Why three swings?

Many years ago, the legendary Barney Adams, founder of Adams Golf told us this:

“My formula as a fitter was three shots only. I discounted No. 1 just because it was the first one, counted 100 percent of No. 2 and discounted No. 3 because the player was starting to adjust.”

Yeah, it’s been quite the first half of the year for Wilson Golf. Wilson is serious about establishing themselves as a major player in the golf industry. They’ve made new hires, bringing on Markus McCaine (by way of Cobra Puma) as the Head of Global Marketing. Willie Mack, Padraig Harrington, and Kevin Kisner (to name a few), are playing their products on Tour. As we mentioned earlier, they’ve released a ton of new products. But, with all of that being said, how do these new products really stack up?

That’s where we come in. Wilson Golf wanted to reach the hardcore golfer. The equipment junkie. The person who tries everything to find the right fit for optimal performance. They weren’t looking for someone who already had Wilson products in the bag, who would have attended this trip and predictably said great things about their newest line of products. They wanted to prove how Wilson Golf, the brand, and their new products, can truly compete with the major golf manufacturers. With four lucky GolfWRXers in tow, we headed to legendary Pinehurst to meet Wilson Golf’s team of product experts, to test (and get fit) for the full 2024 lineup of Wilson clubs — and play not-yet-open-to-the-public Pinehurst No. 10! The four WRXers — @TLUBulldogGolf, @TM golf guy, @Shilgy, @Olson12— enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime experience in North Carolina thanks to Wilson.

Members on Wilson Fit AI

TM golf guy: “The AI experience was super cool. 3 swings and it fit me basically exactly into what I expected.”

Shilgy: “The new Ai fitting tool is legit. First answer a few questions and then there is a fitting iron that measures everything. It’s almost scary how easy, and accurate, it is. Started me with a shaft that was too light but based on contact it changed to 115g DG. About as expected. I was fit into the CB with the Dynapower forged as the 5 and 6 iron.”

First impressions on the Staff Model and Dynapower irons

Olson12: “After warming up, Ed had me hit a handful of shots. It took maybe five or six shots, and we decided it was enough. Of the six shots, I hit four pretty well, one perfectly, and one really bad one. The app spits out recommendations based on all the data it collected and gives you both a steel and graphite option. On the graphite side, it went straight to the Steelfiber 110s, so that was the first one we tried. Ed built up a 7-iron in the Wilson Staff CB with the Steelfiber 110s, and we were off to the races.”

“I currently play a Titleist T100/T100s combo set with Nippon Modus 120x shafts. I bought this used set from a local shop after bouncing around a few different sets. (Thank God for the 90-day playability policy.) We’ve all heard the standard saying, “you want 1k spin x the number of the club.” For me, I’ve never even come close to getting 7k with my 7-iron. I’ve always hovered around 5500 and just learned to play with the rollout. My first few shots with the Staff CB were 7400, 7600, and 7100 with the Wilson Model X ball. Nice high cut, landed soft, PERFECT. Didn’t need to hit any other combos.”

TM golf guy: “I am currently playing i230s, and am generally happy with the performance. I had a feeling I would wind up with the Dynapower Forged, but I went in with an open mind to see what was suggested. After getting my numbers, Ed put together a Dynapower Forged with the UST Recoil Dart 105 F4 (stiff). It didn’t take me more than a few swings to know this was the set for me. I’ll do a formal review with side by side with my i230s later after I get them back and get more time with them, but I think these are going to be gamers. I was able to move them either direction, and they felt better than the i230 based on my limited experience so far.”

TLUBulldogGolf: “The MBs flat out perform, if you want that classic look they should be on your shortlist to try, they nailed the shape and the sole design and turf interaction were just what I expect out of a blade. The options to combo with the CB and new utility should appeal to anyone after that classic look with performance.”

Shilgy: “First swings warming up on the range and I could feel the difference, in a good way, between a properly built set and more mass produced. The balance of this set is fantastic. I’ve always been partial to heavier shafts and heads but the T150 always felt too head heavy to me. The balance on this Wilson set is perfect.”

“Suffice it to say both the CB’s and Dynapower irons were quite good today. Hit it solid and you will get the same result every time….miss it a bit and you’ll still get a very playable result.”

First impressions on the Staff Model ZM wedges

Olson12: “I currently play 50, 54, 60 Vokey SM9 wedges but decided to give the 58/6* a whirl, and I’m glad I did. I mentioned to the staff earlier that I never use my 60 for anything longer than 50 yards. I’ve never felt comfortable with a full swing lob. Going to the 58* gives me more confidence on full shots but was still able to hit all the chips and bunker shots I normally hit with my 60*.”

“Guys… These are fully forged wedges for $150. I just ordered my three Vokey wedges a few months ago for like $600. What the hell, man! If you are in the market for wedges, do yourself a favor and just give them a shot. Nice traditional shape and a super soft feel. Not too clicky but still gives audible feedback on mishits.”

TM golf guy: “The Staff ZM wedges were something I was really interested in as I loved the head shape, and the feel and performance didn’t disappoint. They have a really nice shape to them, and the sound and feel is also excellent. I’m a big fan of the 60° that I got. The grind really allows for a lot of versatility around the greens as well. My only regret here is that I didn’t get the Staff gap wedge instead of the Dynapower one.”

TLUBulldogGolf: “The wedges are really solid as well, I feel like I can flight them with ease and they spin like crazy.”

“I have the 60-06 and it’s similar to a Vokey T grind, maybe a touch less demanding. The 56-10 plays very similar to a Vokey S grind.”

First impressions on the utility irons

Olson12: “I’ve played Srixon & Ping Utilities for a while now. I recently gave up the Crossover and went back to a 3 hybrid because the offset was just not working for me. Since the club was just announced today, we had just the stock HZRDUS Black shaft in both the 3 and 4 iron. I hit the 3 and realized it’s been a really long time since I hit a long iron. It took a few swings, but I started to find my groove. Minimal offset, satin finish, and a good-looking topline. This thing is going to compete with the big boys. Hell, @TLUBulldogGolf was getting 150mph ball speed when hitting it off of a tee.”

TLUBulldogGolf: “The utility is the real deal, just seems to want to go straight. A little longer heel to toe than my T200, and it just feels easy.”

The utility surprised me, I knew it was good at my last range session but it seems to come off lower despite having more loft than my T200. I hit it over the green from 240 on a par 5 which shocked me. The stock HZRDUS 4G stays with me and seems to be a good match for my irons.”

TM golf guy: “This utility is stupid good. The first swing I made I hit rather toey, and it flew straight as an arrow. Off the tee it’s a more penetrating flight than my Srixon, but still has good height. Like @TLUBulldogGolf said, it really wants to go straight. Definitely a winner.”

GolfWRX Members on Wilson Golf:

TLUBulldog: “They want to get everything on the golf side right.”

“I came away super impressed with what Wilson is doing and the direction they are taking the brand.”

“I’m hoping this (and their overall strategy) can up their visibility because the new product is legit.”

Olson12: “I’ve been really impressed with the quality of the Wilson product. What stands out the most is the people behind the scenes. This group of people is IMPRESSIVE. They love golf, they are competitive, and they want to compete with the best of the best. I’m thankful to be part of their story, and once we get the full set and get a chance to play them out in the wild, I’ll be able to give a more thorough breakdown.”

TM golf guy: “They are a group of super passionate people who absolutely love what they do, really have a lot of great ideas, and are a really cool group of people to talk to (they also know their way around a golf course!). They were incredibly open to feedback, and were also very candid about their thoughts on things as well. The people a company chooses to represent them says a lot about the company, and Wilson has picked an incredible group. I think Wilson has an extremely bright future ahead of them, and they’ve certainly made a fan out of me.”

Shilgy: “We all definitely need to add Wilson golf to our must play equipment. You’re definitely doing yourself a disservice if you don’t at least try them out and with the new AI fitting tool every fitter out there can be a Wilson expert fitter.”

Shilgy, Lindsey Lasater, TM golf guy, Markus McCaine

One final thought

If you’re in the market for a new ball, a hidden gem emerged during this trip. Our members were impressed with the new ball from Wilson. Coming from the Chrome Tour X and TP5, Olson12 stated that the feel of the X around the greens was “pretty damn good.” While TLUBulldogGolf shared, “I’m liking the Model X. Very natural transition as a V1X player.”

We’re looking forward to diving even deeper into the trip and what Wilson has to offer over the next few weeks. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to follow along in the forum.

Why three swings?

Many years ago, the legendary Barney Adams, founder of Adams Golf told us this:

“My formula as a fitter was three shots only. I discounted No. 1 just because it was the first one, counted 100 percent of No. 2 and discounted No. 3 because the player was starting to adjust.”

Learn more about TaylorMade’s Qi10 driver here.

Why three swings?

Many years ago, the legendary Barney Adams, founder of Adams Golf told us this:

“My formula as a fitter was three shots only. I discounted No. 1 just because it was the first one, counted 100 percent of No. 2 and discounted No. 3 because the player was starting to adjust.”

More on Ping Blueprint S irons.

Check out what GolfWRXers are saying about Wilson’s new Staff Model ZM wedges after putting them through their paces.

Wilson Staff Model ZM wedges

We have five GolfWRX members testing Wilson’s new Staff Model ZM wedges.

Wilson on new Staff Model ZM wedges

“This family of low, mid and high-bounce wedges delivers short-game confidence for players at every ability level. The forged 8620 carbon steel and precision-milled face provide a soft feel, maximum spin and greater stopping power in all conditions thanks to the unique engineering of the ZM Grooves and our high-tech garnet face blasting.”

How we choose our testers

GolfWRX staff evaluates each entry against the criteria laid out in the testing thread to determine the best fit for each specific product — For example, if a game-improvement iron is being tested, game-improvement iron-playing golfers will be considered.

