Callaway FT-9 Driver Review
Overview/Technology-
Callaway keeps coming with new big dogs, this one is the Callaway FT-9 and it probably is gaining the most praise amongst the ardent golfers.
Nobody does it better then Callaway using multiple materials and this one is no exception. The carbon fiber composite frame is a full 7% longer than its predecessor, FT-5 and uses 6 materials to literally push the CG low and deep. The cupface is titanium with an internal X pattern design to drastically improve off center hits... otherwise known as misses (your buddies of course:).
The big push by Callaway for the FT-9 is the ability to shape your shots, "the shot makers return" is the blurb in the commercial, fade, draw or anything in between. Of course it's nice to have Phil Mickelson be your spokesman when promoting creativity. What's behind it? The Hyperbolic Face Technology where ball speeds are purported to dramatically increase across the entire face generated more distance. Coupled with the Fusion Technology that creates maximum perimeter weighting and you have a very high tech driver waiting for action.
Callaway FT-9 Spec Sheet-
FT-9
| 9º | 58.0º | RH Only |
| 10º | 58.0º | RH / LH |
| 11º | 58.0º | RH / LH |
| 13 HTº | 58.0º | RH Only |
FT-9 Tour
| 8.5º | 58.0º | RH Only |
| 9.5º | 58.0º | RH / LH |
| 10.5º | 58.0º | RH Only |
Actual Player Feedback-
"it comes off the face very hot and the trajectory was excellent"
"The FT-9 definitely gives a more boring ball flight"
"Great feel. Not too busy"
Pros/Positives-
Like I mentioned, nobody combines materials better than Callaway. Their R&D is second to none and they prove it year after year. I really like the fact they are using the Fujikura ZCom Six as their stock shaft. This is an unbelievable shaft, very smooth, lightweight and a higher torque reading makes this a long but controllable shaft. BTW, unlike the Diablo, this driver is part of the OptiFit system, a nice perk.
Cons/Negatives-
Not many being it's so new. The only thing I could uncover is the 13 loft has weight configurations that may cause for the golfer opting for such a high lofted driver.
Overall/Rating-
The Callaway FT-9 looks like another clear-cut winner for Callaway. It's still very early in the game, but early indications are it will fare well. Phil Mickelson had high praise for the driver even after shooting high numbers at a recent tournament. It's definitely worth checking out this year at the Demo days...
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The first FT9 suffered a cracked head after ten hits. Callaway sent me another, and after a dozen or so hits I noticed my balls were losing distance. Checking out the head I noticed a very small hairline crack, again where the seam meets.
According to the retailer, I am the first and only customer with problems. Any thoughts from anyone out there?
Had no problems with mine. I love it.
I have not had a single problem. Love the sound and the setup. The ball really jumps off this face.
I Could Work the ball left and right very well. Ball bounces and rolls 35- 60yrds even though it has a nice high flight. I like it. Way better than the r-9 triangle shaped ufo taylormade has.
Mine cracked as well. after about 15 swings it started making a loud noise, i look down at it and noticed it was split right down the seam and had a bigger spider web looking crack at the top. im very dissapointed.
I agree with you 100% Dustin. I couldnt believe Callaway told me i was the only one with this issue. it happened to one of my friends as well. I think it has something to do with the type of material they use for the head. either way, i wish the best of luck to you and hope everything works out with getting it replaced!
The driver is great, when it’s not broken. Longer and straighter than most. Mine is a 10 degree, neutral regular shaft. I will be returning it for a replacement driver as soon as I return from holidays. The head separated on the first one and I just lost the the heel weight on the replacement. Golftown was great. They replaced the first one immediately. I understand that the head separation is a common problem.
i,m the 3rd. i got mine a month ago ,and had the shaft changed ,because itwas to week ,played it 3 rounds i teed it up on the first tee at eagle ridge golf club last week and it blew up ,seperated from the seam. icalled callaway ,and they said thers nothing they could do about it because i had the shaft changed, and they didnt change it ,how many thousands of people in this country alone have had there shafts changed in there driver and send it back to the factory. they offered me a new head for 250.00,i told them no thanks ,im already out 469.00 plus tax,im going to taylor made.
