Callaway Golf (http://www.callawaygolf.com)

Among the pricier of the equipment lines, I’ve always considered Callaway (which includes the Callaway, Top-Flite, Ben Hogan, and Odyssey product lines) to be the rich man’s club. That’s not to say I have any evidence that Callaway is any better or any worse than most of what’s on the market, just that it seems to cost a bit more. In truth, it seems more likely that Callaway is a little higher than most on the high end, but for the average golfer, their prices are right in line with everyone else. I’ve been a huge fan of their HX-Tour ball since it hit the market 3 years ago. In fact it’s my #2 pick for balls in the $30+ per dozen price range.

Despite my appreciation for their balls (yes, I know how that sounds), I’ve never quite been able to bring myself to grab a Callaway by the shaft and it home with me. This year that may change.

Drivers

For better or worse, the phrase you’re going to hear a lot this year is “It’s hip to be square”. This year Callaway, along with Nike and Adams golf (and probably a few others before season’s end) will introduce the marketplace to the square-headed driver. The big buzzword (even though it’s not actually a word) is MOI. While I’m sure your friendly neighborhood physicist could give you a very detailed explanation of Moment Of Inertia, in the golfing world it basically refers to how resistant a clubhead is to turning at the point of impact, more specifically on off-center hits. The higher the MOI, the less the clubhead turns when you crank one off the toe. Less turning means a straighter ball flight, which means more fairways and lower scores (assuming you can hit an iron, and have a reasonably good short game).

With all of that MOI stuff in mind, Callaway is offering up the new for 2007 FT-i driver. Aesthetically speaking, I find the FT-i (which should hit stores within the next couple of weeks) a bit less offensive than Nike’s new Sumo Squared, but still not as nice looking as the new TaylorMade or Cleveland drivers. As is pretty much always the case, the FT-i will be available in both standard and tour models. Both models will be available in draw, neutral, and fade configurations (Callaway uses interior, stationary weights, unlike the external and reconfigurable TaylorMade drivers). The two primary differences between the tour model and the regular guy edition are the club loft (the tour features 8.5 and 9.0 degree models, while yours and mine are available in 9, 10, 11, and 13 degree lofts). The tour model also comes standard with the Fujikura Speeder 686 shaft, while standard model comes stock with the Speeder 586. The FT-i is expected to be compatible with Callaway’s driver fitting cart, which means a variety of other shaft options will be available. Both models will retail for around $499. Obscene price point aside, the FT-i is #1 on my list to demo this spring.

As an alternative to the FT-i (for those of you who don’t think it’s hip to be square), Callaway offers the FT-5, an upgrade to last year’s hugely successful FT-3. Just as Nike has done with the Sumo, Callaway has placed as much perimeter weighting as they can into a more conventional looking driver. While the MOI won’t be as high with the FT-i, the more conventional looks of the FT-5 will likely appeal to a number of golfers who are putoff by the wavy box look of the FT-i.

Rounding out Callaway’s 2007 driver lineup is the new Big Bertha. The Big Bertha has the highest MOI of any all titanium Callaway driver (the FT series feature Titanium/Composite heads). At a comparatively reasonable $299 it’s likely to be a big seller among Callaway fans who aren’t quite willing to take the $500 plunge.

Fairway Woods

So far Callaway has only announced a 2007 series of Big Bertha fairway woods. As is often the case, the Big Bertha fairway woods are pretty much scaled down versions of the driver with the same name. As you can imagine, they’re designed for maximum performance, and forgiveness, but isn’t everything these days?

While no official announcement has been made, I’d be shocked (shocked I say) if Callaway doesn’t have a FT-5 series of fairway woods on the market by mid-summer.

Hybrids

As is the case with the fairway woods, last year’s FT series, X Hybrids, and Heavenwoods remain current. Just as with the fairway woods I would expect new models to be released by mid-season.

Irons

While Callaway isn’t doing anything revolutionary this year on the iron front, Callaway has upgraded their X-18 series with the release of the X-20 a X-20 tour models. Once again, the irons feature a blend of performance and forgiveness. The irons all feature Callaway’s Progressive Wall Reduction System, and Extreme Notch Weighting (if it’s not extreme, it’s not golf…or something). The Tour editions feature a shorter blade, narrower sole, thinner topline, and a squared toe; all to promote the enhanced workability desired by lower handicap players. While not at the top of my list, the X-20s are among the irons I’ll be taking for a spin in the coming weeks.

For the “Elite” golfer (Phil “Tits” Mickelson for example) Callaway offers the X-Forged Irons. The idea here is higher performance in a more traditional forged blade. Since this club isn’t for 99.9% of us, I won’t discuss it further.

Finally, for fans of Callaway child-brand, Ben Hogan, a new series of Apex Irons will be available. Based on the descriptions I’ve read, the Hogans are for the player who desires workability almost as much as he values aesthetics.

Wedges

Nothing new to report. The X-tour wedges remain current.

Putters

2007 brings us new line of putters (Odyssey Black), and updates to the popular White Hot series. The new Black series features multi-material construction with the looks of a traditional milled putter.

New to the White Hot line is the XG Marxman series. In addition to a poorly designed website, and poor spelling, the Marxman series features a “Hi-Def” alignment system and deep mass weighting; both of which will no doubt make it easier to line up and drain putts.

Balls

You can’t play golf without a ball right? While no new balls have been announced by Callaway, it looks like the Big Bertha, HX Hot, and Warbird balls have been updated slightly. Given that both Nike and Titleist are releasing new versions of their premium balls this year, I’m guessing will see new versions of both the HX-Tour and HX-Tour 56 before season’s end.

Share This Post