An Expert Guide to XXIO Golf Equipment


Photo by XXIO
Tl;dr: XXIO Golf might not have the brand name awareness of Titleist, TaylorMade, or Callaway, but their equipment can help your game. They have a large array of woods, irons, and putters to help your game improve from tee to green. The brand started in Japan and is gaining traction in North America for making some of the best clubs in golf.
Navigating the world of golf equipment can be overwhelming and a bit intimidating, even if you’re an experienced player. I’ve been chasing the little white ball around for 20+ years, and even still, I get a little overwhelmed at times with all the club choices.
Most golfers are familiar with names like Titleist, TaylorMade, Cobra, and Ping. However, there are tons of other brands that might be just what your game needs (even if they don’t have the huge marketing dollars behind them).
One brand that has caught my attention lately is XXIO. They’re becoming more common in North America and are one of the most popular Japanese brands in golf (alongside Miura, Mizuno, and others).
I’ll review some of their best equipment to see how it can help your game off the tee, approaches into the green, and putting, too.
What Are XXIO Golf Clubs?
Photo by XXIO
Unless you’re an avid golfer who loves equipment, XXIO might not be a brand you’re familiar with (yet). As golf continues to grow in popularity, more and more brands are offering all sorts of golf clubs.
XXIO (which is pronounced ZEKS-E-OH) might be a newer name to the game, but they have an extensive history in Japan. The name comes from the Roman numeral for 21 (XXI) and translates to “Push Onward,” which is exactly what they’re doing in terms of equipment.
The company was acquired by Dunlop, which is a common name in the sports world (not just golf). They also own Cleveland and Srixon.
XXIO is a premium golf brand, which means the clubs cost more than most of their competitors. Now, let’s get into the top golf clubs from XXIO to learn how they can help your golf game.
What to Consider When Buying XXIO Golf Equipment
XXIO has pretty much every club you need, from drivers to putters, and they offer complete sets as well. Before pulling the trigger and buying everything, start by asking yourself these three questions.
What Are My Golf Goals?
First and foremost, what are your golf goals? Do you want to become a scratch golfer and compete in tournaments at your country club? Or, are you happy playing a few times per month in a more casual setting?
There’s no right answer — it’s about figuring out what your goals are so you can pick the right equipment. If you’re more of a casual golfer who doesn’t keep score and there to have fun, XXIO probably isn’t the brand for you. But if you’re someone who is actively trying to improve and break through new scoring plateaus, XXIO can help.
What Clubs Do I Need?
Next, what clubs are holding you back from playing your best golf?
Is it your driver that won’t stop slicing? Is it your irons that aren’t forgiving enough and lead to a lot of missed greens in regulation? Or, is it a putter that gives you confidence on the greens?
This is the first step, as XXIO has a good mix of clubs, but as I mentioned before, they are not cheap. While you will save some money if you buy a full set of clubs, a driver is $700 and hybrids are more than $400, so you want to make sure you’re only replacing the clubs you need.
What Is My Budget?
The final thing to consider is price — let’s face it, golf is an expensive sport. Tee times, equipment, lessons, and accessories can add up quickly.
If you’re on a shoestring budget, XXIO clubs aren’t going to be your best option. Instead, you might want to consider Cleveland Golf (also owned by Dunlop) as an alternative with easy-to-hit, budget-friendly golf clubs.
However, if you’re clear on your goals, know what clubs you need, and have the budget, XXIO has some awesome options.
What Are the Different Types of XXIO Golf Clubs?
Now that you know what to consider with XXIO golf equipment, let’s get into some of the top picks from this Japanese brand.
XXIO X Driver
The XXIO X is their most popular driver, ideal for mid- to low-handicap golfers.
Benefits:
- Adjustable hosel
- Sleek-looking clubhead
- Lightweight design can help increase natural swing speed
- ActivWing technology makes it more aerodynamic for increased speed while gaining stability
Be Aware:
- Only two loft options
- One of the most expensive drivers in golf
XXIO X Driver
- Free shipping
- We price match
- Returnable
XXIO Prime 12 Hybrid
Hybrids are a necessary club for most amateur golfers and replace hard-to-hit long irons. XXIO has several hybrid options, but nothing beats the Prime model. It offers a fantastic design with its all-black clubhead and is sure to inspire a ton of confidence on longer shots into the green.
