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The Wilson DYNAPWR Carbon driver is a strong performance with premium looks and feel.  A big step in the right direction for Wilson Golf.

Introduction

Wilson’s history in golf goes a long way when it comes to selling traditional irons like the Staff Model Blades [review HERE] or iconic putter like the 8802 [review HERE].  History, however, does not sell drivers, which is part of the reason Wilson has had a hard time establishing a role in the modern driver market.  They aim to change that with a new lineup centered on the Wilson DYNAPWR Carbon driver.  I tested it to see if it could modernize Wilson’s reputation.

Looks

On paper, the look of the new Wilson DYNAPWR Carbon driver isn’t remarkably different than the Dynapower Carbon (note the spelling difference) from 2023 [review HERE].  Both have carbon fiber crowns with very modest graphics.  In practice, however, the new DYNAPWR Carbon driver is a big step forward.  The gloss finish on the carbon fiber looks much more high end, and the ribbon of steel at the leading edge is much thinner.  There’s also been a subtle change to the shape with the new model sweeping slightly toward the toe.

Similarly, the look of this club in the bag has been elevated.  There’s glossy carbon fiber everywhere, making it look like an F1 car.  The Wilson branding is centered between “DYNAPWR” and “Carbon” toward the heel and toe and adjustable weights fore and aft.

Topping off this premium look is the quilted headcover.  This is a look we rarely see from OEMs, and I think it’s great.  You might argue there are too many other things going on – they could have given the quilting center stage – but it’s definitely not a boring cover.

The Wilson DYNAPWR Carbon driver is the middle ground between the DYNAPWR LS and DYNAPWR Max.  It’s not as long from front-to-back as the Max but not as short as the LS.  All three models have tall faces, but the LS is about 1/8″ taller than the other two.

Sound & Feel

I started hitting the Wilson DYNAPWR Carbon driver in a dome, which I consider to be a torture test for the sound.  If a driver sounds good in a fitting bay or a dome, it’s going to sound great outdoors.  The DYNAPWR Carbon passed that test, prompting me to describe it as, “Delightful” in my notes.

On center, the sound is a little louder than average with mid-low pitch.  It’s a round “pop” that is, truly, delightful.  “Pop” may have you thinking that this club sounds hollow, but somehow it doesn’t.  It’s a full, rich tone.  Off-center strikes pick up a slight metallic character and become more of a whip crack.  This provides strong audio feedback without making any strikes unpleasant.

The feel provides another strong form of feedback, but it takes a backseat to the sound.  My hands got a solid sensation, and they knew where the ball met the face, but the satisfaction came from the sound more than the feel.

Performance

The most modern element of driver performance is ball speed and the preservation thereof, so let’s start there.  On center, the Wilson DYNAPWR Carbon driver is in the running with the very best.  My top swings produced ball speed on par with anything else I’ve hit this year.  This driver also does a good job keeping speed up on mishits.  It’s not among the elite in terms of preserving ball speed, but it still belongs in the game improvement category.

The Wilson DYNAPWR Carbon driver’s name is well earned: per Wilson, 58% of the surface area of is carbon fiber.  Their goal in using this much carbon fiber isn’t just to make the club look cool – it’s to move weight into the positions where it will help golfers the most.  With all this optionality, Wilson created a club with mid-low launch and spin.  The stock shot hits a trajectory just north of boring with plenty of roll out.

*A note on the numbers above: I tested a 10.5 degree head with a 50 gram, stiff flex Fujikura Ventus TR Blue variant.  I normally test 9 degree heads with 60 gram X-flex shafts.

Wilson also gave the DYNAPWR Carbon driver dual adjustability.  The hosel has six settings, all related to loft and face angle.  You can add up to two degrees of loft or remove up to one degree.  These changes come with alterations to the face angle, as explained HERE.

The other half of the adjustment puzzle are the movable weights.  There are two weight ports – one near the face, one on the trailing edge.  Per Wilson, the DYNAPWR Carbon driver comes with 6 and 12 gram weights, though mine came with weights that are 3 and 9 grams.  Regardless, placing the heavier weight forward can lower spin around 150 RPM; putting the heavier weight back boosts the stability slightly.  It’s not a game-changing adjustment but a way to fine tune the performance and feel.

Overall, the Wilson DYNAPWR Carbon driver does a good job as the “middle driver” in the 2025 lineup.  It lives up to Wilson’s claims of offering a balance of “forgiveness and workability.”  Players that need lower spin can find that in the Wilson DYNAPWR LS driver, and those seeking more forgiveness should try the Wilson DYNAPWR Max driver.

Conclusion

I’m unsure if the Wilson DYNAPWR Carbon driver will fully reverse the company’s fortunes in the driver category, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction.  Wilson has created a club with a premium look and sound and the performance to compete with the bigger names.

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Wilson DYNAPWR Carbon Driver Price & Specs

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The SuperSpeed Speed Sticks Pro are the next generation of golf’s favorite speed training tool.  Adjustable weighting adds versatility.  Five levels of protocols keep training interesting and challenging.  A proven way to get faster and longer.

Introduction

Launched about a decade ago, the original SuperSpeed training system brought speed training to the golf masses.  Since then, SuperSpeed has birthed numerous imitators, but no other system is seen in the bags of as many Tour pros.

New for 2025 is the long awaited “sequel” – the SuperSpeed Speed Sticks Pro.  This new set of training tools is an grip-to-tip upgrade that includes added levels of versatility and portability.  I tested a set to see if you should consider making the switch.

Set Up & Ease of Use

The SuperSpeed Speed Sticks Pro don’t require any set up – pick them up and swing them fast.  Like the Force Board Pro [review HERE], the Speed Stick Pro don’t come with any written instruction – you need to find the training protocols in the SuperSpeed App.  The app is easy to use, and the Level 1 Protocols are included with your purchase.  You need the premium app subscription to get access to more advanced protocols (more details on this later).

