Equipment

Callaway Announces Tour Authentic Line

Published

16 years ago

Jan 15, 2008

Ever since Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els put a prototype set of Callaway Blades into play, many in the golf world have been eagerly awaiting word from Callaway for a possible launch date.

The wait is over, since this April Callaway will launch the new X-Prototype irons as part of their new Tour Authentic line. This line consists of equipment straight from the PGA Tour. There are no modifications to accommodate the average player, these are clubs designed for the best players in the world now available to the public. Along with the X-Prototype irons, a new FT-5 T driver, X-Forged Wedges, Tour Milled Putter, and Staff Bags complete the line and offer golfers the chance to play what the pros play.

Discuss your opinion on the Tour Authentic line in our forums!

FT-5 T Driver

The FT-5 driver was a big hit among consumers, the Tour versions were aimed at better players but still some golfers wanted more. The new FT-5 T driver will take them one step further. By incorporating the traditional FT-5 body, Callaway has added the new T hosel which is placed closer to the leading edge and gives the driver a more open look. The driver will also feature a face angle that lies 1.5 degrees open further enhancing the driver’s open appearance and workability. The FT-5 T driver will be available in Draw, Neutral, and Fade Opti-Fit Weight configurations in lofts of 8.5 and 9.5 degrees.

X-Prototype Irons

Once regarded as a strictly game improvement brand, Callaway has made some major roads into the players market with the X-Tour and X-Forged irons. Taking that design one step further, Roger Cleveland has designed the X-Prototype, a forged muscle back with the X-Muscle which provides forgiveness while still allowing for trajectory and shot control. The X-Muscle also features a flighted center of gravity with the highest muscle in the short irons for trajectory control which moves to the lowest in the long irons for high, soft landing shots. The sole grind of the irons is positioned right between the X-Tour which many players felt had too much bounce and the X-Forged which many felt had too little. The X-Prototype should play somewhere between the two in terms of turf interaction. The irons will be made from soft 1020 carbon steel and are forged by the famed Endo manufacturing facility.

X-Forged Wedges

GolfWRX recently covered the addition of the new X-Forged wedge to the line with a new C-grind added to their wedges. However, as part of the Tour Authentic line, the X-Forged will also be available with the PM grind that made the original X-Tour wedge so successful. The club will also feature a tighter heel to toe radius for greater playability around the greens. The X-Forged also features the super-sharp "Mac Daddy" grooves which are at the USGA’s maximum allowable depth and width providing tremendous amounts of spin. The wedges will be available in both durable chrome and low glare vintage finishes.

Tour Milled Putter

Although many people were very impressed by the Odyssey Black series, quite a few longed for the original Tour-only milled putters prototypes seen among Callaway staffers on the PGA Tour. Odyssey will finally appease the masses with the introduction of the new Tour Milled Putter. Milled from a single blank of 303 stainless steel, this putter is sure to be a big hit among traditionalists. The putter features a thin face for a soft yet solid feel. The thin face also allows weight to be moved to the perimeter and deeper to the back of the putter providing for more forgiveness. The putter will be available in 33, 34, and 35 inch lengths with a standard head weight of 340 grams.

2008 Staff Bags

Callaway will also introduce four new staff bags in 2008 in color schemes that correspond with the major championships.

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13 Comments

Alex S

Mar 8, 2008 at 12:49 am

Callaway making the right business moves. Remember, these irons are for the players first, and rumors are that Phil and Ernie and really liking them. If that can translate to more wins, then Callaway ends up as the beneficiary. I thought Callaway needed a set of ‘blades’ LONG time ago and FINALLY we are seeing their attempt at one. Whatever, it is always prudent business to keep your customers (pro tour members as well as the general public). Personally, I think the x-protype irons look absolutely fantastic. Great job Callaway and I’ll be owners of a set in the future.

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Finn

Feb 15, 2008 at 4:56 pm

Which will be easier to hit? Prototypes or X Forged?

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Hans T

Feb 3, 2008 at 3:19 am

Cool..! i am waiting to get FT-5 T

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Chris K.

Jan 22, 2008 at 4:21 pm

I was allways into callaway but they never had a ste of irons I felt confident with and I hope this is going to change as soon as the ProtoÂ´s come out!!

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K Vakamudi

Jan 21, 2008 at 1:01 pm

Jason, all will be available April as custom order only through Callaway dealers.

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Jason R

Jan 19, 2008 at 7:32 am

Please tell us when the proto irons are going to come out..I have the x-forged now but can’t wait for the proto’s!

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Brad B

Jan 17, 2008 at 7:41 am

Question about the FT-5 T driver – does it launch with less backspin than the regular FT-5 Tour?

Which Callaway driver launches with the least backspin (equal lofts, of course)?

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Steve H

Jan 16, 2008 at 2:36 pm

I’m a retailer up in Canada and can tell you now that I’ve got customers just chompin’ at the bit to have this opportunity available to them!
I’m definitely going to have to give the new driver a test drive, but those irons look amazing. I’ve got TPMB w/ PX6.0 right now, but if these stack up to the expectations, I’ll be trading in fast!