Member testers

• @Ben Berube
• @QuigleyDU
• @wam78
• @wcbjr
• @DallasSteve

Wilson Staff Model ZM wedges review themes

• Classic looks, shaping — appealing look at address
• Face roughness, durability, spin generation
• Glare-reducing finish
• Versatile grind options without creating confusion
• Excellent distance and consistency
• Solid feel — not mushy, not clicky
• Compelling price point — value

Member review highlights

@Ben Berube

“First impression is wow! Take a look at these babies and how old-school they look. But right out of the box I was blown away. They look legit…”

“On the range, these wedges were locked in. It was 52/53 degrees out so chilly and hitting range balls, but wow they were on point. Familiar shape, topline is perfect, which I am a big fan of. I hate thin top lines in wedges and like when they blend well with my irons…immediately I was thumping the 100-yard flag left and right and then even 20 yards behind that with the 50*.

“Team, these wedges GO! Sure, looks, feel and sound are all important. But kind of hard to screw that up in wedges. I need accurate distances and repeatable feel. These ZF wedges have that factored.”

“Sound and feel are pure. Awesome wedges that stop. Awesome-looking throwbacks.”

“These ZM wedges are performing. The ball blasts off the face and not sure why I am the only one talking about this. The sound is so crisp and not a mush feeling. They feel just as you would expect with the sound…The ball spins too. I continue to suck shots back several feet with the 58-degree.”

“I am truly impressed with these Wilson ZM wedges. Plus for the price point, how can you pay double for a Vokey that will not guarantee anything?”

“Long. Solid. The ball goes. Sound is great. Spin is exceptional, stops on a dime and can suck them back easily.”

“Like we have all said, not “clicky” but a hard hitting sound that I am really liking. Matches the distances and results in full swings. The feel is just solid. What one would expect forged wedges to feel. Not soft like Fourteen. But a nice hard feel like older Miuras or Forged Vokeys used to. Older Pings also come to mind.”

“I dig them all around.”

“I guarantee these Wilson ZM wedges add, or feel like they add an extra 1/2 a club. 58* – goes over 100y easily. 50* – goes like 135’sh for me which is very odd. They are long and what we all want. No? Or maybe it’s the Spinner shafts are kicking these things, fellas?”

“58* – lays nice and flat, I am a big flop shot guy, love to open my faces on all irons and play “super flops”. Nice heel grind so the square leading edge sits flat. It runs through sand like butter.”

“These ZM wedges go like a bandit for me. I am liking it because the sound and feel match the distances and the spin.““Absolutely worth the $$.”

“They are long. Stop on a dime. Have a grind that most would expect. Traditional looks. Sound and feel is really what anyone would expect from crispy-looking wedges like these. Hands down I am so impressed with these wedges…”

@QuigleyDU

“I think these wedges look fantastic…they are a great size and shape. They are a chrome plated wedge that has a little bit of a dull finish that is appreciated to ward off glare.”

“I took them to a practice area and hit some short chips and pitches with the 56 and 60. I actually enjoyed the feel. They are a bit more firm. But I am not yet willing to call the “clicky”. I did like the launch window I was seeing coming off the 60. It was coming off and pitching out low.. I love that. That means the face is grabbing the ball and it is not sliding up the face. That means control.. again love it.”

“The 60 High is the one wedge that is a bit different. But I love the shape. I have loved full-face wedges since they became a thing, I think this wedge is the best shape of all the full toe/high toe wedges out there. The sole is also a bit different. It is wider but still only has 10 degrees of bounce. To me, that means forgiveness and margin for error. I need that at the moment.”

“The grinds to me are minimal. By looks, I would call my 52 an F grind for comparison, the 56 maybe a D grind with a little heel/toe relief. My 60 high toe is a bit of a wide sole. I am not really sure what to compare it to as the bounce is not super high like a K grind. I guess a low bounce K maybe? Personally, for 99.999% of golfers, I think grind is not something most really need to worry too much about. I know I am not really skilled enough with a wedge that I need something super specific. That is why in the past I have mostly opted for Cleveland wedges and the low/mid/high bounce system was fine for me…I think the Wilson bounce and grind options are simple and effective enough for basically all skill levels without getting overly complex.”

“One thing I enjoyed was the flight on fuller shots. It was pretty flat and didn’t get up in the wind. I was able to flight them and hit shots and see them in windows I expected.”

“Feel wise they are firm. I do not want to call the clicky as I don’t think that is true. But they are firmer feeling then say Mizuno or Cleveland wedges. So if that is something that you can’t look past you may want to look elsewhere.”

“I do really like the high toe 60. The shape is great and I felt really comfortable with it. The 56 may be my fav. I used it the most today. I hit some little bump and runs, some pitches, full swings, and even a bunker shot with it. It did well at everything. The sole was versatile enough and I felt I could trust the bounce and sole grind and get out of it what I put in.“

“The 56 is still the star in my book. I feel really comfortable with it. I even start using it more around the green were previously I would default to the 60. It just makes things simpler.”

“Very happy with these wedges”

@wam78

“The shape of these are outstanding! Really love the straighter leading edge and the pinched toe. Not as round as a Vokey and a little more squared off. Also, really love the look from hosel to leading edge as well, very smooth. Overall, the shaping from previous release is a little smaller, straighter lines and that squared off toe I mentioned. Really attractive!”

“Wilson wedges have had my interests since last year. Currently playing a split set of staff model cb’s and d9 forged irons and absolutely loving them! I’ve been a fan of Wilson irons for a while now, but ever since the PMP wedges and previous release, I’ve been wanting to give the wedges a go.”

“I was able to get a small bucket of balls in and have to say, the shape of these is really growing on me. Really like the sharp toe and straight leading edge…Feel off the face is firm, but not clicky at all. More of a solid, dense feel. Kind of addicting honestly.”

“The flight window is perfect. Really easy to flight down which I love!”

“All in all, fantastic look, nice solid feel with a great ball flight.”

@wcbjr

Appearance: “Finish is great. Not too busy. Font is nice, like the small insignia. Clubs are very nice and refined overall.”

50 degree

Definitely a full shot wedge. This is little to no trailing edge relief, as shown above on the left. This suits my game just fine. I use my 50* from about 90-110 yards depending on desired flight. 90 yards is a low shot with spin, 110 is a full shot with moderate spin. I can hit both of those shots, this wedge is very workable. With the combination of the head profile and the Dynamic Gold shaft, the flight is low/mid and boring. Turf interaction is great in all conditions. Rough, fairway, soft, and hard ground. I am a bit steep with my wedges and have not had any issues with digging, which is a very big positive for me. Shots toward the toe and heel obviously will have reduced distance, but not as bad as I had expected. There’s no added tungsten anywhere (I think) so this is the same as any other players wedges out there. Spin is in-line with other brand new, top of the line wedges. But again, I only use this on full shots. I don’t need a 50* spinning off the green.

54 degree

Things start to change a bit with this wedge. Two big things to note on the 54* against the 50*, there is a bit of trailing edge relief and the bounce stays the same at 8*. I only hit full shots with my 50*, and I only use my 60* when I really have to, so I need to hit a variety of yardages. This club is comfortable from 50 yards or all the way 90. I think it’s the combination of the edge relief and the lower bounce. This club is versatile. Spin is great, too. If you get really steep on one, which I do, you can start to scuff the ball. Performance in dry and wet is great. To be honest, I didn’t really even notice a change.

Feel: Overall on all the wedges, I compare them to a Vokey. Even though these wedges are forged, with the exception of the high-toe, they still have some feedback. They aren’t clicky by any means, but they aren’t as soft as say a Mizuno. I’m not really sure how they did that with the fluid-feel/bore-through design. Makes me wonder why they went that route. Maybe it’s just a throwback to their older models.

@DallasSteve

Full disclosure: I got my first set of good irons in 1975 – a set of 1957 Dyna-Powered, leather-gripped 2-PW. I’ve had a few other sets of Staff irons off and on over the years, but I fell in love again with WS because of the FG-59 irons. Now playing a combo set of 2021 Staff cb’s and mb’s, with a full set of mb’s in reserve. Still have the FG Tour V6 set, too, and they may jump back in the bag on occasion! I’ve never played the WS wedges for very long at a time; chipping and pitching are my major weakness and I’m always trying new wedges because it can’t possibly be me, right?!?!? The new Staff Model wedges have had my eye for a bit, and I’ve been really excited to test these beauties out!

“Everyone has seen pics of these wedges by now. They are gorgeous. I love how the weight is distributed in the heads, very much like the Fourteen wedges — more weight on the topline theoretically creates more spin. Vokey picked up on the concept, too. The styling on these Staff Models is superbly done.”

“I’m sure I’ll find something not-as-nice to say at some point, but right now, it’s all good!”

Any room for improvement?

GolfWRX members hoping for the addition of a raw finish. Multiple expressed their preference for a stock shaft other than True Temper Dynamic Gold Spinner.

Bonus comment

QuigleyDU: “One cosmetic thing I want to call out right now that I am glad to see. It is a super simple thing. But! It is a slightly big deal. The bottom groove. It’s a full-size groove. Not some stupid half groove.”

Check out the full member review thread here. 

More about GolfWRX member testing

Member testing gives our forum members the opportunity to put the latest golf equipment through the paces. In exchange for getting a product to test (and keep), forum members are expected to provide in-depth product feedback in the forums, along with photos, and engage with the questions of other forum members.

For brands, the GolfWRX member feedback and direct engagement is a vital window into the perceptions of avid golfers.

You can find additional testing opportunities in the GolfWRX forums.

