Callaway X Fairway Wood Golf Club

Callaway has always had a reputation for making playable fairway woods for weekend warriors; this club definately continues that tradition.

When I started with this grand game/addiction called golf, I loved all the game improvement features of Callaway fairway woods. The offset and soft shafts corrected my slice. The S2H2 design helped me release the clubhead. The VFT (variable face thickness) helped off-center hits maintain respectable distance.

Then I got better and all those Callaway slice-compensating features started working against me. Once I learned to swing correctly I started hooking the heck out of them. I re-shafted to a stiffer tip shaft and that helped a little. At least my hooks stayed on the hole I was playing! The problem was that my new tip stiff shaft lowered my ball flight a great deal. I was now scared to death of trying to carry a hazard.

So the search for a new fairway wood began. I tried Ping. I tried Cobra. I tried Taylor Made. I sold the Ping. I sold the Cobra. I broke my Taylor Made over a tree trunk and lied to my wife - told her it was an accident. (Irish temper - whoops!)

Then Callaway comes out with this little gem and it piqued my interest. Much less offset, a Fujikura shaft, a sole design that really makes sense.....hmmmm maybe worth a try. No kidding folks, three balls on the range and SOLD! We have a WINNER!

(Sidebar here - I play a Fujikura Speeder shaft in my driver and it really is worth the price. I know 2 bills is steep but how can you put a price on confidence off the tee?)

Anyway, back to the X....
The torque and tip stiffness of the shaft is just right for a mid 90s to low 100s swing speed. I can hit a fade, I can hit a draw, I can hit it straight. Best of all, I can hit it high. The S2H2 and VFT features are still there which is nice 'cause I'll always mis-hit one now and again. And the sole- what an idea!!! The two-point contact thing is a stroke of genius. It really helps you to line up the shot. All you have to do is place the club behind the ball and it seats itself. Now simply grip the club and take your stance and you're lined up with the ball in the correct position. It's almost impossible to hit fat or thin with this sole design.

Just a word of warning to the high handicapper - this ain't no Big Bertha. If you tend to slice the ball you might want to consider something else. (The Steelhead 3's are very good at helping a slice and can be had for a song. Ditto the ERC.) But for those of you out there who left Callaway as your game improved, take a look at this club. If you can, demo one for a round so you can really feel the benefits of this X sole design on different lies.

Good luck and many happy putts for eagles!!