Callaway XR Speed v TaylorMade M4 driver
If you’re in the market for a brand new driver, but don’t want to spend more than £350, there are some great options – and the latest is Callaway’s XR Speed, launched in May 2018.
Callaway’s “jailbreak” technology (two titanium rods attaching the sole to the crown) features in its Rogue and Epic drivers, but the tech is costly to produce, which means those two models are some of the most expensive on the market.
So, in a bid to have a more competitively priced driver on the market, Alan Hocknell, Callaway’s chief of R&D, challenged his design team to create the best non-jailbreak driver they could. And the new XR Speed is the fruit of their labours. Callaway says the new XR Speed is faster and longer than any competitor’s driver it’s tested, even though ball speeds are 1-2mph slower than the Rogue, which launched earlier this year.
To see if the claims stand up, the Uk’s #1 Golf Magazine – Todays’s Golfer, pitted the new XR against TaylorMade’s similarly-priced M4.
HOW THEY DID IT
TG test pro Andy Thorpe hit both Drivers with their standard stock shafts (and 10.5° of loft) on a launch monitor. They wanted to replicate how the majority of golfers who’d buy these drivers would buy straight off the rack. Thanks to Andy’s repeatable swing it ensured an accurate comparison between both models. After all shots were hit, the data was compared to see how each performed.
HOW THE XR SPEED COMPARES TO M4
To hit mass market golfers (and sell in decent numbers), drivers need a combination of a good technology story alongside strong performance and a competitive price (just like the TaylorMade M4 and Ping G400), so the XR scores highly on all fronts.
The XR’s head looks great sat behind the ball, it sounds decent and it comes with a quality Project X HZRDUS shaft.
The data (SEE BELOW) suggested it’s every bit a match for the M4. But while M4 has already won on tour in the hands of Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm, the XR is unlikely to make it into the top players’ hands.
Callaway’s jailbreak tech certainly delivers more ball speed, but we know it becomes more effective as swing speeds increase. Callaway worked out how the R&A and USGA conformity tests are run at relatively low swing speeds.
That means a head can conform at the designated test speed, but perform differently at higher speeds. For average golfers, that should increase the XR Speed’s attractiveness even more, as it’s likely to perform much like a Rogue, but also save you over £100.
The world number 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking, Dustin Johnson is the favourite to win this years’ US Open.
His first US Open win was in 2011 along with another 3 Major’s. He is looking good for this year since winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational
The winner of the 2015 US Open and was third in The Masters 2018.
From being the number 1 golfer in the Official World Golf Ranking, he now falls 2nd behind Dustin Johnson.
His track record for previous US Open’s prove that he has a chance this year, with 5 top 10s in 7 US Open appearances.
Rose is currently 3rd in the world, recently having the chance to become number 1.
The design, detail and quality of the Duca del Cosma range is matched with advanced technology.
Duca del Cosma’s 2018 Men’s and Ladies range is available 
Dustin Johnson. The current World Number 1 has not shown great form of late and his record at The Masters is nothing to be proud of. His best finish to date being T4 in 2016 when Danny Willet won. In his last 22 rounds at Augusta he has only broken 70 once so for me he doesn’t get my vote this year.
Rory McIlroy. Which Rory will turn up? If it’s the one who demolished all comers in the last round at The Arnold Palmer Invitational three weeks ago then the rest may as well not bother to turn up! However you just never know with Rory. His stats for the season so far would not lead one to believe he will prevail. He is 121st in driving accuracy and you certainly need to be in the fairway to score well at Augusta. He is 188th in Greens in regulation too but his pitching game must be hot as he ranks in the top 10 for most elements of putting!
Justin Thomas. He’s the most prolific winner on tour of late so you would have to fancy him in the first Major of the year and his last two rounds at Augusta showed that he may be getting the hang of the golf course and learning how to play it. One suspect area is his inconsistent putting but it didn’t stop Sergio from Winning last year!
Tiger Woods. Can he, can he really? I would say recent showings, yes he can. He is a course expert, his record is incredible even throughout his long barren spell and his short game seems to be a good as it ever was. Watch out field. Tiger’s back, argh!!
Jordan Spieth. Here’s one of my picks. He seems to be returning to form just at the right time and he certainly knows how to play Augusta. 7 rounds under par out of his last 12 rounds including a 64 and two 66’s. If his putting is ‘on’ then he’s going to be hard to beat.
Justin Rose. This player is so consistent at Augusta. He just needs to find his form on the greens and the Green jacket is his. Tee to green he will be number one for that’s for sure.
Bubba Watson. The two time Masters Champion has recently returned to form after a barren 2017. With his power, incredible creativity and record at Augusta he is a firm favourite in my book.
Jason Day. His odds at 16/1 look way too short to me. No form to speak of. He has performed consistently at Augusta over the last few years so he clearly knows how to handle the vagaries of the course but he will need to find some form very quickly if he is to triumph on Sunday.
Phil Mickelson. What will Phil do next? You just never know! His recent win demonstrates that there’s ‘life in the old dog yet’. His driving may be one area to challenge him though as even with his creative genius it’s hard to score unless you are in prime position on most holes at The Masters. One thing’s for sure and that’s that Phil will create excitement, no matter where he finishes.
