Product Review
TaylorMade Vs Callaway: Who’s Got the better driver?
Every year at the start of the year, two of the biggest names in the driver category go head to head with their respective product launches in an attempt to capture the attention of golfers before the product hits the shelves. The year 2022 was no exception, with Callaway announcing its Rogue ST driver early on January 4th, followed by TaylorMade’s Stealth line-up just a few hours later on the same day.
Although it remains to be seen whether one performs demonstrably better than the other, and this will be player dependent, is there a case to be made that one generated more excitement and anticipation than the other, and if so, what might have been the reason for this?
Today’s best TaylorMade Stealth Driver and Callaway Rogue ST Max Driver deals
Our initial assessment is that TaylorMade was the company that generated the most excitement and generated the greatest amount of interest when the Stealth driver was introduced, which is perhaps unsurprising for a company known for its aggressive marketing. The number of page views on the website reflects this, and the number of responses on the Twitter feed corroborates this.
Which of today’s new driver releases do you most like the look of? ? pic.twitter.com/ahRUx0PfJH— Golf Monthly (@GolfMonthly) January 4, 2022
For starters, it has a brand-new name and an eye-catching feature in the form of a brilliant red carbon fibre face. Tiger Woods put the driver and fairway woods in the bag for his return to golf at the PNC Championship, giving us a sneak peek. He and his son came close to winning the competition, whetting the public’s hunger for more information when it became available.’
Both drivers have had a terrific response on tour. Collin Morikawa of TaylorMade put Stealth in play at the Sentry tournament of champions, which admittedly had a small field. This is interesting because he didn’t make the conversion from SIM to SIM2 last year. Other members of the team, such as Lucas Herbert and even free agent Daniel Berger, also contributed to Stealth’s victory. Callaway’s poster boy Jon Rahm, as well as Phil Mickelson, Xander Schaufelle, new signing Abraham Ancer, Marc Leishman, and Talor Gooch, all put the Rogue ST in the bag.
Callaway’s goal was to create something more cosmetically attractive, and while Rogue ST does this, it lacks the wow impact of Stealth. While I believe the A.I. technology story is completely accurate, I believe it will be tough to sell to a golfer who can see and touch the new Stealth face and leaves nothing behind closed doors.
Rick Shiels, who now has over two million YouTube subscribers, is a pretty decent barometer of golfer interest, and his assessment of the Stealth drivers has had over twice as many views as his evaluation of the Rogue ST drivers. Nonetheless, our Callaway Rogue ST review video has so far outdone our Stealth drivers video.
A little #ThrowbackThursday to a carbon-faced driver we released 20 years ago. Our face technology has moved on quite a bit since then… ⚡️ #FlashFace #Callaway | #TBT pic.twitter.com/AQv1HAqjEj— Callaway Golf Europe (@CallawayGolfEU) January 13, 2022
Callaway recently fired shots on Twitter by uploading an image of a Big Bertha C4 driver with a carbon face from nearly 20 years ago. This was definitely a dig at TaylorMade’s ostensibly revolutionary technology, and while it’s worth noting that Callaway has done similar work in the past, you can’t help but wonder if this low blow simply plays into TaylorMade’s hands.
Without a doubt, both of these drivers appear to be among the best ever created, but the Stealth appears to have gotten the audience’s passions running a little more vigorously.
Read the original article on Golf Monthly.
As the golf season continues, 2024 has delivered an exciting lineup of drivers that cater to every type of player—from the casual weekend warrior to the competitive tour player. With advancements in technology and design, golfers now have access to clubs that not only optimize distance but also enhance control and forgiveness. As the holiday season approaches you might want to decide what to ask for. Here, we take a closer look at the top 5 drivers of 2024, comparing their performance and value to help you make an informed decision.
1. Callaway Paradym X
Performance Highlights:
- Distance: One of the longest drivers in its class, thanks to Callaway’s AI-designed Jailbreak technology.
- Forgiveness: High MOI (Moment of Inertia) ensures off-center hits maintain decent distance and direction.
- Adjustability: Comes with adjustable hosel settings to fine-tune loft and lie.
Value Rating:
- With its robust technology and reliable performance, the Paradym X is a solid investment for those seeking maximum distance without sacrificing forgiveness.
2. TaylorMade Stealth 2
Performance Highlights:
- Carbon Face: The revolutionary carbon composite face provides a lightweight yet powerful strike zone.
- Sound & Feel: Enhanced acoustics for a satisfying impact sound and smooth feel.
- Aerodynamics: Streamlined shape reduces drag for faster clubhead speed.
Value Rating:
- A premium driver with a higher price point, but its technological advancements justify the cost for serious players looking for that edge.