Benefits:
- High moment of inertia (MOI) design makes it forgiving
- Four loft options available (up to 32 degrees)
- Comes with SP-1200 graphite shafts (made of carbon fiber) for a lightweight but stable design
Be Aware:
- Not available for left-handed golfers
- One of the most expensive hybrids in golf
XXIO Prime 12 Hybrid
- Free shipping
- We price match
XXIO 12 Irons
XXIO makes a few iron sets, but the 12 series is ideal for most everyday players who need help hitting more greens in regulation.
Benefits:
- Left- or right-hand options
- More affordable than their drivers
- Available in 5-PW with a sand wedge or 6-PW
Be Aware:
- No senior flex available
- Gap wedge isn’t included in either set
XXIO 12 Irons
- Free shipping
- We price match
- Returnable
XXIO 12 Mallet Putter
The XXIO 12 mallet putter is a solid choice for golfers who want a design larger than a blade. It’s a lot more forgiving and stable, and it should provide consistency on the greens.
Benefits:
- Premium forged design
- Tungsten weights in the toe and heel make it more forgiving
Be Aware:
- Not available in 33-inch length
- Higher price than most putters (check out my list of the best budget putters now)
XXIO 12 Mallet Putter
- Free shipping
- We price match
- Returnable
If you aren’t sure which XXIO clubs are right for you or have more questions, don’t hesitate to contact a Curated Golf Expert today.
Features to Look for in XXIO Golf Clubs
Now that you have an overview of some of the best options from XXIO, here are a few other features to consider.
Graphite vs. Steel Shafts
If you’re in the market for new irons, the clubheads are important, but so are the shafts. Choosing between graphite and steel shafts is key, as the wrong shaft will limit distance and reduce accuracy.
Graphite shafts tend to cost more than steel but are better suited for below-average swinging golfers, while steel shafts are better suited for above-average swing speeds.
Draw Bias Golf Clubs
If you’re buying a new driver or fairway woods, you might want to consider buying draw-biased golf clubs. This type of equipment is designed to help you hit it straighter and help fix your slice without changing your swing. They add more weight to the heel and other design features to hit it straighter on every swing.
XXIO has a good mix of equipment that is neutral or draw bias. If you’re someone who can’t seem to fix your slice despite all the training aids and YouTube videos, different equipment might help.
Blade vs. Mallet Putters
XXIO also makes putters to help your short game. They’re more reasonably priced than their woods and irons, too.
The biggest thing to consider when buying a putter (regardless of brand) is the design: blade or mallet. Blade putters are more traditional and typically work better if you’re someone who likes a more inside to outside putting stroke. Mallet putters are better for a more straight-back, straight-through putting stroke (they’re also more forgiving).
The XXIO 12 Mallet putter is the best option for everyday golfers or someone who wants more confidence on the greens. It’s larger, easier to align, and overall should help with mishit putts a lot more than a blade.
But if you’re a golf purist, you’ll love the XXIO 12-blade putter (which is available in a ladies' model as well).
How to Choose the Right XXIO Golf Clubs
Photo by XXIO
Below are some examples of different types of golfers and what XXIO golf clubs would suit them best.
Eric
Eric is a mid-handicap golfer who is ready to buy premium golf equipment after playing a mix of older clubs over the years. He needs irons and a driver more than anything else, as he likes his wedges and putter.
Features Eric should look for:
- Easy-to-hit driver
- Graphite shaft irons with a premium on forgiveness
His best picks are the XXIO driver and the XXIO 12 irons.
Micah
Micah is a mid-handicap golfer who likes his irons but needs help off the tee and on the greens. He knows his slice is killing his distance and hasn’t bought a new putter in years.
Features Micah should look for:
- Draw-biased driver
- Easy-to-align putter that provides extra forgiveness
His best picks are the XXIO 13 driver and XXIO mallet putter.
Nathan
Nathan is an avid golfer and will spend whatever it takes to improve his game. He takes lessons, practices regularly, and is committed to shooting in the 70s more often.
Features Nathan should look for:
- Less forgiving club heads that offer more playability to shape shots.
His best picks are the XXIO Prime 12 driver, XXIO X irons, or the XXIO mallet putter.
Find the Best XXIO Golf Clubs for You
Is XXIO a cheap golf brand best for helping beginners? Definitely not, but if you’re an avid golfer who wants premium equipment, they make some incredible clubs.
XXIO has an excellent mix of drivers, woods, hybrids, irons, and putters to choose from. Identify what clubs are holding you back the most, and if you aren’t sure which XXIO Golf equipment is right for you or have more questions, don’t hesitate to contact a Curated Golf Expert today.