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Tour Edge launches new Hot Launch 523 series drivers, woods and hybrids

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Tour Edge has today introduced their new Hot Launch 523 Series of golf clubs that will be available at retail starting November 1.

The 523 Series offers two distinct ranges, the E523 and C523. The latest additions are designed to cover both ends of the Super-Game-Improvement and Game-Improvement club categories in separate driver, fairway, and hybrid designs.

“One of the biggest reasons Hot Launch has been such a successful endeavor for us has been our ability to simplify and take custom fitting to the mainstream. Hot Launch custom fitting has increased 700% over the years and I feel we have created a space that did not exist before for budget-minded golfers to consider the custom fit process.” – Tour Edge founder and President David Glod

Retail prices will be $269.99 for both the E and C drivers, $169.99 for both E and C fairway metals and $149.99 for the E and C hybrids.

Hot Launch E523 Driver

The Extreme Game Improvement Hot Launch E523 Driver is designed to be the easiest driver to hit in the market for slower to medium swing speeds.

Here’s a rundown on the technology:

  • Houdini Sole Technology: The Houdini Sole includes an area of mass concentrated on the trailing edge of the sole of the clubhead, as well as a curved leading edge under the face. This unique and patented design allows engineers to precisely position weight in the head for an ultra-low and deep CG, optimizing launch conditions and greatly improving stability.
  • High Moment of Inertia: An extremely high MOI makes this driver an extremely stable and powerful weapon off the tee. This increased MOI will improve ball speed on miss-hits and will keep shots straighter, while the back and low CG positioning creates high-flying, powerful tee shots.
  • Ridgeback Technology: TE engineers have brought the Ridgeback Tech concept from Exotics to Hot Launch on the E523 Driver with a Ridgeback rail on the crown. The Ridgeback rail provides increased structural properties that help produce more power on across the entire face, including the extreme perimeters. The Ridgeback activation also is utilized as a unique alignment aid at address.
  • Diamond Face VFT: Diamond Face Variable Face Thickness technology is a breakthrough in face technology that features 39 different thick and thin diamond shapes or “minitrampolines” behind the face. Diamond Face VFT produces a hotter face with faster ball speeds and better performance on off-center hits, as well as reduced spin.
  • Heel Weighted/Slice-Fighting Offset Design: Offset designs are combined with a heel sole weight to provide the ultimate in slice fighting technology. The offset design of the E523 Driver added with a heel sole weight allows the face to square up at impact for straighter ball flight.
  • New Power Channel: The Power Channel on the sole of the club behind the face is new to the E523 Driver and provides a myriad of performance benefits. The Power Channel distributes weight to promote increased face flexing, amplified ball speed and less spin, as well as added forgiveness on shots struck lower on the face.
  • Ultra-Light Premium Shafts: The E523 Driver comes stock with an ultra-light UST Mamiya HL-SST graphite shaft that ranges from 49 to 65 grams depending on the flex. The UST Mamiya HL-SST shafts feature Stabilized Shaft Tech, a softer tip, and a mid-range flex. Stabilized Shaft Tech is an added cross weave that reduces ovaling for better stability during the loading and unloading of the shaft.

Hot Launch C523 Driver

This Competition Spec Hot Launch C523 Driver features a more traditional design and setup that aims to deliver maximum ball speed for medium to fast swing speeds. The Hot Launch C range is for the player seeking optimal launch and spin rates, while still enjoying the benefits of extreme ease of use, forgiveness, and accuracy.

