Tl;dr: Improving your driver performance is one of the fastest ways to become a more consistent golfer. Explore the different XXIO drivers that can help you hit it longer and straighter while simultaneously improving your mishits.

Are you ready to gain more confidence off the tee? If so, you’ll love learning more about the latest XXIO drivers.

After playing this game for 20+ years and becoming a +2 handicap, one thing I can’t stress enough is the importance of loving your driver. This is a club that so many golfers leave in the bag because they’re scared of it, but this is a huge mistake.

If you hit fairway woods or hybrids off the tee instead of the driver, you’re going to leave yourself a lot longer shots into the greens. That will typically result in a higher scoring average, regardless of skill level.

To stop fearing your driver, you need the right club. Making a switch on brands, loft, and/or shaft can help a ton and finally give you the confidence you need on every tee box.

What Are XXIO Drivers?

XXIO is a Japanese golf brand that is owned by Dunlop Sports (who also has Cleveland Golf Company and Srixon in their lineup). XXIO is known for being a premium golf club manufacturer but is meant for the everyday golfer.

Unlike a lot of other brands, they do not make a lot of clubs geared toward professional golfers. However, since Dunlop Sports does own Srixon, they have that sector covered, as top pros like Hideki Matsuyama and Brooks Koepka use their gear.

They have a wide range of equipment including drivers, fairway woods, irons, wedges, and putters. Today we’ll focus on drivers, as they have a good selection of them to fit all different types of players.

What to Consider When Buying XXIO Drivers

When shopping for an XXIO (or any driver), ask yourself these three questions.

What’s My Biggest Miss?

Do you miss right or left off the tee? Addressing your mishits on the toe or heel, which is usually a slice for most golfers, is key to buying the right driver. A lot of clubs have design features that make it easier to hit it straighter without swing changes.

What Is My Swing Speed?

Knowing your clubhead speed is important because it can help you buy the right clubhead and, most importantly, the right driver shaft. If you have a shaft that doesn’t match your swing speed, it can limit distance and hurt your overall accuracy.

Use a personal launch monitor or visit a local golf store and hit on their simulators to measure your average swing speed with the driver. This makes it easier to determine if you need a senior, regular, or stiff flex shaft.

Most golfers can benefit from using lightweight graphite shafts, as it makes it easier to swing faster (and hit it longer).

What’s My Budget?

Finally, don’t forget to consider your budget, as drivers are the most expensive single club purchase in a set. Most drivers are between $300-$600, but some brands (like XXIO) are even more expensive. Drivers from XXIO range from $700 to $900 depending on the model.

Needless to say, if you’re on a tight budget, XXIO might not be the best brand of driver for you.

Different Types of XXIO Drivers

Now that you know what to consider, let’s get into the different types of drivers from XXIO.

XXIO 13 Driver

The first option to consider is the new XXIO 13 driver. This club is ideal for senior golfers or higher handicappers who have a swing speed that is less than 90mph. The XXIO 13 driver has some impressive technology, such as Dual ActivWing design that helps make it easier to improve ball speed with its aerodynamic forces that also provide more stability. The rebound frame creates a thinner face and acts like a springboard for longer distances off the tee.

Benefits:

• Right-hand and left-hand options
• Available in 9.5-, 10.5-, and 11.5-degree lofts
• Biflex face expands the overall COR to optimize speed across the face
• Rebound frame uses layers of stiff and flexible zones to improve power on mishits
• Lightweight design makes it easier to swing faster and hit it longer
• Easier to hit straighter shots because of the 6-segment bulge and roll technology
• The grip has "weight plus technology," which is a counterweight that improves your takeaway. It makes it easier than ever to find the ideal spot at the top of your swing so you can release it for more consistent contact.

Be Aware:

• Non-adjustable hosel meaning the loft and lie angle are fixed
• Not easy to work the golf ball as its main feature is forgiveness

If you want to save some money, check out the XXIO 12 driver. It’s a few hundred dollars less and has a lot of similarities to the XXIO 13.

XXIO X Driver

The XXIO X model looks a lot different from the XXIO 13 and is meant for mid- to lower-handicap players. It still has a lightweight design, but I think it has a much sleeker look.

Aside from looks, this driver is also very different as it has an adjustable hosel sleeve (with wrench included). This makes it easy to alter the loft and lie angle of the driver so it’s suited for your swing. This way, you can tinker with the settings on the range to figure out which one will benefit you the most.

Benefits:

• Amazing feedback even on mishits
• Flat Cup Face has a thinner design, which creates faster ball speeds
• Premium shaft without any extra fees. It's a cutting-edge combination of strength and flexibility that uses Nanoalloy resin matrix results to create a stable and lightweight shaft
• Face is divided into six sections with its own variable Bulge and Roll technology. This helps course correction on any mishits by getting the face angle square at impact.

Be Aware:

• High price tag
• Select loft options, as it's only available in 9.5- or 10.5-degree loft options (but can be tweaked slightly with the adjustable hosel)

XXIO Prime 12 Driver

The final option when it comes to drivers from XXIO is the Prime 12. This is a premium club in every detail and truly one of the best-looking clubs in golf. The all-black clubhead with gold accents is truly one of a kind in the golf world.