There is a weight kit included with the Speed Sticks Pro.  I’ll discuss the function of this below, but I will note here that this system is very easy to use.  The wrench is included, and the weights screw in and out without hassle.  Changing the weights does take a minute because of the long threads, but that’s a safety feature – you wouldn’t want a 30 gram weight being flung from your training club at 100 MPH.

Effectiveness

At core, the SuperSpeed Speed Sticks Pro are not fundamentally different than the original training system [review HERE].  There are three training clubs of different weights, and you swing them according to the provided protocols to gain club head speed.  Thousands of golfers of every age, gender, and ability level can tell you that the system works.

With that out of the way, let’s talk about what makes the Speed Sticks Pro different.  Most importantly, they have what SuperSpeed calls the Inertia Matching System – adjustable weighting.  The set comes with ten total weight plugs – 20 grams (3), 30 grams (3), 40 grams (3), and 80 grams (1).  This allows you to personalize your training clubs based on the chart above or an assessment in the SuperSpeed app.

The other benefit of the Inertia Matching System is that it allows you to train with just one training club.  SuperSpeed refers to this as the “Integrated Travel Version.”  By using the blue club without a weight, with your standard weight, and with the 80 gram weight, you can simulate having all three training clubs.  This is a nice feature for those that want to have their SuperSpeed with them at all times or those trying to keep their luggage under the 50 pound limit.

The weighting is not the only change to the SuperSpeed Speed Sticks Pro.  They’ve made the “heads” more aerodynamic with a teardrop shape and three “air flow modulators” on the sides.  The new grips are larger and less tapered with alternating sections of texture.  I think the soft feel of these grips is great, and SuperSpeed claims that the larger grips will allow players to more effectively activate the muscles in their hands and forearms.  The grips can be replaced if you don’t like them or want something smaller.

The final change is the new shaft.  SuperSpeed training clubs have always had very stiff shafts, but the new versions are more thoughtfully tuned.  The Load Zone near the grip is very stiff to encourage an aggressive loading of the shaft.  Near the tip, there’s a softer Torque Zone which SuperSpeed says “promotes more optimal timing of club head release”.  I don’t know that this change will fix your release, but the new shaft makes the training club feel more like a normal club rather than a piece of rebar with a dumbbell on the end.

Longevity

In my original review, I stated that longevity was the one weakness of SuperSpeed.  The company has done a lot to shore that up with the SuperSpeed Speed Sticks Pro.  The SuperSpeed App has five levels of Overspeed training, so you get more variety in your workouts.  There are also notifications and badges which gamify the training and help you to stay on track.

With all that said, this is still a workout program.  You will see “beginner gains” very quickly, but then your growth will slow down.  SuperSpeed training also requires enough room to swing a driver at 100%.  I think that SuperSpeed Golf has built a tremendous system, but you need to be committed to it if you want it to work.

Value

The SuperSpeed Speed Sticks Pro retail for $199.  Please support Plugged In Golf and buy HERE.  Especially with the new additions, I think it’s a great buy for anyone looking to add club head speed and play better golf.

To get the most out of your SuperSpeed Speed Sticks Pro, you will need the SuperSpeed App.  The Premium membership is $10/month or $100/year.  This unlocks all five levels of the training protocols, the physical assessment, and much more.  Training with just Level One Protocols will work, but I think the added variety makes the Premium membership worthwhile.

Conclusion

SuperSpeed Golf took their time coming up with a sequel to their blockbuster training system, and I’m glad they did.  The SuperSpeed Speed Sticks Pro are an improvement on the original system in every way, but they maintain the core principles that have helped thousands of golfers get faster.  If you want to hit it longer with every club in your bag, start SuperSpeed training today.

Buy SuperSpeed Speed Sticks Pro HERE

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The PING G440 MAX driver is outstanding.  At or near the top of every performance category.  High launch with moderate spin.  Great sound and feel.  Straightforward, impactful adjustability.

Introduction

When I ask a fitter, “What’s good right now?” they almost always say, “Everything.”  So when I see a fitter light up and proactively name one product, I know it’s special.  That was the case with the new PING G440 MAX driver, which one fitter referred to as, “Probably the driver of the year.”  I tested one to see if this was the club that would put PING back at the top of my bag.

Looks

The address look of the PING G440 MAX driver is a bit cleaner than its predecessor, the G430 MAX [review HERE].  Instead of the visible texture, the G440 MAX has a Carbonfly Wrap crown which was previously seen only on the LST model.  Additionally, the subtle crown graphics are done in a barely-noticeable grey.  This is still recognizable as a PING driver thanks to the turbulators on the leading edge and the matte black crown.  Turning to the footprint, PING created a conventional, nearly-symmetrical shape that doesn’t look stretched from front to back.

In the bag, the PING G440 MAX driver has a stream of gloss black separating the matte black heel and toe.  The PING branding takes center stage with “G440” and “MAX” surrounding it on either side.  I like the return of the blue accents because it reminds me of some of the first PING clubs I loved, the G2 and G5.

Side by side, the PING G440 MAX bears a strong familial resemblance to other two G440 drivers, the SFT and LST, but there are subtle differences.  Next to the LST, the G440 looks a touch longer front-to-back and is slightly less symmetrical.  The SFT and MAX look almost identical in size and shape, but the SFT sits a bit closed at address in the neutral setting.

Sound & Feel

PING touts the Carbonfly Wrap crown as not only a performance feature but also helping to produce a “more muted, pleasing sound at impact.”  I don’t typically associate carbon crowns with helping the sound, but it certainly seems to work in this case.  Even with a range ball, the PING G440 MAX driver is below average in volume, producing a mid-bass “thwack.”  There are no metallic notes, but it can get a little “pop” on mishits, which is a nice piece of audio feedback.

