Callaway GBB Epic and Epic Sub Zero: Drivers and Fairways

[Soonerbob]

Also I might add that the Epic was tested with weight forward. Visual showed launch straighter & lower than M1. No numbers posted but carry & distance ! Not enough info IMO!

[TheMoneyShot]

Must see Callaway Epic Sub Zero Vs M1 460..

 

 

Must see? that was painful to watch!

 

Painful is a under statement...

[Deuce78]

Cally gurus...which would be better (higher launch, less spin, more forgiving) in the epic sub zero fairways?

 

#1- a 13.5, plus 1 degree loft, weight back.

#2- a 15.0, minus 1, weight forward?

 

Are the fairways launching high? I play the 917f3 currently at 15.0 degrees....any comments?

[noodle3872]

Cally gurus...which would be better (higher launch, less spin, more forgiving) in the epic sub zero fairways?

 

#1- a 13.5, plus 1 degree loft, weight back.

#2- a 15.0, minus 1, weight forward?

 

Are the fairways launching high? I play the 917f3 currently at 15.0 degrees....any comments?

 

Both could work however +1 degree closes the face a bit. Personally, I'd go 13.5 heavy weight back. Depending on your launch conditions and shaft choice these fairways launch pretty mid to mid-high yet penetrating.

[Deuce78]

Have you hit the fairway? I still want to be able to get max distance off the fairway, and a shorter driver option off the tee..

I like the idea of being able to take the loft up 2 degrees without changing lie angle, is that correct? For times when I want big carry off turf, or play it at 13.5 or minus one if I want a tee option all day...again, without changing lie angle? Sorry I'm not a cally guy, I hope that doesn't offend anyone....

[Deuce78]

Also, is there any feedback on the rogue max 85x shaft?

[CircleC29]

Have you hit the fairway? I still want to be able to get max distance off the fairway, and a shorter driver option off the tee..

I like the idea of being able to take the loft up 2 degrees without changing lie angle, is that correct? For times when I want big carry off turf, or play it at 13.5 or minus one if I want a tee option all day...again, without changing lie angle? Sorry I'm not a cally guy, I hope that doesn't offend anyone....

 

Correct, as long as you line up the loft setting with the N (neutral) setting, lie remains the same. The D (draw) setting creates a more upright lie angle, according to the card that came with the tool.

[ell_13]

After 3 or 4 sessions on the monitor, a fitting, and an outdoor session, I've finalized my driver:

 

Epic SZ 9* weight back

45.5" Aldila Rogue Silver 70 X-flex

GP MCC plus 4 grey grip

 

I almost went with the Diamana D+. It loads nicely but the Silver got my spin down to the 1900-2100 range. Average carry to 272. Excellent dispersion. Excited for it to arrive.

 

 

[minteq]

For those that ordered at DD's, how long is taking to get your driver? I ordered mine yesterday, just curious.

[My2Dogs]

After 3 or 4 sessions on the monitor, a fitting, and an outdoor session, I've finalized my driver:

 

Epic SZ 9* weight back

45.5" Aldila Rogue Silver 70 X-flex

GP MCC plus 4 grey grip

 

I almost went with the Diamana D+. It loads nicely but the Silver got my spin down to the 1900-2100 range. Average carry to 272. Excellent dispersion. Excited for it to arrive.

 

What's your average swing speed during the sessions?

[ell_13]

After 3 or 4 sessions on the monitor, a fitting, and an outdoor session, I've finalized my driver:

 

Epic SZ 9* weight back

45.5" Aldila Rogue Silver 70 X-flex

GP MCC plus 4 grey grip

 

I almost went with the Diamana D+. It loads nicely but the Silver got my spin down to the 1900-2100 range. Average carry to 272. Excellent dispersion. Excited for it to arrive.

 

What's your average swing speed during the sessions?

106-108. I have a quick tempo which is why an X flex works better for me even though that number is usually more suited for a stiff flex. All my other clubs are stiff.

[dpb5031]

For those that ordered at DD's, how long is taking to get your driver? I ordered mine yesterday, just curious.

 

I placed my order with DD on the 10th and it has not arrived yet.

[J_Birdie]

I've hit the Epic and SZ twice now against my gamer LTD w/ hzrdus and they feel awesome like the LTD but the numbers haven't been there yet. I've hit it against the rogue max and Fuji pro. They don't have shafts at the length I like so I wasn't hitting the epics as crisply because of the extra .75". I tried choking down but something about choking down feels weird to me at times. Also they didn't have 70g+ shafts just 50/60 so that could play a factor

[minteq]

For those that ordered at DD's, how long is taking to get your driver? I ordered mine yesterday, just curious.

