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Club Test 2011: Tour Edge XCG-4 Fairway Woods and Hybrids

By Golf Magazine / Golf.com
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Club Test 2011: Tour Edge XCG-4 Fairway Woods and Hybrids

From Golf Magazine (May 2011)
Category: Fairway Woods
We tested: 15°, 18° with Fujikura Motore Exotics 65 graphite shaft

Key Technologies: A "springy" beta titanium face insert creates a "trampoline effect" at impact, for longer distance. Two-thirds of the head's weight is in the tungsten sole, resulting in an extremely low center of gravity and high MOI.

OUR TESTERS SAY: Among the most preferred woods tested; a standout in terms of distance and feel.

PROS
PLAYABILITY:
Better players find it easy to shape shots; heavy, rounded sole proves versatile from a variety of lies.

ACCURACY/FORGIVENESS: Off-center hits are only mildly hurt in distance and direction.

DISTANCE: As long as some drivers off the tee; superior length from fairway lies; several testers pick up 10+ yards compared to their own clubs.

FEEL: Lively, springy, firm feel elicits "wow" at impact; shots rocket off 3-wood like a driver.

LOOK: Large, low-profile head is set for liftoff.

CONS
Low-profile head can slide under ball from fluffy lies in rough; a few testers find that left-to-right misses don't get a lot of help.

$299, graphite

Tour Edge Exotics XCG-4 Hybrid

From Golf Magazine (May 2011)
Category: Game-Improvement Hybrids
We tested: 3h (19°), 4h (22°) and 5h (25°) with Fujikura Motore Exotics 75 graphite shaft

Key Technologies: A 133-gram tungsten sole plate shifts more weight back and below the center of the ball. The super-thin maraging steel cup face launches the ball higher and longer. Two internal weight pads help improve sound and feel.

OUR TESTERS SAY: Among the top performers in its class; excels in feel and distance.

PROS
PLAYABILITY:
Lower ball flight than most but enough height to hold greens; gets down to the ball and creates strong contact in a variety of lies, including rough.

ACCURACY/FORGIVENESS: Testers find its forgiveness to be typical of most hybrids.

DISTANCE: This is a hot one -- several testers hit it longer than their own; greatest asset could be its ability to produce reliable distances.

FEEL: Crisp, clear feel on pure contact makes it easy to diagnose a mis-hit; well-balanced club; stronger swingers, in particular, embrace its heavier heft and sturdy impact feel.

LOOK: Standard appearance -- compact black head with no alignment aid; no distractions.

CONS
Some higher handicappers prefer more forgiveness; fairly mundane appearance at address.

$199, graphite

More Fairway Woods and Hybrids on Golf.com:
Fairway Woods
Better-Player Hybrids
Game-Improvement Hybrids