Winner! Winner!
Congratulations WestPAgolfer you’re the winner of a brand new TaylorMade AeroBurner Mini Driver. Check your email.
Written By: Tony Covey
Last year when TaylorMade announced the SLDR S Mini Driver, I mocked the release. I called it the club you didn’t know you need, and probably don’t. I dismissed it as a shameless TaylorMade money grab of near zero practical value to the average golfer.
Then I took it out on the golf course.
Sorry, TaylorMade. My bad.
I haven’t played a single round without it since. It is, in a word, indispensable. As a driver replacement, as a 3-wood replacement, or a combination of both, it’s a club that just works better than I ever imagined it could. And this is coming from a guy who’s never been a particular fan of fairway woods. Even as a self-confessed gearwhore I can’t even bring myself to try a different shaft in the Mini.
Why mess with a good thing?
Alone In the Category
While there are other slightly larger fairway woods on the market (Callaway’s 2-Deep and PING’s Rapture) nobody else in the industry has, to date, decided to challenge TaylorMade in the grossly oversized fairway wood market. One by one other manufacturers have told me that they don’t have any immediate plans for anything similar, and one by one I’ve rolled my eyes at all of them.
Speaking of eye rolling, now is a great time to mention that the AeroBurner Mini, like everything else AeroBurner, is #MadeOfSpeed…and also steel. Mostly steel, I think.
Maybe the grossly undersized driver market is a niche one, but it’s one I happen to love, so as we wait for the rest of the industry to make the re-imagination of the 2-wood a trend, I’m probably more excited than the average guy to check out the latest incarnation of TaylorMade’s Mini franchise.
What’s New
Other than that thing about being Made of Speed, the AeroBurner features a slightly smaller (253cc instead of 260cc) and more aerodynamic head. The AeroBurner Mini has the largest Speed Pocket of any TaylorMade metalwood, and like most everything else in TaylorMade’s metalwood arsenal has a low/forward CG for…wait for it…more speed.
The TP model, which comes stock with the new Matrix White Tie 70X4 shaft, features a flatter lie angle and a more open face. Call it fade bias, call it hook avoidence. The point is it should setup and play a bit differently than the standard model.
Performance Data to Come
We’re waiting for our Mini Driver samples to arrive. Once they do, we’re going to see if it can hold its own against my favorite club in the bag. We’ll post the Foresight launch monitor data as soon as we have it.
Win A TaylorMade AeroBurner Mini Driver
Because I think you really need to try one of these Mini Drivers for yourself (instead of dismissing it like I originally did), we’re giving one away.
To Enter:
- Leave a comment telling us if there is any brand or club that you would absolutely never play.
- If you haven’t done so already, subscribe the MyGolfSpy Newsletter (you can’t win if you’re not a subscriber).
*Sorry, Open to US Residents Only. Winner selected at random on 3/20/2015 at 8:00 PM Eastern. Void where prohibited.
Bonus Entry: Retweet the following (use the button that looks like this: ) to receive a 2nd entry in the giveaway.
Wanna win a @TaylorMadeGolf MiniDriver? GO ENTER: http://t.co/aS6GvxmYSJ #WinMe #MyGolfSpy pic.twitter.com/5cExjBD3C5
— MyGolfSpy (@MyGolfSpy) March 11, 2015
Pricing, Options, and Availability
Available at retail on March 27, the AeroBurner Mini Driver will be available in two models; standard and TP.
Available in three loft options (12°, 14° & 16°) the standard model retails for $279 and is equipped with a lightweight Matrix Speed RUL-Z 60 shaft.
Available in two lofts, (12° & 14°) The TP model retails for $349 and is equipped with Matrix’ new Ozik White Tie 70X4 shaft
Shep
7 years agoHas anyone played the AeroBurner Mini. I am really interested in this.
WestPA golfer
7 years agoSee my comments a few posts below
Johnnythunders
7 years agoI would never play Nike, hate the company for their business practices, their sponsored players both in golf and basketball and hate their clubs.
Would not play Taylormade either as their quality control is horrible. There marketing and their business practices are bad.
I would play anyone else.
WestPA golfer
7 years agoThank you Tony for being so prompt at notifying me that I was the winner of the Aeroburner mini driver. I have had my eye on the Mini SLDRs since they came out and was waiting for the price to decline before jumping in. Imagine my surprise when I received the e-mail from Tony. I should receive the mini sometime this coming week, and look forward to seeing how it performs. My current drivers are shortened and re-weighted, because a 45+ to 46′ driver is just way too long, and most fitters agree that the “average” golfer would do much better with a shorter, properly swing weighted driver, along with a little more loft. A number of the top PGA stars have 44″ and shorter drivers and are still plenty long down the fairway.
Anyway, as soon as I receive it, and hopefully the temperature is above freezing in Western PA, I will clue everyone in to my impressions. Thanks again to mygolfspy.
Al
7 years agoYour comment “Hard to like Callaway because of their treatment of Ben Hogan brand” was the winner of this contest?
WestPA golfer
7 years agoI have no idea how the winner was determined. Perhaps it was a random draw from all who entered. Whatever, it works for me.
WestPAGolfer
7 years agoThis response is quite tardy, but with business and horrible weather most of the summer until the last few weeks, I have not given the the Mini Driver a fair workout. Right now, the Mini Driver is in my bag and my normal driver is not. After experimenting with using both, I have found greater consistency of finding the fairway and pretty much the same distance as the driver. It has taken a little time to figure out what height to tee the ball, but have mastered that. Not much success from the fairway, but then again my longest club from the fairway is normally the 5 wood, so no loss there. I was in a scramble at an outing and had the opportunity to set the ball up on the grass in the rough and hit an unbelievable second shot on a par 5. From the tighter fairway grass, not so good. For those who struggle with the driver, the mini may be a solution for you. If you have trouble with right or left, or maybe have a more downward angle of attack, give it a try.
Jeff Tollefsen
7 years agoWont play Nike clubs – cant get over the Tiger thing
Kris
7 years agoI would never play anything I saw in an infomercial. Other than that, I’d play anything that fit. I think I have played just about every major brand at some point. Currently, I have a Nike driver & 3 wood, Taylormade hybrid & irons, Mizuno & Titleist wedges, and a Taylormade putter.
Tony Covey
7 years agoWinner announced. Congratulations WestPAgolfer.
Javitti
7 years agoFor whatever reason never been interested in Callaway… nor Adams.
Also have some sort of bias against Cobra though the Bio Cell+ piqued my curiosity.
I also am kind of weary of Nike equip…
AND certainly not interested in Top Flight, Wilson, Dunlop, etc.
BOB
7 years agoDid anyone win?
JFShu
7 years agoI’d play any brand if it worked well, but if I had to choose, I’d say Top Flite balls or Wilson clubs.
Douglas Alger
7 years agoNever buy a 2, 3, or 4 iron, never buy a forged set of irons designed for professionals. Golf is not that difficult a game if you have the right equipment and play the right set of tees for your game.
BOB
7 years agoIs there a winner?
Brian
7 years agoI can honestly say that there isn’t a club I would ever say I won’t play it. If it was a knockoff, fake product and it out performed what I’m using I would bag it no question. That being said there are certain balls I can’t use. Cannot use a low end distance ball. Totally messes with my mind. Top flite gamer is about as low as ill go and actually use.
Duncan Jaenicke
7 years agoI detest the Nike approach–they seem to rely on Calif styling alone and the arrogance that they have Tiger in their pocket. Even now w/ El Tigre [Espanol] having hit his top, and is near retiring from competition, they still don’t get it. Their clubs depend on color (neon green???) not solid golf technology, like, say, Taylor Made’s clubs do. What’s w/ their product-line title, “Vapor” — what’s that supposed to suggest, e-digs or a cloud of marijuana smoke or what??? I used to live in Calif (and in Oregon, home of Nike) so I recognize their arrogance (I lived in Chicago during Michael Jordan’s heyday, and that was an earlier version of their golf line’s arrogance. But in basketball, there’s hardly much emphasis on equipment, but still them pricing their Air Jordans so high–back in the 1990s) shows you their chief skill is arrogance.
