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The MyGolfSpy Hot List?


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Should MyGolfSpy do our own version of the "Hot List"? {Take them head-on} .... Thinks it's about time???

 

Let us know your opinions...we are debating it right now.

* (any and all opinions and ideas are welcome)

#TruthDigest
 

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That would be awesome. Maybe start out with just drivers, see where it goes from their?

 :srixon-small:  ZX5 MKII LS 8.5

:taylormade-small: Stealth 2 plus 3 wood

:taylormade-small: Stealth 2 plus 5 wood

:taylormade-small: Stealth 2 plus 19.5 Hybrid 

:srixon-small: ZX5 MKll 5 / AW Dart stiff

:taylormade-small: MG3 black 52 9b 58 12b

:scotty-small:  7.5 Phantom 34”

:srixon-small: Z Star Diamond 2023

 

 

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Yes, absolutely. Use the exact same clubs for each category that they did. Give the consumer what they need to know (truth), not just what they're used to.

Driver--Taylormade RBZ Tour 9* Aldila RIP Phenom 65s

Fairway Metal--Taylormade R11s 14* Aldila RIP Phenom 70s

Hybrid--Taylormade RBZ Tour 18.5* RE-AX 85 gram S

Irons--Nike Vr Pro-Combo 4-PW True Temper Dynamic Gold S300

Wedges--Nike SV Tour Forged 50*, 56*, 60* True Temper Dynamic Gold

Putter--Scotty Cameron California Del Mar

Ball--Taylormade Lethal

Grips--Lamkin R.E.L 3Gen (Woods-green, Irons-red, Wedges-white)

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I would love to have some performance data that would compare all the clubs on the "Hot List" to each other, as well as some not as well known brands. Lets take the "Buzz Factor" out of the ratings, and judge clubs based purely on performance.

Driver - Ping G430 Max 9° | Ventus Blue TR 
Hybrid - :srixon-small: ZX 16° & 18° | GD Tour IZ S

2 Iron - :srixon-small: ZU65 17° | AeroTech SteelFiber 110icw S

Irons -  :srixon-small: ZX7 MKII  4-Pw | TTDGTI S400, std length  1° flat
Wedges - :cleveland-small: RTX 6 Tour Rack 50° 54° 58° | TTDGTI S400, std length 1° flat

Putter -  L.A.B. Golf Link.1 | LA Golf P135 shaft | Garsen Quad Tour grip
 

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My other thought is to rank all the clubs accurately in each category. One list for performance, one list for aesthetics, one list for "Buzz" ect....

I know that for some consumers, what is "cool" is the most important factor when choosing clubs. If a consumer is able to clearly see that he is choosing club A because it is neat, and not because it works, that might open some eyes...

Driver - Ping G430 Max 9° | Ventus Blue TR 
Hybrid - :srixon-small: ZX 16° & 18° | GD Tour IZ S

2 Iron - :srixon-small: ZU65 17° | AeroTech SteelFiber 110icw S

Irons -  :srixon-small: ZX7 MKII  4-Pw | TTDGTI S400, std length  1° flat
Wedges - :cleveland-small: RTX 6 Tour Rack 50° 54° 58° | TTDGTI S400, std length 1° flat

Putter -  L.A.B. Golf Link.1 | LA Golf P135 shaft | Garsen Quad Tour grip
 

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Eh. Not so sure about this--one golfer's "hot" is another's "not." Once you start moving away from data, you're inviting mischief...

Cleveland Black 10.5*

Ping G15 4W

Cleveland Mashie 18*

Cleveland Mashie 23*

Ping G15 5-W

Eidolon 51*

Ping G20 SW

Mizuno/Bettinardi BC-01

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If MGS does decide to do a hot list, I would suggest that it be 100% data driven. Opening it to up "Buzz" is too subjective. I might even shy away from "Looks" and "Feel" unless the pool of testers was large enough that you felt you had a really good, representative sample. Actually, better than ranking looks and feel, just show the club at address (and other angles) and take a recording of the sound!

