Tried. Examined. True.
That’s our mission. To provide you, the golfer, the reality concerning the golf gear you’re spending your cash on and firms you’re giving cash to.
Why? Your sport is our job. It’s that easy. You need to play higher golf and we wish you do exactly that.
Your sport is the very first thing we take into consideration after we’re testing a brand new product. It’s the solely factor that actually issues to us.
Within the hopes of creating your sport higher, we’ve created, refined and executed our Most Wanted Testing for 17 years. This data-driven methodology of testing is what we do finest.
That mentioned, knowledge shouldn’t be the one factor you take into account earlier than your subsequent buy. Our annual Editor’s Alternative Awards permits us to shine a highlight on merchandise, corporations and types which have left an impression on us – even when they didn’t place No. 1.
Listed here are our Editors’ Alternative Awards for 2025
Story of the 12 months: Rory Completes the Profession Grand Slam
Golf followers had been ready greater than a decade for Rory McIlroy to win the final main on his guidelines.
In the end, he received the job achieved by capturing the Masters in dramatic fashion. McIlroy didn’t make it simple on himself throughout that last spherical, practically botching the match with a weird double bogey on the thirteenth and a nervy bogey on the 72nd gap. Regardless, he completed it off in a playoff over Justin Rose—when the ultimate putt dropped, McIlroy collapsed to the bottom in aid.
Solely 5 different males have received all 4 majors. McIlroy becoming a member of them offers him a case to be among the top 10 best players in history.
It was an odd yr for McIlroy, who has become more divisive in 2025. When he received the Masters, nevertheless, it was exhausting to not really feel something however love for somebody who overcame psychological demons to win a golf match he had been wrestling with for 17 years.
Firm of the 12 months: L.A.B. Golf
What would possibly really feel like in a single day success to the unfamiliar has really been years within the making. L.A.B. Golf has been steadily making inroads for over a decade, however final season the boutique putter model turned as a lot of a family title as any area of interest firm can. This yr? They completely exploded. When you may level to JJ Spaun’s U.S. Open victory because the catalyst, the fact is L.A.B. had already change into the #3 putter model out there nicely earlier than that breakthrough second.
Want additional proof of their influence? Take into account the variety of main manufacturers now providing zero-torque or low-torque putters—it looks like solely a matter of time earlier than the holdouts get on board. When established corporations begin copying your expertise, you understand you’ve made it.
Know-how of the 12 months: Zero-Torque Putters
Zero-torque putters aren’t new expertise, and L.A.B. Golf wasn’t the primary to supply them. However they completely popularized the idea, and market developments show they received’t be the final to learn from it. Earlier this yr, we wrote that the last word validation of any expertise comes through copycats and competitors, and that’s precisely what occurred. In a single season, we’ve gone from simply a few zero-torque manufacturers to only a couple that aren’t providing some model of the expertise.
Driver: Titleist GT3
Among the many top-performing drivers on this yr’s testing, the GT3 proved immensely well-liked with our testers, incomes a clear sweep in seems to be, sound, and really feel classes. Merely put, it’s a driver golfers need to play. Whereas everybody gives carbon crowns today, Titleist managed one thing particular: making carbon sound and feel like titanium. You get the efficiency advantages of the light-weight materials with out sacrificing the premium expertise that golfers anticipate from Titleist.
Mini Driver: TaylorMade R7 Quad
If not for the onslaught of zero-torque putters, 2025 would have been the yr of the mini driver. A number of rivals entered the class, however no one executed it higher than TaylorMade. Whereas it’s simple to get sucked in by the nostalgia issue (styling it after the enduring R7 Quad was a stroke of genius), TaylorMade’s newest mini is an undeniably robust performer that gives accuracy off the tee and an affordable quantity of playability off the deck—precisely what the class calls for.
Fairway Wooden: Titleist GT1
Whereas Titleist’s T-series was beforehand pigeonholed because the providing for slower—excuse me, average—swing pace gamers, the GT1 escaped that field fully. Whereas it nonetheless works exceptionally nicely for its unique demographic, the revised design expands the GT1’s attain to any golfer in search of extra top from a fairway wooden—and that’s numerous golfers. Maybe most attention-grabbing, a stronger-lofted GT1 became unexpectedly popular on tour, which led to the discharge of the GT1 3Tour mannequin.
