Caley Golf Irons & Driving Iron - 2023 Forum Review

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

sounds like I'll have to wait to receive my trackman data. They need to update their licensing to be able to send it out and they need boss approval 

[RickyBobby_PR]

14 minutes ago, Vegan_Golfer_PNW said:

sounds like I'll have to wait to receive my trackman data. They need to update their licensing to be able to send it out and they need boss approval 

Did you get any verbal details outside of the spin number change?

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

1 minute ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

Did you get any verbal details outside of the spin number change?

Yes. I don't want to bog down this testing page for Caley with my driver data. I will say, my DI was carrying 10-15 yards more than my 4i with lots of roll. Ball speed was also 140 I think.

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

1 hour ago, Vegan_Golfer_PNW said:

Yes. I don't want to bog down this testing page for Caley with my driver data. I will say, my DI was carrying 10-15 yards more than my 4i with lots of roll. Ball speed was also 140 I think.

I was able to get my data in the trackman app but no report. This is me taking the raw data and getting it into table form. The 4i and Di all had one shot ignored and the 7w had 4 ignored. These are the averages of the 5 ideal kinds of shots in each situation.

4i loft is 22*, Di from Caley site is 18*, 7w (callaway UW) is 21*. From my gapping session in June, these numbers are quite similar for the 4i and slightly lower for the 7w. I call this a fair comparison. The Caley was awesome in energy transfer with only two instances of the Smash being below 1.4. Outside of the left miss, which is more my swing and partially the light weight of the shaft, this club performed well, getting close to even what my 7w does. I should also note, most of the 7w were hook central, mainly with my face being too closed to path if you look at the numbers.

 

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

Another nine yesterday. Learning I really need to focus on hitting closer to the heel, otherwise I get toey and it is low hooks. Hot solidly from the turf today. I have an 18 with a buddy tomorrow. Will use it but not like I have for testing. Tomorrow I am trying to play my best golf. When planning the course there are three holes I for sure will use it off the tee. Let’s just hope I have the confidence to use it. This club is lovely and most these issues are on me and not the club itself for a DTC DI it holds up well. Still haven’t seen an updated price on their website. had a nice tee shot over water on a par three. Hit the back of the green but of course didn’t hold. 
 

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

Took the DI out for 18 today. Used it twice off the tee and a few times off turf. Was hooky off the tee (but most my clubs were today). Off the turf hit a stinger that set me up for birdie on a par 5. On another hole was trying to punch out but didn’t hit my tight window. Hit the following shot and got it to good wedge position. This club is gonna stay in the bag for sure. Gives me a low bullet option when in trouble and with a better total weight likely will make it more useful. 

[GolfSpy SAM]

Played another 18 on Friday - best front 7 of my g-d life - birdie looks on nearly every hole, was +1 because of a terrible "I know how to read this 4 footer without actually reading it" and biffed it for bogey.  But unbelievably solid, and the irons are just point and shoot for me, which is pretty incredible. I'll say again the feeling through the turf is like nothing I've ever experienced, and if I'd have JUST gone by the hitting-off-mat experience, I'm not sure I would "buy" them (or literally any player's distance iron for that matter) as it's become my favorite thing about them. Without hitting off of grass, I don't know how I've ever made a decision about a club before (obvs. excepting driver/fw wood).  I also had to hit multiple shots into a SEVERE head-wind (rando wind storm popped up from holes 8 through 14, where 4 of the 6 played INTO wind), and hit an absolutely flushed 6 iron into a 145-yard green that landed just off the back edge - it was pretty cool to be able to flight it down and still feel in full control.

I also was able to hit the DI three times, and holy shit I SMOKED two of them, absolutely perfect, small fade, setting me up for good looks into the green.  The third I got a little lazy on and sliced it into a trap that led to a bit of a meltdown, but I in no way blame the club.  I do have to remind myself to go easy, as if I at all think of it like an iron, I tend to attack a bit too hard.  

Just spent a 1/2 hour cleaning the clubs after hitting them into my home net set-up, and man...they're just SO pretty

Very, very pleased so far.  Taking them out again Friday, and at this point, I can't imagine not bagging these at the end of the review period.  

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

15 minutes ago, GolfSpy SAM said:

also was able to hit the DI three times, and holy s*** I SMOKED two of them, absolutely perfect, small fade, setting me up for good looks into the green.  The third I got a little lazy on and sliced it into a trap that led to a bit of a meltdown, but I in no way blame the club.  I do have to remind myself to go easy, as if I at all think of it like an iron, I tend to attack a bit too hard.  

