Callaway Epic Flash & Epic Flash SZ Driver Thread

[null]

https://mygolfspy.com/2019-callaway-epic-flash-epic-flash-subzero-driver/

Please use this thread for all discussion, impressions and reviews of these clubs

 

[null]

MGS article is up with link in first post.

Here is a excerpt on price and availability

Quote

PRICING, SPECS, AND AVAILABILITY

Filed under Don’t Say We Didn’t Warn You, the Callaway Epic Flash and Epic Flash Sub Zero drivers retail for $529.99. Fully customized UDesign models will set you back $600.

The Standard Epic Flash is available in lofts of 9°, 10.5°, and 12°. The Sub Zero is available in 9° and 10.5°.

Stock shafts include a new green Project X EvenFlow, Project X HZRDUS Smoke, and Mitsubishi Tensei AV. I don’t want to dwell on it too much, but I’d be remiss not to point out that the first one isn’t currently listed on the PX website. You likely won’t find it sold by aftermarket custom fitters (or anyone else this side of eBay). My hunch (and that’s all it is) is that it’s likely similar to the EvenFlow Max Carry. Callaway loves to have things no one else does, but at $529, I’m hard-pressed to find any justification for having an “exclusive” shaft in the lineup. Just my 2-cents.

 

[null]

After reading the article one thing is certain: Callaway does a hell of a job of telling a really great marketing story.

Callaway's marketing story sounds like something narrated by Neil deGrasse Tyson while TMags sounds like it's being pitched by the late Billy Mays 

[bardle]

This is an interesting backstory for sure, Everyone is using AI now to do everything, it was inevitable that it would the golf industry eventually, The most telling and hilarious part of the story to me is this: 

Quote

WHEN WE FIRST SAW THAT WE WERE A LITTLE WORRIED THAT WE DIDN’T KNOW WHAT ROLE EACH NEW PART OF THAT FACE DESIGN PLAYED IN THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF THE FACE. WE DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO TOUCH AND WHAT TO DO TO MAKE IT DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.”

So their engineers went home that day realizing they had been replaced by a computer who can do 100x the designs and iterations that they can? Just such a weird and interesting story, I don't even know what to say. I'll be interested to hear if the reviews match the marketing, but the concept is absolutely where the industry needs to go to get some fresh approaches and concepts. I sure won't be paying 550 dollars for 2mph of ball speed max on my "Perfect" shots...

[chisag]

... I often poke fun of those that say they won't play a club because of what is on the sole or in the cavity. As long as you don't see it at address, I just don't see what difference it makes IF it performs. But ... but ... but as a lifelong Bears fan, I just don't think I can play a Green Bay Packers driver. What the he!! was Callaway thinking? I jest of course but dam this is one ugly looking green and gold club and all it needs to be even more hedious is a long blond haired Clay Mathews head cover. 

Edited January 4, 2019 by chisag

[null]

1 minute ago, chisag said:

... I often poke fun of those that say they won't play a club because of what is on the sole or in the cavity. As long as you don't see it at address, I just don't see what difference it makes IF it performs. But ... but ... but as a lifelong Bears fan, I just don't think I can play a Green Bay Packers driver. What the he!! was Callaway thinking? I jest of course but dam this is one ugly looking green and golf club and all it needs to be even more hedious is a long blond haired Clay Mathews head cover. 

You could always drop $600 on a udesign model in custom Navy and Orange

[JohnSmalls]

10 minutes ago, jlukes said:

You could always drop $600 on a udesign model in custom Navy and Orange

With a Clay Matthews headcover to boot.

[Shankster]

Sorry, but all I can think of is the comic book. Can’t take this one seriously. I’m sure it’s a great product, but they need someone to come up with some better names.

 

Flash...

 

 

[PMookie]

There are 2 companies whose drivers I’ve used most often: Ping and Callaway. It took quite a bit to beat the Epic SZ with Hzrdus black 75X I had, and it’s going to take even more to get the Ping G400 Max our of my bag, but I’ve always loved Callaway drivers, and I’ll give this one a solid try at Club Champion in the Spring, along with all other drivers coming out.

 

A friend at Callaway was pretty honest in saying not everyone has seen gains with the new one, and with Tony’s write-up saying 1.5-2mph of ball speed, I can see why. I like the colors, and as usual, I like the crown. Accuracy, or “downrange dispersion” is really going to matter in the fitting as the Max is getting more fairways than ever. I look forward to trying this one.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Sorry, but all I can think of is the comic book. Can’t take this one seriously. I’m sure it’s a great product, but they need someone to come up with some better names.

 

Flash...

 

 

(Music playing....)”Ah-AHHHH! FLASH!”

