In the market for new golf clubs in 2023?
So far this year, there's been no true "game-changing" technology like TaylorMade's launch of the "Carbonwood Age" with the Stealth line in 2022, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be shopping for longer, straighter or better new golf clubs in 2023. Maybe you'll find something that just fits your eye and feels good in your hands?
After the first wave of new golf club announcements in early January from TaylorMade (Stealth 2), Callaway (PARADYM), Cobra (AEROJET) and Srixon (Mk II), a second wave of releases has flooded the market in the past couple weeks with even more choices for new golf clubs in 2023.
Let's take a deeper look:
The 2nd Wave: 2023's hottest new golf clubs
Titleist TSR1 driver, fairway metals and hybrids
Finally, a line of clubs for the majority of us who don't hit it far but love the game. The new Titleist TSR1 driver, fairway metals and hybrids have been engineered for the moderate, swing-speed player – those with driver swing speeds less than 90 mph. The TSR1 promotes optimal launch conditions through an ultra-lightweight design, enhanced aerodynamics and strategically-placed center of gravity. The TSR1 is roughly 40 grams lighter than TSR2 thanks to a lighter head, 40-gram shaft and lightweight grip.
“The TSR1 line represents a continued commitment to deliver speed to every style of player,” said Stephanie Luttrell, Titleist Director of Metalwood Development. “With the TSR1 driver, we found more speed and launch for the player through a lightweight design, better aerodynamics and our deepest CG ever in a Titleist driver.”
Cost: TSR1 driver: $599. TSR1 fairway metals: $349. TSR1 hybrids: $299.
Honma BERES Nx drivers, fairway woods, hybrids and irons
The new Honma BERES Nx line of drivers, fairway woods, hybrids and irons sits in the game-improvement category and steers clear of the premium price point of the BERES 3-, 4- and 5-star models. It can still be enjoyed by a broad handicap range, including better players needing stiffer shaft flexes. This new line features Honma’s lightweight holistic design that promotes more swing and ball speed. Specifically, the head shape of the driver – available for men and ladies playing to a 6-to-30 handicap – sports a draw bias design for maximum distance. All BERES Nx products will be available April 1.
Cost: Drivers: $750. Fairway woods: $500. Hybrids: $400. Irons: $1,500-$2,500.
Titleist TSR2 and TSR3 hybrids
These all-new Titleist hybrid models – released beginning Feb. 23 – come in two distinct styles: the TSR2 hybrid, which offers forgiving speed and performance, and the TSR3 hybrid, which delivers next-level precision and workability. The TSR2 and TSR3 hybrids made their PGA TOUR debut at The American Express. The TSR2 is a high-launching, mid-low spin, forgiving long-iron replacement that's best-suited for players who swing in a sweeping motion. The TSR3 is for tinkerers and shot-makers, offering a new 5-position SureFit Adjustable CG Track System.
Cost: $299.
Vokey SM9 Premium wedges and Titleist T100 & T200 irons
We know what the walk-up song should be the new Vokey SM9 Jet Black Premium wedges and the new Jet Black Titleist T100, T100•S and T200 irons ... AC/DC's iconic 'Back In Black'. The all-black Titanium Carbide Vapor finish will be available March 3 while supplies last. The wedges are paired with a Dynamic Gold Onyx S200 shaft and an all-black Tour Velvet 360 grip with BV Wings for a modern, sleek look. The T100 Black irons are currently in play by professionals Cameron Smith, Lanto Griffin, C.T. Pan and Callum Tarren.
Cost: Jet Black Titleist T100, T100•S and T200 irons: $1,699 (7-piece set). Vokey SM9 Jet Black Premium wedges: $249.
Srixon ZX Mk II Irons
A few days after GolfPass introduced the Srizon ZX Mk II driver and woods, the new Srizon ZX Mk II Irons were announced. Designed for the best ball-strikers in the world, ZX7 Mk II Irons are for players, while the ZX5, ZX4 and the ZX Mk II Utility Iron use MainFrame technology, a variable thickness pattern of grooves, channels, and cavities carefully milled into the backside of the faces to maximize flex at impact. It not only boosts ball speed, but also repositions mass away from the face and into the toe for better forgiveness and consistency on every shot. Perhaps the biggest news is the purchase of the ZX MK II woods or irons unlocks a free set of Arccos smart sensors and a 45-day free trial of the award-winning Arccos Caddie platform. Learn more about Arccos here.
Cost: $1,999.99.
Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore Wedge and CBX Full-Face 2 Wedge
Cleveland gives golfers a choice between two new wedges: the RTX 6 ZipCore Wedge and the CBX Full-Face 2 Wedge. The ZipCore wedge is designed to consistently hit high-spin shots no matter the lie, due in part to three new advancements - a HydraZip face, UltiZip grooves, and upgraded ZipCore technologies. Purchasing a ZipCore Wedge also unlocks the Arccos free trial mentioned above. Meanwhile, the CBX Full-Face 2 is designed to be more forgiving with a larger face, along with added HydraZip, ZipCore, and UltiZip technologies. It is built for golfers looking for the right balance of forgiveness and versatility.
