Launched in the spring of 2009 by co-founders Andrew and Norm, Critical Golf focuses exclusively on providing reviews of golf equipment. Unlike other websites and publications that rely on advertising from manufacturers, Critical Golf is an independent site that was created to provide unbiased opinions of the newest products on the market.
Frustrated with cursory reviews filled with manufacturer marketing material, web sites with one-off reviews within a product category, and magazines that hand out awards to seemingly every product tested (when did you last read a negative review in a golf magazine?), we set out to provide consistent, thorough reviews that allow readers to compare products side-by-side. We compare golf equipment across multiple criteria to present a comprehensive picture of which product is best, and why.
Our testing staff includes players ranging from low to high handicappers to provide perspectives relevant to all golfers, regardless of ability level, and each product is tested by all staff members.
If there are particular products or categories you would like to see reviewed, please don’t hesitate to drop us a note.
Enjoy our site, and hit ‘em straight.
Brittany Olizarowicz has close to 30 years of experience in the game of golf. She has played college golf, turned professional and worked as a Class A PGA teaching professional, and has years of writing experience.
Her passion is for sharing what she knows about the game and helping others succeed. If Britt is not writing catch her on the golf course as she still loves to play golf several days a week.
Matt has dedicated the last 28 years to the game of golf. As a junior he played competitively and had his sights set on turning Pro. However, he soon realized his talents lay in writing about the game, rather than playing it. These days Matt focuses on providing golf equipment reviews to amateurs around the world.
Matt has enjoyed the great fortune of traveling extensively and playing the world’s greatest courses. However, it is one lesser known gem that stands out as his favorite, Royal Kunia Country Club on the island of Oahu. The vistas of pearl harbor and deep blue Pacific compliment the lush green backdrop of island peaks.
Off the course, Matt is a dedicated Sports Marketing professional who is always conjuring up ways to improve golf for the average player.
In my bag
Driver: Titleist TSi1 10°
Fairway Woods: Titleist TSi1, 15° and 18°
Irons: Callaway Big Bertha X12, 3-SW Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM5 Tour Chrome, 60°
Putter: Odyssey Exo Rossie 34”
Ball: Srixon Soft Feel
I managed to get my handicap down to the high single-digits thanks to consecutive years of more golf than I’ll probably every play again. I’ve never played on a golf team, but have started to enter a couple of tournaments a year (net tournaments put on by local public courses, the NCGA or amateurgolf.com). In my last tournament I took a 12 on the final hole, which temporarily killed my spirit (good thing I brought extra balls).
In my bag
Woods: Titleist 901D2, 910H (24 degree), 910F (15 and 17 degrees), all with Diamana Kai’li stiff shafts.
Irons: 4-P Mizuno MP-60 with S300 shafts
Wedges: 52 degree Cleveland CG10 Black Pearl (replaced my counterfeit Cleveland club as discovered by my fitting trip to the Cleveland Fitting Studio) and a 58 degree Cleveland CG12. I tried to put a 60 degree in my bag, but I just can’t hit it.
Putter: Bettinardi BB33 (replaced a Scotty Cameron Newport 2 purchased on eBay and restored at the Cameron Studio – they do great work).
Ball: Lately the Bridgestone B330-S, though I’ll vary between those and Titleist Pro V1 balls on occasion. Not in the same round, of course.
I picked up golf in my mid 20’s, and after having made steady progress over the years, have hit a plateau in my efforts to get my handicap into the single digits. I reached a low of 10.2 before it started floating it up to its current 11+ status. Grrrrrrr….
My favorites courses are Cypress Point (which I’ve been lucky enough to play a number of times), Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, Shadow Creek and Chambers Bay. I think that Pinehurst #2 is overrated, and that the Irish course at Whistling Straits is underrated.
In my bag
Woods: Callaway FTiZ Driver, Callaway Great Big Bertha II 3-wood (I just can’t give it up) and Callaway FTiZ 5-wood. I could tell you the shafts, but I’m not a shaft guy because I don’t think they really matter at my skill level.
Irons: Callaway Big Bertha Fusion irons – I know, it’s time for a new set.
Wedges: 60 degree, 56 degree, 49 degree and 45 degree Cleveland 588s.
Putter: Scotty Cameron Detour 1 – yes, I know it’s ugly.
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x balls with the Critical Golf logo on them!
