National Club GolferNational Club Golfer Logo

|

Cleveland HiBore XL Driver Review: Top choice for Mid-High handicappers at an amazing price

FacebookXInstagramYouTubePodcast1 comments

We sometimes use affiliate links to products and services on retailer sites for which we can receive compensation if you click on those links or make purchases through them.

A unique looking driver that might just be what you’re looking for to gain consistency off the tee.

Cleveland HiBore XL Driver | Source: NCG

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.

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

4.5 star review
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
  • Reduced price makes this tremendous value

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.

Cleveland HiBore XL Driver Review

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.

Advertisement

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.

Cleveland HiBore XL Driver Review

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

RRP: £369.00 / $399.99

Further Information: Scottsdale Golf / Cleveland Golf US

What do you make of this driver design? Let us know on X?

Don’t forget to check out and like our YouTube channel – YOUR GOLF NCG – where you will find lots of hints, tips and equipment reviews.

About the author

Max Mcvittie

A bit of a late bloomer to the game of golf, Max fell in love with the sport when he attended Saturday coaching sessions down at his local golf club after being inspired by friends and family members.

Max has remained a member of Eden Golf Club in Carlisle for a number of years now as he looks to get his handicap down into single figures. Most of his golfing career has been spent battling a permanent slice off the tee, which has led to some ugly rounds.

Having studied at the University of Sunderland, Max is starting out his dream career in sports journalism. During his time at university, he picked up valuable work experience at Reach PLC, BBC Radio Cumbria and GiveMeSport, whilst also getting work published in the Teesside Live. He also spent time working at a local weekly newspaper, Eskdale and Liddesdale Advertiser, as a general news reporter partially covering some local sport just north of the border in Langholm.

Max has just started his journey with the NCG working as the assistant equipment editor. He looks forwarded to reviewing the latest golf equipment, taking up an interest in reviews when buying his first golf club, a Cleveland RTX wedge.

With his bag not going under too many changes throughout the last few years, Max carries an M3 driver, Titleist GT3 Fairway Wood, M2 hybrid, a set of M2 irons, Callaway Jaws wedges and a TaylorMade Spider putter. And yes, Max is a bit of a self-proclaimed TaylorMade fan boy.

Comments (1)

Leave a Comment

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!

Cleveland HiBore XL Driver Review: Top choice for Mid-High handicappers at an amazing price | National Club Golfer