Mitch took the new Qi4D LS out of the bay and onto the course to see if the numbers actually translate—and the results didn’t disappoint.

From the first swings, the club speed just feels different. Fast, effortless, and explosive through impact. But what really stood out? The misses. Even when Mitch didn’t catch it perfectly, the ball stayed online—tight, controlled, and way more playable than you’d expect from a low-spin head.

In the bay, the data backed it up. This isn’t just a “perfect strike” driver. It’s built for real swings, real rounds, and real results.

If you’ve ever thought LS meant giving up forgiveness, this might change your mind.

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Over the past few years, rangefinders have become all the rage amongst golfers.

The PGA of America even made rangefinders legal in all three of its major championships back in May of 2021. The move was made by the governing body with the hopes of speeding up the pace of play on the golf course at these events.

I’ve been playing golf for several years and I’ll be the first to admit that I was slow to come around to using a rangefinder during my rounds. However, when I purchased my last set of golf clubs, the salesman kindly threw in a Bushnell Tour V4 rangefinder as part of the deal. Now I don’t know how I ever played a round of golf without it!

Overall Rating and Thoughts: 4.9/5

Bushnell has converted me into a customer for life. While I used to think rangefinders were overpriced and unnecessary, I now don’t know how I ever played a round of golf without one! If you are on the fence about which rangefinder to buy, I highly recommend the Bushnell Tour V4 Slope Edition.

Overall, I’d give the Bushnell Tour V4 rangefinder 4.9 out of 5 stars for a variety of reasons. It’s insanely accurate and I love the Jolt Technology, which vibrates a little bit when you have locked on to the flag. This gives me peace of mind that I have aimed the laser in the correct spot.

The slope option is incredibly helpful because it factors in the degrees of slope for you, which tells you what the shot is actually playing. This makes a huge difference in the way of club selection. After all, most golf shots have some sort of slope involved.

If you are not a fan of the slope technology and just want the actual distance or you are playing in a tournament that doesn’t allow it, you can easily shift between modes by rotating the small notch dial on top. Again, Bushnell hits a home run with this feature.

I also love how the Bushnell Tour V4 rangefinder fits comfortably into the palm of my hand. It was designed with stabi-grip technology, which means it won’t slip out of your hand and it’s easy to handle. It’s also lightweight, so your arm and hand won’t get tired of holding it during a round.

Lastly, Bushnell is the most reputable rangefinder brand on the market. Tons of professional and amateur golfers around the world trust Bushnell to give them accurate yardage readings. If you’re in the market for a new rangefinder, you can’t go wrong with the Bushnell Tour V4 Slope Edition.

Quick Overview of the Bushnell Tour V4

Bushnell has been making top-of-the-line rangefinders for over 25 years, so they have stood the test of time in the golf industry. The Tour V4 was first released in 2016 and it remains one of Bushnell’s best-selling rangefinders, even though the Tour V5 has been out for quite a while. The Slope Edition lets you toggle in and out of Bushnell’s special slope feature, which automatically adjusts its yardage based on the incline or decline of the slope.

The Tour V4 provides pinpoint accuracy and gives you a yardage number that you can be confident in each time you use it on the golf course. It also comes with Pin Seeker Jolt technology, which sends short vibrating pulses when you have correctly shot the laser to the flag. With the Tour V4’s 5x magnification, you’ll easily be able to see all of the key details of each green on the course.

What I Like About The Bushnell Tour V4

Since the Tour V4 has so many key features, it’s hard to decide which ones I value the most. However, here are some of my favorite things about this particular Bushnell rangefinder. These are in no particular order.

• Pinpoint Accuracy: Before using the Tour V4, I simply used a standard golf GPS app on my phone. While this worked okay to give me ballpark yardage on each of my shots, I quickly learned that the yardage it gave me was regularly three to five yards off the actual distance. I’ve never had this problem with the Tour V4 because its accuracy is always within 1-yard. It’s so refreshing to not have to second guess my club selection anymore!
• Pin Seeker with Jolt Technology: This is probably my favorite feature of the Bushnell Tour V4 rangefinder! With other brands, you may be left wondering if you correctly aimed the laser at the target. This is NOT the case with the Tour V4 thanks to its Pin Seeker with Jolt feature. Simply aim at the flagstick and the device will provide you with a tactile confirmation by lightly vibrating a few times! How cool is that?
• Fast Focus System: Some laser rangefinders or golf GPS apps can take quite a while to give you the desired yardage information. This can be due to a weak cell phone signal on a GPS app or a lengthy process on some off-brand rangefinders. Needless to say, it is super annoying when that happens! Thankfully, golfers don’t have to worry about that happening with the Bushnell Tour V4. It has a fast focus system that allows you to see your yardage number and degree of slope quickly and efficiently. No more waiting around to find your number and select your club.
• 2-Year Warranty: Let’s face it. Finding a company that stands behind its products with a solid warranty is almost a rare thing nowadays. This warranty means if you have any trouble with the Tour V4 in the way of manufacturing defects within two years of your purchase date, Bushnell will either fix the issue or send you a new rangefinder as a replacement.
• Compact Size: Some golf rangefinders are too bulky, which makes it difficult to keep a steady hand when trying to find out yardages. You won’t have this problem with the Tour V4. It’s a lightweight device with an ergonomic design, which makes it much easier to hold than other brands. Your thumb will easily wrap around the entire device and you’ll be able to easily hit the red button on top to start shooting yardages.
• Slope Mode: Being able to calculate the slope of each green is a remarkable advantage for amateur golfers. Thanks to the Tour V4’s ability to tell me the degrees of slope, I can decide the safest approach shot based on the hole layouts. This has helped me lower my handicap considerably.
• Water Resistant: This one is a biggie for me because, unlike some other golfers, I like playing in the rain (I know, I’m weird). The Tour V4 is water-resistant so you can use it without fear of damaging it. However, just to be on the safe side, I wouldn’t use it in a complete downpour though, as it’s not waterproof (only water-resistant). Be sure to keep the rangefinder in its premium carrying case when you aren’t using it.
• Access to Bushnell Golf App: Golfers of all levels will love the Bushnell Golf mobile app because of its helpful features. The app offers 3D flyovers of each hole as well as yardages to the front, to the flag, and to the back of the green. The app currently has a 4.8 rating on the App Store and a 3.9 rating on Google Play. Both of those impressive ratings just go to show that Bushnell spared no expense when it came to designing its mobile golf app.
• Extremely Long Battery Life: Another critical feature of the Tour V4 is its battery life. I’ve been using this rangefinder for over a year and haven’t needed to replace the battery. It takes a 3-volt lithium cr2 battery, which is easy to find at most shopping outlets. The battery door also easily slides open to make the whole replacement process a breeze.

