Golf Tips’ Tech Awards 2010

Excellence In Adjustability Award:
TaylorMade R9 SuperTri
TaylorMade continues to lead the charge when it comes to making quick, on-the-fly adjustments to driver properties. The R9 SuperTri was a big hit with us.

Distance Through Geometry Award:
Adams Speedline FAST 10 Woods
Designed to cut through the air and promote a faster swing speed, these woods are among the slickest-looking (and fastest) drivers we hit in 2010.

Slice Buster Award:
Nike SQ MACHSPEED STR8-FIT
One of the few square-shaped drivers left in 2010, this driver isn’t just straight, but more aerodynamic and faster than previous square drivers.

Breakthrough Of The Year:
Srixon Z-STAR Tour Yellow
It’s not just a urethane yellow golf ball, it’s among the best new golf balls we tried all year. Big distance. Big greenside spin. (Big grins on the green, too)

Unique Design Award:
TaylorMade Rossa Corza Ghost
An all-white putter designed to help aid in alignment. And with Dave Stockton’s input, you know it’s gonna be good.

Trendsetter Award:
PING iN Series Putters
PING has long been pushing the envelope as far as new putter designs. The many in the latest iN series are definitely going to set some trends–including more one-putts.

Top Craftsmanship Award:
Mizuno MP-58 Irons
It’s no surprise to see Mizuno taking top honors in this category again. The DNA in the gorgeous MP-58 irons is as slick, smooth and attractive as it gets in an iron.

Most Surprising New Driver Award:
PowerBilt Air Force One
We think PowerBilt isn’t only back, but back in a good way. The new Air Force One driver is no joke–one of the best we hit in all of 2010. Yep. They’re back all right.

Light It Up Award:
Cleveland LAUNCHER DST Woods
Going lighter is the easiest way to ramp up clubhead speed. Cleveland found a way to make their woods both lighter and stronger at the same time.

Best Brand You’ve Never Heard Of Award:
Fourteen Golf
Although only five years old, this company has quietly found its way into a handful of Tour bags out on the professional tours. Their wedges and irons are flat-out awesome.

Best Driver Under $150 Award:
Tour Edge Bazooka HT Max
It’s long, easy to hit and easy on the wallet. Hmm, why can’t all drivers be this price? It’s as good as any of ’em.

Fairway Power Award:
Tour Edge Exotics XCG Fairway Woods
Ever since the first Exotics fairway woods, the line has been among the longest fairway woods we’ve tried. This year? Nothing different. They’re extremely long, this time with more forgiveness.

Fairway Control Award:
(Tie) Callaway FT-iZ and Cleveland HiBORE XLS
Both these fairway woods seem to self-correct, making it easier to hit straighter, more consistent shots from the fairway.

Hybrid Shape Design Award:
Bobby Jones H2
The unique design of the H2 hybrid makes them incredibly versatile, and just plain fun to hit.

Rough Cutter Award:
TaylorMade Raylor
“Rough? What rough?” The Raylor is back and better than ever. Considering this club was made specifically for handling the rough, it’s no wonder we picked it as a winner in this category.

Radical Wedge Design Award:
PING Tour-W
Typically, wedges aren’t the recipients of most of the clubhead technology when it comes to new advances, but not the Tour-W wedges. They’re made with all sorts of great stuff, resulting in a fun-to-use wedge.

Top Wedge Craftsmanship Award:
Scratch Tour Customs
Forged in Japan but ground in the USA, you just can’t beat the customization and attention to detail when it comes to wedges.

Top Putter Craftsmanship Award:
Edel Putters
Exquisite designs, details and customizable options make these top-notch.

Best New Face Technology Award:
Nike Method Putters
There was buzz about the Method Putters long before they were introduced, mostly due to the face design and material that promotes a swift, end-over-end roll. And yeah, it really works.

Mixed Metal Iron Design Award:
Titleist AP2 Irons
The AP2 irons combine the best of a forged iron with the benefits of having a heavier, tungsten sole insert. The result is heaven in your hands and a feel that’s second to none.

Power Irons Award:
TaylorMade Burner Irons
Trust us, they really are insanely long and easy to hit. We can’t imagine what next year’s Burner 2.0 will act like.

Top Forged Irons Award:
(Tie) Srixon Z-TX, Mizuno MP-58 and Callaway Diablo Forged
All three iron sets exude outstanding design, contouring and playability.

Top Hybrid Iron Set Award:
Cleveland HB3 Irons
Easy to hit? That’s an understatement. The HB3s are a newbie golfer’s dream.

Best Classic Design Award:
PING G15 And i15 Drivers
Both don’t have built-in adjustability features, but that’s actually what we like most about them. They both perform as well as, if not better than, most drivers out there.

Truest Roll Award:
Odyssey Backstryke
Designed with _ÂForward Press Stabilization_¨ (a shaft that fits in the back of the clubhead and places the hands ahead of the ball), the Backstryke ensures you’ll impart end over end roll on your putts. And that leads to truer rolls.

Best Training Aid Award:
Tour Striker
You’ve seen the commercials on Golf Channel and all your friends have one. The Tour Striker has come out of nowhere to become the most popular training aid in golf. Why? Instant feedback that helps golfers make solid impact time after time.

Best Smartphone App Award:
Golf Logix GPS
Who likes to carry a GPS and a cell phone? Let’s be honest, it’s much easier to combine the two and the Golf Logix app does it the best. Hey, they’ve been in the mapping business for years so we feel confident that their yardages are spot on.

Radical Shoe Design Award:
TRUE Linkswear
For the past few years, shoemakers have been closing the gap between a golfer’s feet and the earth, but TRUE Linkswear has taken it, er, one step further. Their TPU sole is just 2.5 mm thick! It’s like playing golf in your bare feet. Now that’s radical.

Best Ball You’ve Never Heard Of Award:
Dixon Fire
At $75/dozen, Dixon is aware that their high-performance Fire balls are exceptionally good. We tested them, and concur. Could be the breakthrough product of 2011 if Tour pros get on board.

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners.