Equipment
Tech Talk: Callaway FT OptiForce drivers and fairway woods
While the mechanics of hitting longer drives are complex, the physics behind hitting a golf ball farther is fairly simple — golfers have to increase their ball speed, improve their launch conditions, or do both.
Golf’s ruling bodies have capped the amount of ball speed that can result from a center strike with a driver, which has left many golfers scrambling to find new ways to hit it farther with the big stick.
Sure, golfers can pick up extra yards by continuing to improve their launch conditions, and today’s drivers also give golfers more ball speed on mis-hits than ever before. But what about new, unbridled distance gains that will have golfers chomping at the bit to hit their next tee shot?
Callaway’s new FT OptiForce drivers are the lightest drivers in the company’s history, and were designed to give golfers more club head speed. Increasing club head speed has the potential to give golfers more ball speed, which will result in increased distance.
The OptiForce drivers come in two different sizes — a 460 cc model that targets golfers who need more forgiveness and a higher launch, as well as a 440 cc head that is geared for better players who desire a more penetrating trajectory.
“Callaway has always placed the golfer’s performance first when developing clubs, and we feel strongly that one club head does not fit all golfers,” said Dr. Alan Hocknell, senior vice president of R&D for Callaway. “Players using an 8.5-degree driver are fundamentally different than players using 12.5-degrees of loft, so with the FT Optiforce Driver we have optimized each of the two available heads — the 440cc and the 460cc –- and adjusted critical elements like size, weight, center of gravity position, moment of inertia and others so that golfers have the best chance to optimize their launch conditions for better total performance.”
460 FT OptiForce Driver
440 FT OptiForce Driver
One of the ways OptiForce drivers create more speed is with more aerodynamic head shapes, which Callaway says create 23 percent less drag on the downswing than previous models.
The drivers also offer increased speed through the reduction of head weight and total weight. Both drivers have Callaway’s Forged Composite Crown, which allows the 460 OptiForce to be made with a weight 192 grams — 3 grams lighter than Callaway’s X Hot driver. Likewise, the 440 OptiForce driver is 3 grams lighter than the X Hot Pro driver at 195 grams.
Those driver heads are also equipped with lighter shafts, which further maximize a golfer’s potential to swing the club faster. As stock shaft options, golfers can choose between the super light True Temper Project X PXV shaft that weighs 43 grams (at the stock length of 46 inches), and the more standard weight Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana S+ shaft, which weighs about 64 grams.
The 460 OptiForce is stamped 10.5 degrees, but Callaway’s revamped OptiFit hosel allows golfers three other loft settings — 1 degree down to 9.5, or 1 or 2 degrees up to either 11.5 or 12.5. The 440 OptiForce is stamped 9.5 degrees and features the same range of loft adjustability.
The new OptiFit system also allows golfers to pick a lie setting, either S for standard or D for draw, which makes the driver more upright. The system seems complicated at first, with two different rings that twist independently and have both lie and loft markings, but it is simple to use once golfers realize that all they have to do is line up the desired loft and lie setting with the white lines on the hosel.
While changing the loft of an OptiForce driver does change the face angle (adding loft slightly closes the face, while subtracting loft opens the face), the design of the new OptiFit hosel makes those face angle changes much more minimal than in previous models.
Both OptiForce drivers will be available July 12, and will sell for $399. Also to be released on July 12 are a line of FT OptiForce fairway woods ($229), which feature the same principal design as Callaway’s X Hot fairway woods in a lighter, higher-launching, higher-spinning package.
Click here to see photos of the fairway woods in the forums.
The OptiForce fairway woods are not adjustable, and come in the following models: 3 wood (15 degrees), 4 wood (17 degrees), 5 wood (19 degrees), 7 wood (21 degrees) and 9 wood (degrees). They’re sold with either a True Temper Project X PXV 53-gram shaft or a Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana S+ 62 shaft.
Click here to see what members are saying about the FT OptiForce line in the forums.
Click here to see what members are saying about the FT OptiForce line in the forums.
