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Editors’ Choice Awards 2023
Tried. Tested. True.
That’s our mission, the mantra that fuels our everyday actions.
The goal? To give you, the golfer, the truth about the golf gear you’re spending your money on and companies you’re giving money to.
Why? Your game is our job. It’s that simple. You want to play better golf and we want you do just that..
Your game is the first thing we think about when we’re testing a new driver. It’s the sole consideration when it comes to recommending a new pair of golf shoes. It’s the only thing that really matters to us.
In the hopes of making your game better, we’ve created, refined and executed our Most Wanted Testing for 15 years. This data-driven methodology of testing is what we do best.
That said, data shouldn’t be the only thing you consider before your next purchase. Our annual Editor’s Choice Awards allows us to shine a spotlight on products, companies and brands that have left an impression on us – even if they didn’t place No. 1.
Here are our Editors’ Choice Awards for 2023.
Story of the Year: The PGA TOUR-PIF “Merger”
Raise your hand if you had this one on your 2023 golf bingo card. No? Didn’t think so.
It was a normal, quiet Tuesday morning when the first reports of a “merger” between the PGA TOUR and Saudi Arabia’s multi-kajillion dollar Public Investment Fund hit the news wires. It came from so far out of left field that the knee jerk reaction was “is this April 1st?” But it was no joke. Money makes strange bedfellows and leaders of the PGA TOUR testifying before Congress is pretty freaking strange.
There’s so much about this “merger” that we still don’t know. What will the PGA TOUR look like? What happens to LIV? Does Jay Monahan stay? Does Greg Norman go?
And, maybe most importantly, is this really just a billion-dollar gambit by Yasir Al-Rumayyan to score himself memberships with the R&A and at Augusta National?
The sheer craziness of it all makes the PGA TOUR-PIF “merger” the hands-down top golf story of 2023. And we’ve just scratched the surface on crazy because what’s officially being called a “merger” looks, smells and tastes like the Saudis are trying to buy men’s professional golf.
Technology of the Year: Sportsbox AI
While I suppose AI is the technology of the year, Sportsbox AI, an AI-powered 3D-motion capture and analysis tool is making waves, albeit somewhat quietly.
You may not be familiar with Sportsbox yet. As a swing analysis tool, it’s still a bit of a product in search of an audience but, beyond its utility as an instructional tool, it could prove to be the next big thing in clubfitting.
As manufacturers and fitting brands seek to better understand why some clubs work better for golfers than others, AI will absolutely be a part of that. And while Sportsbox isn’t a household name, it has established itself as a leader in AI and looks to be positioned for a breakthrough.
Golf Company of the Year: Titleist/Acushnet
When it comes to choosing a Golf Company of the Year, Titleist/Acushnet checks all the boxes.
Solid to outstanding performers in every club category? Check. Solid to outstanding performers in the ball category? Check. Solid to outstanding performers in glove, shoe and apparel categories? Check again.
Additionally, Titleist/Acushnet is as sound financially as it gets in golf. Sales growth is steady. Profit
growth is steady. Even when a business unit underperforms, it responds quickly and … steadily. Even its
acquisitions – the most recent being Club Glove – are steady. This is a company that makes money and
moves forward.
All the brands under the Acushnet umbrella – Titleist, FootJoy, Vokey, Scotty, KJUS and the rest – are at
the top of their games. And just for fun, if you were to take Topgolf out of Callaway’s equation, the two
companies would be battling neck and neck for the title of golf’s top dog.
In our book, for this year anyway, that top-dog title goes to Titleist.
Driver: COBRA AEROJET LS
The most hotly contested of our Editor’s Choice awards, after much debate, we landed on the COBRA AEROJET LS. It finished second overall in this year’s Most Wanted test while leading the pack in distance. We’ll concede the name is a little funny, but the AEROJET LS delivers series performance, especially for golfers with the speed to benefit from the aerodynamic shaping.
Sound and feel are substantially improved over the previous model, and we’d note that as mainstream drivers have crept to (and then quickly blown past the $600 mark), at just $549, the entire COBRA AEROJET family offers a bit of value.
Fairway Wood: Callaway Paradym
We’re a little ahead of our Most Wanted fairway wood test but we can tell you that Callaway’s Paradym fairway woods – particularly the Paradym X – are proving extremely popular with our testers.
It goes without saying that Paradym Fairway Woods are proven winners on Tour and not just with Callaway staffers. While that tells us plenty, the fitters we’ve spoken with tell us that, with three models at their disposal, Paradym is the one to beat this season, and it’s winning a whole lot more often than not.
Hybrid: PING G430 Hybrid
It isn’t often that we have a dominating performance in Most Wanted Testing. However, the PING G430 hybrid dominates. It is the best hybrid for accuracy. Additionally, it ranks second overall for forgiveness and distance. Yes, you read that correctly: the G430 Hybrid is accurate, forgiving and long. Excelling in all three of our scoring categories makes it an absolute no brainer. Go try it out.
