XXIO, leading seller of golf clubs in Japan for 16 consecutive years, revealed the details of the company’s ninth generation of woods. And from the looks of things, some truly innovative technology is about to hit the market.

The tag line from the Japanese market leader’s announcement: “Altering the head path increases head speed to achieve greater distance.”

Sounds great. But what does this mean practically?

The 9 series woods utilize a technology that facilitates longer wrist cock throughout the downswing, and thus a different club head path without a conscious alteration to the golf swing. The result of this, according to the company? A 5.5-yard increase in distance relative to the XXIO8 weaponry.

Let’s dig a little deeper into the metal wood offerings and component technology.

XXIO9 driver

The centerpiece of the XXIO9 series: Dunlop Sports’ Dual Speed Technology, which is designed to maximize distance.

Here’s how it works.

The XXIO 9 driver also features the company’s Wing Cup Face and the heaviest head in XXIO history.

And as you likely guessed, the heavier club head necessitates a lighter shaft: the new MP900, which features a balance point closer to the grip and several innovative materials, such as Toray T1100G: a graphite fiber developed for the aerospace industry.

The shaft doesn’t sacrifice strength, however, thanks to XXIO’s proprietary “hoop sandwich structure.”

With respect to the XXIO9 driver’s face, the company introduces Wing Cup Face design. And as the company indicates, “The heavier club head maximizes kinetic energy at the moment of impact, while the newly developed cup face with its expanded flare from toe to heel offers a 10 percent larger sweet spot than the previous model.”

Of course, no modern driver offering would be complete without some technology to manipulate center of gravity for the coveted high-launch, low-spin ball flight. XXIO repositions the weight in the driver’s sole this year, moving it 15 millimeters back to create a deeper, lower CG.

XXIO9 fairway woods

Similar to the driver, the XXIO9 fairway woods are equipped with the same shaft and a heavier club head. Thus, the purported results are the same: an improved club head path and longer-travelling shots.

XXIO9 fairway woods feature a new cup face of variable thickness (thicker at the sweet spot, thinner toward the edges). The face is also structured to improve COR performance in the lower regions of the face where many golfers make contact. Additionally, the sweet spot is 10 percent larger than previous models.

The sole’s “Power Wave Structure” (thinner center and thicker sides) creates the coveted lower, deeper CG to aid golfers in getting the ball into the air.

The XXIO9 series will be available starting Dec. 8. The XXIO9 driver will retail for $649.99, and the fairway woods for $429.99.

Specs

Driver

Fairway woods

Left-handed options

• Drivers (available January 16): 9.5 (S); 10.5 (S, SR); 11.5 (R)
• Woods: 3 (S, R); 5 (S, R); 7 (R)

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