In a golf world where players are looking to eke out every yard possible, usually by lengthening their drivers to add clubhead speed, there’s one player at the PGA Championship who’s going in the opposite direction. In fact, for Rickie Fowler, his goal off the tee is not about gaining extra distance or yards north to south, but rather about shrinking the misses from east to west.
Ahead of the PGA Championship and the week prior at the Truist Championship. Fowler mentioned to Cobra Tour Rep Ben Schomin that the driver didn’t quite swing feel the same as everything in the bag. As a result, and with Schomin’s suggestion to try and sync everything up with the big stick, Fowler decided to test out a shorter length shaft.
“He’s been at 45 (inches), and he’d been at 45 for a few weeks, 44 1/8 (inches) is really is where he is been living really for the most part, for the last couple of years, and is where he is been comfortable,” Schomin told GolfWRX. “It just felt like it was a little long and loose on him.”
Interestingly, Fowler ranks 40th in Driving Accuracy this year on the PGA Tour. It’s his most accurate season with the driver since the start of the decade. But sometimes for players, feel is more important than statistics.
“It was really more of a trying to get the swing to feel the fluidness from club to club to club to try to get it to feel the same,” Schomin added. “And so we took it down to 43 and a quarter, and it was a touch of a ball speed loss, just based on that overall club head speed. But honestly, he squared it up probably a little better. The right miss wasn’t nearly as far. So really, overall down-range dispersion tightened up a fair amount, and he felt confident in swinging it.”
The change in length had Fowler’s caddie, Ricky Romano, beaming at how well he had driven during Tuesday’s practice round at Aronimink. So much so, he was asking Schomin not to suggest changes anymore.
Fowler’s shaft-shortening is one of a few driver adjustments he’s made this season, and to Schomin’s credit, it’s thanks to the fact that he and the rest of the Cobra team had Fowler fit very well into three of the four heads in the Cobra OPTM lineup.
“He had three distinct drivers and the biggest decision was trying to decide which worked best at that time,” Schomin told GolfWRX previously. “He’s played the majority of the season with OPTM X, but has also played a couple of tournaments with OPTM LS. His overall driving stats have been good.”
At the RBC Heritage earlier this spring, Fowler switched drivers, changing from his Cobra OPTM X and into the Tour, low-loft Max K model that Gary Woodland used to win just a few weeks prior.
Now for the PGA Championship, Fowler’s back in the X head, but still using the UST Mamiya LIN-Q PowerCore White 6TX shaft, just a little bit shorter.
“Will he stay there? I’m not sure,” Schomin added. “Could we end up say at like 43 and 7.5 (of an inch). If it’s giving him the same feel of consistency through the bag, then I think we might end up just a touch longer. But if he likes where he is at, he’s confident where he is at, that’s really all that matters.”
If there’s more testing, though, just don’t tell his caddie.
What you need to know: As is customary for the Fairhaven-based company, Titleist officially announced today that its GTS drivers are headed to retail, following a successful tour release. The GTS2, GTS3, and GTS4 drivers will be available in golf shops June 11.
Since debuting at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, the new GTS lineup has quickly gained traction on the PGA Tour, with more than 50 players already making the switch to a GTS2, GTS3, or GTS4 driver. Among them are Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth.
Justin Thomas’ Titleist GTS2 driver (Greg Moore, GolfWRX)
According to Titleist, the GTS series builds upon the performance foundation established by the GT Series, while introducing several major technological advancements, including a new Split Mass Frame construction, refined aerodynamics, and an updated Speed Sync face design.
2026 Titleist GTS drivers: What’s new, key technology
Split Mass Frame and thermoform body
At the center of the new GTS lineup is a redesigned internal structure: the Split Mass Frame. This technology works with a full-thermoform body made from Titleist’s Proprietary Matrix Polymer (PMP), a lightweight composite that enables engineers to reposition mass more efficiently throughout the head. Compared to the previous GT generation, GTS drivers feature nearly double the PMP material, increasing from 13 grams to 26 grams, while maintaining the sound and feel preferred by better players.
