The Game's Most In-Depth Instruction and Equipment Magazine

Trendsetter Award
Composite/Titanium Integration

It's rare when a new technology begins a trend that sets the standard for future designs, but in 2004, this occurred when Callaway, Mizuno, Purespin, Yonex, SMT, Hippo Golf and Nickent introduced, respectively, the ERC Fusion, the MP-001, the MG-460, the Cyberstar PowerBrid, Babylon, Giant ITX and Genex Cross models. Those models, as well as the new Cobra Comp series, all utilize a combination of materials including a titanium body and face with a composite crown, a technique that saves weight and gives designers more freedom. Each company takes advantage of this weight savings in different ways, with the end result being a club that features redistributed mass to different areas of the clubhead for greater forgiveness and enhanced launch conditions.  Look for these types of designs from all the majors soon.

For more information, visit www.callawaygolf.com, www.mizunousa.com, www.yonex.com, www.smtgolf.com, www.hippo-golf.com, www.nickentgolf.com and www.cobragolf.com.

GT Innovation of the Year
TLC Port Design (TaylorMade)

Technological innovation is the key to developing new golf products, particularly today when players demand a lot more from a premium-priced model than simple cosmetic changes. For this reason, the r7 quad Driver has earned the GT Innovation of the Year Award for 2004. With four TLC ports that are fitted with TLC cartridges that range in weight from 10 grams (tungsten) to two grams (titanium), the r7 quad Driver can be reconfigured with a specially designed tool to provide up to six significantly different launch conditions. The design makes it possible for the changes to be made quickly and easily without any concern for damaging or otherwise permanently altering the clubhead.

For more information, visit www.taylormadegolf.com.

Short Game Innovation of the Year
MAC ION Putter (Burrows Golf)

With one of the most innovative putters available, Burrows Golf has once again shown why it's regarded as an up-and-coming player in the sector of high-technology golf equipment. The M.A.C. ION is a scientifically optimized blend of composite materials, progressive groove technology and extremely high moment of inertia, created by a large semi-circular, stainless-steel backweight. The sight line is fashioned with a shallow ball-alignment design to help golfers line up directly behind the putter's percussion point for solid impact. The three face grooves impart a true, end-over-end roll and allow players to better control distance, especially on long-range putts. The aluminum face combined with the heavy steel backweight creates a center of gravity that's in the rear section of the club, thus enabling players to comfortably make a smooth, pendulum-like stroke. If this technology sounds mind-boggling, just know this putter is specially designed to help golfers accelerate smoothly through the ball, which is a must-do for consistent putting.

For more information on the ION and other equipment from Burrows Golf, visit www.burrowsgolf.com.

Great Idea Award
Inverted Mass Technology
Aserta Putters

Aserta Sports "upside-down" putterhead design is effectively used to impart more topspin than backspin because most of the head weight resides above the equator of the golf ball both at impact and at contact. Aserta's IVM line and Eclipse line of flatsticks incorporate this Inverted Mass Technology (IVM) to get the ball rolling end over end more quickly. With more mass under the equator of the golf ball, the more likely contact will result in backspin or skidding.

For more information, visit www.asertasports.com.

Face Design Award
Titanium Double Face (KZG)

Since the popularization of multi-piece titanium drivers, the clubface has become a component of its own, and the most noteworthy face design in 2004 was undoubtedly that of the Gemini Driver from KZG. It features a forged and heat-treated titanium face, as well as a second plate behind it, which is designed to add rigidity and stability. Because the face of the Gemini is exceptionally forgiving, the club tends to produce enhanced accuracy and outstanding driving distance. The four-piece Gemini clubhead comes in 355cc and 395cc models and is definitely worth a look.

For more information, visit www.kzgolf.com.

