'13 Callaway X Forged Iron Pics (updated 2/2/13 w/ more Pics)

[Zunes]

[quote name='smackygolf' timestamp='1351086421' post='5838387']
[quote name='ron lefthanded holmes' timestamp='1351066909' post='5837851']
[quote name='left to right' timestamp='1351043338' post='5836885']
wow wow wow callaway has nailed it this time great looking irons.
taylormade must be shaking in their boots after releasing an ugly looking iron after seeing these bad boys.

big things for callaway in 13' me thinks
[/quote]

and yet i bet TM sell more of those ugly irons tha callaway do of these, but they do look nice
[/quote]

Yep. This is just step 1 in Callaway's efforts. TM will sell 20x the amount of RBladez than Cally will sell of these. Forged blades are 5% of the market. But boy, these are nice
[/quote]

Are you saying this because forged are more expensive or because forged are incorrectly thought of as less forgiving?

[Callaway_HarryA]

[quote name='golfware' timestamp='1351111604' post='5840625']
Hi Harry,

BTW, is this a progressive blade length set, or is it similar to the previous generation X Forged irons??

I assume you've hit them, how did you like the long irons in the set??
[/quote]

They are shorter heel to toe than the RAZR X Forged. I have hit the long irons, yes. (well, not the 3 iron. Those are only meant to live in a golf bag in my garage). They hit great. Very soft forging, and though I don't get steep on the ball at all (I need to get more steep, actually), they go through the turf so well. In addition to improving the overall shaping (I honestly thought the RAZR X Forged shape had a strange angular geometry to it in the toe) Roger focused a lot on the sole design of these based on working with Tour players. That's probably more evident in the short irons for me. It's been a long time since I've played forged irons (last played a truly forged iron in 2006) so I was amazed at how forgiving these play and sweet these sound and feel. I'm no engineer and I certainly don't know how to articulate this scientifically, but what our Tour guys were saying was that even the miss hits with these hold their distance and shape well. I guess the shape part was the most surprising and nice for them, because typically their mishits lose the shape and distance of the shot. I was told by the engineer with us there that this is because of the CG location progression. But I'm only repeating what I was told.

[BlkNGld]

[quote name='8thehardway' timestamp='1351105071' post='5840103']
... is that purple on the top line out by the toe part of a symbol?
[/quote]

he probably used an iphone5 for the photo and was holding it wrong

(to all the apple fanboys, j/k, j/k...)

[golfware]

[quote name='Callaway_HarryA' timestamp='1351119820' post='5841251']
[quote name='golfware' timestamp='1351111604' post='5840625']
Hi Harry,

BTW, is this a progressive blade length set, or is it similar to the previous generation X Forged irons??

I assume you've hit them, how did you like the long irons in the set??
[/quote]

They are shorter heel to toe than the RAZR X Forged. I have hit the long irons, yes. (well, not the 3 iron. Those are only meant to live in a golf bag in my garage). They hit great. Very soft forging, and though I don't get steep on the ball at all (I need to get more steep, actually), they go through the turf so well. In addition to improving the overall shaping (I honestly thought the RAZR X Forged shape had a strange angular geometry to it in the toe) Roger focused a lot on the sole design of these based on working with Tour players. That's probably more evident in the short irons for me. It's been a long time since I've played forged irons (last played a truly forged iron in 2006) so I was amazed at how forgiving these play and sweet these sound and feel. I'm no engineer and I certainly don't know how to articulate this scientifically, but what our Tour guys were saying was that even the miss hits with these hold their distance and shape well. I guess the shape part was the most surprising and nice for them, because typically their mishits lose the shape and distance of the shot. I was told by the engineer with us there that this is because of the CG location progression. But I'm only repeating what I was told.
[/quote]

Oh okay nice. That's awesome. Yeah. I also found the Razr X Forged to have a uniquely shaped toe, wasn't exactly my cup of tea.

So in essence, with the CG progression, that helps to flight the ball and elevate them easier in the long irons yet have control in the mid to short irons. That's sweet.
And you mentioned they are distance wise superior to the Rar X Forged as well. That's a win-win!!

