Review: Tour Edge Exotics XCG5 Driver

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Tour Edge Exotics XCG5 Driver Review

 

Tested:

Tour Edge Exotics XCG5 Driver

Loft tested (degrees): 10.5

Shaft: Matrix RUL 60

 

From Tour Edge:

Truly unique, the XCG5 features Tour Edge’s one-of-a-kind, combo-brazing to join the titanium face and body to an ultra-thin beta titanium crown. In fact, no other driver sold in the United States uses brazing. It’s too expensive and time consuming. Instead, most companies weld face plates to the body. This method doesn’t allow for full face flexion and maximum forgiveness like brazing...Its beta titanium crown material is ultra-thin and lighter than the previous carbon crown found in the XCG4. This material dramatically improves sound while allowing more weight to be added to the rear of the sole through our new Six-Point Perimeter Weighting System. This system features six weight pads that lower the center of gravity and move it deeper and further back in the sole for a lower center of gravity and greater accuracy.

 

Pros:

Easy to hit and long. Near off-the-charts forgiveness. Solid hits produce a generally straight flight with just a touch of ‘country club draw.’ Dependable, repeatable results.

 

Cons:

Not the most ‘workable’ driver. Lack of alignment mark might turn off more. Long stock shaft may be a turn-off to some. Loud impact sound. Higher price than some in its class, especially lacking adjustability.

 

Bottom Line:

A sleeper in the ultra-light driver category, the Exotics XCG5 driver is another quality offering from Tour Edge. It’s loud, long and a heck of a lot of fun to play.

 

Look:

Let’s be honest. There are many entries in the ultra-light, forgiving, distance-first, workabililty-second driver category. Some are prettier than others, and the XCG5 certainly is on the attractive side. The plain, classic shiny black finish with small alignment aid will appear to most. Somehow the head looks a tad bigger than 460cc, but it is not. It looks forgiving at address (and is), and sits nice and square. If it was pear-shaped, you’d swear it was a true ‘players’ driver.

 

Performance/Playability:

Exotics gets knocked sometimes on their price point, and while it may be more expensive than some, that is the price you pay for technology...and this is packed with it. Using a chemical brazing process, the head has NO welds. This not only allows the TEE to save weight, but allows for a stronger face and larger sweet-spot. Translation: Easy distance. It’s as long as anything out there -- even with a shorter 45-inch shaft I tested with. Check out the 'exploded' photos of the club head from the 2012 PGA Merchandise Show. NO WELDS! Amazing!

 

Despite the square clubface, the club works best with a draw. That’s not to say you can’t work it, but the club knows its roots. Want to hit a 5 yard draw all day? This driver is your best friend.

 

What’s really nice is that generally terrible swings produce better-than-average results. Slices tend to be under-exaggerated. The toe of the club is VERY forgiving.

 

Feel/Sound:

“What’s that?” That may be the guy next to you on the range after you smoke one with the XCG5. Yes, it’s pretty loud. No, not the loudest I’ve heard, but it has volume to it. It’s not distracting though (I’m not a sound snob, but I know some are out there, so take it for what you will).

 

For a driver this light and forgiving, you can definitely tell when you’ve hit the center of the clubface. Toe hits are more than feel (and distance). Heel shots have that ‘sting’ but are not harsh by any means. All in all, very solid.

 

Big hits feel powerful. You know when you've tagged it for sure! It's one of the best feelings in golf.

 

Bottom Line:

Tour Edge Exotics has a bit of a cult following and it's easy to understand why. The Exotics XCG5 driver is typical Tour Edge: a handsome, forgiving cannon on the tee box. It’s designed to pound the ball, and it does it well. While it may be priced higher than some in this price point, there is a lot of advanced design packed into the clubhead. If you’re looking for an ultra-light driver and big distance, don’t overlook the XCG5.

 

Have an opinion? Please add it below!

 

[tbowles411]

Schweet! Nice job!

[jamesWRX]

Very tempted one with stock shaft Tour AD!

[NYlonghorn]

I've been playing golf for 42 years, 35 of it in the single digit handicaps that is now down to one. I've lived through and seen and played every technological improvement. Most have been positive to the game. Last year I found a deal on a XCG5 9 degree driver with a Blur stiff shaft. Took it out to the range and within 10 swings realized that I had to slow my swing down (avg drive is 280-290) to hit this new driver. When I had figured out how to use the club it all came together. Never have I hit the ball so long and accurate with such an effortless swing. In fact, if I try to give it a little extra I end up hitting a fairly large hook. The 'country club draw' or 'baby draw' is the natural ball flight for this driver. It really is a beautiful thing when you catch it solid. Doesn't seem like it is ever coming down. No high flying shots either. Somehow it seems to level off and keep going instead of climbing into the sky. Plus, I get more roll with this driver than any other one I have hit. Assuming it is from the draw spin. All-in-all it is probably the best all-around driver I have ever played, and that is just about every one that has been made.