Test Review: ONOFF DRIVER AKA 2018
Today, I had the chance to test the new ONOFF DRIVER AKA 2018.
The shaft paired with the head was the SMOOTH KICK MP-518D.
It has an 11° loft, club length of 45.75 inches, R flex, 46g shaft weight, torque 5.8, mid-to-tip kick point, D1 balance, and a total weight of 287g.
This is the latest driver from ONOFF.
As you may know, ONOFF releases alternating “AKA” (Red) and “KURO” (Black) models each year.
It’s hard to believe it’s already been two years since the last Red model.
I suppose the Black version will likely launch next year.
The design is uniquely ONOFF—immediately recognizable.
That large emblem on the sole stands out in a bold, impactful way.
It reminded me of the model from three years ago.
It has a shallow profile, another hallmark of the Red ONOFF line.
There are grooves on the sole—
previously there were three, now only two—but they’re thicker and longer.
I imagine this adjustment was made to improve overall performance.
They’re shallow like the prior model.
In future designs, we might see variable depth grooves depending on the impact zone.
It features a short neck—very typical of the Red series.
A shallow head with a short neck is a classic combo for forgiveness and launch ease.
The face has milling with the ONOFF logo in the center—
a nice balance of functionality and style.
ONOFF’s urban-inspired design sensibility is clear here.
I’ve worn ONOFF golf polos during casual rounds and competitions.
They’re fashionable and functional—on par with brands like Mizuno, Titleist, and Callaway.
The crown now includes a groove—something the prior model lacked.
It reminded me of the explosive RODDIO fairway woods I tested previously.
The groove isn’t extremely deep, but for a crown, it’s pretty substantial.
It’s likely at the limit of what can be engineered safely.
There’s also a noticeable indentation near the back of the head—perhaps a design for CG optimization?
The head is very shallow-back, resembling a flying saucer in profile.
While I personally prefer more vertical bulk, many golfers might appreciate this profile.
Interestingly, the face itself is relatively tall—what I’d call a semi-deep face.
The combination of a shallow back and a semi-deep face is uncommon but effective.
This height helps with vertical face usage when teeing up—definitely useful in real play.
The head design isn’t one-piece—it’s a two-tone composite,
similar to what we’ve seen from TaylorMade and others.
Some manufacturers have opted to remove the crown entirely for CG purposes,
but ONOFF maintains its aesthetic appeal while balancing performance.
The crown mark is subtle and won’t distract during address—something I appreciate.
It might help reinforce either a shallow or deep CG image, depending on placement.
The grip feels soft yet secure, with a pattern that changes based on hand placement—very functional.
The ONOFF logo adds a cool finishing touch.
Swing feel? It’s flexible and lively—maybe too much for my liking.
I had to swing more cautiously to avoid major mishits.
At address, it didn’t exactly suit my eye, but I could manage with experience.
The face appears significantly closed.
Many modern drivers are like this, but this one stood out.
Hook-prone golfers like me might find it tricky.
It also has notable face progression—borderline “protruding.”
While that’s helpful for fairways and utilities, I question the value in a driver.
Sound-wise, it was surprisingly high-pitched and metallic.
I found it hard to get used to and adjusted my swing to dampen the noise.
Some may love this punchy feedback, but it wasn’t for me.
Feel at impact was firm—not soft, but solid and precise.
Launch was easy. With 11° of loft, shots climbed quickly and steeply.
It didn’t feel like a low-spin model—it seemed to balloon a bit.
Forgiveness is where this driver shines.
It offers “cruise ship-level” stability, as I’d put it.
Off-center strikes still produced decent results.
Distance? Respectable, though not explosive.
High launch and generous spin made it very playable, if not ideal for me.
Shot shaping leaned naturally toward a high draw.
Right-side shaping was possible, but I couldn’t fully commit due to the sound.
Overall, the ONOFF Red 2018’s visual identity and performance refinements are commendable.
It’s clear that ONOFF has put serious R&D into performance and aesthetics.
Despite some personal mismatches in sound and address feel, I tried to rely on experience.
It wasn’t the most enjoyable session, but certainly insightful.
I spent most of the session thinking about how to create a better sound at impact.
Though I wasn’t satisfied with this test, I’m eager to try it again with different specs.
The Red is great, but I’m already looking forward to next year’s Black model.
