Callaway’s New 13-Piece Driver…Is This Their 2010 Driver?
Posted June 11, 2009 by GolfSpy X
New Patent Application From Callaway
A new patent application by Callaway has just been published that might shed some light of what Callaway’s new driver for next year might look like.
Some shocking information here guys! First of all it is nice to see that they will address bulge and roll in this new design…unfortunately they only did it for visual appearance…oh well. There is still a lot that can be done in regards to bulge and roll in my opinion to help golfers…but they still keep missing the boat on that one.
Shocking Piece Of Info!
The next shocking piece of info inside this application is the fact that they are still only moving small amounts of weight on the head. It has been proven that all these small increments of weight that all the companies so famously claim can move mountains do almost zero in regards to actually moving the CG (center of gravity). Yes…sorry to inform you guys but in almost every type of testing you can do in regards to driver head design…there simply is no proof that MWT in it’s present form does anything at all in reagrds to changing ball flight pattern. You have to move much more weight in order to effect CG.
I know you are saying…well Taylormade and all the other MWT drivers claim you can move the ball 75 yards. It is just not true. And this new driver design by Callaway looks no different on paper or I am sure in any software that will compute CG changes. So why go to all the lengths of filing a patent and R&D work when you know you really aren’t going to provide any benefit to the golfer? I just don’t get it. Many of these places employ rocket scientists. And they still cannot come up with a technology that works.
Why Do You Need 13 Pieces?
And lastly, why so many pieces? It’s hard enough to get a 3 or 4 piece driver to not only perform well but also to sound and feel half way decent…much less a driver that has 13 separate parts. And at a time when Callaway is in desperate need of a good driver design…because they have not been known for their great drivers in recent time…ever since the C4 there has been a constant slide of disappointing drivers coming from the once king of the titanium realm.
So why not go back to basics and give golfers what they really want…a great feeling driver that sounds great and performs. Look at the R9…no one really using the adjustability…but the driver is solid and has great feel and sound. Those are the basics to a successful driver and yet so many companies just can’t seem to wrap their heads around this…it still amazes me.
Want to see more patents…go to Golf-Patents.com
Want to see more patents…go to Golf-Patents.com
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New 2010 tour issue callaway FT-iz 10* driver head only US $113.50 (21 Bids) End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 18:28:22 PST Add to watch list |
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June 11th, 2009 at 11:09 am
that design looks like a jigsaw puzzle, It might just be the next best thing in golf (probably not) But i totally agree with the article callaways a great company but they need to take a step back and think about what is’nt selling their drivers and how to fix it. Hopefilly it wont be that C shaped driver.
June 12th, 2009 at 7:28 am
Well this is better then the C-Shaped driver but still misses the boat.
December 29th, 2009 at 4:17 am
Just to add my two-penny worth! I recently had a custom fitting session at Callaway in the UK. I managed to get my hands on their TWO new drivers for 2010. One is a replacement for the square FT-i and is vaguely triangular. It is a stunning looking club but for me it sits a little too closed at address. However, the Tour Version (Ernie is using it with the Project X graphite shaft) will be 1 degree open.
I also had a hit with their other new offering – VERY reminiscent of the FT-3. Quite simply a GORGEOUS club with some serious ball speed of the face. It sits beautifully and really looks the part (just wish they would put hosels on the drivers – a personal preference!).
Word at Callaway is that the stock shaft on these clubs will be the Project X Graphite – as it will be for the Diablo Edge Rescue club (tour version and another stunner!)
December 29th, 2009 at 9:28 am
The S2H2 technology in the hosel has been with them for over 20 years now…pretty amazing they still use it. But they are developing more and more of their new drivers without it.
June 11th, 2009 at 11:51 am
I would almost be willing to bet that the ISS Components will be some kind of face angle changing technology to go along with the weights.
Yes the C4 was a piece of junk, but the FT-3 Tour is still in my bag, the ballspeeds are amazing. I think the Ft-9 Tour is a good driver as well, but I am still testing it against the R9 460 and STR8 Dymo.
June 12th, 2009 at 7:29 am
Hopefully we will soon be moving away from the carbon fiber with Callaway. But I agree with you Chris the FT-3 was a good driver…very solid.
