Equipment

Callaway upgrades a classic, introduces Steelhead XR fairway woods

Published

7 years ago

Jun 20, 2017

Callaway is bringing back the Steelhead name that is already responsible for selling more than 2.3 million fairway woods; that includes the original Steelhead, Steelhead Plus and Steelhead III woods. As its most popular fairway wood line ever, the modern version of the clubs, which Callaway is calling the Steelhead XR, are packed with distance-enhancing technologies to go along with the classic shapes that Steelhead fans have come to adore.

CallawaySteelheadStory

Steelhead woods had a cult-like following since their initial release in 1998, and GolfWRX members say they had the fairway wood in the bag well over a decade later. The steelhead designs were defined by a Hawkeye Sole that was rounded for versatility, a compact pear shape, a deep face, a light crown and low center of gravity for high launch and low spin. Also, according to Evan Gibbs, the Director of R&D for Metalwoods at Callaway, the Steelhead 4+ fairway wood — which was geared toward better players who wanted a slightly lower ball flight with lower spin than the standard models — was the most iconic fairway wood in the company’s history because it ushered in the new low-spin, high-launch philosophy.

“It was one of the first clubs that got people comfortable with launching the ball high with very little spin,” said Evan Gibbs, Callaway’s Director of R&D for Metalwoods. “When people were using low-lofted drivers, [Steelhead 4+ fairway woods] went as far as drivers for some people.”

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While every equipment company has now embraced the low-spin, high-launch philosophy, the 2017 Steelhead XR fairway woods will be a welcome re-release for those who are nostalgic about the Steelhead shaping, and for those never played the woods, they may find versatility in the Hawkeye sole. Callaway also loaded the Steelhead XR fairway woods with its modern designs to help golfers produce more distance.

While the fairway woods will still have a club face made of steel for that familiar Steelhead-feel, the crowns are made from J-36 carbon to lower center of gravity and move it more forward; that will help it produce lower spin like the original designs. According to Callaway, the crowns weigh just 6 grams — that’s 20 grams lighter than Callaway’s XR crowns.

The Steelhead XR fairways will also have a Hyper Speed Face Cup that produces more ball speed across the face, and Speed Step technology, or the raised portions on the crown that was first introduced Callaway XR ’16 metalwoods, which improves aerodynamics to produce higher club head speeds.

The fairway woods are available in 3+ wood (13.5 degrees), 3-wood (15 degrees) , 4+wood (16 degrees), 5-wood (18 degrees), 7-wood (21 degrees), 9-wood (24 degrees) and the company’s “Heavenwood,” which will measure 20.5 degrees. They will be in stores July 14 and sell for $229.99. The stock shaft is Mitsubishi’s Tensei CK.

Discussion: See what GolfWRX members are saying about the Steelhead XR woods

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30 Comments

Hap

Jun 23, 2017 at 10:12 am

I love cheap trailing edge technology. it also lets you find out what is staying in players bags and whats not from the previous versions. I’m still playing Mizuno 800 pros which I got for a song. Upgraded to a Cally 815 with a Matrix Black Tie from Cally pre-owned this year for around $180 I think.

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Mr Poopoo

Jun 21, 2017 at 7:34 pm

I like that they are using the classic groove pattern.

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Me

Jun 21, 2017 at 8:46 am

All the bitterness towards TM with their product release cycles 5 years ago, well now Callaway, Cobra and to some extent Ping are releasing product at quicker intervals than Taylormade ever did. Cobra is the worse, every 6-nine months- now being forced to give away free fairwaywoods to sell last March’s release.

My local retail golf shop has a ton of 1-2 year old Callaway that is collecting dust …Interesting also is the amount of Callaway Epic drivers on their trade in rack.

The automobile industry got caught up in this mess decades ago, constantly manufacturing and re-badging old as new

Reply Report comment
- Americans Ruin Everything by Talking
  
  Jun 21, 2017 at 10:56 am
  
  You just compared cars to golf clubs lol
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Ude
    
    Jun 21, 2017 at 12:23 pm
    
    love affair with cars and golf clubs same sxual thing
    
    Reply Report comment
Was

Jun 21, 2017 at 2:31 am

Nope

Reply Report comment
- Ude
  
  Jun 21, 2017 at 12:12 pm
  
  Yup
  
  Reply Report comment
Minnesota golfer

Jun 20, 2017 at 2:06 pm

Anyone know if this is a replacement of the XR Hybrid which was first released in 2014? I am an all-Callaway-in-the-bag person but have found it harder to keep up with constant new releases.

Reply Report comment
- Minnesota golfer
  
  Jun 20, 2017 at 5:15 pm
  
  Oops… it’s not hybrid. Never mind.
  
