Equipment

Boeing helps Callaway design aerodynamically-sound XR16 drivers

Published

8 years ago

Jan 5, 2016

In the current driver market, golf equipment companies have a tall task — make drivers that are even longer and more forgiving than the ones currently available. Making things more challenging is that two very important factors in driver design, aerodynamics and forgiveness, have a somewhat inverse relationship; a longer crown improves forgiveness, but it is also generally less aerodynamically sound.

The major issue is that as a driver head moves through space, air wants to leave the crown as it passes over the face. That increases drag and decreases club head speed, a bad thing for distance. For Callaway, solving this problem meant working with aerodynamics experts at Boeing — the world’s largest aerospace company, which designs and engineers jets, spacecrafts and planes for NASA and the U.S. Air Force.

So the people who typically design wings to help airplanes fly through the sky were assigned the task of helping design golf clubs that make golf balls fly farther. The result was Callaway’s new XR16 and XR16 Pro drivers.

Turbulence from the raised crown makes airflow “stick” to the surface.

The new crown design on Callaway’s XR16 drivers features raised portions of titanium just behind the top line that help keep airflow tight to the surface, thus reducing drag and allowing golfers to swing the club head faster on the downswing into impact.

A close look at the crown of the XR16 driver head.

The aerodynamic improvements also allowed Callaway to stretch out the crown of the XR16 drivers, raising moment of inertia (MOI), a measure of a club’s forgiveness. The combination makes the XR16 drivers faster and more forgiving.

XRFace

Changes inside the head include improvement to Callaway’s R-Moto technology, which debuted in Callaway’s Big Bertha Alpha 815 drivers. R-Moto is a supportive rib structure that allowed engineers to make the XR16 driver faces 9 grams lighter and 19 percent thinner than their predecessors. The result is more ball speed, regardless of where shots are contacted on the face, along with better launch conditions.

A look at the crown of the XR16 Pro driver, with a slightly different design than the XR16.

Another weight-saving tactic from Callaway was implementing a lighter, 8-1-1 Titanium body. It offered 2 more grams of discretionary weight compared to the original XR drivers, and while that doesn’t sound like a lot it can make the difference between flying a fairway bunker and being plugged in its lip.

Callaway XR16 Driver

Compared to the XR16 Pro driver, the XR16 has a bigger, deeper footprint for more forgiveness. The 460cc driver comes stock with a Fujikura Speeder Evolution 565 shaft, and several other premium shafts are available at no upcharge.

In stores: January 29
Lofts: 9, 10.5 and 13.5 HT options
Price: $349.99

Callaway XR16 Pro Driver

The XR16 Pro is designed for better golfers. It’s lower spinning than the XR16, creating a more penetrating trajectory because of its lower CG and deeper-faced, 450cc club head. It comes stock with a Fujikura Evolution II TS 665 shaft, but several other premium shafts are available at no upcharge.

Comes to retail: January 29
Lofts: 9 and 10.5 degrees
Price: $399.99

See more photos of the XR16 and XR16 Pro drivers, as well as comparison pics.

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Andrew Tursky

He played on the Hawaii Pacific University Men's Golf team and earned a Masters degree in Communications. He also played college golf at Rutgers University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

36 Comments

ButchT

Mar 8, 2017 at 11:15 am

Dont try to confuse me with facts – it is fun to buy new clubs. Its like a second marriage, a triump of hope over experience!

Reply Report comment
lewis

Jan 8, 2016 at 4:06 am

Had a 10.5 tour issue pro driver in hand last night. It look and sat amazing. Didnt get a chance to hit it however the Pro who had it was loving it.

Reply Report comment
Dumbo

Jan 7, 2016 at 4:45 pm

Total farse. How many yards can you gain if you don’t hit center due to aerodynamic improvements? ZERO. Even if you do hit dead center at 115mph ss, can callaway empirically prove an increase in yardage vs. this same driver with these turbulators? What would that number be? 1 yard? 5?

