Callaway Tour I & Tour IX Review

[KJ25]

I seem to recall that the new Cally balls are lower (wedge was tested) spin rate than most premiums. I am referencing the Golf Magazine article a few months ago. I do not think they looked at avg (with robot at 90 mph and 105) driver spin rate with premium balls. In that testing TM LDPs blew away on distance with 90mph swing but at higher swing all evened out. I realize that our unique swings can bring toally different results. I have been playing the new TMs curious to try the Callaways too.

[Grum]

:russian_roulette:

That was a great review. I've been hearing buzz about the new Callaway balls for a while now. Hopefully they can fix the durability of the i without sacrificing too much. It'll be neat to stack it up against the Z-URS--I doubt it can knock it out, but it'll be good to keep the Srixon honest. Danke for taking the time Shagshow.

 

I agree, well done, very good review. thanks for the info, been thinking about trying the iX, but bought lots of HX Tours while clearing out so didn't want to try them for fear I'd start buying.

 

I'm curious in 'beruo' comment about the ZURS, I received a trial pack at 'adv player night (whatever)' at local GG....thought, I'll give them a go...wasn't all that impressed. Not as long as HX Tour nor 330, spin was okay, feel ok, all around an okay ball.

 

Just wondering if it was just the day, or what. Thanks.

 

I've found the ZURS to be an excellent ball overall. I've been having serious durability issues with prov1's, prov1x's, HX tours, Tour 56's, TP reds, etc with my new irons and wedges. The two premium balls that have come up tops for me have been the ZURS and the new TP black. I found a tour IX on the kings yesterday that ill be testing soon. The burner TP is worth a shout too, but I do cut them up a bit. Long though :(

[Merlin_T]

WOW! Awesome review & comments here! Thanks to everybody :russian_roulette: :(

[Grum]

To echo above, the durability is excellent on the IX, it is also LONG off the driver. Feels pretty good off the irons, doesn't bite for me as much as prov1x's or tp blacks or the zurs I tested it against.

[eRod v1.0]

Nice review :wacko: . I picked up a dozen of the iX to play, but haven't opened the box yet. It's so purty, haha.

[t1up712]

I got a dozen IXs on Friday and played Saturday. I was happy with them tee to green but chipping was another story I couldn't make them stop. I have played the HX Tours and Pro V1X s for years using a LW with MD grooves and can one hop and stop them from anywhere but not the IX it rolled and rolled. The ball did look brand new after the round though not chewed up. Any one else had this experience?

[vanla01]

I play with the ix balls with the new x forged wedge and they stop pretty good to me!! I had no trouble spinning it where I want it!!

[Need4spd]

First off, great review and as many have already said, thanks for taking the time to do it. I've really enjoyed everyone's thoughts as I just picked up a dozen of these balls Friday evening and so far have played one round using one ball throughout the round. Khudos to Cally on this ball's outstanding durability, after all for $45 a dozen they better be! I'm not going to go into a long discertation, but most everyone's comments have pretty much described what I experienced on the course on Sunday. The conditions I played in were soft and pretty sloppy after a long night of non-stop rain, so I really have not yet had a chance to play this ball under more typical conditions, hard, fast, and usually fairly windy, especially at my two favorite courses in the area. I was torn between this ball and the new version of the ProV1x, after reading this review and everyone else's insightful comments I think this ball may just be a keeper. I would still like to give the new ProV1x a run for myself to gain the first hand knowledge, but I've got 11 more shiny new Tour ix so I'll be content to complete a nice thorough evaluation of this ball first.

[eRod v1.0]

Finally put the iX in play. I liked that everyone mentioned it's durability, so I decided to test it while playing my normal Tues morning 9 holes. What I did was hit two balls from the fairway with my ProV1x and the iX. I then tried different shots from the fairway (105 yard full wedge, 70 yard shot, and an array of pitches, chips, etc...). This was strictly to test the durability, so I didn't not tee off with the iX. I came away impressed with it. The ball I used had no bite marks, scuffs, or cuts. The only thing I noticed was slight discoloration about the size of a quarter. My ProV1x, on the other hand, had nice groove marks in it. I am not a big spinner of the ball, but I was able to get some good action on the iX today. Chips ran nicely (like the ProV), and my low pitches would check like I wanted it too. I am going to do a little more testing, but I am seriously considering switching to this ball, simply because it will last.

[flyhighandlong]

The tour ix is a good ball, but for me I get better performance with the Prov1x, from start(tee distance) to finish(putting), now I will say that the tour ix is a better ball in durability over last years HX tour, I chew both the Prov1x and the Callaway tour ix pretty much the same. At the same price(which would not matter anyway), but Prov1x is my ball of choice. My second ball of choice would be Bridgestones then tour ix. All 3 are great balls.....

 

What ever one you choose I hope it helps your game and you shoot bettter scores!!!!

[SwingMan]

It may be time for a Tour iX versus TP LDP Black/Red comparison

[PurePursuit]

Well I've done more than my fair share of testing with both TM balls, I'm not sure I have any fresh ones for pictures but I might be able to write up a review on them also this week.

[grappler190]

I have played four rounds in rotten, wet weather with the IX and find it to be very long and managable. The greens in my area are not yet up to speed, so I'll not comment on the putting characteristics. The durability was top notch, and have used only one ball per round without significant scuffing or peeling. Callaway has done their homework.

[flyhighandlong]

They do have a better ball than the HX TOUR, but they fall behind the Prov1x, which still is the best ball, but the tour ix is close! The 3 top balls in order of best are Prov1x, b-330, and then tour ix... IMHO( and this is by comparing these balls 3 different times)

 

Enjoy the game of golf!!!!!!!

