Equipment
Callaway XR Drivers, Fairway Woods and Hybrids
Callaway’s XR drivers, fairway woods and hybrids use the company’s new-and-improved Hyper Speed Face Cup technology to produce faster ball speeds — without skimping on forgiveness.
The new Hyper Speed Face Cup has an even thinner, lighter face than its predecessors. The lighter face gave Callaway engineers the ability to move the center of gravity (CG) slightly lower in the club heads, as well as add a bit more perimeter weighting. The results? Higher-launching, lower-spinning shots and club heads that are more consistent on mishits.
To lighten the face of the XR and XR Pro drivers, Callaway added what it calls “R-Moto” — also used on its Big Bertha Alpha 815 drivers — which is a series of ribs that connect the face to the crown and the sole. The structure reduces weight in the face by as much as 10 percent, and also transfers energy more efficiently, says Evan Gibbs, Senior Manager of R&D for Woods at Callaway Golf.
Callaway’s Speed Step Crown
Callaway also tackled an airflow issue with the XR line. With golf clubs, there’s a tendency for air to separate from the club head’s surface as it moves through space, which increases turbulence and drag.
Callaway’s XR driver uses the company’s new Speed Step crown (gallery above) to improve aerodynamics, while the XR Pro has an aerodynamically-enhanced Forged Composite Crown to slightly boost club head speed.
“THE SPEED STEP CROWN AND THE AERODYNAMIC HEAD SHAPE WORK TOGETHER TO KEEP THE AIRFLOW ATTACHED TO THE CLUB HEAD FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE,” SAYS GIBBS.
The XR driver, fairway woods and hybrids also use what Callaway calls an Internal Standing Wave — a forward-leaning weight pad behind the face that helps lower CG for reduced spin and more ball speed.
Like the drivers, Callaway’s XR fairway woods and hybrids were also the beneficiary of aerodynamic improvements.
Callaway’s XR line offers two different driver models (Standard and Pro), three different fairway wood models (Standard, Pro and Deep) and two different hybrid models (Standard and Pro).
The standard models are the most forgiving option throughout the line for players who need more spin, forgiveness or both. The Pro versions have more compact head designs and offer a lower-spinning trajectory
The XR Pro 3 Deep fairway wood (14 degrees) is a specialty 3 wood model with a deeper (read taller) face than the Pro model. It combines a larger face with a lower-spinning trajectory to create a club that golfers can use from the tee as a second driver, as well as from the fairway.
The XR line’s stock shafts are True Temper’s Project X LZ, which are designed to help golfers to maximize shaft load at the top of the swing transfer more energy into the ball at impact.
Standard XR drivers, woods and hybrids will be available in stores on Feb. 20, 2015, and the XR Pro and XR Deep models will be available on March 20, 2015.
XR driver
Price: $349
Lofts: 9, 10.5, 12 and 13.5 degrees
Shaft: True Temper Project X LZ (Mitsubishi Rayon Bassara 52, no charge)
Design Features:
- Speed Step Crown
- R-Moto face
- OptiFit Hosel offers 8 different loft/lie configurations
XR Pro driver
Price: $399
Lofts: 9 and 10.5 degrees
Shaft: True Temper Project X LZ (Matrix Black Tie and Fujikura Speeder 565, no charge)
Design Features:
- R-Moto Face
- Forged Composite Crown (lowers spin by 300 rpm compared to X2 Hot, according to Callaway)
- Aerodynamic head design
- OptiFit adjustability
XR fairway woods
Price: $229
Lofts: 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 and 25 degrees
Shaft: True Temper Project X LZ
Design Features:
- Forged Hyper Speed Face Cup
- 200 less rpm of spin compared to X2 Hot woods
- Redesigned head shape — flatter leading edge, higher toe, shallower face height
XR Pro fairway woods
Price: $239
Lofts: 14, 16 and 18 degrees
Shaft: True Temper Project X LZ
Design Features:
- Forged Hyper Speed Face Cup
- Internal Standing Wave for lower CG
- Deeper face for better performance off the tee, and a more sloped crown to make working the ball easier, especially hitting a draw.
