Callaway has lead the driver field with new technology ever since they came out with the Big Bertha. The designers and engineers from Callaway really pushed the envelope on this new driver. The shape of this driver, square, is extremely unconventional.

I tried the Neutral version of this driver for 5 rounds and a bunch of buckets at the driving range and at the simulator. I found it to hit the ball very nicely, it actually looks good once you get past its square shape. It sounds a little flat compared to more conventional drivers, it doesnt have the sharp ping or loud echo like most Callaway's. I did notice more accuracy but I found it to be about 10-15 yards shorter than my other drivers.

One complaint I have heard a lot about this club is that it is very hard to shape shots with it. I am not trying to shape shots with my driver, honestly I am just trying to hit it down the middle as far as I possibly can. There aren't many holes on courses where you need to shape a shot with a driver. Most people know whether they hook, slice, or hit it down the middle, and adjust their swings and use their natural shape on the course.

Why: The reason they designed this driver was to straighten out drives and give golfers more accuracy. This is a little bit different step then most companies take, the usual of course, being distance off the tee. Designers from BMW actually helped the Callaway staff with the design of the club head. They have been testing out the design for about 6 years.

Specs: The head is the full maxed out 460 cubic centimeters allowed by the United States Golf Association. To me it doesn't look as large as other 460 cc clubs because it sits a lot lower to the ground. It is assembled with a Fujikura Speeder 586 or 686 shaft. They are made with a 9, 10, 11, and 13 degree face.

By using light weight Carbon Composite, lighter than titanium, the designers can put the weight of the head wherever they want, which happens to be the corners of the club head, which raises the moment of inertia, MOI. This helps keep the club head from twisting horizontally and vertically. It makes the sweet spot a lot larger then most conventional clubs. Extra weight is also located in the heel, to help square the face at impact. This means that shots that are hit away from the centre of the clubface still go straight.

They offer three different models of the FT-i, Neutral, Draw, and Fade. The Draw head changes the center of gravity to help the golfer fight a slice. The Fade head changes the center of gravity to help the golfer fight a hook.

Price: This club retails for about $500. If you are looking for a bargain, just wait a couple of months and all of the golfers with horrible swings who bought it thinking it was a magical club will find out that it is not truly magical, and they will sell it for much less than retail. Only problem with this is the club head will most likely have some moon shot marks on the top of the club head.

Here are some quotes from some very trusted golfers about the FT-i:

Ive played golf almost 60 years and this is the best driver I've ever had in my life.
Gary Player, Member, PGA Golf Hall of Fame

It's going to make a big difference to pros and an even bigger difference to amateurs.
Nick Dougherty, PGA European Tour Professional

WOW! Nice driver! It's very easy to aim and hit. And it's solid...really solid.
Johnny Miller, NBC Golf Analyst

It looks good and I've been playing it ever since I got mine. I'm not hitting the ball as far as I would like these days and am always looking for some magic. I think I found some with this club and am definitely hitting the ball longer than I've been.
Arnold Palmer, Member, PGA Golf Hall of Fame

Check out my other Golf reviews:
Callaway FT-5, Long Distance"

Titliest Pro-V1, Best of the Field, Best in the Field

Callaway X 20 Irons, Get better Clubs, Get Better!

Samoset Golf Course

Recommended: Yes