Cleveland Classic and Kusala White Review and LM Results

[omahasker]

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!

It doesn't sound or feel like you kill it but the ball explodes off the face.

 

This is no lie. I'm still surprised at how quiet of a head it is. I do wish it was a little louder honestly.

 

Very minor complaint though and I am loving how mine is performing.

[Tiptx1122]

(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#entry4462073 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:

I'm not trying to bust your bubble as I demoed the 290 with a blue Kusala as I hit the Indigo in a Ping G20 & i20 & getting one put in a Ping 120 3W as the Miyazaki shafts are sweet. They would make a good combo I think with any head. I had a white in an R11 awful nice combo. I'm now play a Matrix RUL 50 in my i20 as the indigo had too low of a launch. Glad you like your driver as I would own of if I didn't love my i20 Ping

[jokerusn]

[quote name='PingDaddy7' timestamp='1332892188' post='4594884']
I'm not trying to bust your bubble as I demoed the 290 with a blue Kusala as I hit the Indigo in a Ping G20 & i20 & getting one put in a Ping 120 3W as the Miyazaki shafts are sweet. They would make a good combo I think with any head. I had a white in an R11 awful nice combo. I'm now play a Matrix RUL 50 in my i20 as the indigo had too low of a launch. Glad you like your driver as I would own of if I didn't love my i20 Ping
[/quote]

Hey, no worries. Miyazaki makes amazing shafts. I've been saying all along that the crop of drivers this year is probably the best ever. Not one dud in the pack. You throw a Miyazaki in there and I'm sure it'll be a winner.

[ROBOPTI]

Bottom Line Up Front

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

 

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:

 

 

Great .. That's just great ... Just when I thought I had it out of my system ... You had to go and post this ...

 

I figured ... eeehhh ... I'm good, I don't need one .... but NOOOOOOOOOOO - you had to post this

 

Thanks joker ... Thanks :russian_roulette: :russian_roulette:

 

GREAT REVIEW !!!!!

 

I have personally probably worn out the demo at my Edwin Watts - I can't help but grab it every time I go on there ... It's SOOOO good

[jokerusn]

Bottom Line Up Front

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

 

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:

 

 

Great .. That's just great ... Just when I thought I had it out of my system ... You had to go and post this ...

 

I figured ... eeehhh ... I'm good, I don't need one .... but NOOOOOOOOOOO - you had to post this

 

Thanks joker ... Thanks :russian_roulette: :russian_roulette:

 

GREAT REVIEW !!!!!

 

I have personally probably worn out the demo at my Edwin Watts - I can't help but grab it every time I go on there ... It's SOOOO good

 

Aw, don't be like that. You know you were going to succumb to the attraction at some point anyway. It wanted you and you wanted it. You're human, it's not but that's ok. You two look good together. Remember, it's not cheating if you think of your regular gamer when you're swinging other clubs.

[ike31197]

This thread sucks! I now have a Classic 290 7.5* with Miyazaki Indigo 72x on order. I never should have opened this thread! I'll report back when I get it, I've never ordered a custom club from Cleveland before, I'm hoping they have a good turnaround time.

[jokerusn]

[quote name='ike31197' timestamp='1333039551' post='4606459']
This thread sucks! I now have a Classic 290 7.5* with Miyazaki Indigo 72x on order. I never should have opened this thread! I'll report back when I get it, I've never ordered a custom club from Cleveland before, I'm hoping they have a good turnaround time.
[/quote]

That's what happened to me when I opened up that first thread on it with all the pretty pictures. I knew I had to have one after that. Glad I could perpetuate the feelings!

7.5 with the indigo has got to be a LOW launching/LOW spin monster! Make sure you give us all the gorey details!

[Schweitzer]

I honestly don't know that I would be able to handle a Classic with 7.5* of loft and the Indigo shaft. I have a 9.0* with a Blue 72x and it's every bit as stout as I would want if not a little much. Just picked it up from the BST here a couple of days ago and took it to the range last night, and they aren't lying when they say that this head is low spin. My launch looks to be about right, but any lower and I think I'd be in trouble.