Material Application Award
Multi-Metal Materials

Club designers have determined that a low and deep CG helps provide optimal launch conditions and greater forgiveness on mis-hits. In order to build this type of club, DeLaCruz Golf uses yellow brass (the densest form of the material) in a 35g soleplate on its Fairway Cruzer wood, which drastically lowers the CG. DeLaCruz took material application a step further with its Mag Cruzer driver, using cast magnesium to form a highly resilient face and to allow for optimal weight distribution in the heel and sole of the club. Other companies who have taken advantage of combo metals include Burrows Golf, who with the Tour Bounce Wedge have melded three different metals (two coppers and one steel) into golf's first, layered wedge. The result is a soft feel with a hard face, the perfect combination for feel and spin.

For more information, visit www.delacruzgolf.com and www.burrowsgolf.com for more information. 

Adaptability Award
Adjustable Hosel (Sonartec)

Although there's a wide variety of high-quality hybrid clubs available, the Sonartec Md Transition Club, which was used to win this year's British Open, is the only one that features an adjustable hosel made of stainless steel, making custom fitting for lie angle possible. The other important characteristic of the Md Transition Club is Sonartec's patented Driving Cavity technology, which raises the CG and placed more mass behind the striking surface for a longer, more penetrating ballflight.

For more information, visit www.sonartec.com.

Most Innovative Features
TaylorMade rac CGB

TaylorMade is a company that's been known primarily for metalwoods, but woods are only the tip of TaylorMade's iceberg, which also offers advanced putters, wedges and irons. The rac CGB, most notably, sports an extraordinary combination of innovative features, including the CGB design, which repositions weight away from the topline toward the sole and rear of the club. This design not only adds power, but also helps get shots airborne easily and enhances results on mis-hits. Also featured is TM's Performance Cartridge, which utilizes tungsten rods to further lower the CG and move it away from the face. Like all rac products, the CGB has precision-milled feel pockets to channel vibration.

For more information, visit www.taylormadegolf.com.

Best New Material
Carbon Metal Matrix (Cleveland Golf)

The CG10 from Cleveland incorporates a new blend of metals called Carbon Metal Matrix (CMM), which is infused with 17 times more carbon than traditional carbon steels. The result is a less dense metal for heightened vibration dampening and a rich, soft feel. The low-density metal also enables Cleveland to position more weight in critical areas of the clubhead.

For more information, visit www.clevelandgolf.com.

Innovation of the Year
Suspended CG (Nike Golf)

With a CG location that's suspended in space between the face and the Slingback bar, the Slingshot has an extremely high MOI for outstanding forgiveness, and represents a major departure both for Nike Golf and the industry as a whole. The position and size of the Slingback in each Slingshot iron is varied to produce the desired type of trajectory for a given club in the set. These irons provide extreme game-improving performance.

For more information, visit www.nikegolf.com.

Tradition and Technology Award
MacGregor V-Foil Forged M455

The V-Foil Forged M455 iron features MacGregor's V-Foil weighting system that strategically positions weight low and in the back of the clubhead, resulting in a high MOI and a very deep CG. But the M455 offers more than just excellent game-improvement characteristics, as it also has a unique forged construction utilizing a combination of stainless (long irons) and carbon steel (short irons). The melding of traditional feel and modern performance makes the MacGregor M455 a clear standout in the iron category.

For more information, visit www.macgregorgolf.com.

Best Execution
Pinnacle Exception

Not only is it very affordable, but the Pinnacle Exception is also the softest-feeling two-piece Surlyn-covered ball we've tried. The Exception is a distance ball at heart, and it's designed to fly high and long and be durable to boot. With the Exception, Pinnacle has certainly proven that distance doesn't have to be hard. Close your eyes and you'd swear the Exception has a urethane cover.

For more information, visit www.pinnaclegolf.com.

Initiative Award
Iron-Wood Full Set (Tour Edge)

Hybrids aren't a new idea, but having a full set of them is, and Tour Edge's Iron-Wood is now available from a 1-iron to a lob wedge, with literally everything in between. According to Tour Edge, the short Iron-Woods are ideal for players with steep swings and for those who tend to hit behind the ball. The longer, lower-lofted Iron-Woods are well-suited for everyone, including advanced players seeking an alternative to hard-to-hit long irons. The result with each Iron-Wood is a longer, higher trajectory than that of a traditional iron. Don't be surprised if a greater number of players turn to the full hybrid set in the not-too-distant future.

