Our 6 favorite clubs we added to our bags in 2024

Welcome to GOLF’s 2024 holiday edition of Our Picks, where our experts are hand-picking the items you — and your golf-loving family and friends — need to have on your radar. Scroll down for our latest set of recommendations and visit our site Home of the best golf of 2024 for more articles.

With all the big clubs hitting the market in 2024, it’s no surprise that many of our staff made room in their bags for new gear.

Whether it was a new driver to help us find the fairway or a new club to help us find the bottom of the cup, these clubs were among the GOLF staff’s favorites to hit the tee. And if our staff enjoyed it, there’s reason to believe you might too.

Here are the six favorite clubs the GOLF staff added to their bags in 2024.

Our 6 favorite clubs we added to our bags in 2024

Jack Hirsh, Equipment Editor: Mizuno Pro 245 3 and 4 irons

Mizuno Pro 245 Custom Cuffs

$200

Mizuno Pro Irons are the result of a long relationship between Mizuno’s club engineers and the legendary Grain Flow Forging factory in Hiroshima, Japan. Every millimeter and subtle curve has been meticulously considered, shaping the future of golf club technology. MIZUNO PRO 245 KEY FEATURES / TOUR SPEED AND LAUNCH: Grain Flow Forged HD in Hiroshima, Japan GFF 4135 hollow body Chromoly face and neck (2-8 iron) Tungsten internal weighting (2-7) for improved launch , partial cavity more compact scoring irons (9-GW) Soft copper backing for exceptional feel Harmonic Impact Technology for a smooth back muscle feel Traditional blade look Increased bounce angle for optimal ground interaction Full satin brush finish Available 2-GW / RH and 4-GW LH

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WHY: If there’s one thing I’ve learned from testing golf clubs, it’s that there’s no shame in using a little help. Sure I have the ability to use a clean blade iron (once in a while) but they just don’t make sense towards the top of my bag when something with a little more forgiveness will help me get the ball going where it is. i love . I’ve been using a hollow body 2/3 iron for years now, but this year I finally took the plunge and replaced my hollow body 4 iron with a hollow body and boy, what was I missing? I’m able to hit the ball higher easier and it just rockets off the face. Not to mention if I hit it a little off the toe, I don’t have to worry as much about it keeping the distance I need as I did with a regular hollow long iron. Maybe I’ll go with the hollow body 5-iron next year!

Jessica Marksbury, Senior Editor: Ping G Le3 Louise Putter

Ping G Le3 Louise

229 dollars

Four distinct G Le3 putters are offered in a variety of shapes, materials and alignment marks to suit every golfer’s eye and stroke type (straight, light and hard bow). Each model is designed with a two-piece white Pebax elastomer insert, consisting of a soft front with PLD-inspired shallow grooves and a firmer back to provide the optimal combination of feel and distance control. They are paired with a PING Pistol PP59 Deep Deep grip that offers superior feel and a premium look in distinctive G Le3 colors.

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WHY: In last year’s ClubTest, I adapted to a new athlete, the Ping G Le3 Louise. Switching to a hammer style head was a big change for me. My trusty Ping Isopur had been a staple in my bag since high school. I’m not a tinker, so even though my putting has suffered in recent years, I’ve never thought to blame my equipment. But upgrading to Louise has proven to be a wise decision. I like the weight, it’s easy to aim and the contact feels crisp. According to my fitter, the goga is also a much better fit for my natural hitting style. I’m so glad I made the switch.

James Colgan, News and Features Editor: TaylorMade Qi10 Driver

TaylorMade Qi10 Custom Driver

$599.99

Wrapped in a clean and secure package, the Qi10 driver is strategically designed to help players optimize distance and improve forgiveness. THE QUEST FOR INERTIA TaylorMade’s goal with the Qi10 family is to make every driver as forgiving as possible, using advanced multi-material constructions to increase inertia. The Qi10 is designed for a balanced blend of distance and forgiveness. FULL PERFORMANCE The Qi10 driver features a lower CG projection and higher MOI than its predecessor, offering balanced performance without any compromise. NEW INFINITY CARBON CROWN An Infinity Carbon crown covers 97% of the total crown surface, creating a strategic advantage for massive redistribution and extended forgiveness.