Vokey’s L Grind is a low bounce, 4-degree grind that allows the leading edge to get close to the ground while still offering trailing edge, heel, and toe relief. This sole allows you to get the leading edge of the wedge down on the turf for shots of tight and firm lies. Relief on the wedge is going to allow the player to open the face without that leading edge coming up off the turf so you can hit higher lofted shots easily. This L Grind is only available in Vokey’s Raw finish, so the wedge will rust over time and use.

When you open the box on a Raw Vokey, it is always hard to tell if it is a Tour Chrome as the polish to the raw metal looks that good. Just holding the club in my hand, the L Grind looks a lot like an M Grind with the way they shaped the sole. I won’t lie, I was a bit nervous taking out a wedge with 4 degrees of bounce as I play in Metro Detroit and we rarely find tight and firm lies here. Around our greens is soft and lush with deep rough and bunkers with firmer sand. I tend to get a little steep with my wedges and have always used higher-bounce wedges. This year I was fit into SM10 50.12F, 56.14F, and 60.10S wedges. I thought this L grind was light years from my 60.10S, so I proceeded with caution and took it straight to the course. I had a 58.04L sent to me so I switched up my wedge setup to accommodate that.

Out on the course, I was shocked by the first shot with the 58.04L as it sped through the deep rough, popped the ball in the air, and plopped it into the green. I was short-sided and the ball released past the whole as I expected it to, resting about 8ft away for par. Shots out of the rough, whether partial or closer to full, were easy and drama-free. The L Grind glided through the deeper grass with little extra effort and faster than my S Grind. I rarely got to deep and slid under the ball, but when that did happen the ball came out with some spin and control, holding the green.

Off the fairway is where the L Grind really shined for me as I used it for more shots than I normally would have. I am usually a sand wedge player around the green unless I have to go to the lob for a short sided shot or to carry a bunker. Off the fairway you could just thump the sole of the wedge into the turf and it would quickly slide through, producing a shallower divot than I expected. The divot was honestly not much deeper or bigger than what I see with my 56.14F sand wedge. After the first shot I thought I just hit a good one and I would see additional digging soon, but that wasn’t the case. Partial shots from right off the green to about 40 yards offered great turf interaction. Opening the face was easy and the leading edge staying down gave a poor wedge player confidence to swing a little faster and hit a more solid shot.

Spin, as you would expect from a Vokey wedge, was high and predictable with shots checking up hard upon landing. I really liked playing the ball back in my stance a touch and pressing the wedge forward to hit a low, high spin, shot that checked up hard and then released towards the hole. Out of the trap the L Grind plays well as you can see a good amount of dynamic bounce when you open the face. The float wasn’t as good as my S Grind and if you hit the L Grind fat you could definitely come up short, but the L was very capable out of the firmer traps here.

Overall, the L Grind is a really solid option that is more versatile than its 4-degree bounce description. Players who play in softer conditions or have steeper swings don’t have to shy away from this wedge as I think it plays like a higher bounce sole. I don’t think there is a shot in the book that you can’t hit with this wedge, it is built to do it all.

Why three swings? 

Many years ago, the legendary Barney Adams, founder of Adams Golf told us this:

“My formula as a fitter was three shots only. I discounted No. 1 just because it was the first one, counted 100 percent of No. 2 and discounted No. 3 because the player was starting to adjust.”

More on the new Fujikura Ventus Blue here.

Why three swings?

Many years ago, the legendary Barney Adams, founder of Adams Golf told us this:

“My formula as a fitter was three shots only. I discounted No. 1 just because it was the first one, counted 100 percent of No. 2 and discounted No. 3 because the player was starting to adjust.”

Read more about the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Max driver in our launch piece.

Why three swings?

Many years ago, the legendary Barney Adams, founder of Adams Golf, told us this:

“My formula as a fitter was three shots only. I discounted No. 1 just because it was the first one, counted 100 percent of No. 2, and discounted No. 3, because the player was starting to adjust.”

This is in line with our experience, and we believe golfers can make a meaningful judgment about a club in just a few swings.

Let us know what you want to see in the challenge next!

Read more about the L.A.B. Golf DF3 putter here.

Why three swings?

Many years ago, the legendary Barney Adams, founder of Adams Golf, told us this:

“My formula as a fitter was three shots only. I discounted No. 1 just because it was the first one, counted 100 percent of No. 2, and discounted No. 3, because the player was starting to adjust.”

This is in line with our experience, and we believe golfers can make a meaningful judgment about a club in just a few swings.

Let us know what you want to see in the challenge next!

Read more about the Mizuno ST-Max 230 driver here.

For a full and more in-depth review check out the Club Junkie podcast below and on all podcast platforms.

When it comes to driver shafts, I usually gravitate towards the mid-launch sector as I am not a player who hits the ball exceptionally high. I remember getting my hands on the original Fujikura Ventus Blue and immediately being impressed with the performance.

This new 2024 Ventus Blue looks really good in the lighter blue hue with the matte finish. The graphics still say Ventus, but there are subtle differences between the new Ventus Blue and its five-year old sibling. There is a VeloCore+ logo down near the tip to signify that the shaft has this new technology under the hood.

More on Velocore+ from Fujikura: “Velocore+ is the next generation of Fujikura’s ground-breaking proprietary technology. The technology is designed for ultimate clubhead stabilization and promotes consistent center-face contact, tightening dispersion and increasing control of the club throughout the swing. Featuring a re-engineered multi-material bias core, Velocore+ enhances the feel and performance of Ventus with an additional premium bias core material, promoting even tighter dispersion and increased ball speeds.”

I took the new Ventus Blue took the course and the range over the past couple of weeks to get in a lot of time with it. I built up the new Ventus Blue with my usual All Fit universal adapter, no tipping, and cut to play at 45 inches in the driver.

Swinging the 2024 Ventus Blue gave a somewhat familiar smooth feeling of the shaft loading and kicking at impact that I remember from the original Blue. I did notice that the shaft does feel a little tighter and more stable with my quicker tempo swing. For me, the quick swings that I would normally hit low heel seemed to be a little closer to center and produce a straighter shot. While Fujikura shows the bend profile on the 2024 Ventus to be the same as the 2019 model, it does feel just a touch stiffer to me.

Ball flight is very similar, and I noticed just a few differences between the 2024 and 2019 models. For me, the new Ventus Blue launched about one degree higher and produced about one mph more ball speed. Spin was basically identical and the new Ventus seemed to offer me a slightly straighter starting line with a touch less draw on my poor swings. For me, the big toe hook is a scary shot and the first one of those actually produced a medium sized draw that stayed in the rough, where usually I am in the trees.

Overall,  the new 2024 Ventus Blue is a great evolution from a shaft that will go down as one of the most iconic of all time. Players will like the added stability and ball speed while keeping the similar feel and launch conditions of the original shaft.

• Learn more about the L.A.B. DF3 here.

How we choose our testers

GolfWRX staff evaluates each entry against the criteria laid out in the testing thread to determine the best fit for each specific product — For example, if a game-improvement iron is being tested, game-improvement iron-playing golfers will be considered.

Overall tester feedback

Overall, our testers were impressed with the ease and precision of the remote-fitting process with its custom options. On the whole, even those skeptical about the DF3’s shape enjoyed the ease of alignment and consistent delivery of putter to ball, with some testers pointing to an initial “adjustment period.” Those who had played previous L.A.B. creations universally praised the improved feel of the DF3.

What our members said

@jasman29

“I try to take a lighter grip typically when I putt or at least when I am putting my best. I can do that for the most part BUT it is on the shorter putts lately where the grip gets a little tighter at times. The one thing I tried to focus on, after watching some videos Sam has putt online about how to putt with his putters, was to not feel pressure in my thumbs during the stroke and let the putter swing more freely. When you do this, this putter just wants to rock back and forth. Let the putter/tech do the work for you without your brain trying to telling to manipulate the face in any way. It was a different feeling not having that “torque” working against your hands in the feel of the stroke.”

@rooski

“At this point, I feel completely confident with this putter. I have never seen the ball roll this consistently end over end on my start line. It has made me realize that I definitely have a bit of work to do in the green reading department, but what’s really nice is that it never leaves me guessing. When I watch the ball start on my line and roll perfectly end over end, it is at least nice to be able to definitively say “oh I just misread that” while taking out almost every other variable.”

“Also for whatever reason people find the gimme getter so hilarious. It’s always just “oh cool that picks up balls?!”…Unless something wild happens this putter will be staying in the bag for the foreseeable future including the tournament schedule over the season, I’ve got almost nothing bad to say about it.”

@molecularman

“It’s everything I hoped it would be. I’m very happy I went with the heavier head option, I fear the standard weight would have felt a touch too light for my taste. So shout out to Calvin for being spot on there. At the current weight, I can have a light grip pressure and let gravity do the work. The head just feels incredibly stable and amazingly solid. Speaking of grip, I really debated what grip to go with and the Press Pistol seems like a great choice. The grip feels very versatile for different putting styles, maybe a bit less so for left hand low (imo). I’m mostly a “2 thumbs” guy but have gone back and forth with left hand low as well as claw. The grip tapers down to a smaller flat oval at the bottom. I didn’t love it for left hand low, but for a claw style grip it is really really good.”

@coreyhr

“This putter isn’t going to magically turn a poor putter in to Brad Faxon on the greens. But what I can say with confidence is that removing the excessive face rotation from the putter makes creating a repeatable, consistent stroke infinitely easier to obtain. If you’ve been wanting to try a LAB putter, this is the one truly worth taking the dive on in my opinion. Having never been completely blown away with the Mezz or DF 2.1, this putter has really changed my opinion. I’ve always been really intrigued by the technology, and completely buy in to the concept, but I’ve never been able to get past what I perceived to be less than stellar looks, sound and feel. LAB, in my opinion, has address and improved on all of those things. While this putter still looks far from conventional, it did not take long to get comfortable with the look or footprint. It’s not overly obnoxious in size and sets up so well behind the ball.”

