Jack Hersh
December 13, 2024
golf
Welcome to GOLF’s 2024 Holiday Edition of Our Best Picks, where our experts hand-pick the items you and your golf-loving family and friends need. Scroll below to check out our latest batch of recommendations, and visit our Best Golf 2024 hub page for more articles.
With all the great clubs coming to market in 2024, it’s no surprise that many of our staff are making room in their bags for new gear.
Whether it's a new driver that helps us find the fairway or a new flat that helps us find the bottom of the hole, these clubs are some of the GOLF staff's favorite clubs. If our staff likes them, we're reasonably sure you will too.
Here are six of the GOLF staff's favorite clubs to add to the pack in 2024.
We've added 6 of our favorite clubs to our bag for 2024
Jack Hirsh, Associate Gear Editor: Mizuno Pro 245 3-iron and 4-iron
Mizuno Pro 245 custom irons
$200
Mizuno Pro Irons are the result of a long-term collaboration between Mizuno club engineers and the legendary Grain Flow Forging factory in Hiroshima, Japan. Every millimeter and subtle curve has been carefully considered, shaping the future of golf club technology. MIZUNO PRO 245 / Tour Speed and Launch Key Features: Grain Flow Forged HD hollow shaft in Hiroshima, Japan GFF 4135 Chromoly face and neck (2-8 irons) Internal tungsten weighting (2-7) for improved Partially hollow scoring irons (9-GW) with more compact launch performance Soft copper backing for superior feel Harmonic Impact Technology for a soft, muscular back feel Traditional blade look increases bounce angle for optimal turf interaction Full satin The surface brushing surface is optional 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 pure blade irons (occasionally), but those don't make sense for the top of my bag when something with more forgiveness can help me get the ball where I want it. I've been using hollow 2/3 irons for years, but this year I finally decided to try replacing my hollow 4 iron with a hollow shaft, and boy, what did I miss? I was able to hit the ball higher more easily and the ball flew off the clubface. Not to mention that if I hit the ball a little too far from my toes, I don’t have to worry about it getting the distance I need like I would with a regular cavity back long iron. Maybe next year I'll go for a hollow 5-iron!
Jessica Marksbury, Senior Editor: Ping G Le3 Louise Putter
Ping G Le3 Louise
$229
Four different G Le3 putters feature a variety of shapes, materials and alignment tips to fit each golfer's eye and shot type (straight, slight and hard arc). Each model is designed with a white two-piece Pebax elastomer insert, consisting of a soft front with PLD-inspired shallow grooves and a firmer rear to ensure the best combination of feel and distance control. They are paired with PING Pistol PP59 Deep Sea grips, which offer excellent feel and a premium look in the unique G Le3 color.
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Why: At last year’s ClubTest, I installed a new putter: the Ping G Le3 Louise. Transitioning to a mallet head was a huge change for me. My trusty Ping Isopur has been a staple in my bag since high school. I'm not a tinkerer, so even though my putting has suffered in recent years, I've never thought of blaming my gear. But it turns out that upgrading to Louise was a wise decision. I like the weight, it's easy to aim, and the feel is crisp. According to my fitter, the putter also fits my natural hitting style better. I'm glad I made the switch.
James Colgan, News & Features Editor: TaylorMade Qi10 Driver
TaylorMade Qi10 custom driver
$599.99
Featuring a simple yet confident design, the Qi10 driver is engineered to help golfers optimize distance and increase forgiveness. The Pursuit of Inertia TaylorMade's goal with the Qi10 Series is to make each driver as forgiving as possible by using advanced multi-material construction to increase inertia. Qi10 is designed to balance distance and fault tolerance. Complete Performance The Qi10 driver has a lower center of gravity projection and a higher moment of inertia than its predecessor, delivering balanced performance without any trade-offs. The new Infinite Carbon Crown covers 97% of the total crown area, creating a strategic advantage for large-scale redistribution and enhanced forgiveness.
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Why: I’ve always been a chronically wrong player, which means my driver is either the biggest weapon in my bag or a liability. Earlier this year I installed a new Qi10 and the results were astounding. by reducing length If my club moves an inch, I can completely change my dispersion without affecting my launch characteristics. The result? Best driving years of my life. Oh, I get a warm fuzzy feeling every time I take this club out of my bag. I highly recommend it.