The feel of the G440 MAX is similarly excellent.  It’s solid across the entire face, so you don’t get that cringey, “Oh no, I hope I get to the fairway” feeling on the low toe.  On center, the feel is transcendent: a blend of high speed pop with strength and force.  Despite being one of the most stable drivers on the market, the G440 MAX provides good feedback through the hands on strike location.

Performance

I’m not normally the type of guy who enjoys plowing through giant buckets of balls on the range, but I make an exception at this time of year.  Seeing all the new drivers go head-to-head on a range or on the launch monitor helps me to appreciate the differences between clubs that are all objectively good.  What I observed in my testing is that the PING G440 MAX driver is scary good when it comes to forgiveness and consistency, and could be in a tier all its own.

I think of forgiveness in plateaus.  Centered strikes are the top of the mountain; they set the bar.  Small misses are the next step down, and I want to know how far from the peak they are and how big is the “small miss” area.  Finally, you get to the lowest tier – the big misses – and I want to know if those shots go anywhere and in what direction.  At every level, the PING G440 MAX driver is excellent.  Small misses are almost indistinguishable from pure strikes, and you need to hit the very edge of the face to see an ugly result.

Also, I want to be clear that the top of the mountain is as high as I’ve seen with any other driver.  In the past, some players have felt that PING drivers don’t have the same top end speed as others, but that’s definitely not the case here.  PING gave the G440 MAX driver a shorter, thinner face for more ball speed across a larger area.

Before I move away from ball speed and forgiveness, I’ll answer the question on the mind of the gear nerds: is the PING G440 MAX driver more forgiving than the G430 MAX 10K [review HERE]?  PING does not mention an MOI number with the G440 MAX, so I’ll assume it’s less than 10K which means that it’s objectively less forgiving.  That said, my experience hitting both clubs was similar: every shot wants to go high and straight.  

Turning to launch and spin, the G440 MAX launches high with moderate spin.  “High launch” is one of the notes I got from several fitters, too.  They told me that they were fitting players into less loft in this model and not seeing launch angles drop.  In my testing, the launch was both high and consistent thanks to PING’s “lowest CG ever.”  The spin is also consistent across the face, but it can change a lot when your shot shape changes [get further insight into launch monitor numbers HERE].

Speaking of shot shape, PING drivers continue to have arguably the most impactful adjustability in golf.  There are three positions for the 29 gram weight, and they’re labeled for clarity.  This is a big weight, and you will instantly see the impact of those movements on your ball flight.  The 8-position hosel allows you to add or subtract 1.5 degrees of loft or make the lie 3 degrees flatter than standard.  Combined, this gives you a huge range of possibilities for trajectory and direction control.

Finally, PING is among the industry leaders in shaft options.  There are four excellent PING-specific options plus the Denali Red and Mitsubishi TENSEI 1K Black [review HERE].  The stock length will vary depending on the shaft that you choose – 46″ with the PING Alta CB Blue, 45.5″ with the PING Tour, Denali, or TENSEI.  PING also details the changes that the different shafts will make on swing weight on their website, but the G440 MAX comes stock at D3.

*I tested all three PING G440 driver heads with the PING Tour 2.0 Chrome to make the launch monitor data an apples-to-apples comparison of the heads.

Conclusion

After about a decade of gaming PING drivers exclusively, I’ve spent the last year trying other things.  And the saying is true: absence makes the heart grow fonder.  While I won’t make any final decisions until we have better weather in Chicago, the PING G440 MAX driver is the clubhouse leader to be my gamer in 2025 thanks to its astounding levels of high end performance and consistency.

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PING G440 MAX Driver Price & Specs

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ACCRA Shogun is a family of three wood shafts with extraordinary performance.  Shogun Blue is extremely active and high launching.  Shogun Green has a traditional low launch, low spin feel and great stability.  Shogun Red is built for the aggressive swinger with excellent consistency and surprising kick.

Introduction

I’ve tested several ACCRA shafts over the years [ACCRA Tour Z RPG review HERE], and every time I’m left with the same thought, “If these guys ever got their marketing right, they just might destroy every other shaft company.”  Testing the ACCRA Shogun shafts was no different.  This family of three premium wood shafts is absolutely extraordinary though – in true ACCRA fashion – it defies the easy red/blue/white system that most shaft makers adhere to.  Read on to learn which one might help elevate your game.

Looks

The look of the ACCRA Shogun shafts screams quality.  In red, green, and blue, they have a gorgeous matte finish.  It’s hard to put into words, but something about the combination of the rich colors and the finish stands apart from anything else I’ve seen in a long time.

Graphically, the Shogun shafts are understated.  The branding and specifications are done in gold on one side of the shaft.  A subtle star-like geometric pattern wraps around the entire shaft just below the grip.  On the “logo down” side, you’ll see a golden Japanese character and the ACCRA logo in tone on tone.  Overall, these shafts are absolutely stunning.

Feel

The three ACCRA Shogun shafts have completely different bend profiles.  Per ACCRA, Shogun Blue is the most active, Shogun Green is tip stiff with a softer butt section, and Shogun Red is stable “from top to bottom.”  I’ll discuss each one individually.

Based on those descriptions, you’d never guess that the ACCRA Shogun Blue is used by long drive competitors, but it is.  I was even more stunned when I swung it.  This shaft is only offered in M0 and M2 flexes – both “below” regular – so the feel of the shaft I tested was predictably active.  The intense bending demanded that I swing with good tempo and allow the shaft to do the work.  This was not a fit for my aggressive transition, but I could appreciate the feel of the shaft powering itself through impact.

For me, the next shaft up the feel ladder was the ACCRA Shogun Red.  This deviates from ACCRA’s description, but feel is subjective.  For me, the Shogun Red feels highly stable, but it does offer some kick when you give it your all.  It’s one of the most fun shafts I’ve hit because it walks a fine line of rewarding your full effort without being punishing when you don’t go all out.

