EDITOR REVIEW: 2013 CALLAWAY X HOT PRO IRONS

[golfware]

EDITOR REVIEW: 2013 CALLAWAY X HOT PRO IRONS

 

PRODUCT TESTED: 2013 CALLAWAY X HOT PRO IRONS

 

CLUB SPECIFICATIONS: 4-PW, std lofts, 1* upright, +1/2” in length, KBS Tour C-Taper shafts. NDMC White Out Red/White grips with +1 extra wrap of tape.

 

 

 

PROS:

 

Oh my, where do I begin?? Well, since I MUST start somewhere, I’ll add that my game was TRANSFORMED with these irons. These are the ULTIMATE set of cast irons, combining extreme distance, wonderfully soft feel, incredible forgiveness and absolutely fantastic turf interaction. Did I mention “distance”??

 

CONS:

 

I’m going to be honest, I can’t of a negative thing to say, other than MAYBE the PW shape could be a “shade” cleaner, but in all honesty, that’s totally nick-picking.

 

BOTTOM LINE:

 

I’m telling ya… “I’m puttin’ this on my mammie!” These clubs are LONG. Freaking STUPID long and STUPID straight. If you want a set of irons that are designed to HELP you, designed to look great, designed to make you feel like a MAN, these are the irons for you. I cannot think of an iron set that I have had THIS much confidence with. Other OEM’s may say they have irons are long and forgiving, but these are the TRUTH. These provide so much forgiveness, such a soft feel and such a wonderful trajectory.

 

LOOKS:

 

Initial impressions:

 

I remember hitting these the first time at CALLAWRX’12. To be honest, I was so enamored with the 2013 X Forged, that quite frankly, my mind was already set and I didn’t really give them a chance. I hit them a few times, but wasn’t “wow’d”, as I really think mentally I just didn’t give them a chance. I’ll add that I DID think they were gorgeous, even at CALLAWRX’12. I really felt that Callaway took the Razr X Tour and the proceeding cast Tour irons and threw the blueprints in the trash. And this excited me. Truly excited me. Also, as we went through the technology behind the X Hot Pro iron with Callaway R&D, they spoke as beautiful a language as any that I have ever heard. When you look at the XHP, it exudes confidence. The short irons have moderate to minimal offset, the mid irons are blended perfectly and the long irons are super sweet. Unlike the previous i20 irons that I gamed that were horrible with lots of offset in the long irons, the XHP don’t do that AT ALL. There’s no progressive offset nor progressive blade length either. They are “just right” in my mind.

 

 

 

 

 

Long term:

 

The XHP continue to impress me in the looks department. They just setup beautifully. The satin finish is just pure. Non-glaring, and they frame the ball just really nice and clean. When they arrive with the C-Taper shafts and NDMC white out red & white grips, I nearly fainted. Just nearly fainted my fellow WRX’ers. The setup on the ball was just phenomenal. These don’t look TOO big or TOO chunky from short irons to long irons. They simply look “fantastic” throughout the entire set. I’m very impressed with them because of this. Many game improvement irons look horrible in the long irons. NOT these to me. Also, they have a moderately thin top line. Sure, they’ll never be confused with the 2013 X Forged or Titleist 712 CB’s. But I put them up against the Titleist 712 AP2’s and they are spot on to me. The top line is really great, just thick enough to give loads of confidence, ,yet not too think that they are distasteful.

 

Rating: 4.5/5

 

PERFORMANCE/PLAYABILITY:

 

One of the most important things for me at the period of my life is to be able to enjoy the game the maximum amount with the least amount of effort. Put a good swing and I’m amazed. Put a decent swing and I’m amazed. Put a crappy swing and I have a smile on my face because I’m still on the golf course. LOL.

 

These irons flat out help me have a great time on the golf course. What more could you want right?? They are uber forgiving from any lie that you can think of. They glide through the rough. They clip the ball off the turf from the fairway. They’re COUNTRY long as well, and while many will note that they have stronger lofts, they give you the launch conditions of that iron that’s in your hands, yet GO forever. Really do. And they do STRAIGHT. Truly go STRAIGHT. WOW!! These have that WOW factor after you game them. The ballflight and forgiveness will bring you to your knees!

 

Case in point, with the C Taper shafts, they are incredibly accurate. First few rounds out, I knocked down pins at TPC Harding Park, and my good friend told me that “this is the best ballstriking out of you I’ve ever seen!” And coming from him, and considering I was playing a Callaway iron and not a Titleist iron, that speaks volumes. I’ve had multiple birdie rounds with these irons in my bag. They are THAT good. And THAT consistent too. No fliers or hot spots on these irons. Just predictable LONG, straight distance. What more could you ask for??

 

Now, I’ve been able to put these through the gauntlet of shots. Hook around that tree?? Check. Flush it OVER that tree?? Check. Fade it over that bunker and land softly pin high?? Check. Knock it down to fight the wind?? Check Check Check!

 

So I confess… I have the 2013 X Forged that I was in complete love with at CALLAWRX’12. I thought the world of the ’13 X Forged, blending forgiveness, world class feel and superb shot making. With ALL of that said, I’m an 8 handicap. Not gonna lie there. After a number of rounds with the 2013 X Forged, I really felt that I could use a but more help with the ballstriking. When I’m ON, the X Forged are heaven. When I’m OFF, the X Forged TOLD me without any reservation whatsoever. I figured what the heck, and the first round I put the XHP into play, I was SOLD. Whoa… Seriously… WHOA.

 

RATING: 5/5

 

FEEL:

 

This is where, in my mind, the XHP’s really shine. They feel fantastic. When hitting them, they provide a very pleasing “thwick” at impact that is altogether soft and altogether smooth.

