Equipment
Exotics unveils $700 XJ1 driver with SuperMetal
The more expensive the driver, the more likely its design targets high-swing-speed golfers willing to pay a premium for a Tour player-inspired club that’s tailored to their needs. But what about average golfers who don’t swing like PGA Tour players but still want premium equipment made specifically for them? It’s that group Tour Edge Exotics is addressing with its latest driver release.
Exotics’ new lightweight XJ1 driver will sell for $700 when it’s released November 1. It uses a combination of a 9-1-1 titanium chassis, which the company calls “SuperMetal,” as well as a Kevlar-Carbon crown and three tungsten sole weights to help players with moderate swing speeds generate maximum distance off the tee.
“Most technologies of the past decade have benefitted players with higher swing speeds, eliminating the majority of golfers,” said David Glod, president and founder of Tour Edge Golf. “We have been developing the XJ1 driver for over four years, working on each characteristic of the club, moving critical amounts of weight around for the best results, and waiting for the technology to catch up to our goal of bringing this extremely lightweight driver to the market which will benefit golfers with real swing speeds.”
According to Exotics, SuperMetal is 10 percent lighter than the 6A4v titanium the company previously used to create the body of its driver heads. The added strength of the material allowed company engineers to make the walls of its driver thinner and more flexible. The lighter Kevlar-Carbon crown also saves weight from the top of the driver head, and provides stiffness that is key to improving ball speeds on shots struck on the top of the club face. The club face itself is made from a SP-700 beta titanium face plate, which is thinner on the edges to improve mishit performance and is robotically laser welded to the driver body to reduce weight and add consistency to the design.
The combined weight savings allows the 460-cubic-centimeter head to include three tungsten weights, two of which are heel and toe stability bars that weigh 10 grams each. The third, a removable tungsten screw, is located in the heel section of the driver to increase swing weight and/or draw bias. Weights are available in 3, 6, 12 and 14 grams.
The XJ1 drivers (9, 10.5 and 12 degrees: RH only) achieve a light total club weight thanks to their ultra-lightweight stock shaft, Fujikura’s Air Speeder, which weighs 45 grams and is available in five flexes.
XJ1 Specs
Tour Edge Golf has today introduced the all-new Exotics mini driver, engineered to deliver a powerful combination of speed, control, and versatility in the long game.
The Exotics Mini combines a titanium face with a stainless-steel body in design to balance ball speed with stability and control, creating a versatile option at the top end of the bag.
At the core of the design is Tour Edge’s proprietary Combo Brazing technology, a high-precision thermal bonding process that seamlessly fuses a titanium cup face to a stainless-steel body into a single, continuous structure. By eliminating energy loss found in traditional multi-piece constructions, Combo Brazing is designed to deliver faster face response, more efficient energy transfer, and a uniquely powerful yet controlled feel.
The multi-material construction also allows mass to be positioned lower and deeper in the head in a bid to increase stability, while the thin titanium face is engineered to maintain ball speed across a wider impact area.
“While the initial goal was to enhance control and versatility in the long game, Combo Brazing ultimately drove measurable gains in ball speed and distance within the mini driver category. In robot testing, we’ve documented higher ball speeds, higher launch, reduced spin, and increased carry and total distance compared to leading models.” – Vice President of R&D Matt Neeley
In addition to distance performance, the Exotics mini emphasizes forgiveness through a heavier stainless-steel body that shifts mass toward the perimeter. This configuration increases MOI relative to traditional all-titanium mini drivers, helping preserve ball speed and directional stability on off-center strikes. Paired with Pyramid Face Technology from the Exotics metalwood line, the design is intended to support consistent speed across the face.
To further enhance MOI, a lightweight carbon fiber crown frees additional mass that is strategically repositioned low and deep in the head in design to improve stability and promote optimal launch with controlled spin.
“We designed the Mini to be about five millimeters shallower than other mini drivers on the market. That change improves playability off the deck. From a clean fairway lie, it can function as a strong 3-wood alternative while still providing control off the tee.” – Tour Edge CEO David Glod
An adjustable hosel system allows for loft and lie tuning to dial in trajectory and shot shape, while a fixed 13-gram rear weight helps stabilize the head through impact to improve dispersion consistency. The Exotics Mini Driver is available in 11.5 and 13.5-degree lofts in right-handed models.
Pricing & Availability
The Exotics Mini Driver is available for pre-order beginning today for $399.99 USD at touredge.com, and will be available for purchase at retail outlets worldwide on May 22, 2026.
