Clubs: Callaway X460 Driver Review

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By Everardo Keeme via TheSandTrap.com

Will a new sole and an extra six cubic centimeters make the X460 that much better than the Big Bertha 454?

Starting with the original Big Bertha, Callaway has always been associated with quality, high-performance drivers. Nearly every company has rushed to the 460cc limit, although Titleist took their time getting the 905R out. Callaway quickly released the Big Bertha Titanium 454 and came close to the limit but the Fusion
FT-3 was actually the first Callaway driver to reach 460cc. So what could Callaway possibly do to improve on the already popular 454 and, more importantly, does the X460 pass the grade?



Golfers all seemed to like and praise the 454, including David Mobley who used a 454 to blast a 377-yard drive to win the 2004 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship. Callaway wanted a driver to not only replace the 454 but to also improve performance and provide an alternative to the FT-3. The FT-3 remains Callaway's flagship driver, but not everyone can get used to the corked sound of the titanium-composite driver. So the engineers sought out to make not just a replacement to the 454 but a quality, tour-performing driver.

Technology
With the exception of composite technology in the C4 and Fusion drivers, Callaway has always stuck with tried and true technologies like:



Short, Straight, Hollow, Hosel
The breakthrough Callaway Golf design that shortened the tradition hosel length, allowing weight to be moved lower and to the more useful perimeter area of the clubhead. The hollowed-out or Tru-Bore Technology is part of the S2H2 design, and allows the shaft tip to extend through the clubhead to the sole, which improves feel and control.



Thru-Bore Technology
Part of Callaway Golf's patented S2H2 design - the bore-through design improves feel and control by allowing the shaft to extend through the hosel to the sole. This moves the tip of the shaft closer to the center of the clubface, which improves feel and control.



Variable Face Thickness Technology
Variable Face Thickness Technology allows designers to adjust the materials thickness in Callaway Golf woods and irons for improved performance. In woods, adjusting the face thickness with VFT Technology maximizes ball speed and perimeter weighting for more distance and forgiveness. The face is thicker in the center and ultra-thin around the edges, which allows more energy from the impact of the clubface to be transferred to the ball.




The X460's "Consistent Alignment Sole" didn't work as advertised for me, producing a closed face at setup.



The X460 is no different utilizing S2H2, Thu-Bore, and VFT technologies to its advantage. This keeps a similar look and feel with previous Big Bertha models for those golfers looking for a replacement or upgrade to their old driver.



The X460 does have a new sole dubbed the Consistent Alignment Sole. This new sole is concave and does not allow the clubhead to rock at address. This helps golfers of all abilities to consistently align the driver at address. Just set the club down and let the sole line you up. Mine didn't line up so well, but we'll get to that later…



I have used and liked the Big Bertha II driver and 454 drivers in the past and for over a year now have been happily using Callaway's FT-3 driver. I've always liked the performance of Callaway drivers and have gotten used to the melon looking clubheads over the years. I appreciate it when a company stays true to its roots and provides a familiar clubhead for me at address.



Construction
The first thing engineers did was to squeezed outsix more cubic centimeters to bring the clubhead size right up to the 460cc limit. Other than the gloss black paint job, you would hardly notice much of a difference at address compared to the 454.



Moving weight has been quite the buzz in drivers these past few years. Callaway's approach has been to reposition weight internally for you. Based on their own testing, engineers will position weight to help increase the Moment of Inertia to get the right balance of performance and forgiveness.



An all titanium body was chosen to provide an alternative price point and most likely sound when compared to the FT-3. Since I've been using the FT-3 for over a year now I've grown quite accustomed to the corked sound at impact. The all titanium body quickly reminded my ears of how loud other drivers can be compared to what I was used to.




Unlike the FT-3, the X465 features Callaway's traditional chevron alignment aid.



Like the FT-3, there are two different models of X460: standard and Tour. Unlike its big brother, the X460 does not come in Draw, Neutral, or Fade models - rather the standard models all have a 2° closed clubface while the Tour model features a square clubface. This and positioning of the internal weights aim to give the Tour model a lower ball flight with little or no slice correction.



The stock shaft on the standard model is a Fujikura 64g model made for the X460 while the Tour model has the Fujikura 26.3 Tour Platform shaft as standard bill. You still have the option of other aftermarket shafts from virtually every company out there but these Fujikura shafts should provide plenty of power and control for the everyday golfer.



Looks and Setup
I'm already used to Callaway and other 460cc drivers so taking the headcover off the X460 was no big deal for me. Like Henry Ford's automobiles and Johnny Cash's wardrobe, some things just look better in black. Black seems to make the clubhead appear smaller.