Glad you like it. That thing is hot!!  Pair it with the right shaft and it will be awesome 

[KC Golf]

6 hours ago, chisag said:

 

... LOL, you big baby pampered CC players. That is a "fairway" on most muni's. That said it doesn't take away from the excellent shot by you and the performance of the T100.  


 

 

I have to agree there.  You need to see what real rough looks like. Like so penal that you are just punching it back into the fairway.  

But I’m sure the T100s will do great on that shot too!

[sirchunksalot]

I was just scrolling through Facebook and saw this:

I just wanted to also let you know you guys are doing a great job. 

[sirchunksalot]

3 minutes ago, sirchunksalot said:

I was just scrolling through Facebook and saw this:

I just wanted to also let you know you guys are doing a great job. 

Edit: @GolfSpy SAM I see it has been posted already about this, but I did copy the link to the ad if you haven't seen it on their site. https://fb.watch/mTbXWPDdT6/?mibextid=9R9pXO

[GolfSpy SAM]

3 minutes ago, sirchunksalot said:

Edit: @GolfSpy SAM I see it has been posted already about this, but I did copy the link to the ad if you haven't seen it on their site. https://fb.watch/mTbXWPDdT6/?mibextid=9R9pXO

Lol - love it! Thanks, Jason! 

[sirchunksalot]

Just now, GolfSpy SAM said:

Lol - love it! Thanks, Jason! 

You're welcome! I know it hits different when to see it in an ad. You've made the unboxing video that sets a high bar. 

[Shrek74]

13 minutes ago, sirchunksalot said:

Edit: @GolfSpy SAM I see it has been posted already about this, but I did copy the link to the ad if you haven't seen it on their site. https://fb.watch/mTbXWPDdT6/?mibextid=9R9pXO

I saw him for the first time on Instagram over the weekend. Still all over my FB feed.

"He's here! He's there! He's every f'ing where! GolfSpy SAAAAAM! GolfSpy SAAAAM!" 

[GolfSpy SAM]

19 minutes ago, Shrek74 said:

I saw him for the first time on Instagram over the weekend. Still all over my FB feed.

"He's here! He's there! He's every f'ing where! GolfSpy SAAAAAM! GolfSpy SAAAAM!" 

[rkj427]

58 minutes ago, GolfSpy SAM said:

Lol - love it! Thanks, Jason! 

@GolfSpy SAM Matt, are you going to donate the royalties to @chisag so Sam can keep the lights on in the Afterhours Saloon? 

 

I watched your video initially a while ago, and thought it was great, and May be a benchmark for MGS going forward.

[Shlax]

Third week update

The Caley 01CB irons are still in the bag, of course, and their performance never ceases to amaze me. I've played a few very good rounds with them lately and hit some of my most memorable shots of the past seasons!

The plan for the next 2 or 3 rounds is to put my Srixon Z785s back in the bag to see how it goes and verify if my memories about playing these irons are correct.

Since receiving the Caley 01CBs, I've played 8 rounds and a 9-hole so, for this week's update, let's look at some numbers!

Handicap

So far during the testing period, my handicap has dropped from 9.2 to 8.6 and is at the lowest that it has ever been! Let's see if I can successfully keep it around 8 or 9 until the end of the season.

Par Performance and Scoring Average

The arrival of the Caley 01CB irons coincided with a period where I was incorporating important changes to my swing. I indeed shallowed my swing drastically and started playing a draw instead of a cut. As a result, my driver game improved significantly as demonstrated by my lower scoring average on PAR 4s and 5s.

I am suprised that my PAR 3 scoring average slightly increased given that the irons perform remarkebly and that these holes are where I usually feel most confident. My guess is that the break-in period or one particular bad round had a significant impact on the statistics given the relatively small numbers of rounds.

The numbers also indicate that I improved my scoring performance since the start of testing the Caley 01CBs. Most importantly, the birdie rate has slightly increased while the double bogey or worse rate has decreased.

Once again, it's difficult to pinpoint the exact impact that the irons had to do with this while the improvement of my driving game (and associated drastic reduction in penalty strokes incurred off the tee) most definitely had a positive impact. All I can say is that the Caley 01CBs are everything that I expect from clubs that I would choose to buy on my own and play with. They definitely had a postitive impact on my overall performance.

Globally, I can say that my par performance and scoring average improved since testing the Caley 01CBs.

Distance

I mentioned a few times already that they are steadily 5-6 yds longer than my gamers. Well, the data from my Garmin Approach S60 watch does corroborate this observation and moreover, it seems to indicate that they are much longer than what I thought. They seem to be closer to 10-15 yds longer. Of course, shallowing my swing and playing a draw instead of a cut most definitely had a positive impact on distance.

I must admit that I am a bit surprised at the average distances with the Srixon Z785s as they are a bit shorter than what I play on the course, especially the 4 and 5 irons, but it is what it is I guess.

Once again, an improvement in this area of my game can be noted since starting testing the Caley 01CBs.

Path forward

As mentioned in the beginning of this post, I plan on playing a few rounds with the Srixon Z785s to close the loop with my comparison of both sets of forged cavity backs players' irons. Eventually, I will rent a Trackman to get some good data comparing numbers between both sets and finally tie the loop.

I think that the final review will follow my next update closely. Stay tuned folks!

Edited September 11, 2023 by Shlax
Tables and typos

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

Played a short course today and used the DI on 4 holes (1 long par 3 and the 3 par 4s). SG from the round was a poor -1.32. Granted I brought my new swing feel to the course today, which didn't likely work well with it. I think it due time it will be fine. I will say, the snap hooks were gone with this new feel. Ball contact was just poor. (for reference my distance average was down 40 yards because I was mis-hitting.)

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

Had a range session today and took the Caley out to try to get it to function with my new arm structure. I finally got it and ended up hitting some slight hooks to some baby draws. Even hit a towering baby draw with it from the turf, which I have never seen before yet in the testing.

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

Final Review is up!

[GolfSpy SAM]

Just a quick update for this journey with the Caley's.  Most of you won't know this, but my goal for this year was to break 80.  I broke 90 for the first time last year, and the combination of lessons and hard work was leading to a LOT of mid-80 rounds.  I've been working really hard to improve my iron-play, as my putting has been pretty consistent, and my driver's either hot or cold, but I can take that one out of the bag if it's misbehaving Can't really do that with my irons. 

I had three rounds in a row with an 87, but in all three, it felt like I was THISSSS close to doing something special.  A couple of bad shots off the tee, a few bad approaches leaving me WAY too long a par putt, etc.  

Well, this past Friday, I shot 78.  FIVE birdies - not "net birdies," mind you. Actual, full-on, birdies.  Granted, my putter was on fire (made over 100' of birdie putts, which is just silly), but I genuinely believe it was my iron play that made all the difference.  I just kept giving myself EXCELLENT looks for birdie/par.  I managed to "escape" from any trouble I put myself in off the tee.  But there's just something about the Caley's - I know I've talked about their turf interaction being magic to me before - but they just inspire such confidence over the ball that I'm GOING to hit it crispy, that I just ... do. 

My ONLY "bad" shot with the Caley's was on the 17th tee, into a VERY stiff wind, playing 178.  Normally, this would be an easy 6 iron for me, but I was worried the wind would be an issue, so I went with the 5-iron, to ensure I didn't leave it short. Lol. Not a problem - I absolutely PURED it, with some draw spin (shocking, I know), and it bounced (pin high) off a sprinkler head and into the abyss/desert cacti 20 yards past the green. I mean...clearly, I hit it TOO well (lol), but that feels like a mean, mean thing to have happen.  Ended up doubling the hole, which hurt, but...all-in-all, it was hard to be too mad at it.  

Anyway, I couldn't be more pleased with the set.  I find that I hardly EVER use the 4-iron, as I never used it in my old set (like, at all), and instead am opting for the 3-iron D.I. off the tee, which is becoming one of my very favorite clubs on a short 4 or a tight fairway.  I've used it a few times off the deck if the lie is good, but I still feel more comfortable with a 5-wood off the deck in comparison, but the flight off the tee with the 3-iron is just SO much more preferred (low, penetrating, not balloon-like at all, especially in comparison to my 5-wood).  

 

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

Now that my final review is out, I can state my not so secret shaft swap. I won a kbs PGH shaft and decided to install it in the Caley.

Also of interest was the dart shaft after being pulled. On the tip was a brass plug, I presume for swing weighting purposes.

