jbreeze

It really depends on more than just length. Type of shaft, shaft flex, club head weight, all will play a factor. Bounce will probably affect the perceivable "difference" or playability between two clubs of same loft more than length of shaft. Unless its a custom shaft I can't see the variance of length with the same lofted club to be more than 0.25" between these three manufacturers. Not enough to be concerned with IMO.

I think the hotlist isn't so much a buyers guide as it is a validation for products you already want. For example, I typically replace my driver every 2-3 years and currently I play a 2009 Burner driver. I skipped the superfast/R-9 series, but interested in the superfast 2.0 and R-11 drivers (and new Titleist 910, Adams F11), so it will be of interest to me to read what GD and various other review sites say about them. I have never purchased a high ticket item I have never heard of or researched just because it was on the hotlist, and I don't think many people do. For me, the final purchasing decision will come down to a demo. Like most people, I have several items in my bag which never made the hotlist.