Callaway FT-9 Tour

[fr0sty]

still a viable driver? (Vs hibore xl tour)

So I'm thinking of upgrading my driver (Hibore XL Tour) to something that is slightly newer and more forgiving. I've never been a fan of how heavy the Hibore "feels" and was wondering if anyone has any experience with the FT-9 Tour driver and how it would compare to the Hibore. I'm also open to any suggestions for 2009 and newer drivers that wont cost an arm and a leg. ( less than 200)

Thanks in advance.

[Jc0]

Don't have any singular suggestions, but look used. Your money will go a lot farther.

[superman912]

+1 on going used. You'll find much better drivers for the same price as buying a lower quality used, which becomes used after one range session...

[fr0sty]

Thanks for the suggestion. I never buy new though so that is some advice that I certainly have taken to heart.

[fr0sty]

Does anyone know how the Ft-9 Tour compares to the Superfast TP??

[enduro]

I've had both, I think the FT9 Tour is more forgiving than the XL Tour. The FT9 is a lot more muted feeling and much quieter. I found the FT9 easier to hit straight while the XL Tour is a lot easier to work the ball. Distance is close, XL is longest on pure strikes but I think the FT9 is consistantly longer.

FWIW the Ft9 also has a heavy feel and a fairly high SW at 45" . It should be easy to find a used Ft9 for $100 - $150, I'd go for an Imix version unless you can find one with a shaft you know you will like.

[fr0sty]

[size=2]Very interesting thanks a bunch. I think the FT-9 is the way to go (IMIX) without being positive. There are 3 shafts that I am considering: Zcom 60, Aldila VS pro and Prolaunch Axis. Can you comment on the differences of these shafts? [/size]

[DoglegRight]

Nothing wrong with the FT-9 Tour, but if you keep your eyes open, you can score plenty of newer clubs for less than $200. I picked up a R11 for $175 this weekend.

[fr0sty]

Wow that is an amazing price. I will have to keep my eyes open...too bad options are a bit more limited here in Europe.

[superman912]

Ahh that's too bad. Yea there are great buys on the BST section...but 99% US residents.

[PingG10guy]

lol I just bought a FT9 driver for $100 on the BST. its brand new. the guy must have hit the range like once or twice. I will post some sort of review when I take it for a spin.

[cvn72]

My FT9 tour is a bomber, beware that the center of gravity is placed higher in the tour models which promotes a lower trajectory.

I started at the 8.5 cuz i hit the regular 9 degree too high....well, I am at the 10.5 model now with a fubuki and I could not be happier at all.

Incredible distance on off-center hits.

[ALTSean]

I play and love my FT-9 Tour with a Fubuki shaft, so much so that I bought a back from Callawaypreowned.com in the same setup. Great club and great shaft!

[jewofgolf]

Guys, I have tried both with a variety of shafts, and plain and simple, the XL Tour is way more anti-left, better on mishits, much lower spin, and is directionally better on mishits.

Just plain and simple a better driver than the FT-9 tour.

[van868]

FT-9 tour with aldila voodoo. very underated. but its a cannon for me.

[spwelch]

Have had both the ft9 and the sftp and I no longer have the sftp.......not even close for me the ft9 tour is money.

[addage]

I think the FT-9 Tour is a great driver. Before mine broke, I was hitting it longer and straighter than any driver I ever had before. That said, I think the Razr Hawk tour is even better. It's more forgiving on heel hits and rolls out more for me.

[feetup]

FT-9 Tour 9.5 and Prolaunch Axis Red was a great combo, nice and tight producing boring flight but not so rigid that it had no feel to it. I may still have one in the garage.

[PingG10guy]

[quote name='feetup' timestamp='1303187806' post='3166508']
FT-9 Tour 9.5 and Prolaunch Axis Red was a great combo, nice and tight producing boring flight but not so rigid that it had no feel to it. I may still have one in the garage.
[/quote]

Funny how the 910 puts clubs in the garage...I see a trend here...

[bigred90gt]

[quote name='enduro' timestamp='1303161887' post='3165288']

FWIW the Ft9 also has a heavy feel and a fairly high SW at 45" . It should be easy to find a used Ft9 for $100 - $150, I'd go for an Imix version unless you can find one with a shaft you know you will like.
[/quote]

That's interesting that you make that observation. I have an FT9 Tour imix with a WB 83x, and of my 3 drivers (ping i15 BB73x and R7425 BB73x), the FT9 is the lightest feeling of the bunch.

For picking one up used, cant beat callawaypreowned.com.

[Random Hack]

FT-9 Tour vs. SFTP (first edition), so far I'd have to go with the FT-9 Tour (8.5*, stock shaft) - that thing is a stone cold cannon.

That being said, only hit my new SFTP twice and wasn't swinging well either time, so this review could change.

[curran22]

FT-9 imix is the way to go. I hit one of those Hibores once and it'll be the last too. I have 2 FT9 tours 8.5 and 9.5. I recommend VS proto. Voodoo (red, not black), Ust axiv core, Diamana (white or blueboard), anything Aldila. I use an aftermarket shaft adapter in mine. You lose the interchangability, but still reshafting is much easier than the non imix (no shaft cutting), and it feels more solid to me. That said, I can't deny my FT5 playing time. This thing BOMBS the ball. Not quite as forgiving as my FT9, but the sound is sweet and is a little more workable. Also available in imix configuration. Hope that helps.

[golfware]

I highly recommend the Fubuki Tour 63 and the Diamana WB 73 in the imix head. I have those with my FT9 Tour and it'a a bomber.

[DMR2112]

I saw this topic and had to put my .02 in. I just picked up a FT-9 9 degree with an I-mix Diamana Blueboard 63S shaft from Golf Galaxy for $96. This driver is REALLY nice. Great feel, nice mid-high ball flight and really long. Couldn't believe I got this thing for less than $100. Only negative is with the 1degree closed face, I'm having a hard time working a fade off the tee which I prefer. But that's OK. I just ordered a 10.5 degree Ft-9 Tour with a Mitsubishi Javln shaft in I-mix as well. I'm sure that I'll find a shaft or 2 to go with one of these heads. This club is a big time sleeper in my opinion. I can't imagine the R11, Razr Hawk ( which I looked at HARD ), or the Diablo Octane being that much better than this model. Great job Callaway!!

DR

[sbeduckman]

I have my first one coming right now. Bought a brand new tour imix head on the bay for a whopping $50 and a Fubuki 63x from a member here...looking real forward to it. Always wanted one, but never did get one.

[MadGolfer76]

[quote name='DMR2112' timestamp='1307844977' post='3300985']
I saw this topic and had to put my .02 in. I just picked up a FT-9 9 degree with an I-mix Diamana Blueboard 63S shaft from Golf Galaxy for $96. This driver is REALLY nice. Great feel, nice mid-high ball flight and really long. Couldn't believe I got this thing for less than $100. Only negative is with the 1degree closed face, I'm having a hard time working a fade off the tee which I prefer. But that's OK. I just ordered a 10.5 degree Ft-9 Tour with a Mitsubishi Javln shaft in I-mix as well. I'm sure that I'll find a shaft or 2 to go with one of these heads. This club is a big time sleeper in my opinion.[b] I can't imagine the R11, Razr Hawk ( which I looked at HARD ), or the Diablo Octane being that much better than this model.[/b] Great job Callaway!!

DR

[/quote]

Razr Hawk Tour is. The other two not so much.

[DMR2112]

[quote name='MadGolfer76' timestamp='1307846382' post='3301028']
[quote name='DMR2112' timestamp='1307844977' post='3300985']
I saw this topic and had to put my .02 in. I just picked up a FT-9 9 degree with an I-mix Diamana Blueboard 63S shaft from Golf Galaxy for $96. This driver is REALLY nice. Great feel, nice mid-high ball flight and really long. Couldn't believe I got this thing for less than $100. Only negative is with the 1degree closed face, I'm having a hard time working a fade off the tee which I prefer. But that's OK. I just ordered a 10.5 degree Ft-9 Tour with a Mitsubishi Javln shaft in I-mix as well. I'm sure that I'll find a shaft or 2 to go with one of these heads. This club is a big time sleeper in my opinion.[b] I can't imagine the R11, Razr Hawk ( which I looked at HARD ), or the Diablo Octane being that much better than this model.[/b] Great job Callaway!!

DR

[/quote]

Razr Hawk Tour is. The other two not so much.
[/quote]
Yeah that driver felt really good and went forever on the range when I demo'd it at a Callaway demo day. Only hit about 5 balls with it as I knew that it was WAY out of my price range. Didn't want to get trapped into it without the funds. All the reviews have been great. But I'm very satisfied with this FT-9 and I'm sure the FT-9 Tour will fit right in.

[MadGolfer76]

[quote name='DMR2112' timestamp='1307846752' post='3301046']
[quote name='MadGolfer76' timestamp='1307846382' post='3301028']
[quote name='DMR2112' timestamp='1307844977' post='3300985']
I saw this topic and had to put my .02 in. I just picked up a FT-9 9 degree with an I-mix Diamana Blueboard 63S shaft from Golf Galaxy for $96. This driver is REALLY nice. Great feel, nice mid-high ball flight and really long. Couldn't believe I got this thing for less than $100. Only negative is with the 1degree closed face, I'm having a hard time working a fade off the tee which I prefer. But that's OK. I just ordered a 10.5 degree Ft-9 Tour with a Mitsubishi Javln shaft in I-mix as well. I'm sure that I'll find a shaft or 2 to go with one of these heads. This club is a big time sleeper in my opinion.[b] I can't imagine the R11, Razr Hawk ( which I looked at HARD ), or the Diablo Octane being that much better than this model.[/b] Great job Callaway!!

DR

[/quote]

Razr Hawk Tour is. The other two not so much.
[/quote]
Yeah that driver felt really good and went forever on the range when I demo'd it at a Callaway demo day. Only hit about 5 balls with it as I knew that it was WAY out of my price range. Didn't want to get trapped into it without the funds. All the reviews have been great. But I'm very satisfied with this FT-9 and I'm sure the FT-9 Tour will fit right in.
[/quote]

I have owned an Ft-9 and two Ft-9 Tours. The tours were money and very underrated. Diamana whiteboard seems to be the go-to pairing with that head for a lot of people, myself included. I am also waiting for the RHT to come down in price before I snag one.