Utility/Driving Iron: PING iCrossover
Utility irons, driving irons … whichever term you want to use, they aren’t for everyone. And yet, we have a clear winner: PING iCrossover. If you can’t hit a hybrid and are looking to fill a distance gap in your golf bag, check out the PING iCrossover. It is a phenomenal golf club. The PING iCrossover destroys the field by being the best for distance and accuracy. It narrowly misses out as being the best for forgiveness as well.
Player’s Irons: Mizuno JPX 923 Tour Irons
Mizuno always impresses in the player’s iron category. This year, Mizuno JPX 923 Tour irons are the best player’s iron. There are two key performance characteristics skilled golfers want: accuracy and consistency. Mizuno JPX 923 Tour irons are the best for accuracy and forgiveness (which is how we measure consistency). If you are a high-level, competitive golfer, Mizuno JPX 923 Tour irons need to be on your demoing list.
Player’s Distance Irons: Srixon ZX5 Mk II Irons
The best player’s distance irons for 2023 are Srixon ZX5 Mk II irons. Throughout Most Wanted testing, it was apparent that ZX5 Mk II irons were contenders. Ultimately, they are the best for accuracy in a competitive iron category. Additionally, they offer exceptional forgiveness and distance. A multitude of golfers can game player’s distance irons. If you want new irons, you need to demo Srixon ZX5 Mk II irons.
Game-Improvement Irons: TaylorMade Stealth Irons
TaylorMade Stealth Irons live up to high expectations. Since their release, they’ve performed exceptionally in Most Wanted Testing. The TaylorMade Stealth irons are the best game-improvement irons in back-to-back years: 2022 and 2023. For 2023, the Stealth irons are the best for forgiveness, scoring 98/100. Not only are they forgiving but they offer outstanding accuracy with a score of 89.5. The one knock against Stealth irons is their distance score relative to the field but don’t let that deter you. If you are a mid to high handicap golfer, TaylorMade Stealth irons are a must-try.
Super Game-Improvement Irons: Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal HL Irons
It’s no surprise that Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal HL irons claim the title of best super game-improvement irons 2023. They rank as the best super game-improvement iron for forgiveness and accuracy. These two performance characteristics are pivotal for super game-improvement irons and Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal HL irons achieve this. The Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal HL irons can benefit a plethora of golfers, especially those who want to maximize accuracy and forgiveness.
Wedges: Vokey SM9
While the SM9, like other Vokey wedges, seldom disappoints, what won us over is Vokey’s commitment to building a complete wedge ecosystem.
While it’s probably fair to say its wedge-fitting app hasn’t caught fire, we applaud the effort to make wedge fitting available to the masses. We also love that Vokey finally brought the T-Grind mainstream while continuing to leverage its WedgeWorks platform as not only a vehicle to launch really cool stuff but also as a means to make niche grinds available to the players who need (or want) them.
Blade Putter: L.A.B. Link.1
The Link.1, L.A.B. Golf’s take on the iconic Anser design made quite the splash this year. Somehow, the design wizards at L.A.B. Golf were able to instill their Lie Angle Balance and zero torque technology into a very traditional looking blade. Sure, it has some extra weights here and there and a unique hosel, but it definitely retains that classic heel/toe weighted look.
Like other L.A.B. putters, the Link.1 found its way into Tour bags this season. The most notable user was Charles Howell III who rolled his Link.1 to a LIV Tour victory at Mayakoba in February. He just couldn’t miss with his Link!
Mallet Putter: Odyssey Jailbird
The 2023 putter story of the year has to be the Odyssey Versa Jailbird resurgence. I’m not sure it should be considered the putter of the year since it was actually made about a decade ago. Still, no other putter gave the yippers hope this year like the Versa Jailbird.
The story is wild. First, a popular golfer not on Odyssey’s staff grabs a putter from 2014. Next, the player modifies it to a counterbalanced design and starts climbing leaderboards for the first time in years. Next, have that player’s buddy copy him and use the putter to win the U.S. Open.
Watch golfers go Jailbird crazy. See Jailbird prices rise by 1,000 percent on eBay. Odyssey releases a modern version that sells out immediately. What a story!
Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
While not a groundbreaking year for golf ball technology, Titleist made its Pro V1x a little bit better (or at least a little bit longer) by taking a bit of spin out of the long game without sacrificing spin around the green.
While that’s plenty good on its own, what makes the 2023 Titleist Pro V1x notable is that it’s currently the only ball from a major manufacturer to feature a true dual-core design.
With more eyes focused on the inside of the ball than ever, competitors have leaned into the easier-to-make dual mantle. Titleist, however, remains committed to dual core and the enhanced spin performance it offers.
Golf Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro White
For the better part of the last five years, the premium shaft category has belonged to one name. To be sure, Fujikura’s Ventus remains a powerhouse but Mitsubishi is making some noise with its Tensei 1K Pro White.
Mitsubishi’s lineup is huge and sometimes outstanding products get lost in the crowd but the early returns suggest the 1K White is a standout that has momentum with both high-end custom fitters and on Tour.
