Golfing News & Blog Articles

For value-seeking golfers, Tour Edge Hot Launch Series drivers—the Hot Launch E523 and the Hot Launch C523—will likely be in the consideration set.

They arrive with a retail price of just $269.99 and, while Tour Edge describes that as “mid-tier” pricing (with allowances for PXG’s occasional deep discount), by modern standards it’s on the low end of the price range—likely less than clearance-priced drivers from the industry leaders (and everyone else, for that matter).

I’d wager Tour Edge E-series will be the cheapest drivers you’ll find on big box retail shelves this season.

While price alone may be the deciding factor for many, Tour Edge is seeking to position itself as “the leader in performance-value custom fitting.” That’s an odd combination of words but the point is that, with fitting bags available at more than 1,000 locations, nobody else comes close to offering fitting options at this price point.

Tour Edge Hot Launch 523 Irons and Wedges

Key Takeaways

Across-the-board updates for value-priced Hot Launch irons and wedgesE523: Classic Tour Edge iron-wood design super game-improvement ironsC523: Game-improvement with “Power Spec” loftsAvailable Nov. 1

The new Hot Launch 523 irons and wedges from Tour Edge are a cold slap upside the head for anyone who loves to complain about the high price of golf equipment.

That means if you’ve ever shouted, uttered or even mumbled something akin to “the prices these OEMs are charging will drive the average golfer out of the game,” Tour Edge advises you to duck.

Tour Edge owner David Glod is on to something with the Hot Launch line. It’s designed for the budget-minded game-improvement golfer who doesn’t want to be treated like a second-class citizen. There’s plenty of trickle-down technology from the Exotics line with plenty of custom-fitting opportunities.

And true to the company’s credo, the price can make even the most cynical golf gear wonk downright giddy.

Tour Edge Hot Launch 523 Irons and Wedges

The new Tour Edge Hot Launch 523 irons and wedges follow the same format as their immediate predecessors. The E523 irons are a hybrid-like iron-wood firmly planted in the super game-improvement category. It’s the type of iron you’d most likely associate with the Hot Launch brand. According to Tour Edge, the “E” stands for Extreme, as in Extreme forgiveness and an Extreme-ly low CG.

Along with the Hot Launch E523 and C523 drivers, Tour Edge is introducing matching Hot Launch E523 and C523 fairway woods and hybrids. At a budget-friendly price of $169.99 (fairway) and $149.99 (hybrids), it’s fair to wager that Tour Edge is positioning this seventh generation of Hot Launch products as the best “bang for the buck” in the industry.

The challenge for Tour Edge is giving consumers as much performance as possible while working with a limited menu of technological resources. It’s why manufacturers often offer several lines of equipment at multiple price levels. If you want the full suite of modern materials and current generation technology, it’s always going to cost a bit more.

As it did last time around and in line with the 523 series drivers, the Tour Edge Hot Launch lineup will feature two product lines.

Tour Edge Hot Launch E523 Fairway Metal

The E523 Fairway Metal is every bit as extreme as the E523 driver. And in this context, “Extreme” is a proxy for what we typically see in SGI (super game-improvement) equipment.

Taking a look at what's in store as the PGA Tour heads to Japan, LIV Golf visits its homeland of Saudi Arabia and the LPGA takes a break before playing in South Korea.

No need to check your calendars. It’s closer to Halloween than Thanksgiving but that’s not stopping PXG from releasing a Special Edition Stars & Stripes version of its 0311 3X Forged wedges.

According to PXG, the Stars and Stripes design pays homage to the company’s military roots. “The new Stars & Stripes edition brings an even bolder statement to the course and shows our unwavering patriotism,” says PXG founder Bob Parsons. “We’re forever proud to be an American company!”

The Stars & Stripes flag pattern is laser-etched into the Xtreme Dark finish of the 0311 3X Forged wedge.

About PXG 0311 3X Forged Wedges

0311 3X forged wedges are forged from 8620 steel. They feature full-face grooves and high toe weighting for exceptional consistency on open-face shots.

Though he didn't offer any details, past Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama said Tuesday that LIV players should be able to earn ranking points.

Dustin Johnson, who already has clinched the inaugural LIV Golf Individual Championship, needed only six events to have a $30 million year, and he still has two events left with the Saudi-funded operation.

Mizuno’s 2023 drivers—the ST-Z 230 and ST-X 230—have landed on the USGA conforming clubs list. While that clears both models for play on the PGA TOUR, Mizuno is mum on the technical details and what improvements golfers can expect over the soon-to-be previous models.

Mizuno ST-Z 230 and ST-X 230

The most intriguing teaser is the addition of a “CORTECH CHAMBER” in the front sole area where we’d typically expect to find Mizuno’s Wave Sole. The best (and, I suppose, obvious) guess is that it’s a bit of speed-enhancing tech particularly beneficial on low-face impact.

Because it’s the driver category, we should expect claims of modest ball speed gains.

OUR JOB IS YOUR GAME

This is one of the most impactful tests we have ever published.

Why? Because it affects almost every golfer’s score without them even knowing.

Moisture is a part of nearly every single shot you will hit with a wedge. Whether from rain, dew, or thick grass, it’s almost inevitable during a round of golf. The ability to control your golf ball during the variety of situations you’ll face during the round is crucial to shooting lower scores. After 160 hours of research and, 17,000+ shots later the average wedge lost about 35% of its dry spin, while the worst-performing wedges in wet conditions saw more than an alarming 60% reduction.

This is most definitely impacting your score if you play one of these poor-performing wedges.

The good news is, however, that the best-performing wedges are almost identical under wet conditions. It’s unlikely that many of you have been fit for wedges in wet conditions, but you might want to start thinking about it after reading these results.

Jodi Ewart Shadoff is finally an LPGA Tour winner in her 246th start, closing with a 1-under 71 in a nervy final round Sunday for a one-shot victory in the LPGA Mediheal Championship.

Tom Kim closed with a 5-under 67 and completed a bogey-free week in Las Vegas to win the Shriners Children's Open when Patrick Cantlay fell apart on the final hole Sunday.

Steve Stricker closed with a 3-under 69 for a two-shot victory in the Constellation Furyk & Friends, his fourth PGA Tour Champions title this year.

It took a year longer than he'd hoped for but Jon Rahm is finally a three-time winner of the Spanish Open, matching the achievement of his hero Seve Ballesteros.

Former top amateur Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra shot a final-round 69 and won the LIV Golf Invitational-Bangkok by three strokes over Patrick Reed on Sunday.

Jodi Ewart Shadoff had a bogey-free 69 Saturday in the LPGA Mediheal Championship. She keeps a four-shot lead over Paula Reto going into the final round at The Saticoy Club.

Patrick Cantlay came within one putt of a 59 on Saturday, instead matching his low score on the PGA Tour for a share of the lead with 20-year-old Tom Kim going into the final round of the Shriners Children's Open.

Jon Rahm took a one-shot lead of the Spanish Open after carding a thrilling 6-under 65 in the third round on Saturday.

One of the best former amateur golfers in the world, Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra, is leading after two rounds of the LIV Golf tournament in Thailand.