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 Hybrid is a concrete option off the tee and for the long-range game in the rough/fairway. It offers solid distance while maintaining its consistency. I was pleased with my results off the tee. I believe the mid-range handicap golfer would benefit from adding this club to their bag, especially if they struggle off the tee.

About the club I tested

• Model: 2023 Tour Edge Hot Launch C523 Hybrid
• Loft setting: 22°
• Shaft type: UST Mamiya SST-HL 50
• Shaft flex: Graphite

About me

• Average score: 79
• Handicap: 7
• Experience: 22 years of playing golf
• Right/Left-Handed: Right-Handed
• Typical ball flight: High
• Golf ball used: Titleist Pro V1 Practice Ball
• 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: Inside

How it performs

What I was looking for

I was interested in how this hybrid performed; my friend has some old hybrids that he doesn’t hit well. He is budget conscious, so I wanted to see if the Hot Launch C523 Hybrid would be a viable option for him to consider.

Why I chose to test this club

I didn’t buy the Hot Launch C523 Hybrid, but I highly recommend it to my friend as I think the ease of swing and connecting with the club would benefit his game. I enjoyed the distance, consistency, and overall feel this club had to offer.

What I love about it

• Distance: The distance was better than I expected, averaging around 230 yards. For a 4-hybrid, it was side-by-side with my 5-wood and 5-7 yards further than my current 3-iron.
• Forgiveness: The forgiveness was a plus for this iron. Each swing, whether hit square or on the toe, traveled on a path and only waivered on distance by 10 or so yards.
• Feel: The sole rail design created a soft and almost dampening feel within my hands when I struck the ball off the face. This created instant feedback on where and how the ball flew off the clubhead, which helps understand what was needed for the next shot.
• Sound: The sound was average, with a normal pinging noise that had a crisp feel when struck purely.
• Shaft Feel: With it being a regular flex shaft, it didn’t feel wobbly during the backswing or follow-through, which is key in the overall feel.
• Shaft Performance: The shaft weight is 50g, allowing the ball to pop off the face of the club and provide consistent distance.
• Aesthetic Appeal: The all-black finish with the red accent is sleek and sharp to the eyes, giving extra confidence when pulling it out of the bag.
• Launch Angle: The launch angle was nice as the ball came off the face quickly and with a mid-to-high trajectory.
• Spin: The spin was lower because of my increased swing speed than my current 5-wood, which created more rollout.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Adjustability: There was no adjustability feature for this club which is different than my 5-wood, so some might not enjoy that limited option, especially off the tee.
• Workability: This lacked the ability to really shape the ball left to right and right to left. I think it offers great consistency regarding straightforward shots, but I tend to hit a high cut and struggled to repeat it repeatedly.
• Grip Feel: Its Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 grip felt slippery without a glove. Even with a glove, it wouldn’t be ideal in rainy conditions or if someone's hands were sweaty on a hot summer day.

Best shot with this club

My best shot was hitting back-to-back high fades within five yards of each other at 227 and 231 yards. The thing I loved about these two shots was as soon as I hit the ball, I knew instantly where the ball was struck on the face and that the ball was going to have a five-yard tailing cut toward the target.

Value for the money vs. other options

This club is a great choice for top-tiered golfers who want more options off the tee. Compared to my Callaway XR 16 5-wood and the Callaway Mavrik 5-wood, they are close in feel and distance. For approximately $150, the Hot Launch C523 Hybrid should fit many budgets and golfers' overall game.

Final verdict

The Tour Edge Hot Launch C523 Hybrid is a great option for its value. It is forgiving but doesn’t sacrifice distance. The mid-handicapper would benefit from adding this option off the tee into their bag.