@SEP1006

“As far as consistency, it’s ridiculous. You can hit these putters ANYWHERE on the face and the ball rolls end over end. And whether you hit it in the middle, on the toe, or on the heel. The balls roll pretty much the same distance, easily within 6″ of each other.”

“LAB really did a great job with the new smaller size as well. The DF 2 always felt like I was putting with a branding iron. The DF 3 is a perfect compact size and very easy to look down at.”

“The DF 2 I had was an armlock putter. So my only concern with the DF 3 was the grip. I have never been a hands pressed forward putter. It was recommended to me to go with the Press II 1.5* grip so I did. Went with the textured grip and it is perfect. I putt with the pencil grip and my hands are very comfortable.”

“As much as I love the roll that the PXG milled face putters (which I’ve been using for years) put on the ball the DF 3 is even better. Can’t believe I’m saying this but you will soon see my PXG putter on the BST.”

Member review themes

• Ease of remote fitting process
• Putter stability
• Surprisingly good sound and feel
• Ease of getting a putt on line
• Ease of alignment

Check out the full review thread here.

More about GolfWRX member testing

Member testing gives our forum members the opportunity to put the latest golf equipment through the paces. In exchange for getting a product to test (and keep), forum members are expected to provide in-depth product feedback in the forums, along with photos, and engage with the questions of other forum members.

For brands, the GolfWRX member feedback and direct engagement is a vital window into the perceptions of avid golfers.

You can find additional testing opportunities in the GolfWRX forums.

Today, we’re taking a look at one of these “new graphite iron shafts.” UST Mamiya Dart V irons shafts come out of the company’s TSPX Lab that creates the most cutting-edge designs and uses the latest materials.

Check out the full review on YouTube below or on any podcast platform.

UST Mamiya’s Dart V shafts are designed around Dual Action Recoil Technology that makes sure the entire shaft flexes consistently for much tighter shot dispersion. The Dart V shafts are offered in 90, 105, and 120-gram weight options to fit a wide range of golfers. UST Mamiya also has very tight tolerances and quality control to ensure that every shaft is the same in the set. Utilizing Torray M40X carbon fiber gives the engineers a material that is 30% better tensile strength and gives the shafts better feel with less harsh vibration.

I went with the Dart V 105 F4 (stiff) shafts as I have found more success with lighter shafts as I have gotten older. Building these shafts up with a set of Vega Mizar Tour heads was very easy and didn’t take a lot of tip weights. I think the 7-iron needed a small 2g tip weight and the rest were installed without any weight at my desired D1 swing weight at standard length with standard size grips.

Out on the course, the first thing I noticed was how tight the Dart V 105 feels. Every swing feels like the shaft is under complete control, no matter if you take a partial or went after it. Stout is a great term for the shafts as they definitely play true to flex, but they aren’t harsh feeling. While the Dart V plays stiff, it still does a good job of reducing vibration and keeping joints or injured body parts free from additional shock.

You can feel the shaft load during the transition to the downswing, but it has a stiffer feel of less flex than some other graphite shafts. Some players like this boardier feel and will get it with the Dart V. Feel at impact is similar to the loading where you are going to feel some kick at the bottom of the swing, but it won’t be as aggressive as other shafts. On center strikes the Dart V offers a very solid feel with great, soft feedback. When you mishit shots with these shafts you get immediate feedback with some additional vibration that feel players will really like. The mishits aren’t too harsh on the hands but still let the head give you the louder click that your ears will want.

Ball flight for me was lower than I expected with UST Mamiya listing the shaft as more mid-launch. I would consider my launch with the Dart V mid-low launch with a more penetrating flight. Better players will like the ability to flight shots, with any club, higher or lower in order to get the ball close to the hole. The penetrating flight helps in windy conditions as it offers a stable trajectory that doesn’t waver from your aiming point.

Shots that you mishit off the toe or heel go pretty straight and you don’t see big curvature that causes you to really miss the green. Most of those misses come off the face fairly straight and leave you with a fairly easy chip or pitch shot to the green. Distance control is consistent and repeatable as I found on the range that well-struck shots have a very tight carry distance window and I have yet to see some wildly long or short shots show up.

Overall, the UST Mamiya Dart V iron shafts are solid options for players who are very particular about performance. Like other shafts among the new breed of graphite iron shafts, the Dart V delivers the type of shots you need when you need them.

Graphite putter shafts have been a growing segment in the equipment world with companies noticing that they can create ultra-stable putter shafts that keep the putter on target through the stroke. Graphite also gives engineers the ability to adjust the performance, stiffness, and weight so golfers have more options to dial in the feel of their putter.

To get the full, in-depth review of the Mitsubishi Diamana P105 putter shaft check out the Club Junkie podcast on all podcast platforms or on YouTube.

Out of the box, the Mitsubishi Diamana P105 might be the best-looking putter shafts I have ever seen. The carbon weave at a 45-degree angle just reflects the light well, and then the shaft fades down into black near the tip section. A Diamana staple, the flowerband, is located just a little way under the grip but high enough up where it isn’t a distraction when looking down at the putter.

I installed the P105 into the new Bettinardi BB1 Wide putter, and it looked perfect with Bettinardi’s diamond black finish. The duo is definitely one of the meanest-looking combos in my rotation of putters. Both the P105 and the P135 are built using premium carbon fiber with a low amount of resin for added touch and feel. Mitsubishi utilizes 24t and high-strength intermediate modulus carbon fiber to build up the strength and stability, while the visible 6K woven fabric helps reduce torque.

The first question I get with this shaft is about the 108-gram weight. People areasking if it is too light. Honestly, if the shaft had no markings on it, I don’t know if I could tell that is was lighter than a traditional steel shaft. Now the head might feel a touch heavier and the balance of the putter slightly lower but I didn’t really notice the overall static weight of the putter being too light.

The P135 shaft comes in two flexes, 1.0 and the stiffer 2.0, but the P105 only comes in the 1.0 flex. To me, the P105 might be one of the softer graphite putter shafts I have tried and you can see a little bit of wiggle when you waggle the putter. Some players like a slightly softer putter shaft for additional feel and it can work with the tempo of their putting stroke.

On the course, the Diamana P105 offers the consistent stability that you expect from aftermarket putter shafts. On short putts the shaft stays right with your stroke and the putter head is always where you expect it, aligned with your hands and grip. Shorter strokes don’t show off the slightly softer flex of the shaft and you experience the added control of the low torque design.

When you hit longer lag putts you can notice a little flex in the shaft but the head never waivers from being square to your target. Speed control didn’t change at all from the traditional steel shaft in the Bettinardi to the Diamana. On the practice green hitting multiple putts at the same hole, it was easy to feel like you hit the correct speed and then see the results. Balls ended in the same area, as well as my skill would allow, and I never hit a ball the felt like it came up far shorter or longer than I expected it too.

Feel is such a subjective thing and each golfer is going to react differently to it. For me the Diamana had a slightly firmer feel than some of the other graphite shafts out there. If you are looking for responsiveness out of your putter shaft, the Diamana offers just that. To me the Diamana has more of a steel feel to it when it comes to getting the vibration from impact to your hands. You will feel exactly where you made contact on the face, giving you the ability to adjust your stroke and get back to making more center contact. I have found that most other graphite shafts mute the vibration a little and offer a softer feel, but the Diamana keeps the feel and sound exactly as they are.

Mitsubishi’s Diamana putter shaft is a great option for the golfer who wants to add some stability and consistency to their stroke without sacrificing feel. Players who love a specific putter face material or milling pattern to enhance their feel will be excited to not lose that with the upgrade to the Diamana.

There are two profiles in the Denali line, Blue and Black, to fit different launch windows. Denali Blue is the mid-launch and mid-spin profile for players who are looking for a little added launch and Denali Black is designed for low-launch and low-spin. Both models are going to offer you a smooth feel and accuracy.

For a full in-depth review check out the Club Junkie podcast on all podcast streaming platforms and on YouTube.

Project X Denali Blue

I typically fit better into mid-launch shafts, as I don’t hit a very high ball so the Denali Blue was the model I was more excited to try. Out of the box, the shaft looks great and from a distance, it is almost hard to tell the dark blue from the Denali Black. With a logo down install of the shaft, you don’t have anything to distract your eyes, just a clean look with the transition from the white and silver handle section to the dark navy mid and tip.

Out on the course, the Blue offers a very smooth feel that gives you a good kick at impact. The shaft loads easily and you can feel the slightly softer handle section compared to the HZRDUS lineup. This gives the shaft a really good feel of it loading on the transition to the downswing, and as your hands get to impact, the Denali Blue keeps going for a nice, strong kick.

Denali Blue is easy to square up at impact and even turn over to hit it straight or just little draws and most of the flex of the shaft feels like it happens right around where the paint changes from silver to blue. The Blue launches easily and produces what I consider a true mid-flight with the driver. While it is listed as mid-spin, I never noticed any type of rise in my drives. Drives that I didn’t hit perfectly were met with good stability and a ball that stayed online well.

Project X Denali Black

When you hold the Denali Black in your hands you can tell it is a more stout shaft compared to its Blue sibling by just trying to bend it. While the handle feels close to the Blue in terms of stiffness, you can tell the tip is much stiffer when you swing it.

Denali Black definitely takes a little more power to load it but the shaft is still smooth and doesn’t give you any harsh vibrations. Where the Blue kicks hard at impact, the Black holds on a little and feels like keeps you in control even on swings that you try and put a little extra effort into. The stiff tip section also makes it a little harder to square up at impact and for some players could take away a little of the draw from their shot.

