Tour Edge Exotics Fairway Wood(s)

[Tom]

I was in my local Edwin Watts and the local Tour Edge rep was there talking up the Tour Edge Exotics Fairway Metal(s) to the store manager. Says he "we have the longest fairway metals on the market and here's why...." he had a model with him (XCG3) and a broken down model so he could talk through the innards. He then said "we don't pay anyone on tour to use our product so therefore you probably haven't heard much about us, whereas every time Callaway sells a club they cut Phil Mickelson a check, and every time Taylor sells a club they cut Sergio a check, as a result that's all you hear about. But Matt Kuchar, Luke Donald and others carry our fairway metals. Why? We're the longest on tour..."

There's stiff competition though, because I have what I believe are the longest fairway metals on the market in my bag. But after his pitch I was thinking "Ok, this is a good story, I'll buy a couple and if he's right I've stumbled onto some good G2, and if he's wrong I can sell them on ebay and lose probably only a couple of 20's... nothing ventured nothing gained."

Yesterday, I received my strong three wood - a 13° XCG3. When compared directly to my strong 13° R9, the XCG3 is 1" longer. Kind of cheating... If my R9 was an inch longer it'd be longer too. But, he didn't talk about the shaft. Instead, he talked about the fact that Tour Edge spends more on R&D; and materials than the other guys." So, I'm taking both to the course today for an 18 hole one man scramble. I'll hit three woods off the tee all day long.

In my opinion, the longest/straightest 3 wood/metal I've ever hit has been my Callaway FT-i 15°. I have it in my garage and if the XCG3 is [much] longer than my R9, I'll take it out against the FT-i. Why don't I bag the FT-i? Well...

1. I wanted to have matching fairway gear because I absolutely LOVE my R9 driver.
2. Overall, I have not been 100% impressed with my R9 13° - it is a temperamental club with a traditionally smaller sweet spot - (read Callaway above).
3. I don't like the fact that Callaway's FT-i a) doesn't have a traditional hosel and b) I absolutely HATE the sound of the FT-i.
4. Initially, I enjoyed the flexibility of Taylor's FCT. If I'm pushing it off the deck right on the range I know I can click a half degree closed and minimize the chance of going right on the course.

I'll post a follow-up once I've done my research.

[WUTiger]

is an independent golf club manufacturer has which quite a following in the Midwest.

The Exotics fairway woods, although a bit pricy, have a cult following among certain golfers.

I played Tour Edge Bazooka fairway woods from 2002 until 2009. They were low profile, and I really liked them. The 3W and 5W came with Grafalloy shafts custom made for the Bazooka model.

I swapped them out when I went from stiff to regular shafts in woods and irons.

At least give the Exotics a try.

BTW: Not sure why you want "matching gear," unless your looking for a sponsorship. With a +2.2 HDCP, you're entitled to be a trendsetter.

[snowman0157]

I recommend you take a serious look at Tour Edge. I have a TE Exotics CB2 3 Wood and it is "Hot". I am going to look at the Exotics Drivers next time I am in the market; considering joining the cult.

[drpanakos]

I have friend that has to have all his irons and drivers match. I think it may be more of a mild OCD problem. There is medication to treat that problem.

[Chicago Lefty]

My XCG-V 3 wood is ridiculous. If I'm not absolutely nutting my driver, there is almost no reason for me to carry it when I'm hitting the 3 wood well.

[Tom]

Alright, here's the day one verdict. It's very long... the face is between 1° and 2° open so you MUST be aware of this or you will miss it right. I was setting up as I normally do (club bottom flat on ground, grip, hit) and I was hitting 15yds right and missed a few fairways. On hole #9 (ya i know what you're thinking - 'why'd it take you so long?') I figured it out (ah hah moment) and started nutting the thing. I'll spare all the details, but was hitting to my normal driver distance(s) with a 3w. I didn't like the traj off the tee, however and I don't feel like changing the shaft out - not worth the time/effort. I did like the traj off the deck, so I'll be bagging this club for a while. On my club's hole #18 (484 par4 - bear's best atlanta) i hit this and had 157yds in. 3w, 9iron - not bad for a longish par 4.

note : if tour exotics reads this... i don't like having to manipulate the face angle at address/grip and believe taylormade has the absolute best solution to this problem: face changing technology - FCT. it's such a simple thing - allows players to set the face angle from 1° closed to 2° open and alleviates the inconsistency of the player having to eyeball this KEY KEY KEY to the curvature/traj of a golf shot.

:Not sure why you want "matching gear"

hey thanks for the comment/reply. try TMs FCT and MWT you'll see what creates the desire of "better players" to have "matching gear." It's why their drivers are #1 sellers and some of the longest/straightest hitters bag these clubs (dustin johnson, fred couples, etc.,)

important note: i just thought how crazy and over-sighted it is of me to dismiss my TM R9 3W without seriously (re)considering the shaft i'm using in it. my 4w (17°) is very long and straight and the shaft is the motore f1 85gm. the shaft in my R9 3w (13°) is the standard motore 70gm. the profiles (tip and kickpoints) of each are different and therefore the shot profile is slightly different. i'm going to try the R9 4w shaft in my R9 3w tomorrow again up against the TE exotics xcg3. sorry, but "more to come..."

