The famous Hawkeye sole that provided players with versatility and gave the original Steelhead its unique and functional shape has been re-engineered for increased versatility and improved turf interaction to provide players better contact regardless of the lie.

Senior Vice President of Research and Development at Callaway, Dr Alan Hocknell said of the return of the Steelhead name and shape, “Callaway has improved what was already an iconic shape, made the head more forgiving and easy to launch, and refined the sole to make it even more versatile and playable than the original Steelhead Fairway.

“What’s more, we coupled it with our latest ball speed technology innovations to promote more distance, both off the turf and from the tee.”

Again taking its lead from the original, the new Steelhead XR promotes easy launch and low spin through the use of a lightweight crown. The J-36 carbon crown weighs just 6 grams and combines with a steel face featuring Callaway’s Hyper Speed Face Cup technology, which features a thin and flexible boundary area, to increase forgiveness, ball speed and distance.

The weight saving carbon crown, 20 grams lighter than the previous XR, and a shorter hosel allow the company’s engineers to reposition weight around the perimeter of the head for forgiveness and move the centre of gravity low and forward to help produce ideal launch conditions.

The new Steelhead XR also incorporates Callaway’s proprietary Speed Step technology which increases swing speeds for improved distance through aerodynamics, designed with the assistance of aerospace experts.

Premium Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei CK shafts are standard in the Steelhead XR fairway woods and Callaway has further paid homage to the original model with the new version offered in the popular 3+ and 4+ lofts and the wide variety of lofts offered for both men and women in the Steelhead XR fairways will fill every gap in the top-end of player’s bags.

RRP: $ 349.99 (available from July 14).

Lofts available: 3+wood (13.5⁰), 3-wood (15⁰), 4+wood (16⁰), 5-wood (18⁰), 7-wood (21⁰), 9-wood (24⁰) and Heavenwood (20.5⁰). Women’s Steelhead XR Fairways are available in 3-, 5-, 7-, 9- and Heavenwood models.