Tour Edge Hot Launch E525 Driver Review: Best Budget Driver for High Handicappers?

Key Features:

• MOI boosting rear sole weight: strategically placed to the extreme rear of the clubhead with more mass concentrated at the extreme trailing edge of the clubhead
• Ridgeback Technology: rail on the crown boosts power across entire face and serves as useful alignment aid
• Diamond Face VFT: features 37 distinct thick and thin diamond-shaped "mini-trampolines" behind the face
• 360° Cup Face Design: increases amount of face flexing on off-centre hits to achieve higher ball speeds
• Centre-Sole Rail Design: rail extends from leading edge to trailing edge for low CG for high-launch shots

The new Tour Edge Hot Launch E525 Driver arrives on the scene as an inviting option for beginners and higher handicappers seeking help off the tee without the premium price tag slapped on one of the best golf drivers. 

With a bulky head design, matte black finish and eye-catching bronze detailing on the sole, the Hot Launch E525 Driver certainly looked the part when we ripped off its head cover. 

During testing of this driver at Silvermere GC, I was immediately struck by how confidence-inspiring its head shape was at address. 

I think golf beginners and higher handicappers will love it too, especially given the driver can often prove to be the most daunting club. 

The raised crown and prominent alignment line running through the middle also provides the kind of visual support that should appeal to golfers who struggle to align correct to a target.

Player Level

This is definitely a driver best suited to beginner golfers and high handicappers. The 10.5° loft and rear weight position helps to produce a high launch, which is ideal for players who struggle to get the ball in the air.

If you are new to our sport or simply shopping on a budget, this is where the Hot Launch E525 starts to make a lot of sense. But if you are a low or even a mid-handicap golfer, or someone who likes more feedback from their equipment, this likely isn’t the driver model for you.

Although the budget-friendly Tour Edge Hot Launch E525 Driver does lag behind a number of the more premium drivers in the game such as the TaylorMade Qi35 Driver for overall performance, there is still plenty in its favour. 

Let's dive in some more... 

Looks and Feel

Visually, the new Tour Edge Hot Launch E525 Driver is bold and modern. 

Its bulging head shape and matte black finish certainly sets the tone, while the bronze accents splashed on the sole add a touch of class. 

I actually really like its sole design. It sort of reminded me of a the Cobra LTDx Driver from a few years back. 

The bold line running through the crown to make a T-alignment design is simple but effective.

I think it's a very helpful feature for players who tend to struggle to zone in on their target. 

Where it stumbles though is feel. 

On contact, I found the E525 produced a higher-pitched, tinny sound that lacked the satisfying thud you get from a more premium model, such as the impressive Callaway Elyte Driver that gives you explosive sound and feel. 

This Tour Edge driver also felt a little light and a bit hollow in all honesty.  

Delicate was the first word that sprung to mind when I hit my opening three shots. 

I found there wasn’t a huge amount of support behind the face either, which in turn made it difficult to fully commit to the swing. 

That unstable feel carried through to my strike, giving me little feedback to help understand poor shots.

Performance and Forgiveness

However, on a launch front, the Tour Edge Hot Launch E525 Driver certainly delivers. 

This is without doubt its key strength, as its Hot Launch name suggests. 

Thanks to a large rear weight and the club's 10.5° loft, it’s real easy to get the ball airborne with this club. 

My drives were flying nice and high with a consistent hang time and an impressive apex. 

So if you are looking for help to get your golf ball in the air, simply look no further. 

However, the story somewhat changes when it comes to distance and dispersion. 

The higher flight and added spin cost me around 15–20 yards in carry distance, with total losses of up to 30–40 yards compared to the best drivers.

And more concerning was its forgiveness given I saw both left and right misses. 

This inconsistent dispersion undermined my confidence, especially when trying to shape or control a shot. 

The face also felt a little unstable at impact, which didn't help in recovering from off-centre strikes.

How It Compares

I tested the Tour Edge Hot Launch E525 on the same day as my current gamer, the TaylorMade Qi35, to truly gauge the difference between a premium vs budget driver. 

The difference was stark in all honesty, but I fully expected it to be given the Qi35 costs nearly three times as much as the E525. 

• TaylorMade Qi35 (£529): Noticeably more solid feel, better sound, superior distance, and enhanced feedback.
• Tour Edge E525 (£190): Far lighter, less robust at impact, higher spin, more forgiving on launch—but at a major cost to distance and stability.

Testing Data

Should You Buy It?

If you’re just getting into golf and don’t want to splash out on a premium driver, the E525 should definitely be on your hit list. 

It's a straightforward, confidence-boosting driver that will launch the ball nice and high for you, and it also looks great in the bag. 

But if you're a player who values feedback, stability, and distance, or you’ve already progressed beyond beginner level, then you’ll likely outgrow this driver very quickly. 

In that case, stretching your budget a little further will pay off in performance.

Verdict

The Tour Edge Hot Launch E525 Driver is a classic entry-level club: affordable, high-launching and smart.

It just lacks the feel, forgiveness and distance to truly compete with the best drivers on the market.

For beginners or high handicappers after a budget driver that gets the ball airborne with ease, this is definitely a solid option. 

But for anyone chasing distance, accuracy or performance under pressure, it’s probably worth looking elsewhere.