EDITOR REVIEW - CLEVELAND CLASSIC XL CUSTOM

[swanry30]

PRODUCT TESTED – CLEVELAND CLASSIC XL CUSTOM

 

 

 

CLUB SPECIFICATIONS: 7.5* / 45”/ D4 – STOCK SHAFT was substituted with GRAPHITE DESIGN DI6x – by CLEVELAND GOLF.

 

PROS

 

Cleveland Golf has taken “CLASSIC” and turned it into a “MODERN CLASSIC” with their latest entry into the premium driver line. The new black color scheme, adjust-ability and weight options, combined with the deepest face driver in golf have Cleveland back on many people’s radar in 2013. If the looks or performance don’t win you over the old school leather headcover might!

 

CONS

 

Although the forgiveness is there, the deepest face in golf may deter the golfer whom requires a wider footprint. Lefties who need that lower lofted head and don’t want the look of an open face (by adjusting the 9* open to a lower loft) may need to look elsewhere...

 

BOTTOM LINE

 

“The Cleveland Classic XL Custom driver has the largest and deepest club face of any driver in golf with an even larger sweet spot. An adjustable hosel and interchangeable weight port allow any golfer to tune the driver for precise performance.”

 

EDITOR/TESTOR REVIEW:

 

LOOK

 

The Classic XL Custom brings a sense of nostalgia – a reflection of the past – everything that was good – with the modernization and technology of today.

 

Many times progression is good. The small modifications from one year to the next may open up your mind to a club or product. While the original Cleveland Classic was truly “classic” – with the persimmon body and brass face, it set the stage well for this year’s all BLACK color scheme. With the ever popular matte finish becoming more and more prevalent in today’s market, the standard gloss paint fits this driver perfectly.

 

Although the Classic XL Custom’s club head increased 20cc from last year’s model – it maintains a small footprint, that may fit the better player’s eye. Ironically, you don’t notice the increased size until you address the ball. Cleveland boast’s about the “deepest face in golf” and they aren’t joking. It makes the old Adams 4250DF look shallow. Either way sometimes you can take a good thing too far – and from a visual standpoint – the face is a little too deep.

 

For me the 9* and 10.5* drivers have a much softer and appealing shape than the 7.5* which looks abrupt at the toe. A slight modification in softening the toe would optically add loft to the 7.5* and add more confidence to the golfer.

 

RATING = ****

 

 

PERFORMANCE/PLAYABILITY

 

In all reality, most of us would give up a little in the looks or feel department if the performance and playability is there. The Cleveland Classic XL Custom was a complete surprise as I expected the driver to launch low and due to the loft have the gear affect come into play bring in a wide dispersion pattern. Don’t get me wrong it does launch low – but not as low the loft may indicate. The ball flight is very flat and boring. Those who struggle with hitting the ball high should put this driver on their radar – powerful flight.

 

You typically don’t associate a deep faced driver with forgiving. Cleveland advertises the Classic XL Custom as their most forgiving face, and it might be as I don’t have a long history with playing their equipment. I can say that the driver is relatively forgiving. If a player’s miss on the face is heel to toe – this may not be the driver for you. Although the misses aren’t extremely punishing, there are more forgiving options on the market for that miss pattern. In my testing I hit balls on the toe and the heel and found that it wasn't nearly as punishing as drivers that I own.

 

In comparison to other “deep” faced drivers – this may be the best option on the market in category of forgiveness.

 

RATING ****

 

FEEL

 

It is a proven fact that our brains associate sound for feel. If a driver sounds loud it may influence our opinion on feel. For those of you who enjoyed the sound and feel of the original persimmon drivers – this would be the modern equivalent. It isn’t the loudest driver on the course. It isn’t the most muted driver on the course. Best of all – if you are at the driving range, no one will give you dirty looks or comments about how awful your driver sounds.

 

One of the things that stands out about the feel and sound is I am able to get through the ball easier, as I am not anticipating the “hit” (or the sound of the hit). For me this is huge. After building some confidence with it – you are able to trust it more and just swing. Fewer thoughts equal straighter drives which equal lower scores.

In my opinion this is the category that the Cleveland Classic XL Custom stands out from the competition.

