As we wrap up Most Wanted testing season, we want to thank you all for your unwavering support. Serving golfers like you is the reason we’re so passionate about testing golf equipment. It’s the reason we get up every day and come to work.
Our job is your game and we stand behind every product that we label as a Most Wanted Winner. With that said, here is the best golf gear of 2024, based on our data-driven Most Wanted testing.
Best Drivers 2024
The 2024 Best Golf Driver test featured 37 drivers. The PING G430 Max 10K came out on top with a score of 9.8/10. The accuracy of the PING G430 Max made it the real star of the show. If a driver is not saving you strokes, it doesn’t deserve a spot in the bag. The Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond grabbed the runner-up position. It was one of the best for distance and offered a surprising amount of forgiveness.
Best Fairway Woods 2024
The Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond was the best overall fairway wood of 2024. We tested 29 fairway woods this year and the Ai Smoke Triple Diamond had such a strong combination of distance and accuracy that it came out on top. It’s the best for distance and second for accuracy. The runner-up in this year’s test was the Wilson Dynapower. This one is half the cost of most other fairway woods and has strong accuracy scores.
Best Hybrids 2024
We tested 23 hybrids as part of the Best Hybrid Golf Club testing of 2024. The hybrid with the best overall performance was the PING G430. The accuracy and forgiveness scores for the PING G430 were great. It’s the best overall hybrid for accuracy in 2024. The TaylorMade Qi10 finished second and produces a little extra distance than the PING G430.
Best Driving Irons 2024
Not every golfer puts a driving iron in their bag. However, if you do, then the PING Crossover is one you will want on your list. The PING Crossover scored 9 for accuracy, 9 for distance and 8.9 for forgiveness. Its performance across the board was incredibly consistent. The adjustability of this PING Crossover put it over the top in terms of potential for a wider range of players. The runner-up in the best driving iron test was the Titleist T-200.
Best Super Game-Improvement Irons 2024
We tested 10 super game-improvement irons and the Tommy Armour 845+ was the best overall. You may not expect the $399 price tag. We certainly didn’t.
The accuracy, distance and forgiveness scores of the 845+ were almost identical. This means you get a little bit of everything with the Tommy Armours. Forgiveness and accuracy are the two strongest categories. The runner-up in this test was the Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal HL.
Best Game-Improvement Irons 2024
The Tour Edge Exotics E723 were the best overall game-improvement irons of the 17 we tested in 2024. They earned a perfect 10 for forgiveness, something we don’t see all often. Remember that forgiveness for us is the same as consistency so these irons are about as consistent as you’ll see. Tour Edge flies under the radar but if you can learn to value the performance over the subjective appeal, you’ll like what these irons offer. The runner-up for best overall game-improvement irons is the Titleist T-350.
Best Player’s Distance Irons 2024
Of the 17 player’s distance irons we tested in 2024, the Srixon ZX5 Mk II was the best overall. If you find yourself asking, “Wasn’t this the best player’s distance iron of 2023?”, you would be right. The ZX5 Mk II offers a blend of accuracy, distance and forgiveness. Testers loved this iron and said the looks and feel were as good as the performance. The COBRA KING Forged Tec X took second place in this test.
Best Player’s Irons 2024
There were 19 player’s irons in the 2024 testing and the TaylorMade P-7MC came out as the best overall. The P-7MC’s accuracy is its greatest attribute. Testers also really like the feel and the looks, calling it a “true player’s iron.” The only negative thing about the P-7MC is its distance capability. The runner-up for this test is the PING i230 which combines accuracy, forgiveness and distance.
Best Wedges 2024
The PING s159 is the best wedge of 2024. It ranks in the top five for accuracy and consistency and claims the top spot for spin. We even tested these 26 wedges when water was present and we noticed that spin is even higher on these PING wedges when playing in wet conditions. The runner-up for best wedge of 2024 is the TaylorMade Milled Grind 4.
Best Mallet Putter 2024
This year’s putter test featured 46 models. The Bettinardi Inovai 6.0 was the best overall mallet putter of 2024. We look at putter performance from five, 10 and 20 feet. From 10 and 20 feet, the Bettinardi blows away the competition. Testers also loved the feel and sound. The runner-up was the Odyssey Tri-Hot 5K Rossie S.
Best Blade Putter 2024
With more than 18,000 putts measured and 39 putters tested, the Evnroll Neo Classic ER2 took the best overall blade putter of 2024. The ER2 is 10 percent more efficient from five feet than the next best putter. If you struggle with those knee-knockers, this is where you’ll find the help you need. Although it’s not the most accurate putter from 20 feet, the Evnroll Neo Classic ER2 still easily claimed the top spot. The runner-up is the Zebra Black Milled Series 003.
Best Rangefinder
After testing 28 rangefinders in 2024, the Bushnell Pro X3+ was the best overall. It’s great at giving you an accurate measurement and finding the target quickly and the optics are clear and uncomplicated. Bushnell likes to say, “Distance made simple.” With this Pro X3+, they certainly made it simple for golfers to get the right yardage regardless of the playing conditions. The runner-up in our rangefinder testing is the Nikon COOLSHOT PROII Stabilized.
Best Spikeless Golf Shoes
After extensive on- and off-course testing of 28 pairs of spikeless golf shoes, the ECCO LT1 is the best spikeless shoe of 2024. It’s comfortable and offers great traction and stability. It’s so comfortable that you won’t even feel like you’re wearing it. For the really serious players, the ECCO LT1 also holds up great in the rain. The runner-up for best spikeless golf shoe is the PAYNTR X 002 LE.
Best Spiked Golf Shoes
The best overall spiked golf shoe of 2024 is the adidas TOUR360 24. If you value comfort but also want a stable golf shoe, the TOUR360 has you covered. The TOUR360 has been around for a while but this new version is worth checking out. The runner-up for best spiked golf shoe was the PAYNTR X Tour Proto RS.
The best of the rest …
Are you still looking for more great golf gear? Here are some of our other winners from the best golf gear tests we conducted in 2024.
- Best Push Cart 2024: Rovis RV1S 2.0
- Best Electric Push Cart 2024: Motocaddy M7 GPS Electric Caddy
- Best Sunday Bag 2024: Vessel Sunday III
- Best Cart Bag 2024: PING DLX
- Best Stand Bag 2024: PING Hoofer
- Best Golf GPS of 2024: Garmin Approach S70
- Best Golf Glove 2024: PING Tour
- Best Golf Windbreakers: adidas Ultimate 365 Convertible Jacket
- Best Golf Vests: adidas Go-To Vest
Dan Slattery
1 month ago
Pings are great across the board. Woods, hybrids, wedges
and irons….I have 425’s and hit them all easily on the first swing. Bought new 3, 5 and 7 woods this season.