Golf Club Review Cleveland Hibore XLS Gold 2008 Driver

Golf Club Review

Its been a busy week for me, as I mentioned on twitter to Golf Girl Patricia Hannigan earlier this week the weather has changed back to blue skies and fantastic sunshine and it has been a complete return to the course and getting in as much golf as possible. So it was time for me to take the Cleveland Hibore XLS out on the course for a proper outing.

Having already taken the Cleveland Hibore XL 2007 out to the range in the pooring rain I have to say I am a little impressed at the smooth look and feel of the club. It sits right in your hands and has a natural look to it even with its sunken back.

Sales bumph below:

Cleveland Hibore XLS Gold 2008 Driver – RH Graphite Higher inertia = more consistency across the face = more shots go longer and straighter = tighter shot dispersion down the range.Introducing the new XLS series from Cleveland Golf. With Distance Driven Geometry, Full Face Performance, and and Energy Transfer Core, this entire line of clubs is bound to have you playing and looking your best. Distance Driven Geometry: Moves weight lower and deeper in the club head. This optimized Center of Gravity location aligns the Center of Gravity Projection with the C.O.R. Hot Spot in the center of the face, resulting in optimal launch conditions and greater overall distance. Full Face Performance: Alignment of Sweet Spot and C.O.R. Hot Spot produces optimal launch conditions over a large area of the face, maximizing ball-speed for increased driving distance. Energy Transfer Core: An engineered system of thin, lightweight titanium spines directs impact energy to the ball to create more efficient energy transfer and high ball speeds from impact locations. HiBORE XLS Draw Driver: This club is designed for players who tend to fade or slice. A forward hosel design, internal heel weighting, and a draw biased face combine to eliminate slices and maximize distance. A 3o closed face promotes a draw flight. At 17% larger than the HiBORE XL, the face is Cleveland’s largest ever and among the biggest on the market. Full Face Performance (FFP) extends the “Hot Zone” of maximum .830 COR across a larger portion of the face creating more distance from both solid shots and mishits alike. Features maximum USGA club head dimensions to push the MOI limit. 5300 MOI represents a 13% increase from the HiBORE XL for control off the tee leading to straighter drives. Heel and toe “stability foils” signify where weight has been added to the perimeter of the clubhead to maximize stability. Gold Standard Trajectory Shaft: Low-Mid kickpoint and active tip section for increased launch angle. Higher ball speed and optimal trajectory results in maximum distance with smooth feel at impact.

Now the first thing I noticed about this club is the club head it is massive compared to the 2007 version. The Cleveland Hibore XLS 2008 has a club face that is around (according to the bumph) 17% larger than the previous version. This means it has a larger sweet spot and is a lot more forgiving for those golfers looking to take their club head speed up a level and still get the control.

The technology the club uses means that the weight from the back of the club is channeled directly into the sweet spot giving a greater control of the club face at point of impact.

At the moment there are so many new drivers hitting the market it is impossible to say that any of them don’t meet up to being a good club to have in your bag because of the fact that technology is making clubs better and easier to use. The Cleveland Hibore XLS Gold is no exception its not as long as the Nike Sumo2 SQ 5900 Driver but because of the size of the club face the control is in my opinion as good. One special thing that Cleveland have added is a little hologram that turns yellow to show that the club is genuine see if the fakers can crack that one. Cost of the club is around $299 and I personally feel it is a good driver.

The Cleveland HiBore XL 460 Ti Gold Driver

Golf Club Review

I am a fairly big fan of the Cleveland lob wedges but have always steered clear of their other clubs, so seeing the Cleveland HiBore CL 460 Ti with the Gold shaft in the pro shop today it was time to break the norm and take it for a test. Its out on the covered range for the test as the weather is still bad and the course is alas closed.

Now I am used to a driver being a large club head and I am slowly coming around to the new HiBore designs that have the dipped back, which gives in my opinion better ball control. The Cleveland Hibore XL 460 Ti has this very design and as in my previous experience with the clubs of this design it has that control but it also has a few differences that surprised me a little.

