Equipment
Show Stoppers: Day 3 from the 2014 PGA Merchandise Show
The GolfWRX team is live from this year’s PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla. The “Show Stoppers” segment will highlight our favorite clubs, gear, and training aids at the show.
At the PGA Merchandise Show, golf companies show off their latest equipment on Tuesday at the PGA Demo Day at Orange County National, and at the PGA Show inside the Orange County Convention Center on Wednesday through Friday. Follow along as we bring you inside the ropes of this year’s events.
Axis 1 Joey C Putter
Axis 1 introduced its new Joey-C putter at the 2014 PGA Merchandise Show. It features a traditional blade look, similar to the Axis1 Joey, and adds a copper insert for softer feel.
Axis 1 putters have a center of gravity that is balanced in the center of the club head. That translates into hitting putts on-line more consistently. The design also promotes a stroke that stays more square to the target, limiting face rotation during the stroke.
Axis 1 putter cost between $199 and $299, depending on the model. The Joey-C sells for $229.
Club Crown by Vive
Club Crown by Vive is a company that makes a high-tech film that allows golfers to customize the crowns of their drivers. The film weighs just 2 grams, increasing the heft of your driver head by a mere one percent.
They cost around $50 each, and are available in a variety of stock styles and custom options. Installation is quick and easy, proved by the lovely Tovah (above) in this photo slideshow.
Edel Golf’s Custom Irons, Wedges and Putters
Edel Golf’s wedges are some of the most drool-worthy wedges in golf. They’re offered in eight different stock grinds, and a near-limitless amount of custom options that have caused many a golfer to spend more than they intended on new short-game sticks.
Click here to see more custom Edel Golf irons, wedges and putters from the PGA Merchandise Show.
New Balance Golf Shoes
New Balance, a company that is best known for its walking and running shoes, launched its first line of golf shoes at the 2014 PGA Merchandise show. Six styles for men and women offer both cleated and spikeless options, which are available in both waterproof and breathable fabrics.
The Minimus Sport Golf and the Minimus LX Golf shoes utilize the One-Lok cleat system that puts golfers’ feet close to the ground while providing added stability. Men’s shoes are offered in D, 2E and 4E widths, and women’s are offered in B and D widths. Prices range from $119.99 to $159.99.
Click here to see more New Balance golf shoes from the PGA Merchandise Show
Odyssey Putters
Odyssey released several new putter models at the 2014 PGA Merchandise Show, including its high-end Metal-X Versa putters.
The Metal-X Versa putters combine two of Odyssey’s latest technologies: its acid-etched Metal-X face pattern that improves face friction for a better roll and its Versa technology, which uses white-and-black lines that are layered perpendicular to the target line to help golfers increase their awareness of face angle throughout the stroke.
Odyssey also unveiled its “Tank Cruiser” putters, which have removable weights in the sole and grip to allow golfers to fine tune swing weight and total weight. The putters are available in the four models: #1, #7, 330M and 2-Ball in 35- and 38-inch lengths. They’ll sell for $249 each when they hit stores on April 1.
The Metal-X Milled putters will hit stores on Jan. 17 in six model. The #1, #6, #9HT and 330 Mallet will cost $299, while the #7 and Rossie, which have aluminum sole plates, will cost $349.
Click here to see more Odyssey putters from the PGA Merchandise Show.
Rife Switchback Putter
The Rife “Switchback” is an adjustable putter with four interchangeable bumper weights that change the head weight from 350-to-380 grams.They have a clean, high-tech look, and will be a hot commodity for tinkerers at the reasonable price point of $199.
Also new from Rife is the company’s Maven putter, a design that was inspired by new Rife Brand Ambassador Mike Shannon, one of Golf Digest’s Top-50 best teachers in America. The Zebra-shaped putter (see the photos in our forum) will come with five different hosel configuration to help golfers dial in their alignment and toe-hang needs. The first model, which has a plumber’s neck, will be available in May and sell for $235.
Click here to see more photos of Rife putters from the PGA Merchandise Show.
True Temper Project X LZ
True Temper’s prototype Project X LV graphite shafts are hand rolled to exact specifications at the company’s headquarters in San Diego. They have the stiff butt and tip sections that characterize the original Project X graphite shafts, but the mid-sections are much softer.
According to Don Brown, product development manager for True Temper, the softer mid sections act as “loading zones,” helping golfers release more energy into the golf ball at impact. Click here to read more about True Temper’s prototype Project X LV shafts.