Reply Report comment
- EKR
  
  Jan 7, 2016 at 10:35 pm
  
  The Farce is strong with that one
  
  Reply Report comment
dan360

Jan 7, 2016 at 1:28 pm

Ah Callaway…another attempt to recycle technology with a fancy big name to operate as best supporting actor.

Remember the Ruger Titanium?

Remember the Lamborghini carbon fiber?

Now the Boeing ‘turbulators’?

What’s next?

Reply Report comment
cb

Jan 6, 2016 at 5:06 pm

so callaway went to an aerospace company and found out turbulators help with club head speed, but ping found this out completely in house and a couple years ago. wonder which company is more revolutionary…

Reply Report comment
- Steve
  
  Jan 7, 2016 at 8:42 am
  
  But can say it was developed by experts at Boeing? These guys make planes, PLANES! How dare compare it to a Ping.
  
  Reply Report comment
Gareth

Jan 6, 2016 at 3:52 pm

To be fair, I own an x2 hot pro after the xhot. Can’t hit anything better than that, tried the XR, big Bertha etc, I actually bought one as a spare!!
Everyone finds THE driver that suits then eventually. don’t agree that these drivers outplay predecessors by 10 yards, only people find a head and a shaft that suit the swing more, due to readily available custom fitting?!!

Reply Report comment
fp

Jan 6, 2016 at 12:15 pm

Looks like a Ping, hits like a Ping, sounds like a Ping

Reply Report comment
Barry S.

Jan 6, 2016 at 12:07 pm

I have a prototype driver head designed by an iconic long driver who has passed. The head is F-17 aerodynamic and makes the new XR look like a Model T in comparison. Would love to show it to Taylormade or Callaway but from what I’ve heard they would probably steal the design and leave me high and dry.

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Busty McGoo

Jan 6, 2016 at 10:05 am

So does this mean we’re officially done with the whole sliding weights bs they’ve been pushing for the last couple of years?

Reply Report comment
- Numb-E
  
  Jan 7, 2016 at 3:51 am
  
  Different model entirely.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Busty McGoo
    
    Jan 7, 2016 at 12:27 pm
    
    I can see that it’s an entirely different model. Thus my question. If the sliding weights thing is so damn good, why didn’t the designers integrate sliding weights into into this model too? Or does that come later after they’ve convinced a lot of people to buy this model?
    
    All these tech ‘advancements’ just make it more clear than ever, companies have hit a wall with current technology. Maybe PXG found something new recently, but has anyone actually seen their scores improve because they switched to the newest and latest driver? Also, have you actually tracked the distance of every drive to know you’re getting something more than you were before?
    
    Reply Report comment
    - EKR
      
      Jan 7, 2016 at 10:39 pm
      
      Different model entirely. One line for adjustable weights, the other with a simpler set up.
      For me, when I all of a sudden hit over a bunker I used to go into on a regular basis with the same swing same tee box same ball within the last 3 to 4 years in the same condition at the course, then yes I’m definitely getting something more.
      
      Reply Report comment
Steve

Jan 6, 2016 at 8:36 am

This is it the final piece to my perfect golf swing. I was always telling everyone that my drivers werent aerodynamically enough and I was right. This driver is the break through I have been looking for. It has raised pieces that reduce drag, this is awesome. Should I buy this one or wait for the one with wings to be released? These guys keep raising the bar everytime.

Reply Report comment
- ron
  
  Jan 6, 2016 at 10:25 am
  
  haha. nicely done.
  
  Reply Report comment
Chuck

Jan 6, 2016 at 12:11 am

Tell that boy to ease up

Reply Report comment
christian

Jan 5, 2016 at 9:59 pm

I had a Vega DAF (Dual Air Flow) driver yeears before the other major OEMs thought about aerodynamics..Vega bought the airflow patents from Makser, the real pioneers of modern aerodynamic driver design. Remember many of my buddies teased me about the Vega claims, now they talk themselves blue about turbulators etc etc

Reply Report comment
Frank McChrystal

Jan 5, 2016 at 6:32 pm

True that.

Reply Report comment
Max

Jan 5, 2016 at 6:10 pm

Callaway making some great stuff in the past 3-4 years.

