Back to my first love

[Randy]

Decided to got back to the golf brand that I first really loved, which was Tourstage. Yesterday I picked up the new X-Drive 445 (10.5) with the B07-05 stiff shaft, X-blade UT #4, 2008 X-blade CB (5-PW) and X-wedge 51, which I bent to 50.

Only had a chance to play 9 holes yesterday afternoon and 9 holes today after the turkey meal. So these are just initial impressions:

X-Drive 445:

This club was the one that I was most hesitant to buy. My current gammer was a Ping G10 with a ROMBAX shaft and it is a very forgivng and a pretty long driver, but I wasn't all the consistent with it. After 18 total holes, this new Tourstage driver is firmly in the bag. Sets up great, feels wonderful and I was hitting it as long, if not longer than my G10, but much straighter. I think it is an inch shorter in total length than the G10 and probably why I hit it straighter and I would give up a few more yards to be straighter. Now I have a driver that is as long, straighter and better feel. At one time I had an EPON 460 and I think this driver, although not quite as good, comes close in feel.

2008 X-Blade CB (5-PW):

Tried to find some reviews on these irons, but couldn't, so took chance on getting them. I have been rotating iron sets between Ping i10, Miura Passing Point and G-Field CCB. Although they are all good irons, there was a little something about each one that kept them from being permanently in my bag. At least as permanent as an iron set can be with a Golf Ho. The G-Fields has a lot more forgiveness and more off-set to my eye than the other irons. I know they are cast, but was hoping I could get used to the feel, but I couldn't and know that is a mental thing. The Ping i10s and Miura Passing Point irons have, at least to my eye, less off-set and better feel. Getting closer to what I was looking for, but still not there. For sure the Miura's had a decent forged feel and felt better to me that the Pings, but of course feel is subjective. I was really tempted to keep the Miura's in the bag; but decided, after reading the description of the new Tourstage irons, to give them a try.

After playing them for 18 holes I am glad I did. Very little off-set to my eyes, which I like when looking down at a club, and what a superb feel. In the feel category, to me they are just behind the Mizuno MP-67s or M- stamped satin MP- 33s I had. I am a 13 handicap and knowing that they probably didn't have a lot of forgiveness, I went with 5-PW with DG-S200 shafts. After 18 holes, forgiveness wise, I found them not to be as punishing as I though they might be. Probably not quite as forgiving as the Ping i10 or Miura Passing Point irons, but close. I had no trouble with 6-PW, but didn't strike the 5 iron cleanly every time. I am not a big worker of the ball, but was able to hit some draws, fades, high and low shots with these irons.

X-Blade UT #4:

Wanted something more forgiving in the long irons to go with the X-Blade CB irons that I reviewed above. The X-Blade UT seems to be a perfect match. It is definitely an iron like hybrib, which I like, and has an exceptional feel. I decided to use it teed up just off the deck on the first t-box and proceeded to hit it 210 yard right down the middle of the fairway with a nice high, but not balloning, trajectory. Off the deck, I got a medium-high trajectory. Maybe not as forgiving as some of the other hybrids out there, but not bad and I have a hard time looking down at some of the bigger looking wood type hybrids. Another plus to me was that I was able to hit some low, hot running draw shots with it. With other hybrids I have tried, it was a lot harder to hit that shot and a lot of times the ball would elevate higher than I wanted. Yes, as a 13 handicap, I do have to hit out of or around trees at times. Hopefully less with the X-Drive 445. I am for sure going to get the X-drive UT #3 and maybe the #5 if they make one.

X-Wedge 51 degree (black):

There have been some reviews on this wedge, so I won't say much other than it is a great wedge with superb feel and contol, will at least as much control that I can produce with a wedge . I really like my Crew's SpinMax, 52 bent to 54 and 57 bent to 58 wedges, and debating whether to get the X-wedges to replace them. The x-wedge definitely feels better, but know I probably won't get as much spin.

I am trying to get the best of both worlds, feel/looks and clubs that will help me score decently, with my current setup. I am not, nor will I ever be a pro, so even though I do want to shoot better scores, I want to be able to enjoy the looks and feel of the clubs that I have. By going with 5-PW and maybe 6-PW if they make a #5 X-blade UT in the X-Blade CBs, I can have my cake and it eat to. I am playing 18 tomorrow and on Saturday, so we shall see.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Randy

[gocchin]

Great reviews Randy!

The X-Drive 445cc has been getting AMAZING reviews in Japan and selling like mad. It's even backordered for us here at TSG. You hit on all the strong points for the Driver, straight, long and great feel.

How is the shaft?

Another winner has been the X-Blade UT, raving reviews and great sales...

[xchangmanx]

Yeah thanks for the info on the driver!

I was gonna play yesterday morning, but decided to just head down to bayview for a view buckets. Seems like everywhere on the windward side is still damp from the recent rains.

Aloha

changman

[K2_2]

Randy, I'm happy to hear that you were able to rekindle an old flame, and thank you for the great review, especially of the driver!

[Breal]

Good review hope everything works for you. It is always a cool feeling to get new equiptment and newer stuff age wise that used to work. Keep at it.

[Randy]

Quick update after just getting back from playing a round.

X-Drive 445 - In my humble opinion, run, don't walk to get this driver. Had the best driving round ever today. I hit 12 of 14 fairways and the distance was really good. My normal playing partners couldn't belive how well I was hitting this driver. One of the long ball hitters in the group I normally play with is usually 30 yards past me on the drive, but today it was only about 15 to 20 yards. I should also add that I think the forgiveness of this driver is almost, if not as good as most 460 drivers.

2008 X-blade CBs - Verdict is out on these for me. As much as I hate to admit it, as I really like the looks and feel, they may be a little to much for me. I had only 6 GIRs, which isn't very good considering how many fairways I hit. Direction was good, but always seemed to come up 7 to 10 yards short. We wil see how they perfrom tomorrow.

X-UT - Nothing has changed since my initial impression. A really good iron like hybrid.

Aloha

Randy

[Goshinboku]

was anxious to hear some reviews on the 445, thanks for posting your initial thoughts on it. i dont know if i would ever swap out the 460P but...

out of curiousity how is the web on the crown at address? its not too distracting i take it? but what about in direct sunlight

[Randy]

Web on the crown is not distracting at all to me, even in direct sunlight. In fact, I think it is pretty cool. Not near as noticable as in some pictures I have seen.

Aloha

Randy

[Blader-X]

Thanks for the review. Always interested in the reviews of new equip here at TourSpec. Don't give up on the irons just yet, might've just been an off day for you and not the irons. As for me, I'm still very much in love with my TourStages and they're getting quite old in terms of how some of us on this site go through equipment!