Callaway X-Tour Irons

[Jake H]

Hello,

I'm in the market for a new set of irons this season. The only irons I have demoed so far are the Mizuno MP-60's, MP-67's, and some Taylormades (not sure which model). The day I demoed them I was hitting terribly, so they didn't get a fair trial. Having said that, I didn't like the Mizunos as much as I thought I would, and I did not like the Taylormades at all.

First a little background...I have not been custom fitted for irons, but if I buy new irons this year I will. I honestly have the ball striking ability of about a 2 handicap with my irons, so I think I can handle most any iron. I've been using blades for a few years now. Being that I've never been on a launch monitor I do not know my swing speed. However, by using my distances I'm pretty sure it's around 100 mph, maybe more. I hit my 7 iron a little over 150 under normal conditions, and my drives carry an honest 250 on average. Using this information, I'm pretty sure I need a stiff shaft (?). I've used the on-line club fitting programs and they always say to get a stiff shaft as well (but I understand that these are only estimations). Also, I'm about 5'-11" so I fall right in the middle of the standard length shaft. I've also taken my wrist to floor measurements, and they fell right in the middle as well.

I found an almost brand new set of the 2006 version Callaway X-Tour irons (3-PW) at a local sporting goods store. I say "almost brand new" because they have a few nicks and such from handling. They have the True Temper Dynamic Gold S300 shafts. These are the forged cavity-backs that I believe Phil Mickelson played in 2006. They have a black, red, and white Callaway emblem on the inside of the cavity. They had them on sale last fall for around $450 I believe. They don't have a price on them right now, so I could probably haggle. I've read the reviews on-line and most all people seem to love them. They look and feel good to me, although I haven't been able to hit them. So a few questions:

1) Would these clubs be worth buying for around $500 (or less)?
2) For those of you that have used both these older and the current versions of the X-Tours, which do you like better?
3) I'm assuming I could go to a club fitter and have these bent for the correct lie angle?

I know that a thorough fitting would be ideal, but I honestly think the lie angle is all I might need adjusted. Any other comments are appreciated!

Thanks,
Jake

[Cizzle]

When I went to lessons, this guy and I always showed up at the same time. I asked him how he liked his x-tours and he was in love. So if you can play them, I don't see there being a problem.

Now, for a 250 yard drive, it seems that stiff could be appropriate. But you say you can only hit your 7 150 yards.. I'm sure we have different lofts, I think i5s have a 34 degree 7, but I can hit my 7 on average 160, and there is no way I could play the s300s. So I definitely think getting fitted would be great for your game, maybe get you down to scratch in a year or two.

Best of luck!

[Fletch09]

Some brief answers to your questions:

1) Yes! I paid over $1000 for mine last year from the factory, albeit with upgraded shafts.
2) I liked the feel and look of the X-Tours much more than the X-20 Tour, which is the current equivalent. Keep in mind the X-Tour is forged and the X-20 Tour is a cast club.
3) Yes, you can have them bent. I ordered mine standard and had them taken 1 up, then finally settled on 2 up.

The original X-Tours are a great club, I suspect you will not be disappointed. I'd recommend re-shafting them with black gold's or Project X's for a more penetrating ball flight, but obviously DG's are a great shaft.

[Jake H]

Thanks for the replies.

Cizzle,

My distances can be a little screwy. I specifically remember one time at the range last season when I was hitting my PW. They were landing a few yards short of the 150 yard sign. Granted, this was in Bozeman which is at about 4800 ft. elevation, so I was getting a lot more carry than normal. Having said that, I'm usually between an 8 or a 7 iron at 150 at the courses in my hometown (at about 3300 ft). However, when using the online fitting websites, I always put down my 7 iron as my 150 club to be conservative, and they still say to use a stiff shaft. I honestly don't know the exact distances I hit my clubs, and I generally just go by instinct out on the course. I should look into it more.

Fletch,

Thanks for the info.

Jake

[obsessedgolfer]

if you are looking for a discount hogan makes a great blade also i woud try the new titeliests

[Jake H]

Yeah I just saw the Hogan blades on Callaway's website. I'm going to hold off on the X-Forged irons and wait to try them all out (and get fitted).

[Jake H]

I went and demoed an x-forged 6 iron today at Cottonwood Hills. I absolutely loved it, as well as the 6.0 Rifle Precision Project X Flighted shaft. The club pro was there and he had a range-finder. It turns out I am hitting the ball a lot farther than I was last year. They had a practice green covered with a blue tarp, and the club pro ranged the front edge at a little under 180 yards. I was carrying the ball almost right to the center of the green. Those new x-forged irons felt great, and I liked the look at address a lot more than the older x-forged irons. To top it off, they have a Callaway iron fitting rack, so I'll be able to find the best shafts etc...