The Poster Child for Golf Infomercials
Written: Jul 03 '08 (Updated Jul 03 '08)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: It delivers distance for those who no longer have a strong club head speed.
Cons: The "Super Pro" is the only X-Factor Golf club deemed to be conforming.
The Bottom Line: For guys I golf with, who haven't seen a 200 yard drive in over 5 years, I allow its use, provided they don't submit their scores for a USGA handicap.
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| berniez40's Full Review: X Factor Super Zolex Men's Hammer Driver |
If you are reading this, odds are you've seen the infomercial on The Golf Channel, or some other late night channel that caters to the infomercial crowd. This is actually a decent offering, though I dare say it would be more aptly named as--"The Poser." It's not a bad club in the sense that it gets the job done for the people it was designed to get it done for. However--it's not USGA legal, nor is it tour quality. But-- for the majority of people out there who have trouble getting the ball airborne or getting any distance due to lack of swing speed, it is a very useful though far from stellar performer. Yes you can actually crush the ball with this thing. I'm here to attest to the fact that it most definitely flew when I used both leverage and the whip within the shaft to get her up and running. Lots of carry with this one, and the rollout was impressive. It's failure to meet USGA Regs, the very whippy shaft, and the somewhat dead feel and sound, however, would prevent her from ever becoming part of my bag. For those of you who have lost 20 or so yards over the years --due to Arthritis, Bursitis, and all the other "Itis" brothers, and don't plan on playing in any tournaments where USGA Rules apply, this club could be a G*d send. Here's why.
DISTANCE--5 Stars
This club offers distance plus for several reasons. If your swing, for any reason approaches anywhere near 95 MPH or more, however, this club is simply not a good option. The three reasons I can best figure out that this club grants distance to those who swing between 70-87 MPH are the following. "Zolex", the metal from which this club head is extruded is definitely harder than titanium. I could feel it every time I connected with the ball. The trouble with it though, is that it doesn't have anyhere near the feel of Maraging Steel, or Titanium. Worse yet, I doubt the COR on this thing gets anywhere near the rebound of either of these materials. It achieves this extended distance through loft (10*), a whippy shaft, and a very over-sized and illegal head. Basically the "KLONK" factor. Swing the club at a nice smooth 80 MPH and "KLONK",-- off the ball goes. High , usually to the left (thanks to the whippy shaft), and guaranteed lots of rollout due to the "KLONK" factor of the Zolex face. Basically--it's a thuddy feel, but if you don't over-swing, you're looking at a very long ball.
FEEL--2 Stars
Just kind of dead really. Not much else to report here. The face meets the ball, and "KLONK"--off she goes. The rebound is actually more a function of the whippy and somewhat soft-tipped shaft than it is of the face material's rebound factor. That is why it is so important to groove your optimum smooth stroke swing with this monster. The shaft is so whippy as to cause an instant pull hook on the slightest overswing. At 78-85 MPH this thing swings great. From 85 to 92 MPH distance increases, but so does the tendency to get a sharp left turn in mid flight from a pull hook. At 95 MPH or greater--give it up. Go get yourself a real driver because you are going to over-load this shaft at some point during your game, and witness a duck hook the likes of which you have never seen before. On top of everything else--it's just plain heavy. I use weighted clubs for training all the time, so it didn't bother me. For those not used to hitting weighted clubs, the initial shock of just how hefty this thing weighed in at during the swing was pretty intense.
ACCURACY--3 Stars
Smooth stroke is your only hope in this department. The head offers no relief from an ill conceived swing, and as previously noted, time and again, the shaft is simply too whippy for those whose swing speeds reach or exceed 95 MPH. Smooth stroke it, point and shoot, and you've got a chance. I managed to get this thing fairly well grooved at 87-92 MPH but it took a lot of work, and many was the time coming into a long par 5 where I lost my cool and pull hooked this sucker but good.
FUN FACTOR-- 5 Stars
O.K., lets face it. Who doesn't want to hit the ball 20-35 yds further. For the slow swinging set this thing could be a big help. Team it up with that wonderfully illegal "Polara" golf ball which flies straighter due to altered dimples, and you've got a long distance dream team. Sadly it's about as legal as a $3.00 bill so remember--this club scores high in fun only. Legally she gets 0 stars. Hey, if you're just a weekend hack--no harm no foul, but just remember---no tournaments, and don't even think of factoring your USGA Handicap if this your choice of driver.
OVERALL
It's fairly well built, and very reasonably priced. It makes a great ego booster, and it's fun to hit. I personally don't like to have to work on slowing my swing down, or giving up the rights to USGA Tourneys and or Handicaps, but hey--if you don't take golf too seriously, and you just want to have fun--go for it.
Recommended:
Yes
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