The ACCRA Shogun Green felt most stiff to me.  I could feel a hint of a kick in the butt section, but it really took everything I had to get it to go.  I don’t know that I could call is smooth, but it’s certainly not harsh.  It didn’t laugh at my weaker swings, but it did feel indifferent to them.

Performance

Let’s start with the ACCRA Shogun Blue.  This was the prototypical, “It’s not you, it’s me” situation.  I blast through my transition like a kid ripping open a birthday present; the Shogun Blue is for people who neatly fold the wrapping paper.  When I made smoother swings, this shaft performed very well – a strong draw with slightly higher launch.  I will note that even when I made my normal, too-aggressive swing, the stability of the ACCRA Shogun Blue impressed me – the tip didn’t feel torque-y and the ball flight never crossed into snap hook territory.  This was also a good reminder that long drive competitors are absolute freaks – to swing this shaft smoothly while generating 150 MPH club speed doesn’t make any sense.

Moving to the ACCRA Shogun Green felt like playing an entirely different sport.  While ACCRA states that this shaft is for “smooth transition players,” I felt that it could keep up with my wildest efforts.  Feel aside, this shaft produced amazing shots.  The default was a straight ball with mid-low launch and spin, but I could shape it fairly easily.  I particularly liked that I could hit a controlled draw without fear of it turning over too much.  I’d also be doing cartwheels over the ball speed I was generating if it wasn’t edged out by its brother.

According to the company, the ACCRA Shogun Red is built upon “the legacy of the ‘GOAT’ ACCRA shaft, the SE 80.”  Based on my testing, the Shogun Red is definitely the greatest in this line for me.  The stability is unquestioned – this shaft stood up to my hardest swings and produced an extremely good dispersion.  It also created the highest ball speed I’ve seen in a while along with high launch and low spin for extraordinary carry distance.  But, for me, the appeal goes beyond the numbers.  There’s something in the feel of this shaft that rewards a good, hard swing and makes you want to hit another shot.  It’s addictive, and it might make this shaft my gamer for 2025.

The technology story behind these premium shafts includes both materials and manufacturing techniques.  ACCelaron MX is “an ultra lightweight 5K material” that claims to minimize ovaling (more stability) and recover more rapidly (added speed).  On the manufacturing side, ACCRA uses “Tornado Material Stabilization” to make the Shogun shafts.  They state that this “evenly distributes composite material strength around the circumference of the shaft” which should lead to superior consistency.

Finally, the ACCRA Shogun family covers a wide range of weights and flexes across the three models.  Shogun Blue is only offered at 42 grams in M0 or M2 flex.  Shogun Green is available in 52, 62, and 72 grams.  At 52 grams, they offer M3 and M4 flexes, akin to regular and stiff.  At 62 grams, ACCRA offers M3, M4, and M5.  For the 72 gram version, there is M4 and M5.  Finally, Shogun Red is offered at 62 and 72 grams, both in M4 and M5 flexes.

Conclusion

The ACCRA Shogun shafts cover a wide range of feels and performance characteristics while all delivering extremely consistent, high end performance.  This family defies simple categorization, so make sure to visit an ACCRA fitter like Club Champion to find the best model for your swing.

Visit ACCRA HERE

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The Srixon ZXi5 irons are incredibly impressive.  An arguably unrivaled blend of great looks, sound, and feel with strong game improvement performance.

Introduction

I usually try to come up with some kind of modestly clever introduction, but I’m just going to jump in here: the Srixon ZXi5 irons are well on their way to being my favorite game improvement iron of 2025.  I’m impressed with every aspect of this club, so let’s get to it.

Looks

The Srixon ZXi5 irons make an impression from the minute you unbox them.  There are interesting angles everywhere on this club, from the sole to the cavity, but the look has been cleaned up from the overly busy ZX5 Mk II [review HERE].  Srixon allows that geometry to speak for itself, pushing all the branding into the toe.  Limiting the paint fill to black and white furthers the classy, timeless look.  Also, the finish is outstanding – it straddles the line between a dull matte and a thin chrome that shows every scuff and scratch.

The address look of the Srixon ZXi5 irons is a huge part of their appeal for me.  Srixon calls these players distance irons, but I think they could be simply called players irons.  They’re on the thick side of that category, certainly, but I think the argument can be made.  If you don’t want to go that far, then the ZXi5 irons are the best looking game improvement irons I can think of.  The top lines and blade lengths are moderate, and there’s only a modest amount of offset (roughly 0.5 mm more than the ZXi7 irons).

Above, you can see the Srixon ZXi5 next to the ZXi4 (left).  If you want to see all the ZXi irons and their specs, Srixon has an outstanding chart HERE, but there are two things on the chart that don’t match what my eyes see.  Srixon’s chart says that the top lines of the ZXi4, ZXi5, and ZXi7 are all the same, and that the offset specs are almost identical.  I’ve looked at the ZXi4 and ZXi5 side by side, and I am 100% convinced the top line of the ZXi5 is thinner and that it has less offset.

There are probably ways for Srixon and me to both to be right, related to the measurement techniques and the impact of the club’s shape.  Regardless, I think there is a noticeable difference between the two models, but the transition is smooth enough that you could combo the two sets easily.

Sound & Feel

The look of the Srixon ZXi5 irons got me intrigued, but the sound and feel really put me over the edge.  My first shot felt great – soft and crisp.  Then I looked down and realized it wasn’t close to the center.  “Wow,” I thought, “if the toe feels that good, I can’t wait to feel the sweet spot.”  When I did hit the center, the feel was even better: it’s softer and deeper – a better connection from your hands to the ball.

Striking a premium ball creates a crisp “thud.”  That sounds a little contradictory, but the sound never gets click-y or snappy.  Good shots have a rich quality to the tone that does dissipates slightly when you hit the toe or heel.

