Review – Tour Edge Exotics C723 Driver

“A Tinkerers Dream Come True“

The Address

When it comes to golf manufacturers on the rise, there’s one brand in particular that has brought the goods year in and year out in recent years. It’s Tour Edge Golf and namely their Exotics lineup of products.

When there’s a product release from the Batavia, Illinois-based golf brand, you know that it’s not just about releasing something because it says that it’s time to do so on the calendar. A pet peeve of mine that I feel some manufacturers are guilty of. Tour Edge Exotics is about legitimate improvements from iteration to iteration of its products.

Tour Edge Golf was founded by its Founder and CEO David Glod and it’s no secret that metalwoods have long been their forte, since 2005. Looking back to that generation of clubs educated golfers were aware of the Exotics name. Although the driver was really good – and it really was – it was the fairway wood that garnered a “cult-like” following with its “Combo Brazing” process. The driver also used the process.

As time marched on, the Exotics line really came to the forefront in 2019 with its EXS range. This particular range proved that you could provide golfers with premium equipment without having to pay a premium price. Since then, golf media and consumers alike seen a real evolution in the Exotics line. Seemingly, every year there’s been new technology or at least improvements on already established technology making previous generations better. Technologies like their “3D Diamond Face” or the “Ridgeback Technology” that we’ve seen over the last few generations of driver.

The Exotics C723 driver is certainly no exception to what we’ve seen. For example, the new “Diamond Face”, which is comprised of 44 diamonds of seven different thicknesses across the face. The new pattern gives special attention to heel and toe mishits. By stretching the pattern into those extreme areas, there’s more deflection in the face on those weaker passes for less energy lost on mis-hits.

“360° Ridgeback Technology” makes a return once again in the Exotics C723 driver. Designed to stabilize and direct more energy back to the face which – contributes to more distance – this iteration of Ridgeback Technology is 25% thinner because of the use of titanium. This Ridgeback now wraps around the entire perimeter to frame the entire clubhead. Due to its wraparound design and the addition of titanium to the fold, the perimeter weighting of the Exotics C723 is bolstered. The byproduct was more face deflection on off-centre strikes and higher MOI (Moment of Inertia) numbers. Because of the use of titanium the Ridgeback is 15% thinner than it was in the Exotics C722 driver.

More carbon used equals more weight savings. Tour Edge Golf introduces the golfing public to its “Quad Carbon Tech”. The addition of Quad Carbon Tech saves considerable weight in the clubhead, allowing for the 360-degree Ridgeback design as previously discussed. Resulting in increased MOI and greater face flex in the heel and toe areas so off- center hits achieve greater power and more theoretical distance.

The “Flight Tuning System” in the Exotics C723 is impressive to say the least. You won’t need them all but there are roughly 4,860 combinations available between the loft and lie adjustments within the hosel adapter and the Exotics C723’s two movable weights. The rear weight is on a sliding track that allows for easy hook or slice correction. Moreover, when the heavier weight is placed in the rear the MOI is further boosted, making the C723 a little more “user-friendly”. When the heavier weight is placed in the front the backspin numbers decrease.

There’s are many tech talking pints to like about the Exotics C723, but does it equate into a winning product?

The Transition

Spoiler Alert: The short answer is an emphatic yes.

Admittedly, I received this driver and other testers prior to the 2023 golf season. And while I was able to get a few rounds and several range sessions in with the Exotics C723 driver I didn’t get sufficient testing in. My golf season was cut short due to having to undergo amputations in June and July of 2023. Fast-forward the clock to 2024. I was healed and back on the range, testing. I planned on getting more on-course time with the Exotics C723 but my season in 2024 was cut short due to another diabetic foot ulcer. I did manage to get in some range testing while I was healing but playing golf was out of the question. Based on my rangesessions I feel that I can pass judgment on the C723.

Upon unboxing the Exotics C723 driver I had a feeling that it was going to be a serious performer. Looking down in the address position it had a “I’m all about business” look to it. The Ridgeback design on the crown stood out with the alignment aid being somewhat subtle. The profile or overall footprint is one that most “players” would appreciate. It’s a real “eye pleaser” between its deep face and 455cc head volume. Flipping the club over reveals a sole which houses “the magic” of the Exotics C723 driver. The “Flight Tuning System” is front and centre. That said, this feature isn’t executed in a gaudy way and the Exotics C723 driver doesn’t lack in the rack appeal department. From an aesthetics point-of-view I admire everything about this head.

For the testing, the shaft chosen for me was the Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei AV Series Blue with XLink Tech 65 in Stiff flex which is one of the “SpeedTested Shafts” recommended for the Exotics C723 head. Introduced a few generations ago, the “SpeedTested Shafts” are shafts used by T.E.D. (Tour Edge’s robot) to see which head and shaft combination works best. Bear in mind that these are “gateway shafts”. There are other custom shafts available in their fitting matrix along with several “no upcharge” options available. I also ran with their stock grip which is their Lamkin Crossline 360 Standard.

I’m no betting man but if I were… I’d wager that you likely wouldn’t need all of the 4,860 available combinations. However, you’ll likely go through a few of them to find the best overall launch conditions and ballflight for your needs. The subtitle of this review is “a tinkerers dream come true” and it’s for a good reason. I’m not sure how many combinations I tried but I went everywhere from a flat lie angle and 8.5° in 2023 (prior to the amputations) to 12* and upright in 2024. Compensations in swing mechanics and a significant loss of clubhead speed led to all of the tinkering. I settled on 11.5° of loft and an upright lie angle when the dust settled as of my last range session.

The weight setting didn’t stay in its stock setting either as I’ve gone from the heavier weight being in the front to the rear. Adjustments are easy to make with the provided wrench. The sliding track is functional and all adjustments are easily made. You won’t need all of the adjustments found in the Exotics C723 driver, but, having them at your disposal is a total “godsend“.

The acoustics of the Exotics C723 driver are amazing. I love the muted yet crisp sound that this head emits. Often feel and sound are closely related so I will suggest now that Exotics C723 feels lively, especially on well-struck shots. That said, subpar strikes aren’t too shabby either, but there is a palpable difference.

As far as the performance goes I love the performance of this head. Leading off with the trajectory. In its stock setting the trajectory is a low-mid to mid ballflight. As expected when the weight is set back the trajectory and launch is a tad higher. Somewhere in the mid-high range, which is what I prefer now. While I can’t give a full analysis what the Exotics C723 provided me on the golf course I can tell you that based on my experience (pre-amputations) I did see some terrific results as far as distance and accuracy goes. A real balance of distance and forgiveness

When compared to its older sibling (Exotics C722) C723 was longer. It felt better too! But, I really feel that the Exotics C723’s forgiveness stood out when compared head to head against its predecessor. For a head that targets “the better player” this is a pretty forgiving head. But buyer beware if your swing is “off” on any given day and your settings aren’t right, it can be a little temperamental. That’s just the nature of the beast.

The Finish

With adjustability to burn and a powerful feel at impact the Exotics C723 is a top performer. Even though it’s geared towards the better player… others shouldn’t be too intimidated to consider the Exotics C723 driver. This driver really does do it all. Great feel, terrific acoustics, solid distance, and if needed lower spin. The C723 can service a vast array of golfers. Likely the best driver that Tour Edge Golf has produced to date.

Until The Next Tee!!

#fightandgrind #seeuonthenexttee