Tri-G, EZONE XP & Z-Force drivers
Loft options - 9°, 10°, 13°
Adjustability - Three weights allow for three centre of gravity positions. Loft, face and lie angles can be adjusted using the Quick Adjust System hosel.
Key technology - The Tri-G offers three centre of gravity positions for different launch characteristics, but keeps the centre of gravity height the same by moving the weights around the shaft’s axis, so the feel doesn’t change. A new crown design flexes more and recovers quickly to offer a higher launch and reduced spin.
Test Report - Michael Harris
This driver worked really well for me, and I hit my longest drives of the day with it. It features very classy looks at address, with a gloss black crown and a simple alignment aid. Moving the weights from the heaviest at the back to the front brought my spin down by over 300rpm, without sacrificing forgiveness. Yonex’s Nanometric shaft felt very solid through the swing. The high price point will rule out a lot of golfers, but for those that want cutting-edge technology, and like the idea of pulling something different out of the bag, the Tri-G is an excellent driver.
Loft options - 9°, 10.5°, 12°
Adjustability - The Quick Adjust System has eight different settings – with changes in loft, face angle and lie angle.
Key technology - The weight of the head has been increased for more power, without making the swing weight heavier. This is achieved by adding 20 grams of tungsten powder to the butt end of the grip. The Carbon Composite Crown is ultra-light, enabling the positioning of an eight-gram weight to deep in the clubhead.
Launched in 2013, this model warrants its continued place in the range because of the strong performance it offers a range of players. The XP was perhaps the straightest driver of the day for me, and I was consistently able to hit a soft fade off the left edge of the fairway. I liked the counterbalanced feel on offer. After a few shots the red graphics on either side of the crown actually helped focus my eye nicely, but the first time you put it down at address there is a lot going on. You need to look past this, as the performance was excellent. This will suit a range of golfers.
Loft options - 10.5°, 12°
Adjustability - Yonex’s Quick Adjust System hosel offers 1.5° of loft adjustments either way, in 0.75° increments, as well as changing face and lie angle.
Key technology - A new Yonex Octaforce Crown design means that 0.8mm-thick sections of the crown are separated by 0.5mm spaces to reduce the weight by three grams. The weight saved is then placed low and deep in the head to get the ball in the air and offer added forgiveness. The shaft has a flexible butt section to improve stability.
This is unashamedly aimed at the higher handicapper who struggles to break 90 or 100 (the majority of golfers!). If that’s you, then while you’ll not have the kudos of having a driver that’s used on tour, you will be putting in play a driver that’s been designed to make the game easier. Incredibly easy to launch, the Z-Force offered long, straight drives. The only real criticism was that I found the crown graphics a little too fussy. At less than £200, this is an incredible price point for a Yonex driver that’s packed with technology and built to the brand’s usual high standards.
Yonex EZONE XP driver testing:
Yonex EZONE Tri-G driver - on-course testing:
Yonex 2015 driver range verdict:
