Golfing News & Blog Articles

I am a traditionalist with some areas of the game, but I just can’t get behind this sentiment of strict hole-in-one gatekeeping.

There is nothing in golf more elusive and special than an ace. It’s sometimes a measure of skill and often a measure of luck. I’ve never had one but my uncle who barely plays skulled one across the lake—watching it skip on the water multiple times—before it somehow trundled into the hole.

The ace is golf’s most equal-access accomplishment. Anyone can do it.

And here’s the thing: Any hole-in-one is remarkable. If a top pro could stand on the same hole with 500 balls and not make an ace, then it must be incredibly difficult. If you get one, I can only imagine it’s the most euphoric moment a recreational golfer can have.

That’s why I’m more than a little irritated at the endless number of “disqualifiers” the golf world has compiled for situations where a hole-in-one is no longer legitimate. This game is supposed to be fun, rewarding and welcoming—can’t we loosen up a little bit on some of these unwritten rules?

When it comes to selecting the right set of irons, understanding which models suit your game is crucial. TaylorMade offers a range of irons tailored for different types of golfers, from high handicappers needing maximum forgiveness to skilled players seeking precision and control. This article compares the TaylorMade Qi, Qi HL, P-770, P-790 and P-7MC irons using the results from 2024 MyGolfSpy Most Wanted testing. We will focus on how they rank within their respective categories and for which types of golfers they are designed. We will explore the strengths and weaknesses of each model, helping you find the perfect fit for your game.

Overview of categories and rankings

Why don’t we compare direct data and use the rankings instead? 

When comparing the TaylorMade Qi, Qi HL, P-770, P-790 and P-7MC irons, it’s important to take note of the rankings rather than direct data comparisons. This is because each iron was tested by different groups of golfers who best represent their respective categories. Direct comparisons across these categories wouldn’t be accurate or meaningful due to the distinct profiles and performance traits of each iron.

For those unfamiliar with the iron categories, here’s a brief overview along with how many irons were tested in each for 2024:

Super game improvement irons: Tailored for beginners and high handicappers, these irons emphasize maximum forgiveness and ease of launch. (10 irons tested)Game improvement irons: Designed for mid to high handicappers, balancing forgiveness with distance and consistency. (17 irons tested)Player’s distance irons: Targeted at mid to low handicappers, offering a blend of distance, control and some forgiveness. (18 irons tested)Player’s irons: Made for low handicappers who prioritize precision, feel and workability over forgiveness. (19 irons tested)

Detailed breakdown of each iron

TaylorMade Qi HL Irons

Category: Super Game-Improvement IronsOverall Ranking: Fifth out of 10Performance Highlights: Middle of the road in most categories but was third in forgiveness. Best suited for beginners and high handicappers who need maximum assistance with their game.

TaylorMade Qi Irons

Category: Game-Improvement IronsOverall Ranking: Seventh out of 17Performance Highlights: Excelled in distance, ranking third, but 13th in forgiveness. Ideal for high handicappers seeking to improve their distance.

TaylorMade P-770 Irons

Category: Player’s Distance IronsOverall Ranking: 10th out of 18Performance Highlights: Best in forgiveness (first), solid accuracy ranking, but 17th in distance. These irons cater to mid to low handicappers who seek a blend of forgiveness and shot-making ability.

TaylorMade P-790 Irons

Category: Player’s Distance IronsOverall Ranking: Sixth out of 18Performance Highlights: A solid all-rounder with a fourth place finish in accuracy and respectable eighth in distance and 10th in forgiveness. These irons are ideal for golfers who prioritize accuracy, with a blend of distance and added forgiveness.

TaylorMade P-7MC Irons

Category: Player’s IronsOverall Ranking: First out of 19Performance Highlights: Excels in accuracy (first) and forgiveness (second), but second-last in distance. These irons are designed for low handicappers who demand precision and workability.

Comparative rankings and performance overview

When comparing these irons within their respective categories, it’s clear the Qi series (Qi10 and Qi10 HL) is designed for golfers who need the most forgiveness and help with their ball striking. Both the Qi10 and Qi10 HL irons excelled in forgiveness, ranking first in their categories, with the Qi10 being more versatile for improving players and the Qi10 HL offering maximum help for beginners.

I love summer golf. You can’t beat showing up for an ultra-twilight round knowing with 100 percent confidence that you’ll actually get 18 holes in before dark. Beyond the extended daylight hours, there are plenty of reasons to love warm weather rounds. The ball flies further, the grass is greener and, for many of us, this is the only time of year we can actually get out on the course with any consistency. Consistent play means more reps and more reps mean better scores. Ironically, the only downside to golfing in the dog days of summer is the heat. 

