Tyler Cordaro

Tyler Cordaro

Thursday, July 05, 2007

Golf

STREET PRICE $500. SPECS 6-iron: 29 degrees; PW: 45. KEY TECHNOLOGY The 3- and 4-hybrids in this set combine with oversize, hollow-back middle irons and cavity-back short irons. The result is a low, deep CG in all irons. PANELIST COMMENTS "The 3-hybrid is so easy to hit it's like you can just drop the club on the ball and it goes.... The irons have a firm impact with a traditional look." JUDGES' VERDICT Few companies the size of Adams can match its technology. Integrating hybrids into the set is pure genius, albeit not for all players. HOT Cavity-back short irons forgive without looking obnoxious. NOT Steel shaft is a touch weighty at 105 grams.

(B) Three kinds of clubs comprise the set.

BUZZ          a
PERFORMANCE a
TECHNOLOGY a *
PREFERENCE c
VALUE a *

adamsgolf.com

CALLAWAY BIG BERTHA FUSION (GOLD)

STREET PRICE $1,000. SPECS 6-iron: 29 degrees; PW: 46. KEY TECHNOLOGY A face insert made of titanium and a tungsten-nickel "cradle" allow 77 percent of the clubhead's weight to be distributed to the perimeter. A thermoplastic-urethane insert in the cavity is designed to promote vibration dampening. PANELIST COMMENTS "Extremely soft feel at impact, even on mis-hits.... The level of forgiveness in a smaller clubhead is fantastic." JUDGES' VERDICT A respite from the boxy look. How good are these sticks? It's the third year in a row they've made the Hot List. HOT Ball just fires off the zippy titanium face. NOT Club with said zippy titanium face will burn a hole in your wallet.

(G) Lightweight Nippon steel shaft standard.

BUZZ          c
PERFORMANCE a
TECHNOLOGY a
PREFERENCE b
VALUE h

callawaygolf.com

COBRA FP (GOLD)

STREET PRICE $500. SPECS 6-iron: 29 degrees; PW: 45. KEY TECHNOLOGY The urethane insert in the rear sole of the stainless-steel irons is designed to increase the moment of inertia and provide a soft feel. Its medium-width sole helps prevent digging. PANELIST COMMENTS "I put a bunch of different swings on this one, and the ball ended up pretty much in the same place every time. You could bring your B-game and still win the nassau with these irons." JUDGES' VERDICT Cobra irons have always offered substance, and now they have style to match. These clubs look as good as they play. And boy, do they play. HOT Snazzy graphics an upgrade from previous models. NOT Feedback not as soft as one might expect.

(I) Undercut cavity produces high shots that land softly.

BUZZ          a
PERFORMANCE a
TECHNOLOGY b
PREFERENCE a
VALUE a

cobragolf.com

PING G5 (GOLD)

STREET PRICE $750. SPECS 6-iron: 30.5 degrees; PW: 46. KEY TECHNOLOGY This holdover in the Ping iron line has a deep, parallel-to-the-ground cavity for perimeter weighting. The custom-tuning port helps stabilize the face at impact for better feel. A wide sole moves the CG away from the face to help launch the ball higher. PANELIST COMMENTS "A bit too much offset, even for choppers, but it performs like a champ.... Love the tumbled finish of the classic Ping." JUDGES' VERDICT These might not be the prettiest irons, but the G5 is the John Deere of clubs: a reliable workhorse that does the job. HOT Flame-shape grip pattern gives a cushy feel. NOT Lack of a hybrid option is