Tour Edge has always been a brand that focuses on pure performance and value. Its Exotics line, in particular, has earned a reputation for being a "sleeper" choice, often competing with the best golf drivers on the market without the corresponding flagship price. The Exotics Max driver is the latest offering aimed squarely at golfers seeking maximum forgiveness and playability.
This model replaces the well-regarded E725 driver, promising enhanced stability and a powerful corrective bias.
I put the Exotics Max through rigorous testing to see if Tour Edge continues to offer the comprehensive, high-value package we've come to expect.
In terms of looks, I have to say the aesthetics are somewhat of a disappointment compared to last year's equivalent in the E725. In truth, I thought the previous model was a lot sleeker and more sophisticated.
On E725, I preferred how the 'alignment logo' on the top of the crown was both slightly longer and positioned a little further back on the head; whereas it now sits on a top edge banner strip, which just doesn't suit my eye as well as it did.
I’m also not particularly keen on the new logo - it lacks the subtlety and sophistication of the previous branding to my eye. But this is, of course, completely subjective - if you like it, let me know in the comments!
The sound at impact is a definite improvement from the E725, which was always a little hollow and high-pitched, whereas the Exotics Max delivers a more solid thud at strike, which is much closer to the heavy sound I look for in a driver.
The feel at impact is very stable, giving you immediate feedback wherever you have struck the ball without being overly punishing to the hands on those off-center strikes, comfortably placing it amongst the most forgiving drivers on the market.
Despite my thoughts on the looks, the driver performed pretty much as reliably as the E725 model, which I was a big fan of. This model is engineered to be extremely forgiving, and it fulfils that brief.
The large profile and deep Center of Gravity (CG) create a high MOI, meaning the driver is exceptionally stable through impact.
The standout performance feature is the 18g sliding weight positioned at the rear of the sole. This is a nice addition, allowing players to dial in their shot shape bias as desired.
I tested the Max model on my Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor and it delivered me a decent, albeit quite spinny, ball flight that had no trouble consistently finding fairways, although for me personally I would worry about my distance loss when hitting into any sort of headwind. However, I am at the higher end of the swing speed spectrum and those players shopping in this market may well welcome this additional spin.
The Tour Edge Exotics Max is priced at $499.99/£379, and the brand offers a wide selection of custom shaft options at zero upcharge, allowing golfers to dial in a premium shaft - a feature many major OEMs still charge extra for. Furthermore, Tour Edge even offers a trade-in program, which is a nice touch.
The Exotics Max is a solid, forgiveness-focused driver. While I may not prefer the new aesthetic, its performance, sound, and high-value proposition make it a viable choice for the high-to-mid handicap player who needs more help finding the fairway.