Launch is lower and more penetrating compared to the Blue and produces a boring, flat trajectory. Shots into the wind don’t rise or spin up, proving that the spin stays down. Like its mid-launch sibling, the Black is very stable and mishits and keeps the ball on a straighter line. Shots low off the face don’t get very high up in the air, but the low spin properties get the ball out there farther than you would expect. For being such a stout shaft, the feel is very good, and the Denali Black does keep harsh vibrations from your hands.

Overall the Project X Denali Blue and Black are great additions to the line of popular wood shafts. If you are looking for good feel and solid performance the Denali line is worth trying out with your swing. Choose Blue for mid-launch and mid-spin or Black for lower launch and low spin.

I have been using a Bettinardi BB8 Wide for the past two years, both previous generations, and really loved those putters. They were the first blade putters I have actually gamed in well over 10 years, so you know I was excited to see the 2024 BB lineup.

The BB1 Wide jumped out to me immediately, because it is similar to the BB8 Wide, just a little softer and with more rounded edges. Out of the box, the BB1 Wide looks great, and I think the new Black Pearl PVD finish has a slight shine to it that looks a little nicer and more high quality than the matte grey from the last generation. The gloss black stepless shaft and bright blue Lamkin grip are solid editions to the whole package and give the putter a little glitz that doesn’t distract. Finally, Bettinardi updated the BB covers to magnetic closure, and I am way too happy about that!

Out on the green, the BB1 Wide frames the ball well and you can easily see that it has a shorter heel-to-toe measurement than the BB8 Wide. From face to back the putter is wide, but I think the stubbiness of the head makes it look a touch wider than it really is. The look from address also greets you with a softer and more rounded look from the bumpers and overall shape of the head. As you would expect the flange is longer and includes a single site line for alignment. I like this setup as a single, longer, site line tends to be what I line up the best. A thicker topline is slightly rolled for a softer and thinner look that blends in well with the profile of this putter head. If you like the larger mallets that have been trending lately then I think you will enjoy looking down at the BB1 Wide.

On the course and the putting green, the Bettinardi BB1 Wide offers a great soft feel at impact, softer to me than last year’s BB8 Wide. Bettinardi’s Perpetual Fly Mill face has deeper grooves that provide this softer feel while still putting a nice roll on the ball. The greens up here in the north are still long and bumpy, but the BB1 Wide provided as smooth of a roll as it could under the conditions. Some playing partners were dealing with big hops and jumps in the first foot of their putts, but I never had that problem with the BB1 Wide. The initial roll limited the hop and skip more than I expected, and I felt like it started the ball on line very well. Aiming the putter was simple and easy as I had the same single site line on my previous putter.

The sole of the BB1 Wide is a little unique as it has a sound slot that runs the length of the cavity from heel to toe. We don’t see a lot of sound slots on retail putters but they are used to fine-tune the sound of a putter at impact. The use of the sound slot on the BB1 Wide definitely increases the audible sound at impact and gives it a slightly more metallic sound. I was a little worried that the sound would have too much “ting” to it or be offensively loud, but I was impressed that it was much more dialed down. Feel off the face was soft, definitely softer than the previous BB line. Now while that softer face is great, it does reduce a little of the feedback on where you struck the shot. You can tell the misses are there but they are a little softer than you would expect from a fully milled putter.

Forgivness with this putter is pretty good, and it will allow you to get away with less-than-perfect strokes. The amount of mass out on the toe and heel make the putter much more stable than a lot of blades. While it isn’t high mallet MOI stable the putter will show you that shots off the toe or heel will stay online well and come to rest right next to the hole. Distance control is precise and you won’t be stunned by a ball that jumps off the face with too much speed or the opposite. Putts on the putting green from the same spot just consistently toll to the same finish line, if they don’t drop into the cup.

Ultimately, a new finish, face milling, and design keep things fresh and high-performance but in a very classic package. Bettinardi did a great job mixing those things to keep the traditionalist and the gear junkies both happy. While the lineup doesn’t feature a massive amount of head shapes, it nails some core designs and should be a big hit for Bettinardi.

For a more in-depth discussion and a full review, please check out the Club Junkie podcast on all podcast platforms and YouTube below.

Out of the box, I like the clean and simple look that Ping went with. From address, the wedges have had some of the offset removed and the line from the hosel into the leading edge is straight. A lot of wedges with a little offset have a curve, or “hook,” from the hosel to leading edge that I just don’t love. Ping, however, did away with most of that.

Speaking of the leading edge, Ping has gone a little straighter with it as you see very little curve on the lower lofts (like the 52 degree) and just slightly more radius as you get into the lob wedge. I like the simple look with minimal branding on these wedges and the Hydropearl 2.0 chrome finish looks nice while still reducing glare.

Ping added some new grinds and grind options to the S159 line and if you need a place to start with what wedge fits your game the best, Ping’s WebFit app is a quick way to get some suggestions.

I have been hitting the 56 H grind and 60 B grind. The wedges are cast from 8620 carbon steel and have a nice soft feel to them. When you do miss the center, you will get a little more vibration to your hands as well as a more audible click at impact. My miss with a wedge is typically low heel and definitely noticed a firmer feel and louder sound.

Spin on the S159 was very good, and Ping’s use of smaller grooves on the face produced shots that checked up hard from any distance on the green. Now the smaller grooves are a little hard to clean, so I suggest investing in a nice plastic bristled brush. Playing this early in Metro Detroit does not offer you tight, manicured fairway lies, and the S159 wedges were still allowing me to spin the ball back on fuller shots. Shots out of the rough still spun well and were met with very predictable, although shorter, release. I went a little long on a green and had very little green to work with, so I hit a little chip that just landed beyond the fringe and stopped after about one foot, leaving me well short. I didn’t think the wedge could get enough friction on the ball from that deeper rough, but the S159 proved me wrong.

Ball flight is a little higher than the Vokey SM10 wedges on standard shots for me, but you can still flight the ball down easily for a penetrating shot with a lot of spin. Ping states the S159’s shape is tour-inspired, but they do offer some good forgiveness when you don’t hit it perfectly. As I mentioned earlier I tend to miss low heel with my wedges and the S159 would still give me decent launch and spin, producing a solid shot.

Ping S159 56-10 H Grind

I was a little intimidated by this one, as I haven’t played a sand wedge with this little bounce in a long time. I am a steeper swinger and play in soft conditions, so most of my wedges are in the teens when it comes to bounce. However, Ping does describe the H as “A shot-saving option for players with steeper angles of attack who like to manipulate the handle and play with versatility,” so I didn’t need to be so cautious.

The H grind offers good turf interaction on full shots as the course was soft from a few rainy days, but the wedge got through quickly. Divots were just a touch deeper than some of the higher-bounce wedges I have used, but the H got through and out of the turf pretty quickly.

Around the green, the H grind was versatile and allowed you to open the face while the leading edge stayed close to the turf. I don’t open a 56 up a ton, but it was easy to open it slightly and hit a higher-lofted pitch or chip shot around the green. When you went wide open with the H grind in the bunker, it offered good float and slide through firm sand easily and quickly.

Ping S159 60-8 B Grind

This grind was the one I was most excited to try, but I was a little taken aback when I saw how wide the sole was. Now I am light years away from a tour player who can play flop shots off concrete lies, but I like to open the face a little bit. The B grind is wide and only has a little bit of heel and trailing edge relief. As Ping says, the grind is “For a shallow angle of attack and neutral face delivery. Low-bounce design sits low on the turf on square-face shots.” 

Now the B grind does have a nice bevel from the leading edge to the sole that is subtle but allows the wedge to be “thumped” into the turf without worrying about digging while playing it square. As Ping says, square shots are great and you have a bit of forgivness if you hit just slightly behind the ball as the B will glide effortlessly across the turf. You can still open the face a little in some more lush and softer conditions. Shots hit very high on the face don’t carry a ton and lose some spin compared to some of the high-toe style wedges.

Bunkers with softer and fluffy sand are where the B grind will thrive as well; the wedge just floats like a pontoon boat through it. I am usually a 56-degree wedge player out of the bunker unless I am short-sided, but I could see myself using the B grind more and more, as it is just easy and consistent.

My final thoughts on Ping’s S159 wedges: They are very versatile and playable for a wide range of golfers. If you are looking for ultimate shotmaking or just some consistent wedges that spin well, these can be both. And now that Ping added some grinds and grind options to the lineup, you should be able to find a two, three, or four-wedge setup that complements your wedge game, swing, and course conditions.

The big story is the Ai Smart Face with micro deflections for added ball speed and straighter ball flight. There is also a new 360-degree carbon chassis that is lighter and stronger than the previous model.

Callaway’s Paradym Ai Smoke lineup consists of four driver heads. I am going to take a look at the two most popular models for GolfWRX followers, the “bread and butter” Max, and the Triple Diamond head.

For a more in-depth review of these drivers check out the Club Junkie podcast below or on any podcast platform.

Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond

This head is aimed at the lower handicap golfer who is looking for lower spin, lower launch, and the ability to shape their shots. The shape is the most compact at address of the Ai Smoke drivers and the cleanest looking with the deletion of the chevron alignment mark on the top. The shape also looks to be a little shorter from heel to toe as well as from face to back. I like the forged carbon on the sole and love that no two drivers will ever look exactly the same.

Hitting the new Paradym Ai Smoke TD is a real pleasure as when I first hit it I thought it was louder than the previous Paradym. I was hitting indoors and the sound was greatly amplified because outdoors the TD has a very muted sound and nice soft feel. The new Ai Smart Face lets you feel the ball compress off the face when you strike it solid and the face overall just has a little softer feel than the Paradym.