Hope I win the Aero Burner Mini-Driver. There are plenty of teeing-off fairway situations that are narrow enough where I play to warrant teeing off w/ 3-wood, but my 3-wood’s head is so small I would welcome the 253-cc head of this club. (My 3-wood is an Adams and so it’s a dream to hit off the deck with, but the head is small (a legacy of their rescue clubs, a category Adams practically invented) and so it’s kind of hard to hit off a tee w/ a full swing.)
David
7 years agoI’ll play anything that works but when I go test equipment Nike hardly ever gets picked.
Neil
7 years agoNike drivers and I just do not get along. I give them a try every now and then, but the numbers and results just aren’t there.
Tom
7 years agoi would never use Mizuno clubs based on personal experience. I know Luke Donald is a fan but I am not.
Hankthetank
7 years agoI would never play a callaway club, ive tried them out and have never found anything that feels right for me.
Don Stinespring
7 years agoI’d try anything if it worked and was conforming
SVonhof
7 years agoI would never play Muira. Just too expensive for my blood.
honza cervenka
7 years agoI would absolutely never play those new grinds on the nike wedges. With the massibe toe bulge and cut away at the heel. No sir, not for me.
ErNali
7 years agoCobra Drivers do not seem to work for me.
Eric
7 years agoI would never play Callaway. Don’t know why, but every club I have tried from them just did not work at all for me.
Sunny
7 years agoProbably anything from Ram, I always see broken Ram clubs in the trash on ranges.
ryan
7 years agoI will never play Williams Golf because I will never be able to afford it 🙂
Chris Romanowski
7 years agoI’d never thought I’d play or want to play TaylorMade or a mini driver until reading this article…I’m seriously intrigued. I would love the chance to have one to try.
Drew
7 years agoI would never play Nike. I have nothing against the brand per say. Love their clothes. Their clubs just seems to underperform from most testers I’ve seen online as well as my own trial of their clubs.
My swing always seems to have a preference for Taylormade and Callaway
Jonathan
7 years agoI’ve always said I’ll never play (read buy) any TM equipment, so a free driver would definitely give me the opportunity to change that mindset.
Travis
7 years agoIf I HAD to point the finger at a company, it would be Taylormade. I would never buy a new release TM product because it will be worth half in a month. Not that their products are not well made…just hate to spend $400 and a few weeks later the same driver on sale for $199.
steve
7 years agoI would never play a long putter, any over-sized forgiveness irons and after a trial period, never play the ‘popular’ Adams hybrids (it’s a sound and feel thingy).
For years I’ve been using a 3-wood on many t-shots every round and own most courses (5-6 holes a round, maybe more). More control, comfort and confidence which results, often, in driver-like distance. I’m now looking into the the 2-wood, mini-driver options for mostly t-shots.
We’ll see 🙂
Tad
7 years agoI would never play a Top Flite club. The reason, I work for dicks sporting goods and when Callaway owned the brand it was a good brand. then dicks bought the brand and made all the stuff really cheep. The equipment is no good.
Brian
7 years agoI would never play a right handed club from any company. The reason is that I’m left handed. I love trying new gear and most demo days I go to the majority of the clubs there are right handed. Nothing worse the reading about a new club, go the demo, and finding they don’t have a left handed model. Taylor Made, to their credit, does a great job of stocking both right/left handed models.
Eddie
7 years agoFor reasons unknown, Ping just never seems to work well for me. Just has a feel that isn’t right for my swing. I still try them from time to time, but so far limited results.
Greg
7 years agoI’m not a fan of Dunlap. I would also shy away from a 1 iron.
Golfwhiler
7 years agoIf it can be fit, I’ll try it. Then, if it is better substantially performing than my current equipment, I’ll consider bagging it. Golf is hard enough. Why make it harder by excluding a company for “off the course” reasons if they make a club that could make my score card lower?
Chris Sosenko
7 years agoAnything from “Warrior”
Noel Daof
7 years agoNike. I Can’t get over their looks. Titleist. Just can’t hit their drivers.
Paul
7 years agoI play Callaway X2 Hot 2 Deep and never would play a Taylor Made Driver/Wood
Joe O'Keefe
7 years agoI don’t think I would ever play with Zevo. I bought two complete sets for my boys when they were first starting. I learned a big lesson – while I justified only spending a little to get the complete set (bag, woods, irons, and putter), I think I hurt their development. After heads were randomly flying off the shafts, they were scared and then embarrassed. I upgraded them promptly thereafter.
thomas
7 years agoCbues…i heard that on the LH issue. I go to demo days and often leave disappointed that even there I can’t even try much of anything, can never use a launch monitor etc.
However, Ping S55 irons are forged and available LH.
Brad
7 years agoGiven the the sales tactics of Callaway, plus a horror story from our local retailer about dealing with Callaway from his perspective, I will not play their clubs any longer.
Scott-D
7 years agoI would never play Titleist. The brand just dose not Appeal to me. Now my son is trying out for the highschool golf team next year. It took me awhile to save up but I bought him a new set of RSI1. So he can practice all summer. The aero burner would be a perfect fit for his new set of irons. Thanks
Jimberley
7 years agoApparently, my mind is opening more the older I get. Brands I used to hold in disdain have found their way into my bag of late, so if it’s a “real” brand (I do not include Warrior in this category for example), I will certainly give it a fair shake.
Would love to see what all the hubbub with these mini drivers is all about first hand!
Landis Boyer
7 years agoIf you could see what my “golf room” looks like you would know there is NO club manufactured now or in the future that I would not try. Starting with over 15 drivers, 4 bags, and moving down to 4 sets of irons, I have everything I would need to start a well equipped used golf equipment outlet.
Fritz Flokstra
7 years agoI think I would use most anything if it helped. I was going to say Nike but I still have some Tour One balls.
I like the concept of the mini driver. I tried an SLDR Mini Driver and this new one may be worth a try. For some reason, I like white clubs.
John Handegard
7 years agoI do not like Warrior clubs or the way they market their product. Other than that I am willing to test or demo any other major brand. Having on open mind when testing helps a lot when it comes time to make that big decision about buying.
cbues
7 years agoBeing left handed there are a lot of brands that I can’t play.
But if I had to pick one it would be Ping because I prefer forged irons.
Connor Miele
7 years agoI have tried to move away from Taylormade because of their over-releasing of clubs throughout a calendar year, and the horrid trade-in value the clubs receive no more than six months after purchase. Taylor is increasingly becoming a “no buy brand” for me.
I’m a D2 college player who can buy Titleist clubs at discount costs, but Titleist is yet to release a 2-wood, and I feel skeptical about the idea. With that said, the AeroBurner Mini is very interesting to me. All your pictures of it catch my eye…
Would love to have a lefty model of one!
Jared
7 years agoIf it’s FREE, it’s ME! lol
Caleb
7 years agoI would’ve said Callaway, because they came out with 8 drivers last year and I thought that was odd. But I did just buy a works putter.
I would have to say I would never play Nike golf equipment because frankly I don’t like Tiger.
Dwayne
7 years agoNike, for sure.
On the other hand, if I can get free Nike stuff, why not? I have no shame.
If I win that AeroBurner I promise to sit up straight and eat all of my vegetables.
Chris mcmaster
7 years agoI would not play cleveland clubs. Exception given to the wedges. And apparently not the only one. Do they even make irons anymore!?
DeanLuvs18
7 years agoI have to say my biggest visceral negative reaction to a brand is probably Nike.
I’ve tried Wilson irons and hit them pretty well. Callaway, Ping, the same thing.
No beef equipment wise with Taylormade, in fact that’s the brand I kind of tend to gravitate toward, along with Ping.
I have to admit, though, I am very anxious to try either a SLDR mini or that new Aeroburner mini!
RoverRick
7 years agoWell, at one time I would have said I would never have Taylormade in my bag again, however, currently, I currently have driver, 3w, and 2 TMag hybrids in my Taylormade bag.
But I do not think I could bring myself to play Wilson clubs.
Britton Davis
7 years agoI would probably never play Wilson irons.
Steve
7 years agoThe only brand I would not play is Cobra. I can’t bring myself to play a brand that focuses on being the loud guy in the room. If orange isn’t loud…I don’t know what is. I could never play a 5, 7 , 9 , 11 wood etc. They make hybrids for that.