I bought the X460 Tour model because I wanted a fair comparison with my FT-3 Tour but the first thing I noticed about my driver was the closed face. I kept doubting my eyes but when I measured the clubhead in a loft/lie measuring gauge I found that my Tour model has 3° closed face. This might be a welcome angle for most but I'm so used to a square or open clubface. Since my typical miss with a driver is what some like to call a "power draw," this wasn't a welcome sight.




The X460's face is a little shallower and a little wider than its sibling's. It also has an "X" instead of a chevron on the face.



So the Consistent Alignment Sole coupled with my crooked clubface made it hard for the simple little tweak at address. My first couple shots with the club I thought I'd just trust the sole alignment but that trust quickly evaporated with each shot jumping left on me. I would switch back to my FT-3 during a round or on different days to double-check my swing, and drives were straight. But my X460 still wanted to hit to the Big Green Monster in left field.



This closed face keep playing tricks with my eyes and mind but eventually I stopped trusting and using the sole to line up the club. It's a little trick that most wouldn't mind however it just keeps bugging me that I have to tweak a club instead of just letting it work for me.



The small chevron on top of the crown is a Callaway signature and I like it. It's neither too small or too big but just right. Otherwise, I mentioned I like the paint job and overall look of the clubhead so the X460 still scores 50/50 in this category. Still the closed face was not what I expected and will just assume that this one just slipped by quality control.




From below, the X460 appears much larger, but that's largely because the face is wider, leading to a larger chassis.



Performance
Once I was able to teach my new dog how to sit at address, it really is a good club for the money. When struck well I get a good ball flight and good balance between distance and accuracy. While I didn't have a chance to visit a launch monitor, trajectory seemed to be a touch higher but with a little less spin than my FT-3 Tour (also 9.5°).



Coming from the FT-3, the X460 is one loud stick! I haven't played an all-titanium driver full-time in over a year but the "tink" of the X460 rings noticeably in my ears. My partners (who use all-titanium drivers) could quickly recognize when the ball was struck well. After some time I learned again what a great and mediocre struck shot sounded like. The X460 is still not as obnoxiously loud as other drivers in the market so don't let the sound scare you away.



When compared to the FT-3, the X460 does have a more solid feel at impact. I can feel more of the vibrations through impact and this extra feedback is welcome most of the time. The X460 feels a little more rugged and solid, making a firmer ball feel even firmer. Other than feeling the clubhead twist, center and off-center hits felt pretty much the same and results didn't suffer much.







It appeared to me that the X460 imparted a little less spin on the ball, giving me a flatter trajectory than my FT-3. This might have helped my accuracy a little but the club is not as long as my FT-3. My home course is very flat and open, so I tend to look for distance over accuracy.



Given the opportunity I would recommend that you get fit for your driver, with so many shafts out on the market and those available from Callaway the right loft and shaft combination are key. Luckily the Fujikura 26.3 Tour Platform that comes standard with the Tour models is already a high-grade shaft and has very similar specifications to other shafts I play and love.



Specifications
The Callaway X460 is available in two models: standard is available in lofts of 9°, 10°, 11°, 13° and 15° (left-handed models are only available in 9° and 10°). The standard model has a 2° closed clubface and has a 56° lie angle, D3 swingweight, and 45" length. The stock shaft for this model is a 64g Fujikura shaft.



The Tour model is available in lofts of 8.5°, 9.5° and 10.5 (left-handed only in 8.5° and 9.5°). These clubheads are supposed to have a square clubface with the same 56° lie angle, D3 swingweight, and 45" length. The stock shaft for this model is the 67g Fujikura 26.3 Tour Platform shaft. With either model you can upgrade the shaft with a variety of models from companies like Aldila, Fujikura, Grafalloy, Graphite Design, UST, and Diamana, to name a few. You can see most of the line up at the X460 custom shaft page or by asking your local Callaway dealer for up-to-date availability.



The headcover is the same shape and quality as the FT-3 and 454 drivers. Nothing too fancy here but does advertise well what club it hides and protects. The only difference between the standard and Tour headcovers is a color change. The grip is standard Callaway fare. No bother to me as the first thing I do to a new club is rip the stock grip off and install "my" grip.




Callaway's X460 lineup includes the standard model, the Tour model, and a women's model with a higher launch angle.



Conclusion
Callaway drivers have always been rated well and ones I've had in the past have done well for me. I like the idea of the Consistent Alignment Sole however it just didn't seem to work for me. Given that, I'll stick with my FT-3.



However, if you're looking for a great replacement for you old Callaway driver then the X460 would be a good servant to you and your game. With good looks and using tried and true technology the X460 is in a good spot in the Callaway line up. Like the 454 it replaces it is loud, large, good performer for a good value at $299.

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