My favorite summer golf gear is lightweight, easy to carry and keeps me cool. Taking on the heat can be a challenge but as someone who has been playing golf when the temperature can exceed 100F for almost 30 years, I have some ideas about what gear can make a midsummer round tolerable, even comfortable.. 

There are dozens of recommendations I could make but to keep you from scrolling for the next hour, I narrowed it down to the 11 pieces of gear I’ve been relying on the most this summer. Let us know in the comments what you use to stave off the heat. 

Gear to End Summer on a High Note

Fiori – Tech Zip Polo

There are a ton of great lightweight, techy polos out there but I’ve really been loving this one from Fiori. The material is incredibly soft and silky, feels good on my skin when it’s bone-dry or sweat through, has a comfortable collar that stays put and can be worn with the collar wide open or zipped up, depending on how I’m feeling.

adidas – Wide Brim Golf Hat

Joel Dahmen isn’t the only golfer who can rock a big ol’ bucket hat. The sun is constantly in your eyes while playing summer golf but it’s also ravaging your neck and ears with UV rays so a bucket hat is an ideal antidote. To go along with ample sun protection, this hat from adidas utilizes the brand’s moisture-absorbing AEROREADY material, keeping you dry and cool when the sweat really starts to drip.

Playing golf in wet conditions isn’t just about the challenges you’ll face on the course. It’s also about managing the aftermath. Wet clubs, drenched clothing, soggy gloves and soaked shoes can take a toll on your gear. 

After braving the elements and finishing your round, it’s crucial to take specific steps to ensure your equipment, especially golf shoes, stays in good condition. Here’s how to properly care for your shoes after a rainy round so you don’t have to replace them.

What happens when golf shoes get wet?

The damage done to golf shoes after a round in the rain depends on the type of shoe you own.

Leather is prone to warping, cracking and losing its shape when exposed to moisture. If leather shoes are not cared for, they can start to break down.

Some synthetic shoes recover more quickly when exposed to water and moisture. However, if they are not dried properly, they can still develop mold and odors.

Does Bryson DeChambeau's putter's lie angle toe the line of what's legal, according to the Rules of Golf? How so? Rules Guy has the answer.

The post Rules Guy: How is the lie angle on Bryson DeChambeau’s putter legal? appeared first on Golf.

GOLF Top 100 Alumni Teacher Tom Stickney shares the six shots that most amateurs never include in their golf practice, but should.

The post 6 shots you (probably) never practice but should add to your routine appeared first on Golf.

Golfers like Scottie Scheffler and Hideki Matsuyama have already made their respective teams, but there are a lot of questions remaining for the Presidents Cup rosters.

British golfer Georgia Hall will play in her fifth straight Solheim Cup after being named Monday among four captain's picks for the Sep. 13-15 competition against the U.S.

After TaylorMade released the Stripe version of Tour Response, the conversation around a TP5 version wasn’t so much about when it was coming but why it didn’t already exist.

Seriously.

That was roughly two and a half years ago.

And so, several months after the release of the 2024 TP5, and way later than I had anticipated, TaylorMade is finally offering a Stripe version of its TP5 and TP5x golf balls.

To quote Rick Flair, “WOOOOOO!”

It’s no mystery why the golfer looking for top-of-the-line traction generally wears spiked golf shoes. For the most part, spiked golf shoes offer better traction and contact with the playing surface. You’d be hard-pressed to find a pair of spiked golf shoes that aren’t at least well above average in this regard.

On the flipside, spikeless shoes are very hit or miss. Some are really, really bad. Some are average. And a few are leagues above the rest in this regard. A spikeless shoe that can rival the traction of a spiked shoe is a game-changer for the golfer looking for comfort without sacrificing performance.

Most spikeless shoes don’t have very good traction. These five shoes defy the odds.

1. PAYNTR X 002 LE

The entire PAYNTR line of spikeless golf shoes features stellar traction. The X 002 LE is right up there with the best of the best and rivals any spiked shoe out there. If you put a premium on ground contact, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better spikeless shoe.

2. Under Armour Drive Pro

Similar to the PAYNTR, the Under Armour Drive Pro SL provides great 360-degree spikeless traction. It has you covered from toe to heel and everywhere in between. Don’t sleep on this one!

