exotics driver 1st impression

driverhead · November 25, 2005

I cant ever remember being so anxious awaiting the release of a club as I was with the exotics driver. If you have the fw's and they worked for you the results spoke for themselves. I got the club last week. I went with the same setup as the fws, the HL shaft S flex as that setup worked well for me in the fws. The club sets up dead square. Not many 10.5 lofts fit this bill unless you get tour issue drivers. Here is a listing of traits for the driver.

1. Forgiveness - This club is as easy to hit as any driver. You hit it anywhere on the face with a half way decent swing a decent shot will result.

2. Feel - much different than the fws. It is more of a hollow feel with a muted click. Similar to a Cleveland Launcher, but with a muted feel and sound.

3. Trajectory and distance. - This is the disapointing part. As you know the fws. are rocket launchers that launch explosive bullets. The driver hits a high shot with minimal roll. This is very similar to a 10 degree G2 with NVS , I have hit. The HL shaft at 55 grams plays softer than its 65 gram FW counterpart. I was getting to high a launch, and it was costing me distance. I believe the NV would have been a better way to go in the 10.5 head. Im going to reshaft with an NV 65 S or a speeder 757.

Summary: I think the shaft is the main issue holding the club back here, but now the AURORA driver is way ahead in the my driver ratings over anything else.

Golfchicago · November 25, 2005

I've hit the proto. It is the easiest driver to hit, bar none. It is like the whole face is a sweet spot. This driver is going to be wildly popular.

driverhead · November 25, 2005

I've hit the proto. It is the easiest driver to hit, bar none. It is like the whole face is a sweet spot. This driver is going to be wildly popular.
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I agree that its an almost automatic fairway finder. Even with the HL shaft launching it with too much spin, I would use this club on a tight course in a heartbeat. I am hoping for a setup to match AURORA distance with the control of this club.

kkhere · November 25, 2005

how was the distance?

driverhead · November 25, 2005

how was the distance?
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I would say average. On par with the PING G2 with a similar setup. I think the HL shaft just added to much spin for my swing. The 4 longest drivers Ive tested are...

1. Aurora 10.5 with an AJ tech 4370

2. Adams 10.5 dual with an accra T 60 M4

3. Makser AS440 with a Nippon GT 600.

3a. NIKE SQ tour 9.5 with diamana 63 S

Im going to try a higher kick shaft with the exotic and see what happens.

Doug · November 25, 2005

I cant ever remember being so anxious awaiting the release of a club as I was with the exotics driver. If you have the fw's and they worked for you the results spoke for themselves. I got the club last week. I went with the same setup as the fws, the HL shaft S flex as that setup worked well for me in the fws. The club sets up dead square. Not many 10.5 lofts fit this bill unless you get tour issue drivers. Here is a listing of traits for the driver.

1. Forgiveness - This club is as easy to hit as any driver. You hit it anywhere on the face with a half way decent swing a decent shot will result.

2. Feel - much different than the fws. It is more of a hollow feel with a muted click. Similar to a Cleveland Launcher, but with a muted feel and sound.

3. Trajectory and distance. - This is the disapointing part. As you know the fws. are rocket launchers that launch explosive bullets. The driver hits a high shot with minimal roll. This is very similar to a 10 degree G2 with NVS , I have hit. The HL shaft at 55 grams plays softer than its 65 gram FW counterpart. I was getting to high a launch, and it was costing me distance. I believe the NV would have been a better way to go in the 10.5 head. Im going to reshaft with an NV 65 S or a speeder 757.

Summary: I think the shaft is the main issue holding the club back here, but now the AURORA driver is way ahead in the my driver ratings over anything else.
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DH

A good shaft in the Exotics does make a difference.

Mine came with a Graf. Blue.

After one range session, pulled it and installed Fuji Rombax S flex that was a pullout from a Ft-3.

This thing is now a serious weapon...Has a good launch and then flattens out, kind of like a two stage rocket.

Only small problem was the reshaft. It originally had tip weight added.

I did not add any weight to the reshaft and it came out C9.

The two weight ports looked like a good place to add weight without screwing up the balance.

I cut up a couple of lead fish sinkers added enough to get it to D2.5..Covered holes with a piece of tape.

JHR · November 27, 2005

What are the stock shafts that are available? I think the fairway wood is probably a pretty good club other than the shaft ( i have the Fuji H/L in mine ). So i would imagine if i were to get the driver i would have to swap the shafts in both clubs.

driverhead · November 28, 2005

What are the stock shafts that are available? I think the fairway wood is probably a pretty good club other than the shaft ( i have the Fuji H/L in mine ). So i would imagine if i were to get the driver i would have to swap the shafts in both clubs.
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Right now the YS Exotics , NV FOR Exotics, and the 55 grams Fuji HL.

driverhead · November 28, 2005

Reshafted with an ACCRA SC65 M4. It has brought the spin rate down, and the ball flight is much stronger. More important, being a feel player, the feedback at impact now has a stronger feel than with the HL shaft. This is now a very solid reliable driver for both consistant distance and great control. It doesnt have the jaw dropping distance that I was hoping for, as the fw's have but I have great confidence that I can pull off a decent tee shot every time. I hit 13 of 14 fws today, the 1 miss was just in the short rough. Distance was very good , but still falls short of the Aurora and makser 460.