| Callaway FTiQ Driver Review "Uses the latest technology found in Stealth Bombers and Formula One Racing Cars" Yeah, Right! The sales-pitch is hilarious. The price is a bit of a joke too. And this is a very funny looking golf club. Is the FTiQ a comedy of errors - or will Callaway have the last laugh? Using more than 100 volunteers - golfers of all ages and all standards - we put the Callaway FTiQ through its paces. |
DISTANCE = 7 out of 10
The "Stealth" technology used int Callaway FTiQ definitely makes it
lighter - but does it make it longer? Actually - Yes and No.
The slower swingers in our test-squad achieved slightly more
club-head speed due to the lightness of this driver - and this
translated into extra yards.
But the faster, and more powerful swingers found it hard to
generate any real power. They felt that the club-head was too light,
and that there was "nothing to swing".
Overall, distance-wise, the FTiQ is disappointing.
FORGIVENESS = 9 out of 10
By the latest standards, the face of the FTiQ is surprisingly small.
This reduces player confidence. However, off-centre hits flew very
well. They were accurate and they lost very little distance.
Most of our testers found the FTiQ as forgiving as they needed.
Overall, forgiveness was impressive.
ACCURACY = 8.5 out of 10
Most of our testers achieved excellent results in terms of accuracy.
Hitting it straight proved very easy for most high-handicap golfers.
But our low handicappers and pros seriously disliked the way it
sits at address - it looks and feels very closed to better players.
Overall - the FTiQ is an accurate driver.
The "Stealth" technology used int Callaway FTiQ definitely makes it
lighter - but does it make it longer? Actually - Yes and No.
The slower swingers in our test-squad achieved slightly more
club-head speed due to the lightness of this driver - and this
translated into extra yards.
But the faster, and more powerful swingers found it hard to
generate any real power. They felt that the club-head was too light,
and that there was "nothing to swing".
Overall, distance-wise, the FTiQ is disappointing.
FORGIVENESS = 9 out of 10
By the latest standards, the face of the FTiQ is surprisingly small.
This reduces player confidence. However, off-centre hits flew very
well. They were accurate and they lost very little distance.
Most of our testers found the FTiQ as forgiving as they needed.
Overall, forgiveness was impressive.
ACCURACY = 8.5 out of 10
Most of our testers achieved excellent results in terms of accuracy.
Hitting it straight proved very easy for most high-handicap golfers.
But our low handicappers and pros seriously disliked the way it
sits at address - it looks and feels very closed to better players.
Overall - the FTiQ is an accurate driver.
BUILD QUALITY = 9.5 out of 10
Like all Callaway golf clubs, the FTiQ is beautifully made.
The materials are top-notch, and the finish is pretty near perfect.
DURABILITY 8 out of 10
Admittedly, our test clubs take a beating. But the FTiQ did scuff-up quite a bit.
The stunning black base was scratched and quite dull by the end of out tests.
Like all Callaway golf clubs, the FTiQ is beautifully made.
The materials are top-notch, and the finish is pretty near perfect.
DURABILITY 8 out of 10
Admittedly, our test clubs take a beating. But the FTiQ did scuff-up quite a bit.
The stunning black base was scratched and quite dull by the end of out tests.
LOOKS = 6 out of 10
The finish of the Callaway FTiQ is stunning - but the shape is weird. Many of our
testers said that they would feel somewhat embarrassed to have it in their bag.
VALUE FOR MONEY = 4 out of 10
The Callaway FTiQ is a nice club. But it is not as good as many other drivers on
today's market - and in the opinion of our testers - it is massively over-priced.
The finish of the Callaway FTiQ is stunning - but the shape is weird. Many of our
testers said that they would feel somewhat embarrassed to have it in their bag.
VALUE FOR MONEY = 4 out of 10
The Callaway FTiQ is a nice club. But it is not as good as many other drivers on
today's market - and in the opinion of our testers - it is massively over-priced.
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OUR VERDICT The Callaway FTiQ is a nice driver - but not nice enough to make our Top Ten Premium Drivers - and way over-priced. We feel that this is an example of using technology for technology's sake - with no real benefit for golfers. The "Stealth" thing may sound impressive - but if it doesn't improve the product, it is a waste of time and money. We also don't know who this driver is really for. The good golfers in our team seriously disliked it. The mid-handicappers mostly achieved better results with their own drivers. And the higher handicappers felt that it didn't inspire enough confidence. FINAL WORD Ignore the sales-pitch - there are better drivers on today's market for far less money. |
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