2021 XXIO Prime Driver Review
XXIO Prime Driver for 2021.
The newest version of the XXIO Prime driver has been unveiled for 2021, boasting the tagline of “Luxury is Light” to emphasize the club’s design, tech, and target demographic. Make no mistake: the new XXIO Prime driver delivers on all its promises, even if a limited number of golfers will take the plunge.
XXIO Prime Driver Technology
XXIO Prime has long been heralded as a luxury offering for golfers who feature a moderate-to-slow swing speed, but want to stand out from the pack.
“It’s safe to say that the new XXIO Prime Woods and Irons are the most advanced set of clubs ever developed for moderate-to-slow swing-speed players,” said Jeff Brunski, Vice President of Research and Development. “From the exotic materials and construction to the ultra-lightweight shafts featuring our Weight Plus counter-weighting technology, every detail in the new XXIO Prime has been engineered to add distance and accuracy – specifically for players who have lost some yards over the years. XXIO Prime is truly different and special.”
In order to achieve this balance of distance, accuracy and forgiveness, the engineers at XXIO relied on new, proven technologies that benefit all players. When coupled with ultra-lightweight shafts with specific flex points, including an innovative approach to counter-balancing the entire club, XXIO Prime is the perfect club for players who struggle with swing speed. These technologies include:
Rebound Frame: an alternating pattern of stiff and flexible zones that focuses more of your impact energy into the golf ball. It increases ball speed and distance on every drive, especially center-face impacts.
Weight Plus: a counterbalancing technology that places weights in the end of each shaft, located behind your hands as you grip the club. That grip weight helps push the club head up through your backswing for a more consistent top of swing position. And as you begin the downswing, the weight brings your hands into position, keeping your arms closer to your body for a squarer face at impact.
What are these “exotic materials” XXIO speaks of? It all boils down to metals, fibers, and resins not commonly found in other clubs.
Super-TIX PLUS Titanium Face: Each XXIO Prime Driver, Fairway Wood, and Iron face is made from Super-TIX PLUS Titanium, an incredibly strong yet lightweight alloy that adds speed to all your shots.
Lightweight Construction: The new XXIO Prime SP-1100 Shaft, with TORAYCA T1100G carbon fiber and NANOALLOY resin, is extremely lightweight to help produce more swing speed and distance with its smooth, easy-to-swing profile. The softer tip section also makes it easier to close the club face and strike the ball pure.
Performance and Feel
Admittedly, there was some trepidation going into my first few swings with XXIO Prime. A retail price of $899.99 leaves an impression on you, even before making your first swing. You immediately expect to see and feel something that justifies the price tag.
Looking down at the driver, you immediately notice its size. While within the conforming 460cc driver head limit, the Prime looked large to my eye. I attribute this to the incredibly attractive all-black crown with minimal alignment aid, which is a gold diamond-shape. You also notice the slight draw bias in the club’s alignment, which is sure to help golfers who struggle with a slice.
At impact, the XXIO Prime feels extraordinary. I’d place it on the “softer” spectrum in terms of feel, which is a sensation I prefer. Acoustics of the Prime are quite prominent, bordering on loud, but nothing offensive nor dissimilar to drivers of similar build. You want a driver to sound powerful, and players who fit the category for which the Prime was designed will appreciate it.
Yardage and carry was also impressive, although relative to my adjusting to the driver. I probably swing my driver slightly faster (100 mph) than the ideal demographic for Prime, and I found myself making slower, deliberate swings to “catch up” to the soft, lightweight shaft. When everything synced up properly, however, drives were consistently longer than I would expect at that swing speed.
Overall Impression
As with other reviews on this site, I don’t like to make a recommendation on whether this club is the right one for any golfer. However, I can confirm that the XXIO Prime delivers on its promises in my first few sessions with it.
The biggest question, of course, is cost. XXIO Prime is a luxury offering, first and foremost. Will you be able to get similar results with other clubs on the market at a lower price point? Hard to say, because the performance of Prime during my sessions was unquestionable. But it’s fair to state that some golfers simply won’t want to spend this much on a driver.
On the other hand, if you are a golfer who wants to enjoy the game more, doesn’t have a ton of time (or ability) to boost your swing speed, and you want to treat yourself to a truly stellar piece of modern golf technology, XXIO Prime is undoubtedly a top option. You’re not going to be disappointed, and most likely will be amazed at how easy, fun, and consistent the XXIO Prime driver is to hit.