The weight savings from the thermoform construction allowed Titleist engineers to strategically separate mass placement inside the head. Specifically, more weight is pushed rearward to improve stability and forgiveness, while additional mass is positioned low and forward to optimize speed, launch, and spin.
In short, golfers are able to maintain ball speed and consistency across both centered and off-center strikes.
Faster aerodynamics
Titleist also refined the aerodynamic shaping of the GTS heads to help players generate more clubhead speed.
The tails of the new GTS2 and GTS3 heads have been raised compared to previous models, helping airflow stay attached to the crown and sole longer during the swing. According to Titleist, the improved airflow reduces drag and increases speed without affecting launch conditions or center of gravity placement.
Typically, aerodynamic gains can compromise forgiveness or launch characteristics, but the weight savings from the Split Mass Frame allowed engineers to preserve preferred CG locations.
New Speed Sync face
The new Speed Sync Face design is engineered to improve ball speed retention across a larger portion of the face. A reinforced perimeter structure helps maximize face deflection and COR on centered strikes, while the upper portion of the support ring is opened up to increase speed on high-face impacts, a common strike location for many golfers. The face also features a variable thickness design to preserve speed and performance across a wider impact area.
Expanded adjustability
Each GTS model includes a dual-weighting system to fine-tune launch, spin, and shot shape more precisely than previous generations. GTS2 uses interchangeable forward and aft weights, while GTS3 and GTS4 combine a rear weight with an adjustable forward track weight system.
Tour-inspired face graphics
The new lineup features redesigned high-contrast face graphics to improve alignment and framing at address, according to Titleist. Sharp visual lines are designed to make it easier to center the golf ball and to perceive loft more easily at setup.
Additional model details
GTS2
- The GTS2 is the most forgiving model, designed for golfers seeking maximum stability and consistent speed across the face.
- It produces high launch with mid spin and features a larger, confidence-inspiring profile behind the ball.
- Standard weighting includes an 11-gram forward weight and a 5-gram rear weight, with additional fitting configurations available.
GTS3
- The GTS3 is aimed at players who want more control over launch, spin, and shot shaping.
- Compared to GTS2, the GTS3 offers lower launch and spin while featuring a more compact profile and deeper face design preferred by many stronger players.
- The head features an adjustable forward-track weight system to further fine-tune center of gravity placement.
GTS4
- The lowest-spinning option in the lineup, GTS4 is built for golfers looking to reduce excessive spin and maximize total distance.
- Unlike previous “4” models from Titleist, the new GTS4 features a full 460cc profile that improves forgiveness and stability while retaining its low-spin DNA.
- Like GTS3, it includes a forward track weighting system for precise fitting adjustments.
What Titleist says
“When we talk about driver design, it’s never about the one feature or benefit — it’s about all of them,” said Stephanie Luttrell, Titleist’s Senior Director of Metalwood R&D. “Ball speed, forgiveness, spin stability, adjustability, exceptional sound and feel… these are all attributes that golfers care about. It’s our job to design a lineup that elevates performance across the board without sacrificing in key areas, and we feel we’ve done that with GTS.”
“We know that forward CGs drive speed with great launch and spin characteristics, but you need to be able to do that with an inertial stability that still preserves ball speed, launch and spin consistency on off-center hits,” Luttrell said. “We’ve never before been able to hit these CG positions and inertia properties at the same time, and we’re achieving that because of GTS’ construction.”
Club Junkie’s take
I feel like every time there is a new Titleist wood release, I figure they can’t outdo their previous driver. And every year, I am wrong and impressed with the performance. The GTS fits right into that narrative again, as I didn’t know where Titleist could go from GT, but they pushed the limits again, and my fitting proved the smart people there found ways to improve.
My past four Titleist drivers have been a 2 series as my swing typically requires a little height, spin, and forgiveness so I figured I would just get a new GTS2 and be on my way. During the fitting, I was impressed by the new GTS construction, its added PMP material, and the advanced adjustability on each model. My fitter, Joey, got to work putting together a GTS2 and we started there. The launch and spin were great, and the consistency on misses was very tight. My average ball speed with the GTS went up a little bit as the new Speed Sync face creates more speed away from the center.