Hybrid: PING G440
Investing in your golf sport is usually a terrifying dilemma. Which golf membership do you choose? Do you keep loyal to a selected model or do you be your personal model? If testing golf tools has taught us something over the previous 17 years, it’s that sure OEMs thrive with particular golf golf equipment. For hybrids particularly, PING is all in. PING G440 is their latest design in an extended line of excessive performing hybrid lineups. If you need reliability, consistency, and down proper filthy good efficiency, PING G440 is the place we suggest you begin.
Utility Iron: TaylorMade P-UDI Bomber
Okay, critically TaylorMade, this limited edition P-UDI Bomber utility iron could also be the most effective customized work you’ve ever achieved. From idea to execution, this factor is first-class all the way in which. TaylorMade says the concept is to make it harking back to plane from the early Nineteen Forties, and every part from the riveted panel styling to the otherworldly bomber jacket headcover simply screams cool.
Even the old-school TaylorMade “One” script on the toe and calling it a 1-iron is cool. If TaylorMade had included a 78 of some Tommy Dorsey or Glenn Miller, it could have been good.
Participant’s Iron: Srixon ZXi7
Srixon, as an organization, isn’t given to hyperbole. So when it launched the brand new ZXi irons in January, Srixon advised us its new forging course of, referred to as “i-Forging,” was, and I quote: “the best innovation in iron metallurgy ever.”
We don’t know if that’s true or not, however we do know the Srixon ZXi7 smoked the field on this yr’s Participant’s Iron testing. It completed finest in school for each accuracy and forgiveness and was lots lengthy sufficient for good measure. With its boffo yr on Tour and the general efficiency of the ZXi line, you may’t name Srixon “underrated” anymore. It has rightfully taken its place as one of many premier iron producers within the sport.
Participant’s Distance Iron: Titleist T250
Lastly. The T250 is the gamers distance iron that Titleist followers and fitters have been ready for. The brand new design maintains the MAX IMPACT expertise of earlier fashions whereas eliminating the plastic cavity badge that many discovered off-putting. The efficiency has been there for generations, however the T250 lastly seems to be the a part of what golfers procuring the gamers distance class are in search of. It ought to show to be Titleist’s hottest iron providing in a while.
Recreation Enchancment Iron: Callaway Elyte HL
The sport-improvement iron area is extremely aggressive. Being the most effective of the most effective shouldn’t be a straightforward job. Callaway Elyte HL gives, dare we are saying, “elyte” efficiency. With any iron, accuracy ought to be your high precedence. Callaway Elyte HL excels in accuracy off-the-rack. As a ‘excessive launch” iron, you can too anticipate higher stopping energy on the inexperienced, which is ideal for these of you who battle with optimum launch circumstances.
Tremendous Recreation Enchancment Iron: Mizuno JPX 925 Hot Metal HL
The Sizzling Steel line has been a breakthrough for Mizuno, serving to set up the model as greater than only a higher gamers firm. With the extension of the HL (Excessive Launch) line that started with the 923 sequence, Mizuno has raised the bar on what a brilliant sport enchancment iron ought to ship. These aren’t simply forgiving—they ship the excessive launch and stopping energy that golfers procuring this class desperately want. For gamers who battle to get the ball airborne and maintain greens, the JPX925 Hot Metal HL supplies each the forgiveness and flight traits to remodel their iron play.
Wedge: Cleveland RTZ
Wedges haven’t modified a lot for the reason that days of niblicks and blasters. What you and I take advantage of isn’t all that totally different from the wedges of Harry Vardon or Bobby Jones.
Cleveland has flipped that script with the new RTZ. It nonetheless performs like a wedge, however it’s the primary wedge since, nicely, the primary wedge to be constructed from a totally new materials: Z-Alloy. Cleveland’s crack metallurgy staff invented Z-Alloy to be gentle for really feel however exhausting for groove sturdiness, low density to create discretionary weight however robust sufficient for casting, grinding and bending.
Oh, and it’s rustproof, too.
Blade Putter: Tommy Armour Impact No. 2
A client pleasant putter appears few and much between these days. However, shock, shock. Our 2025 Most Needed Blade Putter is a standout for efficiency and worth. It goes to point out you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg for golf membership efficiency, particularly efficiency on the placing inexperienced. Go check it out for yourself.