While the launch number wasn’t that far off from the Ai Smoke Max driver, the overall ball flight was flatter and just slightly lower with the TD. My decent angle was also about one-degree shallower with the TD. The biggest surprise to me was how playable the TD was on poor shots. I expected the head to be a little more demanding and penalizing when you hit it off the toe or heel but was happily met with shots that didn’t venture too far off the fairway.

Keeping the heavy weight in the back makes the TD a driver playable by a wider range of handicaps.  The Ai Smart Face also kept the ball speed numbers extremely consistent no matter where the ball made contact. With how well I hit the Triple Diamond, I am now a little more confident it will perform on even a poor driving day!

Paradym Ai Smoke Max

Callaway’s bread and butter driver is super adjustable to let fitters dial it into a wide range of golfers. While some will argue that the Triple Diamond driver is the best looking, I think Callaway did a nice job on the Max head. A touch longer from heel to toe and the face-to-back length is a little more stretched but it all works together for a larger but good-looking driver. I do like larger profile drivers as they tend to give you confidence that you don’t have to be perfect and they offer some help when you are off. I like the sound on the TD driver, but the Max might be even a touch quieter upon impact. It could be the weight track in the back with additional structure that diverts the sound waves, giving a low-pitched metallic sound.

The launch on the Max was just a little higher than the TD, but it tended to be consistently higher when I hit my low draw miss. That shot seemed to stay straighter and go a little higher with this Max head. Ball flight with the Max tended to be straighter with less curvature to draws and fades. You might miss the fairway on either side, but the ball was on a straight line right or left and didn’t stray that far offline.

Off-center strikes were helped by the Ai Smart Face and kept the ball speed higher than you would expect. Callaway hasn’t made any claims to MOI numbers but the Max is a very stable driver that doesn’t let the face flop open on toe contact and won’t snap shut when you hit it off the heel. This stability gives you a consistent and straight flight that you can count on when you need it.

Callaway has really brought some serious firepower to the driver game this year with the Ai Smoke models. There is the Triple Diamond for the player who needs lower spin and lower ball flight and the Max for the player who wants it all with added forgiveness. There are also two other models, Max D, and Max D Fast, for some added draw, higher launch, and lighter weight (Max D Fast). Overall, Callaway has a driver that should fit your swing!

In addition to riflescopes, spotting scopes, and binoculars, Vortex Optics has been producing rangefinders for years, so they’re anything but novices. The customer-first, family-owned business is leveraging what it already knows about making great rangefinders and applying its technology and Clear View optics to products designed for the fairways, rather than the forest or field.

“Entering the world of golf rangefinders was a natural choice for us,” said Vortex CEO Joe Hamilton. “When our customers, dealers, and team members – all part of Vortex Nation- unanimously called for our expertise in optical quality, technology, innovation, and customer service to elevate their golf experience, it became a clear path forward. We’re excited to bring our proven success to the golfing community.”

Vortex Optics Blade

An impressive laser rangefinder.

Featuring 6x magnification and a black LCD display, the Vortex Optics Blade is reflective up to 1,400 yards and to the flag at up to 350 yards. The minimum range is six yards and accuracy is +/- one yard. The linear field of view at 100 yards is 37 feet 6 inches. Measuring time is one second.

The Blade and Blade Slope rangefinders are slightly smaller than the Anarch, measuring 3.9 inches by 3.0 inches by 1.5 inch. The Blade weighs 6.5 ounces.

Range modes include line of sight and scan and Pin Spotter Mode (vibration when the pin is locked onto) is an additional feature. Handily, the Blade rangefinder is equipped with a cart magnet.

Built from a polymer chassis, the Vortex Optics Blade rangefinder is waterproof and shockproof.

The Vortex Optics Blade retails for $299.

Vortex Optics Blade Slope

A laser rangefinder with slope functionality.

Just like the Vortex Optics Blade rangefinders, the Blade Slope features 6x magnification and a black LCD display and is reflective up to 1,400 yards and to the flag at up to 350 yards. The minimum range is six yards and accuracy is +/- one yard. The linear field of view at 100 yards is 37 feet 6 inches. Measuring time is one second.

Slope mode, of course, is the distinguishing feature between the Blade and Blade Slope. Slope mode accounts for the changes in gradient, i.e. a downhill shot plays shorter, an uphill shot plays longer. Presently, slope mode is not legal in tournament play, but the Vortex Optics Blade Slope allows users to toggle it on/off.

As mentioned earlier, the Blade Slope rangefinders is slightly smaller than the Anarch. It measures 3.9 inches by 3.0 inches by 1.5 inch and weighs 6.5 ounces.

Again, range modes include line of sight; Pin Spotter Mode is an additional feature. The cart magnet — essential for riders — is present in the Blade Slope.

Polymer chassis. Waterproof. Shockproof — just like the Blade.

The Vortex Optics Blade Slope retails for $399.

Vortex Optics Anarch

An image-stabilized laser rangefinder.

The Vortex Optics Anarch features 6x magnification and a red illuminated LCD display. It is reflective up to 1,400 yards and to the flag at up to 450 yards (100 yards more than the blade). The minimum range is 10 yards and accuracy is +/- one yard. The linear field of view at 100 yards is 31 feet 8 inches. Measuring time is one second.

The Anarch is slightly larger and heavier than the Blade models, measuring 4.0 inches by 3.0 inches by 1.6 inch. It weighs 9.2 ounces.

Range modes include slope, line of sight and scan and Pin Spotter Mode is an additional feature as well as image stabilization. A cart magnet is present here as well.

Like the other rangefinders in the lineup, the Vortex Optics Anarch is waterproof and shockproof. While the blade models feature a polymer chassis, the Anarch is crafted from a magnesium chassis.

The Anarch retails for $599.

In addition to the rangefinder, all packages include a case with a carabiner, a ball marker, and a lens cloth.

All rangefinders are backed by Vortex Optics’ VIP warranty — a lifelong, fully transferable promise to repair or replace your rangefinder should it become damaged.

Rangefinders are available now. For more purchase details, head here. You can catch up with the company on social media: Instagram, X, Facebook, YouTube.

For the full, more in-depth review, check out the Club Junkie Podcast on every podcast platform and on YouTube.

TaylorMade Qi10 Max

This is the driver that is getting the most buzz it seems from the 2024 TaylorMade lineup thanks to its 10K MOI measurement. This 10K MOI means that the Qi10 Max head is extremely stable on mishits and will prevent the head from swinging open or closed.

The Max definitely has the largest-looking profile from address and has a more rounded shape to it compared to the other Qi10 drivers. I like the more rounded shape, and even though it doesn’t have the classic TaylorMade shape, it is easy on the eyes. The new blue carbon face is also more subtle and you don’t notice it compared to the previous red faces on the Stealth and Stealth 2 drivers.

Out on the course, or range, is where you will notice where the 10K comes into play. The first bad swing will be met with a shot that is more than likely more playable than you would have thought. The head keeps the ball on a straighter trajectory with reduced curve once in flight. You will still miss the fairway right or left with those swings but the shot will typically be straight to either side.

While my numbers from my most recent range session don’t show it, the launch on the Qi10 Max was more mid-high for me on the course. Ball speed was consistent and the Max held onto a good amount of it, even when you didn’t catch the center of the face. I went through my shots and was pretty impressed with the limited variation in ball speed throughout my session.

The spin numbers were also lower than expected and to be fair I was hitting a 9-degree Qi10 Max head, and I typically hit a low draw shot shape. I am not considered a high-speed or spin player, but the Qi10 Max didn’t spin a ton, even when hit low on the face. Only a handful of shots touched the low 3,000 RPM mark while most stayed lower than that. I think moving to the 10.5-degree head would be a better fit for me, adding some launch and a little spin to my shots would increase the distance by a few yards.

TaylorMade Qi10 LS

The model that we first drooled over in Rory and Tiger’s bags early this year! TaylorMade’s 2024 low-spin driver sports a new name, dropping the “Plus” designation. The LS model clearly has the traditional TaylorMade pear shape to it and a noticeably more compact look. A deeper face and shorter length from heel-to-toe give the look of a driver that the more skilled player will be able to easily shape shots with. The head also looks a bit more open than the Max head, and I love that TaylorMade has been able to create toplines that look more open than they appear.

The Qi10 LS creates some very long drives out on the course and range. This driver offers a little more feel and slightly quieter sound than the other two models, you can really feel the ball compress on the face at impact. For players who routinely hit the center, you will be rewarded with consistent fast ball speed and great distance. I hit my two longest drives with this head when I was going through my range session the other day.

Ball flight was flat, but the head is still easy to elevate and hit towering, boring tee shots. I thought the LS was actually going to come out really low, but I had no problem hitting higher shots with almost no spin. If spin is your problem with driver, the LS could be the pill you need as it is a very low spin head. I was rarely getting into the mid-2000s and had most shots in the high 1900 RPM. I never saw a ball go over 2,600 RPM, no matter where I hit it on the face.

Now the LS will show you a little less love when you aren’t swinging well and hitting it close to the center. For me, the start line of my shots was the farthest right of the three heads, but I saw more movement in the air on poor swings. There was also a little more drop-off in ball speed when the ball traveled away from center compared to the Qi10 and Qi10 Max heads.

TaylorMade Qi10

This is TaylorMade’s “bread and butter” head should fit a wide range of golfers. We have seen Rory move into this head, and we should see it in a lot of amateur bags as well this year. The Qi10 head bridges the gap between ultra forgiveness and low-spin distance with a little larger profile than the LS.

The shape is closer to the LS with a slightly more tapered line from the back of the hosel to the round back of the driver. I can’t stress enough how much I like the sleek look of the new Infinity Carbon Crown as it just gives a great view to the golfer.

