The 5 Most Iconic Drivers Of The MyGolfSpy Era (According to Me)
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The 5 Most Iconic Drivers Of The MyGolfSpy Era (According to Me)

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The 5 Most Iconic Drivers Of The MyGolfSpy Era (According to Me)

At MyGolfSpy, we see and test a ridiculous amount of golf gear. It’s easy for things to get lost in the shuffle—hell, most of them do. We try damn near everything, but remember… really remember… almost nothing. But every once in a while, a club sticks. Not necessarily a Most Wanted winner. Maybe not even a top performer. Just a club that, despite the churn-and-burn life of a gear junkie, stays in the workbench drawer because you never know.

Even as technology has advanced—sometimes by more than a decade—these are the ones I’ve kept around (four of the five, anyway). And deep down, despite knowing better, a little part of me still believes that maybe, just maybe, I’ll put one of them back in the bag some day.

Before we get started …

This is my list. If you asked anyone else at MyGolfSpy (and maybe we should), their list of the most iconic drivers of the MyGolfSpy Era would probably look different. Frankly, my brain short-circuits at the thought of what my colleague John Barba might include (something absurd, no doubt).

With that out of the way, let’s get to it.

Adams 9064 LS

the Adams 9064LS was Adams' last great design

It’s hard to believe it’s been almost 15 years since we tested the Adams 9064 LS and, honestly, it’s probably the first driver I ever truly fell for at MyGolfSpy. If I wanted to make a case for it being ahead of its time as a low-spin, aerodynamic design, I absolutely could. Whether that’s true or just me being nostalgic, I don’t really care.

For my money, the 9064 LS was the last great Adams driver.

😢 Insert sad violin music

COBRA KING LTD (the original one)

Cobra KING LTD was ahead of its time

For sure, the original COBRA KING LTD had some gimmicky elements. Chief among them: the removable “Space Port,” a literal porthole that let you see the inside of the driver. If you had the special tool (of course you needed a special tool), you could unscrew it and find what I can only describe as driver hieroglyphics—a bunch of tiny printed technology notes on the inside of the head.

Was any of it necessary? Absolutely not. But did it help create a low-spin driver with solid MOI? Yep.

Also, fun fact: the KING LTD Pro version remains one of the lowest CG drivers ever created.

Honorable Mention: The matching 3-wood. If you know, you know.

PING G400 LST

for my money, the PING G400 LST is best PING driver EVER!!!

Pound for pound, the PING G400 LST might just be one of the best drivers ever made. It’s also the only Most Wanted winner on my list and, if memory serves, no driver has ever dominated testing quite like this one.

While I remember all the clubs on this list fondly, this is the one that was the hardest to take out of my bag. I mean, have you ever broken up with someone who’s never done anything wrong?

Sometimes, it still feels that way.

Titleist TSR3

The Titleist TSR3 might be the most popular driver in the history of Most Wanted driver testing.

The newest driver on the list, the TSR3, was the club that finally convinced me: Titleist isn’t just improving in the driver category, they’re as good as anyone.

A mid-low spin design (I guess I have a type), the TSR3 more than held its own in testing. And while looks don’t usually count for much around here, it obliterated the competition in tester rankings for looks, sound and feel.

You don’t always get the full package with a driver but when you do, it feels like winning the lottery and finding a $20 bill in your pocket on the same day.

TaylorMade SLDR C

WTF is a SLDR C?

You might be asking yourself that right now and, honestly, fair question. If you weren’t active in the MyGolfSpy Forum circa 2015, you probably missed this cult classic.

For context: Back in the day, it wasn’t uncommon for bigger brands to make retail-exclusive models for places like DICK’S Sporting Goods, kind of like how Best Buy has weirdly specific TV models you can’t find on Samsung’s website.

We’re pretty sure the SLDR C was one of those exclusives.