What I Dislike About The Bushnell Tour V4

There’s not a whole lot to dislike about the Tour V4. The only complaint I have is that it doesn’t come with a magnet on it, which would make it easier to mount it on the side of the golf cart during a round. This would be much more convenient than having to take it in and out of the carry case throughout the entire round on the course.

However, I have heard that the new Bushnell Tour V5 comes with its new BITE magnetic technology, which allows you to just slap it on the side of the golf cart rails. It would probably be pretty easy to just slap a small magnet on the side of the Tour V4 though.

Mike Noblin

Mike has been involved with sports for over 30 years. He’s been an avid golfer for more than 10 years and is obsessed with watching the Golf Channel and taking notes on a daily basis. He also holds a degree in Sports Psychology.

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This Callaway Rogue St driver review seeks to analyze the qualities of the Max design.

Out of the three options in the Callaway Rogue drivers series, the Max is built for the average golfer demanding accuracy, distance, and forgiveness.

The other two golf clubs suit fast swinging low-handicap players and inconsistent high handicappers. The Rogue ST Max LS is a low spin option and accelerates ball speed for maximum distance. Conversely, the Callaway Rogue ST Max D provides a draw bias that combats sidespin for straighter drives.

As the latest Callaway Driver, the Max range is a premium product. You can expect to fork out a pretty penny. However, if you are on a budget, you should review our top 10 drivers under $200.

For readers looking for a quick summary, here are the highlights/lowlights:

Overall Rating and Thoughts

This review highlights an impressive creation that helps you maximize your distance without relinquishing forgiveness. The Tungsten Speed Cartridge escalates the driver’s MOI and accelerates ball speed on mishits. Together they produce consistent distance and accurate flight for an improved fairway in regulation record.

Furthermore, the presence of a Jailbreak Speed Frame increases the zone on your clubface that accelerates ball speed. Plus, it restricts backspin rpm encouraging additional yards off the tee.

The lower CG positioning is set up to help you launch your drives higher and longer. Finally, an adjustable hosel allows you to set up for your preferred ball flight. Given its qualities, it makes an ideal driver for mid-handicappers.

I am suitably impressed with the performance features of the Callaway Rogue ST driver and applaud their engineers. However, the excessively high price point rules it out for the average golfer, especially with a looming recession. Therefore, I suggest an older, affordable version such as the Epic Speed or Max.

If money is not an issue, then I won’t stand in your way. You can take a closer look at the Callaway Rogue ST driver here.

Quick Overview of The Callaway Rogue ST Driver

Tungsten Speed Cartridge

Engineers at Callaway employed a Tungsten Speed Cartridge which places 26 grams of tungsten weight in the driver’s head.

The cartridge increases the stability of the Callaway Rogue ST drivers to ensure the highest MOI head. MOI stands for moment of inertia, which represents the ability of a clubface to resist twisting during your swing. As a result, it encourages a square face to prompt a straight tee shot.

Furthermore, this stable driver works to maintain ball speed on off-center strikes. This provides exceptional forgiveness levels to the average golfer to keep you long and straight on the golf course.

Jailbreak Speed Frame

Jailbreak Speed Frame technology enhances the stability of your Callaway Driver, horizontally and torsionally. The aim of this structure is to quicken ball speed on all strikes. Therefore, the club maintains velocity on heel and toe mishits and contact low off the clubface.

In addition, this construction helps you reduce spin to boost distance results. Ultimately, Tungsten Speed Cartridge and a Jailbreak Speed Frame provide the best combination of distance, low spin, and forgiveness.

Titanium Unibody Construction

Callaway relied on a Titanium Unibody Construction to bolster stability and lower center of gravity (CG). These two features collaborate to produce explosive ball speed, a high MOI, and ball flight.

The deep and low CG helps golfers with average swing speed to consistently launch their golf ball into the air, leading to maximum carry distance. In addition, the high MOI profile resists twisting to remain square at contact. This leads to consistently straight shots for optimal accuracy.