[ike31197]

I almost got the 7.5 with the black 72, but that thing may never have reached 10 feet off the ground. The indigo is the shaft for me. It reminds me of the feel of the original Aldila NV when it was the best shaft around, only much more stable and consistent. I can't wait to give this driver a whirl.

[gomery012]

you guys are killing me. This thread made me go to my local edwin watts and hit a demo. Just hit the 10.5 stiff kua and I seemed to have gained about 5 mph on my swingspeed and about 10-15 yds on my normal driving distance. Thanks alot guys, now I have to go buy one.

[jokerusn]

[quote name='gomery012' timestamp='1333045006' post='4607015']
you guys are killing me. This thread made me go to my local edwin watts and hit a demo. Just hit the 10.5 stiff kua and I seemed to have gained about 5 mph on my swingspeed and about 10-15 yds on my normal driving distance. Thanks alot guys, now I have to go buy one.
[/quote]

Glad I could help!

[ike31197]

You guys have me a little worried about my 7.5. I know it's just buyer's remorse, and will be happy once it arrives. The best driver I've ever owned was a tour issue 07 Burner 8.5 with true loft of 8.1 and a tour spec Speeder 757 X tipped 1/2 inch. I'm assuming if I was dropping bombs with that combo, I should have no trouble with this one? I'm having visions of this thing launching bullets that drop out of the sky at 150 and run for another 150 lol. Please ease my fears! The wait is going to be agonizing!

[Gus_13]

I'm going to have to hit one this weekend too. I have been staring at those since the first pic popped up on here. The White high launch shaft works well with the low launch head huh. Wonder what it would be like with a Silver? I have an Adams 9064LS 10.5 with a RIP Gamma 69g right now and I hit moon balls with it. For some reason I switched to this from an R7 Limited TP 9.5 and Rombax shaft. I need to get the ball flight back down for sure.

Those deep faces are just drawing me in!

[jokerusn]

[quote name='ike31197' timestamp='1333047160' post='4607281']
You guys have me a little worried about my 7.5. I know it's just buyer's remorse, and will be happy once it arrives. The best driver I've ever owned was a tour issue 07 Burner 8.5 with true loft of 8.1 and a tour spec Speeder 757 X tipped 1/2 inch. I'm assuming if I was dropping bombs with that combo, I should have no trouble with this one? I'm having visions of this thing launching bullets that drop out of the sky at 150 and run for another 150 lol. Please ease my fears! The wait is going to be agonizing!
[/quote]

You could very well be alright. Mine is 2-3° open so it's true loft is 1-2° less than measured. I guarantee you that if you don't like the launch, someone will be itching to take it off your hands.

[ike31197]

[quote name='jokerusn' timestamp='1333047892' post='4607351']
[quote name='ike31197' timestamp='1333047160' post='4607281']
You guys have me a little worried about my 7.5. I know it's just buyer's remorse, and will be happy once it arrives. The best driver I've ever owned was a tour issue 07 Burner 8.5 with true loft of 8.1 and a tour spec Speeder 757 X tipped 1/2 inch. I'm assuming if I was dropping bombs with that combo, I should have no trouble with this one? I'm having visions of this thing launching bullets that drop out of the sky at 150 and run for another 150 lol. Please ease my fears! The wait is going to be agonizing!
[/quote]

You could very well be alright. Mine is 2-3° open so it's true loft is 1-2° less than measured. I guarantee you that if you don't like the launch, someone will be itching to take it off your hands.
[/quote]


True, although I think I'll be happy you can always count on the BST for a bailout lol. I'd be extremly happy if my head came 1/2* open or square. I'm so excited for this driver, I haven't had this much anticipation for a golf club in a long long time.