TaylorMade never really promoted it (there are probably some at TaylorMade who’ve never heard of it) but if you were on the MyGolfSpy Forum at the time, you might remember one guy (there’s always one) who would not shut up about the SLDR C. For what felt like months, he swore up and down that it was the greatest driver TaylorMade had ever produced.

Was he right? Who knows (probably not) but I bet it’s still in his bag.

Regardless, the SLDR C is an absolute MyGolfSpy Forum legend.

Have your say

Like I said, this is my list. What are the five drivers that stand out most to you over the last 15 years? Drop them into the comments because I’d love to hear them and I’ll probably argue with you about it.

For You

For You

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Tony Covey

Tony Covey

Tony Covey

Tony is the Editor of MyGolfSpy where his job is to bring fresh and innovative content to the site. In addition to his editorial responsibilities, he was instrumental in developing MyGolfSpy's data-driven testing methodologies and continues to sift through our data to find the insights that can help improve your game. Tony believes that golfers deserve to know what's real and what's not, and that means MyGolfSpy's equipment coverage must extend beyond the so-called facts as dictated by the same companies that created them. Most of all Tony believes in performance over hype and #PowerToThePlayer.

Tony Covey

Tony Covey

Tony Covey





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      Joe D.

      1 month ago

      Taylormade 360 TI. Game changer back in the day. First driver I noticed with significant distance increases. Older than 15 years though (20+ years ago). Anybody else remember these?

      Reply

      Jord

      1 month ago

      TM R510 TP: Of course, I had it paired with the sleek Fuji Speeder 757.

      King Cobra SS370: My first real driver, so it holds a special place.

      Titleist 905S with a Grafalloy Blue: Cracked the face twice, but still the best driver I’ve ever owned.

      Mizuno MP-001 with (yet again) a Grafalloy Blue: That thing was a beast! Saw plenty of guys gaming it on the European Tour—most hiding it under a different OEM headcover.

      Titleist TSi3: One of the best-looking drivers ever.

      Reply

      Steve P

      1 month ago

      Two of the biggest mistakes Adams made was launching the 9064LS mid season, and also launching the adjustable version (massive hosel and weak adjustability) and the 4G Ultralite driver at the same time as the 9064LS. The 9064LS did not get enough attention as a result.

      Reply

      James meagher

      1 month ago

      Tony…I do appreciate your obligatory mea culpa for my inevitable dismay at how you could arrive at such an eclectic list?? Where was your editorial credibility? But then, it is a just a list whose only merit would seem to be its encouragement to elicit outrage and a competing list.
      You gave us 2 criteria for creating the list: iconic reputation and age (1-15 years). Your readers would have benefited from at least a brief definition of what you mean by “iconic”. As to the age criterion, perhaps a waiting period would have been appropriate, like HoF consideration, let the resume age some lest we jump to praise only to prove premature. A good example of which is how quickly Callie banished its estimable Paradym series for the dubious Elyte before many owners had made all the payments for their $695 worth of yesterday’s news.
      Regardless, most will bull madly ahead with a personal definition of iconic and likely completely disregard the 15 year span.
      Of your 5 nominees only the Adam’s is deserving of consideration. The rest fall so short of my meaning if iconic, I don’t want to waste readers time with why I discarded such list fillers.
      1. Titleist 975D
      2. Callie Big Bertha
      3. Taylor Burner
      4. Bridgestone J40
      5. Ping G2 (slightly older than 15 years but any list invalid without inclusion, loaded with breakthrough innovation).

      So, there you have a worthy list I will confidently do the “dog walk” show off anytime, anywhere. Bring on the critics.

      Tony…with the hope I may still have your attention. I do like some of the site’s content but my loyalty is tested with the annoying incursion of all the pop up activity that, understanding the commercial realities notwithstanding, detracts from the quality and timeliness of the content.
      Thank you for listening.