Performance

Having fallen in love with the looks, sound, and feel, I started looking at the launch monitor data thinking to myself, “Don’t you screw this up!”  Thankfully, the Srixon ZXi5 irons have the performance to back up their amazing subjective qualities.

Srixon promotes the ZXi5 as players distance irons (I don’t love that designation; I’ll continue to think of them as game improvement), so let’s start with the ball speed.  Throughout the set, the ZXi5 produced strong ball speed that was remarkably consistent.  Looking purely at the ball speed numbers, you’d think I was a much more skilled ball striker than I am.  Consistency is going to be the big theme of this section, and it’s why I think so highly of these irons.

Turning to launch and spin, the Srixon ZXi5 irons are mid to mid-high.  This is another reason why I dislike the “players distance” designation for them – I associate that category with irons that launch and spin low because they’re focused purely on winning the launch monitor battle.  Turning back to that theme of consistency, I was really impressed with how robust the launch and spin were from pure strikes to poor ones.  Thin shots flew a little lower, but they weren’t worm burners.  The predictability of the ball flight was excellent.

Despite being forgiving and consistent, the Srixon ZXi5 irons have a lot of appeal to the better player.  Not only do they look, sound, and feel great, they’re workable, too.  This is thanks in no small part to the Tour V.T. Sole which makes the club feel almost like a blade in the turf.

Finally, Srixon continues to push the idea of combo sets with the ZXi line.  The ZXi5 irons are at the heart of these sets because you can combo up or down.  Better players may use the ZXi7 in the scoring irons and ZXi5 in the long irons.  Players who want more help can use the ZXi5 in the scoring irons and ZXi4 in the long irons.

If I’m being totally honest, I think the Srixon ZXi5 irons are so good they almost negate the need for a combo set.  I felt like the ZXi5 gave me all the forgiveness I needed in the long irons with plenty of control and touch in the short irons.  But, of course, that’s just my opinion, and you should work with your fitter to build your ideal set.

Conclusion

Whether you classify them as players distance or game improvement, the Srixon ZXi5 irons have set the bar very high for the rest of the class of 2025.  You will be hard pressed to find another iron this consistent that looks and feel this good.

Visit Srixon HERE

Srixon ZXi5 Irons Price & Specs

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The Bettinardi Queen B 16 putter puts an aesthetic twist on the classic blade putter.  Beautiful finish and engravings.  Superb feel.  Forgiveness on par with standard Anser-style putters.

Introduction

Bettinardi’s Queen B putters have always steered toward more traditional designs, and no conventional putter line up would be complete without an Anser.  For 2025, that role is played by the Bettinardi Queen B 16 putter, though it does show us Bettinardi putting their own spin on this classic.   I tested one to see if their tweaks go deeper than surface level.

Looks

At a glance, the Bettinardi Queen B 16 putter is your typical Anser-style blade putter.  A second look reveals several differences that set it apart from the crowd.  Most obvious to me are the chamfered bumpers.  The flange is also slightly wider than normal, and the top line is crowned.  While I generally applaud putter makes that put their own spin on the conventional Anser, this one falls flat for me.  The softened bumpers contrast too sharply with the blocky shoulders and generally draw too much attention away from the ball.

The rest of the putter shares its elevated aesthetics with the other 2025 Queen B models.  The sole features a swarm of bees following the Queen B encased in a hexagon.  This engraving is done with the high level of detail that we expect from Bettinardi.  Also noteworthy is the Royal Rose PVD finish which pairs beautifully with the white and navy blue paintfill.

Sound & Feel

Unsurprisingly, the feel of the Bettinardi Queen B 16 putter is every bit as satisfying as the feel I found in the Queen B 7 [review HERE].  Both putters are made from 303 stainless steel and feature Bettinardi’s Mini Honeycomb Face Milling.  The company states that this is “the softest Honeycomb face to date,” and I agree.  It’s soft but not mushy, gentle but not weak.  I didn’t feel like I had to hit the ball harder to get it to the cup, nor was I afraid of making an aggressive swing.

The sound that comes off this putter is a gentle “tock.”  It’s just clear enough to be called responsive.  Some soft-feeling putters can sound dull, but that’s not the case here.

As I noted with the Queen B 7, the Queen B 16 isn’t as demanding as many previous Bettinardi putters.  The feedback is there, but it’s mild.  You can get a great feel from a small miss while still knowing that the putt wasn’t perfect.

Performance

While the Bettinardi Queen B 16 putter sets itself apart from the typical Anser aesthetically, the performance specs stay true to the original.  The plumbers neck creates a full shaft offset and “1/2 toe hang” or 4:30 or 45 degrees, depending on your preferred nomenclature.  This makes it an easy putter for the majority of golfers to pick up and use with no transition period.

The one specification that is a touch unusual is the head weight.  The Bettinardi Queen B 16 weighs in at a hefty 362 grams.  While there are certainly heavier putters, this is more than your average blade.  Given the prevalence of larger, often heavier, grips in the modern game, this slight boost in weight may be a necessity for maintaining a sensible swing weight.

On the green, I found the additional weight of the Bettinardi Queen B 16 putter was helpful with my distance control.  I tend to having dying speed and am more apt to leave putts short than to hit them past the cup.  The added weight wasn’t so much that I felt like I couldn’t swing the putter normally, but it was enough to give the ball a little extra juice.

Finally, when it comes to forgiveness, there’s nothing that separates the Queen B 16 from any other Anser-style putter.  On close putts, anything hit reasonably well should find the bottom of the cup.  At longer distances, however, a good strike is required to get the ball to the hole.  Big mishits will stop short of the hole, leaving stressful par attempts.

Conclusion

There’s no doubt that the beautiful finish and engravings will have Bettinardi collectors adding at least one of the 2025 Queen B putters to their collection.  Collector or not, if you’re seeking a high end, traditional blade with a slight aesthetic twist, you won’t go wrong with the Bettinardi Queen B 16 putter.