 

The J face technology allows the club to feel great all over the face too. Now while I’m not talking 2013 X Forged pure center contact feel, I’ll tell you what, off center hits feel MUCH better than the X Forged, which can actually hurt my hands! I really do think these irons shine in terms of feel. So much so, that I have a friend that games the Mizuno MP-59’s and JPX 825 Pros, and likes my XHP MORE! Crazy huh. Coupled with the C Tapers, they are smooth, smooth, and.. smooth! Really are.

 

RATING: 5/5

 

 

 

 

 

OVERALL BOTTOM LINE:

 

I love ‘em. Really do. I mean, I’ve had some of my BEST ballstriking rounds in recent memory. Who can’t love that. I mean really. And this coming from a guy that LOVED the Diablo Forged and the 2013 X Forged. I find the XHP to be a perfect blend between the DF’s and the 2013 X Forged, even for being a cast iron. They are the softest cast iron I’ve hit, and if blindfolded, I’d dare you to say they weren’t forged. They’re that soft.

 

Ideally, GET FIT! I really mean that. I’ve gone through a few wonderful fittings in my life, and after being properly fit, my ballflight was so straight that “you’d have to lean over just to see the flag!” And who doesn’t love that. SO easy to hit. You hit it where you want it to go, and it goes there! Who doesn’t love that. I love these irons. From the pricepoint, from the great looks from short to long irons, from the excellent soft feel, to the distance AND accuracy, these blend ALL of these attributes together well. Give them a try for yourself, and see. I’m sure a smile will break out on your face. That much I bet!

 

I've include some comparison pics between the 2013 X Forged, the XH Pros and the Diablo Forged as well (L to R in that order)

[cthoend]

In my mind I had plenty of reasons not to like the XHPs. They were not forged, I hit others longer, and I already had a great set in my bag. Even when I hit them in the store I was not real excited about XHPs. However, one of my buddies suggest I give them a chance on the course, and after a half-dozen rounds, the X-Hot Pros are the first set of irons in a long time that I am thrilled to have in the bag. (And, one that I am determined to keep in the bag.)

I don't know how to explain it other than to say that not only are they forgiving, they are just easy to hit. Not just the PW or 7-iron, but every club in the set.

However, the best thing about the XHPs is the sound. From the first shot on the course through to the 18th hole, every shot was a solid "thwack".

It has been 10 years since I have liked a set of irons as much as the XHPs. Blades, player's cavities, game improvement, forged, cast - I have played a lot of irons and would highly recommend that if you are looking for a set irons that you give the X Hot Pros a shot.

[golfware]

[quote name='cthoend' timestamp='1380032495' post='7902999']
In my mind I had plenty of reasons not to like the XHPs. They were not forged, I hit others longer, and I already had a great set in my bag. Even when I hit them in the store I was not real excited about XHPs. However, one of my buddies suggest I give them a chance on the course, and after a half-dozen rounds, the X-Hot Pros are the first set of irons in a long time that I am thrilled to have in the bag. (And, one that I am determined to keep in the bag.)

I don't know how to explain it other than to say that not only are they forgiving, they are just easy to hit. Not just the PW or 7-iron, but every club in the set.

However, the best thing about the XHPs is the sound. From the first shot on the course through to the 18th hole, every shot was a solid "thwack".

It has been 10 years since I have liked a set of irons as much as the XHPs. Blades, player's cavities, game improvement, forged, cast - I have played a lot of irons and would highly recommend that if you are looking for a set irons that you give the
[/quote]

I couldn't agree with you more. Well said indeed!

[duffer987]

I'm confused, is your last name 'Editor'?

[golfware]

[quote name='duffer987' timestamp='1380082683' post='7907179']
I'm confused, is your last name 'Editor'?
[/quote]

ha ha ha.. I wish.

[Joezilla]

I was able to hit the 6 iron XHP in the Tulsa Golf Galaxy the other day. I hit probably 10 to 15 shots with it. My first shot was a little dribbler, but after that EVERY one that followed was a crisp high straight or with a hint of a draw that traveled from 165 to 175 yards. I was amazed. My current Ping G15's are no where near either that distance or that type of consistency. When I get back in the Dallas area in the next week, my plan is to go through a thorough fitting and then place my order for a set of X Hot Pro's. That's how much I liked them.

Joe

[golfware]

[quote name='Joezilla' timestamp='1381692749' post='7995743']
I was able to hit the 6 iron XHP in the Tulsa Golf Galaxy the other day. I hit probably 10 to 15 shots with it. My first shot was a little dribbler, but after that EVERY one that followed was a crisp high straight or with a hint of a draw that traveled from 165 to 175 yards. I was amazed. My current Ping G15's are no where near either that distance or that type of consistency. When I get back in the Dallas area in the next week, my plan is to go through a thorough fitting and then place my order for a set of X Hot Pro's. That's how much I liked them.

Joe
[/quote]

Exactly Joe. They are SO easy to hit. Really are. And LONG too. Seriously long. Stupid easy to hit straight with superb feel too.

[soonerhart]

[quote name='Joezilla' timestamp='1381692749' post='7995743']
I was able to hit the 6 iron XHP in the Tulsa Golf Galaxy the other day. I hit probably 10 to 15 shots with it. My first shot was a little dribbler, but after that EVERY one that followed was a crisp high straight or with a hint of a draw that traveled from 165 to 175 yards. I was amazed. My current Ping G15's are no where near either that distance or that type of consistency. When I get back in the Dallas area in the next week, my plan is to go through a thorough fitting and then place my order for a set of X Hot Pro's. That's how much I liked them.

Joe
[/quote]Well Joe, did you get the XHP irons? If so, how do you like them?