New Callaway X-Forged in Japan

[radiman]

So, I signed up for updates on Callaway's Japan site back when I was looking for info on the Triple Diamond S heads a couple years ago.  I woke up this morning to see an email from them.  It's in Japanese, so no idea what it says.  I open it just because and see what looks like the most striking Callaway irons I have seen in a long time. This could be a set that I need to try to track down. Not saying it would be any better than the Cobra King CB I have now. But, it seems to check the same boxes on aesthetics and construction.  Just a sleek, no frills CB.  

 

 

I click the link and translate the page.  I see that they are a simple one piece forging.  No frills.  No Tungsten weights.  No cup faces.  Just sweet sweet CB goodness.  I feel like that entire segment has been shrinking more and more each year.  As companies put more and more materials in the heads.  I feel like the feel and ball flight have changed.  The irons have gotten longer.  The feel has gotten a little less pure.  Even with the current Apex CB.  I wouldn't describe them as a really great forged feeling club.  Definitely on the firm side (as was the Apex TCB from a couple years ago).  Spin was low, ball speed was too high.  Just not even really on the radar.  

 

They have the transcription of an interview on their site.  It would appear that they designed these with feel being the main focus.  Opting to leave the multiple material construction to the Apex lineup.  

 

I guess, I am surprised that classic iron design has been mostly tossed aside here in the US.  That they need AI, Tungsten, weight plates, and screws to give the perception of high end.  Would love to see these make an appearance here in the US. 

 

 

 

Translated from Callaway Japan's site:

 

- So you created a soft forged iron for professional use. The "X FORGED iron" has undergone model changes in 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2019, 2021, and now in 2024, and during that time, the "APEX" brand was launched as a new flagship. “X FORGED” and “APEX PRO” are competing internally in the same tour iron category.

Shigenuki: In contrast to the global brand ``APEX,'' in Asia, especially Japan, there is an affinity for the ``X FORGED'' brand and simple soft forged irons. While "APEX" is becoming more complex with an emphasis on performance, there is a need for one-piece soft iron forged irons on the Japan tour.

 

 

-What's the difference between a one-piece soft iron iron and a soft iron body composite iron? I hit both the "X FORGED CB iron" and the "APEX PRO iron" and the feel was very good.

Shigenuki: People who don't notice say, oh, this is great. It may be better to think of the globally planned "X FORGED CB iron" as a different product from the Japanese project "X FORGED iron." Tungsten is attached to the soft iron forged body, and the face is stainless steel. It's called a tour-tuned face, and the face itself is shaped like a muscle back, so it's similar to the feel of a single piece of soft iron forged iron, but sensitive people may feel that something is a little different, and some people may It is said that it is very different. People who know about it understand it, so it didn't really catch on among professionals, and it became a point that we shouldn't do away with single-piece soft iron forgings.

―So this time's "X FORGED Iron" is back to one piece.

Shigenuki: The "X FORGED Iron" and "X FORGED STAR Iron" were not planned by the American headquarters, but were designed in Japan based mainly on feedback from Japanese professionals. This is the first mainstream iron in a long time that has been created with great attention to detail, such as shape and feel, while valuing the fine-grained sensibilities of Japanese and Asian people.

 

Edited March 7 by pga43
link off Golfwrx.com removed

[Yzmerf]

Those look awesome, I had them 11 and I have always regretted getting rid of them

 

[radiman]

3 minutes ago, Yzmerf said:

Those look awesome, I had them 11 and I have always regretted getting rid of them

 

I had the 09 X Forged.  Have never had a JDM iron though.  I picked up a set of 2013 this winter that feel really really good.  Numbers are great with them too.  They're more of a fun set that I don't have room for anymore.  But, I would 100% be interested in them bringing the X Forged back to its roots as a single piece players CB.  But, I don't know if that would happen since they wouldn't be able to put "AI" in the name of it haha. 

[Yzmerf]

Actually i think mine were the 09 as well now that i think about when i got them. (Roger Dunn is the devil) I have no problem doing a little extra work to get these in my bag...

[underwater]

The X-Forged 9 iron and PW looked a little goofy in the past - the Japanese market won't stand for that.  Hopefully they cleaned up the shaping on those.

 

 

[Wardonation]

nice find I want these, looks like it has the "good Cally" shaping to them.

[bcflyguy1]

[SUPERG]

Kiradech already has them in play, and they def quench the thirst for a new Real CB in the cally lineup. We can only hope these hit the US market in US specs (EI heavier head with better shafts) 

[Aggielefty]

I wonder if this is the model that some of the LPGA players are using.  Is Rose Zhang playing this model?  I see articles stating she is using an x forged model.  

[kkennedy]

Old X-Forged irons in the mid 2010s were so excellent

[Konklifer]

These will be in Adam Scott's bag any day now!

[Konklifer]

Look good but with lofts this strong, a set gap wedge would have been nice.

[Viper4225]

how does one go about ordering these?

[TheMoneyShot]

21 minutes ago, Viper4225 said:

how does one go about ordering these?

I’ve ordered JDM Cally irons from Tour Spec Golf in the past and never had any issues.  

[Trippels]

56 minutes ago, Konklifer said:

These will be in Adam Scott's bag any day now!

These are way to difficult for Adam Scott to hit

[pjc]

1 hour ago, Aggielefty said:

I wonder if this is the model that some of the LPGA players are using.  Is Rose Zhang playing this model?  I see articles stating she is using an x forged model.  

There are 3 models, the X Forged, X Forged Star, and X Forged Star+.  Minjee Lee, and Ruoning Yin are using the X Forged, Rose Zhang was testing out the Star model which has the same loft config of her Apex '21'.  There is a guy on DP tour with them in the bag as well.