Triaxial Carbon Crown And Sole

The engineers used a Triaxial Carbon Crown to reduce the total mass of the new Rogue ST drivers. This weight is then repositioned deep into the driver’s head, which enabled the team to lower the CG.

The low positioning of the CG encourages a high launch off the tee to ensure consistent carry and total distance.

Slight Draw Bias

The stock setup of the Rogue ST driver positions the head in a slight draw bias. This helps right-handed golfers combat left to right side spin on off-center strikes, leading to slices and a poor fairway in regulation record.

Although this helps serial slicers hit straighter shots, it can be detrimental to some golfers. The draw bias construction could worsen your results if you tend to hook your shots.

Adjustable Hosel

Despite the slight draw bias profile of the Rogue ST Max driver, it contains an adjustable hosel enabling you to alter the setup. The hosel lets you change the loft and lie of the clubface to achieve your desired launch and shot shape.

Weakening the loft of this driver encourages increased spin for a higher launching shot. However, keep in mind that an open clubface can cause you to generate right-to-left sidespin, prompting a fade.

Conversely, strengthening the loft of your golf club closes the face angle and encourages a low to neutral ball flight. Furthermore, the closed clubface of this driver sets you up to produce a draw.

Lofts

Callaway offers the Rogue ST Max driver in 3 stock loft options. The strongest lofted construction is 9 degrees, while 10.5-degrees works for the average golfer.

Lastly, a 12-degree loft design is the weakest option for slow-swinging golfers.

Faster swingers should consider the strong lofted 9-degree driver, which you can strengthen or weaken. You can reduce the loft on this driver to 8 degrees for a lower launch and 11 degrees for a higher flight.

In addition, the 10.5-degree driver can adjust to 9.5 and 12.5-degrees. Finally, the weaker 12-degree club strengthens up to 11 degrees and weakens to as much as 14 degrees.

Shafts

The Rogue ST Max driver offers 4 stock shaft options to promote an optimal launch for consistent distance and accuracy. Mitsubishi dominates the shaft offering with three different ranges.

Fast and medium driver swing speeds should produce their desired ball flight with the Tensei AV Blue 55 and 65 graphite shafts. Both these options are crafted in regular and stiff flex. Regular flex works for average swing speeds, while stiff flex performs for faster swingers.

Moreover, the Tensei AV White 65 graphite shaft is set up for fast and super faster swing speeds. These shafts are offered in stiff and extra stiff flex.

The final option is the Fujikura Ventus Blue 5 and 6 shaft, which works for fast and moderate swing speeds. These shafts are constructed in regular, stiff, and extra stiff flex. Therefore, they are built for moderate, fast, and super fast clubhead speeds.

Ultimately, the stock shafts for the Rogue ST Max driver are ideal for mid, fast, and super fast golf swings. They are not designed to perform for slower swingers.

What I Like About The Callaway Rogue ST Max

Consistent Ball Speed

The stand-out feature for me was the consistency of my ball speed on shots out the middle and off-center. My average ball speed hovers around 142 mph, which is my benchmark for all driver tests.

The Callaway Rogue ST Max performed optimally in this area during the test. The lowest ball velocity that I generated was 140.3 mph, slightly off-center to the right. Otherwise, the remaining swings yielded maximum speed for my game.

Thanks to the consistent ball speed, I generated optimal distance, which is why I appreciate this asset.

Low Spin

When low spin and explosive ball speed partner, they work to produce maximum yardage in your long game. The Jailbreak Speed Frame in this driver bolsters the stability of the clubhead and face at impact. This keeps your clubface square at impact to impart extreme ball velocity while restricting backspin.

My typical backspin rpm on drives ranges from 2200 to 2300, and the Rogue ST Max delivered the goods. My average was 2275 rpm during the tests, putting me exactly where I needed to be.

Straight Flight

The Tungsten Speed Cartridge and slight draw bias encourage straight ball flight for added accuracy. The former enhances MOI to reduce twisting and promote a square clubface at impact.

In addition, the slight draw bias combats side spin, which induces slices to keep you on the fairway.

What I Dislike About The Callaway Rogue ST

Price

The biggest turn-off of the Rogue ST is its premium price. It carries a recommended retail price of $549.99, which is excessive for the average golfer. However, there is no disrespect to Callaway because their engineers have created a gem of a product.

Appearance

The Tungsten Speed Cartridge sticks out from the back of the crown at address, which is off-putting. When I looked at it the first time, I was reminded of the horrors bestowed upon my eyes by the Nike Sasquatch. Other than this issue, the rest of the club is clean and appealing.

The Wrench Is Not Included

You generally need to acquire the wrench to adjust the hosel separately. This is annoying and adds to the cost of an already expensive item. When you are forking out a premium for a golf club, the least you could expect is to receive a complementary wrench.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years. Current Handicap: 8

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The first time I tested the M4 driver was in 2018, shortly after its release.

As TaylorMade has launched several drivers since, I thought it would be fun to hit the range again and see how it compares to a newer model. Therefore, I have written a TaylorMade M4 driver review here to determine if it is still a force to be reckoned with.

After introducing you to the features and performance of this driver, I will assess how it compares to the manufacturer’s latest releases. In addition, the analysis will help you decide if the TaylorMade M4 driver is suited to your swing.

For readers looking for a quick summary, here are the highlights/lowlights:

Overall Rating and Thoughts

The TaylorMade M4 is an exceptional driver. Although it is a few years older than newer models from the equipment giant, it remains relevant. Like new TaylorMade drivers, the M4 is highly forgiving, reduces spin, and generates rapid ball speed.

