Author: Dave Koster

Mizuno MP-18 Iron Review

The Mizuno MP-18 irons match their excellent design with even better performance.

MP-18 Irons“Irons to touch your soul.” That is the tagline for the Mizuno MP-18 irons released recently. I’ve been playing a set of Mizuno irons, except for maybe a year, for the past 20 years starting with the T-Zoids so I’m guessing my soul is their target audience. I’ve always looked forward to seeing what they have in store with their latest releases. Back in 2014 I had a chance to review the MP-4’s and have had them in the bag since.

This year, they introduced the MP-18’s as the latest update to their catalog of irons. I was able to get my hands on a progressive set of both the muscle back and split cavity (SC) irons. More and more players are using this type of setup and, with the introduction of new irons and technology, I thought it was time to give them both a try.

How do the new MP-18’s stand up to their predecessors? Do they touch my soul? Read on to find out.

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Callaway GBB Epic Driver Review

Callaway’s latest driver introduces Jailbreak technology that should add some speed off the face.

CallawayJailbreak technology. Sounds evil. Sounds non-conforming. Well, Callaway has been working on the new technology for some time now and were able to get their newest driver, the Great Big Bertha Epic, on the USGA’s conforming list.

With the promise of extra ball speed off the face of the club, the Epic ma be the most anticipated driver of 2017. It certainly created a lot of buzz in December and early January. Does the Epic deliver on its promise? Just how much does Jailbreak technology boost your distance? Read on to find out.

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Callaway Apex Pro 16 Irons Review

Callaway has an exceptional players iron in the Apex Pro 16. Getting feedback from touring pros they have developed one of the better performing and looking irons in the market

Apex Pro 16 IronsNowadays, it seems hard to define what a “blade” is in golf. Growing up and working most of my youth around golfers, I always considered it those muscle-backed butter knives the really good players had in their bags. Playability was very minimal and you had to strike the ball perfectly in the center to get a result close to what you wanted. Since then we have progressed into a world where some of the best players in the world are playing irons that look quite different.

With that in mind, Callaway has introduced their latest player’s irons, the Apex Pro 16. These are not “blades” but irons that some of the best players in the world (see: Phil Mickelson) have had in their bags at some point in time over the past year. Callaway has attempted to please these players with molding the looks of the X-Forged ’13 irons with the newest technology and materials the world has to offer.

Did Callaway succeed? Read on to find out.

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Mizuno MP-4 Irons Review

Mizuno’s MP-4 Irons may look difficult (and beautiful) to hit, but they are one of the best sets of irons out there.

MP-4 IronsI’m an admitted fan of Mizuno irons. Years back I reviewed the MP-58s and enjoyed them immensely. Before that I’ve gone through other irons from Mizuno such as the T-Zoids. I only strayed from Mizuno once during that time but quickly came back with a lot of success and great iron shots.

The pure muscle-back MP-4 from Mizuno keeps the train going. I’ve gone from muscle-back to progressive/hybrid a couple times before. Normally there is a bit of an adjustment period and a player can feel the difference and give up some playability and/or feeling. How did the MP-4s feel and perform? Read on to find out.

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Odyssesy Versa Two Ball Putter Review

Callaway has, once again, made a good putter even better. The design of the Versa Two Ball makes it stand out from any other Two Ball on the market.

Versa Two BallLast year I reviewed the Two Ball Metal-X putter. When I had the chance to get my hands on the new Two-Ball Versa I jumped at the opportunity.

This is now the third different version of the Odyssey Two Ball that I’ve had a chance to put in my bag. I kept the Metal-X for the better part of last year and didn’t replace it until the Versa came. While the changes last year were more in the materials of the putter, this year the changes are a lot more in the design.

Did they improve on what they had done last year? What are the big changes other than the color? Read on to find out.

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Callaway X-Hot Fairway Wood Review

The new Callaway X-Hot Fairway wood is a solid and long option for any golfer looking to upgrade their fairway wood.

CallawayOver 5 years ago I reviewed the original Callaway X-Hot fairway wood. I was drawn to it’s length off the tee due to an extra inch on the shaft and a larger and more forgiving face. Since that time I’ve tried at least one fairway wood a year to see if I could replace it. Each time I felt like I was giving something up.

When the new Callaway X-Hot clubs were announced I jumped at the opportunity to take a few swings with the new version. While the shaft is a half-inch shorter, I felt like technology would make up the difference and also gain a bit in accuracy.

After a few sessions on the range and a handful of rounds all I can say is that I can guarantee that there will be an X-Hot in my bag the rest of the foreseeable future. Which one? Read on to find out.

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Odyssey Metal-X Two Ball Review

Odyssey has reinvented the Two Ball putter and made a great product even better. Any fan of the Two Ball would do well to give the newest version a look.

Metal-X Two BallI’ve been the type of golfer that switches putters a bit more frequently than I should. For some reason I like to tinker a bit and the grass always seems greener on the other side of the pro shop.

When the new Two Ball putters were announced I was, of course, intrigued. During my iterations of putters one that I did try and actually used for probably longer than any other putter was the classic Two-Ball from years ago. I was eager to get my hands on one to see what they could improve with a putter that has been very popular and remains in the bags of golfers across the globe.

Read on to see what I thought about the newest addition to the Two Ball family after putting it to some extensive use.

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Ping G20 Driver Review

The PING G20 is a driver that can help players of all levels and delivers on its promise of a high ball flight with low spin. PING has delivered one of its best drivers in a long time.

PINGAfter owning one driver for 3+ years, I have been bouncing around from driver to driver trying ones with different lofts, shafts and spin rates. I struggled for a long time to find something that fit my game just right.

One day on the range, two friends of mine had new PING G20 drivers in their bags. Being the fickle with drivers I thought it would be worth my time to give it a swing. I didn’t have high expectations because, yes, I had tried the previous PING driver with not much luck.

All I have to say is that I’m glad I did. Read on and I’ll give you the details on why the PING I20 became my new favorite club in the bag.

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Callaway Hex Black Tour Golf Ball Review

The Hex Black Tour ball is Callaway’s best offering to date giving any player a solid option when looking for a premium ball.

Callaway Hex Black TourThe new Callaway Hex Black Tour ball hits all the marks to compete with the other premium balls on the market.

The premium ball market has been dominated by a certain company for – what seems like – an eternity. I was one of the many who followed along and used the newest ball that came out every year. That was, until last year.

I picked up a new ball (cough, Penta, cough) that felt just a bit better in nearly every aspect. What this did was open my eyes a bit more to the other balls on the market. One of those I tried was the Callaway Tour i(s). I hadn’t hit a Callaway ball in years and didn’t expect much. To say I was pleasantly surprised would be an understatement. This is coming from a bit of a ball snob.

So when the new Hex Black Tours came on the market I eagerly wanted to give them a try and see what they had to offer. How did they compare to the #1 ball on tour and my current favored ball? Read on to find out.

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