[Hifade]

Okay...here's the skinny.

The driver is frickin' awesome. I had it sent with an Aldila 65X NV; ONLY because it was the only X flex they had. I had them send me an 8* head and hand pick and open one. Yes, it's is very square to slightly open but not 2*. Interestingly, I have their literature for '06 and the specs are slightly different from the website. In the lit, they claim the 8* is 1* open, the 9* is square and the 10* is 1* closed. The 8* is perfect for me. Set up is REAL good.

So, here's what I did. I hit a handful of balls with the NV still in it and I gotta tell ya, the whole face is a frickin' sweet spot. Next, no matter where on the face you hit it, it goes DEAD STRAIGHT. Now, the tinkerer that I am, I decided, what the hell, and I yanked the shaft and threw in a FUJI SIX Tour Spec and holy sh!t, the thing has to be illegal. The ball explodes off the clubface and is so far gone, so quick, it's crazy. This thing is simply ridiculous. Hell, you guys be the judge yourselves. The best part is....with the SIX, I raise the flight slightly and reduced the overall weight so that I could load the toe with lead tape and produce a HIFADE machine.

I'm tellin' ya, it's good. If people give this bad boy a chance, this driver, as a tremendous follow up to the already great Exotics FW's, will raise Tour Edge to the next level. I believe it's that good. Hell, if I didn't have my own company, I'd beg them for a job....I believe in it that much.

Now, to answer any questions on why I'm not still using the 3 wood.....McCord gave me a tour r7 FW and I love it. I can't hit it as far as my Exotics but I just love the look. I'll never give up the 15* Exotics though, it's just shaftless right now.

The face on the driver is a flatter TM look. The hosel is very short but the bore is deep...almost blind. The head size is disguised well but has a great look. The headweight was in the 204 gram range. Head a impact is solid, slightly muted but not too hollow sounding.

I'm sticking with it for now and it's frickin' winter here. Can't wait for a warm day or gettin' down to Orlando for the PGA Show when I can get to hit it outdoors and really give it a workout. One last thing, this club feels like I can swing as hard as I want and still not worry about the left side.

More to come........

Cardo (I'll post pics as soon as I can)

[DemolitionMan]

Awesome review. I'm still laughing....

[kkhere]

yea i think it hilarious too, but on a seroius note this driver looks great. I really want to hit one but its frickin freezing in Ny so i guess ill just wait till next yr

[Sakman]

Great review Cardo. Looks like I'll be placing yet another TE order w/ you shortly...

[Dorkman53]

I'm having trouble accessing their website at the moment, but I thought I'd read that none of the lofts are closed on the Tour Edge Exotics Driver.

[Hifade]

The info I have is that the 10* is the only one that's closed (1*) but then again most "square" faces look closed to me. I had a VJ 510DF that was 3* open and that was awesome. The problem was that at 8.5* it played to about 6.5*.

Dorkman53, on Nov 30 2005, 10:00 PM, said:

I'm having trouble accessing their website at the moment, but I thought I'd read that none of the lofts are closed on the Tour Edge Exotics Driver.

[Golfchicago]

Just got mine. I slept with it last night it looked that good!! Report to follow shortly.

[Golfchicago]

Jim, Im going to need you to pop a s.i.x. in my driver before I go to Florida. Give me a holla

[Hifade]

I'll call ya later this AM.

Golfchicago, on Dec 1 2005, 06:04 AM, said:

Jim, Im going to need you to pop a s.i.x. in my driver before I go to Florida. Give me a holla

[Golfchicago]

Coolio.

Ive hit the proto a while ago and it is nuts how big the sweet spot is and how straight the club goes.

I just came from the dome with my exotics 9* with a nv 65x. I hit it dead straight. I mean dead straight. Straighter than my 580xd with the shaqx, which is hard to believe. I talked to my buddy at Tour edge and he told me the nv is a special nv made specifically for this club. In not a big nv fan, but this combo worked great for me. Also, it felt really hot coming off the face. Im excited to take it to Florida to see how far it goes. It defintely is my go to driver. The confidence I had hitting it was overwhelming because it just goes so stinking straight. I don't think I am going to touch the set up now. There is no doubt imho this is the best driver out there. The great news is that we have a distributor on site. HiFade has an account and can get you anything you need from Tour edge! Take advantage of the connect!

[BigBaller]

Hifade, on Nov 30 2005, 08:13 PM, said:

The info I have is that the 10* is the only one that's closed (1*) but then again most "square" faces look closed to me. I had a VJ 510DF that was 3* open and that was awesome. The problem was that at 8.5* it played to about 6.5*.

Dorkman53, on Nov 30 2005, 10:00 PM, said:

I'm having trouble accessing their website at the moment, but I thought I'd read that none of the lofts are closed on the Tour Edge Exotics Driver.

Here are the specs "straight from the source..."

EXOTICS DRIVER HEAD
MODEL LOFT LIE FACE ANGLE GRAPHITE LENGTH
DRIVER 8.0° 58° 2° open 45"
DRIVER 9.0° 58° 1° open 45"
DRIVER** 10.5° 59° 1° open 45"
DRIVER 12.0° 59° 0° square 45"

http://www.exoticsgo...ages/driver.asp

[JGalls]

I've got one for sale... if anyone is interested.

9 degree, Zcom mw54 stiff and untipped, 45 1/4"

Hit 5 balls with it inside.

J

[Metalhead]

JGalls, on Dec 5 2005, 08:58 AM, said:

I've got one for sale... if anyone is interested.

9 degree, Zcom mw54 stiff and untipped, 45 1/4"

Hit 5 balls with it inside.

J

why are you selling after 5 balls? that good huh?

[tickyboy]

I have to say the reviews for this driver are very positive. I know the club looks great, I think that if the j33 doesn't work out this is the next choice.

[JGalls]

Metalhead, on Dec 5 2005, 12:24 PM, said:

JGalls, on Dec 5 2005, 08:58 AM, said:

I've got one for sale... if anyone is interested.

9 degree, Zcom mw54 stiff and untipped, 45 1/4"

Hit 5 balls with it inside.

J

why are you selling after 5 balls? that good huh?

feels AMAZING... just need the $$$ towards a Cammy 009 purchase

[Hifade]

Mine will be put to the test this week at the Golfworld Scottsdale Invitational....can't wait to see the actual results against my tour r7.

stay tuned.......i'll post from the road

[Johnny]

Golfchicago, on Dec 1 2005, 04:02 AM, said:

Just got mine. I slept with it last night it looked that good!! Report to follow shortly.

you hit it didn't you....

[Golfchicago]

Johnny, on Dec 5 2005, 10:44 PM, said:

Golfchicago, on Dec 1 2005, 04:02 AM, said:

Just got mine. I slept with it last night it looked that good!! Report to follow shortly.

you hit it didn't you....

I hit it in the dome. Im heading down to Florida to give it an on course test.

[enelrojo]

If I hit a 9.5 in a 460 Launcher Comp and a Titty 905T, what loft do you guys recommend in the Exotic???

[Hifade]

go with the 9* for sure

enelrojo, on Dec 7 2005, 01:25 AM, said:

If I hit a 9.5 in a 460 Launcher Comp and a Titty 905T, what loft do you guys recommend in the Exotic???

[volchris]

Can anyone tell me if the shiny face scratches as badly as the FW??? My 3W and 5W both have marks all over the face from sand on the ball (I live in Coastal GA, so that is our "soil").

Thanks,
Chris

[Johnny]

volchris, on Dec 7 2005, 07:31 PM, said:

Can anyone tell me if the shiny face scratches as badly as the FW??? My 3W and 5W both have marks all over the face from sand on the ball (I live in Coastal GA, so that is our "soil").

Thanks,
Chris

cant see it being any different.. shiny face will not hold up to sandy range balls.. no chance

[Hifade]

mine actually has a brushed face like all TM's drivers and FWs...so did my 15* TE and it was tour issued

Johnny, on Dec 7 2005, 10:33 PM, said:

volchris, on Dec 7 2005, 07:31 PM, said:

Can anyone tell me if the shiny face scratches as badly as the FW??? My 3W and 5W both have marks all over the face from sand on the ball (I live in Coastal GA, so that is our "soil").

Thanks,
Chris

cant see it being any different.. shiny face will not hold up to sandy range balls.. no chance

[chisag]

volchris, on Dec 7 2005, 08:31 PM, said:

Can anyone tell me if the shiny face scratches as badly as the FW??? My 3W and 5W both have marks all over the face from sand on the ball (I live in Coastal GA, so that is our "soil").

Thanks,
Chris

i hated that shine finish, so i sanded it off on my 3 wood face. it looks great now. plan on doin the same thing to the driver...

[volchris]

Please describe the process. I am VERY interested in this fix. I've buffed them, which works at first, but the scratches inevitably come back.

Thanks,
Chris

chisag, on Dec 8 2005, 12:39 PM, said:

volchris, on Dec 7 2005, 08:31 PM, said:

Can anyone tell me if the shiny face scratches as badly as the FW??? My 3W and 5W both have marks all over the face from sand on the ball (I live in Coastal GA, so that is our "soil").

Thanks,
Chris

i hated that shine finish, so i sanded it off on my 3 wood face. it looks great now. plan on doin the same thing to the driver...

[chisag]

...just take a fine grit sandpaper and rub the finish til it becomes dull. then take a scotch brite to it for a very smooth finish.. voila!!!

[pingshack22]

chisag, on Dec 8 2005, 11:39 AM, said:

volchris, on Dec 7 2005, 08:31 PM, said:

Can anyone tell me if the shiny face scratches as badly as the FW??? My 3W and 5W both have marks all over the face from sand on the ball (I live in Coastal GA, so that is our "soil").

Thanks,
Chris

i hated that shine finish, so i sanded it off on my 3 wood face. it looks great now. plan on doin the same thing to the driver...

Do you have any pictures of the face after you sanded the finish off? I would be very interested in seeing this !

[chisag]

pingshack22, on Dec 9 2005, 11:14 PM, said:

Do you have any pictures of the face after you sanded the finish off? I would be very interested in seeing this !

.. it is in texas at the moment. couple of friends are tryin out the vs proto. but when it returns, i'lll take some pics...

[enelrojo]

Hifade, on Dec 7 2005, 08:53 AM, said:

go with the 9* for sure

enelrojo, on Dec 7 2005, 01:25 AM, said:

If I hit a 9.5 in a 460 Launcher Comp and a Titty 905T, what loft do you guys recommend in the Exotic???

Thank you.

[JGalls]

enelrojo, on Dec 15 2005, 01:18 PM, said:

Hifade, on Dec 7 2005, 08:53 AM, said:

go with the 9* for sure

enelrojo, on Dec 7 2005, 01:25 AM, said:

If I hit a 9.5 in a 460 Launcher Comp and a Titty 905T, what loft do you guys recommend in the Exotic???

Thank you.

I've got a 9 degree/zcom mw54 combo for sale.

[mike0814]

chisag, on Dec 15 2005, 10:43 AM, said:

pingshack22, on Dec 9 2005, 11:14 PM, said:

Do you have any pictures of the face after you sanded the finish off? I would be very interested in seeing this !

.. it is in texas at the moment. couple of friends are tryin out the vs proto. but when it returns, i'lll take some pics...

exotics or j33r ... which and why?

[chisag]

mike0814, on Dec 16 2005, 05:48 PM, said:

exotics or j33r ... which and why?

... my playin pards in texas are hittin my exotic 3 wood with the vs proto, as they wanted to try the shaft. one of em has the same head, and the other is just a ho. but i'm buried in snow, and figured i wouldn't miss it for a couple of weeks.
... i have an exotic 10.5* on order with an open "looking" face. as you know, many faces look closed or open due to the paint on the crown. so findin one that looks square to open is all i'm after...

...how bout you? got an exotic driver on the foggy horizon???

[Hifade]

Please post this in the Classifieds if you want to sell it.

Thx, Cardo

JGalls, on Dec 15 2005, 02:54 PM, said:

I've got a 9 degree/zcom mw54 combo for sale.

[mike0814]

chisag, on Dec 16 2005, 07:19 PM, said:

mike0814, on Dec 16 2005, 05:48 PM, said:

exotics or j33r ... which and why?

... my playin pards in texas are hittin my exotic 3 wood with the vs proto, as they wanted to try the shaft. one of em has the same head, and the other is just a ho. but i'm buried in snow, and figured i wouldn't miss it for a couple of weeks.
... i have an exotic 10.5* on order with an open "looking" face. as you know, many faces look closed or open due to the paint on the crown. so findin one that looks square to open is all i'm after...

...how bout you? got an exotic driver on the foggy horizon???

sessm ... gotta be??

i like the 3 wood so much that the driver is certainly viable. reviews are mixed and no shop around here has the exotics for viewing. it does bug me a little that the site has listed various options as open to sqaure, but numerous reports suggest closed.

i like the j33r. it doesn't fit my eye in terms of face progression, but very square and also refined-looking.

i move slow these days ... who knows. but man, do i like that exotics 3+/ys 8.1 combo. they list the 13* as 1* open ... and i think that's right.

[GRT]

A whole lotta chatter about pics and yet ........... nuthin.

What the heck y'all waitin fer?

[chisag]

mike0814, on Dec 16 2005, 07:51 PM, said:

sessm ... gotta be??

i like the 3 wood so much that the driver is certainly viable. reviews are mixed and no shop around here has the exotics for viewing. it does bug me a little that the site has listed various options as open to sqaure, but numerous reports suggest closed.

i like the j33r. it doesn't fit my eye in terms of face progression, but very square and also refined-looking.

i move slow these days ... who knows. but man, do i like that exotics 3+/ys 8.1 combo. they list the 13* as 1* open ... and i think that's right.

... the exotic driver has some face progression, but not as much as the fairway woods. it is drop dead gorgeous at address. i only hit it in a net, but the feel was VERY solid. i saw two 10.5* and one looked closed the other square. they only had one 9* and it was dead square. still, for those with higher swing-speeds, the j33r 460 is just a monster driver. imo, it is like an 983e on steroids.

[mike0814]

chisag, on Dec 16 2005, 09:54 PM, said:

mike0814, on Dec 16 2005, 07:51 PM, said:

sessm ... gotta be??

i like the 3 wood so much that the driver is certainly viable. reviews are mixed and no shop around here has the exotics for viewing. it does bug me a little that the site has listed various options as open to sqaure, but numerous reports suggest closed.

i like the j33r. it doesn't fit my eye in terms of face progression, but very square and also refined-looking.

i move slow these days ... who knows. but man, do i like that exotics 3+/ys 8.1 combo. they list the 13* as 1* open ... and i think that's right.

... the exotic driver has some face progression, but not as much as the fairway woods. it is drop dead gorgeous at address. i only hit it in a net, but the feel was VERY solid. i saw two 10.5* and one looked closed the other square. they only had one 9* and it was dead square. still, for those with higher swing-speeds, the j33r 460 is just a monster driver. imo, it is like an 983e on steroids.

hmmm ... a "983e on steriods". that's what bennett said as well. i'ke really like to try both. from pictures i can see that the exotics driver does have some decent onset to it.

i've heard it's a real high launcher ... gotta hit much higher than the j33 ... are you concerned with that at all or was the 9* just too low-lofted for you? i'd like to increase loft, but in the exotics i think i'd likely be looking at the 8*.

[chisag]

mike0814, on Dec 17 2005, 12:20 AM, said:

i've heard it's a real high launcher ... gotta hit much higher than the j33 ... are you concerned with that at all or was the 9* just too low-lofted for you? i'd like to increase loft, but in the exotics i think i'd likely be looking at the 8*.

... to be honest i am a little concerned. i hit the 10.5* 905t at the beginin of the season very high, but it carried forever and still hit the ground with roll. it looked too high, but clearly wasn't. i think the new balls spin so much less, there is just very little ballooning going on. but the vs proto is a higher launchin shaft than the xtreme nv. hmmmmmmmmmmm...

[p_haun]

Anyone tried the exotics with the Comp NT...I have one in my 904F and love it...Looking b/w the exotics, 905T, SQ tour, and Jones player series...Still playing with a 975D 7.5, so it's time to jump on the bandwagon...