Overall, it gives the average golfer everything we need off the tee; and it is at a fraction of its release price. If you are after a highly forgiving, long, and adjustable driver, you should consider the TaylorMade M4 driver.

Overall Rating: 9.5/10

Quick Overview of The TaylorMade M4 Driver

Features

Twist Face Technology

The first stand-out feature of the M4 driver is its new twist face technology. Well, it was fresh back in 2018. The revolutionary new face curvature for that time produced a corrective face angle to combat off-center strikes.

Therefore, striking the ball in the high toe increases the loft of the face. Conversely, if the clubface catches the ball off the low heel, it reduces the apex of your shot. This is done to produce a consistent spin on all drives.

Furthermore, helping you get your ball airborne, the twist face technology resists side spin on heel and toe mishits. As a result, you produce straighter shots for an improved fairway in regulation record.

Excess side spin off the club face causes hooks and slices, which is the fastest way to ruin your hole before it begins.

Speed Pocket

When we miss the center of the driver’s face, we reduce the coefficient of restitution (COR), which slows down our ball speed. The loss of velocity leads to a weaker launch and a loss of distance.

Fortunately, TaylorMade’s engineers employed Speed Pocket technology to boost speed on all shots. Therefore, you enjoy consistent ball flight and distance on all connections.

Speed pocket technology is effective when you catch the ball low off the face. It springs into action and accelerates your ball speed to produce optimal yardage. Without this technology, your driver delivers inadequate spin and velocity for adequate yardage.

Hammerhead Slot

A hammerhead slot is inserted into the driver’s sole to support the outer portions of the slot. That reduces the mass, encouraging a more flexible face through impact. This benefits you on off-center hits, where you need all the ball speed necessary to produce sufficient distance off the tee.

In addition, the increased flexibility of the TaylorMade M4 driver expands the sweet spot for maximum forgiveness. As a result, the wider sweet spot delivers ample ball speed across the face for consistent distance off the tee.

Geocoustic Technology

Geocoustic tech employs sole shaping techniques to deliver superior sound and feel at impact. Therefore, you enjoy the rewarding acoustics of your clubface, striking the ball on every tee shot.

Furthermore, TaylorMade added a recessed sole contour construction to the head, freeing up weight in the clubhead. That enabled the engineers to craft a larger flexible clubface with an enhanced sweet spot. As a result, it delivers maximum forgiveness.

Adjustable Hosel

The M4 driver features an adjustable hosel, enabling golfers to alter their loft by 2 degrees of additional or less loft. Plus, adjustments impact the angle of the clubface.

For example, strengthening the loft by 2 degrees can open your clubface up to 4 degrees. That sets your driver up to deliver a fade bias. Conversely, lowering the loft by 2 degrees closes the club face by 4 degrees. This positions the driver for a draw bias.

In addition, altering the loft impacts the level of backspin RPM you produce at impact. Weakening the loft by 2 degrees can boost your backspin by 400 RPM. That setup prompts a high launch, ideal for slower swingers.

On the contrary, strengthening the loft helps you deliver a low spin off the driver’s face for maximum distance.

To alter the loft, you need a wrench to help you loosen the screws on the sole. Rotate anti-clockwise to slacken the screws, and remove them. Then, slip the head of the shaft. Turn the hosel to achieve your desired loft.

You can follow the video below by Golfbidder for a visual representation of the procedure:

Lofts

TaylorMade crafts the M4 driver in three key loft settings. The lowest lofted design is 9.5-degrees, followed by a 10.5-degree construction. Finally, golfers with a slow driver swing speed should appreciate the 12-degree driver.

Shafts

The only stock shaft available on the M4 is the Fujikura Atmos Red 5. Fujikura constructed this shaft in stiff, regular, and senior flex. Therefore, they are designed for golfers who produce fast, average, and slow club head speed.

Performance

Price

As an older model driver, the M4 is now at a convenient price point for mid and high-handicappers. It has come down by $200 to $300 in price, making it far more attractive to the average golfer than new premium drivers from TaylorMade.

Feel and Sound

Geocoustic technology delivers a solid deafening sound at impact. Exactly the noise you expect to hear from your driver when you crush it out of the sweet spot. In addition, it offers a relatively soft feel as it drowns out vibrations on off-center strikes.

Spin

On average, I generate 2100 RPM of backspin with my driver. When I tested the M4, I averaged 100 mph less than that, clocking in at 2000 RPM. I am satisfied with this level, and it is what I expect to receive from my big stick.

Forgiveness

The M4 delivers exceptional all-around forgiveness, from accelerating ball speed on off-center strikes to minimizing side spin. This support helps you achieve optimal distance and accuracy.

Distance

TaylorMade built the M4 to accelerate ball speed and reduce spin on your drives. My average driving distance is 270-yards, and the M4 produced 274-yards in testing. Therefore, it creates slightly more distance than my regular driver.

What I Like About The TaylorMade M4

Sound

Off the clubface, the TaylorMade M4 produces a solid, explosive sound to warn your partners that a bomb is flying down the fairway. Geocoustic technology helped the engineers execute advanced sole shaping techniques. This means that the clubhead is crafted for optimal sound and feel at impact.

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is one of the crucial features of the TaylorMade M4 driver. The presence of a flexible clubface, enlarged sweet spot, and hammerhead slot ensures a forgiving driver.

