Callaway XR Speed Driver Review

Callaway XR Speed Driver: Callaway say their new XR Speed Driver has the hottest face they’ve ever designed that provides better distance and more forgiveness. 

Callaway say the new XR Speed driver takes everything they know about driver aerodynamics and face technology and combines it in our best performing – longest and most forgiving – XR Driver line ever.

The latest driver in the XR driver line up features a new Carbon Composite Crown to provides a lower CG for greater forgiveness, while a new variable face thickness is engineered to give the golfer additional distance over the previous Callaway XR 16 driver. 

WATCH: We tested the Callaway XR Speed against the similarly priced TaylorMade M4 Driver 

Callaway XR Speed Driver: Key Features

➤ New X Face VFT

X Face VFT is the very latest evolution of Callaway’s VFT (Variable Face Thickness) designed to maximise ball speeds across the entire face. X Face VFT is the lightest, most flexible and hottest face we have ever designed. 

➤ Carbon Composite Crown To Increase MOI

The inclusion of a carbon composite crown on XR Speed is 45% lighter vs the XR titanium crown, which significantly improves the mass properties and lowers the centre of
gravity for improved forgiveness with increased distance.

➤ Faster head speed from a refined Speed Step

Refined aerodynamic efficiency with improved airflow over and around the head thanks to
the latest Speed Step for faster club head speeds.

➤ Ultra-premium shaft as standard

One of the most premium aftermarket shafts available (used in the super-premium Epic
Driver), the Project X HZRDUS shaft is now available in the new XR Speed Driver.

Q&A with Alan Hocknell, Callaway’s Vice President of R&D, on the latest Callaway XR Speed Driver

Why is the XR Speed Driver only being introduced in Europe?

Callaway enjoyed huge success with Epic in 2017, becoming the #1 Driver brand in Europe (as well as in most other regions of the world). For 2018, Rogue and Epic are both off to outstanding starts but the feedback from our European sales teams, retailers and consumers was that (despite Epic accounting for more than 70% of £400+ driver sales) there is still a significant number of golfers who seek outstanding performance but their budgets can’t quite reach to the Epic and Rogue price points. Therefore, we set about the challenge of creating the best ‘non-Jailbreak’ driver possible that would deliver the kind of performance that would give our leading drivers a run for their money.

Who will benefit the most from XR Speed?

This driver has been designed to deliver success to golfers of all ages and abilities. It is very good at helping generate ball speed combined with an easy-to-launch trajectory and this will be apparent in club fittings. If I’m a golfer wishing to trade up from a driver I’ve owned for say three years, what will XR Speed give me? Ball speed and, very likely, increased forgiveness. Callaway Drivers in 2018 are considerably higher performing than those of just a few years ago. Construction technology and face design, in particular, have improved significantly.

How does the XR Speed Driver compare to other Callaway Drivers?

The XR franchise has been hugely successful for Callaway over the last few years but we
knew we needed to move it to another level with this latest incarnation. Performance across
all drivers has probably moved further in the last few years than in any time over the last two decades. Because of this, we have introduced some of our most premium technologies (ultralightweight carbon crown, X Face VFT Face Technology, refined aerodynamic Speed Step) to create a driver that delivers enhanced ball speed and up to a 6 yard total distance gain compared to XR 16.

Whilst the new XR Speed doesn’t have our industry leading Jailbreak Technology, it delivers strong performance versus our super premium drivers and, based on our internal testing, XR Speed may not quite beat them, but it does outperform every competitor driver we’ve seen.

Who will benefit the most from XR Speed?

This driver has been designed to deliver success to golfers of all ages and abilities. It is very
good at helping generate ball speed combined with an easy-to-launch trajectory and this will be apparent in club fittings.

If I’m a golfer wishing to trade up from a driver I’ve owned for say three years, what will XR Speed give me?

Ball speed and, very likely, increased forgiveness. Callaway Drivers in 2018 are considerably higher performing than those of just a few years ago. Construction technology and face design, in particular, have improved significantly.

NEXT: Callaway XR Speed Driver vs TaylorMade M4 Driver

• RRP: £339
• Available: 08/05/18
• Lofts: 9°, 10.5° and 13.5° HT. 
• Right and Left-handed options available. 
• Ladies options available in 10.5° and 13.5° HT (revised cosmetic) 
• Adjustability: OptiFit Hosel 
• Tech Specs: 460cc, 45.5” shaft, at 44.5” shaft length for Ladies (for further tech specs see Features and Benefits below)