Knowing how much and how long I have loved the game of golf, many people have flooded my e-mail in-box with jokes, cartoons and amusingly-doctored photos dealing with the Tiger Woods affair(s). After taking a cursory look at a few of them, I haven't even opened the rest...and don't plan to. Here's why... My lifelong interest in golf and the great champions who have played man's oldest game, is as much based on their character off the course as their prowess on. For example, I grew-up with Bobby Jones as my hero for how he led his personal life in spite of his fame for his mind-boggling on-course exploits. Similarly, while always believing Babe Didrikson Zaharias to have been the greatest athlete of the twentieth century, what I admired most about her was the way she demonstrated time and again, by example, just what a woman was capable of in a so-called Man's World... right up to the end of her tragically abbreviated life. Like every other student of the game, I hope to continue being rendered speechless by the unmatched quality of every facet of Tiger's game, the fierceness of his never-say-die competitive spirit, and the trancelike self-discipline he musters and sustains without interruption through seventy-two holes. What's more, I don't question for a moment that he is entitled to a personal life with its byword being the name of his yacht, or rather ship..."Privacy." All of that having been said though, in my opinion, Eldrick Woods may be an on-course Tiger, the likes of which none have come before him, but alas, off it he is no Mr. Nicklaus, Mr. Hogan, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Jones, Mr. Ouimet or Mr. Vardon. Pity.

We've received many questions on the 2010 Hot List, most involving individual requests for club-buying advice. This one on the Hybrids list fell in that category, but gave Golf Digest Equipment Editor Mike Stachura a chance to explain a bit more about the process of creating the Hot List.

Hoping for your opinion. I am looking at hybrid iron sets. Was wondering if the "lesser" companies like Orlimar, Lynx, Hippo etc. can stand up to the "big boys" like Adams, Cleveland, Ping, Wilson (D-FY or even Di-9) etc. ? Is the quality close? I have been playing for about 5 months now and shoot in the low 100's and want to get to the 90's by the end of summer if possible. So am looking for a quality set of irons, preferablly all hybrids, without breaking the bank. Thank You for your help!

Stachura's reply:

First, in each year's Hot List process, we consider the ENTIRE marketplace.
Those products that make the Hot List fundamentally enhance the paradigm of
that particular club category. Those that don't make the Hot List, in the
simplest terms, fail to move the needle in any meaningful way in some or all
of our four Hot List criteria (Performance, Innovation, Look/Sound/Feel,
Demand). In other words, we've evaluated all of these products and they
simply do not measure up.

Why? First, any club that is significantly less expensive than main line
equipment very likely will use cheaper component materials (shaft, grip).
This can be particularly deficient in something like a graphite shaft. In
other words, don't be fooled by a sporty paint job.
Second, most of these lower level entries do not spend the time, money and
manpower to develop an innovative product. There has been little testing
done to ensure performance is superior to past products, and there is little
sense that elements like turf interaction or sound or even consistency of
manufacturing are at the highest levels.

Third, how much exactly would you save by purchasing a low-level product?
You might find a set of Orlimar Spectre hybrid irons for $400, but for $600
you can get a set of Cobra S2 Max irons (Gold, Hot List 2010), or Cleveland
HiBore XLi (Gold, Hot List 2009). For that same $400, you can still find an
Adams a3OS set (Gold, Hot List 2008). That's a significant amount of money,
perhaps, but don't forget that the Cobra, Cleveland and Adams sets have a
trade-in value, while the Orlimar Spectre's trade-in value on the PGA.com
Value Guide is exactly $0.00.

Finally, I'm not saying that you can't enjoy yourself to a sufficient degree
by opting for an off-brand. Instead, what we do with the Hot List is
determine the products that are superior across our four criteria. If that's
not important to you, and if price is the only thing that matters, then you
may choose to go another direction. Golf Digest, however, is only
recommending the clubs that appear on the Hot List.

Thanks, Rob and Mike.

I find it quite difficult to believe that your Editor-in-Chief Jerry Tarde would allow such an article on notable golfers to include Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini, who arranged for the murder of many millions of men, women and children. It was also mentioned that they met at the Lido Golf Club outside Venice in 1934; they did not play golf. I am seriously wondering what this is all about. I am suggesting that at an immediate apology should be given to all of your readers for this unsensitive article that include the likes of Hitler and Mussolini.

