New gear: Callaway XR irons

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 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.

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