Callaway FT-9 Tour Authentic vs. FT-Tour

[AC168]

Same driver?

I've heard that the FT Tour is the same driver as the FT-9 Tour Authentic except that the retail one is 0.350 ... is this true? Does it spin more? Thanks for any info ...

[PreppySlapCut]

Search is your friend...

[AC168]

I guess what I'm saying is that does any one know for sure? Anyone hit them side-by-side? A lot of times a manufacturer will say it's the same, but the retail one actually spins more.

[PreppySlapCut]

You'll have people say different things. Callaway maintains they are exactly the same, with the exception of one having a .350" hosel. People here have hit both and say they are the same. Others are bitter about paying a lot of money for an FT-9 TA and will tell you its a much different setup. Its all about who you want to believe. I myself will be picking up an FT-Tour through school...

[AC168]

Great! Thanks ... I'm leaning toward trying one ... no need to spend the extra money on a tour authentic one.

[TM golf guy]

I owned a TA, and I've hit the FT Tour. They are the same head. I don't care what anyone says, they are the same.

[MacMia]

I guess I'm " one of those guys". I have a ft9 ta ( not bitter about what I paid either) and hit it in the same setup against the ft tour. The ft tour lanched 2-3 degrees higher and had higher spin. The trackman doesn't lie. Also, I could notice the hosel size diff.

That said, i think that these are arguably the best drivers put there right now for the better player..

[BallzOut]

[quote name='MacMia' date='03 April 2010 - 05:13 PM' timestamp='1270329213' post='2358723']
I guess I'm " one of those guys". I have a ft9 ta ( not bitter about what I paid either) and hit it in the same setup against the ft tour. The ft tour lanched 2-3 degrees higher and had higher spin. The trackman doesn't lie. Also, I could notice the hosel size diff.

That said, i think that these are arguably the best drivers put there right now for the better player..
[/quote]


I was at the PGA Tour fitting with their Callaway track man out side and had 2 of the best PGA tour players hitting side by side. They used their TA from last year and The new FT Tour of this year for demonstration. The ONLY difference was 1/2* launch higher AVG., and 200 rpm more AVG. spin. REMEMBER these are the Best players in the world. They have VERY low tolerances on miss hits unlike we posters on this sight .... The Hosel length is a PURELY cosmetic difference and effects only tip stiffness, as well as allows the Tour Van to Bend the drivers Upright or flatter to fit the needs of the player and the tip stiffness detail is a pure feel difference which differs from tour player to player, and is nothing we would notice. 1/16"- 1/8" is not something a +1 capper like me would even notice. I just tip my shaft until I like it at 1/8" increments. The .350 tip is the only real difference between the Retail model and the TA tips that the big boys playing at .335.

[rjklein4470]

I reserched this for a long time, and I bought a FT Tour and am reshafting it with a .335 shaft.

[BCULAW]

Not sure if they are the same heads, but I hit an FT-Tour today and it might be the most impressive driver I have ever hit. Performance, looks, feel - the total package.

[gregcindyh]

I noticed you are bagging a VR Tour right now...are you saying you like the Callaway better? I'm looking at both of them right now and just waiting to pull the trigger...just need to test drive them at the range.

[rocyer]

I've seen a couple of videos with a Callaway tour rep named Barry Lyda talking comparing the retail FT-9 to the FT-9 TA, and in both videos he says that the FT-9 TA is 430cc in size. Anybody confirm that the FT-9 TA is smaller than the new FT-Tour (440cc)?

[PreppySlapCut]

[quote name='MacMia' date='03 April 2010 - 05:13 PM' timestamp='1270329213' post='2358723']
The ft tour lanched 2-3 degrees higher and had higher spin. The trackman doesn't lie. Also, I could notice the hosel size diff.

That said, i think that these are arguably the best drivers put there right now for the better player..
[/quote]
Dude, if it was launching 2-3 degrees higher and had higher spin, than the loft was obviously higher.

[titleist731]

whats the big deal between 335 tip and 350 tip...to anyone who isnt a tour pro?

[rjklein4470]

[quote name='titleist731' date='09 April 2010 - 12:40 AM' timestamp='1270798833' post='2369414']
whats the big deal between 335 tip and 350 tip...to anyone who isnt a tour pro?
[/quote]
The real difference is in the shaft. A 350 shaft that is stiff or X-stiff will feel boardy, while the 335 will still have lots of feel. I have reshafted my FT Tour with a Attas shaft and it is very nice driver.

