September 19, 2013 – We find Cleveland Golf’s product range for 2013 (the wedges, irons, woods, irons …) very attractive, and this time we’ve had the chance to test their latest driver, the surprising Classic XL Custom. This is their first adjustable driver, so we’re curious to know what’s so different about it.

At first glance the Classic XL Custom stands out for its intense black colour, dotted with golden details that give an attractive retro look. But the most eye-catching thing is to see and move the deepest and largest face of any currently available drivers. It certainly offers the largest effective hitting area, and gives you complete confidence on the tee.

Thanks to its great adjustability, it fits completely into the category of modern tuneable drivers. Starting with the shaft, you have four choices of premium quality, to choose according to the flight trajectory: Miyazaki JDL 6 for a mid-launch, lighter Miyazaki JDL 5 for a mid-launch seeking maximum distance, Mitsubishi Rayon Fubuki Tour for a high launch, and Matrix Ozik 6M3 Black Tie, for high-speed swings with a low launch.

After choosing the shaft, its time to do something that is new for us: adjust the swingweight. Normally in other brands you have a fixed weight, but here they let you choose between three interchangeable weights in the rear port: the standard of 7g for an ideal combination of distance and control; another of 3g for speed and distance, while the 11g gives you more control.

And finally, the adjustable hosel can be moved to one of 12 different settings to optimize the face angle and flight. Rotating the shaft optimizes the alignment of the face up to 2.25° open or closed, and between 1.5 ° up or down.

At the Club de Golf Sant Cugat, we spent time with one of their professionals, Carlos Vivas, who after hitting a bucket of balls on the driving range and going out on the golf course with the driver in his bag (9.5° in Neutral position, Miyazaki DJL 6 shaft) commented:

• 

  The first impression is that it is a retro-style club, but when you hit it you realize that it is truly modern. The truth is that it is very nice, and certainly gives you a ball that takes off very well.

• What I like most is that the club face is very deep. Thinking about amateurs, this feature is very good, because it can help them a lot to avoid ballooning. It’s very difficult to miss the ball with this club thanks to its wide face.

• I think it’s fantastic that you can adjust the loft, the face angle and swingweight. The more you can tune the club the better. I’m very keen on technology, since the ideal is to adjust the club to your swing, and not the other way around.

• The feel is very good. I tested it with the Srixon Z-Star golf balls and the combination is excellent. The ball leaves the tee with a low spin and a good height. A little high for me, but with such low spin it follows an ideal trajectory to reach long distance.

• If it is available in 9° and 10.5° lofts, and can also be tuned, I would recommend it to players of all levels. I find it very interesting, both for good and for not so good golfers, because the width of the face.

CLEVELAND GOLF CLASSIC XL CUSTOM DRIVER

• Club reviewed: 9° driver, Square, Miyazaki DJL 6 shaft, Golf Pride Tour 45 grip.
• Tester: Carlos Vivas (37). Pro at CG Sant Cugat (Barcelona).

DESIGN	[rating: level=”5″]
DISTANCE	[rating: level=”4″]
ACCURACY	[rating: level=”4″]
FORGIVENESS	[rating: level=”4″]
FEELING	[rating: level=”4″]
OPTIONS	[rating: level=”4″]
VALUE	[rating: level=”4″]
FOR…	Todos los jugadores
AVERAGE	[rating: level=”4″]

 A well achieved combination of classic look and technology. The face is very deep and gives you great confidence when hitting the ball from the tee. The large sweet spot is very forgiving, and the adjustability is then reflected in the trajectories.

  The most important thing is to find your shaft. Such a deep face may be inconvenient for the pros or low handicaps that, at some point need to hit the driver from the fairway, if the green is out of reach with the 3-fairway wood.

TECHNICAL FEATURES

Lofts: 9º and 10,5º. Head size: 460cc. Center of gravity: Optimized. Face: Variable thickness techonlogy. Face angle: Adjustable. Weight: Adjustable. Club swing weight: Adjustable. Standard shaft: Miyazaki JDL 6. Flex/Weight: X (64g), S (62g) y R (61g). Length shaft: 45”. Tip: 0.335. Butt: 0.615 (X), 0.610 (S y R). Flex point: Mid. Shaft swingweight: D5. Torque: 4,1º (X y S), 4,3º (R). Custom shafts: Matrix Ozik 6M3 Black Tie, Mitsubishi Fubuki Tour 53, Miyazaki B.Asha 4, Miyazaki Kusala (Black, Blue y Silver). Lefthanded: Yes. RRP: € 392.

Por REDACCIÓN