 

I placed my order with DD on the 10th and it has not arrived yet.

 

Ok thanks

[jcg132]

I've hit the Epic and SZ twice now against my gamer LTD w/ hzrdus and they feel awesome like the LTD but the numbers haven't been there yet. I've hit it against the rogue max and Fuji pro. They don't have shafts at the length I like so I wasn't hitting the epics as crisply because of the extra .75". I tried choking down but something about choking down feels weird to me at times. Also they didn't have 70g+ shafts just 50/60 so that could play a factor

 

I had the same issue with the choking down, took me a while to get used to since my LTD played a bit under 45". Initially I was hitting a lot of balls in the heel. Another big difference was the swingweight. My fitter told me my LTD swingweighted to D5 and the regular epic is D2. All things to think about. In the end on good hits I was getting 10-20 more yards with the epic and for my game, I can't pass that up. I ordered it at 44.5". Didn't think anything could kick my LTD out of the bag, hopefully the epic performs on course as it did in the sim.

[jcg132]

I've hit the Epic and SZ twice now against my gamer LTD w/ hzrdus and they feel awesome like the LTD but the numbers haven't been there yet. I've hit it against the rogue max and Fuji pro. They don't have shafts at the length I like so I wasn't hitting the epics as crisply because of the extra .75". I tried choking down but something about choking down feels weird to me at times. Also they didn't have 70g+ shafts just 50/60 so that could play a factor

 

Also fwiw, none of the stock options suited me coming from ltd w hzrdus. The rogue silver had similar performance but felt harsh for me. Ended up going with oban devotion. Unreal feel versus anything I've ever tried.

[F1King]

After 3 or 4 sessions on the monitor, a fitting, and an outdoor session, I've finalized my driver:

 

Epic SZ 9* weight back

45.5" Aldila Rogue Silver 70 X-flex

GP MCC plus 4 grey grip

 

I almost went with the Diamana D+. It loads nicely but the Silver got my spin down to the 1900-2100 range. Average carry to 272. Excellent dispersion. Excited for it to arrive.

 

We have similar SS by the looks.... I got SZ with 9* head, will play at 8* with weight forward and tee her really high, XS Aldila I/O 70 for me but if my back doesn't improve after playing in the cold + ice 2 days ago I will need to put one of my Reg shafts in it. My garage monitor showed me at 97 mph this morning after my usual 107-108 2 days ago

[ell_13]

After 3 or 4 sessions on the monitor, a fitting, and an outdoor session, I've finalized my driver:

 

Epic SZ 9* weight back

45.5" Aldila Rogue Silver 70 X-flex

GP MCC plus 4 grey grip

 

I almost went with the Diamana D+. It loads nicely but the Silver got my spin down to the 1900-2100 range. Average carry to 272. Excellent dispersion. Excited for it to arrive.

 

We have similar SS by the looks.... I got SZ with 9* head, will play at 8* with weight forward and tee her really high, XS Aldila I/O 70 for me but if my back doesn't improve after playing in the cold + ice 2 days ago I will need to put one of my Reg shafts in it. My garage monitor showed me at 97 mph this morning after my usual 107-108 2 days ago

I need the forgiveness with the weight back and I don't need the spin any lower. I should also technically be in a 45" shaft, but I like the feel of choking down just a little. All my iron shafts are +1/2 due to this. If I got my shaft tipped, I could probably go with a stiff, but again, I like the extra half inch.

[F1King]

I play at 45" on my Drivers as well and will mess with the weights and shafts on course (testing)... my test nos were obviously on a juiced monitor (165 ball speeds way high for me) so we will see when I get on course with it

[youngunz5840]

Put my order in yesterday for SZ 9* -.5" kk silver tini 60x ndmc mid size and sw at d5. Also have a px lz 6.5 60g shaft on the way that I might play instead

[Wardonation]

Put my order in yesterday for SZ 9* -.5" kk silver tini 60x ndmc mid size and sw at d5. Also have a px lz 6.5 60g shaft on the way that I might play instead

What price did you get? Does anyone no if there is a price change for "Animal Style?"

[cz13X4]

So the take away is 50% of ppl love and see an upgrade

50% see no upgrade to their current drivers

 

Conclusion: Hype. Any great fitter could take any of the top drivers on the market and show gains unless already dialed...

 

Jailbreak technology does the same thing as other technologies already out. Increases ballspeed on mishits.

