Last year I almost bought a HiBore XL driver; instead I bought a TaylorMade SuperQuad. I almost bought a HiBore fairway; instead I decided to hold on to what I had for another year. I came excruciatingly close to buying a HiBore Hybrid; instead I bought a Titleist 585H.

This isn’t to say that Cleveland always finish second. I’m the proud owner of 3 CG10 Wedges, and when it comes time to replace them, Cleveland will definitely be in the mix again.

The big news in Cleveland-land is that they’ve recently been acquired by SRI sports, which is also the parent company of Srixon. Whether to two companies will merge, or continue on independently remains to be seen, but it’s a safe bet, whatever the name, they’ll continue to make great golf equipment.

Drivers

For 2008 Cleveland has announced the release of its 3rd generation HiBore driver. The new release boasts a higher MOI (13% standard / 11% tour) than last year’s model. Many of the trademark buzzwords (Full Face Performance, Energy Transfer Core, and Distance Drive Geometry) carry over from previous models.

The new buzzword/buzzphrase on the scene is “Stability Foils”. It’s how Cleveland describes the smooth depressions on the outside edges of the crown on the new HiBore XLS models. While it’s been billed, in part, as an alignment tool, I’m once again guessing that the “Stability Foil” design is how they were able to move additional mass lower in the clubhead, to increase the MOI.

If you’re not a fan of the HiBore design, the XLS models won’t do much to bring you back into the fold. However, if you’re alright with the design (as many are), then you’ll want to take a look at the 3 flavors of the 2008 version.

The standard model once again features the long slope-backed design common to all HiBore woods. I haven’t had the opportunity to see one up close yet, but it looks like Cleveland may have replaced the matte black finish with something with a little more gloss. I was a big fan of the anti-reflective features of previous HiBore paint, and I’ll be a little disappointed if it’s gone.

The face of the standard model sets up perfectly square, making it a truly neutral driver.

The HiBore XLS is available in a Tour model as well. The more conventionally shaped head is actually toe weighted. That toe design, coupled with a 3° open face combine to produce a driver that actually has a fade-bias, but should provide the workability desired by better players.

Frequent slicers will be glad to hear that for the first time ever Cleveland is offering a driver with a draw bias. With internally-placed heal weights, and a 3° closed face, the XLS draw should promote a lot of right to left movement.

All models are available with either the Cleveland exclusive Fujikura Fit-On Red or Gold shaft. The Red has low, boring, “tour spec” launch characteristics, while the yellow produces a mid to high launch more suitable to the average player.

The HiBore XLS driver retails for $299.95 for all models.

Fairway Woods

There’s not a ton to say about the new HiBore XLS fairway. It’ exactly what you’d expect the little brother of the XLS driver to be. So far, available in only one model, the new XLS features a face that’s 19% larger than the previous model.

It offers the same stock shaft selection as the XLS driver, and retails for $179.95.

Hybrids

The two changes made to the new XLS HiBore are interesting in as much as they seem to be pulling the club in opposite directions. Cleveland says that “based on tour feedback”, they’ve redesigned the head, giving it a more blunt and more symmetrical overall appearance.

Contradicting the idea of a tour inspired club, Cleveland has also added more offset to the clubface. While this should result in a more forgiving golf club with broader appeal, it also makes the club anything but tour spec.

Of course, Cleveland never suggested that the HiBore XLS model is a tour spec club. My speculation is that for Cleveland is probably custom making HiBore hybrids for its pros that demand them. Whether or not a pro model will make it retail stores is anyone’s guess.

The XLS Hybrid retails for $139 (steel) and $149 (graphite)

Irons

The 2 newest iron sets in the Cleveland arsenal are the CG Red and CG Gold sets, which were introduced mid-season 2007. Since this is an 2008 equipment guide, I’m not going to go into very much detail at all. Just know that the irons stay true to the shaft coloring scheme; the red is for better players, the gold for everyone else.

Wedges

Cleveland continues to make some of the finest and most popular wedges in the industry, and still claims to be the #1 wedge in all of golf. In 2008 Cleveland is launching it’s new CG14 series wedge. The CG14 is available in either a black pearl or chrome finish.

Two things stand out about the CG14 series wedge. The first is the visco-elastic (the same stuff that’s in my mattress) insert which provides vibration dampening on mis-hits, without the loss of that important feedback. The 2nd bit of technology is Cleveland’s new Zip Groove design.

