Golfblogger

last March/April, the Callaway rep came by the club for a fitting day, and while I wanted to be fit for a putter, he didn’t have that equipment—so I decided just to use some time with him on some golf swing tweaks.  I had just bought the disco’d X-460 late in 2007, it was about 4 months old, and he said - ‘well this is a great club and all but it is old technology—here try this one’ and handed me a Callaway FT-i squarehead.

Every drive went straight, every drive.  He tried to sell me on one on the spot, but at the time they were still $400-500 (I think it was actually the iMix version)- I told him the X460 was brand new, and as soon as those FT-i’s came under $200 I would look at them.

Well on Black Friday, Callaway pre-owned had a $100 off deal on used, for some of them as low as $99 (the senior flex really used versions)—I picked up one with an Aldiva NVS shaft, Very Good condition (which on Callaway pre-owned means “hit twice and immaculate”) for $240 - 100 = $140.  I gave it to my wife for my little girl to wrap up for Christmas and it was a long 3 week wait to hit the club.

Saturday I went out, and WOW.  I was sick Friday night, and didn’t even know if I could play-  I was still sore and tired at 10:20 tee time.  I hit the driver 3 times, fairly well off the range. 30-40mph gusting winds on the first tee box.  I have been suffering on the first hole for a few weeks- but today the ball flew perfect and the gust even blew it into a better place.  I par’ed for a net birdie and won a skin on the first hole.  Followed up with 11 of 12 drives being very good, and the last was ok.

The FT-i was effortless.  I think it is a little shorter than my Taylormade Burner Draw, maybe a little shorter than my X460 (the FT-i is 10-degree, the others are 9.5 and 9 respectively)- some could be due to wind, and the roll stunk as well, but I have been carrying two drivers for a while, the Burner when I am very confident for bigger distance, and the X460 when I get tired or unconfident.  The FT-i will move into the X460s slot.

Good buy, especially for $150.  See if you can match that deal.

Further determination is that the FT-i for me is quite a bit shorter than the Burner Draw.  Yesterday, conditions were nearing optimal for very good roll; the ground was a little wet in spots, but the compacted turf, mostly very firm, and a slight tailwind at time was very favorable for long distances.

I was very relaxed on the longest holes on the course (a 520 yard par 5, and a 430 yard par 4), back to back holes 12 and 13, and we started on #10.  So I hit the Burner Draw, and it was completely flush, and only the slightest draw coming into play.  On #12, I had 230 to the center of the green for a second shot.  Given a pond and a trap obscuring 60% of the entry to this green, I have never had the opportunity to reach in two before.  Well I didn’t this time, I topped the ball with my 3-wood, and it went 140 yards right into the drink.  But I still saved par with a 1 putt. 

Hole #13, 420 to the center from the tee, and I hit the Burner Draw and had 125 remaining to the center.  Also parred this hole after 2 putt. 

Contrast that, with the FT-i which sounds so much better, it feels great, and it goes straight as an arrow- but it was 240 at best.  Not everything with the Taylormade was going 290 - more like 250-260 was the average,  but the Callaway was 220 to 240. 

I had thought the Callaway would be shorter, but not this much so.  It is a higher angle, which accounts for some.  But as a backup club when I get sore, it cannot be beat.  Where I might have to go with a hybrid or 3-wood as I get tired, I will be able to shift to the FT-i with confidence.  Also the FT-i put me on the green, the only one in my foursome to do so, on the #1 handicap hole a 210 yard par 3.  (Last round without so much wind, I did the same thing with my 3-wood though)

Well that takes it off my list. I absolutely cannot afford to give up any yards.

Thanks for the review!