First off some sales bumph below:

Cleveland HiBore XL 460 Ti Gold Driver – RH Graphite The Cleveland HiBORE XL driver features a special geometry that moves weight lower and deeper into the clubhead, optimizing the center of gravity (CG) location for ideal launch conditions. For maximum ball speed, the XL has a larger sweet spot compared to traditional large-volume drivers and, paired with the deep CG, its high moment of inertia (MOI) increases stability on off-center hits. The result is greater overall distance and tighter shot dispersion over the entire face. Distance Driven Geometry: Moves weight lower and deeper in the clubhead to optimize CG location with the C.O.R. Hot Spot for optimal launch conditions. Full Face Performance: Alignment of the Sweet Spot with the C.O.R. Hot Spot produces optimal launch conditions for efficient energy transfer High Moment of Inertia: High MOI and deeper CG provide increased stability on off-center hits, leading to greater distance and a tighter shot dispersion over the entire face. Gold Shaft Low/Mid Kick Point 60g Shaft 3.5 Torque

The club gives good control of each shot and when hitting slightly off centre it is forgiving as with most clubs these days, but the Cleveland HiBore XL Driver also has a good control of trajectory. What I mean by this is with different tee heights still produced a solid trajectory of the ball, this isn’t always the case but I found this club very consistent.

The one thing I did find with the Cleveland HiBore XL Ti was that when I tee’d up for a lower trajectory and a slightly topped ball missed the sweet spot completely and resulted in what can only be described as ugly sound and an even uglier shot, this wasn’t forgiving.

Overall though a nice club and more affordable than some of the other clubs as it currently has $100 off due to the release of the new driver Cleveland have released, which I will be taking a look at next week, when I hope the weather is a little better than when I tested the Cleveland HiBore XL 460 Ti Driver cause to say I got wet was an understatement even under the covers of the range!

Water Saves took 5 shots off my game today

Today is the first time we have seen the sun in about a week and after the past 5 days of pretty much constant rain, which we don’t complain about because we don’t get that much, I managed to get out on the course for a round that tested other aspects of my game. Playing out of a bunker is one thing but when the water hazards are higher than normal and the actual hazard markers are below the water line.

Now on the course I played this morning there are a number of times where running close to the water is the best line you can take to get a good position into the pin. However this morning on a number of occasions running close to the water on the right was a test of my skills to play out of the water. Yep thats right playing out of water.

This particular shot is not for those who don’t like to get a little wet and if you wear glasses make sure you have a cloth to wipe them clean.

OK so the shot itself is possible as long as the ball is no more than around 2 inches below the surface, any deeper and you risk hurting yourself as the resistance on the club is fairly heavy. Most players don’t even consider this shot so it is a good one to have if you get the chance.

You need to have a good solid stance on dry land or take your shoes and socks off, lets face it the save of one drop shot isn’t worth destroying a good pair of golf shoes. It is worth playing the shot if you are in a good position, however it is worth pointing out that playing this shot with anything longer than an 8 iron will cause a big splash and thats about it!

Set yourself up with the ball forward in your stance, make sure you have the club face nice and open and that you are hitting down on the ball. This will ensure that you are cutting into the water and not just bouncing the club off the top. Keep your wrists and grip solid and make sure you follow through the same way you would with a bunker shot.

Make sure you know just how deep your ball is before you take a good hard swing at it as you will notice it is very easy to misjudge the actual depth of the ball as we all know water distorts the view.

It is hard to actually practice unless you flood your driving range, so if you get the opportunity to try it then do so as it is something to impress your opposition with. One final tip that you will thank me for is to take an extra towel with you when you go and tuck the towel in your trousers so it hangs completely across your back leg so it is totally covered. That way when you twist into your shot you will be protected against most of the spray, keeping you dry!

A look at golf bags

Sitting here looking out of my window longing for the rain to stop so I can get out on the course that is becoming ever more saturated and vanishing below an ever increasing puddle, I have been thinking of things I could write about as testing clubs on a very much closed golf course is a no no. So I was looking around at the golf bags that are available at the moment when I was looking in the pro shop the other day and thought I could take you though some of those I like.

There are three main types of bag available Stand, Cart and Tour each have different features and there is a massive variation in the weight of these bags as well.

Stand bags are advisable and used by people who prefer to walk their round of golf. These bags normally have a great deal of storage as well as good separation for your clubs which is very important is you are using graphite shafts as they scratch very easy. The other thing to look for in stand bags is a good strap, for years I used a golf bag with a single strap which caused me all sorts of problems with my back in the long run. The straps which are best are those that are like a backpack that also have magnets in them. The magnets have a good healing and soothing for aching muscles during the round.