In our forums, our members have been pitting a Srixon ZXi combo against a TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo. WRXer ‘edutch22’ is on the hunt for a new set of irons and kicks off the thread saying:
“Looking at picking up a new set of irons and think I’ve narrowed it down to Srixon ZXi combo or Taylormade P7CB/770 combo. I am currently a 5 cap and allbeit I feel irons are my weakness. My miss is a little to the toe side. I am decently steep at 4-5 down. Always thought I am high spin but recently on trackman my 7 was spinning at 5800 roughly.
My question or looking for thoughts on which one would benefit me more from a forgiveness standpoint? Or is there another iron is should be looking at entirely? I only get to play about once or twice a week, if I am not playing a 2-3 day event. Thanks in advance.”
And our members have been sharing their thoughts and suggestions in response.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- manima1: “You just can’t go wrong with Srixon ZXi7.”
- MattM97: “You have to hit them to know, the V-Sole on the Srixon can be make or break for many.”
- dmeeksDC: “P7CB is more forgiving for me than ZXi7 because my main miss is low middle and the P7CB still flies and spins great on that miss. These are both really nice irons but I like the P7CB more than the Zxi7 and the P770 (or P790) more than the Zxi5. The Srixons are larger so if that gives you confidence that is the way to go. I don’t feel like I get any benefit from the V-sole and the P7CBs live up to their high Maltby forgiveness rating so the TaylorMades have been great for me.”
Entire Thread: “Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @pianoman0123 has a 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo up for grabs.
From the listing: “2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade Combo. 4-8 irons are CB’s and the 9,PW are Blades. 5-PW have Project X 6.0 Shafts and the 4 Iron has a Steelfiber CW110 Stiff Shaft. Standard Length, Lie and Lofts. These are in very good condition the shafts just don’t work for me. Like new Lamkin Grips on the 5-PW and a stock Golf Pride on the 4 Iron. $525 OBO.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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Dunn2500
Sep 8, 2016 at 1:47 am
They have to thin the face, weights moved all around club head and lightweight drivers aren’t anything new……their cb pro 3 wood that sold for $500 didn’t do well, now it’s basic tech in their ex9…….Seen one for sale for $149 at dunns…….it’s simply supply and demand……….if they made a non conforming head with thinner face I think it would sell like hotcakes…..they don’t pay tour players and have lil presence on tour anyway……screw it, shave face down to .910 and use some crazy strong metal and sell it………guys hitting it 40yds farther would surely grab attn of other golfers…….how many people play in tournaments and of those how many play in tourneys that would even give a chit………you want distance shave the face!…….moving weights around has been pied out. …..I love exotics, their fwy woods are the insane…….. $700 would be tough for even titleist, for tour edge who isn’t known for drivers is gonna be very tough…….I may pick one up in used bin down the line for couple hundred though
Steve C
Sep 6, 2016 at 11:15 pm
I have had some success with a few of tour edges clubs. However, I wonder how exactly Tour Edge stays in business?
Jim
Sep 7, 2016 at 9:34 pm
‘Cause if your first one sucked – you wouldn’t have bought another – you kinda answered your own question. If THEY had Tiger Woods – with the quality the Glod brothers insisted on achieving for every premium product they produced, they wouldn’t have failed like Nike….Keep an eye out for some killer putters too…
Steve C
Sep 6, 2016 at 11:15 pm
success with a few of tour edges clubs. However, I wonder how exactly Tour Edge stays in business?
Matty
Sep 6, 2016 at 6:21 pm
$700 driver without an adjustable hosel?? SHANK!!!
Tom
Sep 6, 2016 at 7:46 pm
Aww Matty who needs an adjustable hosel. Not you according to you facebook page.
Jim
Sep 6, 2016 at 10:45 pm
I prefer the right loft to begin with and a deeper insert depth for less torque…After several years of high speed video at impact I can see the adjustable heads twist more (substantially more on close -but off center hits).
I don’t want to ‘open or close’ the face to achieve loft – I figure there’s a hook or a slice just waitin around the next corner if I – or my students try and shape it – or just go brain dead and try to just kill it.
Homna has a similar new bonded driver @ that price point as well. I hit that last spring and it was great!. Currently still using XG 7 w/heavy Black Tie set to 10.5 and letting the shaft control trajectory…
Shaft tech has exploded & way more stable @ lighter
weights….Can’t wait to to try it.
