Cleveland HiBore XL Driver Review: The Strangest Looking Driver on the Market?

Maybe extra well-known for his or her wedges, Cleveland has now dipped into the driving force market. They’ve launched the Cleveland HiBore XL driver and it actually stands out visually from its rivals. However there may be much more to this driver than meets the attention and it’s not wanting eye-catching seems to be.

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To see if their new driver providing matches the premium efficiency of their brief recreation golf equipment, Jack Backhouse took it out on the golf course. Right here’s how he discovered it in our full Cleveland HiBore XL Driver evaluate…

NCG Abstract

NCG SUMMARY

It’s honest to say it is a daring return to radical driver shaping. The Cleveland HiBore XL is a forgiveness-focused powerhouse that may not be visually to everybody’s style, however completely deserves a spot within the bag of anybody battling consistency off the tee. With a triangular footprint, large face, and considerate weighting, this driver delivers reliable distance even on mishits.

PROS

Wonderful forgiveness throughout the face

A large candy spot due to a bigger driver face

Constant spin and launch circumstances

CONS

Unconventional form gained’t go well with all eyes

Sorry, no costs obtainable at the moment.

$399.99

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$399.99

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Cleveland Golf HiBore XL Driver, Graphite, Regular, 10.5 Degrees, Right Hand

$368.10

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First Impressions

Cleveland has gone full retro with the HiBore XL. They’ve absolutely embraced an unconventional triangular head design harking back to the experimental period of early 2000s drivers. It’s a courageous transfer in at this time’s extra streamlined market, however one which’s rooted in clear efficiency logic. That deep rear weighting, pushed as far again from the face as doable, instantly suggests forgiveness is the highest precedence.

NCG Evaluation

Regardless of my preliminary reservations concerning the head form, my efficiency numbers on the entire had been pretty spectacular. I averaged a carry distance of 259 yards, with my greatest drive carrying at 265 yards.

Elsewhere in my efficiency, my ball speeds persistently hovered just below 160 mph, and spin charges had been proper within the candy spot for me. They averaged 2,528 rpm with a pleasant vary between 2,200 and simply over 3,000. Peak top was constant, too, at all times above 100 ft. Vital to serving to improve these distances, particularly within the winter.

When it comes to know-how, there’s lots happening underneath the hood. The HiBore XL boasts a 19% bigger face than its predecessors, aimed squarely at golfers who wrestle with strike consistency. Cleveland claims this may supply as much as 17 yards extra distance on excessive off-centre hits, and as much as 24% enchancment in partially missed strikes.

Moreover, variable face thickness and an outsized candy spot imply you’re nonetheless producing respectable ball velocity even once you don’t discover the center.

The driving force additionally options an “Energetic Wing” aerodynamic tweak for higher clubhead velocity and an adjustable rear weight system to fine-tune launch and spin. Additionally included is a 1.5-degree adjustable hosel and an 8g counterweight within the grip finish for a extra balanced really feel.

It was clear in my testing that this isn’t the quickest driver in the marketplace. However then once more that’s not its purpose. The place the HiBore XL excels is in stability and forgiveness. For golfers battling toe or heel strikes, the face tech and weighting design actually do assist maintain you in play extra typically.

Ultimate Ideas

Total, Cleveland might have opted for an unorthodox form, however the efficiency speaks for itself. The HiBore XL is a critical contender for mid-to-high handicappers, in addition to seniors, trying to acquire consistency with out sacrificing an excessive amount of distance. Contemplating how a lot it prices, it’s priced properly beneath the premium tier choices, while delivering a stage of forgiveness that’s pretty much as good as most in the marketplace proper now.