 

MGS > GD

Follow me on Twitter: @MattSaternus

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If MGS does decide to do a hot list, I would suggest that it be 100% data driven. Opening it to up "Buzz" is too subjective. I might even shy away from "Looks" and "Feel" unless the pool of testers was large enough that you felt you had a really good, representative sample. Actually, better than ranking looks and feel, just show the club at address (and other angles) and take a recording of the sound!

 

MGS > GD

 

+1 to this.

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NO, no hot lists. Is there any use, any need ? Consider this, everyone is full of custom fitting these days. Every player is unique and so on and so on. So what's the use of testing and hotlisting stock off the shelf gear when everyone should be custom fit in the first place ? Wouldn't that just be useless info then, right ?

In custom James Stewart golfbag:
Ping Tour-S Rustique 60/TS & 55/13 / Ping CFS Stiff / Ping ID8
Ping i20 4-PW+UW / Ping CFS Stiff / Ping ID8
Ping G15 2H 17° & driver 9° / stiff aldila serrano / ping 703
Odyssey White Hot XG 2-Ball / 33" / 2°up
Srixon AD333 - Oakley Flack Jacket XLJ G30

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NO, no hot lists. Is there any use, any need ? Consider this, everyone is full of custom fitting these days. Every player is unique and so on and so on. So what's the use of testing and hotlisting stock off the shelf gear when everyone should be custom fit in the first place ? Wouldn't that just be useless info then, right ?

 

I think the fact that many (far far far from "all") golfers are taking advantage of custom fitting does not make a Hot List useless.

 

For example: I know that I like KBS Tour iron shafts. I will likely put them in any iron head that I play. That does not mean that I don't want to know about the performance of the various iron heads out there so that I can narrow down my list of what to try. Of course, you can argue that the performance of the iron will be affected by the stock shaft, but the list still gives me a starting point.

 

I think the bigger point is that the vast majority of golfers are still not getting custom fit, and probably never will because they just play casually/don't want to spend the money/100 other reasons that I hear every day at the shop. For them, a meaningful Hot List would be very useful.

Follow me on Twitter: @MattSaternus

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Isn't this sort of already in place?

If you click on the reviews on the main page, they are sorted by rating in the different categories.

If I wanted to read what GD thought, I would buy the magazine...

Driver - Ping G430 Max 9° | Ventus Blue TR 
Hybrid - :srixon-small: ZX 16° & 18° | GD Tour IZ S

2 Iron - :srixon-small: ZU65 17° | AeroTech SteelFiber 110icw S

Irons -  :srixon-small: ZX7 MKII  4-Pw | TTDGTI S400, std length  1° flat
Wedges - :cleveland-small: RTX 6 Tour Rack 50° 54° 58° | TTDGTI S400, std length 1° flat

Putter -  L.A.B. Golf Link.1 | LA Golf P135 shaft | Garsen Quad Tour grip
 

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Isn't this sort of already in place?

If you click on the reviews on the main page, they are sorted by rating in the different categories.

 

I think the idea is to do testing of all the products for a given year at once with a bigger group of testers.

Follow me on Twitter: @MattSaternus

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I think this would be a great thing, It should include aspect and item, from drivers, through to putters and golf balls.

 

I would be most intrested in the bulk test of all available golf balls which have been used by a group of people with the same equipment.

 

This is one of the most important factors which I personally feel is overlooked. Matching the correct golf ball to the style of the golfer and their equipment. e.g. if the bulk test concieved above took let say a TaylorMade Penta and was used by all range of golfers with all styles of clubs it may show that a golfer with a slower swingspeed may benifit in one area compared to a ProV1. If that is an area which your style or preference you would like to imporve then this data can be used to assess if a distance drop for 3 yards on a drive is worth the increase in grenside spin compared to your current golf ball.

Why is it that fools and fanatics are always so certain, but wise men are never so sure.

 

Shipley Golf Club - West Yorkshire- UK

A hidden gem designed by Dr Alister MacKenzie, opened in 1921, a beautiful, mature wooded valley course

 

:taylormade-small: R5

:taylormade-small: RBZ 3 wood

:mizuno-small: Mizuno JPX 825 5 Wood

:callaway-small: Diablo 3 Hybrid 21 degree

:mizuno-small:  JPX 825 5 Hybrid

:callaway-small: Big Bertha 2008 6 to PW

:mizuno-small: MP T11 52 degree, 56 degree

:nike-small: Tiger Woods forged wedge 60 degree

:taylormade-small: Corsa Ghost Putter + Superstroke Slim

:callaway-small: Supersoft or :wilson_staff_small: D2

:wilson_staff_small: Nexus 2014 Stand Bag

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I think this would be a great thing, It should include aspect and item, from drivers, through to putters and golf balls.