 

I wouldn't call it hype, the SZ version is producing high ball speed and low spin across the face in ways other drivers aren't. It may do the same thing but it seems to be doing it better. I will reserve judgement until I hit it, but I have not seen reviewers produce the numbers they get with Epic SZ consistently with any other club.

 

Had a fitting today

2017 M2 vs Epic

Rogue silver 70x 125msi in both

New TM TP5X for 2017 M2 hits

Chrome soft for Epic hits

5 shot rotation

10.5 M2 set to 9.75 (1 click lower)

9* epic set to 10* and neutral

50 shots each with outliers (25yds offline) thrown out

 

 

 

I'd be interested if you used the same ball for both. Why didn't you? Tpx5 with the epic would have been better to compare to the m.

[noodle3872]

Has anyone tried the SZ with the Kuro Kage Tini shaft? I have been gaming the D+ but curious to have a little more launch and like 60 gram shafts over 70

 

I tested the SZ with KK Silver TiNi 60 stiff against the D+ 70 stiff. The KK launched a touch higher and spun pretty close to the D+.

How was the feel? I love how the diamana shafts feel. Sounds like kk will be a winner

 

Sorry, no numbers. The feel of just about any MRC shaft is exquisite! I like the stability of the tip the TiNi give the shaft. Feel-wise I could play either. Performance-wise, it's a photo finish. The tip on the D+ felt firmer than the TiNi however distance was pretty comparable.

[scottc25]

Demo day at my course today. The numbers:

 

 

This was with the Epic. They did not have a Sub-Zero (I'm a lefty) and guy said they would not be available until April!?!?!? Rogue Max 75g in X flex was what I used. I was able to swing the Diamana 72g after the fitting and liked the feel even better, although I was not able to see Trackman numbers.

 

Overall the club felt good but I don't see a huge difference over the 917 I demoed a couple months back. A more lengthy fitting would certainly help as opposed to the 10 minutes I had.

[youngunz5840]

Has anyone tried the SZ with the Kuro Kage Tini shaft? I have been gaming the D+ but curious to have a little more launch and like 60 gram shafts over 70

 

I tested the SZ with KK Silver TiNi 60 stiff against the D+ 70 stiff. The KK launched a touch higher and spun pretty close to the D+.

How was the feel? I love how the diamana shafts feel. Sounds like kk will be a winner

 

Sorry, no numbers. The feel of just about any MRC shaft is exquisite! I like the stability of the tip the TiNi give the shaft. Feel-wise I could play either. Performance-wise, it's a photo finish. The tip on the D+ felt firmer than the TiNi however distance was pretty comparable.

Glad to hear! I preordered with the KK Silver Tini shaft to give it a shot because I have heard good things about it and the D+ launches a little too low sometimes. Crossing my fingers that DD got the order in today and Callaway gets it out soon since I am in California

[noodle3872]

I think you'l like the KK Silver TiNi. A clubfitter described the KK Silver as a cross between a blue board and white board. Stiff tipped but not too stiff, stable mid-section that allows adequate loading with a firm butt section for good control and feel.

 

I play the XT in my driver and XM in the 3 wood. Both give me excellent results.

[Deuce78]

Is the epic sleeve the same as the past couple years of drivers? I need some sleeves....

[KPH808]

I ordered a SZ 9* with the Diamana White 70x at 44.75. Will be pulling the shaft and putting in the Tensei White or Project X Hzrdus T1100.

[scottaz]

Has anybody else noticed the much different sound while you're swinging ( the swoosh ) with the weight is up vs. back?

 

I've only had 12 forward so far and have been finding the swing sound to be odd. Almost high-pitched. I wanted to try the 2 forward tomorrow so I just made the change and was swinging. Now it's sounds normal to me.

[jay65]

Demo day at my course today. The numbers:

 

 

This was with the Epic. They did not have a Sub-Zero (I'm a lefty) and guy said they would not be available until April!?!?!? Rogue Max 75g in X flex was what I used. I was able to swing the Diamana 72g after the fitting and liked the feel even better, although I was not able to see Trackman numbers.

 

Overall the club felt good but I don't see a huge difference over the 917 I demoed a couple months back. A more lengthy fitting would certainly help as opposed to the 10 minutes I had.

 

No Lefty SZ until April? Oh, that's cr**, I'm supposed to have a fitting at the Callaway Performance Centre in Feb in the UK. No point in me going if it ain't there. I'll have to check that out tomorrow and see if that's the case. If they can't give me a 100% guarantee that it'll be there for Feb, then I'll cancel. I'm not driving 100 miles for diddly squat. Thanks for the heads up though.