With the Epic and Rogue drivers it is fair to say that Callaway has enjoyed, well, an epic level of success.
The Epic accounts for more than 70% of £400+ driver sales, however Callaway research showed that there are a significant number of golfers, especially in Europe where the XR Speed is being introduced, looking for outstanding driver performance whose budgets don't stretch to the Epic and Rogue price points.
To meet this demand they set out to design the best 'non-Jailbreak' driver possible, returning to the successful XR franchise with the introduction of the new XR Speed driver that Callaway say is the longest and most forgiving XR driver ever.
Callaway XR Speed Driver
Replacing the XR 16, which won Majors for both Danny Willett and Henrik Stenson, the XR Speed incorporates premium Callaway technologies to deliver an enhanced ball speed and up to a 6 yard distance gain on the the XR 16.
The increased speed comes from the new X Face VFT (Variable Face Thickness) that has been designed to maximise ball speeds across the entire face and which Callaway says is the lightest, most flexible and hottest face they have designed.
The XR Speed's carbon composite crown is 45% lighter than the titanium crown used in the XR 16 and this weight saving has allowed the designers to improve the mass properties of the head and lower the centre of gravity to improve forgiveness and increase forgiveness.
Callaway has also improved the head speed of the driver by introducing a refined version of its Speed Step on the crown that increases aerodynamic efficiency with improved airflow over and around the head. The XR Speed driver also incorporates Callaway's adjustable OptiFit hosel allowing golfers to dial in the driver to maximise launch.
To maximise performance in the XR Speed, Callaway has paired it with the premium Project X HZRDUS shaft (also used in the Epic driver) as it is a good match in terms of total weight and flex profile.
All of this adds up to a total package that means the XR Speed driver's ball speed is within 1-1.5 mph of the ball speed seen from the Rogue and Epic drivers in robot testing of centre and off-centre hits.
Callaway XR Speed Fairway
The XR Speed family also includes a complete range of fairway woods from 3-7, which like the driver bring distance and forgiveness together for greater performance.
The XR Speed fairways feature a refined forged Face Cup which optimises ball speed across the whole face for maximum distance. The aerodynamic efficiency of the head has been refined from previous XR models with a new Speed Step promoting faster club head speed.
A shallow face design combines with the modern Hawkeye sole to make the clubs easy to launch and very forgiving for all level of golfer. As with the driver the XR Speed fairways come with the premium Project X HZRDUS shaft.