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The Garmin Approach S50 GPS Golf Smartwatch provides all the bells and whistles needed to successfully navigate any golf course inside a full color AMOLED screen.  Off the course, the Approach S50 separates itself with an impressive range of health and wellness features for those seeking more than just a golf GPS.

Introduction

Garmin is one of the most prominent names in GPS navigation and wearable technology.  In the last few years, we have seen a real emergence of wellness and health trackers and up to this point, very few have blended with a golf GPS smartwatch.  The Garmin Approach S50 does just that as it merges a high end, technologically advanced golf GPS navigation system with a substantial range of health trackers.  I put the Garmin Approach S50 to the test by wearing it 24/7 to see how both the golf navigation and the health tracking could help my game for the new season.

Set Up & Ease of Use

Out of the box, the Garmin Approach S50 Advanced GPS Golf Smartwatch came with a simplified instruction booklet, charging cable and the watch itself with a black nylon band.  There is an option for the stock white band in addition to a dozen other styles and colors which can be ordered separately.

The charging cable is the same as most other Garmin watches, which is beneficial if you’ve had a Garmin product in the past.  I only needed a few hours of initial charge before I was off and running.  I was impressed by how well the battery held a charge.  I went almost an entire week without needing to plug it in despite two rounds of golf and 24/7 wear.

Next, I downloaded the Garmin Golf app on my phone and customized a few settings.  This is free to use, but there is an additional subscription for some added features costing $100 annually.

Without using the online instruction manual, I had no issue getting acquainted with my new smartwatch.  The right side has two push buttons that act as a “play” and “back” button while the rest of the navigation is done right on the large, well-lit AMOLED touch screen.

Lastly, I want to mention that the Garmin Approach S50 can be setup with several additional accessories (sold separately) like club tags to measure shot distance and track stats.  While the smartwatch alone can track your last shot, it needs club tags to track your full round.

Features & Accuracy

Garmin aimed to pack the Approach S50 Advanced GPS Golf Smartwatch with as many features as possible.  Since this is a golf review, let’s start with the golf features.

The full color display provides a range of distances off the tee, including a “plays like” option with animations of each hole for easy interpretation.  For official competitions, a tournament mode setting can be turned on in order to comply with sanctioned events.  I found both the objective distance and the “plays like” metrics to be very accurate – within 1 or 2 yards of my laser rangefinder.  The only accuracy issue I ran into was one particular course that had reduced GPS signal and struggled to load the hole distances quickly.

On approach shots or a par three, the green view not only provides a front, middle, and back distance, but the pin can easily be adjusted to a more precise hole location.  Standing on a tee, the pin pointer will let you know where you’re headed, which can be helpful when playing a new course.  Another favorite feature of mine is that while it tracks your score, it also flags each hole number on the bezel according to your score.  A par is flagged green, bogeys are yellow, and birdies are blue.

Golf aside, the Garmin Approach S50 is stocked with features such as heart and respiratory rate, steps, calories, and even stress levels.  I was most intrigued by the sleep tracker which provided insights on how much recovery I get each night.  Not only did it identify factors that are affecting my sleep patterns, it also provided reminders on when to go to bed based upon my stress levels from that day.

In addition, Garmin links directly to your phone and provides real time notifications such as emails, messages, or social media alerts.  While there isn’t an option to take action on these notifications from your watch, I used this to triage alerts and prevent pulling my phone out of my pocket unnecessarily.  This, in turn helped save my phone’s battery life which was especially helpful on the course.  Additional features like weather snapshot, calendar sync, music controller, custom Garmin health coaching, and more can all be seen on their website.

Value

The Garmin Approach S50 Advanced GPS Golf Smartwatch retails for $399.  Please consider supporting Plugged In Golf sponsor PlayBetter HERE

Is the S50 worth it?  In terms of value, this is essentially two products in one.  The first is a fully functioning golf GPS system with all the bells and whistles.  The second is a health and fitness application with a full suite of wellness tracking.  If you are looking for just a golf GPS watch, Garmin offers the new S44 [review coming soon] for $299, or there’s the Voice Caddie T11 [full review HERE] at the same price point – for Plugged In Golf readers.

However, when you combine all these features together, the Garmin Approach S50 is almost in its very own category.  The only other product that can truly compare is the Apple Watch and that needs an entirely separate Golf app and annual subscription.

With that said, if you are in the market for both a golf GPS smartwatch and health and wellness tracking system, the Garmin Approach S50 has tremendous value.  Even if you add in the annual $100 upgraded Garmin golf subscription, this smartwatch truly separates itself from the competition.  And If you’re dead set on those added features the subscription brings, check out the Garmin S70 [full review HERE] which includes those and more.

Conclusion

The Garmin Approach S50 Advanced GPS Golf Smartwatch is a one of-a-kind marriage of both a high end golf GPS smartwatch and health and wellness tracking system.  All of these features are packaged in a beautiful high resolution AMOLED color touch screen that provides user-friendly navigation and course data with accurate distances for any golfer looking to step up their game for the new season.

Buy the Garmin Approach S50 GPS Watch HERE

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The Callaway Elyte driver is another step forward from one of the best OEMs.  Excellent ball speed on and off center.  Meaningful adjustability.  Lower spin than previous generation.

Introduction

As a pedant, the misspelling in Callaway’s Paradym clubs has always irked me.  I had the same initial reaction when I saw “Elyte” until I realized that this one had meaning behind it.  The name of these clubs is a nod to Ely Callaway Jr, the founder of Callaway Golf.  Naming these clubs after the person who oversaw the original Big Bertha is a bold step.  I tested the Callaway Elyte driver to see if it lives up to the name.