True Temper’s Project X PXv 39 shaft also caught golfers’ attention at the PGA Merchandise Show. It’s the first of the company’s shafts to weigh less than 40 grams at a length of 46 inches. Originally, it was intended for recreational players, but it has been tested and put in play by professionals in Europe and the U.S.
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Cameron Young’s WITB from his win at the 2025 Wyndham Championship. Cameron is a Titleist staff player but his bag is definitely filled with some unique clubs. Here are the clubs he used to secure his first PGA Tour win!
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus HB Black VeloCore+ 10 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (4), Titleist T100 (5), Titleist 631.CY Prototype (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7 (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-14F @57), WedgeWorks (60-K* @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Prototype
- Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist GT3 (10 degrees, C2 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X Denali Blue 60 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 7 X
7-wood: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 X
Irons: Titleist T150 (4, 5), Titleist T100 (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper AMT Tour White X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 52-12F, 56-08M @57, 60-04T @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron Studio Style Fastback 1.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Yellow
We’re proud to once again partner with 2nd Swing Golf to bring you GolfWRX Members Choice 2025! 2nd Swing has more than 150,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.
What is the best driver in 2025? At GolfWRX, we take great pride in our online community and the cumulative knowledge and experience of our members. When it comes to the best driver of 2025, we want to know what our forum faithful think.
Since our founding in 2005, the bedrock of GolfWRX.com has been the community of passionate and knowledgeable golfers in our forums, and we put endless trust in the opinions of our GolfWRX members — the most knowledgeable community of golfers on the internet. No other group of golfers in the world tests golf clubs as frequently or as extensively, nor is armed with such in-depth information about the latest technology.
Below are the results of GolfWRX member voting for the 2025 best driver, along with the vote percentage for each club.
Best driver of 2025: The top 5
5. Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond: 6.02%
Callaway’s pitch: “For golfers looking for a fast, forgiving, yet workable driver, the Elyte Triple Diamond features a tour-inspired shape and is the preferred model by most Callaway tour players.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond here.
4. Ping G440 Max: 6.86%
Ping’s pitch: “The most forgiving G440 model, MAX has a hotter face to generate speed and distance, and a lighter overall system weight with a longer shaft (46″) for faster clubhead speed, higher launch and longer carries. The Free Hosel and Carbonfly Wrap crown save weight to create our lowest CG ever and increase forgiveness while contributing to a more muted, pleasing sound.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 Max here.
3. Ping G440 LST: 9.53%
Ping’s pitch: “LST is an especially good fit for faster swings, offering less spin and more control with a penetrating trajectory. A hotter face, lighter overall system weight and longer shaft (46″) deliver more speed and distance while maintaining tight dispersion.”
@phizzy30: “Not a fan of Ping drivers in general, but 440 LST takes the cake. It’s super forgiving across the face for a low spin head, looks and sounds good and the ability to make it play neutral or slightly fade biased through the hosel settings is very appealing.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 LST here.
2. Titleist GT3: 16.55%
Titleist’s pitch: “The GT3 Driver offers Titleist’s boldest combination of power and personalization through adjustable performance. Dial in the CG Track to your frequent contact location to make your biggest drives even bigger while taking total control over flight and shaping.”
@mrmikeac: “I’ve been Anti-Titleist for years and years and years (outside of Vokey, of course). With that being said, HOLY BEGEEZUS the GT3 driver is an absolute NUCLEAR MONSTER! This thing blew my G430 10K Max out of the water in every single category. Forgiveness is the biggest thing that stands out of me, the 3 model has always been one of the less forgiving models in the past but this GT3 can take bad shot after bad shot and still end up in the fairway, I think a ton of that has to do with the adjustability, it’s actually effective. Feel and sound is perfect, that solid crack is so addicting to hear and when you hit it out the screws this thing can absolutely bomb it. Titleist, I’m sorry for doubting you. You have converted me.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT3 here.
1. Titleist GT2: 22.91%
Titleist’s pitch: “Delivering impressive distance from any impact point, the Titleist GT2 Driver extracts maximum performance through a forgiving design. Get the stability and added confidence of a high-MOI driver without sacrificing speed.”
@DTorres: “The Titleist GT2 has proven to be the best driver of the year. Packaged in a classic profile, GT2 perfectly balances performance and forgiveness while consistently being a high performer across all categories.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT2 here.
