V head the most compact look of the bunch. Even with those changes, TaylorMade packed a lot of technology into the head to ensure it lived up to the Spider name. Thin Wall Undercut Construction and Steel Wireframe are used to remove excess weight from the center of the putter to create a stable putter with an enhanced CG location. And speaking of CG, each Spider Tour model has a different CG location in order to fit different putting strokes and preferred feel.

Out of the box, I think the new Spider Tour models look good with their new Gunmetal PVD finish. The Gunmetal PVD looks and feels high-end and should be more durable so we don’t see as much chipping like some of the previous finishes. True Path Alignment is back and I like the simple, high-contrast look of the wide white line with a smaller black site line running through it. On the sole is the large, blue sole plate with small spiders etched in it and two TSS weights near the face. The putter is finished off with a nice gloss black KBS putter shaft and a Super Stroke Pistol 1.0 grip.

As I set the Spider Tour V behind my first ball on the practice green, I just felt comfortable with the putter. While the V head shape is new, it is undeniably a Spider and familiar to look down at. Another plus is that the sole design allows the putter to sit on the turf with the face being square to the target. You don’t have to manipulate the putter in order to keep the face straight. The putter moves very well through the stroke and has a good balance and feel to it. The #3V slant neck gives it 32 degrees of toe hang and the additional forward weights allow your hands to feel the putter head rotate through stroke a little more than the other Tour heads. Sound and feel are very good and to me the Spider Tour has a little firmer feel than my TP Hydro Blast Bandon 3 putter.

The Spider Tour features a White TPU Pure Roll insert that is a mix of surlyn and aluminum for a slightly more crisp feel at impact and just a small audible click. Even on longer putts the added force doesn’t really change the feel and sound much, it stay consistent on all but the shortest tap-ins. Pure Roll does its job and puts immediate forward roll on the ball that you can see when putting early in the morning. The dew on the green shows minimal, if any, hopping and the ball just rolls away from the putter. I sometimes can feel like grooved faces can make the ball seem like it comes off the face faster and rolls out farther than expected, but I never had that issue with the Spider Tour V. Distance control seemed on-point, and I didn’t even have to play a few holes or rounds to dial in the speed.

Off-center shots stayed online very well, as I missed out on the toe, and I was impressed with how close my misses came to the hole. Between the Pure Roll face and the stability of the Tour V, every time contact was poor, I felt like I had a chance for the putt to drop. Now the one knock I will give to the Spider Tour is that toe or heel strikes can sometimes be hard to differentiate from solid contact. The responsiveness is decent but a little louder click or firmer feel would be welcomed by my erratic putting! As I stated before, the True Path Alignment works for my eye, and I found it very easy to line up towards my target. The wide white line was also visible as the putter moved through the stroke, giving a little barometer of where the putter head was at all times.

Overall I have putted very well with the Spider Tour V, and it definitely has a place in the rotation of putters I use. The new Tour models offer so much more than just a new head shape or color; they each are built for a different stroke. If you are looking to upgrade your putter, I think you should give each one of the head styles a little time on the practice green.

Out of the box, the VF has a very familiar look with a red handle section and a black tip section that are separated with the traditional 10 silver rings. The color combination is definitely more subtle than some of the other Tour AD shaft combinations. Graphite Design doesn’t make too many low-launching shafts, so the VF is filling that need. The VF will suit players looking for low/,id launch and low spin shaft to put in their driver or fairway wood.

The shaft profile is a firm+ handle section, it matches the stiffest handles Graphite Design shafts, with a stiff midsection, and finally a very stiff tip. Exotic materials are used along with MSI Design to maintain stability and consistency. Graphite Design uses Torayca M40X carbon fiber in the handle section to make it stiffer and enhance control of the shaft. Ultra-high modulus Torayca T1100G is used in the middle and tip section for added stability without losing that smooth feel.

I built up the VF shaft using a universal tip system that allows me to use the shaft in any driver head. The building went extremely smoothly as every Graphite Design shaft I have ever installed has a consistent tip diameter and I have never had any issues with a sloppy fit. Once the VF was cut to length and installed, the shaft has a great look that doesn’t jump out as distracting or eye-catching. If you are playing a TaylorMade Stealth 2, then the shaft blends in naturally and they look to visually be great partners!

You would expect a smooth and responsive feel from any Graphite Design shaft and you will get just that with the VF. For me the shaft was exactly as Graphite Design describes, being mid/low launch and offering a very penetrating ball flight. The Tour AD XC might launch a touch lower, but I like the feel and consistency I get from the VF just a little bit more. No matter what driver head I used, the VF seemed to offer ball flight in a similar window, slightly lower than the Fujikura Ventus TR Blue I was using. Even shots into the wind showed no real signs of rising or ballooning. Spin was also lower than I expected with the VF shaft. On the course, I noticed a penetrating, boring flight no matter where I hit the ball on the driver face. Shots struck low on the face held a good amount of distance and even the low heel strike seemed to launch lower and carry further.