Looks

The Callaway Elyte driver is promoted as having a “refined, fast” shape designed to boost speed.  It definitely looks aerodynamic – the oval shape tapers gently from front to back and is nearly symmetrical.  The face is also a little taller than the Elyte X driver.  One other thing that stands out at address is the Thermoforged Carbon crown.  The visual texture of it is a bit different than other carbon fiber crowns.

In the bag, the Callaway Elyte driver has a lot going on.  At the rear of the sole, there are three weight ports.  A high gloss, dark silver “V” covers the center of the sole and almost hides a round weight near the face.  Small slashes of candy green appear at the edges of the heel and toe, reminding me of some of my favorite Callaway drivers of the last few years.

Sound & Feel

For several years, club design shifted strongly toward minimalism – limited colors and modest branding.  That trend seems to be reversing, and with it comes an acceptance of bigger impact sounds, too.  On centered strikes, the Callaway Elyte driver delivers a pronounced, low-pitched “boom.”  It’s a deep, bass-y sound that could strike fear into your opponent’s heart.  On off-center hits, it’s equally loud, but the sound is a “crack.”  This provides very clear audio feedback distinguishing good strikes from poor.

Callaway married this imposing sound with a solid feel.  Despite all the tech in this club face, it feels more traditional than fast.  Like the sound, your hands will clearly know the feel of a miss versus a pure strike, but locating impact with precision takes some focus.

Performance

Over the last few years, I associate Callaway drivers with face technology more than anything else, so I’ll start there.  The Callaway Elyte drivers all share Ai 10X Face.  The name comes from having 10 times more control points than the previous generation’s Ai Smart Face.  With this design, Callaway not only aims to maximize ball speed across the face but also optimize launch and spin whether you hit it flush or not.

It came as no surprise to me when my launch monitor testing showed that the Callaway Elyte driver produces ball speed that is – sorry, but this has been my word for years – elite.  And the tech lives up to the story, keeping that ball speed high across the face.  I needed to get on the outer edges of the face to lower my smash factor near 1.4.

Turning to launch and spin, Callaway bills the Elyte driver as “Mid-Low Spin” and “Mid-High Launch.”  I definitely agree with the first part – the Elyte seems to be noticeably lower spinning than the Paradym Ai Smoke MAX [review HERE].  This spin reduction is likely driven by the aforementioned Thermoforged Carbon crown.  With regard to launch, I would rate it “Mid” not “Mid-High,” but that’s a pretty fine distinction and your mileage may vary.

Callaway also changed the adjustability on the Elyte driver.  They refer to this weighting system as “discrete” – it has three separate ports – versus the sliding weight of the Paradym Ai Smoke MAX.  A someone who gets a bit obsessive about gear, I like this discrete system more – it eliminates worrying about fractional moves in the sliding weight.  When you pair the 13 gram weight with the adjustable hosel, you can see very substantial changes to both your shot shape and trajectory.

Overall, I think the Callaway Elyte driver is a solid, iterative improvement on the Paradym Ai Smoke MAX.  Callaway states that consumers gained up to 8 yards with an average of 1.8 yards gained when comparing the two.  Based on my testing, higher spin players are the ones more likely to get closer to that 8 yards gained.

Finally, comparing the Callaway Elyte driver to the other Elyte drivers, this is the do-it-all, middle of the bell curve model that’s meant for most players.  Callaway states that the Elyte has “Higher” forgiveness for players with handicaps from 0-20.  The Elyte X [review HERE] has “Highest” forgiveness for players with handicaps up to and beyond 30.  Both drivers share the Thermoforged Carbon Crown and titanium body construction.  The Elyte Triple Diamond has merely “High” forgiveness, for players with handicaps +5 to 10.  The Elyte also sits in the middle when it comes to launch and spin with the Elyte X launching and spinning higher, the Triple Diamond lower.

Conclusion

While it’s not the leap forward that Big Bertha was (within the current rules, I don’t think anything could be), the Callaway Elyte driver is a strong performer that deserves to be considered alongside the best of 2025.  The combination of excellent ball speed and forgiveness will help Callaway to maintain the dominant position it’s established over the last few years.

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Callaway Elyte Driver Price & Specs

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The Cleveland RTZ wedge is the complete short game package.  A rare combination of elite looks, feel, and performance enabled by exciting new tech.

Introduction

Cleveland has diversified its offerings in a big way as of late and now targets a huge segment of the market with game improvement clubs across the bag.  However, the Cleveland name is still synonymous with short game excellence.  The new Cleveland RTZ wedge is an emphatic reminder of this brand identity, pairing a brand new material, Z Alloy, with classic shaping and precision milling to produce a set of short game tools worthy of its name.

Looks

With aesthetics and golf clubs, less is often more.  Nowhere is this more true than in the short game clubs where shorter swings mean less tech is necessary to help correct human error.  This enables OEMs to produce sleek and sophisticated designs that appeal to the eye.  While blade-style irons and wedges are usually among the most attractive-looking clubs out there, some stand out above the rest.

That’s exactly what we have here.  While there are game improvement wedges on the market (see our review of Cleveland’s latest CBX wedge for a great example HERE) the RTZ is a wedge intended for the better player.  So in terms of the shaping you’ll get a fairly compact, classic look.  The leading edge has a gentle curvature that inspires confidence when manipulating the face.  The back showcases simple, elegant curves and minimal branding.

The Cleveland RTZ wedge is available in three finishes: Tour Satin, Black Satin, and Tour Rack (Raw).  I tested the Black Satin and think it’s gorgeous.  It has that dark matte look that deadens glare from the sun but isn’t so dark that every mark stands out.  Cleveland is also offering some unique customization options in the way of engraving, stamping, paint fills, and more.

Sound & Feel

The feel of a premium golf ball struck in the center of the face is soft but nowhere near mushy.  It’s responsive on both chips and fuller swings.  You get a great sense of where and how well the ball was struck through the hands.