[pjc]

1 hour ago, Konklifer said:

Look good but with lofts this strong, a set gap wedge would have been nice.

3 models, the standard X Forged is modern traditional lofts, 46* PW.

[wedgegame]

Now is a good time to buy JDM goods with the exchange rate was it is.

[elwhippy]

Magnificent. 

[Dukees13]

Seriously the best looking iron they have made in over a decade. 

[KrazyTrain18]

The 2007 X Forged were the first proper irons that I had growing up.  Great memories seeing these, shame they aren't part of the North American releases.  

[Ed Settle]

I have played the X Forged Star from Japan for the last few seasons. Big fan of what they give me. As I’m getting older, I am losing yardage everywhere and these have help slow that down. Great feeling club and a performance obviously there as well. I am looking forward to hitting these new ones soon.

Edited March 8 by Ed Settle

[Socrates]

These look really good.  Google Chrome does a real good job translating the pages.  

 

My testicles say I should order a set of the XForged Star, but my brain doesn't agree.  I'm sure a set or two will end up on the BST sooner than later and then we will see.

[Avidswampthing66]

Pure as cold driven snow.  Take my money.

[hammergolf]

11 hours ago, radiman said:

So, I signed up for updates on Callaway's Japan site back when I was looking for info on the Triple Diamond S heads a couple years ago.  I woke up this morning to see an email from them.  It's in Japanese, so no idea what it says.  I open it just because and see what looks like the most striking Callaway irons I have seen in a long time. This could be a set that I need to try to track down. Not saying it would be any better than the Cobra King CB I have now. But, it seems to check the same boxes on aesthetics and construction.  Just a sleek, no frills CB.  

 

 

I click the link and translate the page.  I see that they are a simple one piece forging.  No frills.  No Tungsten weights.  No cup faces.  Just sweet sweet CB goodness.  I feel like that entire segment has been shrinking more and more each year.  As companies put more and more materials in the heads.  I feel like the feel and ball flight have changed.  The irons have gotten longer.  The feel has gotten a little less pure.  Even with the current Apex CB.  I wouldn't describe them as a really great forged feeling club.  Definitely on the firm side (as was the Apex TCB from a couple years ago).  Spin was low, ball speed was too high.  Just not even really on the radar.  

 

They have the transcription of an interview on their site.  It would appear that they designed these with feel being the main focus.  Opting to leave the multiple material construction to the Apex lineup.  

 

I guess, I am surprised that classic iron design has been mostly tossed aside here in the US.  That they need AI, Tungsten, weight plates, and screws to give the perception of high end.  Would love to see these make an appearance here in the US. 

 

 

 

Translated from Callaway Japan's site:

 

- So you created a soft forged iron for professional use. The "X FORGED iron" has undergone model changes in 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2019, 2021, and now in 2024, and during that time, the "APEX" brand was launched as a new flagship. “X FORGED” and “APEX PRO” are competing internally in the same tour iron category.

Shigenuki: In contrast to the global brand ``APEX,'' in Asia, especially Japan, there is an affinity for the ``X FORGED'' brand and simple soft forged irons. While "APEX" is becoming more complex with an emphasis on performance, there is a need for one-piece soft iron forged irons on the Japan tour.

 

 

-What's the difference between a one-piece soft iron iron and a soft iron body composite iron? I hit both the "X FORGED CB iron" and the "APEX PRO iron" and the feel was very good.

Shigenuki: People who don't notice say, oh, this is great. It may be better to think of the globally planned "X FORGED CB iron" as a different product from the Japanese project "X FORGED iron." Tungsten is attached to the soft iron forged body, and the face is stainless steel. It's called a tour-tuned face, and the face itself is shaped like a muscle back, so it's similar to the feel of a single piece of soft iron forged iron, but sensitive people may feel that something is a little different, and some people may It is said that it is very different. People who know about it understand it, so it didn't really catch on among professionals, and it became a point that we shouldn't do away with single-piece soft iron forgings.

―So this time's "X FORGED Iron" is back to one piece.

Shigenuki: The "X FORGED Iron" and "X FORGED STAR Iron" were not planned by the American headquarters, but were designed in Japan based mainly on feedback from Japanese professionals. This is the first mainstream iron in a long time that has been created with great attention to detail, such as shape and feel, while valuing the fine-grained sensibilities of Japanese and Asian people.

 

Good looking iron.

[PowerCobra98]

These look fantastic.  Interesting tidbit on the website about the head weights being lighter:

 

"The name "X FORGED Iron" has returned to Callaway's club lineup for the first time in a while. The Asian version is completely forged from one-piece soft iron (S20C), and not only does it have a great feel and sound, but it also has a simple cavity back head shape, compact size, little offset, and a top blade that is as thin as a sword. It is packed with elements that will satisfy both professionals and advanced users. The distinctive feature is the sole shape, and the tri-level sole design with chamfers on the leading edge and trailing edge provides excellent shedding. It is also worth noting that the head weight has been made slightly lighter due to requests from the Japan tour. The numbers are I#3 to 9 and PW. The loft has a classic I#7 setting of 33 degrees, and two types of steel shaft models are available."

[NailedIt]

Do we know when these will be available for purchase?

[Ed Settle]

They say they’ll be released in Japan early April. 

[shoeshine]

Very nice looking iron

[OrangeGravy]

On 3/7/2024 at 7:20 PM, Ed Settle said:

I have played the X Forged Star from Japan for the last few seasons. Big fan of what they give me. As I’m getting older, I am losing yardage everywhere and these have help slow that down. Great feeling club and a performance obviously there as well. I am looking forward to hitting these new ones soon.

What year x-forged star are these?