Perhaps more well-known for their wedges, Cleveland has now dipped into the driver market. They have released the Cleveland HiBore XL driver and it certainly stands out visually from its competitors. But there is far more to this driver than meets the eye and it’s not short of eye-catching looks.
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To see if their new driver offering matches the premium performance of their short game clubs, Jack Backhouse took it out on the golf course. Here’s how he found it in our full Cleveland HiBore XL Driver review…
NCG Summary
NCG SUMMARY
It’s fair to say this is a bold return to radical driver shaping. The Cleveland HiBore XL is a forgiveness-focused powerhouse that might not be visually to everyone’s taste, but absolutely deserves a spot in the bag of anyone struggling with consistency off the tee. With a triangular footprint, massive face, and thoughtful weighting, this driver delivers dependable distance even on mishits.
PROS
- Excellent forgiveness across the face
- A massive sweet spot thanks to a larger driver face
- Consistent spin and launch conditions
CONS
- Unconventional shape won’t suit all eyes
First Impressions
Cleveland has gone full retro with the HiBore XL. They have fully embraced an unconventional triangular head design reminiscent of the experimental era of early 2000s drivers. It’s a brave move in today’s more streamlined market, but one that’s rooted in clear performance logic. That deep rear weighting, pushed as far back from the face as possible, immediately suggests forgiveness is the top priority.
NCG Review
Despite my initial reservations about the head shape, my performance numbers on the whole were fairly impressive. I averaged a carry distance of 259 yards, with my best drive carrying at 265 yards.
Elsewhere in my performance, my ball speeds consistently hovered just under 160 mph, and spin rates were right in the sweet spot for me. They averaged 2,528 rpm with a nice range between 2,200 and just over 3,000. Peak height was consistent, too, always above 100 feet. Important to helping enhance those distances, especially in the winter.
In terms of technology, there’s a lot going on under the hood. The HiBore XL boasts a 19% larger face than its predecessors, aimed squarely at golfers who struggle with strike consistency. Cleveland claims this can offer up to 17 yards more distance on extreme off-centre hits, and up to 24% improvement in partially missed strikes.
Additionally, variable face thickness and an oversized sweet spot mean you’re still generating decent ball speed even when you don’t find the middle.
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The driver also features an “Active Wing” aerodynamic tweak for better clubhead speed and an adjustable rear weight system to fine-tune launch and spin. Also included is a 1.5-degree adjustable hosel and an 8g counterweight in the grip end for a more balanced feel.
It was clear in my testing that this isn’t the fastest driver on the market. But then again that’s not its goal. Where the HiBore XL excels is in stability and forgiveness. For golfers struggling with toe or heel strikes, the face tech and weighting design really do help keep you in play more often.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Cleveland may have opted for an unorthodox shape, but the performance speaks for itself. The HiBore XL is a serious contender for mid-to-high handicappers, as well as seniors, looking to gain consistency without sacrificing too much distance. Considering how much it costs, it’s priced well below the premium tier options, whilst delivering a level of forgiveness that is as good as most on the market right now.
Cleveland HiBore XL Driver Review: Price Details
Available: Now
RRP: £369.00 / $399.99
Further Information: Clubhouse Golf Website / Cleveland Golf US
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