“Putting doesn’t have to suck”—or so L.A.B. Golf says—but is their method of madness just too far out there to catch on for the masses? 

L.A.B. Golf putters have created a fascinating debate, with their Lie Angle Balance technology promising effortless alignment and more made putts. Yet their unconventional looks, center-shafted designs and high price leave many golfers divided. While some swear these putters have revolutionized their game, others find the feel too restrictive and the aesthetics too far from tradition. 

Are L.A.B. putters a game-changing innovation or just a flashy fad? Whether you’re a fan or a skeptic, we want to hear your thoughts. What side of the L.A.B. fence are you on? Let the debate commence!

About L.A.B. Putters

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that this is our first featured “Polarizing Product.” 

There have been many pieces on L.A.B. putters written by MyGolfSpy staff. Here are a few must-reads:

There is a lot of cool gear in the golf equipment world that doesn’t always fit neatly into Most Wanted Tests or Buyer’s Guides. You still want to know how it performs. In our We Tried It series, we put gear to the test and let you know if it works as advertised.

What We Tried:

Allen Edmonds Cyprus Derby golf shoes. By far the most expensive pair of golf shoes I’ve tried. And I’ve tried a lot.

Who Tried It:

Connor. Director of Content and resident sneakerhead. As a child, I gained an appreciation for dress shoes from with my dad who loves Allen Edmonds. I even wore a pair to my wedding. When I found out they made a golf shoe, I knew I had to give them a go.

More alluring than the brand name, though, was the price. Is a $350 pair of golf shoes actually worth it?

Spoiler: I don’t think so. But read on for the rest of my thoughts.

When push comes to shove, you’ve got to sink putts to score. Sure, you can hit it 300 off the tee; but can you sink that 10 footer for birdie? Maybe you missed a green and are now scrambling to save par. Do you feel confident staring down that 6 foot putt to break a new PR? Today’s deal will make sure you’re able to practice rolling the rock, rain or shine.

The SKLZ Accelerator Pro Golf Putting Mat is on sale for $49.99 at Golf Galaxy.

Drive For Show, Putt for Dough

9′ total mat length for use at the home or officeDevelops perfect alignment, backstroke length and acceleration through the ballStimpmeter rating of 10 on a firm rug and 11 on linoleum surface

Improving your game on the green is key to taking it to the next level. Take advantage of this deal on the SKLZ Accelerator Pro putting mat today.

The post Drive For Show, Putt For Dough – Take Advantage of This Deal! appeared first on MyGolfSpy.

Is there a spot in a golfer’s bag more volatile than the putter well? Sure, there are some collectors out there, blissfully picking up every hot new flatstick that hits the market. But most of us are perpetually searching for the one, the one putter perfect for us that instills supreme confidence that we can drain any putt from any distance at any time. The new Edel Array line of putters promises to deliver that perfect fit with an unprecedented level of customization options.

Photo: Edel Array 1

The testing opportunity

Five MyGolfSpy Forum members were given the opportunity to test, review and keep a new Array putter from Edel. Edel’s unique fitting technology allows a fitter to customize the head design, weights, hosel options and alignment aids. Combined, the Array system allows a fitter unmatched precision in dialing in a flatstick for any golfer.

The Edel Array comes in four different models with all three mallet designs available for left-handed golfers. There is also a single right-handed-only blade design. Those heads can be married to one of four different neck options, two different alignment aids for the blade or six for the mallets. Add in five sole weight options, four grip choices and a Tour Opti-Vibe weighting system for internal shaft-weighting options and you begin to understand just how customizable the Array line is.

Photo: Edel Array 2 

Rose Zhang, Megan Khang, Andrea Lee and Lauren Coughlin are among the players joining world No. 1 Nelly Korda on the U.S. Solheim Cup team this year.

Looking ahead to the Presidents Cup, the BMW Championship was the final tournament for six automatic qualifiers for the U.S. and International teams who will compete Sept. 27-30 at Royal Montreal, and the leading six players remained unchanged on Sunday.

Her third major win comes in a battle against current and former World No. 1's. Korda, Shin, Vu and Yin finish in four-way tie for second. Plus, Woad takes low am and NBC's issues surface (again).

Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley won the BMW Championship to jump from 50th to 4th in the FedEx Cup standings for the season-ending PGA Tour Championship.

Stewart Cink, 51, won the Ally Challenge to become the 22nd player to win on each of the PGA Tour's three tours -- the PGA Tour, PGA Tour Champions and Korn Ferry Tour.