June 12th, 2009 at 9:11 am
I just don’t think you are going to see them move away from carbon technology anytime soon. It’s the best way right now to move discretionary weight around the driver without having too implement RWT that has little to no effect on ball flight, unless your a robot.
June 12th, 2009 at 9:16 am
Actually there are new ways to minimize the weight of the crown that are just starting to be tested and used. That will alleviate the need for carbon fiber. And magnesium is becoming more prevalent for crowns which is also another option. Carbon fiber does not actually save that much weight and the disadvantages with popping and sound make it useless in my opinion. They need to move on.
June 12th, 2009 at 9:25 am
FT-3 is one of the hottest drivers every made. I never upgraded to the FT-5. Just put the FT-9 in my bag. By far the best driver in play right now for high swing speeds.
Ball gets up fast and low spin, so you better have some juice behind your swing to make it go. If not the Diablo Tour is going to be the stick for a lot of players.
December 23rd, 2009 at 1:34 pm
I happened to try an FT-3. I know it is an old model now, but I am generally not a Callaway fan so I have never hit one before. I must admit I am surpised by it’s performance. It lauches high and hot but dosen’t balloon. Just carries a long way. It feels great and is very easy to hit even though the stock rch shaft is obviously nothing special. The length is as good as any other drivers I have hit and it stays pretty straight making it a real faiway finder. Good muted sound and solid feel when hit in the sweetspot. I may have to make my mate an offer for this stick!
June 11th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
[...] My Golf Spy – 13 Piece Callaway Driver [...]
June 11th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
I believe less is more. The fewer parts the better. Simplicity trumps complexity… Is that a Rubik’s Cube or a golf club?
June 11th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
I totally agree burns, but im starting to wonder if it’s going to have filght control tech sort of like the Dymo & R9 like chris said.
June 12th, 2009 at 7:27 am
Well said Burnz
June 12th, 2009 at 7:48 am
I understand that each company is tryign to get out there and jump ahead of the next, but I feel that they are completely over complicating the golf club industry. Golf clubs are getting more and more complicated each year.
June 12th, 2009 at 9:14 am
I think they are just running out of patent ideas to tell you the truth. Until the next best thing comes out they have to cover their butts some how. Although there is a patent on a 13 piece head I can tell you that this is not a 2010 model. Most companies are going to expand the life cycle of their lines because of the economic situation.
June 12th, 2009 at 9:18 am
Sorry…did not understand. Were you saying there is another patent out there that is coming out sooner then 2010?
June 12th, 2009 at 9:42 am
I think what My_TPI mean was that just because the patent was issued does not mean it is coming out right away. Even in good economic times patents can take a year or two to be seen in public. In these tough economic times it will definately not be something they are jumping to release right away. Especially with the FT-9 being pretty sought after.
June 12th, 2009 at 9:45 am
Yeah I am aware how patents work…I have quite a few. Although I thought he was referring to another one that I had not seen.
June 13th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Never been a big Cally driver fan as far as sound and looks but when I hit the FT-5 LCG , I knew they were doing something right. One of the longest drivers I ever hit. But in my honest opinion it looks like there starting to see that TM movable weights might be another way to inprove the FT-9. JMO.
June 14th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
I don’t think a movable weight driver is necessary for Callaway. Any true golfer can change, or try to change their swing to alter ball flight. If you use and become dependent on a MWT driver, you will never improve your swing. That could really hurt you if you had a slice and no MWT on anything except your driver. Probably the only reason the r9 became a hit is because you can play with it, or just to show it off.
June 15th, 2009 at 9:58 am
Austin, that may be true but for the masses MWT has really caught on. Even if it’s not what true golfers need the masses do. Most golfers can use all the help they can get and some of these people are just weekend golfers. It may not be for the scratch golfer but for the majority I think it will catch on. only time will tell? JMO
June 16th, 2009 at 5:04 am
It seems to me these that most of this stuff is built to look good in the magazines and on TV more than help the average weekend golfer. IMO more golf equipment is sold by hype, sound, and “look at address” than performance. My golf swing is far from spectacular and the last thing I need is 8 more face angles and three moveable weights to add to my frustation. Is it going to help me dial in on one particular tree in the woods? I’d much rather fix my swing than dig in the bag for an allen wrench. As far as sound goes it makes no difference to me, I’m too busy trying to hit the tiny white ball to worry about it.