The sound from the Cleveland RTZ wedge is very pleasant.  I would describe it as falling somewhere between a high-pitched ‘click’ and a low-pitched ‘tock’; let’s call it a concise ‘clock’.  Less pure strikes understandably trend more toward the lower register.

Performance

While there is a lack of visible tech, there are several big innovations in play that make the Cleveland RTZ wedge perform the way it does.

Z-Alloy is the biggest talking point here.  It’s an entirely new steel compound that is softer and less dense than the 8620 steel used in previous iterations of the company’s wedges.  According to Cleveland’s R&D testing, the RTZ wedge is 10% softer than the RTX 6 Zipcore wedges, utilizing the Vickers hardness test.  Interestingly, this metal is made exclusively for use in golf clubs.

Hydrazip is an intricate system of milling lines on the face engineered to optimize performance in wet conditions.  While not every round takes place in rainy or dewy conditions, few happen with completely dry turf so this seems like a technology that could really help aid in consistency.

Another piece of tech that plays a big role but is invisible is Zipcore.  Zipcore was introduced with 2020’s RTX Zipcore (review HERE).  It’s a proprietary low-density vibration-dampening material injected in the heel and hosel area, which boosts MOI and moves the center of gravity closer to the middle of the face.

The RTZ wedges feature four available sole grinds.  Per Cleveland, the FULL sole has the roundest leading edge to help prevent chunking for steeper swingers.  The MID sole offers a slightly less round edge for more versatility, and the LOW has the sharpest leading edge, designed for swings with a shallower angle of attack.  The new ADAPT grind is similar to the MID sole, prizing versatility and adding full face grooves.

The ADAPT grind is available in 56, 58, and 60 degree lofts.  Conveniently, Cleveland’s website features a quiz and a comparison chart to help you select the best wedge grinds for your game, using both questions about your game and your current set of wedges (check it out HERE).

I’ll also note that Cleveland has stuck with the True Temper Dynamic Gold Spinner wedge shaft as its stock offering, following the “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” philosophy.  This was a welcome sight for me as I’ve loved the shaft since I first tried it in the OG Zipcore.

Conclusion

From every perspective, the Cleveland RTZ wedges are irresistible.  While missing greens isn’t necessarily fun, being creative and pulling off challenging short game shots is and reaching into the bag for one of these will make it even more so.  These remind me of a lot of what I loved about the original RTX Zipcore, and Cleveland managed to improve on them in every way.  I am excited to game these for the 2025 season, and if you are in the market for new wedges I highly recommend you give them a look.

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Cleveland RTZ Wedge Price & Specs

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The MGI SureShot SlimPRO rangefinder is one of the smallest on the market.  Very light and easy to carry.  Solid performance but no first tier features.  Not great value.

Introduction

When it comes to rangefinders, thin is in.  Over the last few months, we’ve seen a series of tiny rangefinders enter the market, and several have a slate of impressive features to go along with their trim dimensions.  In this review, I’ll discuss the MGI SureShot SlimPRO rangefinder, one of the smallest lasers yet, and whether it’s worth considering for your bag this season.

Set Up & Ease of Use

Nothing about the MGI SureShot SlimPRO rangefinder will be unfamiliar for golfers who have used rangefinders in the past.  There are two buttons on top: Power and Mode.  The first press of the Power button turns the device on, the second gets your distance.  Turning to the Mode button, a single tap toggles the pulse function, a double tap turns slope adjustment on or off, and a 10-second hold changes the units of measurement.

The SlimPRO runs on a rechargeable battery.  When it’s plugged in, the light on the side glows red while charging and turns blue when it’s full.  MGI does not provide any information or claims about battery life, but there is a battery life indicator in the viewfinder.  I started with a full charge, performed several hundred ranges, and the battery remained full.

Accuracy & Features

The primary selling point of the MGI SureShot SlimPRO rangefinder is its size, so we’ll start there.  It’s under 4″ long and less than 2″ tall and wide.  It weighs a touch over five ounces, which is among the lightest lasers you’ll find.  The other two comparably-sized rangefinders – the Voice Caddie Laser FIT and Mileseey IONME2 – are one ounce lighter and heavier, respectively, but have slightly more traditional, rectangular shapes.  The SureShot SlimPRO is almost square, as you can see below, which makes it feel smaller in my hand.

Turning to the speed of the SureShot SlimPRO, its good but not great.  There’s a small delay between letting go of the button and getting your yardage.  As I’ve stated in many rangefinder reviews, the difference between the fastest and slowest rangefinders is less than a second, but it is noticeable when testing head-to-head.  With regard to accuracy, the SlimPRO was consistently within one yard of other trusted rangefinders.

In terms of features, the SureShot SlimPRO has the basics.  It has slope adjustment, PinLoc, and Priority Loc – the ability to ignore background targets.  In 2025, these are de rigueur.  The 7X magnification is solid, and MGI claims water resistance, but doesn’t state to what standard.  One added feature I do like is that the light on the side of the unit glows blue when slope is turned off, red when it’s turned on.

The viewfinder is well organized, but the display is black-only.  As with the speed, this isn’t a problem, but it’s a missed opportunity to offer more to the customer.

Value

The MGI SureShot SlimPRO rangefinder retails for $299.  It comes with the zippered case (above), a charging cable, and a cleaning cloth.

Comparing it to the two similarly sized rangefinders I’ve reviewed recently, it’s hard to find the SureShot SlimPRO to be a great value.  The Voice Caddie Laser FIT [review HERE] is just $179, and it has Ball-to-Pin Mode.  The Mileseey IONME2 [review HERE] costs $100 more – $399 – but it has Coach Mode and PinPoint Green Mode.

Conclusion

The new MGI SureShot SlimPRO rangefinder offers an almost-incomparable form factor with solid performance.  Unfortunately for them, the competition in this space is as fierce as ever.  The combination of higher price and lack of elite features keeps this from being a great option.

Buy the MGI SureShot SlimPRO Rangefinder HERE

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