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[chisag]

7 minutes ago, PMookie said:

A friend at Callaway was pretty honest in saying not everyone has seen gains with the new one, and with Tony’s write-up saying 1.5-2mph of ball speed, I can see why. I like the colors, and as usual, I like the crown. Accuracy, or “downrange dispersion” is really going to matter in the fitting as the Max is getting more fairways than ever. I look forward to trying this one.

 

... You are dead to me PMookie. 

[null]

Spoiler alert:  Rick Shiels and Mark Crossfield did not see an increase in balls speeds.

[bardle]

4 minutes ago, jlukes said:

Spoiler alert:  Rick Shiels and Mark Crossfield did not see an increase in balls speeds.

I watched rick shiels, I thought he did get 1.5-2mph over the rogue, but only 2 extra yards of distance...Did I hear that wrong? 

[null]

Just now, bardle said:

I watched rick shiels, I thought he did get 1.5-2mph over the rogue, but only 2 extra yards of distance...Did I hear that wrong? 

With the SZ I think he got more yardage but just about the same ball speed.  He got an increase in yardage because of high launch (14.3) and low spin (1900)

[bardle]

9 minutes ago, jlukes said:

With the SZ I think he got more yardage but just about the same ball speed.  He got an increase in yardage because of high launch (14.3) and low spin (1900)

Here's the screenie from his video...comparing ball speed from the SZ Flash to SZ Rogue. It only resulted in a whopping 2 yard increase, but at least their claims of increased ball speed hold true...even if it doesnt actually do anything for distance...

EDIT: I'm not trying to be argumentative, I went back and looked for a sanity check because I had just watched the video. Just making sure I hadn't lost my mind quite yet. 

[GB13]

53 minutes ago, bardle said:

Here's the screenie from his video...comparing ball speed from the SZ Flash to SZ Rogue. It only resulted in a whopping 2 yard increase, but at least their claims of increased ball speed hold true...even if it doesnt actually do anything for distance...

EDIT: I'm not trying to be argumentative, I went back and looked for a sanity check because I had just watched the video. Just making sure I hadn't lost my mind quite yet. 

So much for "Flash Face and AI technology!" Is the tech story cool? Yes, and I'll try it out, but I don't have particularly high hopes for it. I really don't see this winning many LM battles. Frankly, I'm more excited over their putters than over any of the other releases. I really hope PING brings it with their release, because right now, I'm mainly looking at the F9. 

Edited January 4, 2019 by GB13

[MattF]

I don't care that it's got the best sporting team colours in the world (Australian green and gold), I'm still not going to pony up over $500 when I can get a new G400 for $400.

[PMookie]

Here's the screenie from his video...comparing ball speed from the SZ Flash to SZ Rogue. It only resulted in a whopping 2 yard increase, but at least their claims of increased ball speed hold true...even if it doesnt actually do anything for distance...
EDIT: I'm not trying to be argumentative, I went back and looked for a sanity check because I had just watched the video. Just making sure I hadn't lost my mind quite yet. 

He did say he got more speed, then he said it was in the upper end... Also said not the highest he’s ever seen....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[null]

4 minutes ago, PMookie said:

He did say he got more speed, then he said it was in the upper end... Also said not the highest he’s ever seen....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Yup. His graphic indicates his average ball speed is just about in the middle. 

[Golfspy_CG2]

6 hours ago, chisag said:

... I often poke fun of those that say they won't play a club because of what is on the sole or in the cavity. As long as you don't see it at address, I just don't see what difference it makes IF it performs. But ... but ... but as a lifelong Bears fan, I just don't think I can play a Green Bay Packers driver. What the he!! was Callaway thinking? I jest of course but dam this is one ugly looking green and gold club and all it needs to be even more hedious is a long blond haired Clay Mathews head cover. 

Maybe the Sean Toulon--a Wisconsin native--is starting to roll over not just at Odyssey but into Callaway as well.   He can be a pretty persuasive guy!!  I've got a Toulon Garage Indy sitting in my cart right now 

[TBT]

A good friend of mine was at the launch, he said he picked up about 3 mph in speed


Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

[GC70]

I’m hoping to get to my fitter this week!


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[EthanSterlingPrice]

... I often poke fun of those that say they won't play a club because of what is on the sole or in the cavity. As long as you don't see it at address, I just don't see what difference it makes IF it performs. But ... but ... but as a lifelong Bears fan, I just don't think I can play a Green Bay Packers driver. What the he!! was Callaway thinking? I jest of course but dam this is one ugly looking green and gold club and all it needs to be even more hedious is a long blond haired Clay Mathews head cover. 

See as a Texas A&M Aggie I’m looking at Baylor bears so I feel you on this lol



In the bag
Driver: Callaway Rogue Subzero 9.5 Stiff flex
3 wood: Callaway Rogue Subzero 15 degree
Hybrids: 17 degree titleist 816 h2
Irons: Ben Hogan Ptx 22-46 degree (4-pw)stiff flex standard lie
Wedges: Callaway Mac Daddy 4 50,54,58 degrees
Putter: Odyssey EXO seven

Gig’em Aggies!

