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What’s new? How much does it cost? And how does it perform? Jack Backhouse brings you the low down on the new Callaway X Forged Utility Iron
The Callaway X Forged utility iron is Callaway’s answer to a problem all golfers face, how can I hit my long irons better? It looks good, is designed by A.I and is ever so easy to hit. So, how does it perform? Find out in our Callaway X Forged utility iron review.
This is comfortably one of the better driving irons I have tested this year. It is compactly shaped to suit the good player’s eye but has all the technology necessary to work in any standard of player’s golf bag as it’s very easy to launch.
A lot like the Callaway woods available at the moment, the X Forged UT has an A.I. designed face which ensures great distance and speeds from all strike locations
PROS
CONS
The Callaway X Forged utility iron has that same familiar shape that we know so well from previous iterations of their driving iron, but if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? Callaway Golf knows how to build these types of golf clubs, and I’m excited that this is going to work well for me.
I love how this club sits behind the ball; I can’t see the back of it at address which is a big green tick for me, and I am encouraged by the tungsten weight that’s screwed onto the back of head as I know that’s designed to give me more distance and forgiveness.
I have had a Callaway X Forged utility iron before, a couple of years ago, I was given one and it stayed in my bag for ages. I don’t know where it ended up but I often think about how easy to hit it was and how it was one of the few traditional long iron replacement clubs I’ve ever been able to hit high enough to control into a green.
When I requested this to review for the best driving irons article I’ve put together I was excited to think I might be able to get the new version in the bag to give me greater versatility at the top end of my bag.
I ordered the 21-degree head with a graphite shaft. This is a 3-iron replacement club and gaps well with the 4-iron I currently play. I normally tend to lean towards more loft as my tendency is to hit the ball too low and fast, but I couldn’t believe how easy this club was to launch after just one shot.
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Callaway have built the X forged UT utility iron with a forged 1025 mild carbon steel and hollow body construction combined with urethane microspheres on the face to create a pure feel. Although the ball speeds from the face are fast, it still delivers a soft feeling strike which I like.
To add to the club’s performance, Callaway have designed external MIM’d tungsten weighting which allows them to precisely locate the CG position for optimal trajectory and launch. My shots on the range and on the golf course were high and powerful so it feels like Callaway have got this right.
The Callaway X Forged Utility iron has a slightly longer blade length than normal irons, which means strikes from the heel or toe will have more power which is good news for the average player.
It also features a wider sole to help the club move through the turf, be it fairway or semi-rough just giving the player a fraction more margin for error with the strike. This is not just a players iron, or for tour players, Callaway have thought of everyone when designing it.
I’ve only had the club in my possession for a few days, and I’ve already practiced with it, tested it on the launch monitor and hit shots on the course with it. An average 213 carry and 233 yard total is really solid for me and just gives me another 10-15 yards on my 4-iron.
Off of the tee, I’ve had great success drilling it down the fairways and with the course being so brown and firm at the moment, I see a lot more run and total distance out in the real world.
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One particular highlight I’d like for everyone to be aware of is an eagle I made on the 12th hole at Sand Moor golf club in North Leeds. A 240-yard shot off the tee followed by a 280(!) yard 2nd shot, both with the Callaway X Forged Utility iron, to 15 feet and a holed putt. I think this is enough to put it in the bag for the rest of the season.
I do really think that this club could be a great choice for players of all abilities. The loft options are good, it is available in steel shafts or graphite, and the Callaway X Forged UT is just really easy to use. If you are looking for a long iron replacement club, definitely give this a try.
Available: Now
RRP: £199
Right-handed lofts: 18°, 21°, 24°
Featured shafts: Steel or graphite, regular, stiff, x stiff
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