FEATURE STORY

WorldGolf.com's "Best of" golf equipment awards 2007: Drivers

By Kiel Christianson,
Senior Writer

We test and review a veritable pro shop of golf equipment every year, from balls to practice aids to the king of golf gear, the driver.

Nickent 3DX and 4DX drivers: Hot, long and inexpensive! A look at Feel Golf's 73-degree wedge Golf equipment news at WorldGolf.com Read Kiel Christianson's golf blog at TravelGolf.com

Here are our Best Of picks of the drivers we've played in 2007:

Most likely to cause your playing partners to ask, "What the heck is that?"

The Hippo Hex2 ($199). This 460cc black menace has six sides and more angles than most Italian sports cars. It looks more like a Cylon space ship from Battlestar Galactica than a golf club. Best of all, though, it will rocket your ball into orbit so fast, it will make your playing partners ask, "What the heck is that?" out of awe rather than incredulity.

Best driver when you absolutely, positively have to get it in the fairway

Tour Edge GeoMax ($199): The standard shaft is 44 inches, and that helps. The 5,000-plus gram-cm-squared helps even more. According to the Tour Edge folks, the MOI of the GeoMax outstrips just about every other driver on the market. We couldn't confirm that, but we were able to confirm fairway after fairway split down the middle, in return for about 10 yards less in overall distance.

The so-hot-you-can-barely-touch-it award

Nickent 4DX ($259): The basic model of this blazin'-hot stick comes with draw-biased weighting and a closed clubface. If you fight the hooks, you'll need to set up with the face open. Remember to do that, though, and you'll be rewarded with some of the longest drives you've ever hit. Part of it comes from the 46" standard shaft, but most of it comes from the super-thin clubface. Nickent also makes a "T-spec" model that is set up for a more neutral ball flight, along with an SE model, which is taking the Nationwide Tour by storm.

Best overall (especially if you're already deaf)

Nike SQ Sumo2 ($480): The highest MOI, the longest consistently straight and controllable drives, and the most obtrusive clatter. Oh well - you can't have everything. The SQ Sumo2 was the first of the square-headed drivers on the market, and the first of the breed to win a PGA Tour event (wielded by K.J. Choi). Unless you hit it, you won't believe how confident the Sumo2 can make you feel.

October 17, 2007

Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans.