Callaway FT-iQ Driver Review
Last updated:
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At a glance
- TG Rating
- Owner Rating
What we say...
2009, Updated Model – Review
Styled on a Lamborghini, this club features x-shaped HyperBolic Face Technology designed to help the ball spring from across the face. Our team weren’t put off by the space-age looks, and performance-wise the FTiQ excelled. Chris loved the solid feel while Roy noted impressive distance. £379 might be a hefty wedge, but this has the X-factor in more ways than one.
Ratings (out of 5):
Looks: 4.3 Feel: 4.0 Noise: 4 Grip: 4.3 Distance: 3.5 Dispersion: 3.5
The Callaway FT-iQ Driver is actually styled on a Lamborghini!!!
Callaway are readying what it describes as its 'straightest ever driver' for the 2009 golf season in the form of the Callaway FT-iQ driver. The sleak looking new Callaway FT-iQ driver has been designed using influences from Lamborghini supercars and stealth jet fighters and the sample obtained by the Today's Golfer golf equipment team certainly echoes this. And everything on the Callaway FT-iQ has been designed to improve on the market defining FT driver, with improvements made across the board.
The centre of gravity height is half that of the FTi, which means the Callaway FT-iQ reduces spin for greater distance, while the launch angle has also been improved on the FT-iQ driver. Forgiveness has also been improved, with off centre hits flying straighter - a fact the TG test team can back after hitting the driver during a top secret testing day.
FT-iQ Driver - Callaway Golf have pushed all boundaries with the new fti Q Driver.
The Ft-I Q is 30% Straighter and longer that the FT5 which was the longest driver on tour in 2008 averaging 309 yards.
To create the highest level of performance, it takes the brightest minds exploiting cutting edge materials, shapes and technologies. The new Callaway FT-iQ Driver advances the revolutionary ideas that went into the FT-i Driver to become the straightest driver Callaway Golf has ever made.
The refined head shape of the FTiQ has a sleek and stealthy look while raising the MOI for unprecedented accuracy off the tee.
Hyperbolic Face Technology significantly raises ball speeds across the entire face for increased distance.
The Callaway FT-IQ comes in 2 head types, Standard and Tour models. The standard will suit most golfers promoting straighter drives, whilst the Callaway FT-IQ tour model sits a little open allowing the all to be shaped more easily.
The FT-iQ Tour Driver produces a more penetrating ball flight and features a slightly open face angle for a look preferred by accomplished players. The exclusive Fubuki shaft from Mitsubishi Rayon adds to the incredible feel and performance.
Contact: 0208 391 0100
Web: www.callawaygolf.com
Lofts: 9°, 10°, 11°, 13°
Your Reviews
Callaway Drivers User Reviews
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12 months on...
As some of you may have noticed, I left a review for this club back in June 2009 praising this club. Well, 12 months on I felt I had to change my review. I still feel that the original grip was the worst grip ever put onto a golf club, but my opinion regarding the rest of the driver has changed, I originally stated that this driver won't cure a slice or a hook. What I didn't realise was that it would give me a hook. One thing that Callaway failed to mention, though if you look hard enough the information is there in small print, is the standard FT-iq is draw bias. Now this is all well and good if you have a fade or slice. If you hit a draw as your stock shot, however, this club is useless. Some of you might be thinking "he's blaming the club rather than his swing", but I assure you that having seen my pro several times recently there is nothing wrong with my game - in fact I'm hitting all my other clubs sweetly. I've been told by several people that the problem, for once, is the club and not me. So now, onto my rating. I originally gave it 4stars as the grip was shoddy and it was expensive. 12 months I've given it 2 stars as on top of the above two problems, it has left my driving in tatters. Callaway failed to mention it was a draw bias and for a club that claims to get you hitting the ball straighter, it just isn't very forgiving. My personal opinion would be to avoid this club as, looking back, it's been the worst driver I've owned over the 12 months. There's also the glaring fact that when you pay this much for a driver, the grip should be much better.
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Callaway FT iQ
I have to say, this Driver does "exactly what it says on the Tin" I tried this out at my local Pro shop and tried various shafts, courtesy of the iMix trolley where you just screw the heads and shafts together. I highly recommend this process. I immediately loved it and found my dispersion was very tight and was hitting straight shot after straight shot......... Just put a nice tempo swing on it and this club works really well. I was never a fan of the previous square callaway driver -- this is a huge improvement -- without a doubt. I know it is expensive, but you do get what you pay for here, besides I dont judge golf equipment on price tags -- only on performance, and after trying dozens of drivers, this was most defenitely the WINNER for me.
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FT IQ 11 degree
What can I say? I've always had the tendancy to just miss the fairway and had to play lots of second shots from gnarly rough even though I've missed by a yard. I'd tried callaway's previous square incarnation at the range and had loved it, so I decided to take the plunge and buy the IQ. I haven't regretted it since. You must let the club do the work though - when I first bought it I was trying to hit the ball harder thinking the club would correct my swing and it didn't. Use your normal swing and you will see the difference. I've hit several drives from the toe and heel and watched them sail down the middle. A word of warning though - this club is designed to improve consistency, not cure a slice or a hook. Now I haven't given this club 5 stars as a) it's quite expensive and b) I think the grip is awful. I've had mine 4 months and the grip is already going smooth and horrible and I only play 2 times a week. Previous drivers last a good 12 months grip-wise. If you can afford this club and don't suffer from a hook or slice then I would suggest you buy it. I haven't regretted it.
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Callaway ft iq tour
I had a fti lcg tour model & changer to the ft iq tour when i tried a demo one in imix at the belfry it was great but then i brought one and could not get the right launch even though it was my spec i wanted to sell it.I went to a club fitter who works with alot of guys on mini tours and when he checked the swing weight it was playing d4 instead of the d2 you don't get this service from a normal custom fit swing weights and counter balancing. He put some weight in the grip which is what the tour players do to balance the weight out and now it works fine love it. So be carful when buying clubs as production stuff of the self is not always what it says on the tin!! eg a 10 deg driver stiff might be 9.7 reg
