Callaway Epic Driver buyers. Love it or buyers remorse.

[Kale_m]

For me the SZ is an absolute cannon when hit out the middle. Perfect flight sound and feel. But when you miss it I am not finding it not that forgiving. Can really go anywhere and most of the Time it is way left on me.

 

Not nearly as forgiving as my old g30. But longer for sure

[4rheel]

Definitely remorse. As someone noted, the loft seems higher than indicated. I was fitted at the lowest loft setting and was still too high. Not intention to pay for a TC model to get a lower loft.

 

I did end up getting the SZ 3w but that too had to be set lower to 14* and still seemed high. Really wanted to like it but my 815 performed better for me out on the course.

[yellolab]

Had mine for about 4 weeks now and been on course most days. Standard Epic 9° set to 10°. Pretty glad I got the Epic rather than the SZ although I prefer the look and feel of the SZ. Got 2 shafts Fujikura Pro green 62 and Speeder Evolution 2 665, but have been using the Pro Green. I cant say I like the sound but sort of getting used to it.

 

 

Pretty sure I hate you. Still snow on the ground here.

[IsleOfMan]

I haven't had much time with mine and, honestly, I wasn't even expecting to pick one up. I got a great deal on a head only from someone looking to trade up to an SZ. I did side-by-side comparison with my '14 Big Bertha 10.5 @ +1/D/slider full draw and the GBB Epic on the same shaft (GD G60 Stiff playing 44.5"), same settings. Dispersion was very slightly tighter but it was a legit +15 yards and -500-800 spin. I knew for the price I could just flip it for a notable profit if it didn't work out, but the initial results with no tweaking were so promising I'm going to give it a full fair shake. I also have a 6Q3 Red Tie Regular on the way, plan on tipping 1/2" and starting it at 45" and working my way down to where I'm comfortable... if that doesn't work out, I'll go in for a full shaft fitting & settings optimization if need be.

 

I guess to answer the OP, even if it doesn't end up being the one, I'll still have no remorse since it will turn an easy profit... but it doesn't look like that's the path I'll be taken based on early results.

[Warrick]

Got mine out "animal" style today, just love this driver and 3 wood.

 

The hype is real.....

[Hifade]

Got mine out "animal" style today, just love this driver and 3 wood.

 

The hype is real.....

 

That it is, my brutha!!! The driver that's changed the driver.

[OspreyCI]

Just got mine back from Will Peoples after he hotmelted it. I cut it down to 44.5" and hotmelted it... really.. wow! No remorse here! Damn!!

[dconcepd]

i love mine. i hit it farther and more on target then my tour issue M2 and tour issue GBB. the SZ is retail version and i don't plan on getting the TC version. it combines perfectly with the T1100. ABSOLUTE ROCKET.

[1163]

Had my first range sessions and round with my 9* SZ w/diamana 62+ and it is everything i hoped for- long, accurate, and forgiving. I love the feel/sound and reminds me of the old FT drivers.

 

It took approx two weeks to get the driver in but it was worth the wait. i came from an 2017 M1 and the SZ beat the M1 in every category. My playing partners noted that they haven't seen me hit my driver this well in years.

 

I also swapped out my M2 3wood and hybrid for 816 Alpha 3wood and 815 Alpha hybrid. The Alpha's also beat out the M2's and I can't believe they don't get more hype. I used Callaway Preowned to trade in the M2's for the Alpha's and they were great to deal with.

 

Callaway has hit a home run with the Epic SZ and the Alpha's are just as good!

[Warrick]

815 Alpha hybrids are not replaceable for me, have another new set.

[br61]

Callaway came to my home club yesterday for fitting days, I didn't make an appointment thinking I didn't really need anything. Rep told me to hit Epic so I hit several drivers and 15* with different shafts. They surprised me on how nicely I was striping everything with high or low trajectory whenever I wished. I seemed to hit SZ driver and 15* better than regular Epics. Little higher too. I liked Hzrdus 6.0 the best for a stock shaft.

 

I might have to open up my wallet for them. Ha.