Here’s a rundown on the technology:

  • New Sole Rail Design: The C523 driver features a new sole rail design that extends from leading edge to trailing edge. The new sole rail produces a super-low CG for high-launching shots with optimized spin rates and maximum ball speed off the face.
  • MOI-Boosting Rear Sole Weight: A back weight is strategically placed to the extreme rear of the clubhead that places more mass at the trailing edge of the clubhead. The back weight creates an extremely high MOI rating, an 8% increase over the previous iteration, and surpassing 5,000 grams per cubic centimeter squared for top in-line stability.
  • Diamond Face VFT: Diamond Face Variable Face Thickness technology is a breakthrough in face technology that features 39 different thick and thin diamond shapes or “mini-trampolines” behind the face. Diamond Face VFT produces a hotter face with faster ball speeds and better performance on off-center hits, as well as reduced spin.
  • Larger Power Channel: The Power Channel on the sole of the club behind the club face is strategically deeper and wider in the C523 design. The 85% larger Power Channel featured on the C523 Driver distributes weight to promote increased face flexing, amplified ball speed and less spin, as well as added forgiveness on shots struck lower on the face.
  • 360-degree Cup Face Design: The premium 6-4 Titanium head features a deep 360-degree Cup Face design. Cup Face construction increases the amount of face flexing on off- center hits to achieve higher ball speeds and creates a more solid feel.
  • Ultra-Light Premium Shafts: The C523 Driver comes stock with an ultra-light UST Mamiya HL-SST graphite shaft that ranges from 45 to 60 grams depending on the flex. The UST Mamiya HL-SST shafts feature Stabilized Shaft Tech, a softer tip, and a mid-range flex.

Hot Launch E523 Fairway Metal

The Extreme Game Improvement Hot Launch E523 Fairway Metal is designed to produce higher-flying shots with extreme accuracy.

Here’s a rundown of the technology:

  • Houdini Sole Technology: The raised steel mass area of the Houdini Sole at the rear of the clubhead reduces the amount of sole area to reduce drag and turf interaction. The Houdini Sole design element has proven to be one of the most effective technologies at getting balls out of tough lies by reducing turf interaction by 35%.
  • Super-Shallow Face Design: The super-shallow Cup Face designs in the Hot Launch E metals are designed for extreme playability and high-flying launch characteristics. These shallow faces produce higher launch angles and extreme ease of launch with extreme forgiveness.
  • Diamond Face VFT: 39 different thick and thin diamond shapes or “minitrampolines” behind the face that produce a hotter face with faster ball speeds and better performance on off-center hits.
  • Heel Weighted Slice: Fighting Offset Design: The offset design of the E523 Fairway added with a heel sole weight allows the face to square up at impact for straighter ball flight.
  • Ultra-Light Premium Shafts: The E523 Fairway comes stock with an ultra-light UST Mamiya HL-SST graphite shaft that ranges from 49 to 65 grams depending on the flex.

Hot Launch C523 Fairway Metal

This 17-4 stainless steel Competition Spec Hot Launch C523 Fairway Metal features a classic design and setup for the player seeking optimal launch and spin rates, while still enjoying the benefits of extreme forgiveness.

Here’s a rundown on the technology:

  • New Sole Rail Design: The C523 fairway features a new sole rail design that extends from leading edge to trailing edge. The new sole rail design produces a super-low CG for high launching shots with optimized spin rates, decreased turf interaction and maximum ball speed off the face. The rail design lowered the CG and allowed for a 42% increase in hitting area on the face of the fairway, making it easier to achieve greater power and increased forgiveness.
  • MOI-Boosting Rear Sole Weight: A back weight is strategically placed to the extreme rear of the clubhead that places more mass at the extreme trailing edge of the clubhead. The back weight creates an extremely high MOI rating, an 11% increase over the previous iteration, for top in-line stability. This weighting dramatically affects a lower and deeper CG positioning of the club for ease of launch and more forgiveness off the face at impact.
  • Diamond Face VFT: 39 different thick and thin diamond shapes or “minitrampolines” behind the face that produce a hotter face with faster ball speeds and better performance on off-center hits.
  • Larger Power Channel: The Power Channel on the sole of the club behind the club face is strategically deeper and wider in the C523 design. The 75% larger Power Channel featured on the C523 Fairway Metal distributes weight to promote increased face flexing, amplified ball speed and less spin, as well as added forgiveness on shots struck lower on the face.
  • Player Preferred Shaping: The more compact profile and deeper face of the C523 Fairway were designed with the competitive player in mind. The C523 Fairway design sits open and has a more pear-shaped traditional design that player’s look for at address.
  • Ultra-Light Premium Shafts: The C523 fairway comes stock with an ultra-light UST Mamiya HL-SST graphite shaft that ranges from 45 to 60 grams depending on the flex. shaft.

Hot Launch E523 Hybrid

The Extreme Game Improvement E523 Hybrid includes the patented Houdini Sole along with a super-shallow face, slice-fighting offset designs and heel weighting for added draw bias.

Here’s a rundown of all the technology:

  • Houdini Sole Technology: The raised steel mass area of the Houdini Sole at the rear of the clubhead reduces the amount of sole area to reduce drag and turf interaction. The Houdini Sole design element has proven to be one of the most effective technologies at getting balls out of tough lies by reducing turf interaction by 35%.
  • Larger Footprint Hybrid Design with a Super-Shallow Face Design: The super shallow face coupled with a larger footprint design in the Hot Launch E metals are designed for extreme playability and high-flying launch characteristics. These larger hybrid design with an extremely shallow face produces higher launch angles and extreme ease of launch with extreme forgiveness.
  • Diamond Face VFT: 39 different thick and thin diamond shapes or “minitrampolines” behind the face that produce a hotter face with faster ball speeds and better performance on off-center hits.
  • Heel Weighted Slice-Fighting Offset Design: The offset design of the E523 Hybrid added with a heel sole weight allows the face to square up at impact for straighter ball flight.
  • Ultra-Light Premium Shafts: The E523 Hybrid comes stock with an ultra-light UST Mamiya HL-SST graphite shaft that ranges from 49 to 65 grams depending on the flex.

Hot Launch C523 Hybrid

The Hot Launch C523 Hybrid provides an extremely high Moment of Inertia (MOI) that tightens dispersion and increases overall accuracy in a compact design. This hybrid is for the player seeking optimal launch and spin rates in a minimal offset design, while still enjoying the benefits of extreme playability.

Here’s a rundown on the technology:

  • New Sole Rail Design: A new sole rail design on all C523 metals that extends from leading edge to trailing edge. The new sole rail design produces a super-low CG for high launching shots with optimized spin rates, decreased turf interaction and maximum ball speed off the face. The rail design lowered the CG and allowed for a 36% increase in hitting area on the face of the fairway, making it easier to achieve greater power and increased forgiveness.
  • MOI-Boosting Rear Sole Weight: A back weight is strategically placed to the extreme rear of the clubhead that places more mass at the extreme trailing edge of the clubhead. The back weight creates an extremely high MOI rating, an 11% increase over the previous iteration, for top in-line stability.
  • Diamond Face VFT: 39 different thick and thin diamond shapes or “minitrampolines” behind the face that produce a hotter face with faster ball speeds and better performance on off-center hits.
  • Larger Power Channel: The Power Channel on the sole of the club behind the club face is strategically deeper and wider in the C523 design. The 90% larger Power Channel featured on the C523 Hybrid distributes weight to promote increased face flexing, amplified ball speed and less spin, as well as added forgiveness on shots struck lower on the face.
  • Player Preferred Shaping: The more compact profile and deeper face of the C523 Hybrid were designed with the competitive player in mind. The C523 Hybrid design sits open and has a more pear-shaped traditional design that player’s look for at address. This versatile hybrid will play from the tee, fairway, rough and around the green.
  • Ultra-Light Premium Shafts: The C523 hybrid comes stock with an ultra-light UST Mamiya HL-SST graphite shaft that ranges from 45 to 60 grams depending on the flex.

Gianni is the Managing Editor at GolfWRX. He can be contacted at gianni@golfwrx.com.

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BK’s Breakdowns: Cameron Young’s winning WITB, 2025 Wyndham Championship

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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

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Whats in the Bag

Peter Malnati WITB 2025 (August)

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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

Check out more in-hand photos Malnati’s clubs here.

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Equipment

GolfWRX Members Choice presented by 2nd Swing: Best driver of 2025

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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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