The Zip Grooves design is achieved by milling the grooves the absolute maximum conforming dimensions (this sound a lot like Callaway’s Mack Daddy grooves). The grooves are then coated for protection prior to sandblasting. The result is precisely milled, shiny grooves that really bite on to the golf ball.

Here’s what Cleveland says about the spin controlling characteristics of the CG14:

The milling technology of Zip Grooves creates a larger groove volume, which channels more debris at impact than traditional grooves. Consistent spin is generated from all lies due to improved contact – making Zip Grooves perfect for players that expect optimal spin and distance control.

The CG14 is recommended for players of all ability levels. It’s available in low and standard bounce options. Available lofts range from 46°-60° degrees.  There’s no 64° offering from Cleveland in the CG14 series.  Cleveland does offer a 64° in the 588 series.

In addition to the stock shaft, the CG14 is available in Rifle, Rifle Flighted, and Project X shafts. Pretty cool, right?

The CG14 retails for around $110.

Putters

There is no arguing that Cleveland makes a beautiful looking putter. I’m a big fan of the classic lines of the “Design By” series which includes both the 1905 Calamity Jane model, and the 1948 True Blade. Beautiful, simple putters.

If you want technology though, Cleveland’s Never Compromise brand can serve that up too. Along the same lines as what Nike is doing with it’s IC series, Never Compromise is taking visual acuity to the next level with it’s new VP (visual performance) series.

Cleveland did some research and discovered that most missed puts are the result of alignment problems (not sure we really needed a study to tell us that, but let’s roll with it). As a result of that study, they’ve designed a new line of putters which helps the golfer check his alignment (correct address position) prior to every putt.

While I’ve tried to avoid using product pictures in these posts, I think the Cleveland graphic does a far better job explaining the Dual Axis alignment system than I could ever hope to do in a paragraph or two, so, well, here it is..

Notice how on the mallet putter, the holes become visible when the golfer’s alignment is off? With the blade putter it’s a bit more subtle, but you should notice that the orange horizontal “sightline” alignment aid moves from the center of the vertical white alignment stripe.

Cleveland is not the first to try something like this. Many of the Guerin Rife putters feature a similar system, but the Cleveland implementation seems a little more refined.

For $110 it’s hard to argue with the VP #2, so let’s throw it in that bag I’m about to pick out.

Bags

Usually when I find myself talking about innovation in a golf bag, I find myself talking about OGIO, and while I have plenty to say about their 2008 lineup before this series is over, today is Cleveland’s day, and we’re giving a well deserved pat on the bag back to Cleveland for actually addressing an issue that pretty much every golfer I know has had to contend with at one time or another.

Show of hands, who here hasn’t at one time or another reached into your bag only to discover that you’ve inadvertently left your wedge (or hybrid, or 8-iron, or god forbid your driver) sitting on the edge of the green anywhere from 1 to 7 holes back? C’mon, raise your hands. Nobody? That’s right. Everybody who has ever stepped foot on a golf course has, at one time or another, left a club behind.

Short of counting your clubs each time you return to your bad, what do you do? Well Cleveland says “Do Nothing”, let our bag do it for you? Whaaaaat? The bag is going to count my clubs? Hell yeah it is. Check this out…

The 2008 Cleveland V-14 features what the comapny calls “Club Count Technolgoy”. If only all these marketing terms made so much sense. When you get to the first tee box, press the on button. The electronic sensors built into the 14 individual full-length (it matters) compartments know how many clubs you started with.

If you attempt to drive off without one of your clubs, the bag’s LED light will flash at you, and if you happen not to notice that, it’s okay, because the bag is going to chirp at you as well.

The 2008 Club-Counting V-14 is available in Red, Royal Blue, and Black.

The V-14 with Club Count Technology has only been announced within the last week. Pricing details are sketchy, but to compete with other premium cart bags, $200-$220 sounds reasonable, especially if it will spare you the humiliation of having to ask the guys behind you if they found your wedge.

While I’m admittedly luke warm at best on Cleveland’s new Woods and irons, I’m going to take a serious look at both the CG14 wedtes, and the VP series putters (you can never have too many putters anyway).

The V-14 many not have some of the storage of other premium cart bags, but with Club-Count technology built into the bag, it’s most innovative bag I’ve seen to date in ‘08.

With most pricing information readily available, it looks like the cost of my 2008 Cleveland dream bag is in the ballpark of $1940.