Its flexible face springs into the ball at impact and accelerates velocity. This prompts a high launching, long flying ball, resulting in exceptional distance. Even when you strike the ball low off the face.

Furthermore, its face curvature construction beats off unwanted spin prompted by off-center strikes. This reduces the risk of you hooking or slicing your drive into trouble.

Low Spin

Low spin off the tee enables you to produce piercing ball flight and prompt optimal forward roll upon landing. When I create excess spin, I balloon my drives and lose distance. The ball shoots into the air and descends rapidly before coming to an abrupt halt.

The beauty of the M4 is that it contains an adjustable hosel. Therefore, you can continuously strengthen the loft of your driver to reduce backspin RPM.

Adjustable Hosel

By adding an adjustable hosel, TaylorMade allows you to tinker with the loft, angle, and your clubface lie. If you are generating excess backspin RPM you can strengthen your driver’s loft to reduce spin. Conversely, you can weaken the loft to encourage additional backspin RPM.

Moreover, the hosel alters the angle of the face. You can set your club up to induce a draw or a fade. Strengthen your loft on the adjustable hosel, and keep your clubface open and ready to prompt a fade shape.

Contrarily, weakening the loft closes the club face by up to 4 degrees, encouraging the club to promote a draw.

This feature is suited to mid and high handicappers still identifying the perfect composition for their swings.

What I Dislike About The TaylorMade M4

Shaft Options

There is little not to like about the TaylorMade M4 driver. It is forgiving, feels superb, and delivers optimal distance on all strikes. However, they are skint on stock shaft options. There is only one brand of stock shaft available.

I would like them to offer more stock shafts that cater to every swing speed and tempo.

Related Reading: Since they are a highly reputable manufacturer, TaylorMade’s golf clubs are not found in the bargain bin. However, if the price is everything to you, there are more affordable options. Find your ideal big stick among our 10 best drivers under $200.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years. Current Handicap: 8

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The internal space is cleverly divided to provide a separate space for weddings and private parties, while a wrap-around patio overlooking the 12th and 18th greens almost doubles the footprint available for hosting members and visitors. Huge bi-folding doors enhance the feeling of space, creating a smooth transition between inside and out, while an open kitchen with a serving hatch that opens up to the patio provides the opportunity for golfers to grab a quick snack and a drink en route to the first or 10th tee. Two kitchens, including one with a wood-fired pizza oven and an Argentinian grill – show the ambition of the club to offer more than your standard sandwich platter and chips combo – although they can do that too – and shows why Pyrford is also proving a popular venue for those for whom chasing a small white ball has no appeal.

Strolling around the Pyrford Lakes Golf Club, mature woodlands frame the course, creating a tranquil atmosphere. Cattails and water lilies adorn the 23-acre lakefront. From the overflowing parking lot to the bustling afternoon scene on the club’s terrace, each scene is filled with unique memories.

You can embroider this unique experience into  PVC Patches: birds flying over the lake during your swing, the view from the terrace next to the 12th green, or sharing a meal with fellow golfers around the Argentinian grill—all become part of your unique design.

Whether sewn onto a golf bag, polo shirt, or hat, you can capture this joyful experience. GSJJ’s fast customization allows you to enjoy ultra-fast image processing and precise reproduction of details, instantly bringing your golf memories to life.

The improved course and the stylish clubhouse has proved an attractive proposition to golfers too, with the club now enjoying an extremely healthy membership of over 950, spread between 7-day, 5-day, Intermediate and Flexible members. The latter is a points-based scheme that enables points to be exchanged for tee times, with the number of points depending on day, time and holes played. It enables golfers to join the Get Golfing family for as little as £250, with points being able to be used at any of the company’s other 10 venues, including nearby Hampton Court Palace, North Downs in Surrey, Redlibbets in Kent, and the most recent addition, Winter Hill in Berkshire.

Membership fees are paid by monthly by direct debit, and with no joining fee and no big upfront annual membership costs, the barrier to entry is kept low, ensuring golfers can find a membership that suits their budget and their schedule. In line with its remit to grow the game, Get Golfing doesn’t charge a membership fee for juniors, so it’s not surprising that the club boasts a strong group of U18s, with 170 youngsters enjoying the freedom to use the club’s course and practice facilities at no cost, before hopefully staying with the club when they hit adulthood.

Whether it’s to play golf – club, social or society – host a family or business function or simply enjoy a bite to eat, Pyrford Lakes ticks all the boxes and plenty more besides. But don’t take my word for it – although you definitely should – come and experience it for yourself!

To book a tee time, visit golf.pyrfordgolf.co.uk/visitorbooking. To enquire about membership, visit pyrfordgolf.co.uk or call 01483 723555. For more information about Get Golfing, visit getgolfing.org

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TaylorMade released the Stealth driver range in 2022, kicking off the “Carbonwood Age” and moving away from the standard titanium clubface.

In this article, I conduct a TaylorMade Stealth driver review and examine the features, benefits, and downsides of this highly forgiving big stick.

You’ll notice that the Stealth is built for mid-handicappers seeking optimal leniency and a mid-to-high launch with a neutral ball flight.

If you are a high handicapper, you may prefer the draw bias profile of the Stealth HD driver. Conversely, the mid-launching Stealth Plus works for low handicappers.

Overall Rating and Thoughts

The Stealth is the outcome of genius engineering, designed to take drivers into a new age of production. I appreciate the exceptional forgiveness, consistency, and yardage it offers the average golfer. However, its premium price point will place it beyond reach for some.