Chris Dixon
7 years agoI will play anything that performs well for me so there’s not a brand out there that I won’t play. As far as clubs go, I will never play a 2 iron as long as companies are making 2 hybrids and 5 woods.
Ben
7 years agoNike, I won’t ever own a Nike anything. I don’t own 1 single Nike object of any type and never will. All because of Tiger, I don’t agree with most anything he does as a person. They pay millions of dollars to get you to play or buy their stuff because of Tiger and for me it is the one thing that keeps me away. Kind of ironic! I will say as he struggles and shows a more humbled side and becomes more of a family man father, I have softened on him some.
Matt W
7 years agoThere’s no one company I would totally avoid, but those “complete sets” with the bag and everything are garbage
don guise
7 years agoI am a golf nut and will try any brand and every type of club. No biases or prejudices.
Eidolon
7 years agoNever play Callaway because of how the early stockholders were treated and never ever Nike because of there biz model of selling overpriced sneakers to kids who could not afford them.
Tom
7 years agoVery simple. If I hit it better than what I am playing, I will use it!
Doc
7 years agoTried one in January when being fitted for new irons and loved it but went for an extra wedge instead. I would not carry any Callaway woods, can’t seem to hit them while I hit their irons just fine. The opposite is true for Taylormade, won’t use their irons while I love the woods.
Cyril Gleiman
7 years agoMaruman…just can’t get past the price tags.
Tom Duckworth
7 years agoI would never play with Northwestern clubs I see in thrift store bins……….just saying.
I’ll try out anything that looks good to me and is not some kind of gimmick. It would be interesting to try out a mini driver. I really like my 3 wood of the deck and not so much off a tee and too many times I’ve sent my driver through a tight dogleg and into the rough and by the way tell those guys that don’t like Wilson to just stop it!
Sean
7 years agoI would never play any Dunlop clubs!!! Its a £15 club, it just isnt gunna work is it!
andrew
7 years agoi realize these can help ALL of us- even Phil, but i could just never put a chipper in the bag.
James
7 years agoI’m not a big fan of Callaway products, just don’t work for me. That said, I did have an X-Hot 3 Deep in my bag as I struggled to find fairways with my driver. Would absolutely try the mini driver, love the concept.
Craig
7 years agoI would never buy a club that has an adjustable adapter. All the reports are totally false or misleading. Every driver that has adjustable technology is a train wreck waiting to happen. All of these drivers sit at factory specs at 2* open. What chance has a slicer got with this sort of crappy modern technology. Just don’t trust them as far as I could throw them.
Jo Russell
7 years agoI don’t care for Adams equipment.
Jayn Russell
7 years agoI wouldn’t play Warrior clubs. They seem very pushy.
Caleb Stodden
7 years agoI’d never play anything from Cobra. Too flashy and not enough proof of performance to me
Ed
7 years agoI have played well with cheaper clubs and played horribly with expensive ones. I think that a club can matter but it’s more on form and execution.
Mike B.
7 years agoI don’t dislike any brand and am not prone to only using one. Have tried many and I am often very happy with something that I did not think would be right for me.
Chris
7 years agoI’ll play any brand as long as it performs and isn’t outrageously priced.
David ambrose
7 years agoI would probably not play any clubs from Callaway. They just never look good to my eye.
I’d probably never play that Odyssey hockey stick putter from Gappy Gilmore…who am I kidding, I’d totally try it! LOL!
justin mulea
7 years agoi would be willing to put any club in my bag if its gonna increase my percentages of improvement, unfortunately 90% of the time its not the arrow
mark Dwyre
7 years agoAero mini to get me to the green in 2. #winme #mygolfspy
Matt Wiseley
7 years agoWill never play parsons.
The new Nike driver has been 15 yards or more shorter than other new drivers.
Would love to win the aero mini.
SirShives
7 years agoI am quite certain I will never play that Parsons Extreme golf stuff. I’d rather spend my money actually playing golf than buying outrageously expensive equipment.
mark Dwyre
7 years agoExotics, won’t pay the ridiculous price to play ANY of their clibs. I have swung on a simulator and my 2008 Tour Burners still beat their new clubs.
Jeff Dugan
7 years agoI will not pick up anything to do with Nike and especially their golf Equipment as all they have is Brand recognition and terrible quality equipment.
Adam Landry
7 years agoNike would be he brand i wouldn’t play. Too overpriced for what you get.
james
7 years agoAdams
Ron
7 years agoI prefer a 3 wood for control and position outside of the Par 5’s
Marshall
7 years agoI would never play Honma golf clubs, but only because I will probably never be able to afford clubs that cost $5,400.00 apiece. That comes out to $75,600 for their set of 24-karat gold-plated and Pt1000 platinum clubs.
Brad
7 years agoCallaway. Never ever.
Marshall
7 years agoHonma golf clubs, but only because I will probably never be able to afford clubs that cost $5, 400.00 apiece. That comes out to $75,600 for their set of24-karat gold-plating and Pt1000 platinum clubs.
Michael
7 years agoI would not play Cleveland brand. Don’t think k their drivers or irons are as in the now as others.
Kenny
7 years agoDoes anyone knows the weight of Mini SLDR head only?
Kenny
7 years agoDoes anyone knows the weight of the SLDR head only?
Jim
7 years agoGood to go maybe
Steven Seligman
7 years agoI would never put a long iron back into my bag, 4 or lower
Robert
7 years agoWill never play a Nike cavity back driver, could only hit slices, but hit straight or draws with my TM driver.
glennithy
7 years agoProbably wouldn’t use Wilson.
jpcgolf
7 years agoI will never play mizuno blades because I can’t.
FrugalGolfer
7 years agoPlayed a lot of clubs over the years from Dunlop to Titliest B33’s to Cleveland VAS and any other exotic club deemed to improve my game. I’d play any brand that wouldn’t cost me an arm & a leg. The product or brand that I avoided was the Warrior brand due to their business tactics.
Nelson
7 years agoI have tried almost all brands over the years. The one I found to be the worst is Cleveland. The irons I demoed were much shorter and no more accurate than my current set. Woods were just to light for me.
Jon Rygh
7 years agoNever say never, but I would probably never buy titleist clubs. I would not play hippo.
Don
7 years agoNike is one brand I would not try.They make there irons longer than standard and me having a short stature does not help.
Tom Bennert
7 years agoI play anything that works. I still am using clubs that I have assembled from component sellers and have no problem with them. Unfortunately these type of businesses are becoming more and more rare and thus harder to get good quality components.
Tom
7 years agoI’m pretty open minded when it comes to trying new clubs. With that said, I have yet to find a Nike driver, fairway metal or iron set that performed for me and thus they are not in my bag!
Jason Carmichael
7 years agoI’ll play whatever works.
Scott king
7 years agoI will probably never play Miura it makes me a little sad but if I were to have some they could only be brand new and dirtied and customized for me.
BJP
7 years agoThe trend to non-OEM clubs when discussion boards on the internet first started led me to Bang! golf. I had 3-wood that was okay but all other offerings, including mulitple drivers and hybrids were very inconsistent in performance. I would not go back to them.
The idea of resurrecting the tour spoon as a mini-driver with updated technology seems great. I looking forward to trying one.
Gary
7 years agoI won’t play with a Cobra Drive. I h just don’t like the feel.
Thomas
7 years agoInteresting to see the number of non-Nike comments. Nike is a polarizing brand and they have certainly done a lot of strange things: Squatch. And have kind of a dual personality: sporting good big box and pro-shop. They seem to buy there way more into big box than into the country club/gold school scene though.
One comment was couldn’t go with them because “they have their hands in everything sports” from someone that plays TMag…that is Adidas…they have their hand in everything. And the majority of them are all in titanium valley just north of san diego. It is a funny industry. Titleist is now part of Fila. So anyone “big” is either owned by a sports/fashion conglomerate or an aisian rubber/manufacturing conglomerate. You can see on tour that virtually any club brand of “note” being put to use and working…indian/arrow thing. The only reason I wouldn’t use a product is going to be a) doesn’t appeal to my eye, b) doesn’t perform c) poor quality. The flip side is what do I buy: clubs that appeal to my eye, perform, let me hit the shots I want and sound and feel “right” and generally which can be “tuned” to me.
