New gear: Callaway XR irons

New Callaway XR irons arrive in February, with Pro models coming in March

Callaway XR irons
The new Callaway XR irons arrive in February
(Image credit: Callaway Golf)

Callaway Golf has announced the launch of its XR irons, comprised of a regular model and an XR Pro line

Callaway Golf has announced the launch of its XR irons, comprised of a regular model and an XR Pro line.

They form part of a complete new Callaway XR range including XR drivers, XR fairway woods and XR hybrids.

The irons, though, build on the 360 cup technology that first made its appearance in the Big Bertha irons after being used in Callaway fairway woods.

Callaway is calling the XR 'the first high-speed, cavity-back, cup-faced iron'.

This improved cup 360 provides a trampoline-like effect, increasing ball speeds from shots hit all over the face, particularly those low down on the club.

Aside from the promise of huge distance increases, the XR irons feature a lower centre of gravity and improved forgiveness.

What's more, the two-piece construction includes a dual-heat treatment that reflects Callaway's emphasis on craftsmanship and attention to detail.

The lower centre of gravity comes courtesy of an Internal Standing Wave, which also increases the moment of inertia and allows the face freedom to flex. This, in turn, produces high ball speeds and more distance.

The XR Pro irons (below), while featuring many of the same benefits, come in a more compact shape, with a thinner topline and a narrower sole width.

Callaway XR Pro irons

Callaway XR irons will go on sale on February 20, with the XR pro irons arriving a month later.

The regular models are available in both a graphite and a steel shaft. The former will set you back £699, the latter £549, both for seven-club collection.

The XR Pro irons come with an RRP of £599.

XR irons form part of a complete new XR range.

XR drivers come in regular and pro versions, XR fairways come in three variants (regular, deep and pro) and there are two iterations of the XR hybrids.

Golf Monthly will be producing video reviews of the new products over the next couple of weeks.

To keep up to date with all the latest equipment launches, follow @GolfMonthly on Twitter and 'like' Golf Monthly on Facebook.

 

 

Nick Bonfield
Features Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x