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James L

Jan 16, 2008 at 3:36 am

I have never been a Callaway fan but am currently using the FT-5 tour driver (changed from Titlesit 905R) and it is an excellent club once you get over the awful sound. The x prototype irons look good and I will certainly try them on the back of the performance of the FT-5. I tried the current x-forged irons for a couple of round and liked the clubs but hated the project x shafts. Am I the only one who doesn’t like project x rifle shafts?? (Currently use S400)

Reply Report comment
Atlas0_6

Jan 15, 2008 at 11:19 pm

Nice. I started of Callaway moved to Nike, Bridgestone.. but the X-proto irons may bring me back to Callaway…
Nice. Really Nice.

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finker21

Jan 15, 2008 at 9:34 pm

the irons are so tight put thoes out as soon as possible

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T_Lett

Jan 15, 2008 at 9:32 pm

This new stuff is really good, I am a Callaway staff professional and I will playing some of this new stuff this year, I can’t wait.

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Texashigh 10

Jan 15, 2008 at 8:27 pm

Freakin’ sweet!!! Putter looks amazing, not sure i could use the driver or irons though.

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Whats in the Bag

Drew Brees WITB 2024 (April)

Published

13 mins ago

Apr 25, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by GolfWRX (@golfwrx)

Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (10.5 degrees)

Mini driver: TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper (13.5 degrees)

5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (19 degrees)

Irons: TaylorMade P790 (4-8, PW), TaylorMade P760 (9)

Wedges: TaylorMade MG Hi-Toe (52-09, 56-10, 60)

Putter: Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 Prototype

Check out more in-hand photos of Drew Brees’ clubs here.

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Equipment

Putter Roundup: 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans

Published

2 hours ago

Apr 25, 2024

Brian Knudson

We always get some great photos of some phenomenal putters at tour events and love to share them. Here are a few from the 2024 Zurich Classic that caught our eye and seemed interesting. (And as a reminder, you can check out all our photos from New Orleans here)

MJ Daffue’s Scotty Cameron T-11 Prototype

MJ is going with the new Scotty Cameron T-11 Prototype this week. The putter is a multi-piece mallet that puts an emphasis on stability with the wings on the back. Daffue’s putter does have a design that differs from retail with a monotone finish, which eliminates the black paint on the aluminum parts that we see at retail. He also has a half siteline milled into the top and an L-neck welded on for some additional toe hang. The face features a deeper milling that should offer a softer feel and slightly quieter sound.

Scotty Cameron T-7.5 Prototype

We spotted a few different Scotty Cameron Phantom models with modified rear flanges. It looks like the straight black flange was cut into a half circle for a little softer look at address. On this T-7.5, you can still see the raw aluminum from the back view, so this might have been a last-minute job to get them out on tour. The semi-circle also has a white line on it, maybe to frame the ball differently.

Alex Fitzpatrick’s Bettinardi SS16 DASS

Alex’s SS16 is made from Bettinardi’s famous D.A.S.S., or double-aged stainless steel, for a softer and more responsive feel. The face has a unique diamond pattern milling and features a logo that I feel like I have seen before, but can’t put a name to. The putter is a classic mid-mallet style with a simple, single white siteline on the top. The sole is clean with just the SS16, DASS, and a green triangle logo on it.

Steve Stricker’s Odyssey White Hot No. 2

This putter has made some amazing putts in its long career! Stricker’s White Hot No. 2 might be in the top 10 of most famous putters in golf. When you see all the dents and lead tape, you know the heel will be up and it will be sinking putts! The soft White Hot insert looks to be in good shape and has less wear on it than the rest of the putter. We don’t know how much lead tape is on the sole, but it has to be multiple layers compacted down over the years.

Doug Ghim’s Scotty Cameron T-7 Prototype

This T-7 should win the award for “best color finish” in this list with its deep chromatic bronze. It looks like Scotty added a cherry bomb dot to the heel of the deep-milled face and filled it with a very dark blue paint. The rest of the putter looks pretty stock with its single site line on the topline and twin site lines down the “fangs” of the putter. Twin 5-gram weights are installed in the sole and the putter is finished off with a gloss black double bend shaft with a fill shaft offset.

Check out the rest of our photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic

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Equipment

Spotted: Project X Denali hybrid shaft

Published

3 hours ago

Apr 25, 2024

Brian Knudson

Project X’s Denali wood shafts have been seen in more and more golf bags this year as we start off the season. As a refresher, Denali Blue is the mid-launch and mid-spin model while Denali Black is for players seeking lower launch and spin.

Denali combines great feel with stability and increased ball speed. Currently, Project X only offers Denali Blue and Black in wood shafts, but we spotted a hybrid shaft in Daniel Berger’s bag at the 2024 Zurich Classic.

Check out in-hand photos of Daniel Berger’s full WITB here.

The shaft looks to be a Denali Blue 105G – HY in TX flex. No word on details from Project X yet but we can assume that this is a mid-launching shaft that weighs around 105 grams in Tour X-Stiff flex.

Berger has this shaft in his TaylorMade P770 3-iron, likely for some added launch and spin to hold the green from longer distances.

Hopefully, this means we will see some more shafts coming under the Denali name in the future, as I think many of us would like to try one in a hybrid or utility iron!