About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the golf club, which I tested for one day in June of 2023.

My take

The Tour Edge Hot Launch C523 Fairway Wood is great for attacking pins on those long par 3s and approach shots on par 5s. This club is geared toward mid-handicappers who need a club to help them from a distance. This club is not one’s usual Tour Edge Wood, as it has the technology and composition that competes with Titleist, Cobra, Callaway, etc.

About the club I tested

• Model: 2022 Tour Edge Hot Launch C523
• Loft setting: 19°
• Shaft type: UST Mamiya HL-SST
• Shaft flex: Regular

About me

• Average score: 79
• Handicap: 7
• Experience: 22 years of playing golf
• Right/Left-Handed: Right-Handed
• Typical ball flight: Left to right
• Golf ball used: Titleist Tour Soft
• Club swing speed: 97mph

Test conditions

• When I tested the club: June 2023
• Days tested: 1
• Where I’ve used it: Simulator
• Weather and wind conditions: N/A (used indoors)

How it performs

What I was looking for

I was looking for a new wood that offered distance and forgiveness as my current Callaway XR16s are becoming increasingly outdated, and I don’t love their feel.

Why I chose to test this club

My dad currently has a Tour Edge hybrid and likes it, so I wanted to give the C523 a fair shot. I tested this club because it was visually appealing, and I have seen reviews that it competes with other high-end brands. I had to try it to see if it lived up to the hype. I would consider this in the future, but where my game currently stands would probably leave this club to the average weekend golfer who wants to upgrade without spending a lot of money.

What I love about it

• Distance: The distance was right where I was expecting it to be. I hit it around 255 yards on average after it rolled out. This is what my current 3 wood is at, and for a Tour Edge, I was happy with its performance.
• Forgiveness: Forgiveness was better than I thought, as off-centered hits still traveled a way and held their lines longer than other Tour Edge models I have tried.
• Feel: The face has a “Diamond Face VFT,” acting like a trampoline and creating the distance off the face but also allowing those shots not to hit directly in the center to pop off the face. The feel of where it hit could be felt in my hands, which I liked because it gave feedback on every hit but, at the same time, didn’t sacrifice much distance.
• Sound: It had a normal ting sound and a nice ring once connected with the clubface.
• Workability: I could move the ball from left to right with a fade pretty consistently, so I was pleased with the workability it offered both off the ground and on the tee.
• Shaft Feel: The shaft is lightweight and flexible. I could easily move through the ball and found it very consistent overall.
• Shaft Performance: The shaft was lightweight and allowed me to move through the ball with a vengeance when swinging.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Sleek, simple design looks cool from behind when addressing the ball with the black and red finish.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Adjustability: It has no adjustability, so if someone wants to set their club at a draw/fade, they cannot do so.
• Grip Feel: Standard. I like custom grips on my clubs, so I would replace them with new Golf Pride grips once purchased.
• Launch Angle: The launch angle was lower than I would have liked. It created more run out, but my carry distances were lacking from what I normally hit at.
• Spin: The spin rate was slightly higher than I would have liked at 4,500rpms versus being closer to the 4,000rpm mark.

Best shot with this club

The shot that stood out to me was my fifth shot as I hit a low-cut tailing just in front of the green that ended up rolling eight feet away from the pin. I was able to hit a few others with the tailing cut but none as online or pure as that.

Value for the money vs. other options

The Tour Edge C523 is a quality wood for the price. It is best suited for the average golfer. I think it outperforms competitors like the Wilson D9 and competes with Callaway’s Rogue or Mavrik series of woods.

Final verdict

The Tour Edge C523 is a good option for the average weekend golfer looking to increase their distance from the fairway or be more consistent off the tee without breaking the bank.