Callaway X-Hot Drivers Review
Published: Last updated:
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At a glance
- TG Rating
- Owner Rating
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Pros
A retro look will stir memories; the draw bias makes this the adjustable driver for all abilities.
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Cons
Distance was down compared with the Razr Fit Xtreme while a lack of forgiveness for some meant a wider dispersion.
- RRP £249.00
What we say...
2013 Drivers Test
The testers returned mixed reviews on the matt grey finish. Joel enjoyed both the compact look of the Tour version and the feeling of compression he was getting at impact while Kit was really impressed with the penetrating flight outdoors; his dispersion was also just four yards. Chris and Graeme struggled to get the distance other drivers were achieving while a feeling of toe up combined with the draw bias didn’t add confidence.
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Callaway's new X-Hot woods and irons have been engineered to offer more distance at an affordable price. The range consists of two different sets throughout – the X Hot clubs are aimed at the game-improver, while the X Hot Pros have been designed to offer slightly more finesse and feel to the stronger golfer. The range is the next in the X series.
Dr Alan Hocknell, Callaway’s senior vice president of R&D, says the driver is the lightest ever all-titanium Callaway model. After lengthy custom-fitting research, Callaway has also tried to synchronise club with player by moving the centre of gravity depending on the loft.
It also retains the OptiFit hosel that gives one of three address positions: open, neutral or closed.
The driver takes its 'behind the ball' looks from the Big Bertha – with some big innovations. The face of the 460cc, silver and black head is thinner around the edges and thicker in the centre. That face is welded to a titanium body which is made with a new “thin-walled” casting process that keeps weight down, so the X Hot is the lightest all-titanium driver Callaway has ever made.
To match the X Hot to the player, the centre of gravity shifts with loft. So, the 8.5° head has a neutral CG that fits fast-swinging players. The CG moves towards the heel and the clubface becomes easier to close in higher-lofted heads, like the 13HT version.
The X-Hot Pro version has a 45.75-inch shaft amd a 440cc head with a lower CG and a deeper face to aid shot shaping.
X-Hot
Available lofts: 9.5°, 10.5°, 11.5°, 13.5°
RRP: £249
X-Hot Pro
Available lofts: 8.5°, 9.5° and 10.5°.
RRP: £279.