 

I would be most intrested in the bulk test of all available golf balls which have been used by a group of people with the same equipment.

 

This is one of the most important factors which I personally feel is overlooked. Matching the correct golf ball to the style of the golfer and their equipment. e.g. if the bulk test concieved above took let say a TaylorMade Penta and was used by all range of golfers with all styles of clubs it may show that a golfer with a slower swingspeed may benifit in one area compared to a ProV1. If that is an area which your style or preference you would like to imporve then this data can be used to assess if a distance drop for 3 yards on a drive is worth the increase in grenside spin compared to your current golf ball.

 

I think some real ball testing like that would be outstanding, great idea! Hopefully it will happen.

Follow me on Twitter: @MattSaternus

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I rarely find these tests useful....other than for a general overview. I enjoy reading the reviews...specs....and characteristics of the new equipment, but I find I have very little in common with the testers. In most cases, the only commonality is handicap. I'm 6'4"....215 lbs. Rarely do you find testers that match your physical attributes, as well as handicap....making the tests no more than enjoyable entertainment.

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I rarely find these tests useful....other than for a general overview. I enjoy reading the reviews...specs....and characteristics of the new equipment, but I find I have very little in common with the testers. In most cases, the only commonality is handicap. I'm 6'4"....215 lbs. Rarely do you find testers that match your physical attributes, as well as handicap....making the tests no more than enjoyable entertainment.

 

As you can imagine, finding a tester that matches everyone in the general population can be difficult. That said...if we do make a run at the Hot List, it would mean a big increase to the number of testers. So if it happens, I'll make sure to find somebody with similar dimensions. Last year we did have a couple of testers (CJ & Brian) that are probably close to 6'4".

MyGolfSpy is only major golf site that refuses advertising from large golf companies. With your support we can keep it that way. Donate Today
 


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As you can imagine, finding a tester that matches everyone in the general population can be difficult. That said...if we do make a run at the Hot List, it would mean a big increase to the number of testers. So if it happens, I'll make sure to find somebody with similar dimensions. Last year we did have a couple of testers (CJ & Brian) that are probably close to 6'4".

 

Being a rookie to the forum I could only speak from the experiences I've had....ya know....the major print media. I just found them to be lacking when trying to determine what applied to me. Selfish....yep. Sure didn't mean to offend. Guys my size just seem to have different issues....we don't buy off the rack....clothes or clubs. Looking forward to learning from all here. Thanks for the reply......

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I would really love to see all the new stuff tested. I read almost exclusively the Ultimate Reviews done here. I love the information and feel it is reliable. Will I use it to buy new clubs.......I will at least consider what is said as I demo, investigate many sources, and ultimately test the equipment with a fitter.

 

I would really like to see a chart that shows side by side comparisons of Ultimate Reviews in each category ie. Drivers, fairway metals.....etc,

 

You guys do such a wonderful job on this site........whatever you dicide to do I know it will be great!!!!

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I would love it. I loved the Ultimate Adjustable Driver Review, and the one you did on irons was great also. These are the reason that I actually joined this forum.

 

But it can't be like the Hot List. I used to love them but recently, I just look at the pictures. Every club on the HL "the ball explodes off the face" or "the longest, most forgiving, workable driver I ever hit.

 

Real numbers and raw data like availible in the Ultimate Reviews are awesome. Golf Magazine did a ball test a few years ago that was a blind test. Something like that would be cool.