If Lamborghini made a clubhead, I think it’d look similar to this one. It’s truly the “gold standard” when it comes to drivers. Similar to the XXIO 13, this club is designed for moderate swing speeds, which is most mid-handicap golfers.

The Prime 12 has a rebound frame and Flat Face Cup technology. This helps create maximum speed and distance by improving ball speed on every swing. It also has ActivWing as well, which helps improve alignment and hopefully find the sweet spot more often.

The high moment of inertia (MOI) clubhead makes it one of the most forgiving drivers, enabling you to hit straighter, longer shots.

Benefits:

• Incredible design
• Improves off-center shots
• Extremely lightweight and should help increase swing speeds
• Manipulates the airflow with its airfoil shape to reduce bounce in the first half of the downswing, which tightens shot pattern (essentially, much better mishits)

Be Aware:

• No adjustable hose.
• Only two loft choices (10.5 and 11.5 degrees)
• Nearly $1,000, the most expensive driver I’ve seen

If you aren’t sure which driver is right for you or have more questions, don’t hesitate to contact a Curated Golf Expert today for advice on how to improve your game.

Features to Look for in XXIO Drivers

Now that you have an overview of the XXIO drivers, let’s get into a few of their other features to consider.

Draw Bias Design

The first piece of the puzzle you need to solve when buying a new driver is the clubhead itself. Do you want a neutral clubhead that lets you shape shots in either direction? Or one that is built to help you straighten out a slice?

Here’s the thing, slices are a common shot in golf, but one you want to address sooner rather than later. A slice kills distance off the tee and can lead to some bad misses and eventual blow up holes that derail the round.

If you’ve tried fixing your slice but still not having any luck, changing up the clubhead might be just what you need.

Fixed vs. Adjustable Hosel

Another big feature to consider with drivers is the hosel. Some are fixed, and some are adjustable. This feature became popular more than 10 years ago and revolutionized the game by allowing golfers to change the loft and lie with a wrench.

I’d say that over half of the drivers now are adjustable (maybe 60% or more of all drivers if I had to guess). But you might wonder, why are 40% non-adjustable?

The main reason is that those 40% of drivers are designed to help straighten out a slice, usually by moving the weighting around internally to make it easier to hit it straighter.

Plus, a fixed hosel weighs less, which makes the club lighter and easier to swing faster. This should help increase swing speed and improve total distance.

If your biggest goal is straighter drives, opt for a club that is draw biased with a fixed hosel. But if you want adjustability, opt for a club that allows you to adjust the settings so it’s customized for your golf swing.

Driver Shaft Flexibility

The final thing to consider when buying a driver is the shaft itself. While the head is important, playing the right driver shaft is key as well. Trust me, I’ve seen firsthand in my own game that the club is only half the battle, as the wrong shaft can hurt distance and accuracy.

When it comes to picking a driver shaft you want to consider the weight and flex. The flex is pretty easy to determine, as it’s based on your average driver swing speed. Weight is more of a personal preference.

In general, faster-swinging golfers prefer a heavier shaft to minimize spin and improve accuracy. Slower-swinging golfers prefer a lighter shaft that helps increase total distance.

How to Choose the Right XXIO Driver

Below are some examples of different types of golfers and which of the XXIO drivers I would choose for each of them.

Steve

Steve is a senior golfer who is playing a lot more frequently now that he’s retired. He wants an easy-to-hit clubhead that also helps straighten out his slice, as it’s killing his distance off the tee.

Features Steve should look for:

• Lightweight shaft.
• Draw-biased clubhead to minimize left-to-right shots.

His best pick is the XXIO 13 driver or, if he wants to save some money but still get a lot of the same features, the XXIO 12 driver.

Lucas

Lucas is a mid-handicap golfer who is focused on gaining more distance so he can break 90 more often. He is getting some lessons, started speed training, and is committing to playing more golf this season.

Features Lucas should look for:

• Lightweight design
• 9.5 or 10.5 degrees of loft

His best picks are the XXIO X driver or the XXIO Prime 12 driver, depending on if he wants a fixed hosel or one that is adjustable.

Nigel

Nigel is a more advanced golfer and looking for a premium driver. He likes to test out different clubs/shafts on the driving range and considers himself a golf junkie with tons of accessories to improve his game.

Features Nigel should look for:

• Adjustable driver face
• A club that promotes less spin for faster swing speeds

His best pick is the XXIO X driver, as it has a stiffer shaft and adjustable hosel.

Find the Best XXIO Driver for You

XXIO has three solid choices when it comes to drivers for men and one driver for women. Most XXIO equipment is geared toward mid- to higher-handicap players, as they’re built with more forgiveness. This is why a lot of professional golfers don't use their clubs, as they simply swing too fast.

However, if you have an average swing speed like most players, there are some solid options. The only downside with any of the XXIO drivers, of course, is the price. Don’t get me wrong, they’re very well made and built to last, but it’s a lot of money for one golf club. If you love the XXIO clubs but don’t have the budget, consider the XXIO 12 — it’s the previous year's model and still a strong choice.

If you aren’t sure which XXIO driver is right for you or have more questions, don’t hesitate to contact a Curated Golf Expert today. They can help make long shots easier off the tee by finding the right driver for your game so you can make better contact.