Tour Edge Exotics EXS Pro Hybrid
Tour Edge has been no stranger to high-performing hybrids for quite awhile now. One of my favorite clubs of all time is the Tour Edge Exotics CBX 119 hybrid from last season. It was an incredible hybrid geared toward better players looking for premium shot control. The new limited edition Tour Edge Exotics EXS Pro hybrid is the perfect evolution of the CBX 119. With its Tour-inspired look, adjustable weighting, and shotmaker’s performance, it’s certainly making a run for a place in my bag.
The Looks
Like the CBX 119, the Tour Edge Exotics EXS Pro hybrid has a compact profile that is often preferred by lower handicaps. From address, the head has a nice peanut shape with a deeper face. Additionally, the slope from the middle of the topline to the back of the clubhead is more extreme which not only helps with the compact look, but also has performance benefits. This slope also creates a head shape to help achieve lower spin and a piercing ball flight. Think of it this way: there is “more club” at the front of the head which moves the center of gravity (CG) forward. This is what helps lower the spin and trajectory of the ball. We’ll discuss the CG and its impact in this club later.
How Does it Feel?
There are a lot of factors that contribute to Tour Edge Exotics EXS Pro hybrid’s impressive feel. Tour Edge used a process called “Combo Brazing” to fuse the Beta Titanium face to the steel body of the head. Combo Brazing is a “zero-welding technology” so there is less weight in the face which should give you higher ball speeds and more distance. The end result is a responsive face with solid feel and some extra kick. Mix that with the SlipStream sole, designed to optimize your turf interaction, and you have a crisp and powerful feeling hybrid.
It’s also worth noting that the Flight Tuning System impacts the feel as well. Tour Edge put interchangeable weights in the heel and toe portions of the sole (more on that later) that adds some perimeter balance to the EXS Pro hybrid. As such, the club feels more balanced throughout the entire swing. Trust me, this balance makes a big difference. In my opinion, the solid feel and the even better balance are the big differentiators between the EXS Pro and its CBX 119 hybrid predecessor.
How Does it Sound?
Like the rest of the 2020 EXS metalwoods, the Tour Edge Exotics EXS Pro hybrid utilizes the new Sound Diffusion Bar (SDB). The Sound Diffusion Bar is strategically placed in the head to optimize its sound. For example, think of how a music venue will hang sound panels to manage the sound in a room. It’s the same concept. Between the SDB and titanium face, you get a firm “whack” with a faint hint of metal from the titanium. You might have to hear it for yourself, but the sound is great.
On-Course Performance
Versatility is the name of the game with the Tour Edge Exotics EXS Pro hybrid. For starters, Tour Edge offers the EXS Pro in six different lofts to help you precisely dial in your yardages. Lofts start at 16º and increase by single increments up to 20º before jumping up to 22º as the highest loft. The stock shot is a piercing mid-launch flight as a direct result of the low and forward CG I mentioned earlier. That said, the design of this club makes launching the ball higher in the air with some added spin no problem at all. Like I said, the EXS Pro is a real shotmaker’s club that can do it all.
You can even easily adjust the shape of your shot via the Flight Tuning System. The stock setup has a 20-gram weight in the toe and a 5-gram weight in the heel which makes the flight a touch draw biased. If you want an anti-left setup, just swap the weight position. Should you want to tune the weights further, additional weights will be available for purchase. I’ve left the weights in the stock position and the EXS Pro is still reliably straight and leaves drawing the ball to my swing mechanics. Some of you may know that to be uncommon in a hybrid.
Last but not least is the classic Tour Edge SlipStream sole. The EXS Pro’s SlipStream sole is updated with thicker channels and a curved leading edge for better turf interaction. Not only does this make the club feel crisp, but it also allows for a more efficient pass through the turf. This means the clubhead slides through the grass both smoother and quicker for more distance and better accuracy.
Final Thoughts – Tour Edge Exotics EXS Pro Hybrid
I am going to say this 100% honestly; I love this club so much. The Tour Edge EXS Pro hybrid looks amazing, feels perfect, and the performance from it has been exceptional. To put it simply, I love how the EXS Pro just cracks the ball out there, nice and easy. Plus, it’s been reliably consistent for me. Don’t get me wrong, I can see where a golfer might prefer something more player-friendly like the forgiving canon of a hybrid, the EXS 220, but if you have the swing for the EXS Pro, it’s an impressive animal. The EXS Pro is a no-nonsense, versatile, and long hybrid that’s absolutely perfect for good ball strikers that demand premium performance.
Quick note: there are only 1000 of these “straight from the Tour Van” hybrids being made available to the public. So if it has caught your attention, make sure you check it out soon.
Stock Tour Edge Exotics EXS Pro Hybrid Specs
Stock Shafts:
- Mitsubishi Tensei AV Silver
- Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black
| Club | Loft | Length | Stock Flex | RH/LH |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 16º | 41″ | X, S, R | RH |
| 17 | 17º | 40.75″ | X, S, R | RH |
| 18 | 18º | 40.5″ | X, S, R | RH |
| 19 | 19º | 40.25″ | X, S, R | RH |
| 20 | 20º | 40″ | X, S, R | RH |
| 22 | 22º | 39.5″ | X, S, R | RH |
How is this hybrid for someone that fights a hook with the hybrid? (Only club that I hook)
I would say it really depends on the swing and shaft. For instance, a bad hook swing is going to hook everything no matter what the club design is.
In the case of this club, it’s about as neutral as a hybrid gets. Especially with a heavier weight in the toe and lighter in the heel. Additionally, I recently put an aftermarket Fujikura Ventus Black in it and my flight definitely tightened up.
Thanks for yet another great review, so can you compare the EXS Pro and the CBX 119 hybrids in terms of launch and spin, also are both clubs similar in head size and shape.
I am very intrigued to hear that you have played the Ventus HB Black in the EXS Pro hybrid because the Ventus Black 8 X has been outstanding for me in my Mizuno MP 650 3 wood this year so I am very keen to try the Ventus HB Black 10 TX in my next hybrid.
I’ll try to reply with as little golf nerd tone so it’s actually readable as I can, because this is a near and dear topic for me! lol
I would they are very similar in terms of appearance at address. You may see differences if they’re side by side, but independently looking at them, you won’t see a big standout difference. personally, I like the EXS Pro the best of the two.
Launch and spin are kind of hard to compare for me. In theory, the EXS Pro should spin a little less, but I never really had them on the launch monitor together when I had the same shaft in both of them. (I got a stock PX shaft for the CBX 119 to put in my Pro and that really unlocked it.) Launch seemed roughly the same with the same shafts in them. My launch went down a bit with the Ventus Black in the Pro and really turned it into a weapon.
I think the biggest thing between the two clubs is the adjustability of the EXS Pro, while minor, is really nice to have. Also, I just like the feel of the Pro more. It’s tighter and a firmer punch…which is really saying something because the CBX 119 was really good there too.