I read with interest your article about 60 famous golfers and would offer the following to be added to your list. Most people know Johnny Mathis as one of the all time greatest singers. I had the pleasure of meeting John back in the 60's and learned like a lot of us Johnn has a passion for the game of golf. He plays "religiously" around the world and as often as he can at his home courses in L.A. John, now in his seventies, plays to about a 12 handicap and continues to entertain people around the world on and off the golf course. I would add Johnny Mathis to your list of "other" famous golfers. Thank you.

You forgot Jackie Gleason. I believe his home course was near Ft Lauderdale, FL.

The introductory text to the list attempted to explain the methodology for determining the final 60. Obviously, any such list is subjective, but variety, diversity and surprise were factors that weighed into our decisions. As we wrote, it was a daunting task. If we included all 15 golfing presidents, we’d be left with only 45 spots. We easily could have come up with 60 famous baseball players who’ve played a lot of golf. Or 60 actors/actresses. But where’s the fun and surprise in that? We opted for variety. That’s why Al Capone and O.J. Simpson, two infamous but historic figures made the list. Both were serious golfers. So was everyone else on the list of 60. We took a bit more license with the additional 40. Those were very famous (or infamous) people for whom golf played some sort of role in their lives, hence Hitler, but not Mussolini--he's not on the list. It was interesting that he played, nothing more to it than that.

Your continued support of Mr. Eldridge Woods is unacceptable. I am along time subscriber of your mag and I will stop renewing if you continue your support of Mr. Woods. I'm deeply saddened by the inaction of you and Mr. Finchem. Mr. Woods should be severely punished. His antics have hurt the game of golf and will have far reaching consequences. Act now and do the right thing. Golf has been supported for years by the generous and truly good people involved in pro sport! Mr. Woods has put a very bad mark on the years of work done by great people who have donated there time without so much as a penny!

A few comments surrounding the delusional positions taken by some media one professional: 1. To all of the members of the Golf Writers Assoc of America who "made a stand" and boycotted for the reason reported as they should be able to ask questions. Tiger doesn't need you. He can release his statements via his web site. Show a real stand and don't write a word about him for 6 months. You'll all be unemployed. 2. Brandel Chamblee stating something to the effect: the writers speak for the fans and they want to ask questions. Huh? They were the same ones writing he got smacked in the face by Elin with a golf club. And every time a family member or the like put gasoline in their car it was a national news breaking story. It's unfortunate that those people chose a career path that is so dependent on such trivial, inconsequential events basically by one person that the media needs to make it such a big deal. 3. Ernie Els must be looking for more beat downs. Cause they are coming. What he did was inexcusable and I am a father that had the tough conversation with my son. But this too shall pass, hopefully soon and we can all get back to golf.

Golf World's March 1 cover quotes Tiger as saying, "I am deeply sorry." When he and his ilk apologize this way for their transgressions they always fail to finish such a statement with the phrase, ".....that I got caught." Seems to me that this is what they are deeply sorry for.

In Woods' case, there have been way too many examples in the past of arrogant, rich athletes who think they are invisible and bulletproof. For him to think he could get away with it, proves just how stupid he is. This is not the Tiger Woods Tour, it's the PGA Tour. Write about his accomplishments on the course and leave the crap for the tabloids. You publish a golf magazine, write about golf. While he owes his family and his sponsors an apology, the true test of his "rehabilitation" will be how he treats the fans. My vote is that he will not change

As a golf fan, frequent player and someone who understands the concept of a society based on rules, I respectfully request you stop giving the publicity to Tiger Woods that he no longer deserves. Because of his blatant failures, he no longer even exists in the minds of many of us and to put him on your cover adds insult to injury. He has lowered himself to the thug status of the NBA and NFL. Have you no sense of what propriety even means?

An article in the April issue of Golf Digest incorrectly reported that President Obama made a personal call to Tiger Woods to offer encouragement. Though the president commented publicly, that call never occurred. The story also stated that President Clinton called Woods to offer personal support. Upon further reporting, we found that Mr. Clinton had "wished him well" in a telephone conversation, but that it was Woods who had placed the call to Mr.Clinton on "something unrelated," according to the former president's spokesman, Matt McKenna. Our mistakes in both cases were due to a misunderstanding between the writer and a trusted source. We regret the errors.

Never wrote to a golf magazine before, but I have to say to you, why would you put the man's face on front of your magazine who has brought nothing but shame to his family, fellow golf players, the golf game standards, country and everyone else he touches, when you could have put Ian Poulter a young man who just won his first PGA Tour event ? And these are the fellows who are going to be on tour, and strengthening the PGA Tour: [You are] selling magazine--no character. The tour won't be the same without a Tiger, not as much money, but they'll survive; they have lots of talent, and some fine men who play the game--which you might consider focusing on. Leopards don't change their spots and Tigers don't change their stripes, no matter how much money you pay people to put a positive spin on things. Respect....doubt it....but in this country money is the name of the game. Sorry you couldn't be classy and support the fabulous guys that are on the tour, every week, grinding and showing up.

