Callaway XR16 Driver

[fixyurdivot]

Callaway teams with Boeing to speed up XR16 drivers | This is the Loop | Golf Digest

This partnership was creating lots of buzz around the office and coffee stations but I was in the throes of finishing up my 30 year career and our pending move from WA to MT... golf was virtually non-existent at that time for me.  Still, I did pick up some bits and pieces of what was going on, read a couple of articles (maybe this one?), and thought perhaps this should be my next equipment upgrade...  for nostalgia if nothing else.  That didn't happen and I instead picked up a used Callaway Razr-Fit as my upgrade from the GBB.  Then, in 2018, I joined MGS and was selected to test the G410P - which has been my gamer since.

This morning, I stumbled into an article that included the "XR-16" and got to wondering whatever did happen with this product launch?  Was it successful?  Did the XR-16 find its way into lots of bags? Was this mostly a clever marketing scheme by Callaway... "the driver that changed the driver" . As with most golf equipment related questions, one needs venture too deep into the weeds to get the scoop, the low-down, the skinny, the truth digest...

Based on the MGS reviews, this driver was barely average and only made it into 2 of the 4 testers bags. The full market reviews seem much better with the driver averaging 4.5/5 stars. Is this a good example of the skewed ranking by folks who just dropped $400+ on a new driver and don't want to admit it was a poor investment? 

Did anyone else game the XR16? Anyone still playing it?  With a decent shaft attached, these appear to still be fetching the better part of a $150 bill.  I kind of feel like I'm obligated to at least test one .

[Granata13]

I loved the XR16 Pro fairway woods, it was one of my all time favorites!  However, if I remember correctly the driver was really spinny, I did a driver fit at the time and think I hit only 1 or 2 before the fitter took it out of my hands

[MadMex]

You asked for it,,,,,,,,

 

I bought the XR-16 6 months after its release, prior to it I had tried no less than 6 drivers, PING, Titleist, Callaway,,, once late night I came upon a XR-16 on the bay, white tie regular shaft, oversized grip, 45”, problem, something on the add was spelled wrong so it did not get many hits, got it for $135.

Took my PING G-30 out of the bag and off to the course I went, prior to this club, only way I could get the ball UP was with a couple of viagras ,,,,, after a quick warm up, out it comes, teed it up and took a swing, very pleasing sound, carry was about 230-240 (my swing is 93 mph + or - 3. I’ll make the story short, I can hit it high or low at will, can also pump a 290-300 yard drive, based JUST on about two rounds, I stoped at the air base course, saw that they had a 3 and a 5 wood, with military discount , I got a great deal. Have tried against Callaways offering, but it is just not there, nor am willing to paym$499 plus for 1 or 2 yards.
 

Have hit a 250+ drive with my 3 wood (with the wind and firm fairway) the 5 wood is great from light rough,,,, already looking for replacements, just in case.

[fixyurdivot]

4 hours ago, MadMex said:

You asked for it,,,,,,,,

 

I bought the XR-16 6 months after its release, prior to it I had tried no less than 6 drivers, PING, Titleist, Callaway,,, once late night I came upon a XR-16 on the bay, white tie regular shaft, oversized grip, 45”, problem, something on the add was spelled wrong so it did not get many hits, got it for $135.

Took my PING G-30 out of the bag and off to the course I went, prior to this club, only way I could get the ball UP was with a couple of viagras ,,,,, after a quick warm up, out it comes, teed it up and took a swing, very pleasing sound, carry was about 230-240 (my swing is 93 mph + or - 3. I’ll make the story short, I can hit it high or low at will, can also pump a 290-300 yard drive, based JUST on about two rounds, I stoped at the air base course, saw that they had a 3 and a 5 wood, with military discount , I got a great deal. Have tried against Callaways offering, but it is just not there, nor am willing to paym$499 plus for 1 or 2 yards.
 

Have hit a 250+ drive with my 3 wood (with the wind and firm fairway) the 5 wood is great from light rough,,,, already looking for replacements, just in case.

Also a member of Boeing's Technical Fellowship, I knew of Jeff Crouch but not personally. Aero guy's were in their own tight orbit. Word had it that one of our VP's was a close friend of Alan Hocknell from Callaway.  Based on what I've subsequently read, most of the focus, and Boeing's influence, was on the crown and leading edge - resulting in the final designs "step feature". 

Trying to squeeze out gains on the right side of the decimal point on aircraft surfaces has a multiplier effect... one wouldn't think so on a 450cc driver yet they still work at it. It's pretty cool to see the level of science going into the products of today.  Could be wrong but I doubt the folks at McGregor did wind tunnel testing on the 945W.