XXIOfriends, it is a special product.
Hell, that might even qualify as an understatement. From grip to tip and driver to sand wedge, the XXIO is truly one two-niche product. Its lightweight design is purposely designed for slower speed golfers, especially seniors and women.
It is also what we fondly refer to premium.
That is, if you mean an $800 driver or a $450 wood premium.
It’s to roll your eyes, make smart remarks about the exorbitant prices, and claim that no one will buy it. Actual sales, however, say otherwise. Yes, it’s a niche product, but it’s a big place. There are plenty of slower speed golfers who have money and don’t mind spending it to get what they want.
This 14th repetition of The main line-up of XXIO it’s called, appropriately enough, XXIO 14. The new line follows XXIO’s basic principles: lightweight and very premium. However, for the first time in recent memory, the XXIO is taking a bold step forward in materials, design intent and, interestingly enough, in expanding its potential audience.
With that, here are five important things to know about the new XXIO 14 lineup of drivers, fairways, hybrids and irons.
#1: This time, “new” really means it new
The last two or three XXIO iterations have been, frankly, stale and not very exciting. They have been more of the same and the story has become a bit repetitive, if not boring.
We’re lightweight, we’re premium, like, like…
However, with the new XXIO 14, XXIO is breaking new ground.
“We’ve moved beyond incremental improvements to offer something entirely new,” says XXIO Vice President Chuck Thiry. (We’re making it easier than ever for women and seniors to swing faster, hit straighter, and enjoy the game even more.)
There is a long list of legitimately new and innovative things XXII 14. The title comes courtesy of the metallurgical minds at Srixon-Cleveland-XXIO. It’s called VR Titanium.
According to XXIO, VR Titanium is a never-before-used alloy on this planet that is lighter, stronger and more durable than the Super TIX-51AF titanium used in previous models. This lightweight strength and durability translates into a slimmer and more flexible face. This translates into increased ball speed for slower athletes.
The other new element is called UltiFlex. It is an offshoot of Srixon Rebound Frame technology. The slim VR Titanium face is supported by a rigid edge, which is followed by a thinner and more flexible body. The idea is to transfer energy to the ball more efficiently at lower swing speeds, while also creating a much larger high COR, or sweet spot, area. According to XXIO, UltiFlex makes the high COR area in the XXIO 14 drivers (anything measuring 0.8 COR or higher) 151 percent larger than the XXIO 13. The “extra high” COR area (anything 0.82 or higher) is 183 percent larger than the XXIO1.
I don’t care what your swing speed is, this is intriguing.
#2: Expanding the niche with XXIO 14+
XXIO made its bones as a lightweight premium offering for slower speed golfers. The new XXIO 14+ targets a different field: 90-100 mph swingers who could use a little help.
The XXIO 14+ features the same technology as the standard XXIO 14 line. However, it’s optimized for players who still have some fluid in their swing. The XXIO 14+ irons, drivers and hybrids all have VR Titanium faces (the standard XXIO 14 hybrid faces are HT 1770 stainless steel) while the irons have a new cavity structure that removes mass from the heel and neck. This, along with the high-density tungsten-nickel weight in the toe, creates a lower and more concentrated center of gravity.
The variable thickness iron face is more focused at higher swing speeds. A larger toe area is thinned out, creating more face flex to minimize the loss of ball speed in that area. This frees up even more mass to lower the CG.
This isn’t XXIO’s first swing at a top player approaching the Red Zone of life. XXIO X, launched in 2020aimed at top players in their 50s and early 60s who still had movement speed. Unfortunately, the XXIO X was a confusing launch. It came out at the same time as the standard XXIO 11 line, and two years after the XXIO 10, which was also initially called the XXIO X.
Like the XXIO X, the XXIO 14+ driver features a lightweight adjustable shell. The XXIO 14 standard men’s driver also features the adjustable shaft, a first for the standard XXIO line.
XXIO 14+ is an interesting offering from XXIO, and it will be fascinating to see if it actually broadens XXIO’s appeal. It will only be available through selected assemblers and dealers. The XXIO 14+ also features the first co-developed shafts in XXIO history: the lightweight Fujikura Speeder NX DST.
#3: XXIO doesn’t change the women’s game
XXIO proudly states that women make up 40 percent of its clientele, so XXIO takes this market seriously.
XXIO is not a “shrink it and pink it” company. The entire XXIO 14 women’s line is designed for what the company describes as “women’s specific” swings. While the women’s driver features a VR Titanium face and UltiFlex technology, the head itself is optimized for the women’s game.
XXIO Studies show that female golfers in the target demographic tend to hit the ball more toward the heel, so the driver face is thinner in the heel. Additionally, the more rounded head shape allows for an even lower CG design, which, when combined with the ladies-specific MP 1400L shaft (and made by XXIO), creates even more bias.
