I get asked all the time on my social media channels and in the YouTube comments to do a proper What's In The Bag feature, and since working with Gofalot I have had the opportunity to try out all of the best clubs on the market.
This is my chance to throw out all of my previous loyalties and build the best bag for my game. I can't tell you how exciting it has been to go back through all of the previous clubs I have tested to decide which of them are going to make the grade.
You can watch my full 2021 What's In The Bag video feature, shot at the stunning JCB Golf and Country Club via the Golfalot YouTube channel here:
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DRIVER
Specs: 9 Degrees, B1 setting, Mitsubishi Tensei AV Blue 65g (R) shaft.
Price: £519.00
Why I chose it: I have to admit, the fact many of the tour players were switching into this driver towards the back end of 2020 during Titleist's tour seeding process made me very keen to try the TSi range. It’s ATI 425 face insert produced some of the fastest ball speed numbers I have ever seen and the look is both slick and traditional which I loved.
There is so much technology in the head but the new SureFit track sits inside the sole and is really neat. The traditional size head and increased distance sold it for me, and when playing with friends they all said that it was notably longer than my usual driver. The ball data, plus the notable on-course performance, made this the standout driver for me.
Favourite thing about it: The increased distance I achieved.
Review verdict: “138mph is the fastest ball speed I have seen from any driver I have tested with Golfalot!”
Other honourable mentions: The Ping G425 was the most forgiving and the Callaway Epic Speed was nearly as good as the TSi in ball speed, but neither could quite pip it!
FAIRWAY WOODS
Price: £299.00
Why I chose it: Ball speed was sensational and the consistency of my carry distance was amazing. I remember my first shot and reaction of “wow that’s quick!".
Favourite thing about it: The consistency of my carry numbers, as usually 3 wood is the least consistent club in the bag for me, but not with the Epic Speed which is a big plus for me - I felt like I could trust it out on the golf course.
Review verdict: "I'm looking for more consistency with my fairway woods, to make my bad shots better, and I found that I did that with this club."
Other honourable mentions: Titleist TSi2, Ping G425.
HYBRIDS
Specs: 17 and 19 degrees, Ping Tour 85 (R) shaft.
Price: £249.99 per club
Why I chose it: I fell in love with the clubs as soon as I saw them at European Ping HQ last year. They’re the best looking and best performing hybrids I have ever hit. The Spinsistency technology sounds too good to be true, but it isn’t, it's technology that makes sense and definitely worked for me.
Favourite thing about it: It feels like I am cheating using these, they are so easy to hit and control.
Review verdict: “These clubs will help a lot of golfers, well done Ping.”
Other honourable mentions: Nothing came close, these are head and shoulders above anything I have tried in the hybrid/utility department.
IRONS - COMBO SET
Specs: 4-7 iron, Mitsubishi Chemical 65 (R) shaft.
Price: £1299 (for 7 irons)
Specs: 8-PW iron, Mitsubishi Chemical 65 (R) shaft.
Price: £1299 (for 7 irons)
Why I chose it: I have chosen a TaylorMade combo set as I struggle with the transition between the feel of my Vokey wedges and then moving into a performance iron. Inside 135 yards is my scoring yardage and I use my 9 iron and wedges a lot in my pitching and short game. I went for a bold choice of MB and P770 which could only be done thanks to a full fitting from TaylorMade. He changed the lofts to suit and so there was a gradual change between 8 iron (MB) and 7 iron (P770) which provided the blend that I needed.
Favourite thing about it:
P770: They are solid, good-feeling clubs without being scary long.
P7MB: They are precision irons which are ideal for scoring.
Review verdict:
P770: “These irons do just what TaylorMade are saying they should do.”
P7MB: “TaylorMade have produced a stunning iron for elite players, if you are in the market for new blades then you must give these a go.”
Other honourable mentions: Callaway Apex Pro, Mizuno JPX921 Forged, Callaway Apex MB
Specs: 52 degree F Grind (12 degrees bounce), 58 degree D Grind (12 degrees bounce), Mitsubishi Tensei AV Series (R) shaft.
Price: £159.99
Why I chose them: Vokeys continue to be the best wedges on the market.
Favourite thing about them: I always struggled to find a wedge that performs well in a full shot, pitch shot and chip shot. These do all of these extremely well. I can’t express enough how important it is to be fitted for your wedges. The higher bounce has really helped my strike and divot consistency, and massively helped my bunker play.
Review verdict: “They look, feel and perform great and with the added grind and bounce there are so many options to suit your swing and conditions. ”
Other honourable mentions: Cobra King Snakebite, Cleveland RTX ZipCore
Specs: 35 inches, Odyssey Stroke Lab shaft, Odyssey DFX grip.
Price: £219.00
Why I chose it: This was the biggest surprise to my bag, as I never normally like a mallet putter and I don’t usually putt that well with them - until now. The easy alignment and overall balance of the club meant that I really enjoyed using this, and the performance was great too.
Favourite thing about it: Fantastic stability levels with great alignment.
Review verdict: “They look, feel and perform great and with the added grind and bounce there are so many options to suit your swing and conditions.”
Other honourable Mentions: Ping 2021 Anser
Price: £49.99
Why I chose it: To be honest, the performance was very similar to all of the other manufacturers but the logo sells it for most of us. The Pro V1x is better for me as it flies higher and stays in the air longer, meaning I gain a little more distance.
Favourite thing about it: The launch and height of the ball, plus the reliability of the Pro V1 name.
Review verdict: “It does exactly what it says on the box”
Other honourable Mentions: - Callaway Chrome Soft X LS
So there you have it, my the best clubs I have reviewed in 2021 (so far) all rolled in my What's In The Bag! Do you agree with my choices? What new clubs do you have in the bag this year? Join in the conversation in the comments section of the video of the Golfalot YouTube channel.
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