I have picked out two stand bags that have ticks in all the boxes as far as the features mentioned above:

CALLAWAY Warbird XTT Stand Bag Featuring XTRA Traction Technology (XTT) which allows its base to actually tilt forward when the legs are deployed, promoting maximum stability whether in an upright position or tilted, stand position. 7-way, 9 oval top 6 pockets, including valuables and insulated cooler pocket Nylon 5.0 lbs

NIKE Sasquatch Tour Stand Bag Nike Pro SasQuatch Tour Stand Bag: Nike innovations continue to meet the unique needs of the golfer. Nike Golf brings breakthrough products to the course, including revolutionary golf bags. At Nike Golf takes technology seriously. Individual, 14-way, full-length divider system Versatile golf bag for walking or riding Nike Woven Air technology in the revolving double strap 10 strategically placed pockets (including water bottle pocket and cooler pocket) New dual-durometer, wide bag base Waterproof valuables pocket Golf ball Quick Access Sleeve Integrated tee holder Logo cresting compatible

Cart bags are slightly different to stand bags with regards mainly to size and carry straps. As the name describes they are designed for golf carts and being on the back of a golf cart or on a golf trolly. This means they can be heavier as they don’t have to be carried around the entire course. They are also larger than stand bags and they can carry more. Again I have selected one that I feel are worth the money:

CALLAWAY BB Sport Cart Bag Callaway Big Bertha Sport Cart Bag: Callaway s Big Bertha Sport Cart Bag features new nylon fabric with mesh and polyester accents. It comes with an individual putter pit, EZ Access Magnetic Pocket, Extra mesh water bottle and accessory pocket and a rainhood. Custom logo on bottom ball pocket ACS construction

Tour Bags are normally the most durable of the three. Designed for the professional golfer who travels a lot with their clubs, tour bags are designed to carry everything the golfer needs for all situations. My personal preference is the Mizuno which is below it is perfect for the back of a cart as well as the trolly but also allows me a lot of space for all the gadgets I have as well as waterproofs and other items. They are very good and last forever, I have had mine for around 5 years now and it is still in very good condition surviving trips abroad on a number of occasions.

Mizuno’s Staff Tour Bag is designed to suit the needs of Tour Players. The Staff Tour bag features a 5-way, easy access divider system, durable PU synthetic outer shell with multiple storage compartments, large Mizuno Pelican Pocket™, Mizuno Balance Handle™, integrated Mizuno Hydro Sleeve™, molded Contour Shoulder Strap and lightweight Mizuno Showercap™.

Taylormade r7 CGB Max Irons are they really that good?

Golf Club Review

I have been out and about in a new shopping center not far from where I live today and they have a golf shop there that is a small independently owned place. On this discovery my wife decided that she could leave me in the cresh (or the newly discovered golf shop as it is more commonly known) and go off to look for what we actually went there for. This was my first chance to get my hands on the new 2008 Taylormade R7 CBG Max Irons.

For a little outfit this shop is very well equipped, they have a golf simulator and as it was rather early and not busy the shop assistant asked me if I would like to try the clubs over a few holes on the simulator. So off I went clubs taped up so as not to mark them. Now my Mum always told me that if its heavy put it down because its probably expensive. Well yes they are expensive and yes they are a little heavier than what I am used to in my own clubs.

The sales bumph is below:

TaylorMade r7 CGB Max 2008 Irons – RH Steel The TaylorMade r7 CGB Max Irons have maximum technology for maximum speed, distance, forgiveness, and accuracy. Large, thin, high-strength steel clubface promotes high COR for faster ball speed and increased distance Extra-large clubhead with tungsten weights increases MOI for greater stability and forgiveness SuperFast Technology reduces total club weight and promotes faster swing speed for added distance Inverted Cone Technology expands the high COR zone to promote higher ball speed on off-center hits for more distance shot to shot Hollow topline allows CG to be moved back deep in the clubhead for incredibly easy launch on a towering, distance-enhancing flight

So are they any good? YES are they worth the money? Well I have a real issue with clubs that come in over $1000 and as you will see by clicking the link above they are over that mark at a massive $1099.95, I just do not see that any clubs are worth that money.

The oversized head does give a good control, using them with varied club speeds, in the simulator, it is harder to see the flight and landing of the ball obviously but the feel of the club and the straight strike was very pleasant and would have suited any golfer.

Personally I wouldn’t buy the Taylormade R7 CGB Max Irons as I still think they are overpriced and that clubs should be affordable to all levels of golfers. So Taylormade Great set of clubs but work on your prices, maybe if you take the imprint of your name off the hosel of the club it would bring the price down. Are they that good, not for that price in my view.