 

RATING = *****

 

OVERALL BOTTOM LINE

 

Cleveland has created a “modern classic” that may surprise many of you in the market for a new driver. “Tuneable” ball flight technology, adjustable weights, premium shafts, and the largest most forgiving face in golf – may pull you away from face paint and bag patches. Regardless of your current brand preference – put the Cleveland Classic XL Custom on your radar.

 

RATING = ****

 

 

[Desert Golf]

Very good write-up and nice photos. I recently bought a Classic XL (non-custom) with a Rombax 6X07 shaft and I like it a lot.

As a 10 handicap, I find that the XL is forgiving enough and the ball flight is perfect for me. It isn't quite as long and spins a bit less than my R9 Supertri, but it has been a fairway finder and I like the looks and feel of the XL.

[swanry30]

Thanks! Very surprised how forgiving this driver is considering how deep it is.

[scratchswinger]

Love this driver, by far the sleeper of the year. I have said numerous times that this is the first year that I would play a Cleveland driver over TMAG. I hit it side by side with most other 2013 drivers and it holds its own in every category.

[swanry30]

Retail vs retail the classic easily takes down the TMAG offering(s). Big sleeper here.

[scratchswinger]

Hopefully this review will turn a few heads, this driver deserves some love. I heard the new wedges and irons are really good as well but I have not had the opportunity to try them.

[tbowles411]

Sexy looking driver!

[swanry30]

I am impressed with all of their new line... The irons that Bradley is playing right now look incredible.

[woods991]

great driver, have been looking for a new look have the covert and love it, hated the g25, now on to this, and wow what a driver, longest yet, I know I have said that about a couple others but has been longer than the covert and the g25. The adjustability of this club is the best around.

[IvanDrago]

I have a covert with black tie and I was hitting my classic xl 3 wood longer than it today in 35mph winds due to high spin on the covert.

I'm tempted to try the driver if its anything like the wood it will be in the bag

[woods991]

worth a shot for sure, I cant believe how forgiving it is as well

[golfingchuck]

Dang! That's one sexy looking driver and the matching 3 wood looks great also. I want one.

[IvanDrago]

Oh I forgot to mention I hate the headcover

[Desert Golf]

I like the Classic XL driver but I'm also not a big fan of the headcover. Don't mind the looks so much but it is difficult to get on and take off.

[swanry30]

Better in looks than function as it does not go on and off easily when new and doesn't protect the shaft from other clubs!

[Dr. Shankenstein]

anyone on here hit the classic XL and the Superdeep mano a mano?

[IvanDrago]

Got my custom yesterday and played a few holes with it. It took a while to stop hooking everything (maybe trying too hard?) but I hit a few good shots which were right down the middle. It is the best looking driver ever though.

[IvanDrago]

[quote name='IvanDrago' timestamp='1372492832' post='7347240']
Got my custom yesterday and played a few holes with it. It took a while to stop hooking everything (maybe trying too hard?) but I hit a few good shots which were right down the middle. It is the best looking driver ever though.
[/quote]

I got a cleveland black headcover and it looks awesome.

Hit the driver 10 times today and hit 9 fairways and the were long too.

[swanry30]

[quote name='Dr. Shankenstein' timestamp='1372219860' post='7325644']
anyone on here hit the classic XL and the Superdeep mano a mano?
[/quote]

i have - but not side by side.

superdeep had a di7x - the classic has a di6x - so not apples to apples.

the biggest difference is playability. the classic is just so much easier to hit. if you want or need moveable weight technology, the superdeep might be a better option.

[woods991]

where can you find the weights to buy?

[fore_life]

2013's been a good year for you Swanry, this AND the oven trip?

[cinnepa]

loft results in this about the same as the original classic? like the 10.5 classic head...........wasn't sure if the XL should be the same, thanks

[TJ_Horton]

Got a 7.5 for Christmas, straightest driver I've ever hit and it doesn't balloon at all (which has been a problem for me since i was 12..) thank you Cleveland..

[stormbringer]

Did not like this version nearly as well as last years. Hit it shorter and sprayed it a bit. I usually like Cleveland Drivers but this one did not work out for me.

[mbelkin11]

I was custom for a 9 degree Cleveland Custom drive by some of the comany's master fitters out in Huntington Beach. It look me a few rounds to get used to the club but now I love it. More so than other Titleist and Callaway drivers I have played previously, I find that mishits still carry a decent ways further than you think they should. Well done, Cleveland!