[MacMia]

[quote name='PreppySlapCut' date='09 April 2010 - 12:14 AM' timestamp='1270786483' post='2369245']
[quote name='MacMia' date='03 April 2010 - 05:13 PM' timestamp='1270329213' post='2358723']
The ft tour lanched 2-3 degrees higher and had higher spin. The trackman doesn't lie. Also, I could notice the hosel size diff.

That said, i think that these are arguably the best drivers put there right now for the better player..
[/quote]
Dude, if it was launching 2-3 degrees higher and had higher spin, than the loft was obviously higher.
[/quote]
Dude, measured lofts are identical so that's not it. Other factor that would produce different launch angle is CoG. Hosel size is a stretch but could also influence..

[EthansGolf]

[quote name='rjklein4470' date='09 April 2010 - 03:54 AM' timestamp='1270810449' post='2369478']
[quote name='titleist731' date='09 April 2010 - 12:40 AM' timestamp='1270798833' post='2369414']
whats the big deal between 335 tip and 350 tip...to anyone who isnt a tour pro?
[/quote]
The real difference is in the shaft. A 350 shaft that is stiff or X-stiff will feel boardy, while the 335 will still have lots of feel. I have reshafted my FT Tour with a Attas shaft and it is very nice driver.
[/quote]

Boardy? What does that mean?

[ml43]

[quote name='MacMia' date='09 April 2010 - 12:58 AM' timestamp='1270810734' post='2369483']
[quote name='PreppySlapCut' date='09 April 2010 - 12:14 AM' timestamp='1270786483' post='2369245']
[quote name='MacMia' date='03 April 2010 - 05:13 PM' timestamp='1270329213' post='2358723']
The ft tour lanched 2-3 degrees higher and had higher spin. The trackman doesn't lie. Also, I could notice the hosel size diff.

That said, i think that these are arguably the best drivers put there right now for the better player..
[/quote]
Dude, if it was launching 2-3 degrees higher and had higher spin, than the loft was obviously higher.
[/quote]
Dude, measured lofts are identical so that's not it. Other factor that would produce different launch angle is CoG. Hosel size is a stretch but could also influence..
[/quote]

exact same shaft with same cpm?

[rajohnson]

Like swinging a 2 X 4, not lively, very stout.

[quote name='djnaz003' date='10 April 2010 - 04:48 AM' timestamp='1270892928' post='2371413']
[quote name='rjklein4470' date='09 April 2010 - 03:54 AM' timestamp='1270810449' post='2369478']
[quote name='titleist731' date='09 April 2010 - 12:40 AM' timestamp='1270798833' post='2369414']
whats the big deal between 335 tip and 350 tip...to anyone who isnt a tour pro?
[/quote]
The real difference is in the shaft. A 350 shaft that is stiff or X-stiff will feel boardy, while the 335 will still have lots of feel. I have reshafted my FT Tour with a Attas shaft and it is very nice driver.
[/quote]

Boardy? What does that mean?
[/quote]

[tsemde]

I am under the impression that you can still order a FT-9 TA from Callaway. Is that correct? Or is everything FT-Tour now?

[Qegurezi]

You never could order the FT-9 TA as far as i know.

[MacMia]

[quote name='ml43' date='10 April 2010 - 05:53 AM' timestamp='1270893235' post='2371415']
[quote name='MacMia' date='09 April 2010 - 12:58 AM' timestamp='1270810734' post='2369483']
[quote name='PreppySlapCut' date='09 April 2010 - 12:14 AM' timestamp='1270786483' post='2369245']
[quote name='MacMia' date='03 April 2010 - 05:13 PM' timestamp='1270329213' post='2358723']
The ft tour lanched 2-3 degrees higher and had higher spin. The trackman doesn't lie. Also, I could notice the hosel size diff.

That said, i think that these are arguably the best drivers put there right now for the better player..
[/quote]
Dude, if it was launching 2-3 degrees higher and had higher spin, than the loft was obviously higher.
[/quote]
Dude, measured lofts are identical so that's not it. Other factor that would produce different launch angle is CoG. Hosel size is a stretch but could also influence..
[/quote]

exact same shaft with same cpm?
[/quote]
Exactly the same- both fubuki ion protos 74 stiff m003 profiles at same length, grip, etc. Only diff is that the FT Tour is shimmed as it is .350

I'm not persisting this topic to be a pita, but sharing real world experience..