XXIO 13 Ladies Hybrid Review
Should this hybrid be an addition to your golf bag? Alison Root puts it to the test
The XXIO 13 delivers exactly what a woman would want from a hybrid. It's lightweight, easy to sweep the ball off the turf from a variety of lies for solid and consistent shots. It's a classy-looking club that you'll no doubt want to pull out of your bag on many occasions throughout 18 holes.
-
+
Comfortable and easy-to-use
-
+
Delivers consistent ball striking
-
+
Extremely forgiving
-
-
Unsuitable for women with a faster swing speed
Why you can trust Golf Monthly
For years, Japanese manufacturer XXIO has been developing ultra lightweight clubs that cater to players with swing speeds of 90 mph or less, and within this new XXIO line for 2024, is a women’s range with specific technology to make it easier to hit the sweet spot time after time.
I tested the 22-degree 4-hybrid. I appreciate that I’m biased because I’m a fan of the color blue, so I was immediately attracted to the glossy dark blue crown and two-tone dark and light blue shaft. I also noticed that this is another brand supplying clubs with white headcovers, which are clearly all the rage, if not the most practical color to keep clean.
Interestingly, when comparing this hybrid with Callaway’s Paradym Ai Smoke MAX Fast hybrid, both have a comfortable swingweight, although the XXIO hybrid is approximately an inch shorter in length.
XXIO 13 sits nicely behind the ball, which is exactly what you want from this club, designed to instil confidence and help women play with ease from a variety of lies.
I found it effortless to swing this club and to pop the ball up into the air with noticeable speed. My ball striking was very consistent, even from fairly damp fairways and light rough.
For that reason I should give a nod to the ActivWing technology that has been incorporated into this new generation. It’s an airfoil shape that harnesses aerodynamic forces during the swing to maintain proper clubhead positioning during the downswing, so this helps guide the clubhead into the ideal position at impact.
Ultimately, ActivWing combined with an all-new BiFlex Face that acts as a strong frame around the clubface means that you can find the sweet spot more often, and I did!
The XXIO 13 is a very versatile and easy-to-use hybrid, and as one of the best women's hybrids on the market, it is worth considering if you have a gap in your bag.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Alison Root has over 25 years experience working in media and events, predominantly dedicated to golf, in particular the women’s game. Until 2020, for over a decade Alison edited Women & Golf magazine and website, and is now the full-time Women's Editor for Golf Monthly. Alison is a respected and leading voice in the women's game, overseeing content that communicates to active golfers from grassroots through to the professional scene, and developing collaborative relationships to widen Golf Monthly's female audience across all platforms to elevate women's golf to a new level. She is a 16-handicap golfer (should be better) and despite having had the fantastic opportunity to play some of the best golf courses around the world, Kingsbarns in Scotland is her favourite.
-
Scottie Scheffler Beats Xander Schauffele And Rory McIlroy To Record-Equalling PGA Tour Player Of The Year Award
The World No.1 claimed the coveted title in a landslide vote, with Scheffler matching Tiger Woods as the only player to have collected it three times in a row
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Tiger Woods To Make PNC Championship Return Alongside Son Charlie
The 15-time Major winner is set to tee it up for the first time since back surgery in September, with Team Woods making their fifth appearance in the tournament
By Matt Cradock Published
-
American Pro DQ'd From LET Q-School Without Hitting A Shot
Gabby Lemieux travelled over to North Africa for Ladies European Tour Q-School but was disqualified on the first morning of action
By Jonny Leighfield Published