[Jmikecpa]

So after a week with the Epic Flash SZ here are my thoughts.  I have picked up negligible ball speed compared to my Epic SZ on good strikes.  Now high toe and the Flash SZ is a cannon and puts out high launch low spin bombs, even more than the Epic SZ.  On the dispersion side the Flash SZ is a bit straighter than the Epic SZ, but a lot more workable.  I am able to turn over the Flash SZ much easier than the Epic SZ and still able to hit the cut fairway finder on command.  There seems to be a bit less fade bias in the Flash SZ as compared to the Epic SZ.  Overall I think it is a solid club but as I have said several times, it is not $600 better than what I had in the bag.

For comparison both heads were 9* heads with the same AD TP6x shaft.  The Epic SZ was set to N/S with the heavy weight back.  The Flash SZ was set N/S with the sliding weight slightly to a fade bias.

 

[romeopapazulu]

... I often poke fun of those that say they won't play a club because of what is on the sole or in the cavity. As long as you don't see it at address, I just don't see what difference it makes IF it performs. But ... but ... but as a lifelong Bears fan, I just don't think I can play a Green Bay Packers driver. What the he!! was Callaway thinking? I jest of course but dam this is one ugly looking green and gold club and all it needs to be even more hedious is a long blond haired Clay Mathews head cover. 

I was wondering if someone else would say this.
I don’t think I will get beyond scowling at the Callaway fitting cart, much less picking one up.
I can’t really think of a more polarizing color scheme. And I don’t know of many people that are indifferent to the Packers. You either hate them or are part of their obnoxious fan base.
Yes, I just went there. I have maintained friendships with plenty of folks that are Packers fans. So this is not the kind of hate that is so prevalent today that ruins friendships the second people find out who their friend voted for. Just the kind that will make me smile and say “no thanks” when someone offers to let me hit a Flash.


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[Kor.A.Door]

2 of my least favorite team colors on 1 club. GB P.ckers, and Notre Dumb. I agree, don’t think I can use this unless I were to put some different paint on the bottom. Maybe Honolulu Blue and Silver. 

[erinehart]

Having tested the new Sub Zero at around 9.5* with the Tensei stiff at 65 grams. I’m pleasantly surprised at the feel and distance I got. The Edge and Rogue Sub Zero offerings felt to light and dull to me. This new club had “pop” that I didn’t experience in the previous two models. I’ll recommend it to my students and the players I do fittings for. Don’t get me wrong, my TS2 is staying in my bag, but it is a nice option for players looking for a new driver. 

[PMookie]

I just completed my driver fitting at Miles of Golf in Michigan. I tried the F9, PXG Gen2, Ping G410, the TS3, Epic Flash, and Epic Flash SZ. The winner was the.......................

Epic Flash SZ!

I had said in an earlier post that the only way I switch my driver was if I saw ball speed gains, AND kept my dispersion the same, with no missed shots diving left. Well, the Epic Flash SZ beat my G400 Max by 3 mph more ball speed, AND the dispersion shows no misses left, and the last FOUR balls missing the center line my a TOTAL of 6 feet... Silly. Straight, and long. Ball speeds averaged 169, and I hit 171 once, so there wasn’t much drop-off on mishits.

Shaft was the Graphite Design AD-IZ 7X, and it felt great! We had to keep tweaking things to keep the ball speed, but get spin over 2000. This shaft was the answer. Great feeling shaft, perfect spin, and tight dispersion.

It all came down to the TS3 and the Epic Flash, with the Epic Flash beating the TS3 significantly in dispersion. Ball speed was a mile-and-half less average with the TS3.

I’m shocked. I knew the SZ would see some distance, but to have the accuracy stick-out like that, it was really eye-opening. I hit out of a bay, doors open, onto the snow covered range. The bay was heated so it wasn’t super cold (24* outside). He even had me hit real balls, Chrome Soft, just to make sure spin was actual. The bay was about 65*, or so, so to see ball speeds hit 170 mph, and it’s not summertime, and really warm, really has me stoked. Wow.

Epic Flash SZ. Totally nuts!



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[null]

I think it's about time we got a "PMookie's Weekly Fitting" thread

[Shankster]

I think it's about time we got a "PMookie's Weekly Fitting" thread

We could add that in the same category as Shanksters “squirrel” thread.

And by that I mean when I see something shiny and new my mind wanders like a... well you get the point.

[PMookie]

I think it's about time we got a "PMookie's Weekly Fitting" thread

I’ll probably do one more before I buy one. HAHAHA! I


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro