Yonex EZONE GT Driver Review
Driver expert Joe Ferguson takes a look at the latest driver offering from Yonex…
![Phot o of the Yonex EZONE GT Driver](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QhocPLMoQgEagucuH4Sw3g-415-80.jpg)
The Yonex EZONE GT driver is packed with features and is a genuinely solid performer. The sound and feel are excellent and the launch monitor numbers are getting close to some of the more recognized names in the industry. For those wanting to try something a little different that performs solidly, the EZONE GT could be a great option.
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Premium looks
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Packed with tech features
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Enjoyed the sound and feel
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Not enough performance to tempt me away from other brands at the same price
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My earliest memories of Yonex in the golf industry were watching a young, swashbuckling, left-handed American by the name of Phil Mickelson in the mid-nineties. Back then, the brand stood as a symbol of innovation and high-tech components and was pitched very much at the premium end of the market.
I have been sent the new Yonex EZONE GT driver for testing, and with an RRP of £529, this is in line with the premium end of the best driver market, so I am keen to see if it can hold its own.
From a tech point of view, the EZONE GT comes fully loaded. Firstly Yonex has added what it refers to as StrikeSpeed carbon. Essentially this is a graphite composite channel that sits behind the face to assist with the compressing and rebounding of the face in order to maximize ball speed. It certainly provides a striking visual and reminds me a little of the old Nike VR Pro driver from the sole.
Yonex has also created a new head structure with a ‘wall’ at the back of the head, in order to optimize weight distribution and increase stability. Finally, there is a vertical laser milled face which is designed to reduce the tilt of the spin axis and offer tighter down range dispersion.
In terms of the looks, I think Yonex has done an excellent job. The matt carbon crown is nicely contoured and coupled with the excellently proportioned and shaped head, it looks great in the playing position. A single dot adorns the crown to assist with lining the ball up centrally and that suited my eye well.
As I mentioned above, from the sole view, it does bear a striking resemblance to an older model from another company, but that doesn’t diminish the visual experience at all. This is one of the better drivers I have seen in 2024 from a shelf appeal standpoint. Well branded without being too in your face, plus a nice blend of finishes and colors to keep it vibrant, I would give top marks to Yonex with the overall aesthetic. The premium-looking and feeling headcover also deserves a mention too.
I tested the Yonex Ezone GT driver at Saunton Golf Club using my FullSwing KIT launch monitor and TaylorMade TP5 golf balls and overall found the performance to be pretty good.
I enjoyed the feel and pitch of impact, not too loud or tinny but with enough vibration to give a sense of power providing a really nice balance. Mishits were noticeable from a feel perspective but weren’t punished too harshly in terms of ball flight which was encouraging.
The data was solid without being spectacular, which was mildly disappointing to be honest. When you are looking to attack a well-established market at similar price points to drivers like the TaylorMade Qi10, Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke, and Ping G430 ranges, at the very least you need to match the numbers to pull consumers away from their normal purchases, and it just wasn’t quite there for me personally. Not far off, but not quite as close as I would have liked.
It must be said for context here that I was not fitted for the EZONE GT (which I have been for most of the brands I mentioned above) and the shaft in my test model, although very good, was a little on the soft side for my speed which will certainly have impacted results.
I really like the concept of the vertical grooves for spin axis but couldn’t hand on heart say that I noticed any perceptible difference in dispersion from my usual gamer driver, although this could once again be a shaft issue.
There is plenty to enjoy from the Yonex EZONE GT driver. The aesthetic is outstanding and the feel is up there with anything else I have tried this year. I would certainly like to have tried this driver in a more suitable shaft for me personally, but in the setup I was sent, the performance sat just below some of the current industry leaders.
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Joe has worked in the golf industry for nearly 20 years in a variety of roles. After a successful amateur career being involved in England squads at every age group, Joe completed his PGA degree qualification in 2014 as one of the top ten graduates in his training year and subsequently went on to become Head PGA Professional at Ryder Cup venue The Celtic Manor Resort. Equipment has always been a huge passion of Joe’s, and during his time at Celtic Manor, he headed up the National Fitting Centres for both Titleist and Taylormade. He’s excited to bring his knowledge of hardware to Golf Monthly in the form of equipment reviews and buying advice.
Joe lives in North Devon and still plays sporadically on the PGA West region circuit. His best round in recent years came earlier in 2023 where he managed a 9 under par 63 at Trevose GC in a Devon & Cornwall PGA Tournament.
Joe's current What's In The Bag?
Driver: Switch between Ping G430 Max 10K & TaylorMade Qi10 - both with Fujikura Ventus Black 6-X
Fairway wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour - Fujikura Ventus Black 7-X
Irons: Callaway Apex CB 24' 3-11 - Project X LS 6.5 shafts
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM10 54D and 60M
Putter: Odyssey Toe Up #9
Ball: TaylorMade 2024 TP5x
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 60R
Bag: Vessel Player IV Pro DXR Stand
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