This driver is the underrated one of the bunch in my opinion. While it isn’t the most forgiving or the lowest spin, it does everything rather well. It is pretty darn forgiving and definitely isn’t in a high spin category so plenty of golfers will find this head working for them.

I found the standard Qi10 the most consistent for me as it was easy to launch, and I think if you took away a few of the shots I hit higher on the face on the LS, this would have been the highest launching head of the group. The launch was mid-high and with that, the spin still never got wildly high. The misses were very straight and like the Max had less curve to them, more straight right or left.

To me, the ball speed numbers seemed to stay more consistent on mishits compared to Stealth 2 and center strikes had a softer feel to them. High-toe misses stayed in play with a more gentle draw and more carry than I expected, most of those shots ended in a pretty tight area. Swinging the Qi10 also felt a little different than the Max as I think the CG placement gives each driver its own unique feel through your swing. The Qi10 felt like it was a touch easier to release and rotated back to square at impact just a little faster than the Max. I don’t know if you could tell if you didn’t hit them side-by-side but if you do you can probably feel the difference.

TaylorMade definitely brought some changes to the Qi10 line, and I think, overall, they’ve crafted some really good drivers. The Qi10 Max will be great for those players who need the most stability they can to find the fairways, and I think will play to lower handicaps than expected. The Qi10 LS will be a skilled player’s wand to create shots and work the ball to positions on the fairway that allow them to score better. The Qi10 will fit a wide range of golfers who are looking for a driver that helps them on bad shots but still has the ball speed and spin to hit their longest drives.

L.A.B. Describes Lie Angle Balance: “Lie Angle Balance (L.A.B.) Technology makes it effortless for golfers to deliver a square putter face at impact because, unlike other putters, it keeps the putter face square to the arc throughout the stroke. It makes putting as easy as picking the right line, the right speed, and making your natural stroke.”

I will admit that the DF3 is not the first L.A.B. Golf putter that I have owned or reviewed. I have had the pleasure of rolling the original Mezz.1 and the larger Mezz.1 Max putters as well. But the new DF3 looks very good when you take it out of the box. The Platinum finish has enough texture to ensure you won’t have to worry about glare from the sun but also has a depth to it that looks luxurious. I think L.A.B. nailed the size of the DF3 as it is compact but has some thickness to it that is very proportionate. Picking up a ball is also so easy and simple, just set the hole in the rear of the putter down on the ball. With almost zero pressure the ball sticks to the putter and you effortlessly bring it up.

I rolled the DF3 initially indoors for about 4-5 days and the first thing I noticed was the softer feel and very muted sound. Across the entire face you get a slightly softer feel than the Mezz.1 Max but it isn’t mushy or unresponsive. You can still tell when you mishit the ball or strike it dead center on the face.

When you get the DF3 on a real green, you can see how the horizontal grooves on the face produce a smooth roll with plenty of topspin and very little skid or hop. L.A.B.’s lie angle balance does just work and it has proven in every putter head they make. The face stays pointed at the target through the whole stroke without any need for you to manipulate it. I found that for me very light grip pressure allows the putter to move straight back and straight through the ball, getting it started on line easily and consistently.

Confidence on short putts is through the roof as you know you just have to aim the putter correctly in order to make a short and straight putt. Greens here in Michigan are far from smooth in February, but I never once felt like I didn’t start my putt on the intended line. Longer putts for me took a little more practice to get used to as you don’t have to try and guide the face back to square on a bigger backswing. Trusting that the DF3 will be square to your target is all you have to do, then just pull the putter back and let it go. Lag putts are very accurate and after a little while you start to imagine that you should make a few more than you statistically should. Once you get comfortable with a L.A.B. putter, it all comes down to your read and the speed you hit the putt.

The DF3 does have a little different feel than my Mezz.1 Max, and I have to think that’s due to the added stability of the DF3. The new putter also has a new grip that feels a little more familiar in your hands, a pistol version of the Press grip. Press grips are designed where the shaft installs on an angle, vertically through it, to work with the forward press in the shaft angle. This new pistol option is immediately comfortable and sits in the pads of your fingers really well. The pistol shape feels more traditional compared to the more oval shape of the Press II that I have on my Mezz.1 Max. L.A.B. also added some texture to the grip and that should provide some added tackiness when the hot and humid summer days roll in.

Overall, I think L.A.B. Golf did a wonderful job with the new DF3 putter. They were able to enhance the shape of the head, increase stability, and keep the same Lie Angle Balance technology working in harmony together. Add these up, and I think golfers who were turned off by the looks of the DF2.1 will be excited to try the DF3.

With the release of the Mizuno Pro 241, 243, and 245, there is an iron for just about any golfer. I was hitting these irons on a very cold (about 18 degrees) range, so the carry and ball speed numbers are probably not the most optimal, but the signature Mizuno feel was impressive! For the full review please check out the Club Junkie Podcast below and on any podcast platform.

• RELATED: New Mizuno Pro 241, 243, 245, Pro Fli-Hi irons take forging further

Mizuno Pro 241, 243, 245 irons review

Mizuno Pro 241 irons

If you are a highly skilled player or just love blades, the 241’s compact size and single-piece forged construction should lure you in. I think the shape of the 241 is great with a little more of a boxy and sharper toe. Mizuno has really improved the look of the short irons over the past few iron generations, and the PW flows well with the set, not looking too large. The added bounce is welcome for steeper swings or players who play in softer conditions.

Mizuno also created more of a progressive set with flighted long irons for softer landings and more penetrating short irons for added control. The 241 are compact irons, but less intimidating than I expected when I took them out of the box. Feel is absolutely textbook Mizuno with a soft, yet solid feel even with less-than-ideal range balls.

Launch was higher than I initially expected but then I remembered the more traditional, weaker lofts. Distance wasn’t long by today’s standards but it was very consistent. Solid strikes launched through the same window and traveled the same distance every time; mishits were predictable in their distance loss. I was hitting the 241’s pretty well, and my misses weren’t too extreme but you do notice a little larger variation in distance between well-struck and toe misses.

While the launch is high, this is a blade, and it allows skilled players to flight the ball down, hit it high, or right and left very easily. I also noticed that the 241 is a little more forgiving than you might expect. Now, you aren’t going to get away with hitting it anywhere on the face, but slight misses will still probably get to the front of the green. We are stuck on mats here so no way for me to test turf interaction yet, but the added bounce should give steeper-swing players or those playing in soft conditions some added playability.

Mizuno Pro 243 irons

Right out of the box, these seemed a little chunkier than the previous 223 from all angles but address. I loved the look from address as they are a little more rounded and softer than the 241. These might have the widest sole out of the three models, but there is some trailing edge relief that should allow the iron to get through the turf quickly and without added digging.

I liked that the 243 was the highest-launching iron for me and was a little surprised with that since they are a couple of degrees stronger than the 241. I don’t hit a high ball, and the 243 was giving me the best visual window of the group to hit high shots that land softly on the green. The slightly large blade size gives you a little more confidence that you don’t have to be as surgically precise as with the 241, and if you do miss a little, you won’t be penalized for it. Shots off the toe, my usual miss, still carried good ball speed and stayed online better than I expected.

• RELATED: New Mizuno Pro 241, 243, 245, Pro Fli-Hi irons take forging further

For more of a players cavity design, the 243 was a very straight iron on most misses. Now, if you got far from the center, you would be able to see some distance drop off and more movement to the shot. Strikes made lower on the face still elevated and you didn’t see a huge difference in the launch window on those. The 243 also gave you a little sense of speed with the 4- and 7-irons, not 245 speed, but I felt like the iron was helping add a little to the shot with the longer irons.

Sound and feel were very good as you would expect with a Mizuno Pro iron. Center and close-to-center contact gives you this soft and solid thud as the ball leaves the face and the 243 retains a good amount of that even slightly outside of center. More extreme misses are met with a decent click, but the longer irons are slightly more dampened than the short irons due to the insert behind the face.

Mizuno Pro 245 irons

This is the iron where I think Mizuno made the biggest improvement from the 225. Sound and feel are very subjective, but I felt like the 245 offered a more muted sound and softer feel than its previous version. While the hollow body design doesn’t offer the solid feel and responsiveness of the 241 and 243, it does give the player plenty of both. The face definitely gives the sensation of the ball jumping off it for added speed, but it doesn’t feel uncontrolled.

From my range session with them, the performance delta between good and poor struck shots was small and tight. Center shots left the face quickly and for me flew a little more penetrating and boring into the sky. These have the strongest lofts of the trio, but you still won’t have any issues getting the ball in the air, even with the long irons. The look of the 245 is also really good, giving you that more players compact look and little offset that promotes confidence and comfort.

I loved how straight and far mishits flew with this iron as the hot face was able to make up for my lack of perfection. My shots that were further off the toe than I care to admit still stayed in play as gentle draws instead of big hooks that smaller irons would produce. Striking the 245 a groove or two low also didn’t penalize you with a screaming ball six feet off the ground that runs forever, the iron was still able to elevate that shot and provide enough lift to hit the green and hold it. This iron is going to fit a wide range of players and combo up nicely with the 243 for some added help in the long irons.

In conclusion, Mizuno really upgraded the Pro iron line without disrupting the DNA of the design. Added playability and forgiveness in the 241 will open that iron up to golfers looking to work the ball around the course. At the same time, the 243 will fit a wider range of golfers who love compact irons but need a little added distance and forgiveness. Players who fit into the 245 will love the performance they expect from a hollow body iron and experience soft feel and sound that you don’t always get with those types of irons.

• RELATED: New Mizuno Pro 241, 243, 245, Pro Fli-Hi irons take forging further

The “GPS” name stands for Graphite Putter Shaft, and that is exactly what it is. KBS built the GPS from premium composite materials and fibers to dial in the feel and stability. Golfers can get the GPS shaft in a plethora of colors, both matte and gloss finishes, and two tip sizes.

