The golf industry is no different than many others in that it is built upon trends, with companies constantly moving to position themselves in the best way possible for both internal success and consumer demand. Within golf, there may not be a better current example of brands navigating such a balance than the mini driver category.
Obviously, the mini driver has been around for many years now, but in the past it was largely relegated being a niche within a niche. To be a bit more clear, the mini driver at its core has always intended to be a tee club first and foremost, but since it theoretically replaces a 3-wood for most golfers, many view it as a one-trick pony.
Over time though, some things have changed. Sure, there are many design elements which make or break the performance of the club, but it is also the evolution of fairway woods for both Tour and amateurs that have pushed the mini into new territory. As traditional fairways have gotten hotter faced and longer, higher lofted (and easier to hit) options have become the go to for off the deck shots. This means that, for some, the 3-wood spot can now be more tee oriented.
As this evolution of bag setup and design has happened, even the best in the world are now finding use for the mini driver, and as such the industry has responded with more brands than ever jumping into the fray.
Today, Tour Edge is joining the party with the Exotics Mini Driver, and this is one that all mini driver fans should take note of.
Bringing Exotics to the Mini Driver
If we are being honest with ourselves, there may not be a better brand than Tour Edge to decide to make a mini driver. Think about it, this is a company that led the charge to bring power to fairway woods, in fact, Exotics is quite literally built upon that concept. At present, so many companies have lower spin, high speed fairways that we forget such a segment wasn’t even a thing until Tour Edge showed that it was possible with some of the most legendary cannon-like designs ever made.
So, the surprise should not be that Tour Edge is making an Exotics Mini Driver, but rather that it took them this long to do it. Of course, this is also a brand that has always been extremely pragmatic when it comes to what they choose to produce, and why. In the past, the market for such a club was certainly much smaller than it is right now, so maybe it really is just that the time is right. Either way, this is not just a bigger fairway wood or shrunk down driver for Tour Edge, this is a ground up design meant solidify Exotics as a disruptor once more.
Technology Driven Power and Precision
You might not be surprised to learn that the engine behind the Exotics Mini is all about the Titanium face. While other options already utilize a Ti face structure, Tour Edge is an originator in the application, and as such they have tech know-how that makes theirs stand out. Contrary to what other Mini’s are doing, the titanium face here is combined with a stainless steel body to bring both speed and added stability into the equation.
The key to such a design element is Tour Edge’s proprietary “Combo Brazing” technology which is a thermal bonding process that fuses the titanium cup face to the stainless body in one single continuous structure. Multi-piece construction of the body and face can bring with it sacrifices in how the different materials are joined together, whether through welding or other bonding methods there is an inevitable energy loss which will occur, but not with Combo Brazing. This is what has always set Exotics fairways apart from the pack, and now it is coming into the mini driver world.
As far as the stainless body is concerned, it is heavier than the titanium that other models feature. That weight means more mass has been shifted to the perimeter of the clubhead and, according to Tour Edge, has allowed them to create better MOI than their competition.
The Exotics Mini Driver also features a carbon crown for both acoustics as well as helping to reposition even more weight low and deep within the head to promote better launch with more controlled spin. The company has likewise implemented Pyramid Face Technology which produces more consistent retention and performance all across the face.
Shallower Face, More Versatility
Speaking of the face, it is another key differentiator for Tour Edge. The Exotics Mini comes in at 280cc, making it statistically one of the smallest on the market. However, they have elected to keep a more confidence inspiring footprint even at that size by having a more shallow face built in for added versatility.
“We designed the Mini to be about five millimeters shallower than other mini drivers on the market,” explained Tour Edge CEO David Glod. “That change improves playability off the deck. From a clean fairway lie, it can function as a strong 3-wood alternative while still providing control off the tee.”
Our Take – Tour Edge Exotics Mini Driver
As you can see, there is a lot to be intrigued about with the design of the new Exotics Mini Driver from Tour Edge. Of course, the only way to really know just what it brings to the table is to put it through its paces, which we were able to do with a 13.5 degree version of the new release.
After hitting it extensively on course as well as on the launch monitor, this self-admitted mini driver addict of a reviewer can confidently say that this club delivers.
Visually, the head is unique in the way Tour Edge has shaped the stainless framing around the carbon fiber crown, it’s in the vein of other versions out there, but at the same time uniquely Tour Edge. At address, there is nothing about this one that would indicate it as being a 280cc head. Because they chose to decrease face depth, the overall footprint remains similar to most models on the market and helps keep confidence high. The matte visual behind the ball is also a nice touch, and the visual design blend seamlessly with the rest of the lineup.
At impact, the sound (feel) is nothing short of intoxicating. Despite the stainless steel body, there is absolutely no metallic feedback. Not only that, but the sound also doesn’t have any sort of odd resonance to it. Instead, you are met with a solid composite clubhead feedback which is full and borderline crunchy while still feeling like the ball jumps off of the face.
On Course Performance
As you will see in the SkyTrak+ data below, speed here is an immediate standout, and that speed translated to the course in a big way. While there were some personal timing battles ongoing with the standard 6S Ventus Blue/Black as it is well outside the normal fit of this reviewer, the potential in terms of speed and spin are undeniable. More importantly, the club head was incredibly stable showing very little issues on heel or toe strikes. Combined with the Pyramid Face, the ball really wants to stay in play for even below average quality swings.
Off the tee
Of course, Tour Edge is also touting the decision to go with a more shallow face as a feature which will make the mini more playable off of the deck, and in testing, it absolutely was. This is a shot which we have long discussed on THP as not being a main intent with a mini driver, if you are looking to have it as a constant in your arsenal, then a traditional fairway profile will always be best. While that is still true, the fact that peak heights over 80 feet were seen off of the deck with this club says a lot. In fact, the performance is enough that there was no hesitation regardless of situation to break it out on the course.
Off the deck
Final Thoughts
The bottom line is that the Exotics Mini Driver should be on the must try list for anyone who is already a fan of the club type or is considering it. The speed, spin, and launch are standouts in their own rights, but when you add in the feel as well as overall playability the potential here with the right fit is nothing short of eye opening.
Tour Edge Exotics Mini Driver – The Details
Price: $399.99
Lofts: 11.5° and 13.5° (RH Only)
Adjustability: +/- 2 degrees
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus
White/Black (4L, 4A)
Red/Black (5R, 6R, 6S)
Blue/Black (6R, 6S, 7S, 7X)
Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 Black
More information on the Exotics Mini Driver as well as the rest of the Exotics lineup can be found at TourEdge.com.