Tour Edge HL4 Driver
For this review, I have some very exciting news. Ladies and gentleman, he’s back… After being fit into the new Tour Edge HL4 driver, who better to turn to for his take on David Glod’s latest driver design for the people than my dad? Following the WILD success of his previous testing here, we figured give the people what they want!
Tour Edge’s goal for the HL4 line was to help players “Get fit. Spend Less. Play Better.” Aka, deliver a custom fit driver for fully optimized performance without breaking the bank. The Tour Edge HL4 is available in both a straight and offset model – both being full of forgiveness and high-end performance. Let’s find out how well the $200 HL4 holds up with the big boys out on the course.
The Looks
At address, the Tour Edge HL4 driver has a fairly traditional 460cc look. While the footprint is on the larger side, the face depth is moderate and the flow of the crown is smooth. Tour Edge purposely made the crown slope steeper from the face toward the back. This is slightly noticeable over the ball, but the impact on performance is worth it. The purpose of this slope is to raise the Moment of Inertia (MOI) for more forgiveness and straighter drives. Should you go with the offset version, the shaft offset is noticeable but not distracting or over the top. Again, it’s worth it for the performance gain from the design.
On the sole of the HL4 driver you’ll find a blend of silver, black, and yellow. A feature that should pop out at you is the sole weight toward the rear of the club. This weight contributes to the HL4’s higher MOI and also helps raise the launch angle and spin. The idea is that this will help you get the ball in the air easier and the added spin will hold it in the air for better carry and more distance.
How Does it Feel?
Let’s all be honest with each other for a minute here. Typically when a driver is quite modestly priced, we all expect them to feel and sound terrible. And usually for good reason! I’ll be honest and admit that I had preconceived notions coming into our HL4 experience. Knowing Tour Edge as a brand, I knew the HL4 would feel better than most others at the $200 price point, but how good could a $200 driver really feel?
Impressively good, that’s how the HL4 felt. I personally found the HL4 to feel very lively and forgiving across the entire face. The face is solid and the shot feedback in your hands is strong and precise. Higher swing speeds may more significantly notice the impact of the club’s lighter weight, but players in the sub-100 range will feel like the club’s weight is in that perfect sweet spot for them. My dad specifically said he felt the HL4 had a lot of pop and was very forgiving on his mishits. In comparison, it made his current gamer (a competitor’s high-end driver from a few seasons ago) feel dead.
How Does it Sound?
Just like the feel, the Tour Edge HL4 driver sounds very impressive, let alone for a $200 driver. I’m telling ya, I always feel like sound is the first noticeable sacrifice in a value driver, but that’s not the case with the HL4 whatsoever. The sound is pronounced but won’t break any decibel regulations in the area. Meaning you’ll know you caught one solid but no one is turning around thinking you’re the annoying guy on the range. The sound is on the more metallic side but has good punch to it across the whole face. My dad put it well when he said, “it’s nice because regardless of where I hit it on the face, it still sounds really strong.” That inspired a lot of confidence in putting this driver into play.
Tour Edge HL4’s Simplified Custom Fitting Process
Before we dive into the performance of the HL4, let’s discuss the simplified custom fitting process Tour Edge utilizes for the HL4. They offer three expanded custom fitting options for the HL4 driver. Those options are flex in the stock UST Mamiya shaft, shaft length, and grip size. Tour Edge’s fitting bag at your local establishment will have all driver options available for testing. From there, the pro or fitter will be able to help determine what adjustments need to be made to optimize your performance. Your fitter will then place your order and Tour Edge will start building your new HL4 driver. A mere 48 hours later, Tour Edge will have your new sticks delivered anywhere in the continental US.
On-Course Performance
| Club Speed | Ball Speed | Launch Angle | Spin | Carry (Yds) | Total (Yds) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92.7 | 139.1 | 16.1º | 2464 | 222.3 | 246 |
Two major things immediately jumped out at me. The Tour Edge HL4 driver is very easy to launch and it’s very forgiving. 16º may seem like a higher launch angle, but at lower club speeds you need it for more carry (and longer total distance). Additionally, the average spin was reasonably low to still get some roll and maintain control of the ball. So what we saw was solid carry that had just enough extra spin to keep the ball in the air but still allowed for some rolling yards when it hit the ground.