      Reply

      C. Lederer

      1 month ago

      Most important sentence:

      … I don’t want to waste readers time…

      Reply

      Odie

      1 month ago

      Tour edge exotics tour proto – around 2008

      Reply

      Brian

      1 month ago

      Taylormade 2016 M2 8.5 degree. Need to be specific because I’m pretty this tour only model was illegal for play after it was determined the face was too hot near the toe. Some of the longest drives I ever hit was with this thing.

      Reply

      mg

      1 month ago

      I miss my 1973 Wilson x-31 persimmon driver.

      Reply

      Bag advice Man 2024

      1 month ago

      G400 Max is, among the masses, held in high esteem.

      L4V Cobra. Same

      For me 905T, Epic Flash subzero, that’s it.

      Reply

      ignorance123

      1 month ago

      I still have the Adams 9064LS hanging around — used it when I don’t want to wear down the G430 LST too much at the range.

      Reply

      The Old Pro

      1 month ago

      Cleveland Hi Bore XLS
      Ping Rapture
      Taylormade Super Quad
      and as much love as there is for the Adams 9064, I thought the Adams Superfast was just extremely solid.

      Reply

      Joe Loukota

      1 month ago

      Cobra SZ440. Might fall outside of the 15-year window, but the face was ‘hot’

      Reply

      MrHogan

      1 month ago

      TM R510 TP with the real deal 757 Speeder.

      Adams Launch Lab

      TM R7 Quad, again with the real deal 757 Speeder.

      TM M2 2016

      Callaway GBB Ruger Titanium

      Reply

      TW13

      1 month ago

      1: TM R7 was my favorite for its time.
      2: TM SLDR, 8* with tp tour shaft, played that for 8 years before switching out.
      3: Calloway big Bertha original, that was the driver coming of age.

      Reply

      Jord

      1 month ago

      – Mizuno MP-001 with a Grafalloy Blue: That thing was a beast! Saw plenty of guys gaming it on the European Tour—most hiding it under a different OEM headcover

      – TM R510 TP: Of course, I had it paired with the shiny Fuji Speeder 757.

      – King Cobra SS370: My first real driver, so it holds a special place.

      – Titleist 905S with (again) a Grafalloy Blue: Cracked the face twice, but still the best driver I’ve ever owned.

      – Titleist TSi3: Because it has the best looking shape of them all

      Reply

      HikingMike

      1 month ago

      I got my G400 LST 8.5 degree last year. Don’t think I’ll be trading it anytime soon! Need a couple spares , my precioussssss

      Reply

      One1

      1 month ago

      Killer Bee II with the Bullwhip Shaft
      Hammer X

      Reply

      John Hillard

      1 month ago

      My top 5 most important drivers
      1.) Cleveland Launcher 330 – one of the longest I’ve ever hit. The first driver I drove a Par 4 with. Slightly down hill, 311 yds.
      2.) Cleveland Monster XLS – loudest beast I ever hit. I used to put drive all my buddies with this one.
      3.) Cobra LD/F – Long and a true fairway finder. For me, the most accurate driver I’ve ever used.
      4.) Titleist 907 D2 – I still have this driver. Not the longest, not the most accurate but when my driver swing is on vacation, this driver goes in my bag.
      5.) Cleveland Launcher 460 – this club won my heart on a golfing vacation in Myrtle Beach, SC. I had always been the bomber in my golfing group of eight but when I got my rear kicked for 36 holes on two different courses in one day, I had to do something. That night I was at Martin’s Golf and Tennis Superstore and tried out this driver. Bought it and the rest of the week, reclaimed my title and shut up the hecklers! I’ll keep this one until I hit the nursing home!