Installation is easy and straightforward like a traditional steel shaft. Pick the correct tip size, sand the paint off the tip, and then use standard club epoxy to glue the shaft into the hosel.

The GPS is only offered as a straight shaft, no bends, so your putter will have to have a hosel where the shaft sits inside of it. Something like an L neck, plumbers neck, or center shaft will be the most common hosel for this shaft. Most slant or flow necks won’t work since the shaft has to slide over a post, and the GPS is not engineered for that style hosel.

Once on the course, you will notice that the GPS has a stiffer feel than a traditional, stock steel shaft from just taking a few practice swings. While the GPS is stiff, it isn’t crazy stout like some other high-end putter shafts, enabling the shaft to still provide good feel.

The stiffer feel and low torque on the GPS can be felt on short and long putts immediately as you have a feel where the head is through the whole stroke. A 30-foot or a 3-foot putt have the same feeling of face awareness, and I never felt like the face was anything but square.

While no club, shaft, or grip can guarantee you make more putts, I do feel like the stability of the GPS helps me get the ball started on my intended line more often. I still have to read the putt correctly and hit it with the right speed, but I feel like the shaft can help reduce one putting factor for me.

There is also some added stability on those toe and heel mishits that we all encounter. While most mallet putters help keep the putter face square on those misses, the GPS adds something to it. My miss is typically the toe. I did feel like the face doesn’t want to swing open as much compared to the stock shaft. Feel is sorted a touch as the GPS will absorb some of the vibration on impact.

I have the GPS in a TaylorMade Spider X Tour Proto with the fully milled face, and you can instantly tell a slight softness as the ball leaves the face compared to the stock KBS steel shaft that was in it. The sound also feels a bit more muted and the pitch lowered just a slight bit for a more solid sound.

If you are looking to upgrade your putter shaft for some added stability and a different feel, then the KBS GPS putter shaft is worth trying. While it may not make the putts for you, it can help keep the putter pointed at your target; that should help you make putts.

The Apex Pro packs a ton of technology into a small head size with reduced offset and a thinner topline. Callaway updated the new Apex CB with a new sole design for better turf interaction and shot consistency. The Apex MB is the blade for elite players who are looking for precise distance control and shot shaping.

Callaway knows some golfers like to mix and match clubs from different sets to optimize their performance, so I was very intrigued to see how the Apex Pro Series Triple Play iron set combined all three irons.

Callaway Apex Pro Long Irons (4, 5, 6)

When you set the new Apex Pro irons down, you will be pleased with the look of reduced offset and a compact shape. The irons aren’t so small that you get intimidated, I think Callaway picked a good size. Being slightly larger than the CB and MB gives you a little more confidence that you don’t need to strike it dead center in order to get a good shot out of them.

The Pros use multi-material construction to add distance and forgiveness while the forged face and body give you soft feel and distance control. Urethane Microspheres are also used to dampen vibration and give the Pro irons a soft and solid feel. Now the GolfWRXer in me wishes the Pro had a touch less offset, but I like the overall shape and think the more rounded toe gives them a softer look.

Out on the course, the 4, 5, and 6-irons are easy to hit and do offer you a little extra firepower for those longer shots. The feel is soft and muted, even on mishits, and the turf interaction from the Dynamic Sole design resists digging in soft conditions. The 4-iron is a real cannon off the tee on short par 4’s and long par 3’s, giving you the distance as well as added height to stop the ball on the green.

Off the turf, you can easily elevate the 5 and 6-iron shots into greens, but all of the Pro irons offer better forgiveness than you might expect. My miss is generally off the toe and those shots still get up in the air and carry. When you miss, you can still carry that bunker or get the ball to the front of the green.

Apex CB Mid Irons (7, 8, 9)

These might be my favorite looking out of the three iron sets in terms of size and shape. They blend some of the roundness from the Apex Pro with a slightly sharper toe and more compact size. The Apex CB have very little offset, and the transition from hosel to leading edge is done well and without too much curvature.

The soles are more narrow, but you can see more of the angles in the Dynamic Sole. The pre-worn leading edge and trailing-edge relief stand out more and work very well. I play in Michigan, and you rarely come across a firm and fast fairway, so turf interaction is very noticeable in these softer conditions. Much like the Apex Pro, the CB gets into the turf immediately and wants to shallow out and exit quickly.

Solidly struck shots feel so solid and soft with a heavy “thud” at impact. When it comes to feel, these irons will easily hold their own against other popular forged CBs. Shots hit thin or off the toe will bring more vibration to your hands and produce a clickier sound.

Distance control with the Apex CB irons is very, very good. Well-struck shots seem to fly exactly the same distance and height every time. The launch is a little lower than the Apex Pro but you still can elevate them off the turf or tee. These irons also seem to spin a bit more as you notice shots having a little more curvature to them. Into the wind, you can see a touch of rise in the shot. You will notice a little more of a dropoff in carry when you miss the center of the face, but directionally the ball stays online well.

Callaway added MIM weights in the toe, and as much as they perfect the balance of each iron, they seem to add some forgiveness as well. Skilled players will love the shotmaking ability of the CB: You can hit them high, low, left, or right, and in any combination of the aforementioned.

Apex MB Short Irons (10, 11)

First, just having irons with a “10” and an “11” on the sole is flat-out cool. That little difference is fun to see and they always get comments from other golfers. While all of the new Apex irons blend well together, these have the most distinctive look to my eye. They are the edgiest look with a sharper toe and straight leading edge. There is a lack of softness and roundness to the me, but again, they blend in well with the set.

I only have the pitching and gap wedge in the set, but that is about where my skill tops out! The MB will demand your attention as they obviously are the least forgiving in the set. While well-struck shots will reward you with impeccably soft feel and a solid “thud” sound, off-center will be a little more harsh on your hands and ears. My misses tend to be the most dramatic and you will see a big drop off in distance when you hit it out on the toe. Where the Apex Pro will get you on the green, the MB can keep you just off depending on the miss.

For being such high-lofted clubs, they do keep a lower ball flight that carries a lot of spin into the green. You can easily fire at tight pins with confidence that the trajectory and spin will keep the ball close to its landing spot. And since they are MBs, you can flight those shots any way you would like with ease.

Turf interaction is good, but these will dig the most out of the set. But even with the deeper divot, the irons get through the turf very quickly.

Matching the gap wedge to the set is something I have liked in this set. There is just a feeling of consistency on full, or close-to-full shots that you don’t get with a sand wedge-style head. Those full shots kind of feel like you are just hitting a pitching wedge but at a shorter distance. The “11-iron” still works around the green, and you can hit little pitch and chip shots with plenty of spin, even with an open face.

Overall, Callaway’s Triple Play offers a little bit of everything for players who need a little help in the long irons but want consistency in the scoring clubs. Feel, distance, and forgiveness are all added to the mix in good amounts in order to balance out the set. If you are a single-digit handicap who wants a players look from address but needs a little help, Callaway’s Apex Pro Series combo sets are well worth trying out.

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When you get the Nikon Coolshot Pro II Stabilized out of the box, you are greeted by a black carrying case that is made from woven black nylon. The case itself is pretty basic with less padding than you might expect at this price point. The latch looks like a standard plastic clip but is actually a magnet for quick opening and closing. I will be honest, it would be nice to get a heavier-duty, more molded case for this $400 laser rangefinder, but it works and clips onto your bag with ease.

The Nikon Coolshot Pro II itself is a smaller profile that fits in your hands comfortably and with a good grip. The rubberized touch points make it easy to hold even with hot, sweaty hands, or in the cold when your hands might be a little numb. While the buttons don’t stand out aggressively, they are easy to find without looking, and once you use the unit for a little bit, they become second nature to press.

Out on the course, the Coolshot is lightweight, and you don’t notice it hanging from your bag even when walking. The 6X magnification is clear and seems to have a slight tint to it that works well on sunny days. The view is still clear and pins are easy to see in overcast conditions. The eyepiece rotates to focus the lens, but once I dialed it in I didn’t feel like I had to do any further adjustment on the course. I could easily see 200-yard shots as easily as 50-yarders. The accuracy is very good, and if you shoot the flag multiple times, you get the same distance every time. Using the Coolshot Pro II to measure the distance to trees, bunkers, or even grass hills was easy and again accurate. I have yet to shoot a target that gave me a reading that looked off or incorrect.

Now the one thing missing from the Coolshot Pro II is a magnetic side to attach to the cart. This isn’t very pleasant, but I spoke with Nikon about it and any magnet on the side of the range finder would interfere with the gyroscope that stabilizes the view. The slope measurements can be turned off and on and are indicated by a small light near the front lenses of the unit. I found the slope to also be pretty accurate, and only found some issues with extreme downhill greens — but a lot of that could be put on the golfer as well!

Nikon’s image stabilization is really what makes this unit stand above a lot of other laser range finders. Originally I thought it was great for those targets over 200 yards, but the more I use it even the shorter distance targets are easier to shoot. 120-150 yard targets can easily, and quickly, be targeted with one hand. No longer do I have to support my right hand with my left to reduce the shake in my arms. Longer par 5s take me half the time compared to other rangefinders as the stable crosshairs slowly move onto the flag. Once you shoot the flag, you get the vibration indicating the laser found the flag. I have also become a big fan of the bright red LCD markings in the scope as they are easier to use in darker conditions or when the background of the green is very wooded.

Overall, I am very impressed with the Nikon Coolshot Pro II Stabilized, and it has become the rangefinder I use in my bag. The stabilization just makes it easy to use from any yardage and the clear optics help aim at any target. This may not be the cheapest rangefinder out there, but it is one of the best I have used.

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