Since I’ve been doing this whole internet golf media blog thing, there’s always been one topic that neverrrr goes away. People automatically believe what we’re writing in our gear reviews isn’t true and is “just for the internet.” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had that conversation. Let me tell you, that’s simply just not the case. In fact, I present to you this case in point. Everyone on the DRH staff added Tour Edge clubs to their bags this season. Why? Because we legitimately felt they were the best clubs for these slots in our bags based on real performance. I’ll walk you through exactly why each of us made the club choices that we did.
Bill’s Tour Edge Sweep
For me (and arguably the rest of the guys), everything started with my review of the Tour Edge Exotics CBX 119 hybrid. I was immediately smitten with that hybrid. The feel was amazing and the versatility in shot making was great. We’re talking to the point of effortless performance. I had immediate results with this club in my bag and I couldn’t have been more impressed. Then I moved onto reviewing the CBX 119 fairway wood, which I tried to approach cautiously. I didn’t want to let my grand experience with the hybrid boost my expectations too much or blindly influence my review. Admittedly, the hybrid blew me away more, but I was still very impressed with the fairway wood. So much so that both immediately went into my bag and haven’t budged since.
After spending time with my new beloved Tour Edge clubs, I began to feel I had a hole in my bag in the 5 wood/235-255 yard slot. Around this time, we so happened to have a visit at Tour Edge HQ on the books so I planned on hitting a few clubs to explore options. I was fairly certain that I would actually drop my 5 wood and replace it with a 17º CBX 119 hybrid in that spot. After hitting the CBX 119 17º hybrid AND the 5 wood, it was night and day. The 5 wood was a beast for me and the decision was a no brainer. It too went immediately in my bag and I now play Tour Edge Exotics CBX 119 in both fairway woods and my hybrid. Don’t look for any of these clubs to leave the bag anytime soon.
Jon’s Tour Edge Clubs
Jon shared the same immediate impressions of the Exotics CBX 119 hybrid with me. Literally the same – he was with me during that first round with it. Jon’s eagerness for shiny new golf things was lit on fire after my positive comments following my first strike with the club. I don’t think we even finished that first hole before Jon had to take his first swing with it. His reaction was the same – immediately smitten. After hitting a few more shots that day with it – shots Jon described as “literally perfect” – Jon convinced me to let him bring my prized hybrid to Scotland. Given my love affair with this club, I was reluctant to be without it, but knowing it would stroll the Old Course and some added pro shop incentives from Jon, I agreed.
Jon’s continued testing resulted in more great results and the Scotland trip went well. Shortly upon his return, an order was placed for not only a 19º CBX 119 hybrid but a 22º as well. Things have continued to go so well with Jon and his hybrids that he’s considering adding a third one into the bag. The consistency and strong performance are automatic as far as Jon’s concerned. Sounds familiar.
On the same trip to Tour Edge HQ, the Exotics EXS fairway wood would also catch Jon’s eye. He hit a few solid shots and liked the overall look of the club. Fast forward and Jon had the opportunity to review the Exotics EXS fairway wood for the site. Now, I’ve played with Jon quite a bit this year and the fairway wood slot has been somewhat of a struggle for him. Well, the EXS review experience went so well for Jon that it earned some additional time in his bag. Jon has seen much more consistency and stronger fairway wood play since adding the EXS and it looks like it may be there awhile longer.
Tommy Solves a Problem
As long as I’ve known Tommy, I’ve watched many a club come and go from his golf bag. Some for perfectly good reasons, and others because he’s just a gear junkie. One club I can consistently say I’ve always seen Tommy struggle with, however, is his 230 club, give or take. This club could be a hybrid or a driving iron – I’ve seen both go equally “as well.” He’s hit some ok, some not ok, but has never been consistent or under control with really anything. On the same visit where I discovered my new Tour Edge 5 wood, Tommy had a sort of awakening. Jon and I were looking at something else at Tour Edge HQ with our host for the day when we started hearing a repeated sound of someone smacking the living daylights out of a golf ball.
That sound was enough to catch our attention. We all turned around to see Tommy ripping rockets with the Tour Edge CBX Iron-Wood. A quick look at his Trackman data and it was clear something worthwhile was occurring. Our host from Tour Edge grinned and went, “I think that one will do the trick…” Shortly thereafter, the CBX Iron-Wood found its way into Tommy’s bag and made an immediate impact. Following a few strong rounds on some tough courses, Tommy said, “this is a missile launcher that finds fairways.” This club has now earned the starting position for this slot in Tommy’s bag.
*Honorable Mention
Though not a formal DRH team member, a close associate of DRH also put some 2019 Tour Edge in his bag. My dad joined us for a Tour Edge HL4 fitting and helped us review the HL4 driver this year. The HL4 helped him launch the ball a lot easier and get some extra distance which is exactly what he was looking for. More importantly, it gave him some added confidence on the tee box. The results were enough for him to make the permanent switch.
Final Thoughts
Like I said, we stand behind our reviews and don’t just say we like stuff for the hell of it. In the case of these Tour Edge clubs, we all experienced improvements in our games by adding them to our bags. At the very least, they make us feel comfortable on the course and confident when we have to hit them. More importantly, I wonder what Tour Edge will have next year?
