Cleveland Classic and Kusala White Review and LM Results

[jokerusn]

UPDATE: 290 T3 goes to its first launch monitor

(Sorry for the double post. I accidentally posted it in the wrong forum initially.)

I finally got to the course this weekend so I was able to give the Classic a shake-down. I wouldn't say "thorough" shake-down as the course was on the short side and I only hit driver on 4 holes but those 4 holes were enough to know that it is firmly in the bag.

You've all seen my post of how I came to acquire this monster. For those who haven't: http://www.golfwrx.c..._1?do=findComment&comment=4462073 There are pics in this topic too.


Bottom Line Up Front

• :yahoo: Long, Solid, Long, Low Spin, Mid Flight and LONG! And, it's long too. :bb:

Looks

I don't need to elaborate on all the aesthetics of this club. You've seen tons of pics. You've all probably seen a bunch in the store and held them up close and gotten drool on them. From a playing perspective, the color is not distracting. It's dark enough to stay unobtrusive in bright sunlight. What you do need to see is the Kusala White. If it's not the best looking shaft on the market, I don't know what is. Next to a Fubuki, a similarly white shaft, the Kusala gleams. The paint has flecks of metal or glittery stuff in it so when the light hits it, it sparkles. It makes you feel like you're holding a magic wand in your hand (which you actually are - see feel and performance below). Some people might think it's busy or distracting because of all the blue graphics at the grip but I don't notice it once I've addressed the ball. The bottom 2/3 are all white so there's no graphics in your field of view when looking at the ball. Even my playing partners, who aren't into clubs at all (2 were still playing the old orange burner bubbles), commented on it saying it looks cool. If you're into the basic black or "stealth" club, this setup is surely not for you. Even in a stock setup, with its black shaft, it's not for the stealth/murdered club fan. BUT, if performance is your priority, please continue to read on...

Feel

"Feel is subjective." "Everyone has different preferences." Blah blah blah. You know those new Cleveland commercials with the tag line "This is how the game should feel"? Well, This IS how a driver should feel. I've played my share of drivers from the venerable 975D with it's solid feeling <thwack> when pured but harsh off-center to the FT-3 that sounds like you're hitting an aluminum can at the end of a stick but feels hot. The Classic combines the best of both worlds. There's no offensive sound like a lot of newer drivers. Balls hit ANYWHERE on the face feel solid and hot. And mishits are noticeable but don't send a jolt up arms. The XL Tour I was playing had a distinct sound that people have remarked "sounds like a gun shot" but it feels solid and hot. For those that have experience with the XL Tour, the Classic 290 still has that same feel but a MUCH better sound.

The Kusala White is like no other shaft I've played. The specs show that it has a softer butt section, EXTREMELY stiff mid-butt section that gets softer as it transitions to the tip and it feels similarly. The best way to describe it is like you're swinging a whip that only rebounds in one direction. You can feel the shaft release into the ball with power. Most shafts with that whip feel are uncontrollable for me but this one is point-and-shoot. Not only is it stable but it's also very smooth. There's no harsh release or impact feel. No noodle or looseness. It's just right. It's an amazing product.

Performance

After hitting the Classic, there's no surprise why all the Cleveland staffers have quickly switched to this club. This is the area where the Classic shines.

I'm 6'2" and 245lbs with a ss of ~115 cold to ~120 warm with a medium to quick transition. If I could compare how my swing looks to a known pro's swing, I'd say it looks closest to Jason Gore's (and I also have a similar build to him). My setup is a 9.0 290 T3 (full explanation of what that signifies is in my original topic - basically it's a head cast ~3° open) with a Kusala White 72x tipped 1". At least 2 players on tour using the White in their drivers have it tipped 1" or more (Bradley - 61x tipped 1.5"; Kokrak - 83x tipped 1.75") as it tends to play a little soft to flex. For this round, I was using a Bridgestone B330 as my ball.