XR Pro 3 Deep fairway woods
Price: $239
Lofts: 14 degrees
Shafts: True Temper Project X LZ
Design Features:
- Forged Hyper Speed Face Cup
- Internal Standing Wave for lower CG
- Progressive face height and deeper face are designed primarily for shots off the tee
XR Hybrid
Price: $219
Lofts: 19, 22, 25 and 28 degrees
Shaft: True Temper Project X SD
Design Features:
- Forged Hyper Speed Cup Face
- Redesigned head shape and repositioned weight for 46 percent lower CG than X2 Hot hybrids
- Internal Standing Wave for higher MOI and ball speed
XR Pro Hybrid
Price: $229
Lofts: 16, 18, 20 and 23 degrees
Shaft: True Temper Project X LZ
Design Features:
- Compact head design for better players
- Forged Hyper Speed Face Cup
- Redesigned head shape for lowest CG ever in a Callaway hybrid
- Internal Standing Wave for MOI and more ball speed
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...
Jerry Spencer
Nov 17, 2015 at 6:00 pm
Who cares what a club looks like? I rather have totally ugly club that performs to my expectations. Calliway clubs do that for me.
sean mcsweeny
Apr 20, 2015 at 1:22 pm
I have just purchased the xr pros is the weight on the bottom of the driver exchangeable and what are the advantages ?
LindyLoulie
Feb 8, 2015 at 2:47 pm
I wonder what clubs all the haters play?? The only brands that don’t change frequently are Titleist and Ping. So what?!? If you base your hatred on the looks and haven’t even hit them I guess you’re not being objective about the performance at all. Perhaps y’all are scratch golfers who could hit it a mile and within three feet with a broomstick??
If the folks involved in the golf equipment R&D departments had no interest in finding a better way to make golf a little bit easier and more enjoyable for us amateurs looking for a bit more distance and forgiveness in our clubs we’d all still be killing ourselves playing those “great” old classic ’76 Wilson Staffs. I still have mine — in the closet! I loved them back in the day, however Father Time has taken his revenge on my ol’ body and hands. I truly appreciate having the opportunity to continue to play and enjoy the game even tho I have gone from a 3 to a 16 due to major health issues and the resulting lost distance. The wonderful advancements in equipment have made that possible.
As for the new Callaway XR line… I had the opportunity to hit the XR 7 iron in my configuration — Men’s length/Senior flex — and the ball exploded off the face like a rocket! I gained 12 straight/15draw yards over last year’s X2 Hot. LOVE IT!! Can’t wait for my custom order to arrive! BTW, I for one like the looks. I actually prefer the look of the XR Pro at address due to its thinner top line and less offset, however I hit the standard XR a bit further, so that is what I opted for. I have not had the opportunity to hit the XR driver, fairways & hybrids, but if the irons are any indication, I’m sure the “woods” will be great as well.
While I do not appreciate the fact that Callaway’s — and all other companies’ — policy of bringing out new models about every 6 months leads to rapid depreciation in value, I do appreciate having the opportunity to re-gain some of my lost distance along with greater forgiveness through new technology. I still have to know how to manage the course, make a good swing and have a sharp short game. Also, I still have to putt well, so the challenge of the game is still there, and it is what keeps me coming back for more!
Now, all you haters go out and hit the new clubs before you hate on ’em! If you still hate them don’t buy ’em!
Michael M
Jan 15, 2015 at 6:41 pm
same pos new paint on some
Jgolf
Jan 15, 2015 at 10:38 am
It seems like these releases are coming fast and furious. But really it follows the one year cyle.
BB 815 & BBDBD relpace BB & BB Alpha. XR 7 XR Pro replace X2 Hot & X2HP. So I figured we would be looking at an early summer release for the “Speed Enhanced Driver” to replace the BB V Series.
But after visiting their website, they are billing this as “Crazy Speed” so maybe XR combines the X2 Hot and V series. When Callaway droped the FT Optiforce on us, they did say they were going to keep bring products to market when they have better tech. That being said, I agree with Leon. How much less spin do I want with my average club head speed. I know….more ball speed, etc.
I’m a huge Callway fan, but I’m not feeling these so much.