Cost: $169.99.
Wilson Dynapower drivers, fairway woods, hybrids and irons
Wilson is turning back the clock with the modern version of the Dynapower sub-brand that first debuted seven decades ago. In 1956, Wilson introduced the original Dynapower iron and its patented bore-through hosel design that redistributed weight directly behind the hitting area for more power. The 2023 Wilson Dynapower irons build on this same weighting concept to redefine distance. Using exclusive Dynapower A.I. modeling, Wilson analyzed thousands of permutations to identify the perfect variable thickness option for each section of the face to make more of the clubface hot, especially center-to-toe where approximately 85 percent of shots are hit. The new Dynapower adjustable drivers are available in carbon or titanium. The price points make these Wilson releases some of the most affordable new golf clubs in 2023.
Cost: Drivers: $429.99-$499.99. Fairway woods: $249.99. Hybrids: $219.99. Irons: $799.99-$899.99.
Mizuno ST-230 drivers, metalwoods & hybrids & Mizuno S23 wedges
Four years developing Mizuno’s Speed Technology (ST) Metalwood Project has led to the ST-230 series and a new energy source - the CORTECH Chamber, which is featured in three new Mizuno ST-230 drivers, the ST-Z fairway and hybrid. The CORTECH Chamber encases a stainless-steel weight with elastomeric TPU, taking stress from the clubface and creating an additional source of energy. At the same time, it locates weight closer to the clubface to reduce spin rates, while contributing to a more solid, powerful sensation at impact. “Our player testing over the years shows that placing extra weight close to the face results in faster ball speeds and low spin rates,” says David Llewellyn, Director of R&D for Mizuno. The Mizuno S23 wedges feature a shorter hosel and a heel-orientated cavity allowing greater mass to be pushed towards the toe. This creates a centered sweet spot, as opposed to a heel-side location in conventional wedges.
Cost: Drivers: $499.95-$549.95. Fairway woods: $299.95. Hybrids: $249.95. Wedges: $160.
Scotty Cameron Super Select Putters
Putter geeks and collectors better amp up their credit card limits to prep for the release of 10 Super Select Putters from Scotty Cameron. Six models - Super Select Newport, Newport Plus, Newport 2, Newport 2 Plus, Newport 2.5 Plus and Squareback 2 - will be available beginning March 17. The Super Select Fastback 1.5, Del Mar and the new GOLO 6 and GOLO 6.5 models will follow on May 19. Four different models will be offered for lefties. These blade and mid-mallet designs offer better performance, new milling techniques, refined shapes, improved multi-material construction and cutting-edge weight distribution.
Cost: $449.
Cleveland Frontline Elite Putter
The all-new Cleveland Frontline Elite Putter features eight carefully crafted models with improved forward weighting and face technology, all designed to help golfers hit straighter putts with consistent speed and distance. Frontline Elite Putters reduce adverse effects of off-center strikes. Each putter includes Speed Optimized Face Technology (SOFT) where individualized groove patterns, specific to each putter shape, balance energy transfer across an enlarged striking area, normalizing ball speeds and helping miss-hits travel a similar distance to perfectly struck putts.
Cost: $249.99-$299.99.
Evnroll V-Series Putters
The new Evnroll V-Series Putter line features the addition of interchangeable weights alongside a choice of hosel options and a mix of blade or mallet heads. The V-Series (standing for 'versatile') not only allows golfers to customize toe hang and offset to suit their putting stroke, but also to dial in their preferred swing weight and stroke preference. There's three options in the EV5 Series. The Z.1 is the newest member of the ZERO family. New models have also been introduced to the Midlock putter line.
Cost: $419.99-$469.99.
I just have to ask, in an era when the PGA and USGA and R&A are trying to grow the game of golf, are $600+ drivers and $1000 Iron sets the way to do it? for 80% of the players on golf courses, these golf clubs will lead to no improvement, and may actually be detrimental. to grow the game equipment, course and apparel costs have to allow the average "Joe, Josey"" be able to afford the game. The game is beautiful, frustrating, rewarding and enjoyable. let us not price the average person out of it.
Mark, you're definitely not wrong about the cost of brand-new golf clubs rising, but I would offer that there remain many ways for golfers - newbies and otherwise - to get their hands on older-model and/or lightly used golf clubs for a very reasonable cost, be it through eBay or Second Swing or Play It Again Sports. There are also a lot of direct-to-consumer companies offering new clubs for a lot less than the big OEMs. The newest stuff is always going to be pricy, but the more new stuff comes out, the more bargains there will be from the prior models!
I'm really looking forward to this years golf season. I pretty much cleaned out the golf bag last fall. Out with the Ping G400 irons and in went a fabulous set of Mizuno JPX-923 Hot Metal, High Launch irons (5-GW). These clubs are buttery smooth, every shot clean & crisp. And then I replaced my Odyssey White Steel 2 Ball CS putter of more than 20 years with a new Cleveland Huntington Beach 6 CS Putter with a P2 grip. I do believe I'm set to having an outstanding year on the links.