+TourSpecGolfer Posted June 4, 2013 Report Share Posted June 4, 2013 Sandwiched between the release of the Limited 388 driver and Ryoma's new D-1 Maxima the S-Yard XV has been somewhat lost in the mix. Thats a shame because its up there with the best of them. We first laid eyes on these back in Feb and were actually more excited about this release than the 388. After more than 10 rounds, launch monitor sessions, and different shafts i'm feeling comfortable enough to review it. currently in the bag... I'm using many different drivers, the XV with Crazy Boron in stiff flex is one of them. I started off with the stock shaft it was stiffer than the 388's stock by about 5 cpms. Then the Crazy Black Tour 65 in stiff was next, perfect for a stronger player just not me, my fades grew and I had a very hard time staying straight or getting it to turn over. Tatsuro our club tester was uber consistent with the crazy, long and straight even on the most windy of days. After the Crazy the DI-6 in stiff was installed and worked wonderfully. It was a temporary shaft installed while I waited for more Borons to arrive. The DI-6 is a superb shaft in this head. And now the Crazy Boron, now this is a shaft you can feel yet it doesn't spray the ball everywhere like other shafts that you can feel. Many TSG'ers are now playing the Boron, it seems to fit a wider range of golfers than other crazy shafts. The XV reminds me of the 388 in many ways. The XV is really only 16% larger. It feels similar with some of the same characteristics so if you enjoy the T388 chances are you will like this one a little more or maybe little less. We found the same boring mid trajectory between the two and it's low spin carried over into this bigger head as well. It has a high CG compared to many 450cc heads and like the 388 shares the internal rib feature for the transfer of energy. You can tell they weren't designed far apart from each other and that Mr. Kobayashi the man behind S-Yards rebirth was the designer. Ok so how did the LM numbers turn out? XV flies a little higher with more carry and less roll than the 388. The XV also flies even straighter than the already laser straight 388, we are talking by small differences here. The overall longest "freak" shot would occasionally creep out of either head which makes you want to hit it more. I found myself tee'ing the ball normally and that worked just fine and I think both clubs have very unique face shapes as seen below, It's great to see different things every now and then. XV - Overall you gain forgiveness and a different sensation at impact. I think we can all agree that Mr. Kobayashi coming to S-Yard has really turned things around. Mr K is the master at making drivers that are uniquely modern yet classic, Player yet forgiving. What we are noticing is that his drivers are better than most at keeping the ball in the short grass. When talking about distance It's up there, not the longest against the Ryoma Maxima or Crazy 435 but I'd gladly shed a few of those yards for what the XV has given me. A unique driving experience that leaves me coming back for more. I think visually the matte crown is looks fantastic. The XV has a square face, some say that it looks a hair closed but thats probably the curvature of the face. What I found out about different shafts working differently in different heads was revealing as well. The 388 & XV react and play the same to each other when it comes to shaft changes. Often different hosel depths or hosel distances from head make the same shaft in 2 heads play differently. I experienced this with the Ryoma Maxima during all our testing. The Boron played a touch softer in it than it did in the SYARD drivers. So is this driver in my bag? Sometimes, just as much as the Maxima, 388, and GS Mono get play. Its one of the best current model clubs available today imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBBG Posted June 4, 2013 Report Share Posted June 4, 2013 What is the bore size on this club Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supo Posted June 4, 2013 Report Share Posted June 4, 2013 do u think the 10.5 will go too high an have too much spin , ? i wanted a foil to the .388 bec that thing is so damn good. iwas going to go with a diamanaX and try get some kind o f mid high flight for summer here when theres NO roll. love the .388 thinking this might be the go as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+TourSpecGolfer Posted June 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2013 Stew how'd you like the Boron? That or the LY shafts should get you mucho carry provided those shafts get along with your swing. I think the XV in 10.5 would play very close to the 388 in 10.5. I'm curious to see which one you think feels better and performs better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bogeydog Posted June 4, 2013 Report Share Posted June 4, 2013 The XV is deceivingly long. I don't think it flys too high. It is versatile as you can vary the height without getting uber spin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
777 Posted June 4, 2013 Report Share Posted June 4, 2013 Are we talking TM/Ping like forgiveness or forgiving for a players club =D? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+TourSpecGolfer Posted June 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2013 Are we talking TM/Ping like forgiveness or forgiving for a players club =D? I don't associate many TM or Ping drivers to be the benchmark of forgiveness Perhaps the Glorie Reserve? I consider the Ryoma D-1 and now Maxima to be the standard in forgiveness. The XV will play with less spin keeping the ball straighter, if you hit it off center you would get a more forgiving result. Less hook and slice. It is a players driver in setup, trajectory, and feel. Average golfers only need the right shaft to make it work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supo Posted June 4, 2013 Report Share Posted June 4, 2013 Love the.crazy boron But i think id like.to try a gdz9003 in it Or a dia x cant pass on that shaft Ill look into it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBBG Posted June 5, 2013 Report Share Posted June 5, 2013 XV is long and forgiving. Not sure I'm in love with feel and sound yet. Maybe need to try another shaft in it. Have an FEX, Crazy Black Tour and a LY hot black. But also have a Ryoma maxima and 435 RomaRo. Just can't decide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blader-X Posted June 5, 2013 Report Share Posted June 5, 2013 Love the.crazy boron But i think id like.to try a gdz9003 in it Or a dia x cant pass on that shaft Ill look into it I'd love to see you go the GDZ9003 route in it just to know your thoughts on that shaft/head combo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocchin Posted June 5, 2013 Report Share Posted June 5, 2013 The thing I actually like best about the XV is the feel. That crisp soft feel at impact. I find it very forgiving. Its my second choice driver right now after the Maxima. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supo Posted June 5, 2013 Report Share Posted June 5, 2013 im going to give the gd z a go in one .. just bec ive not hit that shaft yet. the old p9003x . if its better thant htat puppy, well its a no brianer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mjr. D Posted June 5, 2013 Report Share Posted June 5, 2013 Let me know how it goes. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supo Posted June 6, 2013 Report Share Posted June 6, 2013 hopefuly. ill hvae it by the weekend. if so , ill do a report on it then. travelling intersate to play one of japans best courses. no better place to break it in........., Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+TourSpecGolfer Posted June 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2013 hopefuly. ill hvae it by the weekend. if so , ill do a report on it then. travelling intersate to play one of japans best courses. no better place to break it in........., Which course? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supo Posted June 6, 2013 Report Share Posted June 6, 2013 rokkukokusai in kobe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bogeydog Posted June 6, 2013 Report Share Posted June 6, 2013 (edited) I have been playing a lot of golf lately and feel I finally dialed in the XV. I feel very confident with it and have hit some really killer drives. As said before, it is very versatile and can be hit low and high with a draw or fade. My playing partner yesterday commented yesterday that I was really getting a lot of the face on the ball meaning I was really connecting well with the ball. It is every bit as good as the T388 but is easier to hit and feels crunchier on impact. Edited June 6, 2013 by bogeydog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supo Posted June 7, 2013 Report Share Posted June 7, 2013 (edited) damn.....................! damn damn damn damn... i took the stock one out last night with rombax 65 s 10.5* just to my driving range. i also had my kamui pro kpx -GDp9003x and maruman conductor diamanaB 70s along for a test ride. i like these other two drivers, they are vastly differnt, but both have a great spot in my rotaion. onto the syard well i was kinda amazed by it. i cucndt beleive f how low it went considering how long it was flying and the trajectory it went with that shaft i always hit to the left diagonal net edge into a cross left right wind . so im hitting pretty much dead into the puff with a fade bias so drawing balls takes some real doing. if i do get it to draw , ive hit it absolutely pure. that doesnt happen much. well the syard lost nothing. to these two custom builds. distance id say it was prob just second behind the maruman. but it was going straighter! ddint miss it a lot at all. and got it to draw......., the kmaui is my accuracy driver so i dont consider it a long ball lama driver. i use it only on short tracks. as it iis.., its irreplaceable. but i take it out to test others vs it for accuracy. the XV has a very mushy dull muted thump to it . muted sound and a differnt kind of endo feel to it thsi time i guess thats the shaft... to which i will say i am very surprised and happy with.. think its a very good stock set up looks like KK-sama has matched these 2 heads with some mighty fine carbon. the head shape is lovely. the much more rounded adn a comnpact thick look with elongated edges. i really like that look well, they say game the lightest softest shaft u can handle.a motto i dont often live by but in this case im gonna give this a whirl , and then maybe change it over , just on the back of last nights session. i was really that impressed with it. Edited June 7, 2013 by supo67 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+TourSpecGolfer Posted June 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2013 damn.....................! damn damn damn damn... i took the stock one out last night with rombax 65 s 10.5* just to my driving range. i also had my kamui pro kpx -GDp9003x and maruman conductor diamanaB 70s along for a test ride. i like these other two drivers, they are vastly differnt, but both have a great spot in my rotaion. onto the syard well i was kinda amazed by it. i cucndt beleive f how low it went considering how long it was flying and the trajectory it went with that shaft i always hit to the left diagonal net edge into a cross left right wind . so im hitting pretty much dead into the puff with a fade bias so drawing balls takes some real doing. if i do get it to draw , ive hit it absolutely pure. that doesnt happen much. well the syard lost nothing. to these two custom builds. distance id say it was prob just second behind the maruman. but it was going straighter! ddint miss it a lot at all. and got it to draw......., the kmaui is my accuracy driver so i dont consider it a long ball lama driver. i use it only on short tracks. as it iis.., its irreplaceable. but i take it out to test others vs it for accuracy. the XV has a very mushy dull muted thump to it . muted sound and a differnt kind of endo feel to it thsi time i guess thats the shaft... to which i will say i am very surprised and happy with.. think its a very good stock set up looks like KK-sama has matched these 2 heads with some mighty fine carbon. the head shape is lovely. the much more rounded adn a comnpact thick look with elongated edges. i really like that look well, they say game the lightest softest shaft u can handle.a motto i dont often live by but in this case im gonna give this a whirl , and then maybe change it over , just on the back of last nights session. i was really that impressed with it. How this go? It's a solid club, interesting too like the 388. Not sure which one I prefer to hit. Ya know a couple of my friends with slower swing speeds had a hard time getting the ball into the air with the XV yet could launch ok with the 388. I found that strange and my fades are slightly bigger on the XV than the 388 but the XV keeps the left out for me a little better than the 388. All with both @45" + Boron Stiff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supo Posted June 11, 2013 Report Share Posted June 11, 2013 not played it yet. thats this weekend is if not pouring with rain. just cant go past the diamanaX tho.. il guarantee that will go into it. at some stage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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