Canada
Well, I thought I'd review the Cleveland HiBore before trying a different shaft in it sometime next week. I tried to go about the trial with an open mind, but I will admit, I am biased somewhat with the Launcher history, plus having one in my bag.
Anyways, here are my initial thoughts.
Club Specs:
Cleveland HiBore, 9.5*, Aldila NVS 65 (68g, .350 tip, mid launch, D3), 45" playing length
Initial thoughts and history
Having been a Cleveland Launcher 460 advocate for some time now, I was initially happy to see Cleveland release a new driver that "exceeded the expectations for consistency" of guys playing on Tour. This made me salivate to no end.
But, when pictures of the "Hi Bore" started to surface, I was apprehensive. "It looks terrible" and "Lefty sat on it" were the normal comments. Could I really have that club in my bag? That sick, ugly thing on the end of a stick?
My first trial with the HiBore was about 8 months ago in a simulator. Armed with man's biggest mistake, the Aldila NV in stiff flex, I was hesitant to give the HiBore my highest grade - "Better than the 460".
The thing that was noted with the lack of "marine golf" that the HiBore produces. No left, right, left attitude. It was solid and felt great off the face.
But does hitting in the net really give a club justice?
I waited. I patiently bided my time, waiting for my opportunity (and, for the price to drop). I used that time to push another winner, the Launcher 460, which I still maintain is one of the best bang for the bucks out there for a driver.
About a month ago, I had another go with the HiBore. I had heard everything from "This thing is a flop. It's as terrible performing as it is looking" from "The HiBore is the next generation, light years ahead of it's time." I was pretty much on the fence.
My demo started with a Grafalloy ProLaunch, which for me, isn't a good shaft match. I'm a high ball hitter to begin with, so the 215 carry and 17* launch angle average was getting a bit drab. On to the V2 by UST, where I was carrying 268 average and getting 300ish drives over and over again. I had fallen in love.
My search then began that day. I looked high and low, hoping to find that diamond in the rough, something I could start on from the grass roots. With the hype and insane press that Accuflex was getting, I figured - no, NEEDED - to get a Evolution into something. I stared at my 460 Ti, debating....silenty...crying into my hands at what I should do.
Do I put the EVO in there?
Will it be as good as my Grafalloy Blue?
What about the COMP NT that you raved about in the TEE driver trial run?
I was at a low.
September 16th came....my BD. (Thanks to those that passed on wishes). I talked myself into heading down to the Ho Emporium, er, the Golf Shop to maybe give that HiBore another go. 2 swings in, I was buying one.
Friday, September 29th, it arrived. I nabbed a minty HiBore off Flea-Bay for a song. The "unfortunate" part was that it came mated to an Aldila NVS Stiff, which was my bloody nemesis - or so I thought. I had an EVO on it's way already, so the shaft didn't mean squat.
I just got back from the range, and boy, am I eating my words on the NVS...well, sort of.
The guy next to me interrupts me after hitting about 30 balls 285+ dead straight and says with every bit of coy he could, "Look, if that's all your gonna do is hit perfect drive after perfect drive, then you're gonna have to move down the range, because it's making me sick."
Snap.
I'm 99% sure it's the head, but 1% of me thinks this shaft is very, very easy to swing. It reacts well to smooth swings, and doesn't budge much when you go after it.
I am right now removing the Launcher Ti 460 as my "Have to buy" for a driver. This HiBore is every bit as forgiving as anything I've ever hit (including the 454 Big Bertha, the Comp, the R7 or anything else) and consistently straight.
I can't emphasize enough how straight this thing is. You just point and shoot. And the ball ends up there.
Rumours flew around that the HiBore has a little "left" in it. Not so, at least not for me. My Launcher, if I get lazy, gets left. But this thing, I'm sure if you swung one handed it would go 225 and straight.
My only knock (and I blame the shaft on this) is that my Launcher IS longer. Probably 10 yards longer in carry, which is maybe 20 yards total.
Wait for my full review when the EVO gets in there early this upcoming week.
SandPiper, enjoy this shaft. It's really a shame you're gonna throw it in a 3 wood, but to each their own. But if you put a good swing on this thing, it's gonna go forever.
HiBore. I'm telling you, it's the next big drug on the golf market. Nike and Callaway are already following suit with "dented" drivers for 07.
