Review: Tour Edge Exotics E8 Tour 3-wood
Tour Edge’s talking point on this club is the new laser micro-bonding process which allows them to have tighter tolerances and better product quality. It allows them to make a cup face for a small bodied 3-wood. This process makes for one really hot, yet compact 3-wood.
The Tour Edge Exotic E8 Tour certainly has a hot face, but the compact body also creates lower spin and great solid sound. They moved the sole weighting lower and closer to the face because the head is so compact the CG creates low spin numbers as well as a lower launch angle. While sometimes small 3-wood heads don’t have the same “pop” feel of larger heads, this one still have a really lively feel coming off the face.
The head is paired with an excellent stock shaft. The Diamana +B is the newest version of the tried and true Diamana Blue shaft. It is a smooth mid-launching shaft that is so stable. They also offer the other versions of the Diamana + series if you want different launch parameters. The one I have also came with the new MCC +4 grips which is basically a grip with extra wraps under the right hand built into it. I really found I love the feel and function of this grip.
So lots of paper talk, but what about on the course? The first hole I pulled this club out was at the Tour Edge Media event in FL. It happened to be on the long drive hole with Marice Allen and he said, it isn’t the easiest club to hit for amateurs. So guess, what I proceeded to do? Yep, topped it right into the lake. Not the way you want to hit a brand new club. But I didn’t give up, I went back to it a couple holes later and this time ripped it big-time down the middle of the fairway. I also had a couple more chances to bomb it from the fairway that day and reached a couple of the par 5s in two with it. Later on in FL I had great control with it, and really long distance. What also is important to me is simply how it looks behind the ball and this compact head really works for me. Even though it is adjustable, I stuck with the stock setting keeping it square and at 14* loft which I was happy with. It does have a wide range of adjustments depending on your needs.
FlightScope Xi Tour Launch Monitor
Tour Edge Exotics E8 Tour 3-wood
- Spin: 3229 rpms
- Launch Angle: 13.2*
- Dispersion: 8.1 yds
- Club Head Speed: 99.1 mph
- Ball Speed: 146.7 mph
- Total Distance: 249.1 yds
- Carry Distance: 238.7 yds
I played the Tour Edge Exotics CB Pro Limited Edition 3-wood for much of 2014. The Tour Edge Exotics E8 Tour is a very different club, but is looking to earn a spot in the bag. I’m really liking what I’ve seen so far in 2015 from it. The smaller head along with a different feel off the face has me leaning toward the E8 Tour. If you don’t think you have the game for this smaller head, lower launching and lower spinning 3-wood, their other versions would be great choices. But for the better 3-wood player, this is an excellent choice that fills a niche in the 3-wood market.
For more information: www.touredge.com/products/e8tourfairway.asp
Quick Hits
+Compact shape
+Tight tolerances
+Adjustable
+Low spin, lower launch
+Great distance
+Solid, hot feel.
–Might be too “tour” for many amateur golfers