Of all the ball flights in golf, the “excessive fade” (I'm being sensitive here) is arguably the most debilitating.
An uncontrollable slice not only robs you of distance but also makes the fairway feel about three yards wide. Tour Edge has long been a champion of the "game-improvement" sector, and their new Hot Launch Max-D driver is a focused mission designed to eliminate the right side of the course (for right-handers) once and for all.
I've been testing it out to see how it stacks up against some of the best drivers for slicers in the game...
At $299.99, the Max-D (the 'D' standing for draw) is packed with more technology than its price tag suggests.
The headline feature is the Diamond Face VFT, a series of 37 thick and thin diamond shapes behind the face that act as mini-trampolines. This is tech borrowed from their premium Exotics range, aimed at maintaining ball speeds on off-center strikes.
To combat the slice, Tour Edge has employed a triple-threat of draw-bias features: internal heel weighting, a closed face angle, and a significant offset hosel.
Complementing this is the V-Taper Sole, which pushes weight to the extreme rear perimeter to maximize MOI (Moment of Inertia) and ease of launch.
Pulling the Max-D from its headcover, I was immediately struck by the simplicity of the crown, offering a wonderfully clean appearance at address, free from the distracting banner strips or busy graphics that often plague modern drivers.
However, the notable offset - designed to give the clubhead a fraction of a second longer to square up - is impossible to miss. It is a functional look that will likely divide opinion, but for the chronic slicer, it’s a visual cue of the help on offer.
That said, it is significantly less prominent than the offset on the Oximity driver I tested last year.
If there is a trade-off for the entry-level price point, it’s in the acoustics. The impact sensation is robust, bordering on "clangy." It is a loud, high-pitched acoustic that I didn’t particularly enjoy, and for reasons known only to the engineers, it felt noticeably louder than the standard Max driver in the same family.
It’s a sensation and an acoustic that won't be for everyone.
I tested the 10.5-degree head fitted with an Aldila Ascent shaft in S-Flex. Even as someone who typically suits a 9-degree head and an X-Flex shaft, the results were pretty good.
Firstly, the ball speed.
While there is a slight drop compared to the more expensive Exotics range, it was nowhere near as significant as I had anticipated. The Diamond Face tech clearly does its job in keeping the numbers respectable.
In terms of flight, the Max-D did exactly what it says on the tin: it went left, and very left! For the life of me, I couldn't cut or fade this club. For a golfer who fights a slice, this is the ultimate medicine.
Interestingly, despite the 10.5-degree loft and my higher swing speed, the spin didn't get out of control. It launched easily but stayed remarkably stable, spinning only marginally more than the 9-degree Max version I tested.
The Tour Edge Hot Launch Max-D is a definitive solution to a specific problem. If you can get over the loud impact noise and the unconventional look of the offset hosel, the value proposition here is fantastic. It’s a $299.99 "slice-killer" that allows you to swing freely without worrying about the right-hand rough. For the frustrated slicer, that kind of confidence is worth every penny.
