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Callaway Diablo Irons 2009 – Look Familiar?

Nice Head…I Mean Badge

Back in October MGS readers got a sneak-peek of what a new Callaway iron destined for Japan would look like…it was called the Callaway Legacy Irons. Well…today a source sent us a photo of a new Callaway iron headed for the European Market…the name for these are the Callaway Diablo Irons. Take a hard look….actually you don’t have to look hard at all….notice anything?

The Ol’ Re-Badging Trick…You Fooled Us Again!

This my golfing friends is the result of lots of market research. Same iron different badge…this has been going on for years in the golf industry. A company would manufacturer to different heads for two different markets…just like a McDonald’s in the Bahamas compared to one in the US. Every market has different tastes. So you make a burger that each market likes the taste of.

Like we said this happens quite often when a company is trying to grow their maket share in a different country. It can be very lucrative actually…some American companies that have failed in the US have found much success in the Japan market and vice-versa. But…it is rare to see a company use the exact same head…and simply swap badges like Callaway looks to have done with the Legacy and Diablo iron. Especially in today’s time…with news that crosses all borders as quickly as the internet allows. Customers can now see what you are doing all over the world with the click of a mouse.

Can you see the difference?

callaway-diablo-irons-2

callaway diablo irons
Callaway Diablo (Europe)

callaway legacy iron
Callaway Legacy (Japan)

Related Articles:

- SPOTTED – 2009 Callaway Legacy Forged Iron
- Callaway FT-9 & Big Bertha Diablo Drivers – Pics!

{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }

14 STIX January 27, 2009 at 6:27 am

Let’s hope they both perform better than they look. The Legacy badge looks like a Callaway knock-off brand you might buy at Costco and the Diablo looks like something out of World of Warcraft. What’s wrong with simplicity of design? Sheesh.

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Golfireguy January 31, 2009 at 6:13 am

The only difference between the two is that the Japanese model will sell for about $500 more than the domestic model , because some sucker believes all the “hot” clubs are sold in Japan only …

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ray May 11, 2009 at 8:50 am

what counts is performance.

I play single handicap and have used Mizunos MP 29, mp 33, mp 57, mp 33, ping eye2′s berrylium, ping V2 rapture irons. The Callway diablos give me 15-20% more distance with ALL irons than all irons I have ever used before witrhout losing accurance. Probably it is the extremely well balanced shaft/head combination that does such a wonderful job!!!!!!

And that Counts, gentemen.

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Scott May 18, 2009 at 6:28 am

I have always been a callaway fan and currentley play the X-16s which I love. I have always thought most of the forged clubs out there were much better looking as they were simple and clean looking. The new callaway forged prototypes are sweet, wish I was good enough and had the cash to get a set. As another person mentioned the Diablos are way to busy and probabll callaways worst looking set in years. the head it self doesn’t look much different than the x-tour irons that came out like 3 or 4 years ago. Outside of the prototypes I actually like the X-tour the best. As anyone seen the Diablo staff bag like phil uses. now thats a nice bag and want one bad, Am aloso considering getting the Diablo driver, Any one tried yet

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Dicko May 27, 2009 at 4:40 am

Have just purchased a set of Diabo irons (with bonus 2 x Call. X lob wedges)
and a Diablo driver (with bonus white line odessey putter).
In practice the Diablo Tour was the sweetest swinging; giving a real sense of where my swing was due to the excellent balanve and feel. I just neeeded a stiffer voodoo shaft in it, which by the way looks awesome.
It was a similar situation hitting the irons. It felt like smashing butter and watching fly like a rocket. I have a tall tempo swing and balls fly off these Devils; without a loss of distance.
The balance, like the driver, was the key for me. It may just be my personal taste but the weighting is perfect balanced between head and grip so that your hands and face of the club appreciate all of the feel and weight of the club. The end result of this is that you are always aware of where you are during the swing and this will support ball strinking and the ability to shape the ball. Cannot wait to get my set in and hit the course.
I am in Australia and the model i have just purchased was just released and i believe i am the first order from this part of the state!
As for the design, i like it and that is coming from a background of conservative taste. The way these strike its like having the devil in your corner so its appropriate. Plus its always important to have fun in life! Happy hitting.
Would love feedback from others on these clubs too

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