Rangefinder: Bushnell
The unquestioned king of rangefinders just keeps getting better. Bushnell’s 2023 lineup of rangefinders was flat-out awesome. Between the award-winning Pro X3 and the V6 Shift series of rangefinders, Bushnell has cemented itself as the best of the best. Their continued dominance in the rangefinder space is no surprise.
Numbers matter and nobody does numbers better than Bushnell. Anyone who’s looked through a Bushnell rangefinder could surely see the Editors’ Choice Award not too far off in the distance.
Glove: PXG Players
Nobody makes golf gloves the way PXG does. Period. The PXG Players glove has dominated the category for a few years now. What makes a dominant golf glove? Try ultra-soft feel, great grip and a one-to-one fit.
Check, check, check. The PXG Players glove checks all of the boxes that make a great golf glove and, in turn, they’ve checked the box for an Editors’ Choice Award.
Spikeless Shoe: adidas Ultraboost Golf
It’s not often that a spikeless shoe excites the entire office. But when we heard adidas was bringing out the Ultraboost Golf, we knew we had to give it a try. This stylish golf shoe may not objectively be a top performer but the extremely comfortable BOOST midsole cements the Ultraboost Golf’s spot in our Editors’ Choice Awards.
The original Ultraboost shoe is among our favorite casual shoes. It’s about dang time that adidas turned it into a golf shoe. The only issue? We’re running out of trunk space.
Spiked Shoes: adidas ZG23
Sensing a theme here? adidas has had one heck of a year when it comes to golf shoes. The Brand with Three Stripes continues to innovate and iterate upon its successful golf shoe lineup and it’s working. Enter the brand-new adidas ZG23. Whether you’re lacing up the standard version or opting for the Tony Covey-recommended BOA variant, the ZG23 is an all-around beast.
And for Dave Wolfe’s chubby-footed friends, you’ll find great comfort in the fit and width of the adidas ZG23. A golf shoe made for everyone? We call that a winner.
DTC Company of the Year: Takomo Golf
In increasingly crowded direct-to-consumer market, Finland’s Takomo Golf established itself as a serious player seemingly overnight. Its iron lineup, which includes single-piece forgings and more complex hollow-body designs, was a surprisingly strong performer in Most Wanted testing.
Perhaps more appealing still, full-set pricing starts at less than $500. That’s all but unheard of for a fully forged design.
Comeback Company of the Year: Adams Golf
This was an admittedly easy selection given the one-time popularity of the Adams brand. While not exactly the same company it was at its peak, the revitalized Adams Golf launched with a full club lineup (more on the way) and a casual, fun vibe that seeks to appeal to the new generation of golfers.
It’s too soon to say if the company has any real staying power but, if nothing else, it proves that a company can be fun without compromising performance.
Best Trend: Golf Ball Patterns and Customization
Decorating your balls has never been easier.
Golf ball patterns and golf ball customization is perhaps the hottest trend in golf and it’s easy to see why. Between what Callaway is doing with TruVis and TaylorMade’s new customization program, it’s never been more fun to buy golf balls. Stripes, emojis, animals, you name it. Ditch the plain white ball and go with something a little more fun … that’s what the game is about, after all
Golf Ball Pattern: Callaway Fade
Yeah, this award is a little outside the box but we want encourage brands that are all-in on the idea that a golf ball can be more than white (or yellow).
Callaway’s Fade pattern likely flew under the radar (in an already under-the-radar category). It doesn’t have nearly the buzz of Triple Track or Truvis but, for our money, it’s the company’s most functional pattern to date.
It looks cool, and if you’re struggling with a putter, the alignment features are pure magic. We’d love to see the pattern find its way to a premium ball.
Best Collab: PUMA Golf x PUMA Hoops
There are only two words needed to describe the PUMA Golf x PUMA Hoops collab: slam dunk. The most exciting play in both golf and basketball provides a fitting depiction of just how cool this collaboration is. The trendy, stylish apparel and accessory collaboration made its debut at the Rocket Mortgage Classic and quickly found its way into our hearts (and closets) here at MyGolfSpy.
Training Aid: The Stack
It’s becoming a familiar pick but you’d be hard-pressed to find a training aid with more documented success stories than The Stack. I suppose being a product of the digital age helps with that.
The Stack works for slow players, fast players and anyone in-between. It’s also fun (and almost like exercise).
Over the last year, the Stack has added new speed programs and diversified to include a new putting module.
When you consider what golfers are willing to spend on a new driver in search of a more distance, how can you not be excited about a product that continues to deliver just that?
Best Apparel (Men’s): Rhoback
It’s safe to say that our staff can’t get enough of Rhoback’s golf apparel. If there ever was an apparel brand that makes us swoon like Gollum over the One Ring, it’s Rhoback’s buttery-soft hoodies and quarter zips.
The entire lineup of Rhoback apparel is well-designed, thought-out and performs with the best of the best. From the first wear, it was clear to us that Rhoback deserves an Editors Choice Award.
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