Tour Edge Exotics XCG Fairway Wood Review

<p>As a recent winner in the 2008 Golf Magazine club test, the Tour Edge Exotics XCG fairway wood is getting a tremendous amount of buzz. The Exotics line from Tour Edge has been known to produce serious contenders in the arena of the high end club market. They have not disappointed in their latest fairway wood offering, the XCG.</p>
<p>Tour Edge Exotics is a branch of the Tour Edge golf equipment line. There is a clear divide between the two offerings of this company. They have the Tour Edge line which is geared toward the more financially conscious consumer and then the Exotics line which is specifically geared toward the high end market. Their attention to this market has not gone without notice. Some companies that involve themselves in two different ends of a spectrum lose sight of where they are going; it appears that Tour Edge Exotics knows where they are headed and how to get there.</p>
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<p>Technology</p>
<p>If you are looking for a fairway wood that is teeming with loads of current technology, this is the one for you. The XCG claims to have the fastest ball speed of any of their previous fairway wood offerings. The XCG’s high COR of .83 allows for amazing ball speed which is accomplished by creating a thin, titanium cup face that employs variable thickness technology across the entire face of the fairway metal. According to Tour Edge, Combo-brazing the face and crown to the XCG’s heavier steel body displaces more weight to the sole for less spin, a higher launch and greater distance. This fairway wood also utilizes a 4-way cambered sole to allow play from a myriad of lies. All models set square, aside from the 13 degree model which sits one degree open.</p>
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<p>Shafts</p>
<p>The shaft offerings from Tour Edge for the XCG fairway wood, according to their website, are limited to three options (at the time of publish I was not able to confirm if they have custom offerings). They include the stock offering Graphite design X-Quad, Aldila DVS fairway, and the UST V2 fairway. These shafts are offered in many weights and all flexes. My version has the Aldila DVS fairway wood shaft and I found the shaft very smooth, with great response and feel. I also found that it played true to flex and weight. From a consumer standpoint, I would have loved to see a larger selection of shafts to choose from, especially at the price point of this fairway wood.</p>
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<p>Aesthetics</p>
<p>The tour XCG fairway wood did not disappoint in the looks department. If you enjoy a classic look, and one that frames the ball nicely, you will love this club. The classic, low profile look that has become common place in the higher end fairway wood market is present here with the Tour Edge Exotics XCG. This club is very subdued, using classic black paint, a small alignment aide, and exhibits a traditional metal wood appearance; all of which make it appealing to golfers of all levels, specifically ones that enjoy the appearance of traditional, classic fairway woods.</p>
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<p>Performance</p>
<p>The performance that has become associated with the Tour Edge Exotics line is not misplaced with this latest version. The XCG is vying to take the position of the much coveted CB2. Has it surpassed it? It is really hard to beat a classic (let alone one from your own company), but this offering comes close. The XCG is much more forgiving than the previous option and, according to Tour Edge, guarantees the player 20 more yards from their current fairway wood. This is quite a bold statement from a company that is known to have one of the longest fairway woods available in their current CB2.</p>
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<p>My version of the XCG is a 15 degree fairway wood with an Aldila DVS stiff flex, 75 gram shaft. I have to say that this is an extremely smooth combination; one that I was skeptical would produce the results that I heard about. Being a higher spin player I was slightly concerned with the ball flight that would be produced with the DVS. After hitting many shots and attempting to hit different shapes and heights, this shaft and club head failed to disappoint. The high launch and low spin was perfect for me and produced high, flat flying bombs that had some run out down range. It was an amazing range and course session.</p>
<p>I was able to hit many different shots and more importantly, I was able to hit many fairways, some with very impressive distance. This is a very solid, exceptional fairway wood, and despite the high price tag (MSRP $349.00) it is one of the better fairway woods that I have had the pleasure of owning.</p>
<p>Conclusion</p>
<p>Should you buy this fairway wood or not? That is completely your choice as a consumer. I am very impressed with this fairway wood and after forking over my own hard earned money for this club; it is even better that it is an impressive performer. This is the first club that I have had to pay for since resigning my PGA membership, and I am not regretful at all. It is as good as any of the top performing fairway woods that I have played in my career. Solid from the fairway and solid from the tee, plus adding in the fact that it looks great, plays from many lies, and the distance is impressive, what else would you want from a fairway wood?</p>
<p>There is one thing I would recommend, if you are going to buy one of these I would make sure that you select the correct shaft and loft combination. If you are spending the cash to get this club, do yourself a favor and get yourself fit for the right shaft and loft. That way you can reap the benefits of the performance and technology aspects this club offers. You might just be as happy with yours as I am with mine.</p>


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Likely the best and longest fairway wood on the market right now ... except for the CB2 which is just as long. Either club off the tee will give you 240-250y easily with a 95-100mph good tempo swing speed. Off the fairway, 215-225y.