Equipment
XXIO introduces XXIO9 driver, fairway woods
XXIO, leading seller of golf clubs in Japan for 16 consecutive years, revealed the details of the company’s ninth generation of woods. And from the looks of things, some truly innovative technology is about to hit the market.
The tag line from the Japanese market leader’s announcement: “Altering the head path increases head speed to achieve greater distance.”
Sounds great. But what does this mean practically?
The 9 series woods utilize a technology that facilitates longer wrist cock throughout the downswing, and thus a different club head path without a conscious alteration to the golf swing. The result of this, according to the company? A 5.5-yard increase in distance relative to the XXIO8 weaponry.
Let’s dig a little deeper into the metal wood offerings and component technology.
XXIO9 driver
The centerpiece of the XXIO9 series: Dunlop Sports’ Dual Speed Technology, which is designed to maximize distance.
Here’s how it works.
The XXIO 9 driver also features the company’s Wing Cup Face and the heaviest head in XXIO history.
And as you likely guessed, the heavier club head necessitates a lighter shaft: the new MP900, which features a balance point closer to the grip and several innovative materials, such as Toray T1100G: a graphite fiber developed for the aerospace industry.
The shaft doesn’t sacrifice strength, however, thanks to XXIO’s proprietary “hoop sandwich structure.”
With respect to the XXIO9 driver’s face, the company introduces Wing Cup Face design. And as the company indicates, “The heavier club head maximizes kinetic energy at the moment of impact, while the newly developed cup face with its expanded flare from toe to heel offers a 10 percent larger sweet spot than the previous model.”
Of course, no modern driver offering would be complete without some technology to manipulate center of gravity for the coveted high-launch, low-spin ball flight. XXIO repositions the weight in the driver’s sole this year, moving it 15 millimeters back to create a deeper, lower CG.
XXIO9 fairway woods
Similar to the driver, the XXIO9 fairway woods are equipped with the same shaft and a heavier club head. Thus, the purported results are the same: an improved club head path and longer-travelling shots.
XXIO9 fairway woods feature a new cup face of variable thickness (thicker at the sweet spot, thinner toward the edges). The face is also structured to improve COR performance in the lower regions of the face where many golfers make contact. Additionally, the sweet spot is 10 percent larger than previous models.
The sole’s “Power Wave Structure” (thinner center and thicker sides) creates the coveted lower, deeper CG to aid golfers in getting the ball into the air.
The XXIO9 series will be available starting Dec. 8. The XXIO9 driver will retail for $649.99, and the fairway woods for $429.99.
Specs
Driver
Fairway woods
Left-handed options
- Drivers (available January 16): 9.5 (S); 10.5 (S, SR); 11.5 (R)
- Woods: 3 (S, R); 5 (S, R); 7 (R)
[wrx_retail_links productid=”6″]
GolfWRX Tour Photographer Greg Moore was at Riviera Country Club this last week in Los Angeles for the U.S. Women’s Open. While browsing the photos, I spotted a recent major trend in headcovers. That is, the Titleist GTS headcover line expands the majors theme.
Seen on the bag of Natalia Guseva were the red, white, and blue Titleist GTS covers. This is the third time we have seen limited-edition Titleist major covers, the others being at the Masters and the PGA Championship. But with the launch of the GTS line back at the Texas Children’s Houston Open in March, this is the first time we have seen Titleist come out with major themed head covers for the season (driver headcovers through hybrids).
Check out some photos below.
At the Masters, we saw the familiar Masters green, white, and yellow. While the PGA Championship design was colors synonymous with the Philadelphia Eagles NFL team. This shows the season major drops continue full steam ahead for major OEMs. New opportunities for each major for designs and themes, and who knows, maybe a lucky spark for a player and a major championship for their resume. It gets the wheels turning for what major theme headcover you would keep on your bag for the whole season!
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD VF 5 S
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (15 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD VF 6 S
Hybrids: TaylorMade Qi4D (19 degrees, 22 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD VF Hybrid 85 S 
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (5-PW)
Shafts: Nippon Modus 3 Tour 105
Wedges: TaylorMade MG5 (50-SB 09, 54-SB 12, 60-SB 10)
Shafts: Nippon Modus 3 Tour 105
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour V
Grip: SuperStroke Flatso 2.0
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Ball: TaylorMade TP5x
Check out more in-hand photos of Melanie Green’s clubs here.
In our forums, one user has announced himself as a believer in the powers of Titleist’s GT280 Mini Driver, and is sharing the good news with other members.
User @dgarland chronicled:
“As the title states I have played 3 rounds with a Titleist GT280 mini driver and here are the results… If you have been contemplating trying one, definitely do. Stock Tensei Blue and set at standard loft and it’s legitimately hard to not put the ball in play with this. It is incredibly straight and even bad swings result in a usable shot. You will give up some distance but you will be in play. I have not attempted to hit it off the fairway yet but I rarely hit my 3 wood off the fairway either. At my home course there are two holes on the front 9 that are a really uncomfortable shot with the driver. One is a slight dogleg right where a draw (my normal shot) can run out of room fast and the other is a dogleg left with trees about 250ish straight off the tee, where a driver that doesn’t draw will get me into trouble. The mini driver has been perfect for both of them. I always step onto those tee boxes uncomfortable about the shot I need to play, but with this it makes it far easier to get the ball in play.
“Update: 2 for 2 again this morning in a 9 hole round.”
Members in the forum shared their thoughts on mini drivers, offering up their favorite models and whether or not they’re a proper fit for their home course/style of play. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- NorthMNgolfer: “I’m curious between this and the new TEC mini that was just released. But I’m waiting a mini that can be used from the fairway as well from time to time. Both look like great options.”
- jLMN: “I played the GT280 last year and it’s a great club. My problem this year is I couldn’t justify keeping it in the bag when I would only use it 2-3 times per round. Perfect club for short par 4 tee shots. I didn’t trust it as well off the deck compared to the tee box.”
- GolferPerson1: “I can only speak to the 280 but I’ve had no issues with it from the fairway. ”
Entire Thread: “Titleist GT280 mini driver after 3 rounds”
If you aren’t a member, join us in the GolfWRX forums today!
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John
Nov 11, 2015 at 12:28 pm
Yonex was doing this 2 years ago and make their shafts in house. Very underrated woods in my opinion
Jeff
Nov 11, 2015 at 11:12 am
Would love to see these with better shaft options than the stock configuration…
Dumdum
Nov 11, 2015 at 8:30 pm
These are the better shafts, dummy!
Darren
Nov 11, 2015 at 9:16 am
Those torque properties are off the richter!
Large chris
Nov 11, 2015 at 4:36 am
What’s that club you are playing with?
A 9 wood.
A 9 wood? My Grandma players with a 9 wood.
No no it’s a driver called a number 9.
Oh.
Different weight distributions and MOIs could well change swing path and speed for the better, but I suspect it will be more helpful to 70mph swing speed senior Japanese executives than WRXers.
Joshuaplaysgolf
Nov 14, 2015 at 10:57 pm
Probably a fair statement. As we all know, those of us with fast swing speeds aren’t gaining 5 mph more just from picking up a club. The only way my swing speed is going from 113 (average) to 118 (working on it 😉 ) is with a crap load of work on strength, flexibility, quickness, and technique…just moving some weighting and aerodynamics around won’t.
Tom
Nov 10, 2015 at 10:20 pm
Yowwwwwzzzzaaa!