Callaway Epic Flash fairway wood Review
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What we say...
Callaway’s new Epic Flash fairway wood features groundbreaking new Flash Face Technology to help golfers of every level and swing speed get more ball speed and distance.
Callaway’s new Epic Flash fairway wood replaces the brand’s 2017 Epic fairway wood, and features the same technology in the brand new Epic Flash and Epic Flash Sub Zero drivers.
RELATED: Callaway’s 2021 Epic woods reviewed and tested
Callaway took insights from using Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) and Machine Learning to develop the new Flash Face and Flash Face Sub Zero drivers. And they’ve applied what they learned creating the drivers to come up with an ultra-thin, forged Carpenter 455 steel cup face for Epic Flash fairway woods too.
The result is a uniquely designed clubface that’s expressly engineered for high COR across a large area, to promote fast ball speed on both center and off-center hits.
Within the clubhead, Callaway’s innovative Jailbreak Technology is the engine that promotes increased ball speed. It features two internal bars that connect the crown to the sole, stabilizing and stiffening the two parts, and allowing the face to take on greater impact load to generate faster ball speeds.
Epic Flash fairway woods also have a new, lighter OptiFit Hosel to make it simple for players to dial in easy launch and optimal flight. This saved weight in the hosel which allows Jailbreak and adjustability to be combined for the first time ever in a fairway wood.
R&D boss Dr Alan Hocknell told us: “The Flash Face of the fairway looks completely different to the driver, but still embodies the same design principles.
“A fairway wood is a lot shallower than a driver, and the usage is different – you hit a bunch of shots off a tee that you might hit more centred, but shots from the fairway will be a little bit lower on the face. So we had to take all that into consideration.
“The result is a face that’s still hot from the centre, when you hit it off a tee, but even hotter from the key impact zone low in the face. “So unlike the driver, the thinnest area is low on the face, creating a lot of speed; the centre is relatively thin, too, so there’s sort a face within a face. We were challenged when we first saw it, but we prototyped it and it worked.”
Callaway Epic Flash Review: TG Verdict
Sit the Epic Flash alongside the Sub Zero and you see immediately how different golfers demand very different equipment. The standard Flash has a bigger, more inviting footprint whereas the Sub Zero is tiny, which should make it a no-no for some club golfers.
Different face grooves and weight set-ups meant the Flash launched shots 3° higher with 600rpm more spin than the Sub Zero, yet carry difference was just two yards (Epic Flash 243 yards; Sub Zero 245), which shows how golfers, especially when it comes to fairways and hybrids, want to flight shots very differently.
For us, the majority of club golfers will find the Epic Flash easier to live with. Two of our testers felt the crown graphics and glossy finish were a bit distracting, but that’s subjective; we all loved how there’s plenty of loft options in the family.
Callaway Epic Flash fairway wood features and benefits
New Flash Face Technology for Unprecedented Ball Speed
Callaway engineers applied learnings from Artificial Intelligence to create a new fairway wood face design that promotes increased ball speed for longer distance.
Forged Carpenter Steel Face Cup for Fast Speed
A forged 455 Carpenter steel construction combines with Face Cup technology to deliver fast ball speed across the face for distance on center- and off-center hits.
Why we use a Foresight GC Quad launch monitor
Jailbreak Technology for Fast Ball Speed
Jailbreak tech incorporates two internal bars that stiffen the body, placing more impact load on the face for faster ball speeds.
New OptiFit Hosel for Easy Launch and Optimal Flight
Callaway designed an entirely new hosel system that’s shorter and lighter; the saved weight is used to reposition the CG for easy launch and high, long-carrying flight.
