YONEX EZONE GS DRIVER £349
hen you hear the name Yonex, you might immediately think of graphite shafts. While it’s true the brand excels in this area, its talents also spread much wider into metalwood design and specifically the new Ezone GS driver.
The GS stands for Graphite Speed and the goal was to create an adjustable, playable driver with an emphasis on superior speed. The driver features a high-tensile, Honeycomb Structure graphite crown that allows for more flex at the top of the face.
A second-generation Power Groove sole has been added to the sole of the driver to allow maximum repulsion from low on the clubface. This combination enlarges the sweetspot for optimum ball speeds across all areas of the face.
WWith ball speed taken care off, Yonex then needed to make the Ezone GS accurate. It has done this through a vertical polish on the face, which allows the ball to slide upwards at impact. This reduces the amount of sidespin that is created compared with a ‘traditional’ horizontally polished or milled driver clubface, where the spin axis can become tilted more easily, causing the ball to curve off line.
There are also interchangeable 2g and 8g weights on the sole, with one port located in the heel to enable golfers to increase the draw bias on offer. The hosel is also adjustable for loft and face angle to help tighten start lines and optimise launch.
The Ezone GS feels incredibly solid from a wide area and this translated into good distance without sacrificing accuracy. It feels light, easy to swing and well balanced and the forgiveness of the head goes a long way to offset any issues with strike and clubface control.
While it may work better for golfers with slightly slower swing speeds, its appeal spreads far wider than previous driver models from Yonex. The price point of £349 is very appealing, too, which is why it has earned a position in Editor’s Choice this year.