Like I said, the course I played on was a little short so I didn't get to play driver on as many holes as I'd like but I did get a good feel for it's performance based on the 4 holes it was used. The course was also in very good shape and a little firm. (The greens were playing around a 13-14 on the stimp but that's for another topic.) The 4th hole was a 520yd par 5 that was pretty straight and went uphill from the tee and then downhill at the 200yd point. This was the first time I was able to pull the driver out. I caught this one a little out toward the toe but it gave me a nice mid height draw that stopped rolling at about 340 (I had ~180 left). I'm not sure where it landed because I couldn't see over the rise. The next hole was a downhill 380yd par 4 and I pulled my driver again. This time, I swung a little easier and caught it in the center. Again, it took off with a mid height draw that stopped in the rough about 30yds from the green (~350). Both of these shots had a flight I only saw with my XL Tour occasionally. They started off rising but flattened out and continued down range. My XL Tour never ballooned but it looked like the ball still climbed during its flight. I could only imagine the spin numbers I was getting. The rest of the holes on the front were either Par 3s, short Par 4s or had hazards around 300yds out.

On the back, it was the same story with shorter par 4s and par 3s until I got to the first par 5 on the back. This one was probably my worst swing with my driver. I was playing for that draw so I aimed at the right side of the fairway and swung away. Instead I pushed it right over the trees. On the plus side, it was heading over the trees very quickly. The last hole I could play was a 500yd uphill par 5 with bunkers on the right side of the fairway at 280. This was probably my best swing of the day with the driver. Again, I aimed at the right side of the fairway preparing for the draw. This time the ball started on line but didn't draw that much. The ball carried the bunkers by about 5 yds (~300yds - 195 left to the front) but landed in the rough so it didn't roll out. When I got up to the ball, there was a maintenance guy doing some work right there. He said that he'd never seen anyone carry that bunker. The rest of the hole went 5-iron, chip, putt for the only birdie of the round. It ended up being a nice consistent 85 (43/42) with only one 6 per 9. I was pretty happy seeing as how this was the first real round of the year for me.

What really surprised me with this club is its forgiveness. With a head this deep and shallow front-to-back, you would think forgiveness wouldn't be one of its features but I had some really good drives with impacts outside of the center of the face. Shots out high on the toe or closer to the heel still produced some really good distance. My favorite aspect, though, isn't its length or low spin but rather its neutrality. It's not a hook machine nor fade biased. It just wants to go generally straight.

Overall
Listen to the hype and try one. The Classic is the real deal. It is the newest member of great Cleveland drivers - OG Launcher, Launcher Comp, Hibore XL/XL Tour and now the Classic. It's everything I'm looking for in a driver - Low spin, Solid, Neutral biased, LONG and Forgiving. Do not feel bad for "going against Cleveland's light weight design" and getting a heavier shaft in that head. It works and works well. :hi:

[TPMAN]

I agree its the real deal. I am not a bing fan on cleveland anyway, but this is so nice. This will probably be my next driver as soon as I can get rid of the G10.

[pdaero]

Love the review, Joker! Sounds like an absolute beast. I honestly don't know what I would do with a driver that hit it 330-350 - too long! haha. I know FOR SURE that Joel really wants to try this if he hasn't already!

[jokerusn]

Love the review, Joker! Sounds like an absolute beast. I honestly don't know what I would do with a driver that hit it 330-350 - too long! haha. I know FOR SURE that Joel really wants to try this if he hasn't already!

 

Thanks! Not only is it long, but it's sneaky long. It doesn't sound or feel like you kill it but the ball explodes off the face. Kind of like how the FT-3 was. Easy swings still sent the ball WAY out there. Too long is why I only hit it on 4 holes. Next time I play, I'm moving back a tee to try to hit it more often.

 

Joel will surely be able to try it when we can get a chance to meet up at the range/course. :)

[clcarlisme]

Nice review! Just ordered my 290 with the Kusala black and looking forward to it!

[jokerusn]

[quote name='clcarlisme' timestamp='1332780061' post='4583984']
Nice review! Just ordered my 290 with the Kusala black and looking forward to it!
[/quote]

Thanks!

That sounds like a killer setup. Which loft did you get?

[clcarlisme]

9 degree for me with the Black 72 shaft. It was a bit of a guess for me based on demoing the club with the C Kua shafts, but we'll see how it goes!

