Callaway X-Tour > Reviews (1)

For years I was a mid-range handicapper, from 16-18 and struggling to get down from there. I tried the lessons,alternating club manufacturers at test events, I spent days at the driving range, weeks on the course, but my frustration grew and grew.

There's an infamous saying about golf, that if it was an easy game, nobody would play it! It's true, but when you reach that plateau then you find frustration creeping in and taking over. It generally destroys your game and you think more about shots where you should be letting your muscle memory and your own hard developed technique take over.

I was using MacGregor VIP irons, which were great cavity backed irons, good for game improvement, but I needed something extra. I booked another few lessons, this time the pro advised me on fitting me out for new irons. My woods were as sweet as a nut and didn't need much development, but with minimum tinkering to my swing, I was fitted out for Mizuno MP-33 irons and Callaway X-Tours.

First of all, I have nothing at all negative to say about the Mizuno's, they were lovely clubs and weight, feel and control were great. However, it was with the aerial distance that impressed me the most with the X-Tours, and with the spin I could generate thanks to the multi-material forged irons and the the two-piece face comprising of a high strength carbon steel faceplate laser welded to the softer 1200 carbon steel club head and the cavity back comprising of tungsten weights, adjusted according to the individual, offering increased balance and weight control which again provides forgiveness in accuracy and longer ball flight due to the lower centre of gravity.

The shaft is also bored through to the base of the hosel to offer greater control and balance.

Moving on from my MacGregors to these was like stepping out of my Accord into a Bentley! I was able to restrict my swing by 10%, which again offered me more control and ability to shape my shots whilst not losing any distance whatsoever over my Mac's. Extremely important when rather than aiming for the vicinity of the green, I was aiming at the pin!

However, the wedges did not suit me as I felt they were less responsive than my Titleist Vokey spin milled forged wedges, so I stuck with them and purchased the Callaway X-Tour 5-9 irons along with a Number 4 Callaway Heavenwood, again a great choice for my swing, which it has to be said, really does still need improvement. The Heavenwood also removes the necessity of long irons, (3-4-5) but I still like to have my 5 iron in my bag for those bump-and-runs around the green.

My handicap is now down to 10 and I think I'll be looking at single figures next year.

In summary, these irons offer a strong, long ball flight with great control, stability and forgiveness with the feel of forged steel.