Our Testers
Before you can collect data you need golfers. For 2016 we recruited 20 golfers across a wide-range of ages and abilities. Our group of testers includes collegiate golfers, retirees, and average golfers just like you. Here are a few more details about our participants.- Handicap range: +3 – 16
- Age Range: 18 – 72
- Swing Speed Range: 80MPH – 120 MPH
The Test
MyGolfSpy’s 2016 Most Wanted Driver test was conducted over the span of several weeks. In total, the 20 golfers who participated in our tests spent more than 150 hours hitting over 7,500 total shots. In order to collect a valid sample size across all testers and all clubs, each tester participated in 6 sessions. To minimize the impact that day to day swing variances may have on the final results, club group order was randomized, as was the order in which clubs within each group were hit. Testers were asked to take 3-4 swings with each club before moving to the next club in the rotation. The process was repeated until we achieved a sample size of 10-12 ‘good’ shots for each tester with each club. Ball flight and clubhead data was collected with a with a Foresight GC2 launch monitor with a HMT attached. All testers hit Bridgestone B330-RX golf balls exclusively. Balls were inspected after each session. Any ball showing signs of wear was replaced. Data was exported and checked for errors. Outliers were then identified using a statistical approach called Median Absolute Deviation. Shots identified as outliers were dropped prior to the data being aggregated and final averages calculated.The Clubs
MyGolfSpy tested drivers with lofts of 9°/9.5° and 10°/10.5° in both regular and stiff flex. As adjustability is a key part of many modern driver designs, MyGolfSpy does make use of the adjustment capabilities of each club, including loft/face angle, and any movable weight features. We make every reasonable effort to optimize each club for each individual tester.Results and Rankings
Unlike most other large equipment tests, our awards and rankings aren’t determined inside a conference room. We don’t have a panel, and there are no votes. The launch monitor is the one and only judge. We collect a standard set of launch monitor metrics (ball speed, launch angle, spin rates, distance, etc.) Overall winners are determined using a variation of Mark Broadie’s Strokes Gained methodology. Here’s how it works:- A strokes gained value is determined for each shot (based the remaining distance to a theoretical pin and the resulting lie condition).
- The average strokes gained value for each club is calculated and compared to the average value for each tester.
- Overall ranking order is based on the cumulative Strokes Gained value above the average for each driver tested.
