Equipment
Callaway Announces Tour Authentic Line
Ever since Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els put a prototype set of Callaway Blades into play, many in the golf world have been eagerly awaiting word from Callaway for a possible launch date.
The wait is over, since this April Callaway will launch the new X-Prototype irons as part of their new Tour Authentic line. This line consists of equipment straight from the PGA Tour. There are no modifications to accommodate the average player, these are clubs designed for the best players in the world now available to the public. Along with the X-Prototype irons, a new FT-5 T driver, X-Forged Wedges, Tour Milled Putter, and Staff Bags complete the line and offer golfers the chance to play what the pros play.
Discuss your opinion on the Tour Authentic line in our forums!
FT-5 T Driver
The FT-5 driver was a big hit among consumers, the Tour versions were aimed at better players but still some golfers wanted more. The new FT-5 T driver will take them one step further. By incorporating the traditional FT-5 body, Callaway has added the new T hosel which is placed closer to the leading edge and gives the driver a more open look. The driver will also feature a face angle that lies 1.5 degrees open further enhancing the driver’s open appearance and workability. The FT-5 T driver will be available in Draw, Neutral, and Fade Opti-Fit Weight configurations in lofts of 8.5 and 9.5 degrees.
X-Prototype Irons
Once regarded as a strictly game improvement brand, Callaway has made some major roads into the players market with the X-Tour and X-Forged irons. Taking that design one step further, Roger Cleveland has designed the X-Prototype, a forged muscle back with the X-Muscle which provides forgiveness while still allowing for trajectory and shot control. The X-Muscle also features a flighted center of gravity with the highest muscle in the short irons for trajectory control which moves to the lowest in the long irons for high, soft landing shots. The sole grind of the irons is positioned right between the X-Tour which many players felt had too much bounce and the X-Forged which many felt had too little. The X-Prototype should play somewhere between the two in terms of turf interaction. The irons will be made from soft 1020 carbon steel and are forged by the famed Endo manufacturing facility.
X-Forged Wedges
GolfWRX recently covered the addition of the new X-Forged wedge to the line with a new C-grind added to their wedges. However, as part of the Tour Authentic line, the X-Forged will also be available with the PM grind that made the original X-Tour wedge so successful. The club will also feature a tighter heel to toe radius for greater playability around the greens. The X-Forged also features the super-sharp "Mac Daddy" grooves which are at the USGA’s maximum allowable depth and width providing tremendous amounts of spin. The wedges will be available in both durable chrome and low glare vintage finishes.
Tour Milled Putter
Although many people were very impressed by the Odyssey Black series, quite a few longed for the original Tour-only milled putters prototypes seen among Callaway staffers on the PGA Tour. Odyssey will finally appease the masses with the introduction of the new Tour Milled Putter. Milled from a single blank of 303 stainless steel, this putter is sure to be a big hit among traditionalists. The putter features a thin face for a soft yet solid feel. The thin face also allows weight to be moved to the perimeter and deeper to the back of the putter providing for more forgiveness. The putter will be available in 33, 34, and 35 inch lengths with a standard head weight of 340 grams.
2008 Staff Bags
Callaway will also introduce four new staff bags in 2008 in color schemes that correspond with the major championships.
Cameron Young’s WITB from his win at the 2025 Wyndham Championship. Cameron is a Titleist staff player but his bag is definitely filled with some unique clubs. Here are the clubs he used to secure his first PGA Tour win!
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus HB Black VeloCore+ 10 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (4), Titleist T100 (5), Titleist 631.CY Prototype (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7 (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-14F @57), WedgeWorks (60-K* @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Prototype
- Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist GT3 (10 degrees, C2 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X Denali Blue 60 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 7 X
7-wood: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 X
Irons: Titleist T150 (4, 5), Titleist T100 (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper AMT Tour White X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 52-12F, 56-08M @57, 60-04T @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron Studio Style Fastback 1.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Yellow
We’re proud to once again partner with 2nd Swing Golf to bring you GolfWRX Members Choice 2025! 2nd Swing has more than 150,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.
What is the best driver in 2025? At GolfWRX, we take great pride in our online community and the cumulative knowledge and experience of our members. When it comes to the best driver of 2025, we want to know what our forum faithful think.
Since our founding in 2005, the bedrock of GolfWRX.com has been the community of passionate and knowledgeable golfers in our forums, and we put endless trust in the opinions of our GolfWRX members — the most knowledgeable community of golfers on the internet. No other group of golfers in the world tests golf clubs as frequently or as extensively, nor is armed with such in-depth information about the latest technology.
Below are the results of GolfWRX member voting for the 2025 best driver, along with the vote percentage for each club.
Best driver of 2025: The top 5
5. Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond: 6.02%
Callaway’s pitch: “For golfers looking for a fast, forgiving, yet workable driver, the Elyte Triple Diamond features a tour-inspired shape and is the preferred model by most Callaway tour players.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond here.
4. Ping G440 Max: 6.86%
Ping’s pitch: “The most forgiving G440 model, MAX has a hotter face to generate speed and distance, and a lighter overall system weight with a longer shaft (46″) for faster clubhead speed, higher launch and longer carries. The Free Hosel and Carbonfly Wrap crown save weight to create our lowest CG ever and increase forgiveness while contributing to a more muted, pleasing sound.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 Max here.
3. Ping G440 LST: 9.53%
Ping’s pitch: “LST is an especially good fit for faster swings, offering less spin and more control with a penetrating trajectory. A hotter face, lighter overall system weight and longer shaft (46″) deliver more speed and distance while maintaining tight dispersion.”