Tracey Farrish
7 years agoThe only club I wouldn’t buy is one I didn’t try first. With all the options available I can get close but it’s too difficult for me to figure out. My geeky side needs My Golf Spy’s objectivity and testing results to decide which clubs to even try. That said, I’ll play anything that allows me to play MY best game.
Bobby Davis
7 years agoNike is the brand that I don’t think I would ever play tried it one time and the QC sucked none of the irons were even close to being standard.
John Marsh
7 years agoThe Parson – I wouldn’t have the patience to doctor up the proper fit
Regis
7 years agoMy basement is testimony to the fact that there is no brand that I would not play. I do my own club work so switching out shafts is given. I currently play all TM SLDR with the exception of my hybrids (Tour Edge) and wedges (Mizuno). My problem club has always been my 3 wood (must be adjustable to be considered) although the 5 wood is my favorite. So the mini-driver fascinates me (to replace the 3 wood) and I would use it off the tee and off the deck but only off of a decent lie. TMAG introduced the Rescue (hybrid) and it could well be that the mini-driver becomes the new staple in a lot of player’s bags.
Don Collister
7 years agoI currently have the original version of the mini-driver and too, swear by it. I had the hooks bad and the large sized heads on the current drivers just made it worse – in my head. Can’t wait to get my hands on this. It should be easier to hit out of the fairway than the current version.
Fred Ulmer
7 years agoClub I would never play is probably a Nike Drive I hate to look down and see the swoosh that they put on the head of the drivers. Annoys me to no end.
Kevin
7 years agoI will play whatever works the best… that being said I have never played anything from Wilson although a set of irons were really close to going in my bag last year.
Robert
7 years agohmmmmm, come to think of it I saw an add on FB for Erge Smart Golf. Looks very odd. Any thoughts or comments would be helpful
Robert
7 years agoI stopped drinking the kool aide the big boys were pushing years ago.
Robert
7 years agoI’ll play whatever works.
George Obsince
7 years agoI would never play Callaway clubs. Tried 2 drivers over the years, impact feels too hard.
Bill Connors
7 years agoNever could hit or swing Ping clubs in the 70′ and 80’s. Just didn’t like the looks of them (especially the irons). They’ve changed, but the bias stands and I won’t even consider them when searching for the ‘next best thing’.
Jordan
7 years agoFor some reason I have never been a big fan of Mizuno. I know they are known for incredible forged irons but I just have never enjoyed hitting them.
Jay
7 years agoi don’t believe I would ever want to play Adams golf equip..just never been a fan of them..they remind me of a starter kit to golf brand..hate I have to say anything negative about anything golf..but just could care less about Adams Golf!
Pops
7 years agoCan’t play Cobra. The colors don’t fit my eyes. I’m 61 and kind of stubborn.
Ken
7 years agoI will hit almost anything but for some reason I like nothing by Wilson. For some reason i get a “cheap” vibe from their stuff.
Jim
7 years agoNo problem trying any thing once.
Scott Young
7 years agoI think I would consider playing any brand that fits my swing. With that being said, the brands I am least likely to try would be the Srixon clubs and potentially Adams. I was a big fan of the Adams Fast 12LS, but haven’t been too fond of the releases after that one.
I have been jonesin’ for a Mini Driver since trying the SLDR version, but haven’t been able to talk myself into pulling the trigger yet
Tom
7 years agoNever buy from Odyssey because a number of years ago I bought one of their
putters with the assurance of their regional sales rep that I would receive a hat
autographed by Phil. Even though the manager of my local Golf Galaxy was
aware of the promise Odyssey refused to ever honor the committment.
John
7 years agoI’ve never been a fanboy or homer for any brand in particular. My favorite irons I’ve ever used were my Adams Idea Pro Golds. But I’ve recently purchased my first set of Mizuno irons and am very excited. For drivers, personally, I’ve always felt the most confident with TM drivers. Sure they release one for every day of the week, but you just pick the one that works for you and go. I did have a Ping G15, though, that I loved and gamed for close to five years before going Jetspeed and SLDR. Never tried a Mini Driver, but I enjoy shorter shafted, smaller headed drivers, so this could be the holy grail for me.
Richard
7 years agoThe Hammer-never waste any money on that thing!
Glenn Bowers
7 years agoI will play anything that works well and feels good. That being said, I will not game any Warrior “custom” golf clubs. My stepfather got sucked in by them once and we had a hard time getting his money back.
WILLIAM WILLIAMS
7 years agoI would never invest in any Nike Golf products !
Their sound and feel are not attuned to my senses .
and for such a large worldwide company …..technology is behind the time !!
james c.
7 years agoI will play any brand or club if it plays better than current clubs.
WestPAgolfer
7 years agoHard to like Callaway because of their treatment of Ben Hogan brand.
Robert Summers
7 years agoThere is not a club now-a-days that I would not try or use. The technology behind most clubs is very similar. I tried the TM Aeroburner 3 wood and loved it. It hit straight and was very consistant. I believer that TM might be onto something with this new Mini-Driver, this could be the cure for those with driver slices, hooks and inconsistancy.
Robert Summers
jeff
7 years agoNike = Tiger = low life
Howard
7 years agoCobra. Too much offset.
Tj
7 years agoDo not care for Callaway drivers, would not use.
Jason
7 years agoAny Nike wood. I’ve tried to be nice and try try them out. They just don’t seem to measure up. Maybe I’m just mental but I’ve hit the last few offering and don’t care for them. So I won’t be bagging them anytime soon.
Dave C
7 years agoI won’t play Nike, just on principle.
Ken schickman
7 years agoAdams
Aaron Uribe
7 years agoI don’t know if there is any brand I wouldn’t try. Probably wouldn’t think about buying several, but if I was able to give it a meaningful try I may have my head turned.
I don’t know that I would ever play a high iron again. I used to use a 2-iron, but now with hybrids, why bother?
Tj
7 years agoWould never put a Callaway or Cleveland product in bag.
Daniel Christian
7 years agoNever will play generic full sets from Target or Walmart. I don’t remember the brand name, but I don’t care. Although the Macgregor sets from Golfsmith are good enough..
Bob B.
7 years agoNever NIKE…I’ve never liked their image, their golf balls, nor Tiger (great golfer; bad attitude….he’s always been that way…but, Rory’s terrific!) Everyone, try Mizuno forged irons. Like butter! There are models for every level of golfer.
Wayne Ignatowski
7 years agoNIKE! As long as Tiger Wood’s is associated with NIKE I will never play their clubs!
Tj
7 years agoHave never been a fan of Wilson. Would not put a Wilson product in my bag!
Justin
7 years agoI have found in recent years that there isn’t a club I won’t try or bag. Every manufacturer makes clubs for a particular market or purpose that might fit my exact needs. #powertotheplayer
Peter D
7 years agoNike – nyet, no, never.
Milton
7 years agoI have never been able to hit a Mizuno product well. I worked at a Golfsmith and got a chance to sample every product being sold and now have a chance to do the same at a PGA Tour Superstore. I always try Mizuno products wanting to like them for the awesome looks but for this 20 handicap, the results are never good. I used to feel the same way about Titleist clubs until I tried their newest driver, which is fantastic! (915 D3)
Steiny
7 years agoI would never play the Hopkins golf clubs. Had an issue with their customer service department one time. Very rude. Sorry guys, never again. The one club I would never use is one of those goofy chipper clubs. Just use your 8 iron people.
BK in Texas
7 years agoI’m willing to try any mfg clubs but it would be very hard for me to put a Cleveland club in my bag.
Todd J
7 years agoI could use anything, but I will not use any brand unless I’ve had a chance to test it out first. I use the best clubs that work for me, no matter the name on the club.
Stewart
7 years agoTo be honest, I’ve never been blown away by Taylormade products, that is until the Tour Preferred MC irons stole my heart. They’re currently on my golf bucket list because I have no excuse or cash to replace my Cobra Amp Cells. The one brand I’ll probably never buy into is Nike. Their woods feel like I’m hitting a rock with a rock, and I seem to get better numbers with almost everything else. Maybe a Nike putter someday, maybe.
