2009 Golf Digest Hot List Now Out

[gogolfing]

Here is the link:

http://www.golfdigest.com/equipment/ratings

Your thoughts? I see they have changed the categories for ratings a bit. They are now: Performance, Innovation, Looks/Sound/Feel, and Demand.

I know it is a subjective ranking, but it is my favorite GD issue of the year to see the gear that is out there.

[RocktimusPryme]

That thing is sin incarnate, all it does is cost me money.........give it to me

[Stacey_E]

I picked mine up tonight. It's funny, but for some reason I put a little faith in their reviews. Really I have no reason to. The real test is how a club performs for me and you on the course. But this issue is always a good jumping off point for trying out new clubs. And all the clubs I've gamed and loved ranked pretty well on their Hotlists in the past.

I could probably find a gripe about how certain clubs are perinneal favorites, but I won't go into great detail. We'll maybe just one....the Taylor Made Burner driver now has a 46 1/4" shaft? I suppose 46" wasn't enough to cause mishits all over the face. How can a driver with a 49 gram and 46 1/4" shaft get 19 1/2 out of 20 stars? I smell payola.

[SHADOWFOX]

I picked mine up tonight. It's funny, but for some reason I put a little faith in their reviews. Really I have no reason to. The real test is how a club performs for me and you on the course. But this issue is always a good jumping off point for trying out new clubs. And all the clubs I've gamed and loved ranked pretty well on their Hotlists in the past.

Could not agree more with your post! I am glad I did not realize there was such a hot list before I bought my irons because my purchase was basically due to what felt good and the results of the shots when I was trying the clubs out and not base on their reviews. Also most of my purchase was also base on what my pocket can afford.

[PiKapp23]

I'm an equipment junkie (like a lot of you on this forum) and always love getting this issue. I have to say I like the Hot List system much better than most ranking and review systems because it is at least somewhat more objective than most and involves more peole of different skill levels. It's still primarily subjective, but they are also looking at some criteria that involves a little more objective analysis. When I am looking for new equipment, I at least use this list as a starting point. I am more concerned with 'Performance' and 'Feel' than other criteria, but it's interesting to read what they say about each of the criteria they are judging on and I will consider that stuff as a 'tie breaker' when stuck between choices.

[jcrob902]

well alright then I'll see you guys later I'm going to see where my bonus is going.

[TD22057]

I'm always disappointed in the host list. They have all that track man data and they rate clubs on innovation and demand? Show me distance, dispersion, carry, roll and trajectory data from track man for each club!!!!

[og512]

Although it is very subjective, I love this list and look forward to it every year. It points me in the right direction of new equipment for the year and it gives an initial review. And I too put faith blind unwarranted faith in their reviews. i would even use past years reviews to make up my mind about which club to buy if I was on the fence before I learned the importance of demo-b4-buy.

Oh well, I'm off to pick up my copy.

[Chief Broom]

I'm not impressed with the product reviews in either GD or Golf Magazine. They generally strike me as a regurgitation of company advertising copy. We get that in the ads so why don't the editors write actual reviews? The pessimist in me is forced to conclude that they don't want to alienate their advertising sponsors by writing a potentially negative or honest review. So much for the independent press.

[Big_M]

I'm always disappointed in the host list. They have all that track man data and they rate clubs on innovation and demand? Show me distance, dispersion, carry, roll and trajectory data from track man for each club!!!!

I agree... I would love to see more numbers and stats...

I'm not impressed with the product reviews in either GD or Golf Magazine. They generally strike me as a regurgitation of company advertising copy. We get that in the ads so why don't the editors write actual reviews? The pessimist in me is forced to conclude that they don't want to alienate their advertising sponsors by writing a potentially negative or honest review. So much for the independent press.

I think it is a little of that, but also it has to do with the fact that they probably are ALL good clubs for some people. It's so hard to say what is the best when it might be two totally different things for different people.

I personally wish they would do away with ALL ratings and just have some info on what testers thought and how they performed. I wish they coverd some of the major component companies. I wish they would include more clubs... hell, make the whole issue an equipment guide (how much golf news is there in January) or make it a seperate issue that has MUCH more information. Don't just give me these little half paragraph teasers... go into some detail. One page per club with graphs, comments, trakman, etc.... and do all the major NEW clubs as well as some components.

[PiKapp23]

Here is the link for the "Bomb and Gouge" blog that is done on a semi-regular basis on Golfdigest.com. They are 2 of the main people in the Hot List testing, analysis and the subsequent issue of the magazine. They have a new blog today on the Hot List:

http://www.golfdigest.com/equipment/blogs/bombgouge

[BritBoy]

I dont remember seeing titleist clubs on there before, or is that just me?

[uttexas]

The Hot List is the only GD magazine I'll buy all year outside of an airport. I love the Hot List, but I don't like it's restrictiveness.

Where are the KZG, MacGregor's, Snake eyes, and Yonex. The Hot List tends to be heavily biased for the big brands.

[Quinn07]

I love the list, however I never usually get any of the equipment until the following year, as I don't have a problem with playing year old equipment. Can't wait until next years!!! ;)

[gogolfing]

I dont remember seeing titleist clubs on there before, or is that just me?

That's just you

They're on there annually in many categories.

[Garthmo]

Equipment reviews are cool and are something good to read and look at while sitting on the crapper, but I think the average person will buy clubs just like they buy everthing else cause they like they way it looks.

[bogeyhitter25]

Got the mag about 4 days ago. I was overall surprised to see that the classic Ping Karsten Anser still got the silver award. Also I was surprised to see the Exotic fairway get in. I know it's a great fairway but seriously. Who has $400 to throw around on one club, especially a fairway wood. I mean how many times are you going to hit that a round.

[Quinn07]

Got the mag about 4 days ago. I was overall surprised to see that the classic Ping Karsten Anser still got the silver award. Also I was surprised to see the Exotic fairway get in. I know it's a great fairway but seriously. Who has $400 to throw around on one club, especially a fairway wood. I mean how many times are you going to hit

You would be surprised what kind of money people have to spend on golf clubs. I say the same thing when I see $500-$600 drivers and wonder why people pay that much. I just wait until next year when the same driver is less than half the price.