@phizzy30: “Not a fan of Ping drivers in general, but 440 LST takes the cake. It’s super forgiving across the face for a low spin head, looks and sounds good and the ability to make it play neutral or slightly fade biased through the hosel settings is very appealing.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 LST here.
2. Titleist GT3: 16.55%
Titleist’s pitch: “The GT3 Driver offers Titleist’s boldest combination of power and personalization through adjustable performance. Dial in the CG Track to your frequent contact location to make your biggest drives even bigger while taking total control over flight and shaping.”
@mrmikeac: “I’ve been Anti-Titleist for years and years and years (outside of Vokey, of course). With that being said, HOLY BEGEEZUS the GT3 driver is an absolute NUCLEAR MONSTER! This thing blew my G430 10K Max out of the water in every single category. Forgiveness is the biggest thing that stands out of me, the 3 model has always been one of the less forgiving models in the past but this GT3 can take bad shot after bad shot and still end up in the fairway, I think a ton of that has to do with the adjustability, it’s actually effective. Feel and sound is perfect, that solid crack is so addicting to hear and when you hit it out the screws this thing can absolutely bomb it. Titleist, I’m sorry for doubting you. You have converted me.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT3 here.
1. Titleist GT2: 22.91%
Titleist’s pitch: “Delivering impressive distance from any impact point, the Titleist GT2 Driver extracts maximum performance through a forgiving design. Get the stability and added confidence of a high-MOI driver without sacrificing speed.”
@DTorres: “The Titleist GT2 has proven to be the best driver of the year. Packaged in a classic profile, GT2 perfectly balances performance and forgiveness while consistently being a high performer across all categories.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT2 here.
Other drivers receiving >2% of the vote
| Driver | Vote percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| Cobra DS Adapt Max K | 4.85% |
| Ping G430 Max 10K | 3.85% |
| Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond | 3.68% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 | 3.51% |
| Callaway Elyte | 3.18% |
| Cobra DS Adapt X | 2.34% |
| Cobra DS Adapt LS | 2.17% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 LS | 2.17% |
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Peter Malnati WITB 2025 (August)
Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver: Titleist...
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2025 Wyndham Championship
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting) Buy here. Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX 3-wood: Titleist...
Camilo Villegas WITB 2025 (July)
Camilo Villegas WITB accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. Villegas was undecided on a 3-wood when we shot his bag. ...
WITB Time Machine: Brandt Snedeker’s winning WITB, 2018 Wyndham Championship
Brandt Snedeker fired a final-round 65 at the 2018 Wyndham Championship to outlast Webb Simpson and C.T. Pan. His 5-under...
Alex S
Mar 8, 2008 at 12:49 am
Callaway making the right business moves. Remember, these irons are for the players first, and rumors are that Phil and Ernie and really liking them. If that can translate to more wins, then Callaway ends up as the beneficiary. I thought Callaway needed a set of ‘blades’ LONG time ago and FINALLY we are seeing their attempt at one. Whatever, it is always prudent business to keep your customers (pro tour members as well as the general public). Personally, I think the x-protype irons look absolutely fantastic. Great job Callaway and I’ll be owners of a set in the future.
Finn
Feb 15, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Which will be easier to hit? Prototypes or X Forged?
Hans T
Feb 3, 2008 at 3:19 am
Cool..! i am waiting to get FT-5 T
Chris K.
Jan 22, 2008 at 4:21 pm
I was allways into callaway but they never had a ste of irons I felt confident with and I hope this is going to change as soon as the Proto´s come out!!
K Vakamudi
Jan 21, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Jason, all will be available April as custom order only through Callaway dealers.
Jason R
Jan 19, 2008 at 7:32 am
Please tell us when the proto irons are going to come out..I have the x-forged now but can’t wait for the proto’s!
Brad B
Jan 17, 2008 at 7:41 am
Question about the FT-5 T driver – does it launch with less backspin than the regular FT-5 Tour?
Which Callaway driver launches with the least backspin (equal lofts, of course)?
Steve H
Jan 16, 2008 at 2:36 pm
I’m a retailer up in Canada and can tell you now that I’ve got customers just chompin’ at the bit to have this opportunity available to them!
I’m definitely going to have to give the new driver a test drive, but those irons look amazing. I’ve got TPMB w/ PX6.0 right now, but if these stack up to the expectations, I’ll be trading in fast!
James L
Jan 16, 2008 at 3:36 am
I have never been a Callaway fan but am currently using the FT-5 tour driver (changed from Titlesit 905R) and it is an excellent club once you get over the awful sound. The x prototype irons look good and I will certainly try them on the back of the performance of the FT-5. I tried the current x-forged irons for a couple of round and liked the clubs but hated the project x shafts. Am I the only one who doesn’t like project x rifle shafts?? (Currently use S400)
Atlas0_6
Jan 15, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Nice. I started of Callaway moved to Nike, Bridgestone.. but the X-proto irons may bring me back to Callaway…
Nice. Really Nice.
finker21
Jan 15, 2008 at 9:34 pm
the irons are so tight put thoes out as soon as possible
T_Lett
Jan 15, 2008 at 9:32 pm
This new stuff is really good, I am a Callaway staff professional and I will playing some of this new stuff this year, I can’t wait.
Texashigh 10
Jan 15, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Freakin’ sweet!!! Putter looks amazing, not sure i could use the driver or irons though.