I just had the same experience with the cracked/split in the seam (8.5*, Neutral). I’ve had it for about 2 months now. I thought the club was awesome until that happened. I’m getting the same story (so far) as the previous poster regarding the club being out of warranty due to a shaft change. I really don’t want to lose the shaft, but if the clubhead is not replaced, I’ll go with another brand (unless I can get my hands on one of the new FT-9 TA’s).
The club splitting shouldn’t happen. Sounds like a real problem.
just got a wilson spine 10.5 with stiff v2 shaft ,does just what i want it to do, cost my 80.00 plus shipping, i,ve hit about 20 times thats about 5 times more thani hit the ft9 before it blew apart,i,m a 8 handicap, the spine is a great stick , iwouldnt have thought for a minute it would hit that well,callaway can keep there overpriced sticks .
Xeno and All,
The reason Xeno got a FT-9 and not a FT-5 is because the post was from 2009. Callaway stands behind their products like the other big ones- TaylorMade, Cleveland, etc.
Callaway wasn’t manufacturing the FT-5 in 2009, so Callaway replaced the FT-5 with the FT-9.
I had the same thing happen with a TaylorMade driver…many have defects. However, these companies stand behind their product. IF they aren’t manufacturing your club, they will give you the current. Even if it’s 2-3 years, these companies will replace for their reputation.
AND THAT’S WHY I BUY FROM THESE COMPANIES!
Callaway, TaylorMade, Cleveland, Titleist, etc….THANK YOU FOR STANDING BEHIND YOUR PRODUCT!!!
Also, for those that alter the club- I don’t feel bad for you. If this were a car,etc, you voided their warranty procedures. How do they know that someone else didn’t hurt the club. IN other words, let the person who re-shafted pay for it. Also, re-gripping is different than re-shafting.
Finally, it’s 2011 now. I went to my local Golf Discount Superstore, which has plenty of shafts to choose from and a skilled person re-shafting and re-gripping clubs, and asked to put another shaft in my FT-9. He said okay, but said there is a 50/50 chance he can do it on the FT-9. He said that’s why Callaway came out with the I-mix….too many people can’t change the shafts on the FT-9 w/o screwing it up…he was honest- 50/50 shot and wouldn’t guarantee anything. Said no thank you.
….you are not the only one….. I purchased the FT5 almost 2 years ago. The head also shattered just last month…then…. i sent it in thru GolfTown, they gave me a FT9 instead! I was really excited because now, FT5—>FT9 is like a 250 dollars upgrade! However….the FT5 had a really explosive sound that I liked, while the FT9 sounds like a dud on contact…boring…. and i dont really find it longer. Now Im worried this FT9 is also gonna crack down on me one day > . <
Anyone else like the aggresive sound the FT5 makes more than the boring FT9 ? Because really…the distance is pretty much the same.
I got the FT9 ten days ago. Discovered the crack at the seam after hitting about 50 balls at the driving range this morning. Managed to get a 1 to 1 exchanged from the retailer. Not sure whether the second driver can last that long since there is a history of such problems. Lets see how it goes from here.
I just purchased my new FT-9 driver. In the begining I hit it good and straight, but not very long. I added an inch to my shaft and Wow, what a difference. Thiss driver is definitely one of the best callaway has made. It is more stabled on impact and is very long off the tee, once you get fitted correctly. It is a great driver… Go get one…..
Xeno golfer: You are right, the FT5 sounds much nicer at impact, I got my 5 replaced by Callaway with a 9 and I have not been able to hit it. After reading all these posts about cracks, I’m going to check mine because I remember a funny sound the first time I hit it. I found an FT5 on Ebay and bought it and have renewed confidence off the tee. With the 9 I was just leaving it in the bag and hitting 3 wood.
Hi got a FT9 as a present from my wife I was scared to try it but not dissapointed it is so forgiving and it gave me so much distance, I think Callaway will be my future clubs