I even took a couple of driver heads out to the range with a launch monitor and noticed that I rarely saw a spin number with a “3” in front of it. Almost every shot, good and not so good, seemed to spin around that 2,600 RPM number. With many fittings and shaft tinkering, that is usually on the lower end of what I find with my swing. As I said with the shaft being mid/low launch I was seeing an average of around 11 degrees while using a couple of 10.5-degree driver heads. On course, the VF was very straight and consistent and while it seemed easier to square up than I expected, it did not want to go left as easily as some other shafts. I would consider the flight just slightly fade biased but if you release the club properly you will be rewarded with a straight shot down the fairway.

Overall, the Graphite Design Tour AD VF is a really solid mid/low launch and low spin option with a smooth feel. It is starting to gain some traction on the professional tours and could be a great shaft for your swing as well.

Graphite Design Tour AD VF Specs

To listen to the full review, click on the YouTube or podcast link below or search GolfWRX Radio on your favorite podcast platform.

Tour Edge Exotics C723

The C723 is exactly as Tour Edge describes — compact and adjustable — for the more skilled player who is looking to add a hybrid to the bag. I love adjustable hybrids so you can dial in the performance to your setup with ease. The 19-degree head I was hitting can play between 17.5 and 20.5 degrees of loft with the lie angle ranging between 57 and 60 degrees. Now the loft and lie are not fully separate and some loft settings only have a specific lie, but still very useful.

The C723 went right to the course and on the first hole I noticed a flatter trajectory that had a more boring flight off the tee. Shots off the deck are actually easier to elevate than I thought but again offer that flatter ball flight. Ball speed is great and distance is effortless when you strike it in the center, or close to it. I also noticed impressive distance on shots off the toe when you would expect to see a bigger decline in a smaller club head. Shot shape is very neutral, and the C723 isn’t looking to help you draw the ball. Forgiveness on off-center shots is better than you would expect and shots stay online fairly well. Overall, this is a great option for players looking for a players hybrid that offers adjustability and added distance.

Tour Edge Exotics E723

If your hybrid needs include distance, higher launch, and forgiveness, then the E723 might be the hybrid for your bag. I might actually like the larger look of the E723 hybrid compared to its smaller sibling, it gives you the confidence that you don’t have to hit perfect shots to see great results.

Out on the course, or range, you can immediately see the launch difference as the E jumps up and off the face quickly. The flight is high, and I could tell the descent angle was steeper than the C. The Ryzersole gives you solid turf interaction on tight fairway lies and gets through that nasty rough fairly easily. Just like the C723, this hybrid offers some really good ball speed even when you miss the center. Those off-center shots stay online really well thanks to the weight in the head being back and low. Draws are much easier to hit with the E723 and straight shots wanted to fall just a little left of target.

Sound and feel are great with both heads and shots are met with that familiar stainless steel “ting” that we know so well. I think the E723 fits a wide range of players that can benefit from some extra distance and a little higher launch to reach those greens in two.

Tour Edge has again done a really good job with giving golfers some exciting hybrid options with the new Exotics. Whether you are looking to work the ball and adjust your hybrid to fit your bag or you just want a hybrid that is long and easy on your poor swings, I think you need to try out an E723 or C723 hybrid.

Make sure to check out the full podcast review at the links below and search GolfWRX Radio on every podcast platform.

I was a big fan of the previous Tour MIM irons and played them in rotation throughout the last two years. Out of the box, I was impressed with the more simple and clean look of the badging on the new King Tour. Badging is mostly silver with just small black accents that should appeal to even the pickiest golfers. I didn’t notice the shorter blade length in the new irons but did notice that the leading edge is just slightly more rounded. Topline is thin, but not razor thin, but still has enough there to give you the confidence that you don’t have to hit it on the dead center every shot.

Feel is solid and soft with just a slight click to the thud on well struck shots while mishits are met with a little more sound and vibration to the hands.

These King Tour irons are built to be cannons and place more emphasis on consistent and precise shots. I also felt like the new irons launch easily and maybe a touch higher than some irons in the same category.

My launch monitor showed my 7 iron with an average launch angle of 22 degrees and spin right around 5,800 with a Project X LZ 6.0 stock shaft. Ball speed isn’t the ultimate focus of this iron but it did well with an average around 108mph and the iron was able to keep the speed up well when you didn’t strike the center. You will still see a drop off in speed and distance when you miss the center, but you don’t have to be Navy SEAL sniper accurate on the face to achieve a good shot. Dispersion was very tight, and while there are bigger irons with more forgiveness, this players cavity still allows good playability when you aren’t bringing your A-plus game to the course.