Other drivers receiving >2% of the vote
| Driver | Vote percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| Cobra DS Adapt Max K | 4.85% |
| Ping G430 Max 10K | 3.85% |
| Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond | 3.68% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 | 3.51% |
| Callaway Elyte | 3.18% |
| Cobra DS Adapt X | 2.34% |
| Cobra DS Adapt LS | 2.17% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 LS | 2.17% |
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Peter Malnati WITB 2025 (August)
Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver: Titleist...
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Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting) Buy here. Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX 3-wood: Titleist...
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Camilo Villegas WITB accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. Villegas was undecided on a 3-wood when we shot his bag. ...
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78Staff
Jan 25, 2015 at 6:27 pm
$50 for a driver head wrap? PT Barnum would be proud…sheesh.
Neal Gregory
Feb 10, 2014 at 1:48 pm
I purchased a 34inch 350g Axis1 Umbra putter. The zero balance helped with not pulling putts. I played with it for a couple rounds that had very challenging greens. My only complaint was that it felt too light, so I returned it. The owner was great about the return. Once Ohio thaws out, I will def. be purchasing the Umbra 400g and putting a slightly larger grip on it.
Looks of a putter builds confidence? No, my friend, sinking putts you wouldn’t normally make builds confidence. Anyone who putts for dough knows that!
Neal
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Really!?!?!
Jan 24, 2014 at 11:26 pm
Okay, I have to call BS on this one. These are supposed to be “showstoppers” and the axis 1 putters are a joke. I would be willing to bet that if they weren’t a golfwrx sponsor they never would have made this post. You cannot tell me for one second that there wasn’t something better to cover than those hideous things. Sorry to vent a little but that is a lame sponsor plug…nothing more, nothing less.
Phil Long
Jan 25, 2014 at 1:22 pm
A joke? Lol!
I usually don’t respond to posts like this but I will.
Tell you what….please shoot me an email and next time I am in your area, I will personally meet you and let you roll the putters. You can even bring yours too and we can do some testing. I’m confident enough in our product to do so. Doubt I will hear from you but hope I do.
Thanks,
Phil Long
Vice President
Axis1 Golf
PhilLong@axis1golf.com
Really!?!?!
Jan 26, 2014 at 11:23 am
The gauntlet has been thrown and I gladly accept the challenge Mr. Long. I shot you an email, I look forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely, Joel
Phil Long
Jan 26, 2014 at 12:39 pm
Joel,
Thanks for reaching out!! I hit you back.
Thanks,
Phil
Michael K
Jan 26, 2014 at 12:34 pm
Mr. Long….I live in Maryland and would love to try one of your putters if you are ever in the area…I also play at Andrews Air Force Base and you are welcome to be my guest. r/Mike
Phil Long
Jan 26, 2014 at 12:41 pm
Michael,
Thanks for the offer. Would love to. I know its 5 months away but I am coming up for the AT&T National. We could get together then if not before. Shoot me an email!!
Thanks,
Phil
Mike
Jan 26, 2014 at 4:08 pm
Who cares if they roll the ball better. Those things are hideous and after a month of playing it, you’ll go back to trusty. Bottom line is that confidence starts by looking down at something that is pleasing to the eye. Not that thing. Just saying.
Charlie
Jan 30, 2014 at 12:25 pm
Seriously? what one person deems hideous another thinks is the perfect look.
There are a million different putter designs. You go find one that you think is pretty, meanwhile I’ll find one that best rolls the ball in the cup.
Charlie
Jan 30, 2014 at 12:28 pm
What a lame post from someone who has never seen an Axis in person let alone actually tried one out. The Odyssey Sabertooth was pretty hideous until people realized how good of a putter it is.
I’ll bet you’re the type who discounts a putter until a pga player wins with it, then you rush out to buy.
JCorona
Jan 24, 2014 at 9:47 am
My name is Joey C…. would I be a narcissist if I got that putter??? That being said, how can I NOT buy a putting that is actually named after me…. then again, I don’t drink Corona beer….
JCorona
Jan 24, 2014 at 9:48 am
*putter
Homer Simpson
Jan 24, 2014 at 7:05 am
Booth girl showdown! Booth girl showdown! Booth girl showdown!
Christopher
Jan 24, 2014 at 10:26 am
Yes! My Spidey-sense is tingling …
nik
Jan 24, 2014 at 12:06 pm
Yeah! Then we all can be 14 again!!!!!