[omahasker]

[quote name='ike31197' timestamp='1333047160' post='4607281']
You guys have me a little worried about my 7.5. I know it's just buyer's remorse, and will be happy once it arrives. The best driver I've ever owned was a tour issue 07 Burner 8.5 with true loft of 8.1 and a tour spec Speeder 757 X tipped 1/2 inch. I'm assuming if I was dropping bombs with that combo, I should have no trouble with this one? I'm having visions of this thing launching bullets that drop out of the sky at 150 and run for another 150 lol. Please ease my fears! The wait is going to be agonizing!
[/quote]

I know EXACTLY what you are saying and going through however I am here to easy your fears. My old driver, while working fine, had too high of a ball flight for my taste. It was a 9.5 degree lofted driver. When I hit the Classic (before I bought/ordered one) briefly at an indoor place with a net here in Omaha I obviously couldn't tell trajectory so I gambled a bit like you and ordered a 7.5 in hopes to lower my trajectory and have a more penetrating ball flight as opposed to more of a loop shaped shot.

I do not regret it one bit. I have taken the driver out for a couple range sessions and played one round with it up to this point have have been very happy with my choice. I have no problems getting the ball in the air and the flight of the ball is just what I had hoped. It gets up to a certain point and just seems to keep going. The ball is like a f*cking bullet off the face. Like you though, after I ordered the club I found my way on here and was kind of scared after reading everyone who said that they were already hitting it low with the 9.5.

Breathe easy my friend.

[Gus_13]

Ok so I too hate you guys. I've read this thread over and over. I got off work and did like I said. I went to hit these things. After hitting the 290 at 9.5 with the lighter shaft I was handed the 310 at 9.5 with the Kusala Black. First swing... 115 SS, 280 carry with 14 degree launch. Club match went to 85! Highest I've ever had. So I put it down and went through some other drivers. I wanted to hit one with the White but they were afraid my launch angle and spin would go up. My spin was 1800-2400 with the black. So they told me they would order an 8.5 with the white and let me hit that. After a lot of debate I decide to buy this one. It's the best match I've had so far!

In other words. Pass me the Kool-Aid I'm done with my cookies....

[moose76]

Sigh..... Bought the I20 on Wednesday and couldn't take this thread anymore and have a whiteboard being put into a 9* 290 head. Can't wait to see how it goes

[jokerusn]

You may hate us now but you won't when you play it.

[Gus_13]

[quote name='jokerusn' timestamp='1333159122' post='4616839']
You may hate us now but you won't when you play it.
[/quote]

I will find out at 8:40 tomorrow. Is 1800-2400 too low of spin? I didn't want to go with too much of a higher launch shaft like white with my ball flight and carry on the monitor.

[jokerusn]

[quote name='Gus_13' timestamp='1333165761' post='4617547']
[quote name='jokerusn' timestamp='1333159122' post='4616839']
You may hate us now but you won't when you play it.
[/quote]

I will find out at 8:40 tomorrow. Is 1800-2400 too low of spin? I didn't want to go with too much of a higher launch shaft like white with my ball flight and carry on the monitor.
[/quote]

It depends on ball speed and launch angle.

[Gus_13]

[quote name='jokerusn' timestamp='1333190258' post='4618265']
[quote name='Gus_13' timestamp='1333165761' post='4617547']
[quote name='jokerusn' timestamp='1333159122' post='4616839']
You may hate us now but you won't when you play it.
[/quote]

I will find out at 8:40 tomorrow. Is 1800-2400 too low of spin? I didn't want to go with too much of a higher launch shaft like white with my ball flight and carry on the monitor.
[/quote]

It depends on ball speed and launch angle.
[/quote]

Crap I forgot my ball speed but launch angle was 14 degrees and carry was averaging 270-290.

[jokerusn]

[quote name='Gus_13' timestamp='1333196911' post='4618397']
[quote name='jokerusn' timestamp='1333190258' post='4618265']
[quote name='Gus_13' timestamp='1333165761' post='4617547']
I will find out at 8:40 tomorrow. Is 1800-2400 too low of spin? I didn't want to go with too much of a higher launch shaft like white with my ball flight and carry on the monitor.
[/quote]

It depends on ball speed and launch angle.
[/quote]

Crap I forgot my ball speed but launch angle was 14 degrees and carry was averaging 270-290.
[/quote]

Sounds like your ball speed is somewhere around 155 or so. What's your ss?