As a younger woman, who is strong, feminist, and post-feminist, and feminine, I was outraged by your selection of letters about Tiger Woods in your Feb. 2010 edition. I do not believe it was representative. Men have sex. Real men have a lot of sex. Men who are husbands support their families, satisfy their wives, raise their children, and have plenty left over. I cannot abide a society that would deprive us of Alexander Hamilton and Ben Franklin (who supported their many illegitimate children), that would deprive us of JFK and LBJ (Lyndon Johnson once shouted out at a Cabinet meeting, "I have had more women on accident than JFK had on purpose!"), and that would have deprived us of other athletes and politicians of quality because of behavior that is natural and none of our business. Not one Golf Digest reader I know is as priggish as the 100% of quotes you presented. Or, perhaps the decorum of those of us who expect men to mate freely as long as they meet their duties simply left the prudes and hypocrites free to dominate your pages. Tiger Woods should have grinned, cracked a joke, and won his next tournament. His self-emasculation is a horror.

The Feburary 2010 issue of Golf Digest was the first I've thoroughly enjoyed in a very long time. Why? Because it wasn't swamped with stories and articles about Tiger. It was so refreshing to read about other players who have been ignored by your magazine in favor of Tiger, that I read through it twice. Tiger has never had the class and sportsmanship of Watson, Nicklaus, Palmer, Player, and countless other true gentlemen of this game that we all love, honor and cherish.

Bill Fields opens his article saying he'd rather watch golfers/Tiger play rather than listen to them/him, but in the same paragraph, he states that Tiger should have spoken sooner about what happened "that November night." Mr. Fields says that "it might have helped his cause" had Tiger spoken sooner. What "cause" is Tiger fighting? Does Mr. Fields think Tiger owes it to the media and to all for that matter an apology? He owes me/us nothing and while I know he would be forever hounded until he went public, it remains sad that even after his public speech, there will be those who say he didn't go far enough, he didn't give the sordid details that are craved. With all that is wrong with the world, it is just tragic that this matter that is between Tiger and his family, become so publicly attended. Can you just imagine how much more beneficial this energy can be utilized in a productive manner? It concerns me not in the least what happened that November night, I don't watch Tiger play golf because he is a devoted and faithful husband. Rather, I watch him in delight of what he does and can do as his chosen profession.

Dan Jenkins clearly sees Tiger Woods for what he is, well written! Perhaps Tiger will now add a little class and humility to his portfolio.

Tom had a nice Open Championship and all but I recall he had his own marital issues. He sounds like a "pot" [vs. kettle] in your story. Too bad he didn't emulate his younger colleagues.

I heard Tiger make a plea, to paraphrase: “…Can you (the media, the paparazzi) please leave us alone? Will you respect the privacy of my family if not for me?” When I heard this, and I heard it loud and clear as the most significant thing that Tiger said, I immediately thought: “Is it possible, that, as a society, we can finally evolve to the point where there is no need for ‘role models,’ that each, and all, of us believes enough in themselves so that is no longer necessary to ‘take’ part of another human (and only human) as something that validates our own existence?” As for making history? In the, I hope, near future, we will indeed evolve to the stage where we no longer need to consider the best of ourselves are represented simply by those who are the most visible amongst us. As if simply doing whatever it takes to obtain visibility is a recommended path for each individual. The history here is, that when all of us, as a society, reach the independence of self to let go of the pull on celebrity as our example, then, we will look back on Tiger’s plea as the first, of the many it will take, to say, “Please leave me alone to live the life that I am, and understand that I am not responsible or representative of yours.” Is it ultimately fair to model Tiger as our role model for life (even while he is a model for a golf game none of us will achieve)? Did he ask for that? Is there anything more that he could have done in terms of generous philanthropy growing the game exponentially, building a win/win empire benefiting thousands ? At some point in evolution, people will all live the lives they live for their reasons, not for the reasons of other people. They will sign autographs if and when they want - the consequences being theirs and theirs alone to bear. They will or they will not be what other people think what they should or should not be. Since we are not there, I challenge all--and all means anyone who has seen the dedication Tiger Woods has to his one endeavor--to think deeply to try and determine a) do you live in a glass house?, and b) should you throw stones?