Joey then built up a GTS3 in 11 degrees, but I figured this wouldn’t have the stability I needed for tight dispersion on my miss hits. That thought was quickly erased after a few shots, and I really liked the more center start line and reduced draw on the misses I was seeing. We tried a few different settings and shafts to dial in the details in order to get the best fit. Having a forward and rear weight in the head allowed Joey to set up the GTS3 with a heavier rear weight to keep the launch and spin up, while the Sure Fit hosel set flat created a more center start line for me. My misses were not nearly as far left, and I was really impressed with the consistency on the spin and launch when I didn’t hit it in the center.
Titleist again created a wood line in GTS that delivers improvements over previous drivers while keeping the traditional look and feel you expect. More adjustability, better off-center speed, and 3 drivers that are playable over a wider range of players should make these extremely successful in fittings.
Pricing, specs, availability
GTS2 lofts: 8, 9, 10, 11 degrees (RH/LH)
GTS3 lofts: 8, 9, 10, 11 degrees (RH/LH)
GTS4 lofts: 8, 9, 10 (RH/LH)
Featured shafts
- Project X Titan Black
- Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White
- Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Blue
- Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Red
Premium shafts
- Graphite Design Tour AD DI
- Graphite Design Tour AD VF
- Graphite Design Tour AD FI
Available for fittings and pre-sale now.
In golf shops worldwide beginning June 11.
Price: $699 (standard), $899 (premium)
Titleist has today introduced its new GTS2 and GTS3 fairways.
Lower and deeper center of gravity (CG) positions, new adjustable heel-toe weights and advanced clubface innovations drive total performance in the two tour-proven models.
- Tour-inspired polished clubfaces: To help players see more of the clubface at address.
GTS2 Fairway
The new GTS2 fairway is designed with a shallower face and a larger profile than GTS3, ideal for players with more sweeping deliveries with their fairway metals.
GTS2’s new face height, inspired by tour feedback, was designed shallower than the prior generation GT2 model and more in line with the GT1 fairway. Each loft in GTS2 leverages a shallower profile except for the 13.5-degree, which maintains a slightly taller face.
With its new dual-weighting system, the ‘2’ model now has heel-toe CG adjustability.
Lofts: 13.5, 15.0, 16.5, 18.0, 21.0
Dual-weight system: 11-gram weight in heel, 5-gram weight in toe (standard)
GTS3 Fairway
The new GTS3 fairway is designed with a deeper face and a more compact profile, ideal for players who hit down on the golf ball more with their fairway metals.
New to the GTS3 family is a 21-degree offering, giving players two distinct profiles in Titleist’s 7-wood loft.
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HOM BOMB
Aug 23, 2013 at 2:08 am
Out of all the Callaway drivers past/present the FT Optiforce 440 driver is the best head they’ve come out with in years, reminds me of my older model but trusty FT 5 TH (tour hosel) & FT 9 TA drivers that I won’t let go of. The Optiforce 440 has the bomber distance of the FT 5 TH as well as it has that compact look of the FT 9 TA & the ball just a seems to explode off the face. I don’t agree with the lighter/longer = more distance, for the past 5/6 years my normal driver is 44.25″ because it’s just easier to control & I hit it as far as I would with a 45″/45.5″ shaft. I tried lighter 60g shafts in my driver about a year ago but I wasn’t as consistent with it & was just way to light. When I got my FT Optiforce 440 drivers the first week of August one was shafted with a Accra TourZ CB/85/M5, the other with a Oban Kiyoshi white 65/05 both tipped 1.25″. Both are great shafts but I ended up with the TourZ CB/85/M5, the feel of the shaft is unreal for a 85g shaft, was more consistent, & gained about 5-8mph higher ball speed over my X Hot Pro with the same shaft. This head is the real deal, you don’t need to go with a super lightweight shaft to take advantage of the great technology of this driver. Besides using a 85g driver shaft the head is also hot melted to 206g by Cally to get me to a D4.5 swing weight. If you give this driver a test driver with the right shaft you won’t be disappointed. There’s a reason why the FT Optiforce has been the #1 Callaway driver since it came out & 12 of 14 Callaway European Tour players are also gaming this big stick. Thumbs up to Callaway for bringing out a true players driver this year.