[golfro]

hey thanks for the comment/reply. try TMs FCT and MWT you'll see what creates the desire of "better players" to have "matching gear." It's why their drivers are #1 sellers and some of the longest/straightest hitters bag these clubs (dustin johnson, fred couples, etc.,)

you sure do sound like a sucker for great marketing. you don't truly believe that the TM tour players play TM clubs because its the longest and straightest driver right?You do realize that what they play is dictated by MILLIONS of dollars in negotiation and sponsorship deals? Their gear matches because they're paid by manufacturers to match it. Some of the longest/straightest and you mention one guy using it. DJ.

http://www.pgatour.com/r/stats/info/xm.html?101 heres a list of the longest drivers on tour. Tell me within the top 10 who are TM drivers? http://www.pgatour.com/r/stats/info/xm.html?102 Heres a list of most accurate drivers on tour. Tell me again who are using TM drivers? Sure as hell isn't the majority. Sorry but I don't buy into all this FCT and MWT buzz phrase bull that TM markets with every product. I like my clubs to be simple, work horses that give me feedback from my swing. I'm not dumb enough to believe a driver will actually make me drive straighter. PS. Fred Couples doesn't play Taylormade.

[Tom]

Fred Couples doesn't play Taylormade.

golfro, did i say couples plays taylormade? clearly any golfer knows he's sponsored by brigestone. i inferred that couples plays the R9. did you watch the '10 masters? i did... i slowed my dvr to 1/5th speed when i didn't believe my eyes and there it was... an R9. his driver is an r9. i've also watched several other tourney's this year and sure as heck, there it is... his driver is the r9.

http://blogs.golf.com/equipment/2010...d-couples.html http://www.tees2greens.com/forums/t/6296.aspx and oh yeah, i'm a sucker... a sucker with a +2.2 hndcp. hey, if you ever want to lose some money come down to georgia and let's tee it up. or tell me where you live and perhaps i'll come to your home course and show you how much of a sucker i am...

[golfro]

Lol u gotta be shitting me. One of those e-thugs. Let's let our swings do the talking. Anyone can write +2 as their handicap on some silly forum. Post up a video of your swing.

[TinCupTampa]

I like my XCG 3 wood so much I bought hybrids too. I switched out the shafts with some Altus shafts though... much better in my opinion.

[wrx_junki]

I recommend you take a serious look at Tour Edge. I have a TE Exotics CB2 3 Wood and it is "Hot". I am going to look at the Exotics Drivers next time I am in the market; considering joining the cult.

You will be sorely disappointed. Their fairway woods are awesome but the drivers are so so. Don't bother unless you must satisfy your curiosity.

To the OP, you might want to try the CB3 instead of the XCG3. Don't be lame with the let's play for $ comment.

[Tom]

golfro, you're the one stalking me, calling me "sucker" "thug" and trying to insinuate that I may be falsely indicating my playing prowess by wrongly "writing +2." i'm 46, don't idolize doogie houzer and have no time for deranged idioms. frankly, i find the entire exchange on "some silly forum" to be a waste of your time. clearly, it can be seen that you are the e-thug my friend.

just satisfy your lust, here's video of my swing from about a year ago for your amusement

Iron FO - real-time/matt at home
http://www.use.com/d2323401609811d5e370

Driver DTL - slo mo/matt at home
http://www.use.com/6f730ac4ee2e355bab2b

4i FO - real-time/range
http://www.use.com/a0023eade0f3fed62588

[Amstarvid]

I have the Exotics XLD 10.5 driver and XLD 5 wood and like them a lot...obviously equipment comes down to personal choice and swing type, but I've always been impressed by Tour Edge quality, design/engineering, and performance. I would at the very least recommend adding them to the list of clubs to try out for anyone who is looking.

[SouthernILGolfer]

I have a friend who has one of the Bazooka drivers and Ive seen him really knock the crap out of it. He doesnt get to play very often any more, probably about a mid teens handicapper but if he had time to practice and play more could probably be close to about a 10. He's tried others since then, even one of the new Taylormade Supertri at Dicks but couldnt hit it as well. Hes got about a 105-106 mph swing and Ive seen him hit that driver 315-320 yards before, normally averages about 260-270 when he's playing well. Actually he'll still hit it that far if he's playing poorly but it wont find the fairway.

[Tom]

i just thought how crazy and over-sighted it is of me to dismiss my TM R9 3W without seriously (re)considering the shaft i'm using in it. my 4w (17°) is very long and straight and the shaft is the motore f1 85gm. the shaft in my R9 3w (13°) is the standard motore 70gm. the profiles (tip and kickpoints) of each are different and therefore the shot profile is slightly different. i'm going to try the R9 4w shaft in my R9 3w tomorrow again up against the TE exotics xcg3. sorry, but "more to come..."

alright... did as i said. replaced the motore 70gm with the motore f1 85gm (TP) shaft. compared the R9 3w (13°) to the TE Exotics 3w (13°) and there's no difference in distance. so, i'll be selling the TE exotics. any takers? i'll let it go for $90 via paypal (add $10 for shipping for $100 total). if you're interested please PM me and we'll hook up. it has seen two full rounds of 14 holes and before that was brand spanking new.

[motteler621]

i agree I like Taylormade drivers and notice alot of golfers who arent sponsored by club manufactors using them. For instance John Daly uses a taylormade R9, rest of his clubs arent taylors that I know of, Fred couples uses a taylormade R9, rest are bridgestone, Greg Norman uses an R9, dont believe the rest of his clubs are taylormade.

[Genericity]

Lol u gotta be shitting me. One of those e-thugs. Let's let our swings do the talking. Anyone can write +2 as their handicap on some silly forum. Post up a video of your swing.

Tom calls your bluff and you're a no-show. Golfro's mouth is to big for his bite.

[WUTiger]

(to WUT) ...

I tried the TMs, and the drivers just feel too light. I'm Mr. Over The Top on occasion, and I need some club weight so my hands don't go wild.