Andrew Noyce
By Andrew Noyce

Eagle-eyed fans may have spotted Phil Mickelson and Nicolas Colsaerts using a prototype Callaway XR 16 driver on Tour this year.

Officially titled the XR 16 Sub Zero, Callaway has announced that they will now be making it available to the public.

Callaway XR 16 Sub Zero Driver

Be warned this is very much a better players' driver and to make it work you'll need the type of fast swing speed that can generate a lot of spin off the tee combined with a consistent delivery at impact, just like Phil.

This is because the Centre of Gravity (CG) in the 440cc head is the lowest that Callaway has put into a driver. In fact, they say it sits below the neutral axis, a line from the centre of the face to the back of the head, something that Callaway has never done before.

As a result the backspin fast swing speed players naturally generate is reduced resulting in more distance.

Callaway has achieved this thanks to a new Carbon Triax Crown that is thinner and lighter than the composites it has used in the past.

Callaway XR 16 Sub Zero Driver

Evan Gibbs, Callaway's Senior Research & Development Manager Of Woods, explains:

The key technology that enabled us to do this is a brand-new composite material that is being used on the crown of this driver. We have used carbon fibre crowns for many years, but this particular construction is very unique. It uses a fabric, or laminate, instead of chopped fibres that we had used in the past, combined with our current moulding techniques.

This gives us superior material properties and allows us to design a thinner and much lighter crown which is critical for designing a driver with this low Centre of Gravity. Removing weight from the crown allows us to lower the CG but also gives us a lot more discretionary mass to position back in the clubhead to help us increase the clubs forgiveness at the same time.

Callaway XR 16 Sub Zero Driver

The XR 16 Sub Zero comes with an adjustable hosel and two interchangeable weights, one of 10 grams and one of 2 grams, allowing players to further fine tune launch.

Putting the 10g weight low and forward gives the lowest launch and the least amount of spin whilst moving it back gives a higher ball flight with slightly more forgiveness.

Callaway XR 16 Sub Zero Driver

As well as a fast swing you'll need to be quick out of the blocks with only 100 heads in Europe offered through custom build only.

The Callaway XR 16 Sub Zero comes with a choice of 20 premium shafts at no upcharge so players will be able to find one that suits their individual clubhead speed, feel and tempo.

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Callaway XR 16 Sub Zero Driver - Product Details

UK Launch15 April 2016
UK Launch RRP£399
USA Launch15 April 2016
Handicap Range
Low
High
GolferMens
Hand AvailabilityRight
Right Handed Lofts9.5°
MaterialComposite
Head Volume440 cc
AdjustabilityLoft, Face Angle, Weight
Shaft TypesGraphite
Manufacturer's WebsiteCallaway Website

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