Cleveland Golf's HiBORE XL Driver
Review of a standout performer in a year of great new drivers
Mar 13, 2007
Driver Tested: Cleveland HiBORE XL Tour, 9.5-degree loft
Driver Tested Specs: Fujikura HiBORE XL Gold shaft, Standard Trajectory, Stiff Flex, Low-Mid Flex Point
Manufacturer Club Information: The HiBORE XL Tour has a slightly smaller clubhead (440cc) than the standard HiBORE XL (460cc), in order to simplify ability to work the ball for lower-handicappers. It also has a 3-degree open face, neutral internal weighting and a 1-degree flatter lie angle, all to improve workability.
The crown in the standard HiBORE XL is designed to keep the center of gravity low and in line with the clubface center, resulting in a desirable trajectory for mid- to high-handicappers. For both models, a high MOI (moment of inertia) results in increased stability on off-center hits and a tighter shot dispersion.
Both the HiBORE XL and HiBORE XL Tour are designed to limit spin rate, which, when combined with other characteristics, results in a higher launching, more penetrating ball flight.
Golf Club Test Results
- Feel - Cleveland’s claims regarding solid feel from virtually anywhere on the clubface certainly held true. Shots struck near the heel and toe of the clubface did not stray far from the target area. The performance of shots struck near the toe of the clubface was particularly amazing, given the twisting of the club that is a characteristic of such shots. This is most likely attributed to the high MOI. Best of all was the sweet-spot feel. If anyone recalls the feeling of a well-struck drive with a persimmon wood, this club came close to that feeling. Impact with the ball was smooth, almost non-existent, effortless.
- Trajectory - At first, it appeared the ball was launching toward the moon, but following the ball-flight proved it leveled off rather quickly. After watching a number of shots, the overall ball-flight was noticeably lower, albeit after a high launch. This seems to follow Cleveland’s trajectory claim.
- Distance - Fantastic! Shots struck on or near the sweet spot achieved an amazing carry and distance. Off-center hits performed much better than expected, though the true benefit here was the tight dispersion.
- Clubhead Design: In a year where dramatic changes in shape and size have taken place, the HiBORE has stayed relatively close to the traditional look and shape. In short, it has a great look. Also, the Fujikura Fit-On™ Sytem ensures a shaft tailored for every golfer.
Suite 101 Driver Rating: Even though weather was cold and windy on all three days of testing, the performance of the Cleveland HiBORE XL Tour could not have been better. The Tour model driver was used during testing, but the standard model should perform equally well for mid- to high-handicappers. Suite 101 Golf will recommend the Cleveland HiBORE XL driver for any golfer, no matter their level of skill and give it the highest golf club rating.
It will be interesting to see how other new drivers stack up against the Cleveland HiBORE XL.
Special thanks to Man O’ War Golf in Lexington, Kentucky for providing the testing site. Man O’ War Golf has been rated as one of the Top 100 Golf Ranges in America by Golf Range Magazine. Visit them on the web at manowargolf.com.
For other driver reviews see Longer Drives with an Alpha C830.4 and Nike Golf's SasQuatch Sumo2, then visit the Suite 101 Golf Equipment Index for more golf gear information.