3. Titleist TSR2
Performance Highlights:
- Consistent Distance: High-launching and low-spinning for powerful and controlled drives.
- Workability: Ideal for players who like to shape their shots without sacrificing stability.
- Refined Look: Classic Titleist aesthetics that appeal to traditionalists.
Value Rating:
- A great blend of classic design and modern technology, offering significant value for intermediate to advanced players.
4. Ping G430 MAX
Performance Highlights:
- Forgiveness King: Widely recognized for its unmatched forgiveness and stability.
- Adjustable Weighting: The movable back weight allows for custom shot shaping.
- Sound and Feel: Enhanced acoustics give a satisfying, confidence-boosting impact.
Value Rating:
- A top choice for players who prioritize accuracy and forgiveness. Its value is exceptional for mid-handicap golfers seeking confidence off the tee.
5. Cobra Aerojet
Performance Highlights:
- Speed Optimized: Aerodynamic design promotes increased clubhead speed.
- Price Point: More affordable than some of its competitors, making it a great value for those on a budget.
- Versatility: Suitable for a range of skill levels, offering a balance between distance and control.
Value Rating:
- Best suited for those who want performance without breaking the bank. The Aerojet offers impressive distance at a mid-range price.
Final Thoughts
Selecting the right driver comes down to personal preference, play style, and budget. Each of these top drivers for 2024 offers unique strengths, from the unparalleled forgiveness of the Ping G430 MAX to the innovative technology of the TaylorMade Stealth 2. Evaluate your game and needs to choose the one that will elevate your performance on the course.
Product Review
The BEST $10 You Will Spend on Your Golf Game in 2023!
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This means the head of your golf club goes too far in front of your body (aka, starting outside)… Then it comes back into the ball (inside)… Almost all amateur golfers have an outside-in swing… And it costs them yards of distance off the tee… Puts excess pressure on your back and spine increasing the risk of injury… And causes weak, inconsistent results off the tee and with your irons.
Equipment
First Look: Mizuno M.Craft OMOI Putter
Mizuno expands its line of M.Craft forged/milled putters with the new OMOI lineup of three models. The OMOI line features heavier heads (as much as 28 grams depending on the model) for better stability, feel and sound, but keeps the overall weight of the club similar to standard models with lighter shafts and grips for better control.
PRICE: $350, three models: 01 and 02 blades, 03 mallet.
THE DEEP DIVE: When Mizuno’s David Llewellyn, director of research and development, and Chris Voshall, head of product, were struggling to come up with a name for the new heavier version of the M.Craft lineup of putters, they turned to the company’s Japanese heritage.
“I’m not exactly fluent in Japanese, but I know enough that when we asked What’s ‘heavy’ in Japanese?, I kind of knew it was ‘omoi,’” he said. “When we found out the secondary meaning was ‘passionate thought’ or ‘willpower’ and that kind of imagery, well, we were like, We’re definitely using ‘omoi.’ That’s just too good for a putter, especially when your main theme is what you did with some additional mass.”
Of course, it also helps that the last three letters are m-o-i, as in the golf technology term “moment of inertia.” MOI is a measurement of the stability of an object and its resistance to twisting on an off-center hit. By making the heads on the OMOI line as much as 28 grams heavier than standard, the new putters automatically improved their stability on off-center hits compared to the standard M.Craft models introduced in the prior two years.
The heavier heads are paired with a lighter shaft and a lighter grip to change the balance point of the entire club. The idea is to further stabilize the entire system so the club is easier to swing.
“Our testing showed that locating more of the overall club weight in the head provided more consistent face rotation through impact,” Llewellyn said.
The extra mass in the head allowed for tweaks to the designs, specifically thickening the sole, that in addition to improving stability produced better sound and feel measurements through the company’s acoustic profiling known as “harmonic impact technology.”
The OMOI lineup includes two blades, the slant-neck 01 and the heel-toe weighted plumber’s neck 02, as well as a rounded mallet design, the 03. The 01 features a three-quarter hosel offset and 60 degrees of toe hang; the 02 features a full-shaft offset and 40 degrees of toe hang; and the 03 uses a double bend shaft and is face-balanced. The 01 and 02 feature 370-gram heads, while the 03 is 383 grams. Each model features 8-gram heel and toe weight screws, and a kit with extra 3-gram and 13-gram weights is included at no additional charge.
Like the original M.Craft line, the heads are forged from 1025 carbon steel, and they feature deep face milling for furthering that softer feel. They are offered in three finishes: double nickel, blue ION or Black ION.
The OMOI putters will be at retail in March ($350).
This article originally appeared on Golf Digest.
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