HiBore XLS and XLS Tour

Twiggy · February 1, 2008

Where are the reviews???

Ok guys, I know there are some fellow club hos who have had a chance to hit these either on the course or at the range. What are your thoughts??

How do they compare to last years XL models if you've hit both?

I'm so excited to give the XLS Tour a shootout against the L4VX, but the weather here is not cooperating.

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

ROBOPTI · February 1, 2008

9 am manana ... My XLS goes up against the L4s - I'll take my #1 XL too :)

mkb3245 · February 1, 2008

9 am manana ... My XLS goes up against the L4s - I'll take my #1 XL too ;)

I can't wait to hear the results...... :)

Twiggy · February 2, 2008

Looking forward to the 411 ROBO....

Have fun!

wing seeker · February 2, 2008

Looking forward to mine arriving with the a Proto Rombax shaft from

Fujikura.......Tour Version........I will review once it arrives

ROBOPTI · February 2, 2008

In short ... XLS to me .... Eeeeh OK

I think the older XL is superior .... XL seems to spin a tad less .... XL IS !!! longer (for me) - I hit both back to back

Against my OVERWEIGHT L4 (please) ... L4 is longer / better / straighter / more forgiving etc than both the XLs

I WOULD NOT take an XLS over the XL

Also ... I've been hitting a lot of Cobras - which we all know make some noise ... The XLS is freaking LOUD !!!!!!!!!!!! ... Man - Made L4 seem quiet

It's a good forgiving club .... But XL just did everything better .... and TO ME seems hotter .... It's OK ... but that's it for me

XL Tour though - LOVE !!!!!!!! XL Tour ... Totally different club though ... I still have & use a cupcake one :)

Twiggy · February 2, 2008

In short ... XLS to me .... Eeeeh OK

I think the older XL is superior .... XL seems to spin a tad less .... XL IS !!! longer (for me) - I hit both back to back

Against my OVERWEIGHT L4 (please) ... L4 is longer / better / straighter / more forgiving etc than both the XLs

I WOULD NOT take an XLS over the XL

Also ... I've been hitting a lot of Cobras - which we all know make some noise ... The XLS is freaking LOUD !!!!!!!!!!!! ... Man - Made L4 seem quiet

It's a good forgiving club .... But XL just did everything better .... and TO ME seems hotter .... It's OK ... but that's it for me

XL Tour though - LOVE !!!!!!!! XL Tour ... Totally different club though ... I still have & use a cupcake one :)

Thanks Robo ... exactly the info I was looking for.

keyser · February 3, 2008

I find the XLS to be much better than the XL. Very good driver in my opinion, extremely forgiving, high ball flight. It is very loud though(the Cobra LD is much louder though, makes the XLS sound like your hitting a marshmellow). I haven´t hit the L4V as it´s not yet available where I live.

Robo,

have you tried the Epon E.M.B.?

rbaker2413 · February 3, 2008

Against my OVERWEIGHT L4 (please) ... L4 is longer / better / straighter / more forgiving etc than both the XLs

I WOULD NOT take an XLS over the XL

Overweight, ha. :)

Twiggy · February 3, 2008

Just got back from the range where I had the pleasure of pounding my L4VX against the XLS Tour. Here's what I've found so far:

(Background info: Played the L4VX/PM702 combo for about 4 rounds and several range sessions. Kicked my Burner TP 8.5* out of the bag easily. Very impressed with this club as I've indicated in several other posts)

Looks:

The XLS Tour is more "Traditional Shape", but the new XLS silver logo they use as their alignment aid serves no purpose and clutters the look at address. However, after about 2 balls I didn't even notice it anymore.

L4VX is Bigger Looking at address and just looks like it wants to demolish the ball. Sits very nicely at address and inspires confidence.

The XLS Tour looks square to very slightly open. The L4VX looks about 1* more open than the XLS Tour. Both are very nice to look at behind the ball.

Feel:

The XLS Tour feels "Firmer". Not good or bad, just firmer. You know when you've hit it good and when you've hit it not so well.

L4VX feels very similar on all shots. Softer feeling than the XLS Tour. Again, the feel would just be a matter of personal preference. Neither one stood out significantly for me.

Performance:

This is where the two clubs separate themselves from each other.

XLS Tour hits low flying VERY low spinning lasers. Very similar to the original XL Tour. So much so that after a few balls I realized that I could have easily gone to a 9.5* head with no problem at all!! This club is AMAZINGLY STRAIGHT. Very impressive in the accuracy department.

L4VX hits the ball noticably higher with more spin. Not excessive spin, just more spin. Without a doubt, I carried the L4VX farther by about 10 yards over the XLS Tour. L4VX is impressively straight as well. L4VX wins in the forgiveness category too. You can literally hit the ball all over the face and it will still fly high, long, and straight.

Final Thoughts:

Both clubs are so straight and forgiving that you can not go wrong with either one. The L4VX flies higher, carries further, and has more spin than the XLS Tour.

I am interested to see if on the course, the lower spin of the XLS Tour equates to more roll out distance. Couldn't judge that at the range. Also, I can't help but be curious if I had gone with the 9.5* XLS Tour if I would get a higher launch with equally low spin. If so, that could equate to some REDICULOUS carry and roll distances.

If I had a gun to my head right now and had to choose, I would choose the L4VX based on the VERY long carry, forgiveness, and accuracy.

Had alot of fun doing this today. Below are a couple pictures of my set-ups: