Golfmagic Awards 1: Top driver and fairway wood

When Golfmagic.com launched its first awards in 2006 we were inundated with votes from discerning equipment buyers who use the site, nominating the clubs, balls, shoes, weatherwear and trolleys they found were great value or aspired to own.

We received a similarly huge response this time to our 2007/08 awards which had a little twist in that the GM visitors helped choose the products for nomination before casting their votes.

Votes were cast in 13 categories in which we gave you a handful of options and also the opportunity to vote for last-minute alternative if your particular favourite wasn't listed. Many of you did - but overall we found your nominations were spot on.

Our apologies that we could not release the results sooner but we wanted the opportunity to present some of the awards at the Golf Europe trade show in Munich this week, where some brands were able to impress their customers and distributors with their success. THE LARGEST percentage of votes were cast, as expected, in the driver category. There seems to have been more drivers launched in the last 12 months than any other sector combined, with manufacturers responding to the huge demand for clubs that will hit the ball longer, higher and straighter.

The introduction of square-headed clubs by leading brands was also a factor but in the end it was a more traditional-looking club that claimed the glittering prize.

You voted the distinctive-sounding Cobra Speed LD driver No.1 in its category. Golfers decided its sleek lines and powerful trajectory as well as a competitive price point were key factors. And we're sure the popular TV ads featuring Ian Poulter and commentator David Feherty were influential, too.

TaylorMade's Burner and SuperQuad drivers were also highly recommended but it was the Basingsatoke-based company's TaylorMade Burner fairway wood that took the fairway metal/rescue club category.

With top Tour players like Sergio Garcia and Darren Clarke going for those par-5s in two shots using TaylorMade equipment, it's no wonder that the average handicap golfers want to emulate their heroes, so their win in this category was not unexpected. However, the Cobra Baffler DWS and Cleveland Halo rescue clubs pushed them to the wire in the eyes of our voters.

Commented Ryan Lauder (TaylorMade-adidas Golf marketing director): "TaylorMade is delighted to have been voted No.1 in the Magic Fairway wood/Rescue club category. This accolade is certainly much appreciated by TaylorMade given that it comes from true golfers, the Golfmagic.com members.

"The Burner range has been hugely successful on Tour with the likes of Sergio Garcia, Justin Rose and Darren Clarke all using it and we are glad its popularity has spread even further."