Cobra lists the King Tour as an iron for a Tour level player up to a 7 handicap and I think this iron could see the bags of more golfers than that. I am a 9.4 handicap, and I felt more than comfortable playing this iron even on less than perfect days.

Like last year there are three flavors to cover every driver need: Stealth 2, Stealth 2 Plus, and the Stealth 2 HD.

For a more detailed review, please take a listen to the Club Junkie below or on any podcast platform. Just search GolfWRX Radio.

Stealth 2 Plus

I typically like the bigger and more forgiving drivers, but this ended up being the one I hit the best. My miss is a low-left hook that comes from some swing flaws, and it was a shot I saw too many times with last year’s Stealth. My first time on the range, I noticed that shot would actually launch a little higher, stay in the air better, and not go as hard left.

The Plus might be the lowest-launching of the three, but it is still easy to elevate off the tee and produces flat, boring drives. I averaged a launch of 11.1 degrees in a 10.5-degree head with a Fujikura Ventus TR Red shaft. Spin was also the lowest and averaged 2,874 RPM, but the bigger part of that number is how the spin variation from center strikes to off center is very low. Only a few hundred RPM separated the highest and lowest spinning shots.

The Plus also offered the least draw out of the group with a very straight ball flight and even a few shots that went a hair to the right.

Stealth 2

This the bread-and-butter driver option offering hefty amounts of forgiveness and is easy to launch while offering low spin. This is the model that should launch and spin in-between the other two, but it actually ended up being the lowest launching for me. It wasn’t by much, but I had an average launch of 10.2 degrees with a 10.5-degree head and the same shaft as the Stealth 2 Plus. The spin was a little higher but only by a very small margin, as I averaged 2,917 RPMs.

For most players the nice thing about the Stealth 2 is that it seems a little easier to square up and turn over at impact. I saw a little more draw in the shots and the starting line was more straight to just slightly left. Like the Plus, I was pleased with the face that my miss off the high toe launched a little higher and stayed in the air a bit longer for a more playable shot.

Stealth 2 HD

I was actually the most excited to try this head because of how it looks. Most higher launching, draw-bias drivers sit very closed, and I don’t love that look. First time I set the HD down I was impressed that it looked square and a little larger, mostly from the visible red Carbon Composite Ring around the back. The HD also has a slightly shorter hosel that makes the driver play 1/4 inch shorter than the other two.

The HD did launch the highest at 11.5 degrees and spun the most, 3,105 RPM, out of the three Stealth 2 models. Those numbers still don’t sound like a high launching, spinny driver to me. The HD was the easiest of the Stealth models to turn over and really took away any shots to the right and any fade that I could have hit with the Plus. Off-center hits held up with solid ball speed and the added forgiveness in the head kept most shots online.

TaylorMade’s Stealth 2 line of drivers mixes distance with added forgiveness this year to really help golfers of all levels. Each model can cover a wide array of golfer abilities and the better players will still like the confident look from address. If you are looking to add a new driver to your bag this year, the Stealth 2 line is worth swinging.

When I first put my hands on the ZX7 Mk II and ZX5 Mk II irons, I was impressed with the look and they are instantly recognizable as Srixon irons. The ZX7 Mk II has a traditional design without any plastic or metal badge in the cavity, it is just painted matte silver. Srixon let the ZX5 Mk II go with a very small and simple badge that is a combination of matte silver and chrome.

I like the look of both irons from address as well since they look so similar. The ZX7 Mk II has a slightly longer blade length and minimal offset that the lower handicap player will enjoy. But the ZX5 Mk II got most of that DNA as well. While being a little larger than the 7, it has great proportions and just a hair more offset. Both irons have a little thicker topline that is a little more squared than I expected but by no means distracting. Both irons feature Srixon’s famous Tour VT sole for fantastic turf interaction through a variety of turf conditions and swings.

Srixon ZX7 Mk II

I played the original ZX7 irons and loved them, along with many golfers! First shots with the new ZX7 Mk II reward you with an extremely soft and solid feel. The new PureFrame design puts more mass behind the center of the face and even with less than quality range balls you get to feel that ball compress while leaving the laser etched face. I have no doubt that with a real golf ball you will get that solid thud when the ZX7 Mk II strikes it on the turf.

