2012 Golf Digest Hot List-Results

2012 Golf Digest Hot List - Results

DRIVERS

GOLD

Taylormade R11S

Taylormade Rocketballz

Taylormade Rocketballz Tour

Callaway RAZR Fit

Cleveland Classic

Cobra AMP

Nike VR_S

Ping G20

Titleist 910 D2/D3

SILVER

Adams Speedline F12LS

Callaway RAZR Black

Cleveland CG Black

Ping i20

FAIRWAY WOODS

GOLD
Taylormade R11S
Taylormade Rocketballz
Taylormade Rocketballz Tour
Callaway RAZR X Black
Ping G20
Titleist 910F
TourEdge Exotics XCG-5


SILVER
Adams Speedline Fast12
Callaway RAZR Fit
Cleveland CG Black
Cobra Baffler T-Rail
Nike VR_S
Ping i20
Yonex Ezone SD

HYBRIDS


GOLD

Taylormade Rocketballz
Taylormade Rocketballz Tour Rescue
Adams A12
Adams A12 OS
Callaway RAZR X
Callaway RAZR X TOUR
Ping G20
Ping i20
Titleist 910H

SILVER
Adams Pro a12
Callaway RAZR X HL
Cleveland Mashie +
Cobra Baffler T-Rail
Nike VR_S
TourEdge XCG-5\

GAME-IMPROVEMENT IRONS


GOLD

Taylormade R11
Taylormade Rocketballz
Callawy RAZR X
Callaway RAZR X Black
Cobra AMP
Mizuno JPX-800 Pro
Ping G20
Titleist AP1

SILVER
Cleveland CG Black
Mizuno JPX-800
Nike VR_S
TourEdge XCG-5
Wilson Staff Ci11

SUPER GAME-IMPROVEMENT IRONS


GOLD
Taylormade Rocketballz
Adams Idea a12 OS
Callaway RAZR X HL
Callaway RAZR XF
Mizuno JPX-800 HD
Ping K15

SILVER
Cleveland Mashie
Nike VR_S

PLAYERS IRONS


GOLD
Cleveland 588 CB
Mizuno MP-59
Ping i20
Titleist AP2


SILVER
Adams Idea Pro a12
Callaway RAZR X Tour
Mizuno MP-53
Nike VR Pro Combo CB
Ping s56
Taylormade Preferred MC
Titleist CB Forged

WEDGES


GOLD
Cleveland 588 Forged
Ping Anser
Titleist Vokey SM4


SILVER
Taylormade ATV
Bridgestone J40
Callaway Forged
Cobra Trusty Rusty
Mizuno MP-R12
Nike VR Pro Forged
SCOR4161

BLADE PUTTERS


GOLD
Nike Method Core
Odyssey Metal-X
Ping Anser Milled
Ping Scottsdale
Titleist Cameron California

Titleist Cameron Select
Yes! C-Groove

SILVER
Odyssey ProType Tour Series
Rife Island Series
Taylormade Ghost Tour

MALLET PUTTERS

GOLD
Odyssey Metal-X
Ping Scottsdale
Taylormade Ghost


SILVER
Nike Method Concept
Nike Method Core
Odyssey ProType Tour Series
SeeMore mSeries Private Reserve
Titleist Cameron California Fastback

Comments!

Clubs Tested

Drivers

Adams Fast 12 LS
Bob Burns No Bananas DAT
Bob Burns B-2 Bomber
Boccieri Heavy Driver
Bridgestone J40 (430/445)
Callaway RAZR Fit
Callaway RAZR X Black
Cleveland Black
Cleveland Classic
Cobra ZL Encore
Cobra Long Tom
Cobra AMP
DnA Welded Alpha 610
Fourteen DT-111 Titanium
Henry-Griffitts Praxis 450
Hireko Power Play Caiman X2
MacGregor Tourney
Nicklaus ML 4
Nike VR Pro Limited Edition
Nike VR_S
Ping G20
Ping i20
PowerBilt Air Force One DF
TaylorMade R11-S
TaylorMade RocketBallz/RocketBallz Tour
Titleist 910D2/D3
Tour Edge Exotics CB4 Tour
Tour Edge Exotics XCG-5
Tour Edge HT Max-D
Wilson Staff Dxi Superlight
Yonex Ezone Type 380
Yonex Ezone SD