      Reply

      Nigel Syer

      1 month ago

      Tony you live in a different world

      Reply

      Bill

      1 month ago

      Ping G 2 green aldila 65 gram shaft

      Reply

      Sean O'Malley

      1 month ago

      Pittsburgh Persimmon

      Reply

      Kyle

      1 month ago

      If we’re talking about the true definition of iconic, I think my list would look pretty different.
      5.Taylor Made Burner – First titanium driver by TM and one of the best marketed drivers of all time.
      4. Callaway Biggest Big Bertha – Not sure any driver in the history of the game drove an increase in usage across all major tours like this one did.
      3. TaylorMade M2 – This thing is still being sold 2nd hand and numerous pros have gone on record saying they’d still game it if they could.
      2. Nike Sq Dymo2 – This might be my bias showing, but where I grew up, every kid wanted this in their bag.
      1. Titleist 975D – Personally, I think Titleist clubs are boring but the fact Tiger bagged this for so long and through so many wins, it’s gotta be #1 icon.

      Reply

      dnett_TX

      1 month ago

      Where is the thumbs up? This is the answer. I was scrolling all the comments looking for a Big Bertha reference. It’s the definition of iconic.

      Reply

      Dr Tee

      1 month ago

      Iconic and game changing–Titleist 975 J

      Reply

      Doug Mael

      1 month ago

      Tony, I must concur with you, as I have owned four of those five drivers (all five, if you consider the standard SLDR driver to be the same as a SLDR C model), and I still own two of them (Adams and Cobra). I have tried every Ping driver since the G400 LS, and none of them were better than — most not even nearly as good as — that G400 LS, and the Adams 9064 LS is THE driver that established the long-hitting, low-spinning driver category.

      Reply

      OpMan

      1 month ago

      The original SLDR was the greatest for me. I never hit anything better, and it worked for my AoA of 8 degrees up perfectly, the low-spin design matched exactly to my needs

      Reply

      Double D

      1 month ago

      Cleveland Classic Custom and SLDR Mini Driver are two that I just can’t part with. Mini Driver still in the bag, Cleveland in the back-up set.

      Reply

      John Gilroy

      1 month ago

      I believe there is no doubt about it. The Ping isi driver was the biggest innovation ever! I can still remember people commenting they looked like a “paint can” on the end of a shaft! At the time they came out, I was hitting a Taylor Made driver that looked like a 5 wood by comparison. Been lots of innovations since but Ping had the first really oversized driver. If you still have one, get it out and hit it for old times sake, bet it still sends the ball out there!🤔😊👍.

      Reply

      Ben B

      1 month ago

      4 drivers have been stand outs for me over the last 25 years

      1. The Titleist 975D, dynamic gold S300 shafts at 43.5″. This driver combo’d with the introduction of the Pro V1 changed the game forever….period.

      2. Cleveland 460 COMP. Possible the 1st ever titanium driver with a composite crown. Absolutely hit bombs when centered. I really loved this driver.

      3. Bridgestone J40 430. When the driver game was all about 460cc, Bridgestone released this driver at 430cc and it was a doozie. Combo’d with an OG Diamana Blueboard 93x at 44″, this was a fairway finding missile launcher. This thing was like a 975D on steroids.

      4. Taylormade Qi10 core. Probably the most stable driver I have even hit. Not the longest, but off center hits are nearly as good as centered hits. There’s a reason many top tour pros a reluctant to change. Yes, they play the core “dot”, but not too different than retail.

      Reply

      The Artful Duffer

      1 month ago

      Do the fairway woods next. I want to see if I would need to direct an unhealthy amount of rage your way based on whether the Tour Edge CB4 makes your list. Nice read and trip down memory lane. And quite surprised to see Callaway miss the cut.

      Reply

      Cristián Mardones

      1 month ago

      What about the original TM M2 ? Even Rory implied he would still be using it.

      Reply

      Chris

      1 month ago

      Original Taylormade Burner (the small steel one with the steel shaft) impossible to hit but “iconic”
      Original Big Bertha was the first one that seemed to make golf feel more fun.
      Taylormade R7 Superquad with the blue shaft.
      Taylormade M series (I had an M4 but M1-M6 as a whole seem iconic).
      Ping G400 etc series (currently have a G430 LST but lumping them together as iconic seems reasonable.)