Mallet Putter: Wilson Infinite Buckingham
For those who had been shocked the Wilson Infinite Buckingham was named this yr’s Greatest Mallet, you in all probability haven’t been paying consideration. Because the mannequin debuted in 2021, it has been a stellar performer in our Most Needed testing. You weren’t the one one shocked that this four-year-old, $129 putter took high honors. Wilson itself was caught a bit without warning and had to herald stock from the U.Ok. to satisfy the sudden demand.
Both approach, the Wilson Infinite Buckingham, like the highest blade Tommy Armour Impression No. 2, reveals {that a} putter doesn’t need to be costly, fairly or have a giant title on it. It simply must get the job achieved.
Zero Torque Putter: L.A.B. OZ.1i
The L.A.B. Golf OZ1.i captured the title of Greatest Zero-Torque Putter in 2025. In a yr the place zero torque putters dominated putter conversations, and putter gross sales, the OZ.1i rose to the highest.
The OZ.1i {couples} L.A.B. Golf’s Lie Angle Stability applied sciences with a extra conventional look. People turned off by a few of L.A.B. Golf’s uncommon designs gravitated to the spherical mallet form of the OZ.1i. The OZ.1i additionally options a chrome steel insert, a primary for a L.A.B. Golf putter. With the best combination of aesthetics and efficiency, how may the OZ.1i not be on the high of the record?
Golf Ball: Maxfli Tour X
It’s uncommon—practically unprecedented—for a home model golf ball to seek out its approach into play on the PGA Tour. When it does occur, it’s sometimes carried by journeymen professionals who’ve most weekends off. The Maxfli Tour X turned the outstanding exception. Dick’s home model shocked practically everybody by signing Lexi Thompson forward of the 2024 season, then shocked once more when Ben Griffin joined Workforce Maxfli and put the Tour X in play. The outcome? Two wins this season, and a world rating that places Griffin within the dialog for a Ryder Cup spot.
Coaching Help: The Stack System
In a class lengthy on promise and infrequently quick on outcomes, the Stack System continues to not solely ship however get higher. Already the most effective pace coaching system available on the market, Stack added placing functionality a few years in the past. This yr, they added a complementary Stack Radar to mechanically file photographs and launched the Stack Wedging function, which helps golfers dial in repeatable distances of their quick video games. This isn’t only a coaching support anymore—it’s evolving into a whole sport enchancment system.
Glove: forelinksgolf
forelinksgolf didn’t revolutionize the premium cabretta leather-based golf glove. It didn’t reinvent the premium cabretta leather-based golf glove, both. So why is forelinksgolf our Editor’s Alternative golf glove?
Easy. It’s, by any goal measure, a wonderful golf glove. It’s gentle. It suits nice and it’s skinny sufficient to really feel like a second pores and skin with out carrying out after a handful of rounds. I’m nonetheless on my first one and, after 120-plus holes, it nonetheless seems to be, suits and looks like new.
Not unhealthy for a one-man present run by a child who runs the corporate from his bed room at his dad and mom’ home.
Rangefinder: Bushnell X3Pro Link
For years, rangefinders have remained largely unchanged. Boring. Useful, however not all that versatile. Correct, however not tremendous good.
Bushnell’s X3Pro Link modifications that. It connects on to a Foresight launch monitor, and makes use of your swing knowledge to offer actual, correct membership suggestions on the course.
Speak about good.
Golf Shoe: PAYNTR 87 SC
What PAYNTR did in 2022-2023 was exhausting to observe. In spite of everything, how are you going to make an award-winning product even higher?
Properly, you deliver on among the best golfers on the planet and also you give your self a vast price range to simply make one thing that works.
And what does that get you? One other award-winning golf shoe, and maybe among the best we’ve ever seen; the PAYNTR 87 SC. You received’t discover a higher mixture of consolation, stability, traction and flexibility. Interval.
Private Launch Monitor: Garmin Approach R50
One of many largest downfalls of the private launch monitor area has all the time been the necessity for further cables, wires and screens to show it right into a full-blown golf simulator. To not point out an exterior laptop.
