Top Performing Drivers

May 24, 2011

By Mike Stachura

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In the history of the Hot List, we awarded these drivers our top ratings.

2005 Hot List TaylorMade r7 Quad and TaylorMade r5 Dual

These drivers catered to two different audiences. The smaller r7 Quad (400 cubic centimeters) allowed all players to tweak trajectories (left, right, high and low) unlike any driver in history thanks to four movable weights in the sole. The r5 was TaylorMade's biggest driver at 450 cc and had the most stability on off-center hits, helped by two fixed weights in the very rear of the sole. We wrote at the time, the r7 "works regardless of whether you move the weights around," while the r5's "size gives you forgiveness and confidence." On the PGA.com Value Guide, the selling price for r7 Quad hover around $58, while the r5 goes for about $39.

Photo By: Jim Herity

2006 Hot List Callaway X460

A relatively straightforward all-titanium design from a company that was breaking new territory in multimaterial designs, X460 utilized a sole design that allowed the face to sit square at address, while its variable face thickness aided ballspeed on the largest face in the company's history. At the time, we called it "the best all-titanium driver Callaway has made, including the revered Great Big Bertha." Approximate PGA.com Value Guideprice: $45.

Photo By: Jim Herity

2007 Hot List Ping Rapture

The Rapture became a favorite of Ping's bigger-hitting tour players even after other models came along. The titanium crown featured a web-like frame in the rear portion whose holes were filled with lightweight graphite. Said one panelist: "Perfect sound." We said at the time: "the meatiest sounding composite driver ever." Approximate PGA.com Value Guideprice: $80.

Photo By: Jim Herity

2008 Hot List Ping G10

Here's another throwback driver still in play, so solid that Lee Westwood is still carrying it as his gamer, almost four years after it was introduced. Its taller face than its G2 and G5 predecessors and weblike crown structure (borrowed from the aforementioned Rapture) helped improve stability. We touted its simple looks, offering that it was "more subtly explosive than a handful of plastique in a can of Play-Doh." Approximate PGA.com Value Guideprice: $94.

Photo By: Jim Herity

2009 Hot List TaylorMade Burner ('09)

The first mainstream driver to explore ultra-long and ultralight shafts, the 49-gram 46 1/4-inch Burner drew praise for its high potential for increasing speed. The company worked to make the balance of the club still feel traditional in its new weight and length, and it resonated with our player panelists, one saying, "Foolproof. A straight ball on every swing." Approximate PGA.com Value Guideprice: $79.

Photo By: Jim Herity

2010 Hot List Ping G15

The theory behind this driver was saved weight from the shaft allowed more weight to be shifted to the head providing a higher-balance point and the ability to deliver more mass to the ball at the same speed. More mass also helped improve the head's moment of inertia. Our assessment: "In a world full of overstated cases, Ping just makes things that we want to use because they work." New: $250. Approximate PGA.com Value Guideprice: $182.

Photo By: Jim Herity

2011 Hot List Titleist 910D2/D3

This driver earned the top score in our process in both Performance and Look/Sound/Feel, the first time that's happened for a driver in Hot List history. The traditional Titleist pear-shaped look was coupled with an independent, two-way adjustable hosel system that was designed to help players tweak ballflight preferences. Said one of our panelists, "You can hit the shot you want with this club." New: $400. Approximate PGA.com Value Guideprice (used): $305.

Photo By: Jim Herity

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Photo By: Jim Herity

World Golf Championships-Workday Championship at The Concession

Top Performing Drivers

2005 Hot List TaylorMade r7 Quad and TaylorMade r5 Dual

2006 Hot List Callaway X460

2007 Hot List Ping Rapture

2008 Hot List Ping G10

2009 Hot List TaylorMade Burner ('09)

2010 Hot List Ping G15

2011 Hot List Titleist 910D2/D3

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