Hireko Golf driver sheds weight

The quest for more distance from drivers that are tightly regulated by the USGA has gone in a variety of directions, among them lightweight drivers. Hireko is the latest to embrace this with its Acer XF Leggera driver.

The head weight is 190 grams, Jeff Summitt, technical director for Hireko Golf, said. That would bring it in under the weight of the clubhead on Cleveland's lightest driver, the Launcher XL270 (192 grams).

Summitt said that through a propietary process weight is removed from the crown area. "Instead of chemically milling the head, we do another process where we remove weight," Summitt said. The head is made from commercial grade titanium.

Complete the club with a lightweight shaft and grip and, "you can get it down in the 260 range," Summitt said. That would make it 10 grams lighter than the Launcher XL270.

The Acer XF Leggera coms in 9.5, 10.5 and 12 degree models (10.5 degrees only for the left-handed model) and has a price of $104.95.

-- John Strege