Golf Gear

Look at This Monster!

Drivers continue to be cartoonishly large, pushing right to the 460-cubic-centimeter limit. The head of the Nike SasQuatch driver is nearly as long as it is wide. With the head cover on, it takes up the space of two clubs in your bag. The head shape is designed to push the center of gravity farther back and raise the moment of inertia (less twisting), increase the launch angle, and reduce spin. Unlike its namesake, expect plenty of sightings of this SasQuatch as the season warms up. Vacek says the club has been flying out of Golf Galaxy’s doors since it was introduced in November. (Suggested retail price: $359.)

King of the Hill

California-based TaylorMade has produced the number-one driver on the PGA tour for more than four years, according to Golf Digest. A redesigned r7 425 was introduced last November and has the largest all-titanium head that features movable weights, which allow the golfer to redistribute 28 grams to achieve the desired ball flight. The biggest change to the new r7 is its Fujikura shaft, which promises to increase stability in the downswing. (Suggested retail price: $500.)

Speed Demons

The new series of King Cobra drivers from Cobra Golf based in Massachusetts are designed to match a player’s swing speed, whether it’s clocked at “extreme,” fast, or medium. The manufacturer says that fast-swing golfers make up the majority of the avid-golfer population, but most don’t play drivers that are optimized for their swings. The club face of all three versions is thicker in the center and thinner around the perimeter for hotter hitting points and more forgiveness. This driver also is available in a senior’s and a woman’s version. (Suggested retail price: $370.)

Hybrid Heaven

A lot of golfers still haven’t replaced their low irons with a hybrid or two, says Vacek, and he can’t understand why not. Last year, Golf Digest called hybrids—clubs that combine the straight hitting of irons with the low center of gravity of some woods—”the most important club in golf.” The do-it-all clubs work from long distances, are ideal for getting out of tall grass and bunkers, and can even substitute for an untrustworthy pitching wedge.

Released in November, the Ping G5 hasn’t been around long enough to become a bestseller in this category, but Vacek expects that’s just a matter of time. This first-ever wood-like hybrid from Phoenix-based Ping features a compact head and sloped crown that positions the center of gravity low and back to promote a higher launch and greater control. (Suggested retail price: $190.)