My Callaway Octane Tour Review (pics attached!)

golfware · March 9, 2011

Against my gamer FT-9 Tour and RH Tour too

My Callaway Octane Tour Review

Hi all,

Several weeks ago I was blessed to receive a PM from WRX about an exciting opportunity with Callaway Golf to test the Callaway Octane Tour, head to head on the course against anything that’s out there, new or old. I jumped at the opportunity, and here is my first of several reviews of the club.

Driver: Callaway was incredibly gracious to send me the Octane Tour to my specs, 8.5* with a Diamana Whiteboard 73 stiff (flowerband), at 45”.

Gamer: Callaway 8.5* FT-9 Tour i-mix/Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 7.1 stiff, tipped ½” at 45”.

Looks: I will be the first to admit that while I had become accustomed to the i-mix hosel-less look, looking down upon a driver with a hosel is quite pleasing and nice to look at. The Octane Tour is probably one of the best looking drivers Callaway has produced at address. I’d rank it right up with the FT Tour/FT-9 TA and the Razr Hawk Tour as their best looking drivers. For those that really prefer the clean looking driver, THIS Callaway will certainly meet that requirement. Sets up nice and square behind the ball. Large, but not HUGE ala my FT-9 Tour, which in contrast, looks HUGE. LOL. At address, to my eye, it looks dead square, even maybe a hair open. But just sets up very clean. I’m impressed to say the least.

Sound: I won’t go gushing about how this driver sounds versus other drivers, but what I will certainly say that it produces a pleasing low-pitched metallic “thwink” through impact. Not a “thwick” like the composite drivers, and not a “THWANK” like several metallic drivers out there, but a nice “thwINK”. When hit on the sweet spot, the feel/sound is positively just sweet. For me, not hitting the sweetspot is what I look for and it makes a pleasing sound. In comparison, the FT-9 Tour is much more muted and comp sounding, as is the Razr Hawk Tour. You can certainly tell that there is more Titanium used in the Octane Tour than either of those two drivers. This is a happy medium between the two categories.

Launch: On the course and at the range, the launch has been much lower than expected. Mated with the same Diamana Whiteboard 73, the FT-9 Tour hits the ball I’d say a ½ degree higher than the Octane Tour. The Razr Hawk Tour, for me, is easily the highest launching driver of the three… easily. Which is nice for me, as I’m already a HIGH launch and HIGH spin player as it is.

Spin: Whew, THANK GOD Mitsubishi Rayon makes the Diamana Whiteboard 73 and that Fujijkura make the Motore Speeder VC 7.1. Couple with each of these shafts, both drivers are wonderful. I can’t speak for the stock PX in the Octane Tour, but with the WB 73, I get a very similar trajectory to that of the FT-9 Tour, which I love. High and flattens out, with a bit of a draw. I find that the WB 73 is one of the easier shafts to turn over. If you like to hit a straight shot to a draw, this combo will work quite well for you.

Forgiveness: For being 450cc’s, the Octane Tour is HOT and FORGIVING. I just couldn’t hit a really bad shot with it unless I really tried. I found that with the WB 73, I was much more consistent with it than the RH Tour, which I tended to hit a country mile high in the air with the stock setup (it is being re-shafted). You can hit it off the toe or heel, and the ball just rockets off the face. Mind you, I’ve played only a couple of rounds, so that jury is still out. I have many rounds with the FT-9 Tour, and I KNOW it’s the truth. Thus far, I’d say the Octane Tour is it’s equal, just seems to be with a hosel.

Thus far, I’m quite pleased with the Octane Tour. I’ll continue to put it through it’s paces over the next few weeks and report back. Once the weather gets warmer, I’ll really be able to go AFTER it.

Thx again to WRX for this wonderful opportunity!

All the best everyone!

Minarets · March 9, 2011

nice. thanks

mizunomp33 · March 9, 2011

thanks a million! I can't wait to hit it. Getting a new driver this year, it's becoming quite an ordeal. So many good clubs out right now.

golfware · March 10, 2011

[quote name='mizunomp33' timestamp='1299731884' post='3042736']
thanks a million! I can't wait to hit it. Getting a new driver this year, it's becoming quite an ordeal. So many good clubs out right now.
[/quote]

Thx! Yes there are a bunch. A friend has the same setup and loves it. I'm impressed with it for sure. I liken it to it to being not the hottest gal in the room, but still an 8.5, but just wait until you take her home! Lol

golfware · March 10, 2011

3rd 9 holes with it and it flat our performs!! Hitting fairways and also sticking greens. Sets up awesome. So so clean. Love the look and sound at impact.

Andaluzian · March 10, 2011

I was at Golfsmith looking for a 5 wood and stopped in at the Cally wagon. I picked up an octane tour just for kicks and it really does look sweet. It's got the hosel and a great shape. If I didn't have a RH tour that I'm in love with I would get one on the cheap. Cally is brining it and has awesome clubs these days.
good luck

golfware · March 10, 2011

My RH Tour will be back soon with a Tour Spec Speeder 652 x flex. Oh my. Game on!!

golfware · March 11, 2011

Here are some comparison pics...

golfware · March 12, 2011

Update for 3/12/11: this driver continues to impress me. It sets up SO easily and square behind the ball. I'm hitting it extremely well, as the balance is off the chain good. The WB73 just fits me, as it's smooth and just kills the spin for me. Wow. I'm just knocking down fairways with it, and my missed are still nearly in the fairway as well. Very very impressed actually.

JinxyJ08 · March 12, 2011

Have you compared to the Razr Hawk Tour yet since the re-shaft? I already have a FT Tour with a whiteboard 73 I am debating on whether to go with m other Whiteboard 73 in a RHT or the Diablo Octane Tour.

golfware · March 12, 2011

[quote name='JinxyJ08' timestamp='1299951045' post='3049088']
Have you compared to the Razr Hawk Tour yet since the re-shaft? I already have a FT Tour with a whiteboard 73 I am debating on whether to go with m other Whiteboard 73 in a RHT or the Diablo Octane Tour.
[/quote]

I expect it back next week sometime. I'll post an update after that. I'll say that in my opinion, the Octane Tour is much more forgiving than the FT Tour. I've hit that numeoua times and never felt the urge to buy it.