[quote name='jokerusn' timestamp='1332780339' post='4584032']
[quote name='clcarlisme' timestamp='1332780061' post='4583984']
Nice review! Just ordered my 290 with the Kusala black and looking forward to it!
[/quote]

Thanks!

That sounds like a killer setup. Which loft did you get?
[/quote]

[jokerusn]

[quote name='clcarlisme' timestamp='1332782672' post='4584320']
9 degree for me with the Black 72 shaft. It was a bit of a guess for me based on demoing the club with the C Kua shafts, but we'll see how it goes!

[quote name='jokerusn' timestamp='1332780339' post='4584032']
[quote name='clcarlisme' timestamp='1332780061' post='4583984']
Nice review! Just ordered my 290 with the Kusala black and looking forward to it!
[/quote]

Thanks!

That sounds like a killer setup. Which loft did you get?
[/quote]
[/quote]

Good luck with it. I hope it works out for you. I had to guess to come up with my setup too with some help from expert opinion. It's tough to test out different setups when clubs aren't adjustable.

[clcarlisme]

Unfortunately it will be a month before I know if it is any good. Going on a golf trip at end of April and having it delivered there.....since I am still looking at snow out my window!

[/quote]
[/quote]

Good luck with it. I hope it works out for you. I had to guess to come up with my setup too with some help from expert opinion. It's tough to test out different setups when clubs aren't adjustable.
[/quote]

[mjwidell]

Great timing Joker as I was about to send you a PM about how this combo turned out! Are you planning to jump on a launch monitor any time soon with this combo? I'd love to see your launch/spin numbers as I'm looking at this exact combo. Also, with the T3 head, do you feel like it sits the full 3* open? Do you fight a hook? It sounds like you were still able to turn it over to draw.

[jokerusn]

[quote name='mjwidell' timestamp='1332786331' post='4584842']
Great timing Joker as I was about to send you a PM about how this combo turned out! Are you planning to jump on a launch monitor any time soon with this combo? I'd love to see your launch/spin numbers as I'm looking at this exact combo. Also, with the T3 head, do you feel like it sits the full 3* open? Do you fight a hook? It sounds like you were still able to turn it over to draw.
[/quote]

I have an open invitation to get on the launch monitor at the store where I purchased it but I haven't had the time. I'm in the home stretch studying for my PMP exam so it's taking up a lot of extra time.

I'm not 100% sure how open it is but it sits similarly open as my Hibore XL Tour which was measured to 2° open. I do fight a hook but face angle doesn't really affect my ball flight. I grip the club with the head about eye level and the face as square as I can get it. The openness is all mental for me. If I put a club down and it sits closed, no matter how much I hold it square in the air, it's going to be in my head as a hook machine. The next shot invariably goes hard left (or high and right overcompensating). Open just looks more pleasing to me.

[drewjam]

Fantastic review!!! I have the same setup... well, its not a T3 head... but it is a 9* 290 with Kusala White tipped 1" and I am in LOVE! It is the best feeling and performing driver I have ever had. I have gone through a large number of drivers looking for the perfect one and I honestly think I have finally found it and this one will stay in the bag for the whole year and some.

 

Your review was perfect and is exactly how I feel about it as well. I noticed last week in the WITB pics that many of the Cleveland guys not only have the 290 but the Kusala White now as well! It is a perfect combo, for me anyway.

[jokerusn]

Fantastic review!!! I have the same setup... well, its not a T3 head... but it is a 9* 290 with Kusala White tipped 1" and I am in LOVE! It is the best feeling and performing driver I have ever had. I have gone through a large number of drivers looking for the perfect one and I honestly think I have finally found it and this one will stay in the bag for the whole year and some.

 

Your review was perfect and is exactly how I feel about it as well. I noticed last week in the WITB pics that many of the Cleveland guys not only have the 290 but the Kusala White now as well! It is a perfect combo, for me anyway.

 

Ah, another follower of the Golden Sole! Welcome brother! :welcomeani: Cookies and Kool Aid are being passed around! Help yourself!! :friends::drinks:

 

I really feel like the White was made for this head. It fits SO perfectly. I think they need to do a 290 Tour and pair it with the White 61.

