Callaway Diablo Octane Tour Driver

[TourSpoon]

I just pulled the trigger on the Octane Tour 9.5 with the Project X 6.0 S shaft. It outperformed everything else on the launch monitor and my numbers were consistently maxed out (longer and straighter). My swingspeed was up slightly to 103 mph with a 250ish carry total for 265ish results (club is lighter with D5 swingweight and a 45.5 inch shaft). This bested my Cally 454 by a good 10 yards of carry and was a lot tighter. I took it to the range this morning and after 25 balls, I ripped the tape of the face...I committed. The club has a muted sound and just puts it out there with a mid-high penetrating ball flight. The sole design is funky (good thing you can't see it), but the top has great lines, is painted solid black, is 1* open, and sets up great. I will report back after a couple of rounds, but so far I am really impressed as this thing is hot!

[delav]

Great initial review, sounds like this driver is worth considering. What did you demo it against?

[TourSpoon]

My previous stick...BB 454 NV65s; TM SuperDeep, Cobra, and Ping...

[newtogolf]

  TourSpoon said:

My previous stick...BB 454 NV65s; TM SuperDeep, Cobra, and Ping...

Did you try the Ping K15, I've heard some positive things about it.

[TourSpoon]

  newtogolf said:

Did you try the Ping K15, I've heard some positive things about it.

I believe it was the G15...

[holybull]

I'm going to wait for the RAZR Hawk and demo it along with the Octane

[newtogolf]

I'm guessing the RAZR Hawk will replace the FT-9 or FT-IZ which would put the price at $400 - $500 when they first release it.

[Quinn07]

Is the RAZR going to be released in their Imix setup? I know the octane isn't going to be.

[newtogolf]

  Quinn07 said:

Is the RAZR going to be released in their Imix setup? I know the octane isn't going to be.

I read that Callaway is going away from the i-mix except for use in fittings. There is no intention to release an i-mix head in the first year of release. Dicks has had their i-mix heads and shafts on clearance here, the heads are $45, and the shafts were $65 with 25% discount on both.

[Quinn07]

REALLY?! I guess I will be holding onto my driver for a little longer until I can save up some funds / convince myself I REALLY need a new one. There are some beauties comin out though!

[newtogolf]

  Quinn07 said:

REALLY?! I guess I will be holding onto my driver for a little longer until I can save up some funds / convince myself I REALLY need a new one. There are some beauties comin out though!

I agree, both of these drivers look good, but unfortunately I'm just starting out, and my driver is very inconsistent so I doubt these will work any better than the FT-IZ I'm using. You should check your local Dick's if you're using I-MIX. I got some great shafts that were selling for $300+ for $47. Since you're a righty you can probably pick up some other heads really cheap as well.

[Quinn07]

My problem is that I have a shaft that I like, and was willing to try new heads.

[TourSpoon]

Second report from the range...bombing this thing...high and long. The flight is higher than what I am used to, but with the low spin it just keeps going.

[TourSpoon]

From the course...more forgiving, accurate, and longer. Good news...I can still hit a snap hook...phew...good swings were about 10 yards longer and I saw a couple of places on the fairway I have never seen before. The biggest difference is that the mis-hits don't lose as much distance and the great swings put it out there. It's a keeper!

[delav]

Temptation to go driver shopping is rising.

[TourSpoon]

  delav said:

Temptation to go driver shopping is rising.

Just for fun, run the monitor numbers against what you are gaming...you got the Tour set-up that is really popular...R7 425. I would be interested to see how they come out as I was contemplating picking up the R7 head and buying a shaft.

[CassinoNorth]

The thing kills it...one of the few drivers I can put over 300 yards but I really hate the feel of the club. I'm not too picky with my driver but the feel of this when it hits the ball isn't for me.

[596]

Do me a favor........if you can......compare the Octane to the Octane Tour. I'm 55, with a 5 handicapp. I can fade a ball all day into the fairway at 250--260yards. Even hitting it straight is not much problem. The problem I have is drawing my driver consistantly. Only God knows how much draw is going to show up on each shot I try to draw. I currently use the Diablo Edge with a regular shaft flex. Do I go for the Octane/reg flex or the Tour/reg flex? I guess what scares me is the smaller sweet spot (?) and more workability of the Tour model.

Thanks for any help.