      Reply

      Jimmy J

      1 month ago

      Callaway Hawkeye (firm)

      Reply

      Chinh Le

      1 month ago

      You guys are great and I read all your emails/articles. Is there a way you can test and do the best of premium shafts? Maybe based on swing speed, weight class, etc? Thank you.

      Reply

      Jim

      1 month ago

      1990s Calloway Big Bertha War Bird was a game changer back in the day!

      Reply

      OpMan

      1 month ago

      Did MyGolfSpy exist back then too?
      LMAO

      Reply

      Matt W

      1 month ago

      Callaway Big Bertha
      Cobra Baffler
      Taylormade Superquad

      3 I remember saying wow when I first hit them.

      Reply

      Shiva Irons

      1 month ago

      I played a Macgregor MT jumbo face that was given to me. In 1973 Bert Dargie made a driver for me. I played with it til the metals came out.

      Reply

      Deacon Blues

      1 month ago

      Ping G400 MAX. I just benched it after 6 years in my bag; it’s been succeeded by the G430 MAX 10K.

      Reply

      Ralph

      1 month ago

      Thank you Tony, you made my day! I’ve had my Adams 9064 LS
      driver forever and was contemplating purchasing a newer driver. Not because I wasn’t doing well with it but thinking as a senior, the new technology would give me more distance. Your rating this Adams driver as Iconic, made me realize that I really don’t need to spend $500-$600 on a new driver as mine still does the job!

      Reply

      Ken V

      1 month ago

      I remember going to a my long time fitting for a particular driver I was sure I was going to buy. Just wanted the right shaft. After hitting many balls with my driver, he suggested this Adams Speedline. Of course I blew it off. The numbers were astounding. It was longer,
      excellent smash factor, straighter and a better launch angle. I ended up with the Speedline and played it for 2 good years.

      Reply

      Dan Sopchak

      1 month ago

      Adams XTD with Matrix Red shaft. Still as long as any.

      Reply

      Miguel Aniceto

      1 month ago

      From a mygolfspy perspective and as a mid/high handicap golfer I would say (in no particular order):
      Ping G400 Max
      Taylormade SIM2 Max
      Titleist 915 D2
      Callaway Rogue ST Max
      Cobra F9

      Reply

      ARLINDO

      1 month ago

      LOL !

      Reply

      Vince

      1 month ago

      Owned every one of the five mentioned, but for me it was the Bridgestone J33

      Reply

      Tony

      1 month ago

      R7 superquad still my favorite driver ever

      Reply

      Dr Tee

      1 month ago

      Ditto . Deep face, multiple moveable weights, a bomber ! I can even remember a single monster drive I hit with this club on the 14th at my former club, Mayfield CC in NE Ohio, setting up a birdie that put away the opponents in a member-member match play event.

      Reply

      RC

      1 month ago

      I’m pretty sure a lot of the reader favorites are much older than 15 years – but this R7 Superquad was one of my favorites, right along with the 2007 Burner that may have come out the same year. Also, the SIM 2 performance was so good – probably the last great non-carbon TaylorMade offering.

      Reply

      ARLINDO

      1 month ago

      Your favorite doesn’t mean “the best”

      Reply

      Jeff

      1 month ago

      The Taylormade RBZ Rocketballz deserves a mention as well.

      Reply

      Rich Manjoney

      1 month ago

      My all time fav was the titleist 975 J (with a graffaloy pro launch red shaft)

      Reply

      Casey

      1 month ago

      The first generation Callaway GBB Epic was……..well epic!

      Reply

      Cristián Mardones

      1 month ago

      I still play the Sub-Zero variant. No sliding weight. Just “point-and-shoot”…Love it!

      Reply

      Skye Donald

      1 month ago

      Taylor Made R11 WHITE driver was everywhere…

      Reply

      Bill F

      1 month ago

      Have a used one from Goodwill in my bag. Paid $4.99, tag still barely showing, but after nailing a drive, like to point it out.

