Viktor Hovland is back. After a year and a half of frustration and swing tweaks that never seemed to click, he held off Justin Thomas to win the Valspar Championship by a shot. Two birdies through the Snake Pit sealed the deal and gave Hovland his first PGA Tour win since 2023.

Like all wins on Tour, there’s a formula that includes nerves, timing, mechanics and, of course, equipment. In this case, the driver in his bag stands out.

A $399 reminder that performance doesn’t always expire

A PING G425 LST, released in 2021 and currently selling for $399 in limited lofts, got the job done for Hovland.

The G425 LST (Low Spin Technology) is a better-player driver with a 445cc pear-shaped head designed to reduce spin. It features a moveable 17-gram weight for tuning ball flight and a forged T9S+ face to enhance ball speed. It’s built for control, distance and flight shaping.

In MyGolfSpy’s Most Wanted testing for mid swing speeds in 2022, the G425 LST finished best for distance and ranked near the top in Strokes Gained. It also earned high marks for shaping and overall performance. The one common complaint? The sound.

The Cleveland HiBore XL driver is my driver of choice for the 2025 season. That, dear readers, is a hill I’ll die on.

Until I choose not to. That’s my right as an adult.

As MyGolfSpy’s resident grown-up (my take) or old fart (the rest of the staff’s take), I take my share of abuse from my treasured colleagues. That abuse has been turbocharged ever since the HiBore XL, my beautiful Dorito-looking sunuvabitch, finished where it did in this year’s MyGolfSpy driver test.

“Barba, we gotta get you a real driver….”

“Dude, you must have been ‘high’ when you ‘bore’ that driver…”

A swing change requires commitment. But if you’re hesitant to commit, now might not be the right time for one. Does that mean you’re stuck at your current handicap? Not necessarily. You can adjust your game to lower your scores without overhauling your swing. Consider these eight solutions to see if they could work for you.

Dial in your carry distances

While this may seem obvious, most amateur golfers are shaky on their true carry distances with each club. Get on a launch monitor or simulator and record carry distances for every club. Make a note of each one and keep it with you when you play.

Keep your short game boring

The Phil Mickelson flop shot is fun to hit when it works. However, the golfers who have the best short game are those who use the simplest shots. The bump and runs and even putts from off the green reduce your overall risk and eliminate the blowups.

Pick a stock shot off the tee

If your reason for wanting to make a swing change is the fact that you hit a fade off the tee, start to embrace that fade. Trying to hit a fade on some holes and a draw on another is too much work and creates room for error.

Even professionals have a go-to shot they prefer (or comes naturally to them) and stick to one primary shot shape.

Golf cart customization is fun, especially since you can do a lot of it yourself. My golf cart has been my preferred way to get around for years. I won’t say I have all the latest and greatest upgrades but even small tweaks have made a big difference. If you own a golf cart and want to start making it the perfect ride for you, here are 10 ways to customize it.

Golf Cart Underglow Light Kit

Sometimes, we see a golf cart in our neighborhood and my kids say, “That’s a party cart.” A “party cart” essentially means a golf cart with an underglow light kit. Are they wrong?

The Universal Fit Golf Cart LED Light Kit has 256 lighting modes and a music sync feature. It is designed to work with a 12V-65V battery input and fits a wide range of golf carts including E-Z-GO, Club Car and Yamaha. It comes with a wireless remote.

Red Amber LED Stop/Turn/Signals Brake Light

The Upgraded Golf Cart Tailgate Light Strip adds extra visibility and style to your cart with bright running lights, sequential turn signals and brake lighting. Designed for easy installation with a clear wiring setup and IP67 waterproof rating, it’s a great way to enhance safety and make your golf cart stand out.

Universal Golf Cart Trailer Hitch

The Golf Cart Trailer Hitch with a two-inch receiver makes it easy to tow small trailers, haul gear or attach accessories to your cart. Whether moving yard equipment, bringing extra supplies to the course or adding a cargo carrier, the trailer hitch is a worthwhile customization. It’s designed to fit most Club Car, E-Z-GO and Yamaha models and installs easily so you can put your cart to work when needed.

We’re seeking three dedicated golfers to test and provide feedback on the latest TaylorMade P-790 irons. This is an opportunity to evaluate the performance claims of these renowned clubs and share your insights with the MyGolfSpy Forum community.​

About the TaylorMade P-790 irons

The P-790 irons have been a staple in the player’s distance category, known for blending distance, forgiveness and a sleek design. The latest iteration introduces several potential enhancements:

New 4340M Forged Face: This material is 20 percent stronger than previous versions, allowing for a thinner face that delivers increased ball speed. Additionally, it expands the sweet spot by 24 percent, aiming to provide more consistent performance across the face.
FLTD CG (Flighted Center of Gravity): By strategically placing up to 40 grams of tungsten, these irons are designed to offer higher-launching long irons and more controlled trajectories in the scoring clubs.
Refined aesthetics: The latest P-790 features a thinner topline and improved sole geometry for better turf interaction, enhancing the overall look and playability.

Will these changes and enhancements result in an overall package that is far and away better than the previous version? 

Tester responsibilities

Selected testers will be expected to:

Conduct comprehensive testing: Evaluate the P-790 irons on various aspects including distance, forgiveness, feel and overall performance.​
Engage with the community: Share your testing experiences, insights and any fitting adjustments in the MyGolfSpy Forum, fostering discussions and aiding fellow golfers in understanding the nuances of these irons.​
Provide honest feedback: Offer unbiased opinions to help fellow golfers make informed decisions.​

Sign Up Here!

Open to all Forum members worldwide.Registration ends March 31. Testers to be announced on the MyGolfSpy Forum

Note: Applicants must be registered MyGolfSpy Forum members to be considered for testing.

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