Fairway Woods
Fast 12
Adams Super Ti/Tung
Bob Burns No Bananas DAT
Boccieri Heavy Fairway
Bridgestone J40
Callaway RAZR Fit
Callaway RAZR X Black
Cleveland Mashie
Cleveland Black
Cobra AMP
Cobra Long Tom 2 wood
Cobra Baffler T-Rail
Fourteen SF-511
Fourteen VESPO FC-714
Fourteen W-422V
Hireko Power Play Caiman X2
Hireko Acer XDS React
MacGregor Tourney
Nicklaus Railsole
Nike VR Pro Limited Edition
Nike VR_S
Ping G20
Ping i20
PowerBilt Air Force One AF2
TaylorMade RocketBallz
TaylorMade R11s
Titleist 910F
Tour Edge Exotics XCG-4 Tour
Tour Edge Exotics XCG-5
Tour Edge HT Max-D
Wilson Staff Fybrid RS (Rocker Sole)
Yonex Ezone Type ST
Yonex Ezone SD

Hybrids

Adams a12/a12OS
Adams Super Hybrid
Adams Idea Pro a12
Bob Burns No Bananas DAT
Boccieri Heavy Hybrid
Bridgestone J40
Callaway RAZR X HL
Callaway RAZR X
Cleveland Mashie+
Cobra Baffler T-Rail
Cobra AMP
Fourteen UT-511
Hireko Dynacraft Avatar Evolution
MacGregor Tourney
Nickent 6DX
Nickent 6DT
Nicklaus Railsole
Nike VR_S
Orlimar TriMetal Dri-Bryd
Ping G20
Ping i20
PowerBilt Air Force One AF2
TaylorMade RocketBallz
Titleist 910 H
Tour Edge Exotics XCG-4 Tour
Tour Edge Exotics XCG-5
Tour Edge HT Max-D
Wilson Staff Fybrid RS
Yonex Ezone SD
Yonex Ezone
Yonex Ezone Zero Iron

Game Improvement irons

Adams Redline
Callaway RAZR X
Callaway RAZR Black
Cleveland CG Black
Cobra AMP
MacGregor Tourney
Mizuno JPX-800
Mizuno JPX-800 Pro
Nicklaus Polarity 3.0
Nike VR_S (Forged)
Ping G20
PowerBilt Air Force One AF2
TaylorMade R11
TaylorMade RocketBallz
Titleist AP1
Tour Edge Exotics XCG-5
Tour Edge HT Max-D
Wilson Staff Ci11
Yonex Ezone SD

Players Irons

Adams Pro a12
Adams MB2
Bob Burns True Forged
Bridgestone J40 Forged Cavity Back
Bridgestone J40 Forged Dual Pocket
Callaway RAZR X Tour
Callaway RAZR X Forged
Callaway RAZR X MB
Cleveland 588 MB
Cleveland 588 CB
Fourteen TC-710
Fourteen TC-930
Fourteen HI-610h TS
Fourteen TC-610
Henry-Griffitts T12
KZG Forged M Series
Mizuno MP-59
Mizuno MP-69
Mizuno MP-53
Nike VR Pro Combo CB
Nike VR Pro Blades
Ping i20
Ping S56
PowerBilt Air Force One Player Series Iron
SCOR SCOR4161
TaylorMade Tour Preferred MB
TaylorMade Tour Preferred MC
Titleist AP2
Titleist CB
Tour Edge Exotics CG Forged
Whitlam Gauge Design
Wilson Staff FG Tour V2
Yonex Ezone Forged MB

Super Game Improvement irons

Adams Idea a12OS
Bob Burns DAT Hollow Cavity
Callaway RAZR XF
Callaway RAZR X HL
Cleveland Mashie
Mizuno JPX-800HD
Nickent 6DX Combo
Nike VR_S (Cast)
Orlimar Tri-Metal ZXP
Ping K15
TaylorMade RocketBallz Max
Tour Edge JMAX gold

