CLEVELAND MONSTER XLS / XLS TOUR

I've had a hit. Set's up fairly square, noisy, big head deep face, and a squarer look to it than the XLS. I wasn't hugely impressed, but I'm not keen on their stock Fuji shafts, which wouldn't bother you anyway.

Of the new drivers I've hit, the DymoSTR8-fit is good, and FT-9 show a lot of promise and I've heard some exceptional things about the SpeedLine.

BTW The new s9 3 pro wood has to be the smallest fairway for years.

WAY TOO LOUD...I needed earplugs...very annoying IMO

Cleveland had a demo day at a local course here in Phoenix so I finally got to hit the Monster and just as I suspected, it's a cannon.

I never really cared for the XLS either, but I loved the XL, and I think the Monster is getting Cleveland back in the right direction with the HiBore line. Seems to be lower spinning than the XLS but not quite as low spinning as the XL. Higher ball flight than the XL too. I like long and loud and that's exactly what this thing is.

They did not have the Tour model, so I was hitting the standard version, 9.5* w/ the Red Cleveland shaft. It's one of those clubs where you don't have to think too much about your swing...just take the club back and let it fly and you'll be long and down the middle.

I will wait to hit the Tour model before I order, but for $299, one will be in the bag soon.

The Cleveland rep said they are shipping 'em to the golf shops on Tues., 1/27.

Anyone get their Monster yet? Curious to see how it compares to the XL.

9.5 drying as we speak at the house ....

Trying the new Axiv Core Red in it ...... I hear VERY good things about that shaft

I hit it on the monitor with the stock shaft ..... It's just stupid fun to hit

LOVE !!!!!!!!!!! XL / XL Tour

Did not like XLS / XLS Tour

Based on banging it around what little I have ... It's a good'r !!!!!!!!!!!!

9.5 drying as we speak at the house ....

 

Trying the new Axiv Core Red in it ...... I hear VERY good things about that shaft

 

I hit it on the monitor with the stock shaft ..... It's just stupid fun to hit

 

LOVE !!!!!!!!!!! XL / XL Tour

 

Did not like XLS / XLS Tour

 

Based on banging it around what little I have ... It's a good'r !!!!!!!!!!!!

you will really like the axivcore red... i had a 69xx in my 09 burner tp and loved it. pulled it last week because i am waiting for a new back weight from TM to get the swingweight up to something reasonable. the counterbalance nature of the shaft really screwed up the swing weight and i don't want to add that much hotmelt. it is going right back in when TM gets me squared away - that is unless i don't have it in a s9-1. seriously ROBO.... i need you to have someone hold your cell phone next to you at the driving range or course so i can hear the improved sound! NOT JOKING either. if it sounds half way good i'm buying one SOON!

what weight do you have? 79x is in my three wood.... killer shaft!

Hoping to get a chance to demo one when I get to Myrtle Beach at the end of the month. Just talked a guy from PGA Superstore there, said they should be getting them for sale next week and hopefully for demo the week after.

on a seperate note, they have probably what I have found to be the best demo plan yet. No charge, just a credit card imprint in case you break a club or don't bring it back. You have 48 hours to play it, no taped up face.

After hitting this before and not being impressed, I hit this at the PGA show with a GD Aura Red z0 X and it was the best flight of any driver I tried. It just didn't deviate through the air at all, it just bored through the wind dead straight with no spin. Don't know how much of it was the shaft or the head. Still looks ugly mind.

Cleveland had a demo day at a local course here in Phoenix so I finally got to hit the Monster and just as I suspected, it's a cannon.

 

I never really cared for the XLS either, but I loved the XL, and I think the Monster is getting Cleveland back in the right direction with the HiBore line. Seems to be lower spinning than the XLS but not quite as low spinning as the XL. Higher ball flight than the XL too. I like long and loud and that's exactly what this thing is.

 

They did not have the Tour model, so I was hitting the standard version, 9.5* w/ the Red Cleveland shaft. It's one of those clubs where you don't have to think too much about your swing...just take the club back and let it fly and you'll be long and down the middle.

 

I will wait to hit the Tour model before I order, but for $299, one will be in the bag soon.

 

The Cleveland rep said they are shipping 'em to the golf shops on Tues., 1/27.

Interesting post, because I suspect that many (including myself) fall into the same category as you i.e. stuck with the XL, didn't find the XLS superior and now want to try the Monster.

For me the ball flight, spin, trajectory - pretty much everything about the XL is spot on. Question is, is the Monster worth switching too? Are the increases in forgiveness, MOI etc too good to ignore?

Would be interesting to hear from others with Hibore XL vs Hibore Monster comparisons.

I'm a Cleveland driver fan. I've owned the XL, 9.5 and 11.5, both with the gold reg flex shaft. I recently put in play the XLS, 10.5 with the gold reg flex. Here are my thoughs and would like some feedback. I like the look, feel and sound of the XL. The 9.5 was a bit hard to keep in the FW and the 11.5 hits the ball really high but I hit more FW. So, I split the two with the XLS and got a 10.5 lofted head. It looks good, feels good but very loud. Here's the thing. I find the 10.5 XLS launches the just as high as the 11.5 XL. Is this costing me yardage? I'm thinking of going the the RED shaft with the same reg flex. What would this do to my launch and distance?

