2014 WITB MyGolfSpy Readers
What’s the #1 driver in the bag of the average golfer? What about irons? Wedges?
We know what the pros play, but they’re paid to play what’s in their bags. Money most certainly dictates their preferences. What about the guys who don’t get paid to play? What about guys like you? Which clubs are helping drop your score?
A couple weeks ago we asked you to tell us about your game-changing equipment of 2014. We wanted to know which gear had the most positive impact on your games.
We believe in #ThinkBigPlaySmart and #PowerToThePlayer. We believe that empowering golfers with better information helps put better gear in your bags. One way we do that is through the power of numbers. Since we now have over 1/2 million golfers reading MyGolfSpy now, we thought it would be valuable to get a consensus count of the gear that changed bags around the world for the better this season.
We asked, you responded. We asked you to give us a list of clubs, training aids, gadgets, apps and more that helped make you the best golfer you could be in 2014.
What you guys gave us, for all intents and purposes, is the unofficial “2014 WITB of MyGolfSpy Readers”.
TaylorMade SLDR Driver
By an astonishing margin, you selected the Taylormade SLDR as the most impactful driver of 2014. It was also easily the most decorated driver of the season. It won our 2014 Most Wanted Driver competition, and received more than it’s fair share of awards elsewhere. For those who haven’t yet put a SLDR in their bag, with the R15 on the way, prices have never been better.
Callaway X2 Hot FW Woods
While it was inarguably TaylorMade’s RocketBallz that put the fairway wood back on the map, one can easily make a solid argument that Callaway is the company that’s kept it there.
Given the abundance of loft options, a compact pro model, and a deep option for those looking for something more pro than pro, Callaway’s X2 Hot fairway really does offer performance for everyone, and I suspect that’s exactly why so many of you have one in your bag.
Callaway X2 Hot Hybrids
When the MyGolfSpy staff visited the Ely Callaway Performance Center two years ago, we were more than a little impressed with the X Hot fairway wood, so I can’t say we were the least bit surprised to see you mention the X2 Hot more than any other hybrid.
Arguably only Adams is really known for their hybrids, but if Callaway continues their stellar work in this category (and with the new Bertha it appears they have), that may change.
Callaway Apex Forged Irons
Callaway’s Apex iron may be the least surprising product on this list. While we don’t have much in the way of personal experience to pull from, we can tell you that Apex is a large part of the reason why Callaway laid claim to the number #1 selling iron brand in golf for the better part of this year. If nothing else, that tells us that consumers really like it.
More impressively, I think, was the tremendous amount of buzz around the iron. More than any other product on the shelf, Apex was the iron that golfers wanted to talk about – mostly to tell me how damn good it is. While a good bit of the season was spent celebrating the return of Big Bertha, we think it’s the Apex that deserves top billing.
Titleist Vokey SM5 Wedges
It’s a little surprising that the habitual #1 wedge in golf would top your list of game-changing wedges, but I suppose it makes sense. Chances are you loved the SM3, and the SM4, and now the SM5 is your Vokey of choice.
No company in golf has a following as loyal as Titleist, and that dedication is reflected in your continued reliance on what is at an absolute minimum, the most reliable wedge in golf.
PING Ketsch Putter
The most talked about putter of 2014, the Ketsch is no stranger to MyGolfSpy readers. While you probably know that it won our 2014 Most Wanted Mallet Competition, it’s certainly gratifying to hear that so many of you put the Ketsch in your bag and are putting better because of it.
Unfortunately, after PING discovered an issue with the depth of Ketsch’s TR grooves, inventory became scarce. While we’ll anxiously wait to see if the next Ketsch can match the performance of the original, there is still some inventory out there for those who don’t want to wait.
Oban Kiyoshi Shafts
When you consider that Oban shafts come stock in basically nothing, aren’t available at your local proshop, and are, in comparative terms, scarce on eBay, it’s impressive that you listed the company’s Kiyoshi shaft series more than any other driver/fairway shaft. We’re big fans too. Big fans.
With the 2014 additions of the high-launch, mid-spin Gold, and the Tour Limited (designed to improve the performance of forward CG heads), Oban’s Kiyoshi lineup (like some of the other things on your list) offers performance for almost everybody. Just be sure to take the time to work with a fitter from Oban’s dealer network. It’s the best way to make sure you get the most out of your Kiyoshi.
UST Mamiya Recoil Iron Shafts
Oh hell yes. As much as I’m trying to keep my opinion from creeping into this one, you guys absolutely nailed it. Although not completely new to the market UST’s Recoil GRAPHITE iron shafts appear to be gaining momentum. We think this is the one that will ultimately take graphite irons shafts mainstream.
While Recoil shafts are available in what I suppose you might call traditional graphite weights (light), heavier options like the Recoil 110 and Recoil 125 are helping to remove some of that unfortunate for women and old men stigma often associated with graphite iron shafts. The Recoil offers outstanding feel and tighter dispersion. Plus, for those of you getting a little older, your hands will thank you the next day.
Bridgestone Golf Balls
No ball company has done a better job of embracing golfers of all swing speeds and ability levels than Bridgestone.
Like many of you, we’re also big fans of Bridgestone’s Tour-level B330 and B330-RX series, what continues to impress me is a seemingly endless stream of golfers who’ve told me that they’ve switched to the less expensive e-series, and couldn’t be happier about it.
Bushnell Range Finders
Consistently rated at or near the top of our rangefinder tests, it’s not exactly shocking that a Bushnell rangefinders were listed among the most significant additions to your bags this season.
While we’re big fans of the Tour Z6 with Jolt technology, golfers can find a Bushnell to match nearly any desired feature set or budget.
Game Golf
Shot by shot, real-time, digital round trackers are part of an emerging category that golfers rapidly embracing. We more or less expect our readers will be on the bleeding edge of new technology, but it’s certainly worth noting that the early adopters among you listed Game Golf more than app, swing trainer, or launch monitor.
As was the case with those swing trainers we just mentioned, we fully expect the market to expand significantly over the next year. Golfers will have options (and plenty of them), but for now, Game Golf remains at the top of your list.
The Orange Whip
While there are definitely some others we like, we’re on the verge of declaring the Orange Whip the #1 training aid in golf. That’s not what we think, it’s what you think.
Each and every time we’ve asked you for your favorite product the Orange Whip gets mentioned more than any other swing trainer. Whether you’re looking to smooth out your tempo, or increase your flexibility (and ultimately create more distance), The Orange Whip is the tool MyGolfSpy readers turn to more than any other. There’s no better endorsement than that.
andrew
9 years ago
i don’t think it was a ’14 product, but the Maxfli u4x really surprised me- maybe as good (for me) as v1x, and for what they go for these days… also- tried the apex forged at the shop, and although it was only the 6-iron, wow. it really was up there with the mp40(?)… if you don’t count looks.
AWOL
9 years ago
I’ve been curious about the Maxfli balls as of late. I used to play the Maxfli Black years ago and loved them. Maybe i will pick up a box and give them whirl, i heard multiple good comments about the U4 and U6
Norah
9 years ago
Awol I am using U4 & U6 and I am very satisfied. It is better than Maxfli balls for sure ;)