  Reply Report comment
Was

Jun 20, 2017 at 12:55 pm

Why are they releasing the woods separate from the irons and not at the same time? Makes no sense

Reply Report comment
- Ude
  
  Jun 21, 2017 at 12:13 pm
  
  confused? suck yer thum
  
  Reply Report comment
Howard

Jun 20, 2017 at 12:43 pm

The Steelhead III 3 Wood nostalgia is flowing through me right now.

Reply Report comment
- Ude
  
  Jun 21, 2017 at 12:21 pm
  
  release yer pent up nostalgia juices flowing through you right now abuse yerself
  
  Reply Report comment
Chris

Jun 20, 2017 at 10:58 am

You guys have to remember that the XR ’16 product cycle is coming to an end and this is what is going to take its place. It may be weird for a mid-season launch but better now when people can use the clubs rather than at the end of the season.

Reply Report comment
- TR1PTIK
  
  Jun 20, 2017 at 12:46 pm
  
  It’s also important to remember that these are part of a completely different line than Epic. I think people want to see release cycles like that of Titleist or Ping, but it’s honestly a smart move by Callaway IMO. Spreading the release of each line across the calendar year keeps Callaway in the news. Months ago it was the Epic drivers, weeks ago it was the Epic hybrids and iron. Now, it’s the XR fairway woods, and in a few weeks/months time I’m sure we’ll see something else. If you look at Callaway’s product portfolio, you’ll realize they aren’t much different than Titleist. The only real difference is how they release products. For that matter though, Titleist staggers their woods, irons, and golf balls for what I’m sure is the same reason. How relevant would a company be if they released all of their product updates once every 2 years?
  
  Reply Report comment
Csmit82

Jun 20, 2017 at 10:57 am

Can’t wait for the release of the Epic Apex Steelhead XR hybrids and woods in 3 months.

Reply Report comment
- JimmySmits
  
  Jun 20, 2017 at 4:51 pm
  
  I’m gonna hold out for the Epic Apex Steelhead XR BigBertha CF16 SubZero Fusion GreatBigBertha woods.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Robert Parsons
    
    Jun 21, 2017 at 12:14 pm
    
    The pro version of that will be even better.
    
    Reply Report comment
Ude

Jun 20, 2017 at 9:47 am

I want those beauties in my bag fast.

Reply Report comment
- Tom1
  
  Jun 20, 2017 at 11:54 am
  
  I loved the original, I’m sure these are good if not better.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Ude
    
    Jun 20, 2017 at 1:51 pm
    
    new is fresh, old is stale. i want new new new
    
    Reply Report comment
AceW7Iron

Jun 20, 2017 at 9:26 am

Got the Epic driver last month….Real deal

Like the look of the Steelhead line so maybe upgrade to them from my XR’s in 2018.

Reply Report comment
- Ude
  
  Jun 21, 2017 at 12:15 pm
  
  you are one wicked gearhead golf hound — arf
  
  Reply Report comment
Dat

Jun 20, 2017 at 9:01 am

Another release? Callaway seems determined to go the way of Taylormade.

Reply Report comment
- Timmy
  
  Jun 20, 2017 at 4:54 pm
  
  Callaway is Taylormade………Taylormade is Callaway. These companies are the same. Have been for a very long time.
  
  Reply Report comment
Johnnythunders

Jun 20, 2017 at 8:22 am

The faster they launch products, the faster the last generation gets reduced in price. Since performc is
Pretty much the same we win.

Reply Report comment
rebfan73

Jun 20, 2017 at 7:29 am

Like ’em………but Callaway is turning into the new TaylorMade with constant product launches.

Reply Report comment
- Beefhouse
  
  Jun 21, 2017 at 4:35 am
  
  Not turning, turned. Pro shops are flooded with Callaway stuff. They’ll struggle to shift the models from 6 months ago. Supply and demand is key. Not sure the demand will keep up with the supply.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Dave2017
    
    Jun 21, 2017 at 8:21 am
    
    If only the older models were reduced. Not in the NY Metro region. they still want high prices for stuff released almost 2 years ago. If they were to blow out the old stuff when new stuff comes in, I would be very happy. The places here are greedy and the golfers have to show off their new clubs along with their new BMWs and Rolexes.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Ude
      
      Jun 21, 2017 at 12:18 pm
      
      new clubs, new BMWs and Rolexes = status bling = sxual impotence
      
      Reply Report comment

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Equipment

A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic

Published

33 mins ago

Apr 25, 2024

Andrew Tursky

Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.

Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.

We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.

Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).

See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here

Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge

Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.

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A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.

See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here

Turning Back the clock

Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.

But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.

For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.

Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.

The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.

The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.

Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter

Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.

Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.

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It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.

If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.

Brilliant.

See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here

Stricker’s unrecognizable putter

Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.

Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.

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Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates

Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.

Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.

It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.

Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines

Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.

Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.

FitzMagic teams back up

Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.

See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here

And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.

We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!

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