      Reply

      Dave

      1 month ago

      For me without a doubt was the Callaway Big Bertha. I could put that thing anywhere on the fairway. It was just automatic for me.

      Reply

      Fake

      1 month ago

      I will second that solely for name recognition. Even when I was not playing golf, I knew the Big Bertha. I am confident that it was the only club I could have named.

      Reply

      Jeff

      1 month ago

      Absolutely started it all

      Reply

      Dave

      1 month ago

      Without being mean-spirited most of these drivers are irrelevant. How could any list not include the Callaway big Bertha and the r7 quad? This is like leaving Jordan and Jabbar off of basketballs five greatest.

      Reply

      RC

      1 month ago

      I think his caveat was 15 years, and that Superquad is a little older than that. HOWEVER, Wilt replaces Kareem on my list – Jordan stays (sorry Kobe)…

      Michael Wozniak

      1 month ago

      If we’re talking “of all time,” then this list is waaaaaay too recent. Gotta include a Big or Biggest Bertha in there, Taylormade Burner Bubble (ti or otherwise), the Ping G5 or Rapture, Something by MacGregor, Something by Wilson. My number one was the aforementioned G5 with the Rapture V2 a clooooooose second

      Reply

      Droppin' Strokes

      1 month ago

      The Ping G400 was the best driver I ever owned. If it wasn’t for cracking the face last season, I’d still be playing it.

      I picked up a TSR2 this offseason so we’ll see how she holds up compared when the season gets going here

      Reply

      ARLINDO

      1 month ago

      This driver was the best… for you !

      Reply

      Lou Caracappa

      1 month ago

      The standard SLDR was the worst driver I have ever had. Could not keep it in the short grass. Even cut the shaft down and it didnt help. Replaced it with 2007 Burner. Like night and day. One of the easiest clubs to hit. My scoring improved dramatically.

      Best driver for me. Taylor Made Ti Bubble 2! Stright and long for its day back in the 90’s should never have gotten rid of it!

      Reply

      Fake

      1 month ago

      Looks like you can buy one for $20-$30 online. There’s hope!

      Reply

      Cristián Mardones

      1 month ago

      The SLDR “Mini driver” was great though

      Reply

      Doug Mael

      1 month ago

      Absolutely

      Hckymeyer

      1 month ago

      This made my day, thank you T!! ps. Don’t forget a premium shaft

      Reply

      TENBUCK

      1 month ago

      Still have my PING G400LS, I use 2 other drivers but always go back to my PING when I feel my drivers aren’t getting me anywhere…..then why don’t I stick to my PING? Maybe just trying to prove to myself that newer is better,

      Reply

      Fake

      1 month ago

      I am new to golf as an adult. Played as a kid in the 90’s and hated it, and then rediscovered in 2018 or so and haven’t looked back. I do not have the history. But I do have opinions.

      TaylorMade Sim. A family member bought one and loved it. He also managed to crack the face on it. I swung it a few times and the angle of the club face always felt weird to me. Maybe I would get used to it. Including it because, at the time, this was the most premium driver I’d ever seen in person.

      Tour Edge C524. This is the driver that replaced my dad’s old Orlimar driver and gave his game a second life in his 70’s. This is a guy who never buys himself anything. For that reason, I will value this driver. It also got me looking at Tour Edge.

      Cleveland HiBore Launcher Turbo. The first driver I ever bought for myself. I still game it. It goes well when I hit it, and sounds like crunching metal. I love it.

      Reply

      Fake

      1 month ago

      I didn’t have 5 drivers. Oops. What can you do?

      Reply

      Rob

      1 month ago

      SLDR C….It was Bobcat. Bobcat was legendary

      Reply

      John

      1 month ago

      Glad you only typed it twice, and no emojis.

      Reply

      Mike

      1 month ago

      I’ll never forget that thread… epic

      Reply

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