June 16th, 2009 at 7:50 am
Good point Rob.
June 25th, 2009 at 1:40 am
I hope my opinion doesn’t injure your sensitivites Boys! I believe in “The KISS Principle”. I would rather hit a drive with one of my 200cc Drivers to point of aim at 270-280 yds. than my Custom La Jolla 450cc with Whupt It Shaft to 295yds but 10 to 15 yds right or left of point of aim.. The skill required for an accurate shot and the feel derived from a “Vintage” Club, when properly hit is one of the “Great Pleasures” experienced in the game of golf!! I have 20 drivers but prefer to use the “Older Simple Style Units”, even some of my custom persimmon drivers. If I can’t hit properly with the “Vintage Units”, I practice until I can!! What do you think about That?
January 5th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
i think i like my ftiq,it does both!!
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:54 pm
I have a older simpler King Cobra driver, and my dad has a TM-R9(taylor made R9). We went to the driving range today and I hit 30 yrds farther with my King Cobra than with the R9. In my opinion, I would rather have a simple non-moveable driver than a 3-piece let alone a 13-piece.
July 7th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
i was hitting the callaway line up at the demo day at my club recently, and does anyone else agree with me in saying that everything they are putting out is junk. the x-forged is just an uglier version of last years with possibly the ugliest hosel joint in golf(unless this is just in the 6 iron that i was using) the X-22s are the same as the X-20s with new graphics, the diablo is something to be embarassed about carrying, the only good thing they have going are the FT-iq and FT-9, but they feel and sound like junk(although i admit they BOMB). even cobras got a non-cf alternative with the S9, callaway needs to do the same and have a good feeling/sounding/non-diablo alternative before i think of going back to them. this is where there next product should be focusing, not 13 pieces of feel muting garbage
July 17th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
i dont agree that every thing Callaway puts outs sucks. In my opinion the Callaway Big Bertha irons are some of the most solid irons ive ever hit. I do agree that they have been putting out some very bad clubs, but they mix it up with there badly made clubs and there good clubs.
August 15th, 2009 at 6:40 am
I agree with Knaus. I have been hitting the Callaway Big Bertha “04s since 2005. Like the feel and the improvement I got from my iron play. Just bought a set of the Callaway X-22 irons. Only played them once but no shortening of distance and my mis-hits stayed closer to the target line. My father-in-law bought the X-22s a month ago and has seen an improvement of distance by 5-10 yards and better forgiveness on his mis-hits.
As far as drivers go I hit the NIke Sasquatch. I went from a VERY bad slice to a nice draw with the switch. Is it the driver or my swing?? Don’t know but like the trade.
July 17th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
I have a old King Cobra driver that has no adjustable pieces its very simple and is a solid driver, also my dad has a TaylorMade R9 that has a great feel and a great sound. Hopefully, since they made such a confusing club they will have flight control tech and a great feel and a great sound
July 25th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
Let see how much of a hype and truth has yet to be revealed.
Thanks for keeping us informed on the latest golf development.
September 7th, 2009 at 9:34 am
[...] Callaway’s New 13-Piece Driver…Their 2010 Driver? [...]
October 15th, 2009 at 9:05 am
This is just ridiculous. The ability for the design to help is likely outweighed by the even more likely possibility of losing the parts that you need.
October 19th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Boys, it would appear that there’s a reason why we don’t all play/like, the same clubs…we are all apparently different…amazing.
January 2nd, 2010 at 8:26 am
I have always played a callaway driver, my twin brother has always played a taylormade one and I have been thinking about makingbthe switch to taylormade, the drawings from the c shaped driver and the 13 price driver have pretty much made up my mind, even tho I haven’t hit either one, I just want a driver with good feel and playability and the newer callaway drivers fall short to that of taylormade lolls like it time for a switch
January 5th, 2010 at 11:56 pm
My belief is only those who have never truely tried Callaway’s drivers are puting the knock on them…aside,of course,from the c-4…Although I also have put my Ft-i away in favor of TM’s R7, I still keep the Callaway as a more than adequate backup. It still is one of the straightest drivers I’ve ever hit