Can I even call my job a job?
Every day, I get to come into the world-class MyGolfSpy testing center where our simulator bays and giant PuttView putting green are filled with a constant stream of real humans testing the latest and greatest golf equipment.
I’m not very involved in the day-to-day testing efforts because I’m busy managing everything else. That said, there are three things in particular I noticed this year that I’d be remiss not to share with you.
From one average golfer to another, here are three big lessons I learned after working in a golf test facility all year.
1. The little guys deserve some love
No matter the category, this year was the year of the challenger brand. Between Tommy Armour winning the blade putter test, Wilson winning the mallet test and unknown names like Orka taking home an iron win … the little brands are making some undeniably good stuff.
In soft goods, there’s more of the same. PAYNTR had a dominant year. Forelinks Golf burst onto the scene. Sunday Golf put out some more bangers.
Whatever you do, don’t sleep on the small guys. Your bag will thank you later.
2. Ditch your blade putter ASAP
If you’re still using a blade putter, you’re losing strokes.
With the addition of PuttView to our putter testing, we’re able to assign each putter a handicap. It’s calculated using a whole bunch of data including things like make percentage, proximity to the hole (on misses) and more.
The idea was simple: attach a number to each putter so we know exactly how much better one is than another. After looking at all the data? Both Zero Torque and mallet putters are saving you 1.5 strokes over the best blade putter.
If you’re serious about dropping stokes, you should be serious about dropping your blade.
3. No one brand is best for your bag
Or, as we like to say, BYOB (be your own brand).
You and I most likely aren’t being paid by (insert brand name here) to play a full bag of their clubs.
No, Callaway didn’t win every award this year. Neither did PING, TaylorMade, Titleist … you get the idea.
If the best clubs for your game come from a multitude of brands, why are you buying every club from a single OEM? Your bag should absolutely be a mix of brands.
What are your takeaways?
After spending the year reading our stuff, what are your big equipment takeaways? I would love to hear your thoughts.
EBM
6 months ago
Read your guys and others take before every purchase. Always buy used drivers every 5 years, 2 years old. Always research ahead, then when insane opportunity comes along act upon it. Loved my 2000 Ping Isopur blade. Years ago went to local golf store on lunch hour, test drove new putters vs my Ping. Odyessy Rossie won. Went pack next week, same result. Started search for deals. 20 years later on my third Rossie.