Wedges

Adams Puglielli
Bob Burns Master Grind
Boccieri Heavy Wedge TC
Bridgestone J40 Satin Chrome
Callaway Forged
Callaway X Series Jaws
Cleveland 588 Forged
Cleveland CG Black
Carnahan Vintage
Carnahan V-Groove
Carnahan Gunmetal
Cobra Trusty Rusty
Cobra Big Trusty Rusty
Fourteen RM-11
Fourteen MT-28 JSPECIV
Hireko Power Play Raw Spin
Hireko Acer XS
KZG MWC-1
MacGregor VIP
Mizuno MP R-12 Series
Mizuno MP T-11
Mizuno JPX
Nike VR Pro Forged
Ping Anser
Ping Tour-S
SCOR SCOR4161
Scratch 8620-USA Milled
TaylorMade ATV
Titleist Vokey SM4
Tour Edge Exotics Proto V1.1
Tour Edge TGS
Whitlam Gauge Design TCG series
Yonex Ezone
Yonex WS Blade Putters

Axis1 Eagle
Bettinardi Studio Stock 11
Boccieri Heavy Putter Tour Series Q2-MT
Byron Morgan Da Kine
Byron Morgan DH 89
Cleveland Classic
Carnahan Broadway
Dogleg Right
Flanigan FB1
Flanigan FB2
Flanigan 343
Hireko Dynacraft Hindsight
Hireko Dynacraft SPOT
MacGregor ROTA series
MacGregor Response
Never Compromise Limited Connoisseur Portofino
Never Compromise Sub30 Type 10
Nickent Omen
Nike Method Core MC
Odyssey ProType Tour series
Odyssey Metal-X
Odyssey Flip Face
Orlimar DuoTec DT3
Ping Anser Milled
Ping Scottsdale
Ping Karsten 1959
Profound Solution
Rife Island Series
Seemore M Series
Seemore Private Reserve
Seemore Si Series
STX Xform series
STX ProFIT
Sunset Beach Ocean Isle
Sunset Beach Masonboro
Sunset Beach Calabash
TaylorMade Ghost Tour
Titleist Cameron California
Titleist Cameron Select Newport
Tour Edge Backdraft GT series
Tour Edge T-Balance series
T.P. Mills Anvil
Whitlam Diamond
Whitlam The Little Dog
Wilson Staff 888 BLK series
Yes! -Groove
Yonex Ezone Full Milled
Yonex Ezone EZP01

Mallet Putters

Axis1 Umbra
Bettinardi BB-35
Bob Burns Putt-Mark
Bob Burns Great Dane
Bobby Grace AMG
Boccieri Heavy Putter Tour Series R3-MT
Cleveland Classic
Dogleg Right
GTX Tradition
Never Compromise Limited Connoisseur Perfecto
Never Compromise Sub30
Nickent Omen OP Series
Nike Method Core
Nike Method Concept
Odyssey ProType Tour series
Odyssey Metal-X
Odyssey Flip Face
Orlimar DuoTec DT4
Ping Sydney
Ping Scottsdale
PowerBilt Air Force One HT
Seemore fgp
Seemore SB2
Seemore M5x
Seemore DB4x
Seemore Si
STX Xform series
STX Sync Series
Sunset Beach Yaupon
Sunset Beach Surfside
Sunset Beach Pamlico
Sunset Beach Carolina
TaylorMade Ghost
Titleist Cameron California
Tour Edge Backdraft GT series
Tour Edge T-Balance series
T.P. Mills Anvil series
Whitlam Hummer 3
Whitlam Gauge Design M2H Crazy Caliper
Whitlam Window
Wilson Staff 888 BLK series
Yar Putter GX1-WB
Yonex Ezone Full Milled
Yonex Ezone EZM01

Anyone else think that they just give each major manufacturer a gold in each category?   In 4 of the nine categories, TaylorMade, Callaway, Titleist and Ping all have a gold product.  The first one that doesn't fit that, is the "super game improvement irons", but that's only because Titleist doesn't have any club in that category.   Player's irons and wedges are really the only exceptions.  With putters, titleist's mallet putter and TaylorMade's blade both got silvers, but each had a gold with the other category of putter.

You could almost stick Mizzuno in there since their irons are all gold and their driver/fairways weren't tested, but they do have a silver wedge.

I guess Cleveland (silver for everything but their wedges and players irons),  Adams, and Nike might disagree, but I can't help but feel like they just stick a TM, Callaway, Titleist, and Ping in the gold for each category out of habit or not wanting to choose sides.

Makes reading material when you're bored or interested in a club after you've hit them on a monitor.

Other than that ...

I can't see how the hot list is worth listening to. They do cover the logos on balls during testing, so those results are a bit more reliable, but they know the brand of the clubs and the alleged characteristics before hitting them. They end up with predictable results as usual; only large and hyped brands ever get gold, even clubs that perform the same can get silver for no good reason. Wilson Staff and Cobra are notable for getting silver, Adams and Tour edge get the same treatment, and many brands get left out entirely. Every side by side comparison I've seen ranks most name brands very closely, but they make it seem like there's a big difference between one GI iron and another.

Spoiler Alert: there's not. There's feel and look, how they are equipped stock, and the brand name bias. Half the brands on the list are never seriously considered for a spot.

Also, the Hot/Not notes are stupid as hell. They complain about everything, whether the club is too innovative, not innovative enough, too loud, not loud enough, or if it doesn't come in enough options. The reviews make OK readings, but are far from objective and essentially reinforce the manufacturer's message. If you want to buy a certain club, and want to be encouraged to buy said club, look it up on the hot list.

With all the hype associated with the new Adams driver - surprised it didn't make the Gold list ...

What hype was that now? Silver is still good though, right?

As the old saying goes--"Money talks-Bullshit walks".The more you spend in advertising,the more medals you win.They will throw a few bones(silver) to the small guys every so often.  This year it was Scor and SeeMore.

The Hot List is a fun read, but short of testing these clubs with Iron Byron, the feedback is subjective and potentially biased towards the manufacturers that advertise most or provide the most access to their tour players.  I was surprised that the Razr Forged didn't make the list given the positive feedback I've read in other places.  Some of the UK golf magazines do a better job with their reviews, but in the U.S. it's mostly fluff.

CallaMade-a-TitlePingalicious!

Namely Kenny Perry is in a 10 minute rotation on the Golf Channel hawking that new Adams driver which he claims gives him 20 more yards ...

I've owned two Adams drivers, despite trying to play anything but ...

Best drivers I've owned. Real fairway finders and felt great. Now playing a Adams 9088 UL 12.5 with a Fuji Blur - it's a wow for me.

So they deserve some hype, imho.

For your commitment in supporting us through the almighty advertising dollar, we hereby proclaim your product as a Hot List Gold Medal winner. Total garbage.

honestly, i just look to see if any clubmakers introduced a new line of clubs. I am really looking forward to the ping i20 irons. I want to test those out, been looking to go back to ping. Though i heard great things about the Mizuno's JPX800 pro's. Im not into the whole blade thing, i rather get a club inbetween blades and GI's, just to make sure i have a little safety net incase i miss hit one.

But i never take into consideration there star ratings. I am just looking for brand and new models.

Of course we agree with their choices. It's the "hot" list. These are the clubs GD pegs will dominate in sales and they're right of course. Some manufacturers will never be on the "hot list" regardless of how many tour players put them in the bag without financial compensation.

The Hot List is what it is. A popularity contest. A snapshot of the projected 2012 sales figures dressed up like an objective review. It's approximately as valid as People Magazine's annual ranking of the 50 most beautiful people in the entire world. I'm sure they're actually conducting a scientific study and these are technically the most beautiful people. How else would they do it?

A classic example being these three:

Ping i20
"Not:
A driver designed for better players should have adjustable features."


Callaway RAZR Fit
"Not:
A version made for tour players has even more adjustable options. Why not offer this to the rest of us?"


Taylormade R11S
"Not:
With 80 options, more players might give up well before they find the proper setting."