Love the looks and styling of all of their clubs lately.

Reply Report comment
moses

Jan 5, 2016 at 3:14 pm

What’s that good for? Maybe .25 mph at 100mph clubhead speed for about half a yard?
Anywho keep em coming!!! More drivers to buy for $150 at the end of the product cycle. 🙂

Reply Report comment
MP

Jan 5, 2016 at 2:26 pm

I played 4 drivers last year (M1, ALPHA, G30, D13) and they all had different characteristics, shafts and science behind them. Every time i switched i would hit the new driver long and straight. After a few weeks i was hitting it just like the old driver. Not sure i buy into all this science but i love tinkering even though i see very little benefit in the long term. My golfing buddy plays a 2009 Cleveland with very little science incorporated to its design and he hits it longer and straighter than any driver i have played. We both play to a 13 handicap with swing speeds around 106 mph.

Reply Report comment
- Numb-E
  
  Jan 7, 2016 at 3:53 am
  
  Totally useless non-technical post, but do go on
  
  Reply Report comment
Rob

Jan 5, 2016 at 1:53 pm

“It offered 2 more grams of discretionary weight compared to the original XR drivers, and while that doesn’t sound like a lot it can make the difference between flying a fairway bunker and being plugged in its lip.”

Sorry but no, 2 grams won’t make that kind of difference. Sorry but 2 paper clips worth of weight just can’t cause that much change.

Reply Report comment
- Numb-E
  
  Jan 7, 2016 at 3:53 am
  
  Actually, it does.
  
  Reply Report comment
Chuck D

Jan 5, 2016 at 1:45 pm

Callawaybulators!! Welcome to da party pal! I can’t imagine how much pressure the modern day club designer must be under.

Reply Report comment
- Desmond
  
  Jan 5, 2016 at 5:59 pm
  
  Isn’t that “Callabulators”?
  
  Reply Report comment
joe

Jan 5, 2016 at 1:09 pm

Callaway, the new TaylorMade.

Reply Report comment
- Desmond
  
  Jan 5, 2016 at 5:58 pm
  
  It’s once per year. Last year, same time, the XR Series made its debut replacing the X2Hot.
  
  Reply Report comment
Mat

Jan 5, 2016 at 12:18 pm

I spy Turbulators…

Reply Report comment
Chuck Hahn

Jan 5, 2016 at 11:29 am

A new driver from Callaway, I’m shock I tell you!!!

Reply Report comment
Leon

Jan 5, 2016 at 11:18 am

Great. Three months later, they will release another driver with design aided from Aliens on Mars

Reply Report comment
- Desmond
  
  Jan 5, 2016 at 7:13 pm
  
  Next drivers are due in late August if the trend remains…
  
  Reply Report comment
- t-ball
  
  Jan 6, 2016 at 11:09 am
  
  I agree ! Seems Callaway, and Taylormade. are both on a ” New driver every 6 months ” cycle.
  
  Reply Report comment
Mat

Jan 5, 2016 at 10:57 am

Will the increased lift help top the ball better?

Reply Report comment
Desmond

Jan 5, 2016 at 9:59 am

And I thought the XR Drivers of 2015 were too light! Wow. At least they got rid of the Project X shaft. Not a fan. The Fuji is a better shaft.

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Whats in the Bag

Max Homa WITB 2024 (April)

Published

10 hours ago

Apr 15, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

Max Homa what’s in the bag accurate as of the Masters.

Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Black 6 X

3-wood: Titleist TSR2+ (14.5 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Red 80 TX

Check out more in-hand photos of Max Homa’s WITB in the forums.

5-wood: Titleist TSR2 (21 degrees @19.25, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 9 TX

Irons: Titleist T100S (4), Titleist T100 (5), Titleist 620 (6-9)
Shafts: KBS $ Taper 130 (4-9)

Check out more in-hand photos of Max Homa’s WITB in the forums.

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46-10F, 50-12F, 56-14F), WedgeWorks (60)
Shafts: KBS $ Taper 130 (46) KBS Hi-Rev 2.0 135 X (50, 56), KBS Hi-Rev 2.0 125 X (60)

Putter: Scotty Cameron T-5.5 Proto

Check out more in-hand photos of Max Homa’s WITB in the forums.

