Callaway's new distance products

Callaway's HX Tour ball.

Length seems to be everything in the modern game and Callaway aims to make a big impact with two new products – the HX Tour ball and ERC Fusion driver.

The three-piece ball will challenge the current domnation of the Titleist Pro V1 models, while the driver will come in two versions – one which conforms to USGA regulations and the ERC Fusion Plus, a ‘hot-face’ model aimed at the UK, Irish and European golfer.

Tested by Tour pros around the world in recent weeks, HX Tour ball has already won events in the hands of Annika Sorenstam and Jim Thorpe.

Says Callaway chief Ron Drapeau: "You don’t need to have a 120-mph swing speed to get great results from this ball. The technology built into it has benefits to golfers of all skill levels."

Like its HX Blue and Red predecessors, the HX Tour ball features the HEX aerodynamic web pattern rather than traditional dimples which the makers claim creates a strong trajectory with greater distance, even in the wind.

A price per sleeve for European customers has yet to be announced but expect it to be around £11.

Callaway ERC Fusion driver.

The ERC Fusion driver, says Callaway, features radical new Fusion technology for ‘explosive performance off the tee’ with a forged titanium ‘cup-face’ and a lightweight carbon composite body.

"We believe club is the most technologically advanced driver ever made," says Drapeau. "It’s unlike any other driver in the world. There are metal woods that use both titanium and composite materials, but none of them integrates the full benefits of both."

The cup-face construction claims to make the clubface stronger in key, high-stress areas for greater strength and is tuned to create that powerful and distinctive metallic sound at impact.

The 11- and 12-degree models have more weight positioned in the heel and with a slightly closed face angle to help higher-handicappers square the clubface at impact and to reduce slicing.

Eight, nine and ten-degree models have internal weighting more evenly spread to help golfers produce a straighter, more repeatable ball flight, while 7.5-, 8.5-, 9.5- and 10.5-degree drivers have more weight toward toe to help better players with higher swing speeds shape their shots.

The Fusion+ driver that exceeds 0.830 COR limits has an even hotter titanium face. Both models will be available in Europe in December and will cost £449 (Euro 649).