Chip
Jul 31, 2013 at 9:12 am
I was able to demo the FT Optiforce driver last weekend. I was looking for a driver that was lighter in wieght. After hitting a few balls on the driving range, I started to think that I may have found my driver. When I took it to the course I was amazed at the added distance and control, especially distance. I consistantly hit more fairways and added 25 to 30 yards to my drives. Instead of trying to avoid fairway bunkers, I just flew over them. It was actually hard to mishit a shot in my opinion. I have read some pretty negative remarks regarding this driver, but I couldn’t diagree more. All golfers are not the same, and a light wieght driver may not be for you. But if you really want more distance and greater control, this driver may be a good option for you. I bought the driver and the 5 wood and could not be more pleased. It will lower my handicap for sure. I am a 14 hcp and used to drive 235. Now I am hitting my drives past 260. Great choice for me presonally.
Michael
Jul 30, 2013 at 12:53 pm
Great post! I bookmarked your site so I’ll be back again to check out more posts.
affiliatecashadvice.com
Jul 21, 2013 at 8:37 pm
We don’t get fat because of a drastic cut in calories, whenthis happens our metabolic rate can be brought down in a matterof 36 hours by as much as mine is rising. My body responded wonderfully to low carb 5 htp for dieting is the elimination of bread and pasta.
glenn93
Jul 16, 2013 at 5:21 pm
I disagree http://topsinglegolfclubs363.blogspot.com/2013/06/callaway-golf-x-hot-driver-115-mensright.html
Martfin
Jul 11, 2013 at 9:51 pm
Got to hit the 440cc OptiForce driver and the 3 wood today at Golfsmith. The 3 wood I hit well but preferred the Razr Fit Extreme which to me just felt more solid. Distance numbers for me were about the same though. The drive on the other hand felt great, it was effortless to hit and at least 15-20 yds longer than my Razr Fit and every shot was down the middle. Both clubs were using the Diamana stock Stiff shafts. I think I could be tempted by the driver.
mike
Jul 7, 2013 at 5:57 pm
I personally liked the razrfit design better. The weights allow me to swingweight the club after its cut down to 44.5 and the open setting will be missed by more than a few of us.
paul
Jul 6, 2013 at 10:34 am
In swinging something that weighs around 300 grams i don’t think removing 3 of those is going to make it that much faster to swing. and keeping in mind that a club has the aerodynamics of a brick with a rounded back i don’t think that improving drag off it will make it much faster. you could improve how much effort it took to swing it much more by making it smaller, or making the front more aerodynamic.
Johnjohn
Jul 3, 2013 at 6:35 am
Agree, Callaway needs to read Tom Wishon’s book. Besides Clevelans has done the lighter/longer thing for yrs, nothing new
Mike B
Jul 3, 2013 at 1:21 am
Nice looking driver, but if you want more distance, go non-conforming!
Jeffrey
Jul 2, 2013 at 8:33 pm
Like others in here, fell in love with the Superfast. I’d catch a few sure, but the club was so light, it was hard to swing with tempo, and yeah, keeping it on the course, yeah right. I’ve never gone through so many golf balls. I play a shorter and heavier shaft in my current driver, and wow, it finds fairways, and misses are just off the fairway.
Mike
Jul 2, 2013 at 4:16 pm
Hmmm, the hosel looks like an extended version from Titleist SureFit. So are the two offerings of head size. Have seen it before
Dirk
Jul 2, 2013 at 2:26 pm
Yeah, I’m with Danny. I heard this song a few years ago when Superfast came out.
Fool me once, and all that.
hvilletn
Jul 2, 2013 at 2:00 pm
OOPS! I think something is wrong with the content in this article. How many people missed this . . .
“The 460 OptiForce is stamped 10.5 degrees, but Callaway’s revamped OptiFit hosel allows golfers three other loft settings — 1 degree down to 8.5, or 1 or 2 degrees up to either 11.5 or 12.5. The 440 OptiForce is stamped 9.5 degrees and features the same range of loft adjustability.”
paul
Jul 3, 2013 at 9:38 pm
I had a laugh over it.
Jason
Jul 2, 2013 at 1:56 pm
Saw these in person and the 440 and fw shape is really nice. Can’t remember if there’s a weight port tho? The 195 g head won’t work for me as others mentioned- if you like a shorter driver w heavier SW you’ll have to use lead tape I guess?
Scott
Jul 2, 2013 at 1:04 pm
Uhh the sole of club looks like a female anatomy part cant believe they didnt catch that.
pablo
Jul 2, 2013 at 9:05 pm
hahahahaha no kidding it does!
pablo
Jul 2, 2013 at 9:06 pm
maybe by design for subliminal effect LOL
Zack
Jul 6, 2013 at 3:46 am
That’s why u get a “penetrating” flight with this driver. 😉
Tim
Jul 2, 2013 at 12:32 pm
Nothing really new here, but I’m sure someone will buy into it.
Klayton
Jul 2, 2013 at 12:09 pm
Loved the old FT-9 Tour. Possibility of this head being similar only lighter and adjustable??? Not a big fan of light and long clubs. Would have to cut the shaft down to 45 and get something heavy like my Diamana Whiteboard 83X that is in the Razr fit right now.
Callaway X Hot
Jul 2, 2013 at 8:35 am
Sure you will increase club head speed with a ligher driver but what about control?
roger
Jul 2, 2013 at 4:22 am
COOL! so the old razr Fit will be on sale!
Just bought a Razr Fit Driver used . Love the old stock sales.
Todd
Jul 2, 2013 at 10:42 am
I also picked up the older Razr Fit used here recently, and am pleasantly surprised by the performance! The used price was great, and within only a few practice rounds and range visits, I bagged this over my Anser driver. There was no denying that (for me) this club was straighter and longer. I’m convinced that I got lucky with the shaft that came with the Razr thought — the Fuji Motore tour spec. I think with the right shaft fitting, any of these drivers could be great. It will be interesting to see what players think of the Optiforce.
Ted
Jul 3, 2013 at 12:28 pm
Todd,
I agree. I played last year’s Razr Fit for over a year. You made a great choice. (I recently switched to the xtreme which gives me a lower trajectory that is better for hard fairways and the windy conditions I typically play.)
vince
Jul 2, 2013 at 1:07 am
Light weight head with a light weight made for (i presume) shaft and improved aerodynamics.. heard that before and sounds gimmicky. Guess I’ll wait and see how it really performs.
Jay
Jul 7, 2013 at 8:53 am
Maybe not, I bought an original Blueboard off eBay that was pulled from a razr fit extreme and it was a real deal. Had all the proper tags under the grip.
Nicholas
Jul 13, 2013 at 3:35 am
A lot of the new equipment is being given to the consumers with high end shafts at no extra charge, meaning stock. Take for instance Titleist in their Diamana + line for their 913’s or even Ping for their Aldila Rip’s. It’s improving just a tad for folders who actually care about their numbers and hitting fairways or greens.
Nicholas
Jul 13, 2013 at 3:36 am
Golfers.. Not folders. Stupid iPhones.
paul
Jul 1, 2013 at 11:32 pm
I think it looks less like a toy then the xtreme . and it isn’t called Xtreme. so its already on the right track.
Ted
Jul 3, 2013 at 12:21 pm
Although, I respect Paul’s opinion, I disagree. I have been using the xtreme for over three months and it looks nothing like a toy. The deep black gloss finish is very unobtrusive and it looks great at address.
