Poor vintage for Callaway drivers?

[Monty_Brown]

It may just be a misconception on my part but there seems to be comparatively little love on here for the current crop of Callaway drivers.

Titleist 910s, TM R11s, Ping G20s have all gathered lots of positive feedback, but I hear little about the Callaway Diablo Octanes, Razr Hawks etc. Similarly, in most of the magazine and online reviews, they get decent reports, but rarely seem to come out as top recommendations against competitors.

For a firm that charges top whack like Callaway, it's seems a relatively poor result to not be heading the current field.

I'm looking for a new driver and 3-wood and have loved using Callaway gear in the past. I actually really like the look of the Diablo Octane and how it sits so it will be on my test list regardless, but I wondered if anyone is currently using or has tested the current Callaway models and what their feedback is like.

My final decision will obviously be based on my own stats at a fitting, but I'm interested in feeding in any useful comments in drawing up a test list.

Thanks all.

 

[Alex1975]

Yep, this has been a common theme this summer, the lack of love for this years Cally Drivers, on our forum at least.

I tried them all when they came out... maybe late last winter and it took a long time and a VERY expensive shaft to make them work for me. They wanted something like £400+ for the package.

 

[mattyb0y]

Iv always been a fan of the fairway woods - I play a BB 08 3wood - But yes I have to agree there hasnt been anything jumping out at me to upgrade for a age! - shame really but they did used to make little beauts - Hawkeye VFT come to mind a lovely stick!!

 

[Mattyboy]

What has put me off of Cally's in the past is the sound they make. Some models make a 'popping' noise/sound when struck, as if as if someone has just opened a bottle of champagne in their left trouser pocket!

Give me the sound of a good old smack anytime!

 

[USER1999]

Last Cally driver I tried sounded dead. Put me off completely.

 

[imran_ali]

I will differ here, I have had 3 diffeent callaway drivers and I hit them longer then my R9!!!!! I should have kept the diablo in the bag. In my honest opinion I think I have lost approximately 20 yards to my R9.

 

[njc1973]

I've got one of the Razr drivers that I bought after a demo day & wouldn't swap it for anything, put a good swing on it & it goes very long, it also has a very nice feel when you middle the ball without being too harsh on mishits.

Its probably 20-30 yards longer than my G5 & even with the draw version you can work the ball

 

[GB72]

I really wanted to like the new range of Callway drivers having owned an FT5 and FT9 but could not get on with them. The Diablo was hard to control and not that long whereas the Razr was just too expensive for me. Real shame and hope that they come up with a solid new entry in the FT range soon.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I've not been a fan for a few years. Number of issues including some of the head shapes and the sound/feel off the face. I think the problems started (in my mind) with the short liver Hyper X range which seemed to come and go very quickly and wit limited publicity etc. Not sure where it was aimed but clearly it didn't hit the spot.

I wouldn't say Cally are producing bad gear per se but I think Titleist Ping and to a degree TM have all stolen a march on them and they are finding it hard to perhaps regain lost custom and therefore perhaps not investing quite so much into R&R and advertising. Just a thought

 

[G1BB0]

I think you may well be right Homer with your 2nd paragraph

 

[Swinger]

If I was considering a new driver I would look at Callaway before Taylormade and Titleist. Probably in the minority here but think the gear they make is better just less hyped at the moment. Understandably due to them being a small fish in the pond with regards to parent companies and the probable marketing budgets.

They have made a few howlers over the last few years but the FT range has been very impressive and I do own an FT5 which is still a great driver now. I think most manufacturers have had a few off releases too though.

 

[Ethan]

I use a Callaway Diablo Black Tour driver, and think it is a fine club. It comes with a decent shaft (Project X 70gram) and a multicompound grip and doesn't have a champagne cork popping sound. Good value too.

 

[thecraw]

Tried the Octane black when I bought the 910, think the project x shaft was wrong for me as its a club I really wanted to like as it sat superbly. The Titleist stats wise won it hands down. Would have been interesting to see the comparison if Callaway made the Octane black with a RIP as standard as well.

 

[MashieNiblick]

I am now on my third generation Cally driver (HawkEye VFT, GBB II and Hyper X). I have really liked them all. Head shapes, sound, ball flight, all fine for me even with stock shafts.

Might be just a cyclical thing. A while back I feel Callaway were up with the leaders in driver/woods stakes but now Titleist and TM have stolen a march. Maybe the next big Cally thing is just around the corner. They were clearly hoping it was the new head material and the Lamborghini tie-in, whereas the market went for TM's white heads and and Titleist's adjustable hosels (I don't think it was just marketing as those products seem to have produced results on the course).

Hope Cally do get back in the fray as they are a quality company and previous posts have indicated they provide great customer service.

 

[Mark_Aged_42]

I wouldn't say Cally are producing bad gear per se but I think Titleist Ping and to a degree TM have all stolen a march on them...

You could possibly add Mizzy to that list if considering mid market woods.