[Bogey's Belly]

“distance wise superior to the Razr X Forged” is quite a statement from my perspective. I hit the absolute snot out of the Razr X Forged, once I was properly fitted w/ C-Taper shafts. I have never hit irons are far ( and as accurate) as I have with the Razr X Forged. The shape never really bothered me, but I understand what you mean about not getting through the turf, or digging in too much- that is something I have noticed with these irons all the way through, not just with the short irons. I might need to re-read the front page article, but I was wondering how heavy the new heads are compared to the Razrs?

[J13]

Great pics Harry and Chad. The irons look like Callaway is back on track with the right people making the decisions. Cant wait to give these a try and put them against the MP64's I just got. SHould be a battle to the death!!!

[TimothyLYork1979]

How would these compare to the original x-tour forged?

[lettucebcereal]

Now that's a sexy looking iron set!

[Callaway Golf Official]

[quote name='J13' timestamp='1351125631' post='5841653']
Great pics Harry and Chad. The irons look like Callaway is back on track with the right people making the decisions. Cant wait to give these a try and put them against the MP64's I just got. SHould be a battle to the death!!!
[/quote]

Thank you, sir. We've got a great group now and we're ready to make some noise!

[Bogey's Belly]

Chad, earlier today Harry mentioned that you might be able to get a side by side pic of the new X-Forged and the Razr X Forged, is that still in the cards?

[iGolfism]

My Precious...

[m4tTy333]

Oh man!!! Gorgeous. Always been a fan of the X Forged line. Used to game the 07's, but recently got fitted into a set of 712's. Might have to go into the wallet and get me a set of these. And they're offered with the new Project Shaft. Ahhhh

[golfware]

[quote name='iGolfism' timestamp='1351129108' post='5841897']
My Precious...
[/quote]

+100!

[specimania]

Thanks to the folks at Callaway. I cannot wait to swi g these. It's been awhile since anything other than a ball from callaway sniffed around. I am excited to see these and perhaps bag em.
Love the interaction.and enthusiasm!

[geoffaw]

Um... looks like they've been dipping into the Hogan design well again to me

[StarFleetGolfer]

[quote name='golfware' timestamp='1351130095' post='5841987']
[quote name='iGolfism' timestamp='1351129108' post='5841897']
My Precious...
[/quote]

+100!
[/quote]


+ e^1000

[mountainside]

Callaway will be number 1 with these irons. I won't be surprised to see many tour pros make the switch to them. They are BEAUTIFUL!

[golfware]

Oh I BET KJ CHOI will be gaming them pretty quickly. What's the over/under on that one??

[Dscvrr St Louis]

KJ probably already has a set...can play them overseas before the launch date!! 5- Pw...couple of Protype Utility irons for the 3 and 4..!!

[PhilH930]

Sold! Wife is going to kill me given that I just traded in Titleist blades for the current X-Forged in March, but think this is necessary upgrade! Might even be able to sneak them past her without knowing

[javierruis]

What kind of steel are these, and are they being forged at Endo as well? Just curious... Absolutely stunning clubs! For the first time in years, truly excited at the thought of returning to Callaway: 3 & 4 Cally X-Type Utility Irons, 5-PW '13 X Forged. Thx!

[JB lefty]

Thank you very much Callaway for putting these pictures up. The irons look superb. My Razr x forged and original proto's are looking like rather worries they will be finding new homes.

If the new irons matched with the PXI shaft spin less and are effected as much by the wind, will this mean that won't grab and stop as good as previous offerings? I only ask this as there must be some sort of trade off for less spin and lower trajectory. Also the loft thing intrigues me, stating a club goes further and then knocking a degree of the previous models loft isn't that a tad misleading? I am not sure, I hear alot of guys saying "Just got a new set of irons and man I am knocking them 1o yards more than my old ones. Then I tell them to have a look at the lofts on these. What used to be a 47 degree PW is now a 45 degree pw. So really the current day PW is the nine iron of old. Why are companies continuing to take loft off clubs? Why can't the PW be 47 degree's?