I'm a Cleveland driver fan. I've owned the XL, 9.5 and 11.5, both with the gold reg flex shaft. I recently put in play the XLS, 10.5 with the gold reg flex. Here are my thoughs and would like some feedback. I like the look, feel and sound of the XL. The 9.5 was a bit hard to keep in the FW and the 11.5 hits the ball really high but I hit more FW. So, I split the two with the XLS and got a 10.5 lofted head. It looks good, feels good but very loud. Here's the thing. I find the 10.5 XLS launches the just as high as the 11.5 XL. Is this costing me yardage? I'm thinking of going the the RED shaft with the same reg flex. What would this do to my launch and distance?

Let me know if you want to ditch the 9.5 XL to pick up a red shaft one.

I'm doing a fitting at the Cleveland studio in CA in two weeks. I will let you know what I think.

I have been playing the XL Tour 9.5 Red S for a little over 2 years. Absolutely love the club and its 440cc Head. I was quite disappointed that Cleveland went with 460cc in the XLS tour and didnt even bother with it. It is a great thing that they have gone back to the 440 cc in the tour head for the Monster. I am not a big fan of increasing the length like Taylormade does and sadly Cleveland has gone that path too (Standard length is 45.5 compared to 45 in XL tour). They have decreased the Red S wt by 5 grams to compensate. I like the price point at which they have introduced the Tour driver (Widely available at $299). Looks promising on paper, need to test it this weekend.

I'm a Cleveland driver fan. I've owned the XL, 9.5 and 11.5, both with the gold reg flex shaft. I recently put in play the XLS, 10.5 with the gold reg flex. Here are my thoughs and would like some feedback. I like the look, feel and sound of the XL. The 9.5 was a bit hard to keep in the FW and the 11.5 hits the ball really high but I hit more FW. So, I split the two with the XLS and got a 10.5 lofted head. It looks good, feels good but very loud. Here's the thing. I find the 10.5 XLS launches the just as high as the 11.5 XL. Is this costing me yardage? I'm thinking of going the the RED shaft with the same reg flex. What would this do to my launch and distance?

 

Let me know if you want to ditch the 9.5 XL to pick up a red shaft one.

Already ditched the 9.5 and 11.5. I'm thinking of going back to XL but in 10.5 w/ red regular shaft. I would like to know how it would compare to the 10.5 XLS gold regular shaft.

i hit it at the show and increased my avg ball speed by about 4 mph with a stock shaft. I ordered one yesterday so i'll give you an updat when it comes in next week.

Cheers

Scott

Robo,

Please let us know if the Tour sits open and how much it spins compared to the older XL Tour. Also, have you tried the Launcher? The only combo that kicked out my XL Tour (2.1* open, whiteboard) out of the bag is another XL Tour (1.5* open, ion whiteboard).

Robo,

 

Please let us know if the Tour sits open and how much it spins compared to the older XL Tour. Also, have you tried the Launcher? The only combo that kicked out my XL Tour (2.1* open, whiteboard) out of the bag is another XL Tour (1.5* open, ion whiteboard).

Per Cleveland:

XL Tour, 440cc, 3* open

XLS Monster Tour, 440cc, 2* open

I didn't get the "Tour" MONSTER ... I just got the plain ole MONSTER :) - The BIG ONE !!!!

I'll probably snag the Tour version soon

Since the size of the high COR are is much more important than small MOI changes, I find it very surprising(and keeps me from buying) that cleveland don't seem to use any sort of variable face technology at all.

fyi - Mine weighed 205 grams ... Very good news when I saw that

I hit the non tour monster on the range today, 10.5 stock red. I was very impressed at its point and shoot accuracy, and great dispersion into a headwind. It set up dead square and the ball flight was fabulous.

Alright ROBOPTI .. I KNOW you have hit this by now.

What's the verdict .... also, I hate to do this to you but:

I'd like to know how the Monster is as well. Had the XL Tour briefly and it was nice. If I can't keep the R7 Limited in the fairway, this will be on the top of my list.

Alright ROBOPTI .. I KNOW you have hit this by now.

 

What's the verdict .... also, I hate to do this to you but:

 

Wow .. I feel victim to my own spell ...

ASK AND YA SHALL RECEIVE !!!!!!!!! ... review afterwards ... sorry for picture quality ... That post made me break out the camera ASAP

Very nice Pics. Is it just me or does the XLS monster look square? I guess Cleveland has never been that 'tour' kind of company... they do have a draw version.

So let's hear it?!! Does this threaten your L4V? How does it sound/play? What about vs. the L5V?

My lord that is a friggn gargantuan face on that thing!

Yes, very Cobra-ish. I have the XLS Tour which I like (although no one else on this board seems to). Have the L4V as well.

So, Monster or Launcher?

Yes, very Cobra-ish. I have the XLS Tour which I like (although no one else on this board seems to).

Dont get this twisted. You meant to say the Cobra looks very Cleveland-ish. Remember CG came out with the recessed crown design long before Cobra had that idea. So dont get it twisted who copied who here.

I cant wait to hit the Monster, as soon as I get a day off during the week, Im taking off to the range with some new drivers to see which one suits me best.

Hmm. I agree that the recessed back is a Cleveland design. But the scooped top has been a Cobra driver feature going back at least to Tiger's old Cobra driver. I looked for a picture of his 1993 King Cobra Deep Face Driver, but can't find one.

But yes, the radical recessed back is definitely a Cleveland first feature.

Robopti, does the Monster that you have set up square - i know that Cleveland advertised the Monster as a square face angle and with neutral weigting, but IMO previous Hibore's (XL, XLS) look around 1 degree closed.

Have to say that with the Axivcore, that's one sweet stick!!

Got a voodoo XVS7 waiting for the Monster as soon as they're out in the UK, can't wait.