Goldenhawk

.350 bore. You'll need an adaptor to insert a .335.

A local golf store has sets of the Callaway Big Bertha Titanium Irons, selling for $499.99. The irons have a titanium face inserts and cavity backs. They claim the irons are Japan spec, and were the precursors to the Big Bertha Fusions. They said that the Big Bertha Titanium Irons were released back in 2004. First, has anyone heard or played these before? For $499.99, they are a bargain since they originally sold for $1,000.00. Second, the store salesman said that since they are Japan spec, they are not legal and do not meet USGA restrictions. Does this mean the irons have a C.O.R. of greater that .830? But then again, how would someone know I have these in the bag. Since I plan on buying a set, any information will help. Thanks.

Callaway had a demo day at a local golf store yesterday and had a Vector Launch Monitor set up. They gave me the opportunity to try the FT-3 Draw (10 degree with stock stiff Aldila NVS shaft) against my Cleveland Comp (10.5 with Grafalloy Prolaunch S shaft). The FT-3 was nice. Really light. Wierd noise. Doesn't sound as good as the bang you get when hitting the 454. The LM said I can hit a ball 230 to 235 yards. No comparison though, the Cleveland is longer. The LM said I hit the ball 245 to 250. The sales staff told me that Callaway has priced the FT-3 at $500.00. The actual cost may be around $425.00. Hmm........The Cleveland and Cobra Comp drivers are cheaper and probably longer.

I thought the .830 COR Rule was just changed to 257 Characteristic Time. It's the amount of milliseconds a ball can stay on the driver's face. Is it possible that a driver with a COR higher than .830 can meet the 257 CT requirement? I suspect that the Callaway 454 meets 257 CT but has a COR higher than .830.

Annika used to play the X-Tours, but the Callaway website says Annika plays the X-18s.

The T-60's are great. I carried a T-40 5-wood before. The T-60's have a nice pop when they are hit flush. I found it easier to get the ball up in the air with the T-60s. On a good day, I'll hit balls off the ground from the tee box with the T-60 3-wood. The Callaway Fusions are really great. Very large sweet spot. A lot lighter than the Mizuno MX-23's I had before them. The Fusions are lighter than the X-18s, and I found that my swing speed is a little faster with them. What made me switch initially is that a launch monitor indicated that I hit the Fusions about a club longer than my MX-23s.

Driver: 10.0 degree Callaway 454 with Grafalloy Prolauch Blue S shaft. Back-up Driver: 10.0 Degree Ping G2 with Grafalloy Prolaunch Blue S shaft. I actually found that the Callaway 454 hits farther than the Ping G2 by about 10 to 15 yards. The Ping G2 is more forgiving and keeps me in the fairways on bad days. The rest of the bag: 3-wood: Nike Ignite T-60 wth stock Fukikura S shaft. 5-wood: Nike Ignite T-60 wth stock Fukikura S shaft. 3-PW: Callaway Fusion Irons with stock Nippon Steel 990 Uniflex shafts. 52, 56, 58, 60 wedges: Cleveland CG10 Black Pearl, all low bounce. Having so many allows me to switch around. Lately it it's been a 52 and a 58. Putter: Nike T-100, 33 inches. Back-up Putter: Odyssey 2-ball Blade, 33 inches. Balls: Nike One Gold.