Why is the Callaway FT5 Driver soooo gooood?

[evoviiiyou]

So over the past few years, I have spent thousands on driver's and shaft combos all listed with S flex shafts. These are but not limited to: Callaway FT3/DVS shaft, Cleveland Monster XLS/Grafalloy Pro-launch Blue, Taylor Made Burner/NVS shaft, Adams 9032LS/Pro-launch Blue, Nike SQ 5900/Fuji E250, and my last gamer a MacGregor MacTec NVG2 Draw/Epic shaft. Out of all of those, I felt that the Mactec provided the best ball flight and distance on a consistent basis. I have always had a good driving game and have arrived to where I need a 3 things in terms of feed back or criteria from my driver like many of us.

 

(1)Sound is important

I like a nice thwack sound, maybe something between the Nike SQ 5900, which was way two pingy loud and the FT3 which was way to muted or insulated in terms of sound.

 

(2)Feel of ball off the face

Does the driver face feel solid or like a tin can? I like the feel of the Adams 9032LS, which felt very solid and did not care much for the NVG2, which felt like the face was going to collapse when struck purely.

 

(3)Ball flight

Of course head plays an important role here, as does shaft and most importantly swing. I have found that with most modern drivers today they are all pretty much going to get the ball out there. What gets me is how high or low the ball flies as I like a medium to high trajectory with my 100mph or so swing speed with driver.

 

Particular swings matched to different components (shafts, grips, head, and balls), there are so many variables that can be overlooked and never discovered do to the costs of experimentation. I mean we all have spent hundreds on equipment and gone out with the new stick or sticks having a great initial experience. We may love the new weapon and it meets all of the criteria that I have listed above, but I have always wondered if there is a club/shaft combo out there that is even better than what I have?? Which leads me to purchasing the FT5 Driver 10* Neutral with the IMix configuration. It came with a Fujikura Speeder 586 shaft that I purchased in R flex. After, hitting a few buckets with this at the golf dome here in Ohio, I feel that I am as close as I have ever been to owning a driver that I LOVE the sound and feel of the ball off the face. The FT5 meets 2 of my 3 criteria (Sound and Feel) and if I do not like the ball flight on the range (which I cannot see right now as the dome is 100 yards maybe) or course then a few minutes and the turn of a wrench, I am back in business with the IMix set up. Sorry for the rant, just thought if you fellow golfers are in a similar situation with driver, that the IMix set up is a great option. The best thing is the price I paid $65 with a matching head cover!

 

The only negatives I see from the Imix setup is if you prefer to have a driver shaft that is longer than 45". It seems that the vast majority of the shafts available on the market for IMix play to 45".

[heisagoalie]

Glad you found something good. Ever thought about just getting a fitting with the Callaway fitting cart? I had a revolving driver door, but I was never really satisfied until I went to a PING fitting day, spent a long time with the launch monitor, and bought exact same setup brand new. Yeah, it was more than a $75 dollar driver, but the peace of mind and performance is worth it.

[tembolo1284]

[quote name='heisagoalie' timestamp='1293120475' post='2855853']
Glad you found something good. Ever thought about just getting a fitting with the Callaway fitting cart? I had a revolving driver door, but I was never really satisfied until I went to a PING fitting day, spent a long time with the launch monitor, and bought exact same setup brand new. Yeah, it was more than a $75 dollar driver, but the peace of mind and performance is worth it.
[/quote]

Agree here, you should go get fitted.

[evoviiiyou]

[quote name='tembolo1284' timestamp='1293120739' post='2855861']
[quote name='heisagoalie' timestamp='1293120475' post='2855853']
Glad you found something good. Ever thought about just getting a fitting with the Callaway fitting cart? I had a revolving driver door, but I was never really satisfied until I went to a PING fitting day, spent a long time with the launch monitor, and bought exact same setup brand new. Yeah, it was more than a $75 dollar driver, but the peace of mind and performance is worth it.
[/quote]
Thanks for your respoonse and agreed on the fitting sessions! I have done many fitting sessions at Golf Tech, Golf Galaxy, and Golf Smith which led me to my purchases. Agreed this fitting process is a must to get into the neighborhood of what is needed to maximize performance. After that is achieved then what do we do...thats where I was. I guess the price I posted as just a benefit...certainly would spend no limit on the PERFECT driver!

Agree here, you should go get fitted.
[/quote]
Certainly agree and have many times. My post was made post numerous fitting sessions. Sorry I should have been more clear about that in my OP.

[golfstud]

I know, I love the FT-5!! It's forgiving, and I'm able to shape shots well. I tried the FT-9 for a while. Also demoed the FT Tour and g-15. They were all good, but nothing seemed better than my FT-5 Imix. I have a few different shafts for different courses and conditions (although I usually use the stock fujikura).

I'm wondering if the new Razr Hawk might be better. It looks pretty similar with a longer shaft and maybe a little lighter. Its a bummer they're getting rid of Imix, though.

[evoviiiyou]

[quote name='golfstud' timestamp='1293162487' post='2856808']
I know, I love the FT-5!! It's forgiving, and I'm able to shape shots well. I tried the FT-9 for a while. Also demoed the FT Tour and g-15. They were all good, but nothing seemed better than my FT-5 Imix. I have a few different shafts for different courses and conditions (although I usually use the stock fujikura).

I'm wondering if the new Razr Hawk might be better. It looks pretty similar with a longer shaft and maybe a little lighter. Its a bummer they're getting rid of Imix, though.
[/quote]

I did hit a FT9 and it did not sound or feel like the FT5. I like your idea about changing shafts for different courses.

I wonder why Callaway is dumping the IMix...it seems like a wonderful solution so far.

[BlkNGld]

[quote name='evoviiiyou' timestamp='1293165156' post='2856862']
I wonder why Callaway is dumping the IMix...it seems like a wonderful solution so far.
[/quote]

It's a wonderful solution to a problem that doesn't thrill many retailers. They'd much rather sell you a new club, or at least a new shaft and grip (and the installation services). That's one reason not many carry the imix stuff.

Of course the amount Callaway charges doesn't help. The head itself costs as much as the glued club, and shafts fitted with the iMix are pretty pricey too.

Finally, in this area, they've been passed by the competition that in addition to the shaft changing capability can offer lie/loft/face angle customization. Someone that wants to tweak shafts is likely to want that too. And those guys aren't doing it at the same price point as Callaway's glued stuff.