Equipment
Callaway to release Sub Zero driver, with the company’s lowest CG ever
The chase for a lower center of gravity (CG) has taken Callaway below the neutral axis line with its new XR 16 Sub Zero driver. According to Callaway, the driver is made for better players with fast swing speeds, and boasts the lowest CG of any Callaway driver ever designed.
Imagine the neutral axis line as a line drawn backward, perpendicular from the center of the club face, as illustrated above. While most drivers have a CG above that line, the XR 16 Sub Zero, which measures 440 cubic centimeters, boasts a CG below it.
The XR 16 Sub Zero was lower spinning than Callaway’s Big Bertha Alpha 816 DBD driver in the company’s robot and player testing.
Drivers with low-CG positions can help golfers lower their spin rates, allowing those with fast swing speeds to achieve a more penetrating trajectory that can increase distance. The most notable example is Phil Mickelson, who is currently using the Sub Zero driver on the PGA Tour.
Related: Phil Mickelson WITB 2016
To achieve the Sub Zero’s lower CG, Callaway gave it a new crown, which is made of a “Carbon Triax” material. According to Callaway Senior R&D manager Evan Gibbs, the new crown is made from “fabric, or laminate,” which is different from the chopped fibers that are used to make the carbon fiber crowns for Callaway Great Big Bertha and Big Bertha Alpha 816 DBD drivers.
All three drivers use the same molding technique for their crowns, however, the Carbon Triax material is thinner and lighter, allowing weight to be displaced lower and deeper in the club head.
Compared to Callaway’s XR 16 and XR 16 Pro drivers, the XR 16 Sub Zero will not have as high of a moment of inertia (MOI), a measure of ball speed retention or forgiveness on off-center hits, due to the concentration of weight low and forward in the club head. That’s not ideal for golfers who struggle to make consistent contact, but skilled golfers can use the lower CG position to hit longer drives.
The XR 16 Sub Zero is also adjustable, allowing players to fine-tune their trajectory with a 10-gram and 2-gram interchangeable weights that are placed in opposing weight ports. Moving the heavier weight forward makes for a penetrating, lower-spinning trajectory, while moving it rearward setting will provide a higher launch and more forgiveness, but slightly raise spin in comparison.
Callaway’s XR 16 Sub Zero driver (9.5 degress, RH Only) will be available for $449.99 on April 15 with the choice of 20 premium shaft at no upcharge.
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...
Jim
Mar 17, 2016 at 11:47 pm
Uhhh, Cobra King LTD beat them to the market with the zero CG driver. Plus, the Cobra LTD has nice forgiveness unlike what Cally is claiming is lost with the Subzero. LTD for the win!
299yards
Mar 17, 2016 at 12:43 am
“bro i hit it like 20* 1000rpm 380 yds.”
one release later: “not forgiving enough.”
another release later: “20* 1000rpm seems about right”
Leftypro16
Mar 16, 2016 at 7:23 pm
If Phil is hitting it, what no lefty for the rest of us? What’s up with that?
Tom Duckworth
Mar 16, 2016 at 4:56 pm
I don’t see the big deal. Ping has a low spin driver as part of the G series this just looks like a low spin XR 16.
MIKEYP
Mar 16, 2016 at 1:10 pm
To all you nay sayers. I have been buying every new driver that has come out from callaway and taylormade and have really embraced the new technology. My average drives are between 680 and 700 yards and golf has become very easy for me.
Steve
Mar 16, 2016 at 9:47 am
Finally they made a perfect driver until the next one. Just a joke. No wonder equipment makers are struggling. They flood the market, more supply then demand. Why would anyone buy at full retail from cally, tmag when in a few months it is on the clearance shelves.
Ryan
Mar 15, 2016 at 8:47 pm
Jim, I have hit it.. lol
ha ha ha
Mar 15, 2016 at 3:18 pm
if this were a taylormade there would be 80 comments about how many releases they have and a million m3 jokes…Callaway is king(of quick releases) ha ha ha
moses
Mar 15, 2016 at 2:47 pm
Looks like Callaway is going to get the 17 1700 faster than Taylormade. 🙂
Weekend Duffer
Mar 15, 2016 at 1:53 pm
Callaway should start leasing drivers so I can get the new one that comes out each month.
Carson
Mar 15, 2016 at 11:18 am
Special release driver for right handers only.. Especially when they toat Phil for playing it.
Thanks Callaway.
lew
Mar 15, 2016 at 10:07 am
So many delusional wrxers will buy it and then call them the worst driver ever made.
Russell Jimmie
Mar 15, 2016 at 9:25 am
Another driver that people on WRX will go crazy about because it is low spin but nobody will be able to hit. Like the Slider 430
299yards
Mar 17, 2016 at 12:44 am
hahha so true, sldr 430 is the lowest spinning least forgiving thing ever made
Ryan
Mar 15, 2016 at 9:20 am
Come out with the 8.5 !!!!!
Jacob
Mar 15, 2016 at 9:11 am
And people make fun of TaylorMade…