El Cortinez
7 years agoNever had good luck with any Callaway products. Nor do I care for there marketing techniques. So, that being said, I would most likely choose not to play Callaway. I have never tried a mini driver, but would be interested in one as a 3w replacement.
Pat Drury
7 years agoI can’t think of a brand I would never play. If it works for me, I will play it. That said, I would be reluctant to try Warrior. Not too fond of their customer service reps.
Bruce
7 years agoThere is no brand that I wouldn’t try. It’s about performance, look, feel why would you ever rule out a manufacturer. Play what fits your game and will give you the best opportunity to play good golf.
Brendon DeVore
7 years agoI would never play a mallet putter. They roll pretty well in the store for me but the few times I’ll tried them on the course everything goes haywire. Especially with long lags.
Justin Kilmer
7 years agoI would have to say Nike, the main reason is that they kind of have their hands in everything sports. I would prefer to have my golf clubs made by a company that mainly focuses on golf clubs. I have the Taylormade Burner 2.0’s and my older set is the Ping Eye2 blue Dots. I also have several Taylormade Drivers and a Taylormade Putter.
Aaron
7 years agoWilson clubs the looks aren’t appealing to me
dan bertolucci
7 years agoBeen waiting for a mini driver that I liked. Ping Rapture too expensive. Exotics does not offer left handed in the model I was looking for. When the new Aero Burner Driver came out… almost bit. But once i heard thet the Aero Mini was coming I deceided to wait. Glad I did.Love to win one . Thanks, Dan
Bill
7 years agoWould never rule out club brands only unscrupulous manufacturers/marketers.
Joseph Newton
7 years agoI would say the I would not be interested or Buy, Nike Golf Equipment !
Jeff
7 years agoI would play any brand that worked better than my current clubs.
Allan K
7 years agoI am not very brand conscious, ill play anything if i can hit it well
Steven
7 years agoI don’t think I will ever play with Callaway drivers. Stupid reason: I can’t stand the way the ball sounds coming off the club. It has a “tink” sound. I like more of a “thump” sound.
Alan
7 years agoFor me it would most definitely be Callaway.
i don’t like the look or the feel and the sight of the off set totally puts me off
Bob
7 years agoI will try anything with the exception of Loudmouth pants. I love to try what is new and judge it against what I have. If it is significantly better, I will eventually figure out a way to fit it in the bag.
Re2126
7 years agoI will give any brand a try. With that said, I have never hit a Nike club.
I love the idea of a mini driver. I hit the 460cc drivers fine, but I miss the smaller drivers I use to have. Distance wise, I have gained nothing. Forgiveness? Similar. Maybe I just need to switch back to the old stuff.
Will Grant
7 years agoI would never play the Controller driving Iron, I hit it once and the bulge and roll selling point is garbage, it was terrible!
Jeff Mack
7 years agoI would never play Nike clubs. I have never liked the way they look and never like the way they play.
Mike
7 years agoI am a club ho! I will try anything. I have learned that you never know what’s going to work for you. I am a feel player and if a club feels good, I will play it.
That being said, I play the SLDR mini driver and I love it. I dismissed it initially too, but my curiousity eventually got the best of me. It was love at first swing and it hasn’t left the bag since.
Ted s
7 years agoDrivers don’t get a long with me. Only brand I avoid is Nike.
Scott Z
7 years agoI have never tired any club from exotics. I don’t really have a good reason why.
I loved my SLDR mini and can’t wait to try the AB version to see how they compare. I never was a huge fan the large driver heads.
Denny
7 years agoCall me still skeptical, but I’ll gladly play a free one….. Once, maybe twice if I love it.
Jose Rivera
7 years agoI can’t think of a brand I would never try, but I know I will never, ever play a 1, 2, or 3 iron again. Hybrids rule!
steve
7 years agoI do not think I will ever play Miura irons – simply because of the price. Way out of my price range.
nick
7 years agoI would never play wilson clubs
the bad jsut seems old to me and htey need a new freshness to their style and compnay
Chris
7 years agoNo, there currently isn’t a brand I wouldn’t ever play. Brand offerings are hit & miss with me, some I really like, try and often purchase. Then the same brand may then release something new that t I feel is the worst club I’ve ever hit. Brand products ebb & flow like the tide, as does my own personal preference. Once upon a time, I thought 2-ball putters were hideous & would never bag one…then I tried one on a whim, was successful with it, and completely changed my opinion. I realized then, how limiting my opinion was in trying anything that might actually work for me, regardless of the reason. Great lesson for me, as I’m now open to try all brands and can allow my initial personal opinions not get in the way.
Christopher Blocher
7 years agoWill never ever buy or use any equipment from Dicks, TGW and other large retailers. They are ruining golf, equipment sales and putting the smaller retailers out of business. No time for them!
Jeff Mitchell
7 years agoI don’t think I would ever play the Hammer. It is not that i don’t believe that it will let me hit 450 yard drives, it is just that I am my playing partners would appreciate my yelling BOOOM and POW!! every time I teed off.
Michael
7 years agoI always said I would never play Mizuno because I thought they were for better players. Then I tried them at my local demo days- man, was I wrong!!
David Pilgrim
7 years agoNike (woods). Have never gotten any real results, from any of their woods. Any time that I have hit them, outcome has been “SPORADIC” at best. The irons that they put out, are a different story all together though. The Nike Blades, I absolutely LOVE, and would purchase if I had the funds.
Zack
7 years agoI’ve played many different clubs and will never rule anything out before trying it. I wanted to like last years SLDR mini, Rapture, or X2 deep but none performed as well as my exotics cb4 tour. The original Xhot deep when I compared it on foresight was as long or longer than the exotics but more erratic in accuracy.
Victor Andrade
7 years agoI play Taylormade Golf Burner 2007 Dr, 3w, 5w, 4h. My irons are Callaway razor x and my wedges are Titleist vokey. And my putter is Scotty Cameron Delmar. So I would really play any brand as long as I can tested first. At this time in my golf progression. I am willing to play any brand that would improve my game. Hope to have Titleist in my bag completely in a couple of years. I would like to add that new mimi driver to bag.. cheers
Larry
7 years agonike, because tigr does!
Barrett
7 years agoI do not ever seeing myself playing anything from Nike.
Joel Johnson
7 years agoBrand I would not play? Tough to say as I would try anything once, but if I had to choose I would probably say Bomb Tech Grenade driver as they would not voluntarily allow you to test them for your “Most Wanted . . . ” testing. 🙂
Bobby
7 years agoFor the average golfer (not believing they had a shot at a tour card if they really made the effort) I think any brand will play almost identical. It really comes down to feel and mindset. If you see Rory or Tiger picking up a new club you immediately think man I need that to drop a few strokes when honestly you don’t need a new club, you just need to swing your old one a few thousand more times.
If one brand were that superior over the rest wouldn’t everyone play with it?
thomas murphy
7 years agoBrand, probably not, club I would not play the older I get the fewer I wouldn’t give a try but for instance the new aeroburner irons or any other max game improvement at this point no. Anchored putters, mallet putters, square drivers.
Minidriver I love concept. Funny because they are a bit like the original big berths.
daniel
7 years agoI would never play the Cleveland niblick wedges… then…
I putzed around with one in the pro shop during a frost delay, and couldn’t believe how easy it was to chip with. Hasnt left my bag since.
jim martin
7 years agoI’ll play anything that will promise me long straight drives, still looking.
Kevin H
7 years agoI would never play a “chipper” or a broomstick putter. However I would love to try this mini driver. These weren’t available at demo days last year, I’m sure it’s good on a tee but would love to hit it off the deck.
Phil Nanfito
7 years agoThere is no club I wouldn’t use if it hit right down the middle of the fairway everytime. I think it’s more the golfer than the club in my opinion when it comes up short or off the fairway.
Tom D
7 years agoi won’t play Callaway’s Big Bertha irons. I may have substituted hybrids for long irons, but I still want my mid- and short-irons to be irons. If I wanted all hybrids, I’d play Adams.