While this iron is a single piece forged cavity back, it does offer some forgiveness on less than perfect shots. The club is very responsive and gives you immediate feedback, but still helps keep some ball speed and launch. Shots hit low on the face came out flat but the iron was able to keep some of the launch you need to produce a shot that wouldn’t kill your round. Consistency is a big feature with these irons and the most precise players will love the fact they can depend on their yardages when it matters. Dispersion for me was also tight with the ZX7 Mk II offering me a straight to just a slight fade ball flight. I could still turn it over and hit a draw but normal swings didn’t really include the left side too much.

Launch was a little lower than the ZX5 Mk II, but about a 1* or so but still easy to elevate for a lower ball hitter like myself. I haven’t been able to test out the Tour VT sole yes since all my testing has been off mats, but I have no doubt it will perform really well in the soft Michigan conditions like the previous ZX7 did.

Srixon ZX5 Mk II

The last version of this iron impressed me for all that it does in an impressive package and the ZX5 Mk II still amazes. The looks are great and Srixon did a great job of putter a bunch of ball speed and forgiveness in such an attractive package. The feel is really good for a multi-piece head, soft and with just a small click at impact. While you might lack just a touch of that ball compressing off the face feel, you will gain the feel of the ball jumping into the horizon. The ZX5 Mk II just feels fast and you can tell that thin face, with MainFrame technology, is working hard to up the ball speed. The great thing about the MainFrame fast is that I have not found a hot spot yet and believe me I have hit it all over the face.

Distance control is good and mishits still will give you plenty of carry to get it on the front or close to the green. Ballspeed was about 2 mph faster than the ZX7 Mk II for me and it spun about 100-150 RPM less with a 6-iron. The sole is noticeably wider than the 7 but still glides through mats with the same speed and should offer a little extra forgiveness on shots hit just a little behind the ball.

Overall, I think Srixon did exactly what they needed to with the ZX7 Mk II and ZX5 Mk II irons. They made slight improvements and didn’t change the great attributes of each iron. Will players who were fit into ZX7 and ZX5 irons notice a big difference and be forced to change? I don’t think so. These will be for the player who is looking for new irons and has heard or read the great things about the previous generation; they will be impressed.

The Alcor Tour is a very traditional looking wedge that is far from traditional! When looking down, at address, the wedge looks very traditional and clean. I am a big fan of wedges that are a little more rounded and with a softer topline. The Alcor Tour is exactly that and has a leading edge that is pretty straight, just a slight bit of roundness that is very pleasant to look at and overall the shape is really good.

The back of the wedge is a little more busy with the screws for the sole and milled channels. The channels are milled not just for looks but to remove material so they can move it out towards the toe in order to get the CG in the center of the wedge. There is also the titanium sole that is held in place with two hex bolts. The sole is easy to change and if you buy the wedge with the 3 soles you get a small Allen wrench with the soles.

Vega did some pretty impressive machine work on the back of the wedge because the soles fit perfectly snug into the small, milled rectangle on the back. Just setting the sole on the wedge produces a tight fit with no play or movement, before even tightening the screws. Vega ensured this tight fit so no vibration could affect the feel of the wedge.

Out on the course, the Alcor Tour feels extremely soft and solid. I would put it up there with some of the softest wedges I have ever hit from some of the most famous brands. Even shots hit higher on the face or more off the toe produced good feel with very little added vibration. The only way to get some harsh feel out of this wedge is to hit one very thin on a cold day. Spin is very good as well, even from less-than-perfect lies. Playing outdoors here in the north, you are going to get some longer grass in the fairway, but the spin and stopping power was still very high. I even got 1 or 2 shots to spin back a little bit from lies that I never thought would. Even out of the rough and fairway the spin was predictable and consistent, never will a roll our that you didn’t think would happen.

The interchangeable sole is a pretty cool idea, and I was really excited to hit the high bounce sole. I can get steep on fuller shots and play in softer conditions here in the north. The high bounce sole has a good amount of trailing edge relief, allowing you to open the face with the leading edge coming up just a small amount. There is more than enough bounce, 12 degrees, to help reduce the depth of your divot on full shots. Good float through the sand comes with the design and I love the very rounded, blunt leading edge. That leading edge allows you to press the wedge forward for a shorter chip shot with no worry of the turf grabbing the wedge. Launch on full shots came out a little higher than some other wedges but landed softly and stopped quickly on the green.

Changing the soles out is very simple with just two screws holding them in place. Even though there are just two screws, the sole stays firmly in place with no jiggling or looseness whatsoever. I don’t think Vega designed this wedge to have people change out the sole when they change courses, but it is a great way to fit and find the sole that works best for you. But some of us like to tinker and you can swap out the soles to match the turf conditions if you want! Overall the Vega Alcor Tour is an impressive wedge with extremely soft feel and great spin.