 

I was able to take it for a spin Saturday and it did not disappoint. Distance was lower due to using a Kirkland vs my z star diamond but the consistency was there. Two solid drives and a solid turf strike. Blended in seamlessly with my irons. A real game changer for this DI. 
 

[sirchunksalot]

3 hours ago, Vegan_Golfer_PNW said:

Now that my final review is out, I can state my not so secret shaft swap. I won a kbs PGH shaft and decided to install it in the Caley.

Also of interest was the dart shaft after being pulled. On the tip was a brass plug, I presume for swing weighting purposes.

 

I was able to take it for a spin Saturday and it did not disappoint. Distance was lower due to using a Kirkland vs my z star diamond but the consistency was there. Two solid drives and a solid turf strike. Blended in seamlessly with my irons. A real game changer for this DI. 
 

I'm glad to hear you like the new shaft! It looks good on the club and seems like you're getting along well with it.

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

34 minutes ago, sirchunksalot said:

I'm glad to hear you like the new shaft! It looks good on the club and seems like you're getting along well with it.

thanks. I think it also helps showcase the forgiveness of the Caley. Instead of being on the extreme ends of the face or having a swing that doesn't suite the shaft, it is now clearly different spots on the head and how is that speed or spin retained on strikes

 

[Shlax]

Folks, it is finally time to put an end to the testing period.

The final review is up!

I hope that some of the insights shared in this review will be useful to anyone considering Caley irons in the future.

 

[StrokerAce]

Got the Rick Shiels seal of approval!

 

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

Had a hole I was 205 out on yesterday and pulled the DI to try and run it up. Forgot from turf this club tends to leak right so my aim was off (didn’t wanna hook it into the driving range. Still , hit a beauty that was “pin high”. I am actually thankful it clipped some branches as it might have rolled to the clubhouse. 

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

Used the DI a couple times today from the turf. One memorable one was my last hole. Wanted to hit something low to get back across one fairway and back onto mine. I hit it full and flush and this thing just launched high. Nipped a tree branch and fell. Had it not, I likely woulda only been ~60 yards out. It just went. 

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

Just wanted to put this here if our experiences weren't good enough for you. Fair warning, Ian struggled with the PW contact. I would take his commentary with that context.

 

 

Edited October 26, 2023 by Vegan_Golfer_PNW

[Shlax]

Unfortunately, I can't edit my official testing post anymore.

But with the end of the season imminent in my area and some more rounds under my belt with the Caley 01CB irons, I wanted to further add to my impressions and share the positive impact that these clubs had on my game.

For those that haven't read the official review post yet, spoiler alert, I decided to keep the Caley 01CBs in the bag and remplace my once beloved Srixon Z785s. This means a lot considering that I probably had a negative bias when it came to unknown/emerging brands prior to testing and I simply wouldn't let myself admit it. I was one of those guys who thought "Well, how good can these clubs really be when they only cost 30-40% of the price that some OEMs charge for their forged irons?". Truth be told, they are amazing!

With quality and performance being the primary aspects that I look for in a set of irons, I am perfectly satisfied with the Caley 01CBs. The fact that these clubs currently retail for $589 only further blows my mind when considering feel and looks also. Moreover, two weeks ago, I had to opportunity to mess around the fitting bay at my local golf store and got to hit a bunch of irons from OEMs: The Caley 01CBs' stats had nothing to be shy about in comparison to those of iron sets three times more expensive!

Following the final review, I had two stints where I put the Srixon Z785s back in the bag with the objective to fully convince myself that I had to "let them go" and process my grief.

• The first stint was four rounds long during which I did not hit my distances nor was able to manage ball flight as easily than with the Caley 01CBs. In the bag the Caley 01CBs returned.
• The second stint lasted 1.5 round. Indeed, the second round I played during that stint was on a windy day and I couldn't hit a green to save my life. I went back to my car at the turn and put the Caley 01CBs back in the bag for the back nine and proceeded to shoot a very decent round amidst difficult playing conditions. It was the final nail in the coffin of my Srixon Z785s.

In summary, not only has this testing opportunity made me discover the world of DTC clubs manufacturers and provided me with tools that made me enjoy the game even more, but if my review can help someone decide on whether to buy a set of Caley 01CBs or not, I'lll be very happy!

I'll leave you with a video presenting three 4-iron shots and a 9-iron shot from a mid-October range session. 

Cheers,

 

Edited October 31, 2023 by Shlax
Video