Fred Savino
7 years agoI would never play wilson
Tom
7 years agoI started playing with Callaway X-12s when I was in high school and played some of the best golf of my life and yet I can’t get myself to hit any of the new Callaway clubs. I think that most look clunky and ugly. I love the idea of a mini driver because I haven’t been able to hit a driver straight for 5-6 years now, so I rely on my 3 wood off the tee at all times. Any way that I can get a little extra length on my drive, I’ll take it!
Mike
7 years agoI won’t play with Nike’s to over priced for me and I don’t have time to test all of them.
Marcelo
7 years agoI have tried the Adams fairway woods but don’t hit it as well as my trusty Callaway FT Tour 3 wood.
Brandon Oja
7 years agoI would never play Nike irons.. Not sure just personal preference!! Seem sort of flimsy at times
douglas hines
7 years agoI dont think that ping is a club fo me I have played some of their stuff and didnt like the feel at all like a rock off an aluminum bat . I would love to try the mini driver just to see how it would fit in my bag.
Andrew Oster
7 years agoI’m open minded and will try and play anything, but with that being said I will never play the Little Tikes Totsports Easy Swing Set again. Haven’t had them in the bag in over 25 years, they just don’t do it for me anymore. That TM mini driver sounds bitchin though.
Dave Orser
7 years agoI would not purchase Nike golf equipment never have been satisfied with performance or design
Mark S.
7 years agoI do not play Cleveland or Adams clubs. Totally a believer in Mizuno and Callaway. The new XR Callaways, are the real deal from Driver to PW.
Al
7 years agoGolf clubs are about eye-appeal to me and Callaway clubs just don’t fit my eye. If I don’t think I can hit a club I don’t waste my time. I bought Taylormade’s mini driver last year and love it. Would really like to try the new AeroBurner mini driver.
Hazen P
7 years agoAgree with the eye appeal and for me the white club heads just don’t appeal to me. The SLDR mini wasn’t so bad though, but I still prefer the black head on drivers/woods/hybrids.
Good luck
Capitalgolf
7 years agoAs someone who’s been fortunate enough to hit and test just about everybody in the business for the past 17 years, there’s no one brand I’d rule out. Some of the more innovative clubs have come from so-called off brands.
I’m really interested in hitting the mini driver
Hazen P
7 years agoI’m open to playing any brand, but have my preferences as I’m sure everyone does in some way. For me, the brand I usually stay away from is Taylormade, that is until I found the SLDR mini driver. I’ve always favored the 3wd off the tee for accuracy, and the distance loss from the driver never shows on the score card since my second shot isn’t a recovery shot like it would be had I used a driver. With the mini driver, I get more distance with the accuracy of my 3wd and can play the mini from the deck if needed. The mini is perfect for the courses I play anyway. Mini replaces the driver and 3wd in many cases since I don’t need the 3wd after teeing off with the mini, then I have long irons/hybrid for par 5’s and it opens the bag up for an extra wedge which is a huge bonus. Would love to try the new Mini, but never liked the white club heads, I’d end up painting it I’m sure lol.
Steve Cecil
7 years agoI won’t ever play a club that I haven’t had time to test. I don’t have the time or the energy or the money to be throwing whatever new club comes out into my bag. I have to see it, feel it and practice with it before it even is a consideration.
Ben
7 years agoSorry Nike- but never shall you be in my bag.
MyBluC4
7 years agoI will try almost anything and will use what works. While very partial to Ping, I would not use anything Adams, as I do not like the speed slot stuff going on. Just does not work with my eye.
I also am not in love with looks of Nike.
Jeffrey Lane
7 years agoI am a golfer (average to bad) who enjoys the brand name. I will never use a club that isn’t from a major manufacturer. I also tend to stay away from clubs that look gimmicky (superstroke grip) even if it makes me better.
Neil J
7 years agoI would have a hard time putting a Nike club in the bag. There is something about the sound and the shape (especially the drivers/fairway woods) which don’t work for me.
I would love to try this mini driver though, as someone who doesn’t carry a traditional fairway wood.
Pat McCusker
7 years agoI would play any club. If it works it works
ryebread
7 years agoThere’s not an OEM that I won’t play.
Like Tony, I’ve had some sort of mini driver for over 2 years. It’s either the LT2w or the SLDR Mini. I’m pretty excited about the Aero Mini, particularly if it is longer or slightly more forgiving than the SLDR Mini. Hopefully if it is branded under the Aero line, it will be.
Alex
7 years ago14 degree please, and i would never buy a callaway again
Scott
7 years agoI would never play Nike, I do not feel that there Technology is up to speed. There whole line seems to be gimmicky.
Cole
7 years agoThere isn’t a brand that i would never play, however there are few brands that i can’t play due to the fact that I am left-handed.
Bob
7 years agoIt would be interesting to see a head-to-head with this club and the 11.5 degree Tour Edge XCG7 Beta fairway wood. It is interesting to see different kinds of concepts in a market where innovation seems to mostly result in gimmicks, new visuals and small amounts of weight moved around the head.
I don’t have strong biases against any brand, but let’s just say that non-name brands as well as Bridgestone, Srixon, Cobra, Adams, Ping and Wilson would not be my first options when looking for a new club. But if there is a club that performs and has a reasonable price point, I would even consider a brand like Agent Orange.
Dustin
7 years agoDislike Adams and have tried to like them in the past just cant do it. I love my 2-wood Cobra Long Tom would love to do a comparison of the two, and see if the Aeroburner MD can hold its on to the Beast…
Nevin
7 years agoThere are no brands that I would rule out without a serious trial. To eliminate a brand without testing the products seem silly to me. Even if a club had the “Hello Kitty” logo on it, I’d play it if performs.
Jim
7 years agoI originally would have said Nike, but after seeing the offerings from PXG I’ve changed my mind. PXG clubs are simply awful.
The Mini interests me and I’d be curious as to its performance. Thanks for the opportuniity.
Christopher
7 years agoI would never play Tour Edge. For some reason I hate that brand.
Undershooter30
7 years agoI would play any manufacturer that would beat a club out of my bag. I like Callaway’s practices the least but that doesn’t stop me from gaming a club of theirs.
As for the new Aeroburner Mini, It interests me very much. Hopefully I get a chance to test it out for everyone 😉
Matt Maynard
7 years agoI honestly don’t think I will ever hit a Cleveland Driver. I just can’t seem to put my finger on as to why, but I think it comes down to the looks. I need sexy with that added performance!
Moo
7 years agoWhoops! Forgot to answer the question. I will never play the biggest poser brands ever; Nike.
Moo
7 years agoTP me!!!
Sven
7 years agoI’m pretty open to try any club that comes along, but have never had any luck at all with Callaway drivers.
I’d love to try a mini-driver from TaylorMade to see how it compares against my TaylorMade RocketBalz Stage 2 3-Wood.
Rep
7 years agoCallaway… Just dont like the company
Rick Metz
7 years agoThe Nickalaus ones at Costco will never see these hands!!
Dapherdoo2
7 years agoHa!!! I’m the antithesis to any who have answered with any specific club or manufacturer! Even though I know better… I still like to tell myself it is the arrow and not the archer:) I have played irons from Maxfli to Miura, woods from Tiger Shark to Titleist, and putters from STX to Scotty!
This is the beauty of the game: A never ending quest for the perfect tool of the trade! There will always be something new tomorrow, and I don’t mean the flaw in my swing!
Bob L
7 years agoIn my 53 years playing golf I’ve played just about everything. Titleist, Mizuno, Ping, Callaway, Taylormade, Wilson, Adams, Tour Edge, Cleveland and others. About the only brand I haven’t tried is Nike. Something about their club designs has never appealed to me. Gaming Titleist irons, Taylormade woods, Snake Eyes hybrids (first hybrid I ever saw), Mizuno and Cleveland wedges and an Odyssey putter.
MG
7 years agoI can’t really think of a brand I wouldn’t be willing to try, except some made only for Walmart piece of crap. I know specific clubs that I wouldn’t play would be anything like the ping g30 sf tech. I already fear going left so I don’t need any help in that department. With that in mind, the TP version of the mini driver sounds pretty awesome. I’d like to demo the full size TP driver as well!
