Video: New Callaway XR16 drivers with Boeing technology
The Callaway XR range, launched at the end of 2014, was inspired by racing (that’s what the R stands for) and aimed to deliver incredible speeds.
But with the new XR16 range, the company wanted to add some forgiveness through a larger headshape with high MOI and a low and deep centre of gravity.
So how could they add this forgiveness without sacrificing the super-fast ball speeds which the XR range promises?
Well, we’ve already seen Cobra use space-inspired technology in the King LTD driver and Callaway have turned to a name most people will be familiar with from their family holidays abroad.
The aerodynamics experts at Boeing helped Callaway create an all-new speed-step crown to allow the club head to move through the air more easily.
Working with Boeing allowed us to study the air flow in greater detail than we have ever done before” – Dr Alan Hocknell Dr Alan Hocknell, head of R&D at Callaway Golf, explains: “We realised need to improve our understanding of the air flow over the driver in the downswing so we partnered with Boeing.
“That allowed us to study the air flow in greater detail than we have ever done before.
“As we move the head through the downswing it is changing speed and orientation very rapidly and the air flow is quite complex.
“How to manage the air as it goes over the crown surface and that drag force increases as it comes into impact but the peak drag actually occurs slightly before.
Â
“We want the flow to stay close to the crown for a longer time and if we can create that delayed flow detachment then there is less drag.”
Â
The ball speeds are enhanced further through a lighter and thinner face using Callaway’s R”¢MOTO technology which we’ve seen in their recent metalwood launches.
The XR Pro 16 driver features a slightly more compact 450cc head which will suit the better player but still features the same ball speed and forgiveness qualities as the standard XR 16 driver.
There are also XR16 and and XR Pro 16 fairway woods.
The XR16 fairway woods feature Callaway’s highest MOI and lowest centre of gravity in a fairway wood.
The headshape has a larger footprint for added confidence over the ball but still maintains a light and aerodynamic feel. Callaway’s face cup design results in high ball speeds right across the face.
The XR Pro 16 fairway woods are a more compact shape but maintain the high MOI, ball speed and forgiveness properties of the standard version.
Details
XR16 driver
Lofts: 9Ëš, 10.5Ëš, 13.5Ëš
Stock shaft: Fujikura Speeder Evolution 565 Shaft (Light, Regular, Stiff & X-Stiff)
Available: January 29, 2016
SRP:£289Â
XR Pro 16 driver
Lofts: 9Ëš, 10.5Ëš
Stock shaft: Fujikura Evolution II TS 665 Shaft (Regular, Stiff & X-Stiff)
Available: January 29, 2016
SRP: £329
XR 16 fairway wood
Lofts: 14°, 15°, 17°, 19°, 21°, 23°, 25°
Stock shaft: Fujikura Speeder Evolution 565 FW (Light, Regular, Stiff & X-Stiff)
Available: January 29, 2016
SRP: £189
XR Pro 16 fairway wood
Lofts: 14Ëš, 16Ëš, 18Ëš
Stock shaft: Fujikura Evolution II Tour Spec 765 (Regular, Stiff & X-Stiff)
Available: January 29, 2016
SRP: £199
Review: TaylorMade M2 Tour 3-wood
Equipment: TaylorMade M2 irons review
Equipment: TaylorMade M1 driver video review
James Savage
Former equipment editor of NCG. Inconsistent ball-striker and tea-maker.