If you are looking for a premium quality driver to invest in for the long term, look no further than the Stealth for a reliable investment in your game. It promotes straighter shots, is easy to launch, and delivers consistent carry yards. Overall, I feel the TaylorMade Stealth driver is for serious mid-handicappers looking for a big stick to carry them down to a low handicapper.

Readers who appreciate the work of TaylorMade should read our review of the timeless TaylorMade M4.

Overall Rating: 8.9/10

Quick Overview of The TaylorMade Stealth Driver

Features

60X Carbon Twist Face

The sizeable difference between a TaylorMade Stealth driver and alternative products is its 60X carbon twist face. You’ll see that the engineers applied 60 carbon fiber layers to the clubface to enhance your feel and acoustics at impact.

In addition, I noticed that the Carbon fiber face helped me produce sufficient friction to get my ball airborne. However, the ball did not stay on the clubface for longer than necessary. Thanks to its flexible face, it generated ample ball speed because of the flexibility of the active zone.

Finally, the twist face construction resists turning during your swing to remain square to the target at impact. You’ll find that it promotes straighter shots for improved accuracy.

Nanotexture Cover

I noticed that the Stealth carried an additional protective layer on the carbon face, composed of polyurethane. TaylorMade calls it Nanotexture technology, and it helps you maintain ball speed and spin on all strikes. Plus, I felt it did well to eradicate vibrations typically experienced on off-center strikes.

Asymmetric Inertia Generator

Next, you’ll find that the Stealth packs an inertia-generating clubhead, which means it carries superior aerodynamics. I felt the driver glided through the air uninterrupted on my downswing, aiding my clubhead speed for a powerful strike.

Furthermore, the asymmetric inertia generator allowed the engineers to place a weight on the rear of the driver’s clubhead. You’ll find that this increases the offset of the driver and its moment of inertia (MOI) to encourage straighter shots.

While I have no gripe with the generator’s effectiveness, this technology is not new to the Stealth big stick. You can find it in the SIM range of drivers, predating the Stealth series.

Thru-Slot Speed Pocket

I noticed that the Thru-Slot Speed Pocket came to my aid on two separate occasions during testing after generating low-face strikes. Previous TaylorMade drivers carried this technology, and the brand obviously adopted the approach of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

The speed pocket enhances clubface flex to offer increased spring at the impact on mishits low off the face. Typically, striking the golf ball in this area leads to a drop-off in ball speed and spin, causing you to hit a short, low-spinning drive. You’ll see that you end up producing consistent yardage.

4 Degree Adjustable Loft Sleeve

As expected from a premium, modern construction, the new Stealth driver contains an adjustable loft sleeve.

You’ll notice that you can strengthen or weaken your standard loft by 2 degrees in either direction. For example, if you play a 10.5-degree loft, you can lower it to 8.5-degrees. Contrarily, you can weaken the clubface loft, to 12.5-degrees.

I suggest you refrain from tinkering with the loft excessively, as it impacts your face angle and can alter your length, trajectory, and launch. However, it is handy if you are trying to identify the correct profile for your swing.

Lofts

You’ll notice that stock TaylorMade Stealth drivers are constructed in 3 loft profiles to suit faster, moderate, and slower swing speeds. A 9-degree design is the lowest lofted creation in the Stealth range and is better suited to those with higher swing speeds.

Furthermore, a 10.5-degree profile is built for moderate swing speeds, seeking a mid-to-high launch off the tee box. Finally, you’ll find that the 12-degree design is ideal for slower swingers looking for a higher launching ball for farther carry yardage.

Shafts

TaylorMade offers golfers the choice of 4 stock shafts to suit a variety of swing speeds. However, I find that most options cater more toward moderate and high swing speeds than slower swingers.

You’ll find that if you fit into the category of a moderate swinger, there are only two options with regular flexes. The Aldila Ascent Red and the Ventus Red 5 are the way to go. The latter is also the only stock shaft with a senior flex, ideal for slow swing speed.

Finally, super fast swing speeds have the luxury of choosing the Aldila, Tour AD 12, and the Mitsubishi Diamana ZF60. These shafts offer stiff and extra stiff flex to produce straight ball flight for optimal roll, control, and total distance.

Stock Grip

The final feature to discuss is the Lamkin Crossline 360 grip with a textured feel. I felt that the tiny indents cluttered around the grip boosted my traction for superb control of the golf club. However, the standard size of the rubber may prove challenging for some golfers to keep the club on path.

Performance

Fast Ball Speed

I found that the Stealth driver delivered ball speed in line with my average on a GCQuad launch monitor. On a good day, I can generate approximately 134 mph velocity with a driver, and the Stealth driver notches up just under 133 mph. We are talking about the minor differences that had little impact on my total yardage.

Spin Rate

My optimal driver spin rate is 3000 revolutions per minute (rpm), and the Stealth is marginally a higher rate. It clocked in over 3200 rpm of spin, which did generate a slightly higher launch than usual. However, this suits the average golfer who requires increased launch for optimal distance.

Launch

In its factory settings, the Stealth driver is built to encourage a mid to high launch for consistent carry distance. I noticed that the intensified spin prompted an elevated apex on each occasion, making it a breeze to launch.

However, the higher launching nature of the Stealth may deter superior players looking for piercing flight off the tee.

