Exotics: E8 vs. E9

[WUTiger]

@onthehunt526,

The Exotics E9 models of fairway woods and hybrids feature the Slip Stream riffled sole plate. I have hit E9 models at a couple of demo days, and they seem to fly pretty well.

Question: since you're a full-bore TE guy, is the Slip Stream sole a major improvement over earlier models? Basically, TE is offering some refurbed E7 and E8 models that come in under $100, and I'm considering them vs. the E9s.

Is the Slip Stream sole worth the extra $$?

[onthehunt526]

On 6/24/2016 at 3:12 PM, WUTiger said:

@onthehunt526,

The Exotics E9 models of fairway woods and hybrids feature the Slip Stream riffled sole plate. I have hit E9 models at a couple of demo days, and they seem to fly pretty well.

Question: since you're a full-bore TE guy, is the Slip Stream sole a major improvement over earlier models? Basically, TE is offering some refurbed E7 and E8 models that come in under $100, and I'm considering them vs. the E9s.

Is the Slip Stream sole worth the extra $$?

In my opinion with your game, John... It is worth the extra money. 

Though you seem to do well with your XRail fairways.

The XCG7 and E8 models are great clubs. The EX9 is better than the former two because the slip-stream sole eliminates a lot of turf interaction. The hybrids are as good as the hot list touts them to be... 

Right now I'm struggling with my 4w a bit so I'm not a good reviewer on that. I actually stopped pulling my hybrid(s) it's more of a misalignment when I hit it left. The hybrids have a fair amount of offset, but not as much as the XRail or XCG7. And similar to the E8.

So to answer your question, @WUTiger yes the slip stream sole is worth the extra $80-$130 depending on what club you buy. But the previous models are great... So if you have the extra cash. Go for the EX9 it's definitely worth it... I'm under strict orders I'm not allowed to upgrade anytime soon.

[WUTiger]

I was trying to make sure I didn't have "halo effect" (overly positiveness) from good results hitting the E9s at two different demo days.

In both cases (note, I was already warmed up for the day), it took me about three balls to get the E9s zeroed in. And, the clubhead seemed to glide over the turf top while still giving solid contact.

The E9 hybrids with the 460 Recoil shafts (65 gr, R) worked well too. I was blown away by the fact I hit the 3H just as cleanly as the 4H - even some shots out of the rough.

As for the XRails, I've been having trouble with left misses moreso than with other clubs. I need to get on a launch monitor and see what the data says about ball flight. Original XRails were D0 swingweight, but I have a heavier grip than stock so I'm probably down about C7 or so. What I may do is add a tungsten square to up the swingweight. If it turns out I'm working against a slight draw bias, I could put the tungsten out on the toe to slow down the closing of the clubface, it that's the problem.

More later...