 

Where and when? Sounds like the Ultimate Vacation. (But the wife would not like it.) :P

:ping-small:G430LST 10.5° on     T P T    POWER 18 Hi Driver 

:ping-small:G430MAX 3w  on     T P T    POWER 18 Hi Fairway 

:ping-small:G425 3H on     T P T    POWER 18 Hi Hybrid 

:taylormade-small:P790 Black 4-A 
on :kbs: TGI 80S
 

:mizuno-small: ES21 54-8° & 58-12° on :kbs: Hi Rev

:L.A.B.:DF2.1 on :accra: White

:titelist-small: ProV1  

:918457628_PrecisionPro: Precision Pro  NX7 Pro

All Iron grips are BestGrips Micro-Perforated Mid

Driver, 3w, 3H are JumboMax JMX UltraLite XS 

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I have one small, simple suggestion that might make this idea more palatable to those who don't seem to care for it: change the name.

 

"If you want to know who spent a boat load of cash on advertising, read Golf Digest's Hot List. If you want to know what the best clubs of the year are, read MyGolfSpy's Performance List."

 

Not sure that's the best name, but you get the idea.

Follow me on Twitter: @MattSaternus

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The idea I have maybe not possible, but might be so I will take a shot.

 

Testers, a large group testing a category a day...let's think a little outside the box. Open this up to MGS members, hold it a a semi central location, and make it a MGS Fan Weekend. We could get as many people here and your testing in a place, do a meet and greet, and get everyone involved into the testing process. I am going to venture, you don't have to pay people to test like that, and you get a wide range of body types and abilities and ages.

 

Just an idea.

John Barry

Bring the Funk, Back to Golf

The Golfer's Trip

 

 

 

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I back this idea 100%. I would love to see a hot list based on performance only and not on advertising dollars. It would benefit a lot of golfers. We can argue about whether how the testers are the same size or have the same swing type, etc. The list goes on and on. However, I'm sure a high percentage of you, if not all of you, at one point have read reviews of clubs before making a purchase. I don't see the difference. I'm all for people spending their money where it should be spent and rewarding true innovation and performance. Like a large spectrum of products out there, performance is based on the end user and can vary greatly, and golf clubs are no exception to this. However, if there are consumers who want this information, why don't we give them a list that includes quality brands and clubs that choose not to spend big advertising money in a specific magazine. I see no down side in this. If you choose that the "hot list" isn't enough for you to base your next purchase on, that's fine. You're likely one of the few people who research products you buy (golf or otherwise) and make the best choice you can based on the information you gathered. Let's face it, the majority of the golf population out there does not do that. If they are reading a hot list and base their next purchase solely on that, why don't we give them one that isn't filled with golf marketing propaganda?

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Do it in Vegas, my wife can go see Celine Dion and I can play with golf clubs. :D

:ping-small:G430LST 10.5° on     T P T    POWER 18 Hi Driver 

:ping-small:G430MAX 3w  on     T P T    POWER 18 Hi Fairway 

:ping-small:G425 3H on     T P T    POWER 18 Hi Hybrid 

:taylormade-small:P790 Black 4-A 
on :kbs: TGI 80S
 

:mizuno-small: ES21 54-8° & 58-12° on :kbs: Hi Rev

:L.A.B.:DF2.1 on :accra: White

:titelist-small: ProV1  

:918457628_PrecisionPro: Precision Pro  NX7 Pro

All Iron grips are BestGrips Micro-Perforated Mid

Driver, 3w, 3H are JumboMax JMX UltraLite XS 

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Should MyGolfSpy do our own version of the "Hot List"? {Take them head-on} .... Thinks it's about time???

 

Let us know your opinions...we are debating it right now.

* (any and all opinions and ideas are welcome)

 

Do you REALLY want to emulate Golf Digest? Given the amount of raw data you will be forced to deal with, is this a project that MGS can present in the manner we are accustomed? As with the GD "Hot List," how long before it is obsolete? If you do choose to go down this road please remember we love the QUALITY of MGS information, not the quantity.

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Isn't this sort of already in place?

If you click on the reviews on the main page, they are sorted by rating in the different categories.

Amen, I was thinking the same thing, and that its done pretty well. Real golfers hitting stock gear give you and Idea of how well a product works for a regular golfers. Then you can go get fit. Not Dustin J hitting "The New" 3 wood 400yrds or Mr. Big Bucks paying to be on a list. How come 7 out of 10 clubs on a "Hot List" always say "among the top pick of our testers" Hmmm! Keep doing what your doing it is great, of course this is my opinion.

Sacrifice Or Regret...You Choose!

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