It performs better than any driver I have ever played or tested and beleive me I have tested all the top drivers!
paul
Jul 3, 2013 at 8:51 pm
I thought the sole looked toyish to me. at address i love the driver. i have hit quite a few of my best drives with a friends club. at least you didn’t disagree with the Xtreme name that i find irritating. couldn’t they have come up with something better? Optiforce sounds better to me. good job callaway
Joe Golfer
Jul 1, 2013 at 11:23 pm
Looking forward to reviews on this later on after testing.
It looks sharp, though I’m partial to a tiny alignment aid on the crown.
Like the other posts, I’m not sure longer and lighter is the answer, though I’ll wait for the GolfWRX tests to see those Trackman or Flighscope results.
Jay
Jul 7, 2013 at 8:47 am
I think the alignment aid is only on the 460. I think the bottom looks kinda cheap but if it performs well that 440 with the Blueboard would rock after I cut it down to 44 1/2
8thehardway
Jul 1, 2013 at 11:16 pm
The hosel looks like a Rubik’s cube but I can’t wait to see how they perform.
Danny
Jul 1, 2013 at 10:18 pm
I had a longer and lighter Burner Superfast that crushed the ball into the trees. Tempo killer,
t
Jul 1, 2013 at 9:46 pm
longer and lighter is bad. makes the game harder, not easier.
Sectxag06
Jul 2, 2013 at 12:04 am
Absolutely agree. Best thing I’ve done is cut down my driver shaft. Control is better than 1-2 mph swing difference.
Chuck
Jul 4, 2013 at 10:01 am
Wow. Just what I was thinking. What a great, simple comment right off the bat.
How does Callaway propose to solve the problem of hitting more fairways with driver? One could reasonably suggest, “Get lessons.” That’s fine, I suppose. Buy equipment to help you hit it farther, and get lessons to help you hit it straighter.
But having played golf much more seriously than I have any right to, for several decades, my problem is hitting fairways. Not driver distance. And modern technology has not helped in that regard. I have been moving toward shorter, heavier drivers and it has been making the game more enjoyable.
All good engineering recognizes that there are always tradeoffs in physics.
I have a few specific issues with this report as well. I presume that it is a typo, that a driver marked “10.5”, less one degree of loft via hosel adjustment is “9.5,” not “8.5” as written.
Also, just speaking for meyself, I never felt limited in my ability to get a driver whose loft fitted me. Just choose a head from 7.5 to 10.5 degrees of loft. Everybody made one. No; the real problem was finding open face angles. When we are seeing many tour-player spec sheets featuring drivers at 4 to 6 degrees open, it is pretty clear that a lot of retail options are limited. And to my eye, these new Callaways look closed (sigh — like so many other retail drivers) and the adjustibility doesn’t seem to be there, at least not by way of this description.
PGAPankey
Jul 7, 2013 at 11:11 am
Callaway doesn’t care if you hit more fairways, that’s not why MOST people buy a new driver. When someone comes into my shop and looks at the newest driver they always say the same thing. “I’ll buy it if it goes longer than mine”. They never say “I’ll buy it if I hit more fairways with it”. As Craig Kilbourn used to say on Sportscenter, callaway is “in business to do business”. The majority of golfers want a club to go farther, not straighter.
Dave
Jul 10, 2013 at 12:54 pm
I agree, Chuck. I am a more experienced golfer as well… and while distance is important, the combination of distance and accuracy is MOST important, and should differentiate one club from another. In addition, your comment about open face is right on. Most manufactures offer only closed faces. Like you, I need a face that is a couple of degrees open… and for the life of me, I can not understand why manufacturers do not provide more options for golfers like us. Maybe we will get there some day… one can only hope. In the mean time, if anyone has some suggestions, plz let me know… tx.
moz
Dec 10, 2014 at 12:13 pm
tweak the grip simples.
Martin
Jul 11, 2013 at 4:54 pm
I would like to see one of the big companies build a 44″ driver and swing weight D1/D2, and emphasise ballspeeds from centre strikes. Shorter driver and more ballspeeds from less clubheadspeed!! Now that’s the driver i would like.