I think we really need to get away from this distance seeking thing and focus on accuracy and stopping power. All the clubs from 5 years ago go far enough when struck well. The better players want feel and accurance not distance and the ability to stop dead or a one hop and stop shot. Just my thoughts.

Thanks again for putting the pictures up and lets hope the lefties get looked after with these being available to them.

JB

[tinman]

I agreee with JB's post- Great points!!!The new irons do look fantastic though;especially with the shaft offerings @ no upcharge.These will be a popular iron in 2013-can't wait!!!!

[Rheenendal]

I got caught up in all the negativity surrounding Callaway that I picked up on my time on these forums. I stayed away from all things Callaway until some guy wanted to swap his Callaway Octane Tour Black driver with my Adams 9064 LS. I wasn't having a good time with the Adams so I thought I would give the octane a chance. The last 6 months with that driver in my bag has completely swayed my previously un-informed opinion of Callaway. The club is the best driver I have ever owned and compelled me to try more Callaway gear. I soon added the X-forged wedges and am now looking to move to Callaway irons as well. I think these irons have de-throned the Cobra S3 Pro's as the best looking iron I have ever laid eyes on. Whether or not I'll be able to afford them is another question, but if I can't it won't be through lack of effort. Well done Callaway, more of this for the future please.

[blt2280]

Will callaway make the A Wedge in left handed this time?????

[J13]

Hey Harry do you guys know who if any staffers are switching to these on tour?

[designdog]

These look much better than the Razr, but still too much junk in the trunk, in my opinion. Hopefully Callaway will embark on a more classic track, as opposed to the TaylorMade model they seem to have been following.

Recently I gathered up a bunch of my failed experiments clubs and bundled them off to an online retailer for credits against future club purchases. (Maybe these!) Callaway and TaylorMade had absolutely the lowest value retention of any manufacturer, while Ping and Titleist were at the top. It was disgusting. Now, I know we wrxers are not in it for long term club value, since we are changing them all the time, but that does speak to me of either quality of workmanship, or failed marketing, or both.

Another thought: when is Callaway going to get on the forged multi-material players club bandwagon, like Ping, Titleist, Mizuno, and Adams?

[Callaway_HarryA]

[quote name='javierruis' timestamp='1351146139' post='5842821']
What kind of steel are these, and are they being forged at Endo as well? Just curious... Absolutely stunning clubs! For the first time in years, truly excited at the thought of returning to Callaway: 3 & 4 Cally X-Type Utility Irons, 5-PW '13 X Forged. Thx!
[/quote]

Yes, these are forged at Endo. We expect many of our Tour players and better ams playing MBs today will switch into these as well as players already playing the RAZR X Forged. Best of what a blade has to offer with the best of what a forged cavity has to offer. That was the design intent, anyway.

[Callaway_HarryA]

[quote name='J13' timestamp='1351172087' post='5843495']
Hey Harry do you guys know who if any staffers are switching to these on tour?
[/quote]

We won't truly know until you get into the season of course. So I won't make some big proclamation about that. I do know that Phil told me standing on the range at Colonial that these are the best irons we've ever made. Period. He's currently playing the MBs and said to my face that he's switching. But you never know, of course. Of the other guys I have personally witnessed with these, two guys not currently on our staff but on our staff for 2013 I believe will be playing these or another iron we have coming next year. I saw Luke List on Monday, he's currently playing (and naming every one of them, by the way) the MBs and said he thought he might be playing the X Forged next year. But again, we will see. Freddy Jacobson is currently playing Diablo Forged and when we were just goofing around hitting little wedges (he's injured and can't do full swings) he said he will be playing these or a different iron we have launching next year. He likes a package of feel AND forgiveness, so this one or the other one (which will be a longer hitting club with higher ball speeds and a different face technology) will probably be what he plays.

[Stretch]

[quote name='Rheenendal' timestamp='1351166318' post='5843195']
I think these irons have de-throned the Cobra S3 Pro's as the best looking iron I have ever laid on.[/quote]

We're all enthusiasts here, but your testing process sounds just a fraction [i]too[/i] rigorous.