Golfnut99
Jan 14, 2015 at 11:40 pm
I am confused as to what everyone is yapping about with the graphics??? What is considered traditional today? The g30 graphics look like a spaceship with a sort of horned frog look at address? The XR pro dr/fwy/hy look about as clean as it gets out of anything in the industry. I am a 120 sis guy and hit both the fwy wood and hybrid in the pro model and std driver all with the stock stiff shafts. I have already pre ordered the pro in everything!!!! That’s how impressed I was. The ball just shot off the face and the club has great feel and sound. I have been a tmag guy for a long time ( u want to talk about cheap graphics look no further than r15 or aero burner??? ). I thought I would never replace my stage 2 tp fwy or my sldr 430 but this line has me super excited for 2015. Good stuff Callaway!!!
Lee H.
Jan 14, 2015 at 9:34 pm
I’m not crazy about the cheap looking graphics, but I’m sure the clubs will all perform, including the irons. That’s what really matters…The XR line is a replacement of the X2 line, not the BB Alpha line that just came out (for those complaining about product cycles)…I am heading to the PGA Show for the 1st time and these are definitely on my list to try out. I’m more curious about the irons though since I’m sticking with my X2 driver.
bogeybirdiebogeybirdie
Jan 14, 2015 at 8:18 pm
When Callaway, Taylormade, and (insert any major brand here) come out with new equipment and “new” technology every few months, it really begins to discredit them and unfortunately show how stupid we are as consumers. If we truly believe that they come up with something revolutionary every 16 weeks, then we need to put these club designers in charge of cancer research and world hunger. They could wipe those out in under a year! However as long as the ignorant consumer (us) continue to buy $400 drivers and accept $50 trade value 4 months later for the next $400 driver, they will continue to change the crown color, add sliding weights, adjustable everything, and claim it will add 5 mph to our swing.
P.S. If that last statement was true we would all have 250 mph swing speeds by now!
Wilson63
Jan 14, 2015 at 7:53 pm
This replaced the x2 hot line and the 815 series replaced the original alpha series? Don’t really understand how this is confusing? Also, I have not a fan of the color scheme at all, but I mean the x2 hot pro 3 wood was one, if not the best 3 wood of 2014. So it’s the performance for me that counts. Can’t wait to hit it!
Jgolf
Jan 14, 2015 at 6:36 pm
Actually it’s seems like these new releases are coming in fast and furious. But they are holding steady with the one year cycle on the Drivers, Fairways and Hybrids. 815 & 815DBD replaced BB & BBA. Now Xr & Xr Pro replaces X2 & X2HP. So I figure we’re gonna see a new version of the “Speed Enhanced Driver” mid summer to replace BB V Series. Callaway said when they dropped the FT Optiforce on us they were going to keep bringing new releases when they have new technology.
That being said, I agree with Leon. How much less spin do I want with my very average clubhead speed. I’m a big Cally fan. But I’m not feeling these.
Dan
Jan 14, 2015 at 6:30 pm
I didn’t even read the article but I’m willing to bet that in order to increase distance they moved the MOI to here which resulted in this and they changed a price to increase face speed. All of this research was done in less than 12 months time. Next year they will change the MOI to a different location and charge you $429
Matthew Bacon
Jan 14, 2015 at 6:25 pm
Brought to you by BMW M Series
dsw
Jan 14, 2015 at 5:48 pm
This is my first time posting on GolfWRX and I just had to respond to this horrendous line of clubs. My dad plays Callaway clubs and when I picked up golf a few years ago, I chose to play Callaways too, but this is just ridiculous. Callaway…what the heck are you thinking? Just horrible.
jgpl001
Jan 14, 2015 at 4:45 pm
This is ABSOLUTE NONSENSE
It’s nearly one new club a week, even TM would be proud of this charade
So how long do I have wait for the 815 DD to drop in price, next week maybe???
FTWPhil
Jan 14, 2015 at 4:08 pm
Callaway doesn’t seem to like #6 hybrids again. One year they have them, and the next they don’t. Kind of like when they made the RAZR X in a #6, but not the RAZR X HL. Not everybody who wants a #6 wants Edge Combo sets.
