Callaway FT-5 vs FT-i

[RichF]

I'm looking to replace my existing driver with either of these: Callway FT-5 or FT-i .
Obviously, I'm going to be demo-ing for a bit before I decide....as a heads-up, have any of the forum either use or own either club?

Also, didn't Els use both before going for the FT-i model?

Thoughts, opinions, etc?

[The Golfing Polack]

I hit both for a few swings at a local store. I couldn't get past the square head look. I've also hit the SQ2, but that was a bit easier to handle than the FTi. Also, the FT-i looked like it had too much loft, even in the 10*. FT-5 is a classic looking driver. Like you said, demo will determine your final choice.

[Fourputt]

Haven't tried the FT5. I like my FTi though, so while my opinion is based on experience, it is a bit subjective. You are doing it the right way... try both and see what you like.

[RichF]

Thing is, I know now that I have that bug in my head about the TM Burner that I know I'm not gonna get rid of.

Of all the drivers I tried, I didnt demo either Callaway.

[asianpsuation]

i've hit both and theyre radically different drivers. If your looking for plain ball speed NOTHING will do better than the ft-5, not the fti not the burner not the d2, and thats just a fact. The FT-5 is imo the best driver out there, if it didnt sound weird id be all over it. The fti is much more stable, its pretty damn hard to miss it. I prefer the ft-5, but its all about what your looking for and what your swing can and cant do, just my 2C.

[DDBowdoin]

It really depends on what you are looking for. The FTI is an interesting club but I found it really difficult to work. It goes long and straight but sometimes you don't always want straight. The FT5 is a good stick but not worth the price tag, look around on ebay for a deal. I picked up my 425 TP for under 2 bills brand new.

[supercow]

Can't get over the shape of the FT-i (especially at address) or the sound. In fact, I think the only company that has made a half decent looking square driver has been Nickent, http://www.nickentgolf.com/pr_wo_3dxtoursq-driver.shtml

Even if I could hit the FT-i better it would still take months before I could get over the fact that I was using something as hideous as that 'thing'...

[samsquanch]

Both are really nice drivers, but for my ability of driving the ball, I need an FT-i.

[hypergolf]

Tried both on demo day at the local range. Both are great clubs but preferred the FT-i. Was very consistant and good distance. I liked the sound of it too... If people are complaining that you can't work the ball with FT-i then I would use the 3 fairwaywood if I had to work the ball. Besides, not many people can "really" work the ball off the tee anyways...

[Hogan Incarnate]

The FT-5 is my favorite of the two. Its long and straight but I still prefer the D2 over both of them ;)

[RichF]

Tried both on demo day at the local range. Both are great clubs but preferred the FT-i. Was very consistant and good distance. I liked the sound of it too...

That's what I always thought....

[RichF]

Well, I had about 20mins using the Callway FT-i on the driving range and I was surprised.....at the lack of distance I got.
Using a regular Fujikura Speeder shaft, 10° loft and the Draw-face version, I found it easy to swing and pretty much everything went straight, but noticed that my drives either maxed-out at around 210-220 or even worse, some just died before the 200yard mark.

Thing is, I found it as easy, if not easier to swing than my stock Taylor-Made Burner.

[drck1000]

First post.

I demo'ed the FT-5 with a variety of shafts and hit them all pretty high. At the end of the demo session, the FT-5 with the Aldila NV 75 shaft was the best fit for the FT-5. Followed that with the FT-i, but they only had the stock shafts. Ended up going with the FT-i 9.5 with the stock Speeder 686 shaft after going on the launch monitor, comparing the FT-i, FT-5 and the Burner TP in various lofts. The FT-i gave the best numbers and went with that after trying the FT-i against the Burner TP on the range.

Now that I've had the FT-i in the bag for a few rounds, I am hitting the ball farther than with my previous R7 425 and straighter. It did take some getting used to, but I guess after the "learning curve" I'm loving it.

[RichF]

Good driver.
I also hit good scores with the FT-i on the launch monitor and again when playing on the course.
The only reason I didnt get one was the price-tag.

[xd3vilx]

both are good driver. for me, i prefer the ft-5 but than again it is all about personal choice.

[Fletch09]

I prefer the FT-i and the FT-3 to the FT-5. I switch back and forth between the FT-3 Tour and FT-i Tour currently.

All are great clubs but I had some issues at address with the FT-5.

[Gerry18]

If people are complaining that you can't work the ball with FT-i then I would use the 3 fairway wood if I had to work the ball. Besides, not many people can "really" work the ball off the tee anyways..

I had the chance to get a full fitting at Callaway Headquarters in Carlsbad, CA. I tried the FT-i and the FT-5 both great clubs, they have like 25 different combinations for those 2 clubs. First the bias, Neutral or Draw.

Both are great clubs but basically the only difference I found were, They told me that with the FT-5 I can “work” better the ball (Which I cannot do with any driver anyways) and the FT-I is a go as straight as a Driver can. As many guys already told, This is a matter of personal choice, I do not have any problem getting the FT-I Draw and also not a problem with the shape as soon as I looked that my ball landed in the middle of the fairway, adding about 20 yards and forgetting the slice.

Hope this helps.

Good luck with your purchase.

[Serenity Now]

I just spent an hour at Callaways test center here in SO Cal and ended up getting the FTI tour model with low CGI. I just hit it better than the FT-5. very expensive. I would not have got it had I had to pay for it