[firstbatch]

Played mine yesterday for the first time in warm weather about 75deg. SZ hzd 6.0s and it got in the bag by beating out my loved BC+. Got the usual raz on first tee from the guys about buying game yada yada and proceeded on #1 to bomb it out to speed slot in the fairway I typically did not reach that put me 40 yds in front of boys. Wedge and bird. Done. Love this driver. Rest of day was solid even missing it a little hi on face and still got very good results. I think 45.5 is too long for me to find the center of clubface routinely. So the new adapter tip came in today and will shaft up the Red Tie from the BC+ and give it a go as it 44.5 and worked great in that head. Just thrilled with the Epic SZ and look forward to fun all spring and summer. By the way My stock setting is 10.5 standard with 14g forward 2g back. Just great ball flight.

[xjohnx]

Played mine yesterday for the first time in warm weather about 75deg. SZ hzd 6.0s and it got in the bag by beating out my loved BC+. Got the usual raz on first tee from the guys about buying game yada yada and proceeded on #1 to bomb it out to speed slot in the fairway I typically did not reach that put me 40 yds in front of boys. Wedge and bird. Done. Love this driver. Rest of day was solid even missing it a little hi on face and still got very good results. I think 45.5 is too long for me to find the center of clubface routinely. So the new adapter tip came in today and will shaft up the Red Tie from the BC+ and give it a go as it 44.5 and worked great in that head. Just thrilled with the Epic SZ and look forward to fun all spring and summer. By the way My stock setting is 10.5 standard with 14g forward 2g back. Just great ball flight.

 

Please report back your findings on the Red Tie vs the t800. I have personally been interested in that comparison and thought about getting a red tie.

[firstbatch]

Ok will do. May be a week as it's turned cold and 10 day doesn't look so good.

 

I'm using the t800 demo shaft that worked well at fitting/testing and they didn't have one so he ordered one in and let me play with demo shaft. It has a demo label with weight of shaft at 57.5. After playing it thinking 50g class is to light for me so I'll be calling the golf shop and asking to hold off on that order and at a minimum switch to the t800 in the 65 gram range or maybe look at one of the stocks available in the 70g class. My gut say the Red Tie is going to work fine and it was around 65g.

[Juice1121]

The only remorse I have is that I have to wait another 3 weeks before it comes in!

[IsleOfMan]

Had my first outdoor range session today. I can't say I found anything miraculous about the forgiveness of the regular Epic, but it's definitely longer than my last 3 drivers ('16 M2, 915D2, '14 BB) by a solid 15-20 yards split evenly between carry and roll. Just goes to show that technology CAN make a difference, it just can't make ALL the difference and it can't close the face for you.

 

I too have a Red Tie on the way, but it's the older 6Q3... that said, I was able to get it in black and, along with Green NDMC White Out, it should look pretty close to how one might come from the factory for only ~$40 in shaft/adapter/grip. I already have my GD G60 Stiff listed on BST, but if it doesn't sell before the new shaft arrives, I'll definitely do some side-by-side.

[xjohnx]

Had my first outdoor range session today. I can't say I found anything miraculous about the forgiveness of the regular Epic, but it's definitely longer than my last 3 drivers ('16 M2, 915D2, '14 BB) by a solid 15-20 yards split evenly between carry and roll. Just goes to show that technology CAN make a difference, it just can't make ALL the difference and it can't close the face for you.

 

I too have a Red Tie on the way, but it's the older 6Q3... that said, I was able to get it in black and, along with Green NDMC White Out, it should look pretty close to how one might come from the factory for only ~$40 in shaft/adapter/grip. I already have my GD G60 Stiff listed on BST, but if it doesn't sell before the new shaft arrives, I'll definitely do some side-by-side.

 

Please report back on the red tie. One of the reasons I had my eye on them is they made some limited one in green as well that would look awesome in these drivers.

[pitchinwedge]

Yup no SZ for at least another 3 weeks. Will likely have waited 2 months by the time I get mine.

[IsleOfMan]

Please report back on the red tie. One of the reasons I had my eye on them is they made some limited one in green as well that would look awesome in these drivers.

