Equipment reviews!

That's right, a 2 fer!

First up, the Tour Edge Exotics XLD LS Driver:

After having had pretty good luck luck with a Bazooka I bought a few years ago for 100 bucks at Pro Golf Discount, I decided to give this thing a shot. Since I really don't hit driver more than 5 or 6 times a round across the street (probably shouldn't hit it more than 3 or 4), I was looking in the low end for it's replacement. I found this one for 79 bucks shipped at Golfsmith and decided to give it a whirl.

The club is from 2009 when square was in, and this thing is definitely squarish, with a fairly shallow face. As always, I'm playing 10.5 degrees and R flex.

First the bad:

This thing is *goshdarn* UGLY!  It's ugly like a riced out Mercedes 190e: Take a perfectly seviceable albeit low end automobile and put a bunch of *feces* on it to try to make it look like something it isn't, for no discernible reason. I can't really get a picture that does the overbearing shaft graphics justice, and I'm not sure that I shouldn't throw the headcover on the bed as a throw pillow, because that is what that *feces* looks like.

Now the good:

It was one of the first ultralite drivers on the market, and at 46 inches with a 50 gram shaft it took me a couple of tries to get it right, but when I did I had 2 well over over 240 in a light rain on a damp fairway. It's also pretty forgiving. I put 2 questionable swings on it that ended up with very serviceable shots. I was also able to work a draw, which was a pleasant surprise, both because I suck at that and because the toaster on a string visuals don't inspire confidence in that shot even with a closed face at set up.

So if you're looking for a fill in, B bagger or gift for for your no good brother in law that wouldn't know the difference any way, this is a really good buy. In the bag, subject to change here.