The Glod brothers are for real.
soberD
Sep 6, 2016 at 3:53 pm
Tour Edge has a captive audience in the Chicagoland private clubs that will eat this up in their quest for one-upmanship
Archie Bunker
Sep 6, 2016 at 3:33 pm
Getting old? Need more distance? Try a different shaft. This $700 head won’t do it.
Doug A
Sep 6, 2016 at 6:12 pm
You must not know what much about head weights and shaft weights….the shaft in this club is probably the lightest high quality shaft you could get
Archie Bunker
Sep 7, 2016 at 10:27 am
Saying “probably” shows that you don’t know much about this club either.
Jim
Sep 8, 2016 at 10:09 am
THE SHAFT is $450! Nothing better @<50 grams
Geoff
Sep 6, 2016 at 11:29 am
Interested in trying this one. I hope to see it at demo days. I’m old and this might help a little who knows.
peter collins
Sep 6, 2016 at 11:22 am
Tour Edge Exotics are a good company, and from what i can see, they didn’t rush the product to the market place.
I wish them well.
OH
Sep 6, 2016 at 10:25 am
I love my TEE hybrid and their woods are legit bombers. I didn’t care for the EX9 driver, as it was super loud. But, $700?! When you’re Titleist and have that kind of brand equity you can try these experiments and get away with them. Tour Edge…nope.
Jack
Sep 6, 2016 at 9:06 am
I had to check my calendar to make sure it isn’t April Fool’s Day. They won’t sell a dozen of those things.
Tom
Sep 6, 2016 at 7:48 pm
Just place an early order….. so did my buddy.
Jack
Sep 7, 2016 at 7:59 am
LOL, does your “buddy” also work for Tour Edge? Get lost, shill.
Tom
Sep 7, 2016 at 9:09 am
Lol ya cheap asz debbie downer. You can wait and pick one up on ebay.
Jim
Sep 7, 2016 at 9:26 pm
If they perform outdoors on Trackman for our clients as Tour Edge limited or special releases ALWAYS HAVE, we’ll sell the crap out of them. 700? – with THAT shaft? 8/10 buyers will have us PURE it too – an extra $45…
Next step on the ladder? Pay a big OEM’s MAP & put in same shaft – $900 pured and installed.
High end bonded drivers are making a steady come back. HONMA has one to break into that price range here in US too…(no platinum or 24k gold medallions) – just an awesome club & it rocks
In a previous WRX thread someone made a brilliant observation: “golf equipment only really becomes expensive when you keep buying the
wrong stuff”
Steve S
Sep 6, 2016 at 9:01 am
Yeah…no way. $700 to get me 3 more yards..not…
Double Mocha Man
Sep 7, 2016 at 10:48 am
That’s only $233.33 per extra yard. Wouldn’t you pay $11,666.67 for an extra 50 yards?
Jim
Sep 7, 2016 at 11:36 am
3? No…but what about 15?
Be serious….How many guys have purchased 3-4 drivers in 2-4 seasons? Maybe they fell for TM’s BS and bought the R1* @ MAP and turns out it wasn’t “the greatest driver ever made” so they try their buddy’s and hit it better (coulda just been that one swing – that’s all it would take for some) so they buy one on ebay – or Dick’s 199 and then next spring buy a “doorbuster” on Easter weekend for 159…
they never got FIT – think they did – IF the snapperhead @ the simulator or the standard POS ‘launch monitor’ GS used even just ‘taped up’ a different flex to try.
Most recreational golfers – that DO buy stuff – not the ones still carrying Bubble shaft woods & 20yr Gold DCI +’s with original grips HAVE spent the equivalent of ONE well fit higher-end driver they would have used for 2 or 3 seasons with better results
Steve S
Sep 7, 2016 at 1:05 pm
Every Feb. I go to the local shop and spend $30 to rent it. Then I hit my Rocketbalz (original) driver as a base line. Then I hit every driver and shaft combination that he has. All are within 5 yards of my gamer. I would buy a new one if I could get 10-15 more yards but in 3 years I haven’t found one. Even the guy in the shop admits that with my swing speed 93-97MPH I’m not going to see big differences since COR and MOI are limited. I have a friend who hits 115-120 and he does see more significant differences. But with his swing speed he’s more concerned with accuracy not distance. And shaft differences don’t seem to affect much accept for scatter and minor changes in launch for me.
Jim
Sep 7, 2016 at 1:45 pm
You are exactly who this should help. My best professional advice : try it vs yours on a good out door monitor and please write about the results.
Tom
Sep 6, 2016 at 8:48 am
kevlar can I wear it for protection in case a fight breaks out after the 18th?