Stephen McElrath
7 years agoPowerbilt or anything that has an infomercial
Gary
7 years agoI wouldn’t say never because who knows, but I can’t infringe playing Callaway any time soon. Every time I have tried their clubs they’re just way off the other clubs performance wise for me.
Paul
7 years agoI would never play Warrior brand clubs. I just couldn’t ever do it! No way!
mike k
7 years agonot really sure maybe callaway or Nike. Just never look at them. Feel that Nike just throws money at the big name players to get advertisement
Allen
7 years agoNever say never!
Beau Bedell
7 years agoPersonally, I’m open to trying stuff from any brand. However, I could definitely never see myself playing a 1 iron…because I’m a realist and just not good enough!
Ryan Johnson
7 years agoSaying I would never play a specific brand of clubs is a dirty lie on my part but at the moment I really hate the way nike woods sound and feel. They compete with what’s in my bag easily according to the numbers but even well struck shots feel like off center shots to me.
The mini driver was a big temptation for me last season. It would probably cut a stroke or 2 off of every round on those tight fairways my driver hunts for trouble on. The aeroburner looks a lot better to me than previous Taylormade white clubs as well. Can’t wait to see the numbers for these.
Harry
7 years agoHonestly… at this point unless the TA1 come back Cleveland golf will never go in the bag again. Even then it’s a stretch. Surprised they haven’t gone under, even with Srixon. They are dead to me
IanW
7 years agoI would never play a left handed club. Beyond that, I will bag anything, and have. From a belly putter to a counter balanced, from a straight flight driver to a 1 iron. Club Ho to the max…
Hiduce
7 years agoThere is no brand I would not try. Currently I have a ping g25 driver, calloway BB 3 wood, nike hybrids, mizuno irons, vega wedges and a northwestern putter
Frank D
7 years agoThere’s no brand i would never play subject to performance and looks!
Chris
7 years agoNEVER playing Wilson…. My first set of irons were Wilson…. Horrible experience. The least forgiving clubs and I had to learn how to golf with them! I forgot the 9 iron at a golf course, and didn’t even bother trying to get it back.
eric
7 years agoI might try Nike if they take the swoosh off the crown. I will never buy a TMade club. They look cheap to me. Titleist are overrated just like the prov1 so I will never buy them. I have no desire to hit a wilson club. I would have never bought a callaway club until I tried the xhot2 pro 3wood, it blew my mind, but meh every new callaway I try I send back to ebay. I use to like Bridgestone but I hate the new line up so bad it makes me want to puke. SO I send my money to the cobra drivers.
Matt West
7 years agothere isn’t any club/brand I would rule out if it will help improve my game
BrianY
7 years agoNot a brand snob. If it works for me I’d play it. That said, I’ve never had success with Callaway products, but that doesn’t mean I never will.
scott
7 years agoI would never play a seven wood or any other such nonsense.
NM
7 years agoI’m not sure there is a club that I absolutely won’t play, but maybe those new brightly colored Nike drivers. I’m not sure I can wrap my head around a driver that color, but if it played well, I’d probably suck it up and use it.
RB
7 years agoI’ve been looking for an alternative off the tee, since my driver can be so erratic, so I might just have to try this or the SLDR Mini against a driving iron and see which gets the job done.
As for a club or brand I would never play, I can’t think of anything other than a wedge with more than 60* of loft. Everything else is fair game in my book. If it works, you’d be stupid not to use it.
Mark
7 years agoI would never play Powerbilt or MacGregor anymore. Previously great brands that have gone totally downhill. My first matched set of irons were H&B Levelum blades …
James Capps
7 years agoAlthough I played them for many years in the past, I don’t see myself bagging Callaway irons or woods in the future. I can’t really put my finger on why, but they have lost their appeal for me.
Charles P
7 years agoCan’t say that there’s a brand that I wouldn’t at least give a try. There are a few brands that are ridiculously overpriced that I wouldn’t consider BUYING outside of a signiicant discount, though. That said, if a club works for you and is made with quality and backed by the company that produces it, who gives a crap what name is on it?
Dave Baxendale
7 years agoI’d never play Nike golf equipment.
PBH
7 years agoI would never buy Warrior clubs because of their unethical business practices and would never carry a gimmick wedge like a chipper or alien sand wedge.
adan
7 years agoI would never play MacGregor anything.
Mike
7 years agoWould not rule out any reputable brand – even small companies. Stuff that gets you laughed off the course probably would not make it into the bag. I’m talking about knock-offs, off-brand stuff. Remember Northwestern golf clubs? Those never made it into the bag.
Marcus F
7 years agoDon’t think i would ever play a Wilson club. No particular reason but I hear the name and think of Tom Hanks in Castaway.
John
7 years agoOnly brand i’ve refused to play in the past in Taylormade. The driver heads are too large and the brand is too gimmicky overall. But the mini-drivers are intriguing and i’d love to try one
Dale Smiedt
7 years agoWould never play anything from wilson, mickey mouse brand!
Bill G.
7 years agoI wouldn’t try anything that has Warrior on it. The club I wouldn’t even attempt to hit would be a one iron. I have demoed the new Aeor Burner driver and have to say it is a very nice driver but I found the shaft was to light for my swing. I usally like heavier shafts in the 60 to 70 weight range.
Adam M
7 years agoTitleist for me. Just over priced. If I’m inclined to spend that much I’d favor Ping, but honestly I’m not really in their pricing market. Much rather play with the price levels of the year old Cobra/Callaways/Taylormades of the world.
Matt
7 years agoI would never play blades. I want the forgiveness.
Last year’s mini is awesome. Very excited to try the new one later this month.
Severtheties
7 years agoI’ve never like Callaway much. Theyve just never done anything for me and I’ve never hit their equipment any good at all.
Chip
7 years agoTitleist. There. I said it
John
7 years agoThere’s no brand I avoid altogether… I avoided Nike in the past, until I hit the Vapor Pro driver.
McaseyM
7 years agoI’ll try pretty much any brand, it comes down to performance and feel for me. I love my fairway wood, and I’m looking into Tour Edge’s CB4 13 strong 3 woods (I know it’s a few years old, but performance and price are awesome), so comparing this minidriver to that would be pretty sweet! Also feeling the need to try to loft up, so something a little higher than your typical driver loft could help my game off the tee.
Ryan
7 years agoCleveland would have to be my pick. Never really get along with their drivers and irons, especially now with their renewed focus on seniors and women. I don’t think their wedges are that special either. However, I love this year’s Srixon lineup so go figure….
Patrick
7 years agoI would probably stay away from Wilson or Adams.
Tom54
7 years agoI’ll never play with The Hammer. Worst club I’ve ever hit.
Joseph McNeil
7 years agoNike
Nathan S
7 years agoI would never play Wilson. I never get the results from Wilson as I do other clubs
TMaple
7 years agoNot a fan of Callaway irons. Can’t see myself playing them, unless they change the look/feel. Also not a fan of the Pings with turbolaters (or whatever they call them).
Brent
7 years agoNike. Sorry Nike, I just can’t…
Nic
7 years agoI would never abjectly reject a club because of who made it. If it works, it goes in the bag…
Jerry Stidham
7 years agoDont think I could ever play Adams Woods or Irons.
Greg Soto
7 years agoI would never play with Wilson Staff, just don’t think highly of their clubs.
Brian
7 years agoI will never not play any brand just because. However, I will likely never use a Callaway driver. They always look, sound, and feel weird to me. I also hate the look of Mizuno wedges.
Jgolf
7 years agoCallaway just never seems to do it for me anymore… Weird release cycles and products that can be beaten by many other brands. It’s a pity because they used to make my dream clubs.
Gil B.
7 years agoI would never play anything NIKE. I’m not about to pay for their financial obligations to professional athletes, colleges, or high schools. Not only that, I don’t like their products, plain and simple.
Aaron
7 years agoI’m not ruling anything out. But a 1 or 2 iron seems unnecessary. Also those hybrid-like irons seem odd.