Josh Sens, Senior Writer: XXIO 12 Driver
XXIO 12 Men's Driver
$499
Swing effortlessly and hit the ball pure with our new premium driver, the XXIO 12. The performance is the same, avoiding the swing fatigue caused by heavier woods. It's a class of its own. Experience the difference.
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Why: Last year, while playing golf with a young colleague, I had the frustrating experience of regularly falling more than 70 yards behind. Alas, with age come limitations. But there is also wisdom. I quickly and wisely switched to the XXIO 12, which builds clubs for golfers with what they politely describe as “medium” swing speeds. During my first few encounters with the new driver, I worried that the club might be too fragile. But I quickly adjusted, and that little bit of flex was exactly what I needed: extra power without the extra effort that usually results in an overswing. While I can't say I'm hitting the ball better than the younger guys now, I'm at least 10 yards farther from the tee and my shots are spread more tightly than ever before. Now, if only XXIO could find a cure for putting pain.
Nick Piastowski, Senior Editor: Cobra DarkSpeed X 3-wood
Cobra DarkSpeed X Customized Fairway Woods
$249.99
The X model is designed for versatile hitting and plenty of forgiveness, making your long game more consistent. More launches. Faster ball speed. PWRSHELL INSERTS AND SUSPENSION WEIGHTS The PWR-BRIDGE design creates a more flexible face and sole to maximize launch and ball speed. Speed and Spin Optimization The AI-designed HOT face features an optimized variable thickness pattern that delivers more efficient speed and spin on the face.
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Why: About five years ago I was betting exclusively on 3-woods. Too many tops, and if I wasn't embarrassed to do so, I'd be putting the golf ball correctly. But late last year, I threw a Cobra DarkSpeed X model into my bag and started using it…well. Hmm. This year I tried it again. It's still ok. It's actually great. Forgiveness is the key word here. To me, it slides across the turf and the ball bounces forward. Coupled with the black appearance, it also looks a bit sweet. This is a keeper.
Kris McCormack, Director of ClubTest and Equipment Data: Callaway AI Smoke Heaven Wood
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max Customized Fairway Woods
$349.99
Ai SMOKE MAX FAIRWAYS The new Paradym Ai Smoke fairways represent a giant leap forward in Callaway’s artificial intelligence journey. This new series of fairway woods features Callaway's most complex clubface ever – the Ai Smart Face. Breakthrough Fairway Performance Powered by Ai Smart Face™ Ai Smoke fairway woods feature Ai Smart Face, a breakthrough technology in face design that leverages thousands of actual player swings. Each Ai Smart Face is designed to optimize launch and spin, creating the sweet spot on the face. Refined Shape, Adjustable for More Versatility With progressive styling and the widest range of products available, Ai Smoke Max fairway woods will be the best choice for golfers who want consistent launch and neutral ball flight. The adjustable socket in the 3W and 3HL models gives golfers additional control to adjust loft and shot shape.
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Why: As a player who struggles with lower launch and lower spin, I needed a club to fill the gap I found between the 3-wood and 4-iron. The Paradise Wood has a shallow clubface with a 20° loft, but has a larger footprint than the 7-wood. During testing, I saw no left-side misses that typically occur with hybrids. I also found this club to be very easy to launch and spin higher than extra long irons or hybrids. This new ball flight gives me more control and stopping power when entering the green from 225 to 235 yards. By increasing control over this distance, scoring opportunities can ultimately be realized on par 5s and long par 3s. Next stop, 9 wood!
Want to reinvent your bags in 2025? Find the right location near you at True Spec Golf.
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Jack Hersh
Golf Network Editor
Jack Hirsh is GOLF's associate equipment editor. Jack is a Pennsylvania native and a 2020 graduate of Penn State University with degrees in broadcast journalism and politics. He was captain of the high school golf team and recently returned to the program as head coach. Jack also “struggles” to stay competitive among local amateurs. Prior to joining GOLF, Jack worked for a television station in Bend, Oregon for two years, primarily as a multimedia reporter/journalist while also producing, hosting and even demonstrating weather. You can contact him at jack.hirsh@golf.com.
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