The folks at Cleveland Golf have been quite busy as of late as they have introduced new putters, a couple of new iron sets, as well as the latest incarnation of the HiBore drivers, fairway woods, and hybrids – all within the past month.
The “scooped-out” shape still remains in the HiBore XLS line but new for this year features a higher Moment of Inertia (MOI), more customization options, and even larger heads.
Let’s take a look at version 3.0.
Drivers
The first thing you might notice is that the head size of the new HiBore XLS is larger than the previous version, making the XLS the largest Cleveland has produced. The XLS has the maximum clubhead dimensions allowed by the USGA and ups the MOI to close to the USGA’s limit, a 13% increase over last year’s XL. Using their “Distance Driven Geometry,” Cleveland was able to lower the center of gravity to make what they claim as the only “face-centered sweet spot in golf.” Does that mean I can tee the ball lower?
By increasing the size of the head and utilizing what Cleveland Golf calls “Full-Face Performance,” Cleveland was able to expand what they call the “Hot Zone” for more distance on solid shots as well as mis-hits. For those of us who don’t hit the center consistently, this is a greatly appreciated feature.
Another difference you will notice is when you look down at the club at address. Gone is the Cleveland logo that was used in the past on their drivers and fairway woods and new for 2008 is a two-fold aiming system of the XLS logo in a plaque on the crown and the use of “stability rolls” to make alignment a snap.
The HiBore XLS driver comes in three models; Standard, Tour, which features a slightly more pear shaped head, a 2° open face and has more weight in the toe to make it more fade biased and the Draw for those who fight the banana ball. The Draw version features a “forward hosel design, internal weighting and a draw biased face combined to eliminate slices and maximize distance.” The face is also closed 3° to help straighten you out.
Fairway Woods
The HiBore XLS fairway wood is really a mini version of the driver and features all the same new technology as its big brother. The head size has been increased 24% and it has a 19% larger face over the original HiBore fairway and is the largest Cleveland has ever made.
The larger head size and bigger face help give you better performance on your mis-hits and more confidence at address. It seems this is the prevailing trend now in fairway wood construction – bigger is better.
Hybrid
The HiBore XLS hybrid gets some small tweaks with a more “blunt toe and symmetrical shape” as well as increased offset that promotes a square face at impact. It also incorporates the same XLS alignment logo plaque featured on the driver and fairway wood.
I’ve had the predecessor to the HiBore line, the HALO in my bag for the past two golf seasons and in my opinion, Cleveland makes some excellent and easy-to-hit hybrids. I look forward to trying this latest incarnation of the funky looking “scooped” head.
Shafts
The entire HiBore XLS line features the Fujikura’s Fit-On M shaft fitting system where you determine which shaft is correct for you; the Gold, which offers a standard trajectory or the Red which allows you a more “tour” trajectory.
If neither of those suit your fancy, custom options from Aldila, Fujikura, Grafalloy, UST, Graphite Design and Mitsubishi are available as well. Remember to get fitted for the best shaft/head combination, rather than just blindly buying off the rack.
Pricing & Availability
The HiBore XLS drivers have a minimum advertised price (MAP) of $299 for all three models. The HiBore XLS fairway woods will have a MAP price of $179 while the HiBore XLS hybrid will have a MAP price of $149.
You can run out to your local golf shop right now and test the entire XLS line. I stopped at one of my local shops last week to give the new driver a quick look over and I eagerly anticipate giving this a test drive once our golf season starts here in the upper Midwest.
Final Thoughts
The entire Hibore XLS line includes the color combination of red and black which seems to be the hot color scheme in 2008 for golf equipment. I’m not sure what that is all about but it seems a great deal of new clubs lately have some red and black incorporated in the club.
I have to admit it took me awhile to warm up to the shape of the HiBore. I wasn’t a big fan of the first version of the driver as the closed face and what was just a few years ago, a rather radical head shape just wasn’t something I felt comfortable using. Version 2.0 of the HiBore driver was well received as Cleveland Golf made some adjustments as well as gave you a few more options to choose from.
Now with the HiBore XLS line, the evolutionary process continues as head sizes get bigger, MOI is higher and more customization options are available. Looks like Cleveland Golf has winning line-up on their hands.
Have the Hi bore Hybrid and love those , so it will be interesting to try the new line.
Had the Original Hibore, and now the XL. Original wasnt the best performer, but the XL was felt and performed well. I just tried the XLS today and I have to say it felt like an improvement over the XL. Very stable, and solid at impact.
I just bought the new 2i and 4i hybrids and I love them. They are not great at working the ball, but if you want a club to aim and hit straight this could be it. I like the shafts but the grips feel a little too thick.
I bought the Draw version and started a thread on the forum.
http://thesandtrap.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9819
I love this club, all my misses used to be slices, now I confidently aim at the right side of the fairway and if I miss it goes straight, otherwise beautiful high draw. Technology is an amazing thing.
Just bought the 16 degree HiBore hybrid, FO Red stiff.
Took it to the range quickly, before the rain hit, and hit about 30 balls with it. Every single ballmark on the face is dead center.
WOW.
So easy to hit well. I almost never get center hits with my HiBore XL Tour driver, just because I’m so sloppy. but the hybrid is incredible.
I’m replacing an old steel shafted 17* five wood with this 16* hybrid, bit shorter shaft but less loft, should be about the same distance.
But MUCh easier to hit well and consistently.
That’s the 16* HiBore XLS hybrid, just to be clear.
Replacing my old nike t60 3 and 5 wood just bought the xls 5 wood and love it. Very striaghtand very easy to hit. Even on miss hits which were rare still flies pretty well. Cant wait to get the 3 wood.
Yes,just got the new HiBORE XLi IRONS & HiBORE XLS HYBRID 4i,overall performance,Superb !!!!