Callaway FT-IQ
New Callaway Driver FT-IQ
Space age technology from the laboratory at Callaway. Made of 4 different materials this ultra new square driver looks different, feels different, and really is easier to hit. The Callaway carbon composite technology moves weight to areas of the club head to increase forgiveness. The IQ as it’s known will be available at retail in November 2008. It has a very low center of gravity and that allows almost any hit anywhere on the club face to get airborne. The research engineers have made the titanium face thicker in the middle to reduce backspin. A lower spin for most swings will produce a longer drive. Now, the bad news. We understand that MSRP will be $499. Of course, we expect that will be discounted pretty quickly, but it will be pricey.
Several hours of range time with a borrowed IQ confirms it forgiveness. Hit it anywhere on the face the ball gets up. It has a large sweet spot. The Callaway engineers have created increased club head stability at impact on off-center hits. The appearance at set up is radically different than conventional club heads. If you have been playing an FT-I or a similar square driver, then it will not be a major transition. We do believe that set up image is an important factor, especially for lower handicap golfers.
Sound is another factor that is quite important in golf. Callaway drivers do have a different sound. Some of our guys did not like the sound, set up, and flight path. Our 12 handicap tester loved it. He played a casual match with the IQ and shot a career best that he attributed to driving accuracy. He did hit 12 fairways.
Clearly, the game of golf gets easier when we find the fairway off the tee. While the ball seemed to travel a long way in the air, we experienced a high trajectory that didn’t roll all that much. Comparing the IQ to the Ping G10, we think overall distance was a bit more with the G10, but accuracy is more controlled in the air. If you want increased driving accuracy with a very forgiving driver, then check out the new Callaway FT-IQ. Our marketing affiliate, Austad’s will have it available in November 2008.
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