You can pick up a HiBore for a song these days. Asthetics play a large role, but after 3 swings, you're too busy smiling to notice.:smilie_cl
To be continued...
R35
Anyways, here are my initial thoughts.
Club Specs:
Cleveland HiBore, 9.5*, Aldila NVS 65 (68g, .350 tip, mid launch, D3), 45" playing length
Initial thoughts and history
Having been a Cleveland Launcher 460 advocate for some time now, I was initially happy to see Cleveland release a new driver that "exceeded the expectations for consistency" of guys playing on Tour. This made me salivate to no end.
But, when pictures of the "Hi Bore" started to surface, I was apprehensive. "It looks terrible" and "Lefty sat on it" were the normal comments. Could I really have that club in my bag? That sick, ugly thing on the end of a stick?
My first trial with the HiBore was about 8 months ago in a simulator. Armed with man's biggest mistake, the Aldila NV in stiff flex, I was hesitant to give the HiBore my highest grade - "Better than the 460".
The thing that was noted with the lack of "marine golf" that the HiBore produces. No left, right, left attitude. It was solid and felt great off the face. But does hitting in the net really give a club justice?
I waited. I patiently bided my time, waiting for my opportunity (and, for the price to drop). I used that time to push another winner, the Launcher 460, which I still maintain is one of the best bang for the bucks out there for a driver.
About a month ago, I had another go with the HiBore. I had heard everything from "This thing is a flop. It's as terrible performing as it is looking" from "The HiBore is the next generation, light years ahead of it's time." I was pretty much on the fence.
My demo started with a Grafalloy ProLaunch, which for me, isn't a good shaft match. I'm a high ball hitter to begin with, so the 215 carry and 17* launch angle average was getting a bit drab. On to the V2 by UST, where I was carrying 268 average and getting 300ish drives over and over again. I had fallen in love.
My search then began that day. I looked high and low, hoping to find that diamond in the rough, something I could start on from the grass roots. With the hype and insane press that Accuflex was getting, I figured - no, NEEDED - to get a Evolution into something. I stared at my 460 Ti, debating....silenty...crying into my hands at what I should do.
Do I put the EVO in there?
Will it be as good as my Grafalloy Blue?
What about the COMP NT that you raved about in the TEE driver trial run?
I was at a low.
September 16th came....my BD. (Thanks to those that passed on wishes). I talked myself into heading down to the Ho Emporium, er, the Golf Shop to maybe give that HiBore another go. 2 swings in, I was buying one.
Friday, September 29th, it arrived. I nabbed a minty HiBore off Flea-Bay for a song. The "unfortunate" part was that it came mated to an Aldila NVS Stiff, which was my bloody nemesis - or so I thought. I had an EVO on it's way already, so the shaft didn't mean squat.
I just got back from the range, and boy, am I eating my words on the NVS...well, sort of.
The guy next to me interrupts me after hitting about 30 balls 285+ dead straight and says with every bit of coy he could, "Look, if that's all your gonna do is hit perfect drive after perfect drive, then you're gonna have to move down the range, because it's making me sick."
Snap.
I'm 99% sure it's the head, but 1% of me thinks this shaft is very, very easy to swing. It reacts well to smooth swings, and doesn't budge much when you go after it.
I am right now removing the Launcher Ti 460 as my "Have to buy" for a driver. This HiBore is every bit as forgiving as anything I've ever hit (including the 454 Big Bertha, the Comp, the R7 or anything else) and consistently straight.
I can't emphasize enough how straight this thing is. You just point and shoot. And the ball ends up there.
Rumours flew around that the HiBore has a little "left" in it. Not so, at least not for me. My Launcher, if I get lazy, gets left. But this thing, I'm sure if you swung one handed it would go 225 and straight.
My only knock (and I blame the shaft on this) is that my Launcher IS longer. Probably 10 yards longer in carry, which is maybe 20 yards total.
Wait for my full review when the EVO gets in there early this upcoming week.
SandPiper, enjoy this shaft. It's really a shame you're gonna throw it in a 3 wood, but to each their own. But if you put a good swing on this thing, it's gonna go forever.
HiBore. I'm telling you, it's the next big drug on the golf market. Nike and Callaway are already following suit with "dented" drivers for 07.
You can pick up a HiBore for a song these days. Asthetics play a large role, but after 3 swings, you're too busy smiling to notice.:smilie_cl
To be continued...
R35