The Garmin Approach R50 took all of that and baked it straight into their machine. An all-in-one launch monitor/golf simulator with a large touchscreen. It’s the most effective of each worlds, and nonetheless comparatively reasonably priced.
DTC Firm: Vice Golf
Not content material to be one of the well-liked direct-to-consumer golf ball manufacturers available on the market, this yr Vice expanded its catalog with the discharge of metalwoods, irons, wedges, and putters. Priced considerably lower than mainstream manufacturers, Vice continues to supply wonderful worth to price-conscious golfers whereas sustaining the standard and efficiency that constructed their popularity within the ball class.
Greatest Collab: COBRA x Chipotle
When COBRA signed Max Homa initially of the yr, we don’t assume anybody imagined it could result in a collaboration between his membership sponsor and his favourite fast-food burrito joint. However right here we’re. Collaborations aren’t something new in golf, however the COBRA x Chipotle burrito-themed headcover and shag bag raised the bar whereas proving that collaborations don’t need to make logical sense to be superior.
Greatest Development: Restricted Version Gear
Like collaborations, restricted version gear isn’t new, however this yr the class completely exploded throughout each conceivable product class. TaylorMade killed it with their main sequence employees luggage and headcovers, whereas Callaway rolled out themed Chrome Tour collections. Vice joined the social gathering with seasonal choices, COBRA dropped particular headcovers, and even Bridgestone received artistic with Pabst and quail eggs designs. From main championship commemoratives to popular culture tie-ins to vacation themes, producers supplied up a gentle stream of distinctive, attention-grabbing, and enjoyable merchandise that celebrated every part from Shark Week to seasonal celebrations.
Hold it coming.
Comeback of the 12 months: Mizuno
Describing Mizuno as a comeback firm would possibly really feel like a stretch, however hear us out. Regardless of success in classes the place it hasn’t historically been robust, there’s a case to be made that Mizuno misplaced its approach with higher gamers in recent times. With the emergence of the Mizuno Professional Signature Collection, the corporate has rededicated itself to the higher participant market. Their dedication to longer product lifecycles and expanded availability for lefties has made the gamers class extra accessible—and arguably extra stunning—than ever.
Past the merchandise themselves, Mizuno opened its spectacular Foundry becoming heart and fully retooled its becoming carts, demonstrating a renewed dedication to offering a premium becoming expertise.
Greatest Newcomer: forelinksgolf
Not solely is forelinksgolf our Editor’s Alternative golf glove, we predict the corporate itself deserves Greatest Newcomer, as nicely. Tyler Nguyen is a 25-year-old son of Vietnamese immigrants who began his firm the exhausting approach: with a foul glove. It was so unhealthy he refused to promote it, and began over. He stayed true to his imaginative and prescient, discovered a provider he may work with and voila, the cabsoft golf glove was born.
If you meet Tyler, you may’t assist however like him. And while you get to know him, you may’t assist however root for him. He makes use of social media like a seasoned professional (despite the fact that he admits being on digicam terrifies him), and he’s discovering a strategy to make a reputation for himself within the golf business. We’d like extra like him.
Males’s Attire: Johnnie-O
How does Johnnie-O proceed to fly beneath the radar?
They make among the finest golf attire within the biz, from design to execution. No lie, it’s in all probability essentially the most snug quarter-zip on God’s inexperienced earth.
Oh, they usually’ve received an amazing mixture of enjoyable, whimsical patterns and extra informal, wearable solids. That’s a win-win.
Girls’s Attire: UNRL
UNRL has burst onto the golf scene in a giant approach. Their males’s lineup is phenomenal, however we’re glad there giving that very same consideration to element to the ladies’s area.
Their skirts are top-notch, and our feminine staffers can’t cease carrying them for a purpose.
Restricted Version Golf Ball Design: Callaway Turnbox
In a yr the place Callaway emphasised Chrome Tour in its restricted choices over each Chrome Mushy and Supersoft, none was higher than the Chrome Tour Turnbox collection—a playful nod to one among golf’s nice traditions: overpriced concession stand meals that in some way tastes higher while you’re three over par. Generally the most effective designs have fun the straightforward pleasures of the sport, and nothing says “golf expertise” fairly like a wonderfully executed flip canine.
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