 

Everybody go out and shoot a low score tomorrow!!!!!

[roverdisco]

I played a comparison round with the TM TP Red LDP and the Tour ix. Both are solid balls but I found the ix to be too low spin off of the driver. It came off of the face like a rocket, great low to mid launch, then just dropped out of the sky. The TP red worked much better for me. A little higher launch (mid launch) and on average was 20 to 30 yds longer than the ix. It also had a little more side spin so my dispersions were a little greater than the ix but still playable (12 of 14 fairways). I tried the ix based on a ball fitting. The ix was #1 and the tp red was #2. My SS is 107 to 110. My numbers with a TP Black at the time was 12.9 launch angle, 2900 rmp spin, 158 mph ball speed. I wanted a lower launch ball for my area in the spring due to the wind. My course will always have a 10 to 15 mph wind on a calm day. If you have higher spin numbers off of the driver, the ix would be a great ball. Putting does take some getting used to but the distance control is spot on.

[mangilao]

I have a question about the spin rates between the i and the ix. i am a low spin player off the driver (somewhere in the 2500 range with a regular prov1 ball and a swing speed of 115-118). i am interested in the ix ball, but worried that it will reduce my spin too much. does anyone know if the i ball has better spin than the ix or are they about the same?

[PurePursuit]

The I will spin more all around. Thats an optimal spin rate you might want to stick with the Pro V1 depending on your launch angle.

[buxeyes]

I've played the ix for 36 holes. I love the ball off the tee and with long irons. I have 1 issue, full wedges shots spin like mad. I hit 3 shots pin high to see the ball spin off the green. The conditions in Cleveland now are soft greens but that much spin is crazy. :clapping:

[PurePursuit]

Just wanted to say that Callaway IMO has fixed the cover durability issue with the Tour I. I have been playing them recently and I've had no issues with cuts/gashes.

[G-Bone]

Just wanted to say that Callaway IMO has fixed the cover durability issue with the Tour I. I have been playing them recently and I've had no issues with cuts/gashes.

 

I couldn't agree more!

[golfdad907]

Just wanted to say that Callaway IMO has fixed the cover durability issue with the Tour I. I have been playing them recently and I've had no issues with cuts/gashes.

 

I couldn't agree more!

 

Yup, I agree, shredded (should have) a few swings today ball performs great. Also, what's with the clicky putter comments, I think they putt great, excellent speed/distance control.

 

First round with iX shot 70 at pretty difficult track, play the ball another 11 holes before it went swimming...one of more durable Tour balls available, and I've played nearly all of them

[golfdad907]

I've played the ix for 36 holes. I love the ball off the tee and with long irons. I have 1 issue, full wedges shots spin like mad. I hit 3 shots pin high to see the ball spin off the green. The conditions in Cleveland now are soft greens but that much spin is crazy. :huh:

 

I find the spin control is awesome, not a nutty as NOP, I have supn a few back, but not unexpectedly. Depending on how hard hit it or how well pinch it, this ball actually will rollout when told, check when told ( 1or 2 hops) and can spin back.

 

Good Ball..... :swoon2:

[golfdad907]

They do have a better ball than the HX TOUR, but they fall behind the Prov1x, which still is the best ball, but the tour ix is close! The 3 top balls in order of best are Prov1x, b-330, and then tour ix... IMHO( and this is by comparing these balls 3 different times)

 

Enjoy the game of golf!!!!!!!

 

Everybody go out and shoot a low score tomorrow!!!!!

 

 

I found the order to be:

 

HX Tour I series/B330s (haven't got hold of RX yet)

TM Red

NOP

HX Tour

Pro V1x

[TempusFugit]

The i and ix are best suited for what SS ? At what SS should someone consider going with the ix ?

[SpinMill75]

I have been playing the iX for about a month now and love this ball. I have a 115 MPH SS and can hit this ball about 15-20 yards farther than anything else I've tried. My only complaint is that it does seem to balloon on some full 8/9 iron swings. Other than that - a great ball.

[Kyle M]

I got a chance to try the Tour i yesterday afternoon on my home course. I have played the TM LDP Red ball all year but like some have found it to just lack a bit of bite on chip shops and short approach shots into the green. If yesterday's round is any indication is appears the tour i does check harder in those instances but still does not produce crazy spin off of full iron shots, which I really like. I will use this ball for a while to see how it compares but I did really like it. It also has a very nice feel off the putter. I have not tried the ix.

[PurePursuit]

The Tour I and the ProV's are my favorite balls to putt with.

[mystik10]

How would you guys rank the TM LDP Red, Tour ix, and the Prov1x? Mainly distance, dispersion, and spin on chip/ pitch shots. Sounds like it would be:

 

Distance:

1. Tour ix

2. LDP Red

3. Prov1x

 

Dispersion:

1. Tour ix

2. LDP Red

3. Prov1x

 

Chip Spin:

1. Prov1x

2. Tour ix

3. LDP Red

[TempusFugit]

The i and ix are best suited for what SS ? At what SS should someone consider going with the ix ?

 

Somebody has the answer to that question ?

[PurePursuit]

Too many factors go into that question. Say you swing at 90-95 but your angle of attack is steep and you spin the hell out of the ball, chance are your going to want to go with the Tour IX or something that spins even less off the driver. Say its the opposite and you have a tough time generating enough spin due to a positive angle of attack but low SS, you might want a ball that spins a lot to maximize carry (depends on your fairways and what you are looking for). Very loaded question.