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Cleveland HiBore XLS
$299, graphite
clevelandgolf.com
We tested: 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5° in Fujikura Fit-On M Red; 9.5°, 10.5° and 11.5° in Fujikura Fit-On M Gold graphite shaft. Shaft length: 45"
Company line: "Our largest face ever, with an extremely high MOI of 5,300 g/cm2. It has the dual crown alignment feature, distance-driven geometry and full-face performance."
Our Test Panel Says:
PROS: Responsive to a draw or fade swing; balanced feel; total distance is right there with all the rest; clubhead has a cutaway and flared look that creates a natural alignment aid; suitable accuracy on well-hit balls; medium-low ball flight that cuts through wind.
CONS: It's good but it plays like many others, not a lot to distinguish it; clubface does not communicate location too well on mis-hits; clubhead can be overwhelming and requires a period of adjustment.
"I can feel the big stable head all through the swing." — Don Wilson (12)
Credit: Schecter Lee