 

Will do. It gets here Monday, so I'll build it up Monday night but won'd have a chance to play it until probably Thursday morning and won't be able to get on an LM until the following Tuesday.

 

I'm trying to decide between R and R+ (tipped 1/2" maybe) since I straddle the swing speed line between R and S and the Red Tie is already a little stout to begin with. Right now I'm leaning towards R at 44.5", that way if I need to tip it, I'll end up at my normal 44" playing length.

 

I thought about going the Green route, but settled on Silver... only to have Silver sell out in R flex. I then decided to just go Black thinking I might have a wider audience if I need to resell the shaft by itself, plus I think the subtle math graphics are green on the Black version anyway. I also confirmed that these are 100% full 6Q3 Red Ties, not a DTG made-for like the Altus 5.1 and Axis Blue/Red Special or an OEM close-out like a lot of the Adams stuff they had.

[anth]

Had mine for about 4 weeks now and been on course most days. Standard Epic 9° set to 10°. Pretty glad I got the Epic rather than the SZ although I prefer the look and feel of the SZ. Got 2 shafts Fujikura Pro green 62 and Speeder Evolution 2 665, but have been using the Pro Green. I cant say I like the sound but sort of getting used to it.

The demo I tested on course was typical of my preferred flight-pretty much straight with a hint of draw. This head produced a huge draw in standard setting so I had to fiddle with the slider. Ive almost got it to full fade setting to get the shape I want so I am glad I got the adjustability of the Epic. Didn't think the slider would make that much difference but it did for me. I understand that heads can be slightly different as I had that experience with my Ping G25.

The Epic overall it is as forgiving as my G25 was and its longer than the G25 and my M2. On average 8 yards.

It has a definite sweet spot, that produces a slightly different sound and feel. I go searching for that spot now, when you get that spot you dont even bother measuring..just smile!

Want an example? The 7th at my home base is a slight dog leg left. Usually with a good drive its a 8 or 9 iron in.On occasions I have hit my 46° in, but thats the exception rather than the norm. I hit one and you immediately know when you get that spot from the sound and feel. Its a subtle difference, but you know when.

I hit another off the same tee almost as good but not quite. Well I hit a 60° in. Choked down a touch too. Didn't hit the 2nd ball in but it was maybe 3 yards behind my first. Thats when you don't even bother measuring..... BTW is was wet.

Wasn't it Hogan who said best shot in golf-long walk with a putter? A short walk ain't bad either

 

I find the G25 leaves me in a playable position even when I miss on the toe side. Can you comment on how the epic performs on toe hits, and hits low on the face?

[3_Jack_Par]

A couple more range sessions the last couple days. I am murdering this thing.

 

If you want to do a real study, ask us all in a couple months when we've all gotten 20 rounds or so with them.

[Even]

Haven't gotten a ton of rounds with it, but from what I've seen so far I'm in love... May just be my combo But they're long high baby draws...

[KMD]

I've played both the regular Epic and SZ. The regular Epic had too much of a tendecy to go left. The SZ, on the other hand, is perfect so far for me - I'm loving it.

[ashortgame]

Anth, For me I would say the G25 is more forgiving across the face. That was always one of the best things about the G25 and G30 and I think the G25 is marginally better although there is not a struck match between either.

The G25 feels more solid in every area compared to the Epic and especially if it comes a touch out of the toe. Having said all that the guys at Callaway tell me that the Epic has a higher MOI than the G25,G30 and G.

Heck of a driver, the G25.

Look in reality the Epic is probably just as good on toe hits as the G25 both with distance and dispersion, it just doesn't have nearly as solid feeling. I havent ever been disappointed with Epic if it doesnt quite come of out the center, but there is a huge difference coming out of the middle!

My only suggestion would be the Epic over the SZ, because of the adjustability.

Just got a text this morning from a mate of mine in Australia who I play a lot with, we have been chatting about settings. We are almost identical in distance, and I would give him the edge (he would say more than a edge)! We both had 9° G25's and 2016 M2's and while I moved my Epic to 10° he tells me this morning he moved his to 11° (he has a UST recoil shaft compared to my Pro 62) and he got 11 yards better carry. His words not mine, but he is also in the golf industry and a very good friend so I believe every word.