Tommy
7 years agoPing. It’s like hitting a brick. Absolutely no feel whatsoever
Drew
7 years agoI would never play Ping irons or woods. Hate the way they look and feel at set up. I would also never play anything from Adams but I love taylormade, go figure.
Justin Landon
7 years agoI’m never playing Spalding. THERE I SAID IT.
james
7 years agoI will absolutely never play any irons Adams. I’m sure they are quality to some, but we just don’t fit. We’ll never be friends.
peter
7 years agoI would not play wilson staff because at my age I only know them as a big box set maker. Although I read alot about there new success I still believe full box wilson sets are for sale. That line needs to go away for brand perception to change.
Michael Milewski
7 years agoNot a fan of Callaway at all. Don’t really like the feel of the clubs or the contact. All my woods are Taylormade and so is my 3 hybrid. Irons I don’t mind most brands but I will never hit Callaway.
Chris Davis
7 years agoThere are no brand of clubs I would not play, There are some I would like to play (like the new hogans) but don’t have the chance to play, being a lefty.
Golfer G
7 years agoIf there were a brand I would not play, it would be Talyormade.
John
7 years agoCmon man what about the canadians?
Ray
7 years agoThe brand I would never play is Callaway. I don’t really know what it is that I don’t like, I just know I don’t like them.
Mark M
7 years agoThe brand I would never consider playing is Nike. Their clubs have never given me the feel I look for, especially their irons.
JoeyEastCoast
7 years agoI would probably never play Powerbilt, despite the fact that their brand has showed up on MGS’s most wanted list(s). The MMA sponsors don’t really help their cause either.
Randy Ratcliff
7 years agoWas never a big fan of mallet putters
Dave S
7 years agoI really don’t see myself ever playing anything Cleveland that isn’t a wedge. There are just too many competitors out there who focus the majority of their R&D dollars on driver/fairway/hybrid performance… I just don’t (personally) see Cleveland putting out competitive products. As for irons, I’m sure Cleveland has some offerings that are just as good as competitors, but fair or not, I just don’t like their designs (I’m not a blade player so I immediately pass over their 588s).
All that said, it might not be fair to say I’ll NEVER play Cleveland. Certainly, if they undergo a total overhaul and revamp their product line, I’d be open to it. I was saying the same thing about Callaway just a few years ago, but now I really want to get the new XR irons. They’ve done a lot to change their image and I’m sure Cleveland could if they tried (but it seems like they’re relatively content being a ball and wedge brand).
Would absolutely love to try out a mini-driver! Cheers guys!
Ps. I already get the newsletter
Irv
7 years agoThe only club company I have never played and have no desire to play is Callaway. I cant quite put my finger on why that is, there is just someone about their marketing and clubs that irk me.
Brandon Blahnik
7 years agoI could never bring myself to play with Warrior clubs. Any company that has to try and sell clubs through tricking people in to thinking they are getting free gear for their reviews of the equipment just rubs me the wrong way.
R. Chase
7 years agoAnything is better than Nike
Jeff
7 years agoI don’t think that I’ll ever play Adams equipment, I’ve just never been impressed with anything they’ve put out. The one club I’ll never play is chipper. If I win the aeroburner I’ll have to see if it can kick my driver or my 3 wood out of the bag.
Chad F.
7 years agoI would never play Wilson woods but would give their irons a shot. They just don’t scream perfomance to me.
Michael Allen
7 years agoI am not a big fan of Ping clubs. They don’t please the eye when I look at them, I know they are probably good clubs but they are just not for me.
HJK
7 years agoI used to never play taylormade even though they were the first brand I started off with until the sldr mini. That thing was so easy to hit. Eager to see what improvements the new mini has on last year’s version.
Gary R.
7 years agoI would never play Nike. Have never been a fan of their clubs, the way the look, feel and perform.
randomBullets
7 years agoPlay them all. I played with Dunlops for many years before my Cobras. I would have played anything.
Burns
7 years agoI will never play a 1 or 2 iron. You know what? Throw in 3 and maybe even 4. I can’t justify it when I have a hybrid. Brand wise, I’ll play anything that helps my game.
Bryce
7 years agoI would never play Callaway. Not a fan of the product or the players they sponsor.
M K
7 years agoI know the performance of their clubs are very well-received by reviewers, but something about the marketing and aesthetics of Tour Edge turns me off of them. Seem a little too “boy-racer” for me personally.
John
7 years agoI would not play Nike clubs. Any time I have tried them at a demo day, I have not been impressed. Their golf shoes are the worst too. All are very narrow.
Jrob
7 years agoI honestly would likely never play Wilson.
Maybe this site will break down barriers based on solely name brand. I hate to admit it, but, that is just why I wouldn’t buy their products.
I’m looking forward to reading more.
Scott Romines
7 years agoDon’t think I would ever count any brand completely out, that being said, not a huge fan of Nike equipment…..but you never know
hckymeyer
7 years agoThere are a lot of brands I won’t have the opportunity to play, but nothing I would flat out refuse to play if the performance was better than what I have. That being said I’ve never been a big fan of Callaway (post original Big Bertha) so if I had to commit to never playing one brand that would be it.
Charles
7 years agoI would never play Nike clubs, they just appeal more as an apparel and accessories company over an equipment company.
Aaron Kane
7 years agoThere’s not a brand that I would avoid playing as long as it fit my game. That being said, a Taylormade driver I bought about 10 years ago left a bad taste in my mouth when I used it on the course. And yes, I understand the irony of trying to win a Taylormade driver.
Adam Blakely
7 years agoThere isn’t a brand that I won’t at least try. That said, I tend to gravitate away from Adams irons and brands like Warrior.
dave larson
7 years agoBrand i would not play would be wilson
Jacob Black
7 years agoi would never play Adams. So many better options out there. Very gimmicky and seem cheaply made IMO. #TeamPing
Gregg Rubinic
7 years agoIt’s gotta be Nike Golf for me. Never been a fan of Nike anything my while life.
Joey L.
7 years agoFor some reason I have no desire to play anything callaway don’t know what is I just don’t like their equipment.
xMassacrex
7 years agoI would not, under any circumstances play Callaway. I do not like their branding, their identity and the way they carry themselves in the industry (my perception). I don’t even like hitting their clubs, and honestly wish I could get rid of the bias. But, I can’t and there are a ton of options. I used to feel the same way about Taylormade, but their message changed and the new SLDR line really changed my perception of them.
I currently game the SLDR 3W (turned to 4W) and a SLDR TP Driver, and would love to game the Aeroburner Mini as a suitable alternative.
Duncan M
7 years agoOne brand I would never play is Wilson. The one club I would never play is the 1 iron.
David W
7 years agoI can’t see ever counting a brand completely out except for maybe Warrior because of all the negative reviews I’ve read over the years about them falsely charging credit cards. If a club works for me I’ll use it.
Jimmy O
7 years agoThe only brand I won’t play is one I can’t test first. A lot of the JDM equipment looks great and has interesting new technology but they’re usually tough to find in stores stateside.
Excited to to see how this Mini performs against my trusty Callaway Hawkeye 2 wood. It’s roughly the same size and the titanium/tungsten combo is tough to beat. Only real competition in over a decade has been the Ping Rapture which was just as long but not as easy to hit off the deck. TM might have a contender!
Chal
7 years agoI don’t believe there is a brand I wouldn’t try. That said, I have never tried a particular niche club that some companies have put out. The “driving iron” or Hybrid that looks like an iron. I have never been fond of this type of club.
mnfats95
7 years agoI don’t have any brands that I would never play. There are brands I don’t think to try when I’m in the market for new clubs, but if I did try them and they performed I would play them.
Mitch
7 years agoNike, I have hit almost all of the drivers and they just seem so dead off the face compared to any other driver. The new irons look ok but i’d never hit anything other then my AP2s.
Woody
7 years agoIf I had to choose one it would have to be callaway. When ever I test their clubs I just don’t get the numbers that I’m getting with other clubs in similar categories.
dru_
7 years agoI’ll play any brand that works.
That said, I also love the SLDR Mini, tested one for about a month last season and hated to give it back, but the budget just didn’t allow adding another club to the arsenal at the time. Really cannot wait to give the AeroBurner version of it a spin and see how it stacks up.