HOT LIST 2007: WOODS

GOLD
TITLEIST PT 906F2: STREET PRICE: $220.; SPECS: Three lofts (13, 15, 18 degrees).; KEY TECHNOLOGY: The square face and forward CG are aimed at producing a penetrating, low ball flight. The lightweight Carpenter 275 steel face insert inside a 431 steel body helps produce a better feel and more forgiveness.; PANELIST COMMENTS: "The head looks small and has a heavier, persimmon-type feel. I made three very different swings, and all three shots went pretty much to the same place, so it's definitely forgiving."; JUDGES VERDICT: A great club for traditionalists looking for a firm, heavy feel and lots of playability.; Hot: Aldila NV, UST Proforce V2 are standard options.; Not: Only above-average players need apply.; Wide face area increases playability.; titleist.com

silver
BRIDGESTONE J33: STREET PRICE: $150.; SPECS: Three lofts (15, 18, 21 degrees).; KEY TECHNOLOGY: The small, 17-4 stainless-steel clubhead has tungsten back weights to optimize the CG. An internal elastomer insert is positioned in the back sole to help reduce vibration.; PANELIST COMMENTS: "A flat-out solid golf club. I just killed it. Great, straight trajectory. The plain, classic head reminds me of the old wooden models, with more forgiveness."; JUDGE'S VERDICT: There's something to be said for a simple yet solid design in a fairway wood. A definite player's favorite.; Hot: Nine shaft varieties.; Not: Not ideal if you're not among the founding fathers of Clubface City.; Only one of 23 shaft options is softer than R flex.; bridgestonegolf.com

SILVER
MIZUNO F-50: STREET PRICE: $200.; SPECS: Five lofts (13.5, 15, 16.5, 18, 21 degrees).; KEY TECHNOLOGY: The lightweight carbon-composite crown allows for the movement of 20 grams to the back and bottom of the stainless-steel head. The multiple-thickness face is designed to produce consistent deflection even on off-center hits.; PANELIST COMMENTS: "It snuggles up nicely to the ball, and the impact is just classic. . . . You can split the apple all day long with this baby, and the ball just seems to hang in the air forever."; JUDGE'S VERDICT: It has a classic look even with graphite technology, and it has pro feel and playability.; Hot: Multilevel sole glides through impact.; Not: Custom shafts aplenty, but finding the right fit isn't easy.; Mizuno offers 32 shaft options.; muzunousa.com

SILVER
NIKE SQ2: STREET PRICE: $200.; SPECS: Five lofts (13, 15, 17, 19, 21 degrees).; KEY TECHNOLOGY: The low-profile steel head has a thin, hard, cryogenically tempered steel face designed to increase ball speed. A rail in the sole helps improve turf contact, and the rear ring has a weight plug to lower the CG.; PANELIST COMMENTS: “This thing came off the tee really big. The face shape encourages a nice sweeping motion. . . . Very forgiving.”; JUDGE'S VERDICT: The two-tone PowerBow technology does a good job of disguising the size of the head and creating a low, deep CG.; Hot: The Cryo Steel face has twice the strength of 6-4 titanium.; Not: The stark yellow on the back of the shaft is annoying.; Two-color crown design makes head seem smaller.; nikegolf.com

SILVER
PING RAPTURE: STREET PRICE: $300.; SPECS: Three lofts (14, 17, 20 degrees).; KEY TECHNOLOGY: The plasma-welded, machined titanium face and the titanium frame have a large weight chip directly below the clubhead's CG. The idea is to increase launch angle and stability.; PANELIST COMMENTS: "Sure this shouldn't be in the driver category? It's not so big that you can't get it airborne. A good club for someone who wants distance off the tee but doesn't like to use a driver."; JUDGE'S VERDICT: Greatly forgiving, its size might be a stumbling block, but not for those who need the most help.; Hot: 7-wood is conventional size.; Not: Light on lofts, particularly in a strong-lofted, backup driver version.; Do titanium's benefits justify the cost?; pinggolf.com

SILVER
SONARTEC GS TOUR: STREET PRICE: $220.; SPECS: Four lofts (13, 14, 15, 18 degrees).; KEY TECHNOLOGY: This player's club features a small, stainless-steel head with the CG positioned forward to create a boring trajectory. A channel-like sole cavity assists in lining up the CG of the clubhead with that of the ball.; PANELIST COMMENTS: "This feels as precise as a surgical instrument. It's got a distinct, sleek look. Might be tough to hit for all but better players, but who cares?; JUDGE'S VERDICT: With this club, Sonartec demonstrates what it does best: create great fairway clubs for great players.; Hot: Graphite Design Red Ice shaft is a perfect match.; Not: A 21-degree would be fun, no?; All the heads are less than 150cc.; sonartec.com

SILVER
TAYLORMADE r7 DRAW: STREET PRICE: $180.; SPECS: Three lofts (15, 18, 21 degrees).; KEY TECHNOLOGY: The shallow-face, wide-sole head has a "Speed Scoop" that moves weight from the toe to the heel to create a low, rear CG for a high-launch/heavy-draw bias. The soft-tipped RE*AX shaft is designed to help slicers close the clubface and launch the ball higher.; PANELIST COMMENTS: "The nice, round head made it look like I could just hit this club all day long. I had to work hard to get it to move right—it really does fight a slice."; JUDGE'S VERDICT: For players with slower swing speeds, it's as easy to hit as a fairway wood can be.; Hot: Doesn't look overly gimmicky.; Not: The "Draw" name is a turnoff.; Stock shaft weighs just 55 grams.; taylormadegolf.com