2010 zeh-ku-shi-oh Driver

XXIO is a brand that is relatively unknown outside of Japan. A division of Sri Sports, it’s bigger brother Srixon is probably more well known overseas. However here in Japan, XXIO (pronounced zeh-ku-shi-oh) has been a market leader in the largest average golfer segment for the last decade. Their woods and irons can be found in many bags of the top JLPGA pros which is reflective of what the average men golfer uses.

XXIO is a performance brand based on cutting edge technology and materials. Designs are always well thought out to maximize performance and ease of use for the average golfer or mid to high handicapper.  Their previous 5th generation 2008 XXIO driver was the 2008 Golf Digest D-1 distance champion. So how does the new 6th generation stack up as demanding golfers strive for longer and straighter drives?

Click read more to keep on reading the XXIO Driver Review!

Super Tix Cup Face

The new 2010 XXIO driver features an all new Super Tix face. Super Tix is a titanium material proprietary to Sri Sports and has always been used in XXIO drivers and now also in the new Srixon Z-TX driver. Super Tix creates a crisp but soft feel (also in part to the soft forged Ti body) and very high ball speeds at impact. The cup face is very shallow and features very high forgiveness. The multi variable thickness face is extra thick in the center for feel but very thin around the edges especially towards the higher toe and lower heel area creating a powerful slingshot effect.

Larger Sweetspot

The previous generation XXIO already had a big sweetspot, but the 2010 model increases the sweetspot area by over 12%.  The CG is placed far back and a stainless steel weight screw in the heel promote a draw helping the head rotate square faster.

70t and Nanoalloy…

XXIO’s graphite shafts contain several multilayered hoops made of different materials to create stability and performance. The new MP600 shaft features a loop of 70t carbon and one layer of Nanoalloy, minute metal particles towards the tip of the shaft.The higher carbon grade reduces rounding and creates stability. Higher grade shafts return to their original shape much more quickly and consistently so a player does not have to worry about timing, the shaft will do the work itself. The extra Nanoalloy tip in the MP600 shaft creates even more stability and great energy transfer and recuces head twisting to help square the face at impact. Lower end shafts are made of rubber particles which are slow to regain their original shape while metal and glass particles like the Nanoalloy are just like high grade carbon and return to their shape quickly.

Kick and carry…

The higher torque of the MP600 also helps square the head and produce a nice kick before impact actually helping the driver to hit up on the ball to increase launch and carry, something most average golfers who are looking for distance need. Combined with the low and deep CG, the XXIO is made for maximum launch and carry.

Built for Distance…

So how does all this work in real life?  AT 46″ the XXIO is definitely made for distance. Holding the club at address, even with its long length, golfers will feel comfortable thanks to the big head at the end of the shaft.  At address, the face is obviously closed… looks anywhere from 1 to 2* closed which is not uncommon for average golfer models since it has been found that 70% of average golfers in Japan battle the right side. The club is very light weight at 282g total weight, another bonus for those who are slower swingers looking to generate more speed. I like a driver around 45″ and close to 300g, there is no doubt though I can swing this driver faster due to its longer length and weight.

Shallow Face with great feel…

The face on the XXIO is very shallow.  Probably shallower than what most people are used to.  However this creates a lot of forgiveness for the average golfer who typically misses towards the toe or heel. Some adjustment may be necessary when teeing up the ball due to the shallower face and I pretty much stuck with my regular tee height of just over half a ball over the driver top line at address. Feel off the face is great, I always love that crisp yet soft feel. Too crisp just feels way too metallic and too soft feels too muted and dead.  The Super Tix face has that balance of sound and feel that many of us like.

A must consideration for most average golfers.

Performance wise there is no doubt this driver is long. It launches the ball high for big carry. It probably gives as much carry as any driver I’ve tried. The closed face and design of the club really help eliminate the right side and most shots are straight or draws which is what this club is meant to do. It’s shallow face is not geared towards control and workability and that really isn’t a problem for the target audience of this club. It is made for those who need a higher launch, need more carry, more swing speed, more forgiveness and more overall distance.  The XXIO does its job in creating an easy to hit, anti slice club that will appeal to most average golfers and it does it with style, feel and performance.  Also golfers who battle the slice should seriously put the XXIO in their consideration.  The XXIO is available in our pro shop here.

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