Callaway launch FT Optiforce Drivers and Fairways

“Callaway has always placed the golfer’s performance first when developing clubs and we feel strongly that one club head does not fit all golfers,” said Dr. Alan Hocknell, SVP, Research & Development, Callaway Golf. “Players using an 8.5-degree driver are fundamentally different than players using 12.5-degrees of loft, so with the FT Optiforce Driver we have optimised each of the two available heads -- the 440cc and the 460cc – and adjusted critical elements like size, weight, centre of gravity position, moment of inertia and others so that golfers have the best chance to optimise their launch conditions for better total performance.”

 

The four primary technologies that merge to generate the speed and performance advantages of Callaway’s new drivers are outlined below:

 

Aerodynamic Efficiency

The FT Optiforce driver was born from an aggressively aerodynamic prototype that Callaway tested while exploring the complex variations in aerodynamic flow during a driver’s entire downswing. As a result, the FT Optiforce driver – based on its shape and construction - is tops among the fastest and most aerodynamically efficient driver Callaway has ever brought to market, leading to increases in clubhead speed. The FT Optiforce has been measured with 23 percent less drag than a conventionally shaped driver.*

 

Fast Configuration

Also contributing to advances in clubhead speed is the overall configuration of the driver, including the use of lightweight Forged Composite™ in the crown and two stock shaft offerings that can enhance a golfer’s ability to deliver the club to the ball faster. The primary stock shaft is a 43-gram Project X Velocity shaft, the lightest shaft Callaway has ever included in a standard driver offering. The secondary stock shaft is a 62-gram Mitsubishi Diamana S+. The overall construction of the new driver is under 300 grams.

 

Advanced OptiFit Adjustability

The FT Optiforce Driver will debut an innovative loft and lie adjustability solution. The driver features an Advanced OptiFit® Hosel that allows players to adjust the driver’s loft 1-degree down or 1- or 2-degrees up. The loft setting helps golfers adjust their launch angle and amount of backspin, while the lie -- selected with the neutral or draw settings also contained within the hosel -- will help golfers adjust side angle and sidespin. Coupled with the differences in the 440cc and 460cc heads, golfers of all abilities can use the simple adjustability solution in the FT Optiforce to find their optimal launch conditions and ball flight.

 

Speed Frame Face Technology

The additional clubhead speed in FT Optiforce generated by the aerodynamic shape and the overall configuration is then transferred to ball speed at impact with the driver face. Implemented with much success in the other 2013 Callaway drivers, the Speed Frame Face Technology found in FT Optiforce distributes stress across the titanium face for a larger, more consistent sweet spot and increased ball speed. The Speed Frame Face also saves weight that is redistributed in the clubhead to improve the CG position and maximise MOI, which leads to optimised ball flight and forgiveness.

 

Also available this month, the full line-up of FT Optiforce Fairway Woods share similar construction to the wildly popular Callaway X Hot Fairway Woods, including the blazing ball speeds the woods have become known for. The key differentiator for this series of fairway woods, available as a 3-, 4- 5-, 7- and 9-wood, is the higher trajectory golfers are likely to experience.

 

“The FT Optiforce Fairways Woods are a powerful mix of the ball speeds of our X Hot Fairway woods and the trajectory of our RAZR Fit Xtreme Fairway Wood,” said Hocknell.

 

The new fairway woods have a Forged Speed Frame Face Cup made of high strength Carpenter 455 stainless steel that produces significantly hotter responses all across the face. The optimised centre of gravity (CG) in the fairway wood, accomplished in part through a proprietary design called the Internal Standing Wave, delivers a higher launch with slightly more spin than the X Hot Fairway Wood, resulting in consistent distances from everywhere on the course -- the tee, fairway or rough. The FT Optiforce Fairway Woods have a higher MOI as well, which contributes to the forgiveness and consistency that make these clubs easy to hit. 

 

The FT Optiforce Fairway Woods are also available with two stock shaft offerings, a 53-gram Project X Velocity shaft and a secondary Misubishi Diamana S+ shaft.

 

Callaway’s new FT Optiforce Drivers will be available from 12th July across Europe for the following recommended retail prices:

 

FT Optiforce Drivers

 

GBP 329

EUR IRE 409

EUR 449

 

FT Optiforce Fairway Woods

 

GBP 179

EUR IRE 229

EUR 229

 

For more information about these new clubs from Callaway, please visit www.CallawayGolf.com

 

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