The Loop
Video: Larry Fitzgerald visited Hot List testing and we made him work
A lot of our readers love our annual Hot List equipment review, and want to be involved in it. We get to see that when we have openings for panelists and hundreds of emails come in asking for a chance. We love seeing that energy from golfers. But one golfer we didn’t expect to express interest in the process was Larry Fitzgerald. As in, the wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals who'll be facing off against the Packers in a playoff game this weekend.
While interviewing Larry as one of our Golfers Who Give Back in the December issue, he mentioned he wanted to check out the Hot List testing process. So on one of the days of testing during our Hot List Summit outside Phoenix, while all of our panelists were grinding it out on the range, Larry pulled up in a cart.
As excited as everyone was to see him, he was more excited about the clubs. Think kid and a candy store.
We put Larry through all the paces of being a panelist. Testing irons, going through the extensive process of making sure each driver is fit correctly for him, wedge testing, putting testing. He’s been playing golf for two years, but his swing would make you think he’s been playing a lot longer. Maybe the fact he’s absurdly athletic and in better shape than any of us helped him pick up the game quicker… who knows.
There are two teaching pros on our panel, too, and they always take the time to look at our panelists’ swings (they even give the editors tune ups). Larry was no different. He got everything the rest of our panelists got: a few swing tips, and by the end, it sounds like he got a sore back, too.
Meanwhile, the results of all this testing will be online Feb. 2. That's when our gold- and silver-medalist clubs will be announced, so be sure to check back then.