[Gus_13]

[quote name='jokerusn' timestamp='1333198300' post='4618469']
[quote name='Gus_13' timestamp='1333196911' post='4618397']


Crap I forgot my ball speed but launch angle was 14 degrees and carry was averaging 270-290.
[/quote]

Sounds like your ball speed is somewhere around 155 or so. What's your ss?
[/quote]

At max it was 120 but steady 110-115

[Gus_13]

Well guys the driver did not let me down today. It was anti left like I hoped. But the rest of the game let me down especially my wedges which have become a strong point I had plenty of 120 and less ins with the new driver but couldn't capitalize. I did end the day on a 60+ 8 foot breaking swooping putt that dropped in the center of the cup but if my wedges would have been nice I wouldn't have had to make that. One puzzle of my game seems to be filled at the moment with the new boom stick.

On another note this is by far the best sounding driver I have ever hit. My confidence was boosted off the tee only to crash and burn when wedges came into play. I had a terrible round but love the driver even more.

So in the end thank you guys for suggesting the Kool-Aid it tasted magnificent!

[jokerusn]

[quote name='Gus_13' timestamp='1333200041' post='4618559']
[quote name='jokerusn' timestamp='1333198300' post='4618469']
[quote name='Gus_13' timestamp='1333196911' post='4618397']


Crap I forgot my ball speed but launch angle was 14 degrees and carry was averaging 270-290.
[/quote]

Sounds like your ball speed is somewhere around 155 or so. What's your ss?
[/quote]

At max it was 120 but steady 110-115
[/quote]

So 155 is probably a low guess but your spin is not too low if you can keep your launch angle up.

[Gus_13]

[quote name='jokerusn' timestamp='1333219923' post='4619817']

So 155 is probably a low guess but your spin is not too low if you can keep your launch angle up.
[/quote]

Ok it was a steady 14 so my carry should stay up with a good roll. I did like seeing it roll out today.

[jokerusn]

[quote name='Gus_13' timestamp='1333220858' post='4619873']
[quote name='jokerusn' timestamp='1333219923' post='4619817']

So 155 is probably a low guess but your spin is not too low if you can keep your launch angle up.
[/quote]

Ok it was a steady 14 so my carry should stay up with a good roll. I did like seeing it roll out today.
[/quote]

Looks like you have a winner. I hope it stays that way for you.

[Gus_13]

[quote name='jokerusn' timestamp='1333246890' post='4622071']
[quote name='Gus_13' timestamp='1333220858' post='4619873']
[quote name='jokerusn' timestamp='1333219923' post='4619817']

So 155 is probably a low guess but your spin is not too low if you can keep your launch angle up.
[/quote]

Ok it was a steady 14 so my carry should stay up with a good roll. I did like seeing it roll out today.
[/quote]

Looks like you have a winner. I hope it stays that way for you.
[/quote]

Thanks bud. I did like swinging it today but I also learned my short game needs work. My mid irons are my strong point but I wasn't needing them today. Good thing is I like working with wedges!

[omahasker]

Just an FYI if you are thinking about getting the 7.5 degree 290 head with the C Kua 59X shaft....SWING HARD!

I am finding out that with this driver set up you must give 100% effort and have a very high swing speed to load this shaft and get the ball to do what you want off the head. The first 3 or 4 drives I had this weekend I was concentrating on basically trying to place the ball in the fairway off the drive as opposed to my normal swing off the tee of being more confident instead of cautious. I was being too tentative and found my drives were consistently starting off left of where I was aimed and had a hook to them. Once I finally realized that I was being too tentative I stepped up to the tee, made sure I was aimed correctly and let it fly. You really have to make sure you take a confident swing with this thing.