Forgiveness

In my experience, the Stealth provided ample forgiveness ranging from accuracy, ball speed, and distance. Firstly, the high-MOI design of the clubface keeps it square to deliver direct flight for improved accuracy. In addition, an enlarged sweet spot maintains the ball’s pace and lowers spin for increased length.

Accuracy

I felt the combination of the Carbon Twist Face and weight distribution worked well to bolster accuracy. These features worked to keep your face square at contact to prevent a slice and induce straight accurate drives.

What I Like About The TaylorMade Stealth

Launch

The TaylorMade Stealth is an easy driver to consistently launch high and long, a trait suited to casual golfers. You’ll find that the higher launch is generated by the Nanotexture technology, which tweaks spin for optimal lift off the tee.

Accelerated Clubhead Speed

My clubhead speed is not the fastest, clocking in at approximately 85 mph. However, the Stealth earned me an extra mile per hour, up to 86 mph. You’ll notice that the Asymmetric Inertia Generator helps your clubhead glide through the air uninterrupted and accelerate velocity on the downswing.

High-MOI Design

I feel that the high-MOI design of this driver suits the needs of the average golfer prone to slicing the ball. I like that the Stealth mitigates the impact of wayward strikes, reducing the intensity of the slice. When you can square the clubface at impact, you stand a higher chance of finding the fairway.

Feel

The Feel of the Stealth driver is a double-edged sword. It impressed me and frustrated me simultaneously. I enjoyed its ability to reduce vibrations felt on off-center shots and shield my hands. However, the feeling was too muted, like I was hitting an airball.

Forgiveness

Besides encouraging accurate tee shots, the Stealth delivered a consistently high launch and optimal spin and ball speed. Its optimal approach to leniency works for the average golfer looking to preserve yardage without ending out of bounds on each shot.

What I Dislike About The TaylorMade Stealth

Price

Off the bat, I am not a fan of the exorbitant price of this driver. However, I understand that years of research and development go into manufacturing a groundbreaking product. If you are in the market for a long-term driver it is definitely worth the high price tag.

No Sliding Weight Track

Unlike the TaylorMade Stealth Plus, the standard edition does not include a sliding weight track, enabling you to adjust the center of gravity (CG). If you like the freedom of tinkering with your setup, then the Plus edition may be a better solution.

Similar Features To Previous Models

Despite the carbon wood clubface, the Stealth contains several technologies and features used in previous TaylorMade drivers. That in itself is not a negative. However, you can find older TaylorMade drivers with many of the same features at a lower price.

Shaft Options For Slower Swingers

The final downside of the Stealth is the shaft options for slower swingers. Only the Ventus Red 5 is offered in a senior flex. The remaining options are geared toward moderate and high swing speeds.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years. Current Handicap: 8

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The Red and Green courses were designed by five-time Open Champion J.H. Taylor, while the Blue, a more recent addition from the 1990s, quickly gained fame for its bold bunkering and undulating greens that demand precise putting.

The late Peter McEvoy OBE, one of the country’s most decorated amateur golfers, perfectly captures Frilford Heath’s essence: “It is God-given land— sandy and firm.

There are a great variety of holes on the three courses and a plethora of that much-neglected genre, short par 4s. Frilford has some of the very best.”

A day at Frilford Heath is further enriched by its idyllic setting, where golf and nature exist in perfect harmony. As a GEO-certified golf club, it is committed to environmental sustainability.

The 450-acre estate, designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), is carefully preserved in partnership with Natural England to protect local wildlife and habitats for future generations

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Westerham’s 7-day membership is closed with a waiting list in place.

The limited number of membership spaces means green fees are available throughout the week, including weekend mornings. The current peak rate of £75 offers excellent value for money and times are offered from 06:00 during the summer months.

With all the facilities on offer, Westerham is ideally set up to deal with golf days of any size.

Corporate Golf and Well Being Days have proved very popular, with companies such as NBC, BDW Homes, Hiscox, QBE, London Stock Exchange & Barclays regularly entertaining clients & staff.

Accessible from London and all corners of the south-east, make it a go-to venue for green fee payers and golf days alike.

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The great thing about the Callaway Mavrik driver being out now for a few years is that we can really decide whether or not this club is worth the money. Pricing has dropped, and new models have been brought to the market, but the Mavrik is still around.

This is the driver that I currently have in my bag. Therefore, I’ve got a lot to say about it!

If you are thinking of putting a Mavrik in the bag, or maybe even thinking it’s time to take it out, here are the things you should know about the Callaway Mavrik driver.

Overall Rating and Thoughts

If you have a driver more than four or five years old and are looking for an upgrade, the Callaway Mavrik is a great choice. I always like to try and narrow down the driver choices based on handicap, but with the Mavrik, I don’t need to.

Regardless of your handicap, there are some benefits here that you can really enjoy. Golfers will be impressed with the overall value that this driver offers. This is my first Callaway driver in more than 30 years of playing the game, and it has me excited to see what this brand comes up with next.

Overall Rating: 9.5/10

Callaway Mavrik Driver Features

The Callaway Mavrik driver has AI Technology and some impressive internal components to help golfers improve on overall distance and accuracy. Here are the stand-out features and how they will impact your game.

High Strength FS2S Titanium

Traditional titanium no longer cuts it as a premium golf material. Golf manufacturers are looking for alternative technologies that can help them give players tremendous distance gains. Callaway chose the FS2S Titanium for immense speed and better weighting than other types of technology.

I can tell you that the face has a firm but fast feel, and the ball jumps off it. I switched from a 7-year-old Cobra driver when I purchased the Mavrik, and the very first thing I noticed was the jump off the face.

Adjustable Hosel

The adjustable hosel in the Callaway Mavrik allows golfers to fine tune the ball flight and the face angle to ensure it’s a better fit. When I first started playing the Mavrik, I felt it was really open and actually closed the face a little.

I ended up moving it back and playing with the loft. However, the bottom line is that this adjustability makes it much easier to keep a club in play for years to come.

If you change your swing, work on that dreaded slice or even start hooking the ball a bit, you can adjust the clubhead to see an improvement.

Artificial Intelligence

We got through plenty of years of golf without artificial intelligence to help us. However, now that it’s here, it’s a mistake not to take advantage of it. AI allowed Callaway to perfectly position the center of gravity, improve weighting and increase overall ball speeds in their golf clubs.

The Callaway Mavrik line features include ball speed and distance, and much of that has to do with the AI construction. Combining that with the Jailbreak and Triaxial Carbon Crown, this driver is the complete package.

Callaway Mavrik Driver Performance

Now that you have a better idea of what the technology is like in the Callaway Mavrik let’s take a more detailed look at how the golf club actually performs. I’m playing with the Standard Mavrik driver with a stiff shaft, and right now, I have it set on the neutral settings at 10.5 degrees.

Price

The Callaway Mavrik driver has dropped in price since its initial release. For the value it is now offered, it is well worth the price. Of course, when clubs age a year or two, it can be hard to find the customized shaft selections you are looking for.

However, sometimes it’s worth getting a stock shaft like the UST Helium Black or Evenflow Riptide and seeing how this performs before replacing it.

Feel & Sound

The Mavrik is loud but nothing that stands out as being obnoxious. You know, there have been some Cobra or Ping drivers in the past that had a sound that many golfers couldn’t really put up with.

However, the Jailbreak bars and Jailbreak technology must help to muffle a little of what goes on inside the clubhead because it’s a pleasing sound that you would expect from a premium club.

The feel of the Mavrik is something that initially concerned me. I was transferring from a soft-feeling Cobra driver that was tremendously responsive. In addition, I had given the Epic Flash Driver a try and felt that the feel was harsh.

However, the Mavrik had a better feel than I expected, plenty of consistency, and even with a stock shaft, had some built-in workability.

Spin

Spin robustness is something that is important to consider in any club you put into your bag. The Mavrik has low spin rates; however, not the lowest spin rate on the market. If you have the driver set properly and your swing is on, the lower spinning drives roll for quite a ways.

However, it does take a little playing around with the shaft and driver club head settings to get the spin perfect and benefit from the levels of spin you need.

Mid handicappers and below will have no trouble with the spin you get from the Callaway Mavrik.

Forgiveness

The Callaway Mavrik drive is forgiving. It’s not the most forgiving driver I’ve ever used, but I certainly consider it more of a game-improvement driver than a players club. The cyclone aero shape cuts through the air easily, and the more expansive area that Callaway considers the sweet spot gives you a lot of room for error.

I find that I can feel where I miss it (high, low, heel, toe), but the shot still ends up in the general area where I need it to be.

Distance

Distance from the Mavrik is good, regardless of clubhead speed. Slower swing speed golfers have noticed tremendous games, and higher swing speed golfers playing with the right shaft can go after this club without having to worry about it.

The new Callaway Rogue and TaylorMade Stealth are getting fast ball speeds and beating the Mavrik out a bit. However, for many players, this is a very small difference. If you haven’t upgraded your driver in the last few years, the Mavrik has some impressive distance.

The only negative I can say regarding distance is that there are times when I can hit the ball a good 10 or 15 yards further than other times when I feel like I have made a good swing. The distance control is just a bit off, but I never feel like I’m losing distance with this driver.

What I Like About The Callaway Mavrik Driver

My favorite thing about the Callaway Mavrik Driver, especially now that I have it dialed in a bit more, is the consistency. I no longer have to think about this club; when I stand on the tee box, I know where it is going.

In fact, I even know where my miss is going.

Although the distance control isn’t always great, the results of the drive are something I’m almost always happy with.

In addition, the Callaway Mavrik driver has a great feel. As I mentioned, I can feel when I miss it, but the ball still travels where I want it to. Essentially being able to get feedback but not have to deal with a disastrous shot is a huge benefit.

Lastly, the Callaway Mavrik Driver is an outstanding value right now. This club is going to stay in play for quite some time, and the technology will remain relevant. It’s a good time to buy.

What I Dislike About The Callaway Mavrik Driver

The driver sits really open.

In fact, when I went to get it regripped not that long ago, the pro there even mentioned that he feels like this driver always sits so far open. It really does.

However, it’s more the way it looks than whether or not the club is actually open to the target. If your clubface is open to the target, you will hit shots right, but I almost never hit this driver right.

The top-down look is wide open, but the driver is square. If you know this is going in, you won’t make the same mistake I did and start adjusting the driver to help it look more square. Just let this club sit as it’s designed, and you will get some really impressive drives out of it.

Brittany Olizarowicz

Britt O has been playing golf since the age of 7. Almost 30 years later, she still loves the game, has played competitively on every level, and spent a good portion of her life as a Class A PGA Professional. Britt currently resides in Savannah, GA, with her husband and two young children. Current Handicap: 1

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