For more information, visit www.touredge.com.

Top Shape Award
PING G2 Fairway Wood

Sometimes the best shapes are the ones that don't attract attention, and that holds true for the G2 fairway woods from PING. The sole of the G2 is thicker toward the rear of the club, moving more weight to the back, thus deepening the CG and creating a higher launch angle. In addition, the club is perfectly symmetrical to help golfers set up squarely to the target (that part you can see).

For more information, visit www.pinggolf.com.

Upgrade Component Award
Fujikura Speeder and Aldila NV

Undoubtedly, 2004 has been a huge year for premium shafts, with the Aldila NV and Fujikura Speeder Series among the most popular. The Speeder has a honeycomb graphite structure that enables the shaft to have greater resiliency and a consistent flex without excessive shaft rotation, twisting or deformation. The NV features what Aldila calls Micro Laminate Technology, designed to enhance the shaft's overall performance and feel. A variety of weights and flexes are available in both shafts.

For more information, visit www.fujikuragolf.com and www.aldila.com.

Market Response Award
UST iROD

Most people think graphite shaft upgrades are strictly for drivers, but UST, makers of the popular iROD shafts, has proven that graphite shafts can make a significant impact on fairway woods, hybrid clubs and long irons as well. iROD shafts are specially designed to create a higher trajectory, add more distance, enhance stability and lend better shot control than standard steel shaft options. The iROD is available in fairway-wood and long-iron models, but are most noteworthy for their specific hybrid-wood design.

For more information, visit www.ustgolfshaft.com.

Refinement Award
Aluminum Hosel (Dunlop Redneck)

The line of Rednecks have fast become some of the most popular putters on the market. But there's more to this putter than just a clever moniker. Whereas many modern putters strive to achieve a low CG by adding weight, Dunlop took the alternative route. The neck component of all Redneck models is made of lightweight aluminum, which automatically displaces weight to the heel and toe. The result is a silky feel and enhanced forgiveness.

For more information, visit www.dunlopgolf.com.

Searchlight Award
Innovative Grip Designs

The Golf Pride Decade MultiCompound Cord fuses an exclusive velvet cord design in the upper gripping area with a softer, red rubber compound in the lower gripping area. Royal Grip's RMD-200 blends dual-density compounds to provide customized feel with enhanced stability. The Winn V17 grips offers a firmer feel than other Winn grips, but has a vertical seam for players who don't like wrap-style grips.

For more information, visit www.winngrips.com, www.golfpride.com and www.royalgrip.com.

Best Value (Cleveland TA6)

Considering the #1 player in the world uses a set of irons by this manufacturer, one would think you'd have to pay big bucks to be in the same league as Vijay Singh. But, luckily, that's not the case. Cleveland Golf's answer in the affordable game-improvement iron is its TA6 iron: a perimeter-weighted cavity back that performs well beyond its $499 price tag. Slight offset progression, a low profile and Cleveland's vibration-dampening technology comes standard. The result is a maximized sweet spot and ample forgiveness, both on the golf course and in the pocketbook.

For more information, visit www.clevelandgolf.com.

Top Concept Award
Tom Wishon 770CFE Irons

One of the more intriguing iron sets of '04, the 770CFE by Tom Wishon represents the first iron to feature a forged, variable-thickness face. According to Wishon, the variable face thickness provides a higher ball speed-to-swing ratio and greater forgiveness. Also, the face is constructed of three different steel strengths in an attempt to maximize face deflection, which typically decreases as loft increases. For the layman in all of us, the 770CFE means more distance, more forgiveness and a more consistent trajectory from iron to iron.

For more information, visit www.wishongolf.com.