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If your swing speed is starting to dip, XXIO might just have the perfect set of irons for you
There comes a point in all our golfing journeys where our swing speeds start to dive and they aren’t what they used to be.
That generally means a loss in distance, more shots taken to reach the green and resorting to low driven, punchy strikes. But the XXIO 14 irons have been designed specifically to tackle that problem.
Built for slower and moderate swing speeds, they promise more ball speed, higher launch, and greater carry through an ultra-lightweight construction.
To find out if that is really the case, read our full review of the XXIO 14 irons below. Also check out the video review below that covers both the irons and the driver.
The good news, these are irons that deliver exactly what you expect and want from them. The lightweight construction makes them easy to swing, while the larger head and perimeter weighting boost forgiveness and confidence at address.
They are not compact, and they are not subtle. But then again if you’re looking for a set of irons that will help you launch the ball higher and hit it further, that won’t mater one bit.
PROS
Strong ball speeds
Extremely lightweight and easy to swing
Confidence-inspiring profile
CONS
Premium price
First Impressions
At address, the XXIO 14 irons look noticeably larger than a typical players-distance iron. The head is longer from heel to toe, the sole is wider, and there is visible offset. During testing, the head was described as having an “enormous sole” and looking longer from heel to toe.
The face also appears larger, with longer grooves, which immediately gives a sense of forgiveness. For the target golfer, that added confidence at address is likely to be a positive rather than a drawback.
When picked up, the irons feel extremely light. The graphite shaft weighs around 48 grams, and that reduction in overall weight is instantly noticeable. I didn’t find any of the irons even remotely heavy, it was impressive.
NCG Review
To get a clearer understanding of how useful these irons are, we compare them directly against my set of Callaway Paradym irons.
The most noticeable improvement during testing was ball speed. Compared to the steel-shafted Callaway irons, the XXIO 14 produced around three to four miles per hour more ball speed.
For me, that meant I was able to unlock around six to eight yards of additional carry distance. A pretty good result, if you ask me.
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I think for senior golfers, especially, that sort gain is significant. It can mean hitting one club less into greens, or simply reaching greens that were previously out of range.
This distance improvement partly comes from its lightweight approach. XXIO, part of the Srixon and Cleveland family, specialises in lightweight performance equipment.
The XXIO 14 irons feature a Rebound Frame construction, which is designed to increase ball speed by allowing the face and body to flex efficiently at impact.
Additionally, the launch and peak height were also impressively high. The ball flight was visibly higher, and peak height increased by as much as eight to ten feet on well-struck shots.
Admittedly, the ball flight looked different to what I’m usually accustomed to, but the results spoke for themselves and could mean me stopping the ball on the green rather than running through the back.
NCG Verdict
These XXIO 14 irons don’t chase distance, far from it. They are purpose built to help golfers whose swing speeds are beginning to decline and require bit of extra help with carrying the ball further and launching it higher.
The lightweight graphite shaft and larger head design make the club easier to swing without feeling unstable.
For senior golfers amongst you who are tired of watching approach shots land short or release through the back of greens, you’ll want to check these out.
