ClubTest: Drivers — Max Game-Improvement
Golf Magazine asked players with a handicap between 15 and 23 to try drivers that maximize power and forgiveness. See which was rated the best.

Cleveland HiBore XLS Draw
$299, graphite
clevelandgolf.com

We tested: 10.5° and 12° in Fujikura Fit-On M Gold; 10.5° in Fujikura Fit-On M Red graphite shaft. Shaft length: 45"

Company line: "Our largest clubface ever is 3-degrees closed, to eliminate slices. The XLS Draw has an extremely high MOI of 5,300 g/cm2 and includes the Fujikura Fit-On Red/Gold shaft fitting system."

Our Test Panel Says:
PROS: Does what it promises; it's a well-balanced club that comfortably manages your misses; offset encourages a draw, helps to prevent slicing; nice, aggressive ball flight that gets up very easily and pierces the sky; steady distance output; overall, an upgrade over last year's version; now-familiar HiBore cosmetics don't look so wacky anymore; Cleveland does a good job hiding the offset.

CONS: Very little feedback across the face, a general lack of feel; loud impact noise is a distraction and turnoff.

"It plays like a square head, but with rounded corners." — Eric Jack (17)

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Credit: Schecter Lee