Golf has an intense hold on our imaginations, but it has an equally tight grip on our checking accounts. It’s expensive no matter how you look at it, whether we’re talking about equipment, greens fees, or apparel. To remedy this, consumers have increasingly explored the second-hand or direct-to-consumer markets, but both of those options have their downsides. Here’s the thing though – there’s a company pouring their own R&D efforts into affordable gear designed for the aspiring player. Better yet, these clubs are designed and assembled in-house in the USA, ensuring direct control over quality, can be fit and custom-ordered, and come with a lifetime warranty. It almost sounds outlandish to suggest a company like that exists, but Tour Edge is alive and well in their Batavia, IL headquarters, and their Hot Launch 524 series of clubs is indeed affordable and packed with technology.
Like Tour Edge’s Exotics line, the Hot Launch 524 series includes both a C (Competition) and E (Extreme) range. The names of these ranges are the same as those in the Exotics line, but the Hot Launch series is more heavily slanted towards the game-improvement segment. To simplify this, the Hot Launch “C” range is more game-improvement focused, while the “E” range is designed for the super-game-improvement player.
THP will be detailing the entire Hot Launch 524 line today, ranging from drivers to wedges, but we’ll focus on the fairway woods and hybrids in this article. At $149.99 for the hybrids and $169.99 for the fairway metals, the Hot Launch 524 offers incredible value when you consider all the factors outlined above.
Hot Launch C524 Fairways and Hybrids
The C range features premium Competition Spec Game-Improvement designs with a higher Moment of Inertia (MOI) in classically shaped clubs that sit square at address, while providing the ability to launch the ball with added forgiveness and power.
Key Technologies
Ridgeback
Ridgeback, which was taken from Tour Edge’s Exotics line, is a structural buttress in the club head that runs from behind the face to the rear of the crown. It’s designed to give the flexible face a rigid support so that it can provide maximum ball speed across the face. In addition, it provides a convenient alignment aid.
Rear Sole Weight
A back weight is placed at the extreme rear of the sole to increase mass low and deep in the clubhead. This is designed to increase MOI and launch angle, making it easier to hit the ball high and straight.
Hot Launch 524 Fairway Woods Diamond Face VFT
Another stalwart of the Exotic’s line, Diamond Face VFT is a face technology that features anywhere from 34 to 39 (depending on the club) diamond shapes of varying thickness that Tour Edge describes as “mini trampolines”. Diamond Face is intended to produce a hotter face, all across the face.
Sole Rail Design
The C534’s new Sole Rail Design is yet another way to add mass low and towards the back edge of the golf club. In the case of the fairway metal, it’s lowered the CG 16% compared to the previous generation Hot Launch, and 22% lower in the hybrid. In addition to the launch conditions benefits, it also decreases turf interaction.
Hot Launch C524 Fairway Metal Details and Specifications
Tour Edge describes this as “a performance fairway metal loaded with tech for competitive golfers”. It has a deeper face, a traditional pear shape, and sits square to slightly open at address. It’s available as a 3w, 4w, 5w, and 7w with a stock Aldila Ascent PL shaft. Priced at $169.99, custom options and fitting are available.
Available March 1, 2024. More information available at www.touredge.com
Hot Launch C524 Hybrid Details and Specifications
Inspired by the Exotics C722 series, Tour Edge calls the C524 hybrid a “high-tech performance hybrid for competitive golfers.” It’s more compact in size, with a traditional head shape and slightly open look at address. It’s priced at $149.99, and is available as 3h, 4h, 5h, and 6h with a stock Aldila Ascent PL shaft. Custom options are available as well.
Available March 1, 2024. More information available at www.touredge.com
Hot Launch E524 Fairways and Hybrids
The E range are Extreme Spec Super-Game-Improvement clubs that boast an extremely low Center of Gravity (CG), super-shallow faces, and offset designs created to get the ball launching in the air with ease.
Key Technologies
Houdini Sole
Houdini Sole is an area of increased mass on the trailing edge of the E524 line, along with a curved leading edge that sits under the face. In addition to providing turf interaction benefits, it lowers CG (6 to 7%) for increased launch and stability.
Ridgeback – Same as listed above.
Hot Launch 524 Fairway Woods Diamond Face VFT – Same as listed above.
Heel Weighted Slice-Fighting Offset Design
Hot Launch E524 is all about helping players reduce slicing ball flight, and it does this by positioning a weight in the heel side of the head. This should help the club face square easier, and the offset head will provide confidence that users can eliminate one side of the golf course.
Super Shallow Face Design
Hitting the ball from the turf with hybrids and fairway woods is one of the most difficult shots that golfer’s face and the E524 line is built to make that as easy as possible. The super-shallow face has an 11% larger hitting area and should produce higher launch angles from a variety of lies.
Hot Launch E524 Fairway Woods Details and Specifications
Tour Edge boldly calls the E524 the “easiest fairway you will ever hit”. That’s a strong statement, but the shaping, ultra-shallow face, and Houdini sole all give the impression that it will be easy to elevate the ball. It’s priced at $169.99 and is available as a 3w, 5w, 7w, 9w, and 11w with a stock Aldila Ascent PL shaft (custom options are available).
Available March 1, 2024. More information available at www.touredge.com
Hot Launch E524 Hybrid Details and Specifications
Like the fairway metal, Tour Edge believes the E524 is the easiest hybrid you will ever hit. Also featuring an incredibly shallow face and large hitting area, the sole should offer plenty of forgiveness on less-than-perfect deliveries. It’s priced at $149.99 and is available as a 3h, 4h, 5h, and 6h with the Aldila Ascent PL shaft.
Available March 1, 2024. More information available at www.touredge.com