Thibault
Jan 15, 2015 at 4:17 am
Have a look at the Big Bertha HY line, they even carry a 7H
Large chris
Jan 15, 2015 at 8:10 am
My Grandma loves her 6 hybrid
Jason
Jan 14, 2015 at 2:44 pm
I’m sure they are great clubs, would love to hit a bucket of balls with them. But I have to say that color and graphics scheme on the bottom is pretty Wal-Mart looking.
Don
Jan 14, 2015 at 3:30 pm
Truer words have yet to be spoken.
Leon
Jan 14, 2015 at 2:43 pm
Now, I can hit 300 yards with less than 1000 rpm spin by switching to this trash. Wait, did I mention my swing speed is about 90 mph? Never mind, callaway told me that I can reduce 300 rpm spin rate by using their new drivers every time I switched. So I figured it out that my spin rate right now must be something less than 1000 rpm. Great.
Troy
Jan 14, 2015 at 2:32 pm
I am a loyal Callaway customer and have been for nearly 20 years.
I am no fan of the soles of any of the drivers or fairway woods, they look cheap.
With that being said, one does not see the soles of woods or drivers that often, but wish they would make them look a little more classy/traditional.
steve
Jan 14, 2015 at 2:32 pm
Cant believe they went back to the project x shafts, those are terrible. I figured they would stick with the tour blue and green since they were such a huge improvement.
Dpavs
Jan 14, 2015 at 1:20 pm
Yuck.
Regis
Jan 14, 2015 at 1:08 pm
Wow. I just ordered a 2014 Big Bertha Alpha today because the price had dropped enough. Had to debate between the Alpha, The Big Bertha, the X2Hot or the V series. Didn’t even consider the 815 series. I’m a Ho and TMAG is my go to brand but even I’m confused as to where Callaway is going. Can’t imagine what the retailer is trying to juggle and this is just one brand.
John
Jan 14, 2015 at 12:22 pm
I thought the 815 double black diamond just came out? What was product cycle on that line? My goodness. Is there a race between Callaway and TM for who can come out with the most woods in a 365 day window?
Johnny Miller
Jan 14, 2015 at 12:02 pm
So X2 didn’t work at $329… Callaways solution: $349 and $399!!
Scooter McGavin
Jan 14, 2015 at 2:41 pm
Actually, or store sold a ton of X2 Hot woods.
Johnny Miller
Jan 14, 2015 at 5:17 pm
before or after they dropped $100?
Person
Jan 14, 2015 at 11:20 am
I am confused; why are people still eating up these gimmicky looking clubs?
RobG
Jan 14, 2015 at 11:36 am
Who cares if they look gimmicky, its the performance that counts.
bradford
Jan 15, 2015 at 8:35 am
Do you also believe that a razor with 6 blades does a better job?
POS
Jan 14, 2015 at 12:19 pm
They don’t look any more gimmicky than those POS Titleist drivers
slider
Jan 14, 2015 at 8:26 pm
titleist clubs look nice
Curt
Jan 14, 2015 at 11:09 am
I like the all black look so I can live with the colors on the bottom. I just won’t look underneath.
frendy
Jan 14, 2015 at 10:44 am
Turbulators!
Callaway X Hot
Jan 14, 2015 at 9:23 am
I assume this is the replacement for the X2 Hot line of woods. Will they be coming out with a set of XR irons also?
POS
Jan 14, 2015 at 12:20 pm
They already reviewed that here
http://www.golfwrx.com/272471/callaway-xr-and-xr-pro-irons/
CB
Jan 14, 2015 at 9:01 am
I hope it performs because it looks horrible.
POS
Jan 14, 2015 at 12:21 pm
Looks great, performs great. Just like all Callaways always do.
Zach
Jan 14, 2015 at 9:01 am
whoa! No 2 or 5 deep?
Dakota
Jan 14, 2015 at 9:51 am
They will becoming out around the time of the XR Pro driver, I think the Cally rep said sometime in mid-march, but march for sure.
Scooter McGavin
Jan 14, 2015 at 8:24 am
Color scheme seems to be a bit all over the place. But i suppose if they perform, that’s what really matters.