CLUBS ROAD TEST: CALLAWAY X-TOUR IRONS

From the April 2006 issue of Golf Australia

HANDICAP: 4
REVIEWED BY: Brian Yates
MODEL & SHAFT PLAYED: Callaway X-Tour
irons fitted with regular True Temper Dynamic Gold steel shafts.

FIRST IMPRESSION: Having used, and been impressed with, the Callaway X-12 irons in the past, it looks like Callaway shrunk the head and cut off the rounded edges to make the X-Tour iron.

VERDICT: From the moment you pick up these clubs, you get the overriding impression that you have a solid club in your hands. Callaway’s traditional thick top line is still there, but it is disguised cleverly by angling the back of the top line and having a different metal finish. The size of the head is quite small – in comparison with other Callaway models - which I really like. They have a players club look when addressing the ball.

The playability and balance of the club is what you would expect from Callaway, although shots not hit out of the middle do provide more feedback than other Callaway irons. These were easily one club longer than my current irons and all I had to do was swing smoothly to get the desired impact. However, if I put a bad swing on the ball, the direction
behaved accordingly, which I think is a good combination for the better player.

The back of the iron is distinctively Callaway, which may not please everyone, but the clubs do the job and at the end of the day that’s more important to me than simply looking
like a players club.

FACTS & FIGURES

SUITABILITY: Single-figure handicap amateurs and
professionals.
SHAFTS: True Temper Dynamic Gold steel shafts. Custom
shafts available.
GRIPS: Golf Pride grips.
LEFT-HANDED MODELS?: Yes.
HOW MUCH?: $189 per iron (steel); $229 (graphite).
CALLAWAY SAYS: “At last, a forged iron with the
feel, control and traditional styling favoured by touring
professionals combining playability and forgiveness
“The Callaway X-Tour iron has a square toe, narrow,
chambered, bevel-edge sole and minimal offset for
the ultimate in workability and confidence for shots
from any lie.

“A slightly smaller blade-style head appeals to the low
handicap player or professional golfer, with two-piece 1020 Carbon Steel giving the precision, feel and control that better players demand from their irons.

“A longer hosel length places the centre of gravity right where the better players need it throughout the set, with Callaway Golf designers also incorporating core technologies to ensure that the X-Tour irons offer superior performance and playability.

“The biggest challenge was incorporating revolutionary technologies, traditionally found in the company’s cast clubs - such as notch weighting and the 360-degree undercut channel - into the X-Tour forged irons.

“The two-piece body and face provides an exceptionally soft, yet responsive feel. While proven 360-degree undercut channel technology and extreme notch weighting moves weight to the heel and toe for more forgiveness and stability.”

Contact: Callaway Golf on 1800 217 777 or visit www.callaway.com