The new design, according to XXIO, makes the extremely high COR area 202 percent larger in the XXIO 14 women’s driver compared to the XXIO 13 driver from two years ago.
Fairways and hybrids are also optimized for women’s play. The HT 1770 faces are made even thinner at the bottom to maximize distance and the faces themselves are slightly larger than the men’s versions. This makes roads and hybrids even easier to start.
The XXIO 14 irons are also designed specifically for the women’s game. The face is shallower with a more rounded tip and the overall design is more biased for traction as slower movers tend to struggle with an open face at impact.
However, unlike both men’s drivers, the XXIO 14 women’s driver does not have an adjustable shaft. The XXIO makes up for this by offering four different female drivers with four different lofts. When you want something this light, every gram counts.
#4: If nothing else, XXIO gives it to you straight
I know we all love to complain about the promised “10 more meters”. Seriously folks, no OEM promises you this and hasn’t for many, many years. XXIO and, consequently, Srixon and Cleveland have traditionally been the most forthcoming, we dare say responsiblewith their model-over-model comparisons and with comparisons with other OEMs.
According to internal testing, XXIO says its new driver delivers 2.9 yards more carry than the XXIO 13 while fairway carry is about 1.5 yards longer than the previous model. That’s not much, and certainly not enough to improve on XXIO 13, but improving on XXIO 13 isn’t why XXIO 14 exists. It’s just the newest version in the lineup, designed for the next generation of players who are losing the battle with Father Time.
That may be the beauty of XXIO’s business model. While the price isn’t for everyone, XXIO understands its target demographic very well. Aging and declining swing speed are inevitable. For the golfer determined not to go gently into that good night, the XXIO offers hope. The clubs are designed with grip on the tip for easier swing and distance technology for slower swing speeds that are legal. This combination can ultimately make the game more fun.
And fun, after all, is why we play the game.
#5: About that price
The concept of value is about as subjective as it gets. Is $700 plus to play Pebble Beach a good value? If you’ve never played it, I’d argue that you have. It’s a bucket list destination and absolutely worth saving up for. Play every Saturday? Not so much. I would have to be in a much higher tax bracket.
That said, XXII 14 it is not cheap. Drivers are $799.99, freeways are $449.99, and hybrids are $349.99. The irons, with XXIO’s proprietary and lightweight MP1400 graphite shafts, cost $239.99 each. That equates to $1,199.99 for a five-piece set or $1,699.99 for a seven-piece set.
The XXIO 14+ irons also cost $239.99 apiece with the co-developed Fujikura Speeder NX DST shaft. Since the 14+ will only be offered through custom fitters, steel options will be available at $214.99, which is in line with other major OEMs.
We’ve said it before on these pages, but it bears repeating. One of the most underserved demographics in any business is the premium, high-end demographic. These are people who have money and are willing to spend it on something they want. This demographic includes a significant contingent of elderly and slow-moving women. XXIO’s hope, and there’s plenty of history to back it up, is that when those golfers try XXIO, they’ll happily pay the freight.
XXIO 14 features and availability
of men XXII 14 lineup features 9.5-, 10.5-, and 11.5-degree loft-hose adjustable drivers (10.5 for lefties only). The five fairway wood models (3, 4, 5, 7, 9) come in lofts ranging from 15 to 23 degrees. There are five hybrids, including a new 30-degree 7 hybrid.
Only 3-, 5-, and 7-woods and 4- and 5-wood hybrids come in left-handed models.
XXIO 14 iron set is wedged 5 iron through sand (6-PW to LH). The lightweight MP 1400 graphite shaft and lightweight XXIO grip are standard.
The XXIO 14+ is right-handed only with two adjustable tube drivers (9.5 and 10.5). The 14+ also includes two fairway woods (15- and 18-degree) and three hybrids (18-, 20- and 23-degree). The iron formation features a 5-iron wedge in the gap with loft typical of the game improvement category.
Fujikura Speeder NX DST graphite shaft is standard for 14+ (steel available with custom fit). It is stiffer in the middle and top than the MP1400 for greater stability at higher swing speeds. It’s still lightweight while offering lower release, starting at 42 grams for the driver and 59 grams for the irons. Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 is standard.
The women’s XXIO 14 line is robust with four fairway drivers (10.5, 11.5, 12.5 and 13.5 degrees), five fairway woods and five hybrids, including a new 35-degree hybrid 8. Irons are available in 5-iron wedges through the sand. The ladies’ MP1400 shaft is standard as is the XXIO ladies’ easy grip.
The women’s lineup is right-handed only.
XXIO is offering online set builder tools for XXIO 14 of men AND of women decide as well as for XXIO 14+.
All three product lines are available in stores and on the World Wide Web starting today. For more information, visit Website XXIO.
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