Callaway FT-iQ Driver Golf Club

Solid club that promotes a good ball flight. The ball goes very straight off of the tee. It will still slice on you if you don't swing correctly, but not as extreme as older clubs. Solid game improvement club that will help you hit more fairways. Distance is much better than the older models. The only reason Callaway changed the 2010 version of this club, is due to demand. The FT-IQ is a square driver (but still has a nice look to it). The market demand for square drivers is not that high, so Callaway moved into a different direction. However, this club still performs at a very high level. Performance is an A, demand was about a C, so Callaway decided to make a change.

The Callaway FT-IQ driver is the sleekest square driver I have ever seen. Its' styling suggests faster speed, thus longer distance. However, when I tried it, I just could not strike the ball squarely and either faded or topped the ball. I play to a 13 handicap and I used the club unsuccessfully for two days. I believe that the shaft (regular) was not the correct one for me. I normally hit a regular shaft, however, this one felt whippy and had more flex than what I have previously used. I went back to my old driver (also a square head) and hit it successfully the moment I swung the club. I was disappointed that I was not successful with this club because I really liked how it looked. Perhaps I would have had more success with a different shaft, but was not about to retry it again. I realize this is a quality club, however, that doesn't mean it works the same for different people. I sold the club on Ebay a week later.

This is basically the best driver I've ever used, yes it's possible to slice the ball if you come from the out, outside and cut across the ball but a fairly down the line swing produces a straight ball flight. I'm replacing a Cleveland HiBore xl, a very good club but the FT-iQ is longer and straighter.

I tested this club at my local golf retailer and became instantly convinced that I had to put it in my bag. It was stable, precise, and boosted my swing speed to 110 mph, 5 mph higher than my Nike 5000 and the FT-9.

In the month that I've had the FT-iQ, I've improved my handicap 2 strokes because the ball is in the fairway more often with the bonus of a few more yards. I will note that I also purchased the original FT-i a few years ago with disappointment because it lacked length. Callaway fixed whatever was wrong and I'm more than happy.

I have the I-mix version with an Aldila NVS shaft. The head shape is unconventional but not distasteful. I have confidence in this driver looking down on it at address. The FT-iQ face is 1 degree closed. My other driver is a Titleist 909d2 with a half degree open face, and the closed face of the Callaway does not bother me. The face is hot and bouncy. The sound at impact is a 'pop', louder than the muted feedback of FT-9. Distance is good-- similar to the Titleist, the FT-9 may be a touch longer. Overall an excellent driver for a wide range of players.