 

There are a couple guys who play something different than the white like Toms and McDowell but what seems so opposite is that the big hitters all play the white.

[drewjam]

Fantastic review!!! I have the same setup... well, its not a T3 head... but it is a 9* 290 with Kusala White tipped 1" and I am in LOVE! It is the best feeling and performing driver I have ever had. I have gone through a large number of drivers looking for the perfect one and I honestly think I have finally found it and this one will stay in the bag for the whole year and some.

 

Your review was perfect and is exactly how I feel about it as well. I noticed last week in the WITB pics that many of the Cleveland guys not only have the 290 but the Kusala White now as well! It is a perfect combo, for me anyway.

 

Ah, another follower of the Golden Sole! Welcome brother! :welcomeani: Cookies and Kool Aid are being passed around! Help yourself!! :friends::drinks:

 

I really feel like the White was made for this head. It fits SO perfectly. I think they need to do a 290 Tour and pair it with the White 61.

 

There are a couple guys who play something different than the white like Toms and McDowell but what seems so opposite is that the big hitters all play the white.

 

Thank you! I am enjoying the Kool Aid and look forward to the cookies being passed around . I echo your thoughts on the 290 Tour with White 61. Maybe if McDowell had the right shaft in his he would've won yesterday... well, I guess had he used it to putt on the back 9 it would've been closer anyway. It is a bit odd that the big hitters are playing the white but it is so stable for a softer tip, doesn't feel loose to me at all. I was shocked when I saw the pics of Kokrak with it.

 

I look forward to more of your data since I don't have access to any launch monitors around these parts.

[PT1911]

I just picked up a 9* with a Kusala Indigo 61x......looking forward to hitting it soon!

[southpaw72]

Awesome review. I cant wait for my 290 w/ c. kua 43. Too bad its backordered. Been waiting patiently a couple of weeks and with this review Im not sure how much longer I can take.

[jlevitt9]

Thanks for the write up!! Picking up my VRS with White 61x tomorrow. SO stoked!!! Love Miyazakis.

[LongJohn6284]

how much more are you guys paying for the kusula...i think i remember hearing that it was a pretty hefty upcharge

[MemphsDad]

Long time reader, first time poster


I've been hitting the Classic 290 S 9.0 with the CKua shaft and loving it, just talked to my rep and considering putting one in the bag - I am never able to keep up with the shaft technology, but the stock shaft has been performing pretty well for me despite that it does feel a bit lighter than I'm used to


I work in a proshop and have hit most of the drivers on the market right now. This is the first one from this season that I WANT to hit well from the minute I pick it up (if that makes sense lol.)


I typically shoot around 85, and play the back tees (not the tips though.)

[jokerusn]

[quote name='PT1911' timestamp='1332818140' post='4589148']
I just picked up a 9* with a Kusala Indigo 61x......looking forward to hitting it soon!
[/quote]

That is an interesting combo. I haven't seen too many people playing the indigo in anything, really. Post a review when you get a chance to hit it. I'd like to hear about it.

[jokerusn]

Awesome review. I cant wait for my 290 w/ c. kua 43. Too bad its backordered. Been waiting patiently a couple of weeks and with this review Im not sure how much longer I can take.

 

Thanks and I'm sorry. :) I hope you aren't waiting too much longer.

[jokerusn]

[quote name='jlevitt9' timestamp='1332819968' post='4589344']
Thanks for the write up!! Picking up my VRS with White 61x tomorrow. SO stoked!!! Love Miyazakis.
[/quote]

That sounds like a really interesting combo. What are your impressions on the VRS?

[jokerusn]

[quote name='LongJohn6284' timestamp='1332821230' post='4589462']
how much more are you guys paying for the kusula...i think i remember hearing that it was a pretty hefty upcharge
[/quote]

I paid ~185 extra for the white and grip. I think all the Kusalas are the same price in the 290. I thought it was a steal, personally. The 290 totals out at 480 or so with it which is less than a stock R11S TP.