Let’s call a spade a spade here – my dad didn’t deserve some of the shots he got out of this driver. I know because I was there. With the higher MOI and more forgiving weight distribution, his bad shots were still getting up in the air and he wasn’t losing a ton of distance. Don’t get me wrong, the HL4 isn’t going to save you from disaster, but more reasonable misses still have a fighting chance. Up and forward comes fairly easy. Now you just have to work on direction. That said, if you struggle with direction, the Offset model may help address that for you too.
Final Thoughts
My final verdict is that the Tour Edge HL4 driver is the “driver of the people.” In fact, I’m officially proclaiming that right now. The Tour Edge HL4 is the driver for the weekend warrior! The person that wants a club that’s easy to hit, easy to get up in the air, and makes golf more fun. A driver for someone that wants to get custom fit but wants to be able to do so at a more affordable price point. The HL4 can do all of that. There’s certainly a place in the game for the higher-end and more expensive equipment, but there are millions (literally) of other golfers out there that are just looking for a solid driver investment with good bang of their buck. I think the HL4 delivers exactly that.
Stock Tour Edge HL4 Driver Specs
| Loft | Length | Head Volume |
Stock Flex |
RH/LH |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.5º | 45″ | 460cc | L, A, R, S | RH |
| 10.5º | 45″ | 460cc | L, A, R, S | RH/LH* |
| 12º | 45″ | 460cc | L, A, R, S | RH |
*Left handed only available in 10.5º loft for the Offset model, all straight neck models are RH only.
HL4 driver vs EXS driver.
I have a swing speed under 100.
Recommendation for driver.
Thanks,
Ed
Pretty much comes down to your preference in looks, if you want adjustability, and price tag. They’re pretty different drivers.
Is every seller of Tour Edge clubs a fitter?
I’ll be honest, I don’t know that answer, but my gut feeling would tell me no. That said, I definitely don’t know for sure.
Thanks for the excellent review. Been looking at knock-offs as a way to get me a new driver, but this review has sold me on buying a one-year old Tour Edge HL4 driver. I already get good height on my drives with a 9% so going with the 9.5 degree. Since I am playing with a 20 year old driver, I’m hoping this baby will add a few yards to my hits. Currently 73 and hitting them between 200 and 220 off the tee without a lot of roll.
It’s a good one. My 67 year-old dad put it in his bag last year because it was just flat out easier to hit. I’m sure you’ll like it.
I’m 67 years old, with swing speed in high 80s. I have been playing a Tour Edge Exotics XJ1 driver (12* senior flex) and getting good height and distance, but it is not very forgiving. If I go to the HL4 driver, would it be a mistake to stick with 12*? Will I be hitting it too high?
I don’t think so, but if you’re looking for more forgiveness without sacrificing premium performance, I would 100% got with one of the new Hot Launch 521 drivers. I understand the HL4 may be more desirable because of a discounted price, but I think the difference in overall performance between HL4 is 521 is well worth it.
I just purchased an HL4 driver, but I didn’t realize(until I got home), that it does not have the loft etched on the sole? The one I was looking at, did have “10.5” on it(and both were offset “OS”)? How do I tell what loft I have? NOTE: I really need at least a 10.5, as I have a torn rotator, which has prevented me from lifting the ball. Thanks! MikeM
Does it say HL where the loft should? If so, that’s their highest loft option – 13.5º.
Thanks for the review! I appreciate that you didn’t discount the brand/club just because it’s budget. The salesman at the store I went didn’t do the same and I promptly left… I understand pushing the latest clubs but I rather spend the money more practice and lessons.
I’m just getting back into golf and my hand me down driver is regular flex but based on how it feels, my irons distance and those being stiff shafts I opted to get a Hot Launch 4 stiff flex for $110 like new. Hopefully it works out well and I can upgrade in a few years to the newer designs by Tour Edge.
Just very pleased a company is making things fairly affordable. $550 for a single club as a casual golfer just feels like too much.
Thanks again for the review. Will be visiting the website again as I appreciate no bias towards the budget golfer.
It’s not about budget or not, it’s about understating the value of the gear available out there and there is a HUGE array of golfers looking to fill spots in their bag. If we can help with that, we’re all in.
I cannot find the swingweight of this driver. HL4 offset, 10.5 degrees. feels light to me.
I couldn’t find anything on it. Try contacting Tour Edge through their website, they’re pretty good about getting back and answering questions.
How much offset is on the offset version of the hl4 driver?
I honestly don’t know, sorry.