Cleveland Golf 588 Custom driver
We test the best golf drivers for beginners and better players
Brand: Cleveland Golf
Driver: 588 Custom
RRP: £250 Best price: £219
Lie: 60-degree Length: 45.5” Swing Weight: D5
Shaft: Matrix OZIK 6Q3 Grip: Golf Pride Tour 45
Summary: Cleveland Golf's latest enhanced Variable thickness MAX COR face creates faster ball speeds on slightly off-centre hits. The hosel has 12 settings that change loft by +/- 1.5° and face angle up to 2.25° open or closed. Deeper face creates more forgiveness on shots struck high or low of centre. An optimal centre of gravity is provided by an advanced wall construction, allowing more weight to be positioned lower in the club head for a high, penetrating flight.
Looks: Not a great deal going on with the crown and it's a little boring but sometimes boring is good. It's just a sleek, all-black appearance that will no doubt appeal to the traditionalists. No glare over the ball. Gold trim around edging of the crown aids suitable alignment. 4 (out of 5)
Feel: A very powerful sensation at impact but Andy (8) and Charlie (14) found the standard Matrix OZIK 6Q3 shaft a little too long and the grip too thin which contributed to less control than ideal. Countering that, however, Tom (pro) and Kelvin (21) felt the shaft was balanced, light and easy to swing. 8.25 (out of 10)
Performance: Very long and above-average distance for each of the four testers. Relatively accurate performer, too. Not the easiest to shape both ways but in terms of distance, this club shines. It feels like it runs for miles. Very low launch and low spinning driver, contributing to by far the longest big dog Cleveland Golf has ever put on the shelves. It can be easily customised to fit every performance demand off the tee. 9 (out of 10)
Verdict: Not going to win any awards for looks but it's a neat enough looking driver that will help get you on the straight and narrow. It's very easy to hit straight but it's also incredibly long, certainly above average total distance for all testers. Cleveland might get most of the plaudits for its wedges and player irons but the 588 Custom is the best driver you probably aren't considering this season. Well worth a look. 21.25 (out of 25)
Click here for our PGA Show interview with Cleveland Golf's R&D team.
Next driver, Cobra BiO CELL
Andy first joined the brand on a month's work experience back in April 2011, and he now assumes the Editor role. When Andy joined GolfMagic it was a small site with potential.