 

So in Summary I would say no distance loss or loss of dispersion, just a loss of a more solid feel in the G25.

 

Look Anth, Disregard this next paragraph and tell me to jump, but re the toe hits: there are about 4 things that will cause toe hits, but I find the most common things with my students is that the primary root cause is posture. Either standing too close at address or standing a little upright rather than over the ball both of which will cause the player to come up out of the shot and get stuck behind at impact and hence a toe hit. It sounds like this is the issue as you are getting it low on the face as well as from the toe. So check your posture at address and also at impact and make sure you are maintaining your spine angle thru impact. As I said tell me to jump if I stuck my nose where it wasn't needed.

[specimania]

Remorse,

Both are hook machines. Although more bs, more spin. M1 was superior. Z765 beat it too. Bought into hype. seem a few returned as well. Glad you guys like it but there are better. From what I see not that much different from last years models. Will await the bars to start breaking the head.

[anth]

Anth, For me I would say the G25 is more forgiving across the face. That was always one of the best things about the G25 and G30 and I think the G25 is marginally better although there is not a struck match between either.

The G25 feels more solid in every area compared to the Epic and especially if it comes a touch out of the toe. Having said all that the guys at Callaway tell me that the Epic has a higher MOI than the G25,G30 and G.

Heck of a driver, the G25.

Look in reality the Epic is probably just as good on toe hits as the G25 both with distance and dispersion, it just doesn't have nearly as solid feeling. I havent ever been disappointed with Epic if it doesnt quite come of out the center, but there is a huge difference coming out of the middle!

My only suggestion would be the Epic over the SZ, because of the adjustability.

Just got a text this morning from a mate of mine in Australia who I play a lot with, we have been chatting about settings. We are almost identical in distance, and I would give him the edge (he would say more than a edge)! We both had 9° G25's and 2016 M2's and while I moved my Epic to 10° he tells me this morning he moved his to 11° (he has a UST recoil shaft compared to my Pro 62) and he got 11 yards better carry. His words not mine, but he is also in the golf industry and a very good friend so I believe every word.

 

So in Summary I would say no distance loss or loss of dispersion, just a loss of a more solid feel in the G25.

 

Look Anth, Disregard this next paragraph and tell me to jump, but re the toe hits: there are about 4 things that will cause toe hits, but I find the most common things with my students is that the primary root cause is posture. Either standing too close at address or standing a little upright rather than over the ball both of which will cause the player to come up out of the shot and get stuck behind at impact and hence a toe hit. It sounds like this is the issue as you are getting it low on the face as well as from the toe. So check your posture at address and also at impact and make sure you are maintaining your spine angle thru impact. As I said tell me to jump if I stuck my nose where it wasn't needed.

 

Great info thanks!

[divot head]

Got my Sub zero with Oban Purple this morning played 18 and WOW this thing is Perfectamondo!!

[teaguerr]

For me, the SZ is a hook machine. Sold it and have went back to the M2. I just could not get the Epic to even try going straight despite trying many many different methods. That's just my experience, we all hit them different!

[Goldenhawk]

Been playing a GBB with the original Diamana Blueboard in it for about a month. The Epic is legit. Easily 20 yards longer than my M1 gamer from last year. But what impresses me the most is the forgiveness of the Epic over the M1. I picked up the 3-wood but the temperature dropped here in Northern VA before I can hit the range and put it in play.

 

My now 16 year old son also switched from his M2 to the Epic and gained significant yardage. After a couple of rounds with the Epic, he was also impressed about how his misses with the Epic were still "playable". He shot a nine hole score of 1 over with it the first time out.

[golfdad907]

Remorse,

Both are hook machines. Although more bs, more spin. M1 was superior. Z765 beat it too. Bought into hype. seem a few returned as well. Glad you guys like it but there are better. From what I see not that much different from last years models. Will await the bars to start breaking the head.

I find it amusing that people blame clubs for their hooks, slices, etc.

Couldn't possibly be the one swinging it?

I'm sure the OEMs build all their clubs to hook/slice, especially those designed for 'skilled' or 'better' players....