On 2004-04-13, Paul Shaw rated this Callaway Pro Series a 5...(3356)
Purchase: I bought my irons (3-PW) at Dale's Winning Edge for $699. I was wanting to move up from my Arnold Palmer phD set of irons, hoping my game would improve a bit.
Pros: The irons have a fluid, solid feel, and appear to be easy to maintain on-plane during the swing. I have used them a couple of times on a fairly difficult course, and a few hours at the driving range.
My score, after the intial outing, was better than I have ever done on that course, despite my relative unfamiliarity with the irons. At the end of the day, I had scored about 10-strokes better than my best, ever, on that course. Probably half those shots were attributed to the new Pro Series irons.
If my iron shots don't go straight, they tend to draw. After one mis-hit of the Pro Series 4-iron, I noticed that the ball mark was on the toe of the clubface. Still, the ball drew back on line, leaving me in front of the green. Had it not been mis-hit, I might have been on the green. Still, the hole was able to be salvaged. Previously, mis-hits with my longer irons wound up in the opposite fairway, or into the deep woods.
My favorite is the 46-degree wedge, which feels as though I'm "hitting through oil." It is smooth, smooth, smooth! I don't think a person could have a bad shot with that club. Its balance and heft are pleasing to feel, and the loft it gives is visual poetry to behold. My custom-fitted Woods blade wedge is going to have to do something fantastic, mighty quickly, to maintain its place in my bag.
The clubs hit about as long as my old Palmer set, but the consistency of each shot, so far, has been much more to my liking.
Cons: There is nothing to dislike about this set of irons. I was inclined to complain about the price, but changed my mind. The price of $699 is steep, when compared to some other brands, but the other brands aren't Callaways. These are high-quality clubs. As the saying goes, "You get what you pay for, and you pay for what you get."
Quality: The corded grips were unfamiliar to me. I've had a variety of grips, but never this type. These are not soft, cushy-feeling grips. However, after hitting a couple of balls, I never thought about the grips, again. They appear to be fine grips, but are just not what I am used to seeing. They were comfortable, and my hands didn't slip. That's all I ask for in a grip.
The steel shafts, and heads are finely finished. One minor detail: The back side of some of the heads have a rather sharp edge where the inset is; I'll be careful when cleaning them. I'd have buffed that spot down, if I had been making them.
They look good in the bag, and when addressed at the start of a shot.
The top profile is not as thick as the X-16 series, or the Callaway Hawk Eyes, but is thicker than the Palmers and the older Wilson Staff blades I also own. After playing a round, I ceased to notice it.
Callaway Pro Series irons are finely built clubs, overall.
Review Summary: I can't wait to get back out on the course and use these clubs. The initial outing proved to be better than I'd expected.
The confidence inspired by more consistent iron shots will, hopefully, tend to make the rest of my game better.
I took a chance on these clubs, relying on Callaway's reputation, many questions of those who already own a set, and an afternoon on the practice mat. Actual course play was yet to be determined.
On the course, I didn't have to "get used to" the clubs at all; they played like old friends. Old friends whose intent is to help my game.
I like them.
On 2004-04-11, George rated this Callaway Pro Series a 5...(3336)
Purchase: I traded in a used set of Callaway VFT irons with stiff graphite shafts for a set of X-16 Pro series with regular sensicore steel shafts. Even swap and I have not regreted it.
Pros: The X-16's allow me to shape shots easier, have a lower flight profile and great stopping ability. Helps greatly in the Texas wind.
Cons: None, but it took some adjustment time to go from the Callaway VFT'S which are very easy to hit to the X-16's. I lost about 10-15 yards in distance initially but have gained all but about 5 yards back and accuracy has improved.
Quality: Quality and construction are excellent and Callaway serice is out standing. Easy to look at and gives you a degree of confidence. More so than Ping or others.
Review Summary: If you shoot in the mid 80's and reach a point where you need to shape your shots the x-16 pro series is the iron to consider if you want to improve.
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