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WHY: I’ve always been a long and erratic player, which means my driver is either the biggest weapon or liability in my bag. Earlier this year, I splurged on a new Qi10 and the results were shocking. Sitting down the length of my club by an inch, I could completely transform my delivery without affecting my launch characteristics. The result? Best driving year of my life. Oh, and a host of warm and fuzzy feelings every time I pull this club out of the bag. I can’t recommend it enough.

Josh Sens, Senior Writer: XXIO 12 Driver

XXIO 12 Men’s Driver

499 dollars

Swing easy and get clean with our new premium driver, the XXIO 12. Its incredibly light feel and significantly improved ball speed allow you to blast it off the 18th fairway just like you did on the first by avoid fatigue from swings caused by heavier Woods. This one is in a class of its own. Experience the Difference.

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WHY: Last year, on a golf trip with a younger colleague, I had the disheartening experience of routinely being out of range by 70 yards. With age, unfortunately, comes limitations. But also wisdom. And I quickly made the smart switch to XXII 12which builds clubs for what they politely describe as golfers with “moderate” swing speeds. On my first few swings with my new driver, I was concerned that the club might be too loud. But I quickly adapted, and that bit of flex was just what I needed: extra power without the extra effort that often leads to over-swing. While I can’t claim that I’m now beating it from the juniors, I’ve gained at least 10 yards off the tee and my swing is stronger than ever. Now, if only XXIO could find a cure for stargazing.

Nick Piastowski, Senior Editor: Cobra DarkSpeed ​​X 3-wood

Cobra DarkSpeed ​​X Custom Fairway Wood

$249.99

Model X is designed to make versatile shots and plenty of forgiveness to make your long game more consistent. MORE DEPARTURES. MORE BALL SPEED. The PWRSHELL insert and hanging weight PWR-BRIDGE design create a more flexible face and sole to maximize release and ball speed. OPTIMIZING SPEED AND SPEED AND SPEED An AI-engineered HOT Face features an optimized variable thickness pattern that delivers more efficient speed and spin across the entire clubface.

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WHY: About five years ago, I worked full-time on 3-forest. Lots of tops, and if I wasn’t doing it embarrassingly, I was pushing golf balls straight. But at the end of last year, I put the Cobra DarkSpeed ​​X model in the bag and hit it… OK. Hmm. I gave it again this year. Still ok. Big actually. Forgiveness is the key word here. To me, he slides across the ground and the ball goes forward. With the black look, it also looks kind of sweet. It’s a keeper.

Kris McCormack, Head of ClubTest and Gear Data: Callaway AI Smoke Heaven Wood

Callaway Paradym He Smoke Max Custom Fairway Wood

$349.99

Ai SMOKE MAX FAIRWAY The new Paradym Ai Smoke Fairway represents a quantum leap forward in Callaway’s Ai fairway. This new family of fairway woods features the most sophisticated face in Callaway’s history, the Smart Face. Advanced Fairway Performance Powered by Ai Smart Face™ Ai Smoke fairway woods use Ai Smart Face; a breakthrough technology in face design that uses thousands of actual player swings. Each Ai Smart Face is designed to optimize launch and spin, creating sweet spots across the face. Refined Shape with Adjustment for More Versatility With progressive shaping and a wider offering, the Ai Smoke Max Fairway Woods will be the optimal choice for players who want consistent release and a neutral ball flight. An adjustable clutch on the 3W and 3HL models gives players additional control to dial in loft and shot shape.

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WHY: As a player who struggles with lower launch conditions and lower spin, I needed a club to fill a gap I found between my 3 wood and 4 iron. The Sky wood has a very shallow face and 20° of loft, but a larger footprint than a 7 wood. In testing, I didn’t see the left miss I usually see with a hybrid. I also found this club to be extremely easy to launch and swing higher than a very long iron or hybrid. This new ball flight gave me more control and stopping power coming down the field from 225 to 235 yards. Adding control from this distance finally made par 5s and long par 3s attainable scoring opportunities. Next stop, 9 wood!

Want to overhaul your bag for 2025? Find a convenient location near you at True Spec Golf.

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