Callaway FT-i.

[stevelockie]

Had a shot of Scottish Pro Steven Gallagher's driver yesterday (long story, not worth typing).

It was a Callaway FT-i, 8.5 degrees, extra stiff Prolaunch blue shaft.

Couldn't hit it very well (obviously), but it is a nice club, sits well at address.

One thing I noticed though, the head seemed quite compact, is there a special tour version of this club?

 

[JezzE]

GM's equipment editor here.

Yes, there is a Tour version of this club in 8.5 and 9.5 degree lofts - the non-Tour model comes in full number lofts.

However, the key differences are to do with face angles rather than size - they are 0.5 degrees open in the tour models and between 1 and 2 degrees closed in the standard model.

Have you also hit the standard one? If not, I suspect you'd find that it too would look relatively compact compared to your expectations of a 460cc square-headed club - it certainly looks much smaller than Nike's square driver at address.

Hope this is of some help

 

[stevelockie]

Thanks for the reply Jezz!

Haven't tried a "normal" one yet. I'm warming to them though, especially if they are as straight as reputed to be.

Poor driving is a weak part of my game just now.

You wouldn't have any "preview" copies lying around would you?

 

[JezzE]

Sadly not!

The one we had on trial ended up in the bag of one of the GM team - Paul O'Hagan - as he liked it so much and has since gone back to it having been briefly tempted away by the latest Titleist.

 

[RGuk]

GM's equipment editor here.

However, the key differences are to do with face angles rather than size - they are 0.5 degrees open in the tour

Interesting! presumably to help control the fantastic draw most players seem to exhibit.
Scary, you square the face but actually you don't!!!

Dave

 

[Marko77]

I was playing with someone last week who had the Ram QUB3 driver in his bag. Looked and felt exactly like the FTi - the only difference being the headcover was alot more ugly

Anyone else tried out the Ram or has anyone at GM done a like for like comparison? With the Ram coming in at £90 it could be a very good option for improving club golfers.

 

[GB72]

I tried a clone version (Integra IDrive). Was actually not bad but was not keen on being fitted with measurements given on line (previous bad experience) so had an Okra KII fitted instead

 

[madandra]

I have mentioned this is previous posts on square drivers but I must repeat myself.

Before anyonebuys an FT-i @£240+ please look at this option that has been getting rave reviews elsewhere. One tester said it was identical to the Callaway version and is titanium and has the V2 shaft in it.

I have added the link to a site you can get it for £89.99. At least have a look. web page

 

[medwayjon]

I hit the ram, nike and callaway at the range an I wouldn't waste my money on the nike or callaway.

The performance of the ram was just as good as the other 2, even the pro said the only edge the callaway has is it's poseur appeal, some people wouldn't dare to be seen with a ram!

I find that the square drivers compromise workability so my advice would be to get a good regular shaped driver. Cobra F-Speeds are £99 at www.discountgolfstore.co.uk and are one hell of a driver for that money. Forgiving, long and quality.

 

[PaulOHagan]

medwayjon you make good point - the square drivers do compromise workability which is one of the reasons I went to a Titleistfor a while but after much consideration I decided that as a five handicapper accuracy is far more important than being able to fade the ball- when I do rarely face a tee shot that requires a fade I use my 3-wood.

The square drivers receive a lot of stick on this forum and I can see why but after using the Fti Tour for the last couple of months I can honestly say it is the most consistent driver I have ever owned. In three competitive rounds this month I have hit every fairway, something I have never done before. If the short game wasn't so rusty I may have been cut more than .3!!

 

[madandra]

PaulOH, The FT-i is probably the dogs danglies but because the vast majority of us on here cant afford one or wouldn't spend that much on a club could explain the nagativity it receives.

 

[PaulOHagan]

Your right it is very expensive and as a couple of you mentioned the Ram offers a very reasonable alternative. I was more trying to offer some benefits of the square driver rather than just the FTi. Defending the corner of the poor, abused square club

 

[madandra]

If Callaway asked for it back, would you fork out £350+ for a replacement Paul?

 

[madandra]

I sell tools and everything I sell has an SPC (standard production cost) we normally run at 45-48% margin. If golf club manufacturers did the same we would be clambering over each other for them.

 

[PaulOHagan]

That’s a very good question - I know be seriously tempted by the more reasonably priced drivers that utilise similar technology - particularly ones that are fitted with decent shafts.

 

[madandra]

I had a Titleist D2 (10.5) with the V2 stiff shaft in it an couldn't believe how poor it was. I was battering hell out of it and it was going nowhere. Have any you guys had similar problems with the V2.

Long live the Aldila NVS

 

[RGuk]

Having played Callaway woods for 10? years, I'd have to say it's probably very good. But I wouldn't spend the cash unless I had some left after lessons and green fees.

Interesting Madandra mentions "copy" stuff. There are some clubs out there made in the same factories that are near as damn it identical. The trouble is knowing which ones they are.

I'd have to say that the £99 cobra looks a good deal.

 

[madandra]

I should have used the word CLONE rather than COPY because they are all interpretations of the FT-i.

Trust me, the Skymax has had some amazing reviews. Personally I have just got a Cobra F-Speed LD and it is awsome ... apart from the noice.

 

[Boer]

I have got a newly released Taylormade r11 driver on a cheap golf shop www.cheapgolfforsale.co.uk, the club really surprised me, the performance is great and you can get improvement by playing it. That’s amazing.