Callaway X Hot Pro
On test: 10 of the latest irons for the better player. Results were close but one club emerges as winner
Brand: Callaway
Player iron: X Hot Pro
RRP: £699 Best price: £489
Loft: 27-degree Lie: 61.5-degree Length: 37.5”
Shaft: True Temper Project X 95 Flighted Grip: Callaway
Summary: The X Hot Pro combines an explosive blend of power, feel and pinpoint shot-making. This re-engineered stainless steel iron features new J-Face Dynamics - a face technology that combines precise face thickness control and undercut depth to deliver the power and feel that skilled golfers prefer. It has also been designed with Callaway’s 20-degree Close Spaced V Grooves to aid backspin.
Appearance: I was a big fan of the original X Hot and therefore the Pro version was never going to disappoint. Clean, compact head with decent looking medium-thick topline. There’s perhaps a little too much offset than I’d like for a player iron but the clubhead frames the ball beautifully. The non-glare finish is also a nice touch. They will look great in the bag. 9
Feel: Just like the original X Hot, the Pro version delivers a smashing sensation on full swings but a muted feel at low speeds. The club felt slightly heavier than some of the other irons in this test, but again, very stable through impact. 8
Performance: As expected, this iron was one of the longest in the test due to its dialed down 27-degree of loft. I found it quite hard to get the ball airborne at times but the narrow V dispersion pattern more than made amends. Workability was moderate with my preferred draw much easier than a fade. In between the cavity and back end, there is a big groove that encouraged a spring-like effect. 9
Verdict: Just like the original X Hot, the Pro version is an extremely powerful iron. This iron is a good option for the player seeking additional length with a trampoline effect to ball striking. Equally, there is enough forgiveness to get excited about and an ability to move the ball both ways. 26
Pro Verdict: Very good looking club when plucking it out the bag but I don’t like it much at address because the top of the shank presents quite a curved offset and I would like to see that much straighter. In terms of performance, however, it’s hard to fault. It flies off the face as expected and it’s nicely weighted. There is plenty of weight in the bottom of club and that helped me to get the ball airborne.
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