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord

Ball: Titleist Pro V1

More photos of Max Homa’s WITB in the forums.

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Whats in the Bag

Bryson DeChambeau WITB 2024 (April)

Published

10 hours ago

Apr 15, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

Driver: Krank Formula Fire Pro (6 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS T1100 75g 6.5

Mini driver: TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver (11.5 degrees @10)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS T1100 75g 6.5

Unconfirmed. We are working to gather details.

5-wood: Krank Formula Fire

Unconfirmed. We are working to gather details.

Irons: Avoda Prototype (5-PW)
Shafts: LA Golf Prototype

Wedges: Ping Glide 4.0 (46-12S @45, 50-12S, 56, 60)
Shafts: LA Golf Prototype

Putter: SIK Pro C-Series Armlock/LA Golf Proto
Shaft: LA Golf C2L-180
Grip: JumboMax JumboFlat 17

Grips: JumboMax UltraLight XL

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash

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Equipment

Accra launches new GX wood and hybrid shafts

Published

13 hours ago

Apr 15, 2024

Brian Knudson

Accra Golf shafts have long been synonymous with fitting, and the new GX line of driver, fairway, and hybrid shafts continues that legacy.

Since 2004, Accra has been making high-end performance golf shafts that use the latest in materials and design philosophy. Their group of around 350 fitters are some of the best and most highly ranked in the world. While you might see other brands on professional tours more often, there are plenty of touring pros using Accra products and winning.

Accra’s new GX line of shafts is designed to offer a consistent and accurate shaft to a wide range of players. The GX line consists of 3 different shafts in driver, fairway, and hybrid designs.

The Accra GX shafts are designed for fitters to dial in golfers to the perfect shaft for their swing. Accra included a ton of technology into the GX line including their S3 profiling, DyMatch, and Constant Flex technology. DyMatch has been Accra’s quest to ensure that all shafts in a family feel and perform similar from driver to hybrid or iron shaft. Typically shafts get stiffer as they go up in weight, but Accra’s Constant Flex keeps the flex of the shafts consistent so fitters and golfers can dial in the weight that the golfer need without have to work around a stiffer or softer flex. Accra worked with Cool Clubs to build out its S3 Shaft Profiling system that not only allows a quick and easy EI profile of any shaft, it helps with quality control to ensure shafts come out of production exactly as they were designed.

Accra GX Red 300 Series

GX Red is lowest launching and spinning option in the GX line. Driver shafts have fewer options with just the 360 and 370 models that come in at 63 and 71 grams. The GX Red is made for faster swinging, or stronger, players who require a stiff (M4) or x-stiff (M5) shaft for their swing. Fairway and hybrid models are also on the higher weight side with the fairway clocking in at 80g and 90g for the hybrid. Accra designed this series with one of the stiffest tip sections of any Accra shaft in the current line, and while it is built to control launch and spin, the Red 300 Series will still offer that smooth feel.

Accra GX Green 100 Series

If your swing usually works best with mid-launch and spin, then the GX Green 200 series might be the right shaft for you. Offered in more weight and flex options, you can get a GX Green in 52 grams and all the way up to 70 grams in regular, stiff, and x-stiff flexes. GX Green will give the player a smooth feel and transition from the handle down to the tip section while still providing great stability and consistency. Accra also focused on the energy transfer of this shaft, and golfers can see some increased ball speed compared to other shafts.

Accra GX Blue 200 Series

While the GX Blue 100 Series is the highest launching and spinning option in the GX lineup, it will still give golfers the control and consistency they need. Starting off at 40g, the GX Blue series puts an emphasis on lighter weight to allow players to swing the club faster, promoting more distance. Accra touts the stability of the GX 140 Blue driver shaft by stating that some long driver competitors have put it in play to try and gain every MPH they can. Matching fairway and hybrid shafts are both on the lighter side at around 60g for the fairway and 65g for the hybrid depending on the flex.