2017 PGA Merchandise Show - Best of Show

More than 13,000 words, 1,900 pictures and videos, and thousands of swings later, recaps from Demo Day and the PGA Show are done.  Which means it's time for my Best of Show. 

 

In some categories the difference between winners and honorable mention was razor thin, almost like making a putt versus having one lip out on you. But distinctions have to be made. No participation ribbons in my Best of Show. 

For equipment or apparel that didn't make the cut, don't assume it's the all singing, all dancing crap of the world. They just didn't blow me away like winners and honorable mentions did. 

Finally, since Best of Show is the outcome of impressions already discussed in my recaps, I'll include links to those recaps for specific product reference. You might also want to use the search box since most of the new gear I covered appears in multiple sections. Winners and honorable mentions are listed alphabetically in each category. 

BEST NEW GAME-IMPROVEMENT DRIVERS 
These drivers delivered the best combination of distance and forgiveness. 

Winners: 
Callaway GBB Epic 
Cobra KING F7 
Titleist 917 D2 

Honorable Mention: 
Srixon Z-565 
Wilson D300 

BEST NEW PLAYERS DRIVERS 
These drivers delivered the best combination of distance and playability. 

Winners: 
Callaway GBB Epic Sub Zero 
Cobra KING F7+ 
Wilson Triton 

Honorable Mention: 
TaylorMade M1 
Titleist 917 D3 

BEST NEW GAME-IMPROVEMENT IRONS 
These irons delivered the best combination of distance and forgiveness. 

Winners: 
TaylorMade M1 
Titleist 917 AP1 
Wilson D300 

Honorable Mention: 
Cobra KING F7 
Srixon Z-565 

BEST NEW PLAYERS IRONS 
These irons delivered the best combination of playability and feel. 

Winners: 
Cobra KING Forged Tour 
Titleist 917 AP2 
Wilson FG Tour V6 

Honorable Mention: 
Epon AF-705 
Srixon Z-765 

BEST NEW WEDGES 
These wedges delivered the best combination of control, feel, and spin. 

Winners: 
Callaway Mack Daddy Forged
Cleveland RTX-3

Vokey SM6 

Honorable Mention: 
Ping Glide 2.0 
Wilson FG Tour PMP (still a top performer, but only the finish is new) 

BEST NEW PUTTERS 
These putters delivered the best combination of control, feel, and roll. 

Winners: 
Bettinardi Queen Bee 9 
Odyssey O-Works 
Piretti Black Onyx 

Honorable Mention: 
Evnroll
SeeMore Nashville Studio Series 

BEST NEW ACCESSORIES 
These new accessories are guaranteed to put more fun in your game. 

Winners: 
Bushnell Golf Pro X2 Rangefinder 
Cru Golf Leather Headcovers 
SkyCaddie LINX GT 

BEST NEW SHOES 
I obviously couldn't test these shoes during the Show, so this ranking is based on past experience and most convincing indications of comfort and performance. 

Winners: 
ECCO Cage Pro 
FootJoy HyperFlex II 
Under Armour Spieth One 

Honorable Mention: 
Puma TITANTOUR Ignite Disc 

BEST NEW APPAREL 
These collections exhibited the highest quality of style, fabric, and workmanship. 

Winners: 
Antigua Sportswear 
Carnoustie Sportswear
Travis Mathew 

Honorable Mention: 
Chase 54 
Sunice 

MOST INTRIGUING NEW PRODUCT 
Edel Single Length Irons

If you want even more information on these winners and honorable mentions, I'll have detailed on course reviews for you all season long.  As always if you have any questions, shoot me an email or DM on twitter or instagram.