[jokerusn]

[quote name='MemphsDad' timestamp='1332822703' post='4589596']
Long time reader, first time poster


I've been hitting the Classic 290 S 9.0 with the CKua shaft and loving it, just talked to my rep and considering putting one in the bag - I am never able to keep up with the shaft technology, but the stock shaft has been performing pretty well for me despite that it does feel a bit lighter than I'm used to


I work in a proshop and have hit most of the drivers on the market right now. This is the first one from this season that I WANT to hit well from the minute I pick it up (if that makes sense lol.)


I typically shoot around 85, and play the back tees (not the tips though.)
[/quote]

Our next poster is a father from Memphis. Welcome to the Classic Show! Memphis, you know what I'm going to say - GET ONE! They are awesome! I really think this is Cleveland's year. Thanks for posting!

Hank, who's our next poster?

[clcarlisme]

My 290 with Kusala black and multi compound grip cost me less than 4 bills! I thought that was a super deal.

[quote name='jokerusn' timestamp='1332839554' post='4590118']
[quote name='LongJohn6284' timestamp='1332821230' post='4589462']
how much more are you guys paying for the kusula...i think i remember hearing that it was a pretty hefty upcharge
[/quote]

I paid ~185 extra for the white and grip. I think all the Kusalas are the same price in the 290. I thought it was a steal, personally. The 290 totals out at 480 or so with it which is less than a stock R11S TP.
[/quote]

[jokerusn]

[quote name='clcarlisme' timestamp='1332849213' post='4590328']
My 290 with Kusala black and multi compound grip cost me less than 4 bills! I thought that was a super deal.

[quote name='jokerusn' timestamp='1332839554' post='4590118']
[quote name='LongJohn6284' timestamp='1332821230' post='4589462']
how much more are you guys paying for the kusula...i think i remember hearing that it was a pretty hefty upcharge
[/quote]

I paid ~185 extra for the white and grip. I think all the Kusalas are the same price in the 290. I thought it was a steal, personally. The 290 totals out at 480 or so with it which is less than a stock R11S TP.
[/quote]
[/quote]

I was hoping the 290 with the black would be the same as the Classic Tour but Cleveland Customer Service (and their online shopping page) said otherwise. I'm glad to hear they were wrong.

[PT1911]

[quote name='jokerusn' timestamp='1332839156' post='4590108']
[quote name='PT1911' timestamp='1332818140' post='4589148']
I just picked up a 9* with a Kusala Indigo 61x......looking forward to hitting it soon!
[/quote]

That is an interesting combo. I haven't seen too many people playing the indigo in anything, really. Post a review when you get a chance to hit it. I'd like to hear about it.
[/quote]
Yeah I was thinking it was an interesting combo too, my hope is that it is like the black but just a touch higher??? I got a steal on it anyway so I figured I would give it a try!

[jokerusn]

[quote name='PT1911' timestamp='1332851622' post='4590442']
[quote name='jokerusn' timestamp='1332839156' post='4590108']
[quote name='PT1911' timestamp='1332818140' post='4589148']
I just picked up a 9* with a Kusala Indigo 61x......looking forward to hitting it soon!
[/quote]

That is an interesting combo. I haven't seen too many people playing the indigo in anything, really. Post a review when you get a chance to hit it. I'd like to hear about it.
[/quote]
Yeah I was thinking it was an interesting combo too, my hope is that it is like the black but just a touch higher??? I got a steal on it anyway so I figured I would give it a try!
[/quote]

I think you'll find it to be what you're hoping for but that's only based on specs. I haven't read a single review other than "It looks really cool!" so it's purely speculation at this point. This is GolfWRX so getting a steal on it means buying it is required. Good luck with it!

[PT1911]

Is it a new shaft for this year or was it out in 2011? I paid like $245 for the whole club so if I don't like it I won't be too upset!

[jokerusn]

[quote name='PT1911' timestamp='1332852460' post='4590516']
Is it a new shaft for this year or was it out in 2011? I paid like $245 for the whole club so if I don't like it I won't be too upset!
[/quote]

Steal is right. That's a hell of a deal.

I think the Indigo just came out in the end of 2011 but I'm not sure. I know it's very recent, though.