Home

CALLAWAY FUSION FT-i

Callaway Golf has revealed that its staff players Phil Mickelson and Michael Campbell, are testing the new Fusion FT-i square headed driver, with a view to putting it in their bags for 2007.

The club was unveiled at the recent trade shows in Sweden and Germany and received outstanding reviews.  Pre-orders have seen an unprecedented level from retailers trying to get their supply when they hit the market next year.

Dr Alan Hocknell, a spokesperson for Callaway's design team had the answers to the questions that everyone is asking:

Where did the idea for a square driver come from?

The first time we discussed a square driver was in 2001 during a brainstorming session where we were thinking up ways to produce the ultimate performance driver based purely on physics.  At that time we weren't thinking about a real driver, just the most efficient design.

What makes a square shaped driver better than a traditional rounded head?

What ususally happens when a shot is miss-hit or not precisely struck from the centre of the clubface is that the club twists, resulting in the ball flying off-line.  However, the square shape of the FT-i allowed us to create extreme weighting in the corners of the clubhead, outside the weighting zone of a traditional driver, which reduced the amount the club rotated around its centre of gravity.  Essentially, we have optimised how the club reacts to hitting shots anywhere on the face so it naturally wants to hit straight shots, which is great news for the average golfer.

Why is the FT-i made of different materials?

We have known for some time that carbon is the future of driver design because there are some things you can do with carbon that you can't do with titanium.  By using a lightweight carbon composite for the FT-i's body (carbon is significantly lighter than titanium), we created discretionary weight that could then be precisely positioned to enhance the club's performance.  It also allowed us to create the OptiFit weightings to generate the draw, neutral and fade shot bias.  Combined with the titanium cup face, the golfer will benefit from increased ball speed on shots all over the face.

Is the FT-i legal?  The Rules of Golf say club heads must be 'generally plain in shape.'

Yes it is.  We discussed our ideas with the ruling bodies at a very early stage and made our plans clear.  That included showing them sketches and models of what we were designing.  Any designs with a flat surface on the rear of the head were rejected because they could have been used as another striking surface.

Will Tour professionals be using the FT-i?

There is a Tour version, aimed at better players.  Phil Mickelson, who I work closely with, has already tested the club.  We will be working together on an equipment strategy for each of next year's Majors.

Phil used two drivers to win the Masters in April.  Is there any chance he or other players might use the FT-i for straight drives and a traditional shaped driver for shaping tee shots?

Clearly, it's a possibility and Phil has shown how you can use two drivers for different shots.  The FT-i is great for long-carrying, straight drives, but there may be an advantage to carrying a driver for a specific shape of shot, too. 

Callaway Fusion FTi

FTi 'reduces miss-hits'

On the face of it - the shape of things to come

QLINK PENDANTS

Qlink Pendants were launched in 2001 and are now worn by over 350 Tour professionals worldwide, recording over 120 victories.

Whether or not you believe all the scientists with their theories on molecules and atoms interacting with your body's chemistry, it undoubtedly does work on some people.

EGTF Staff Instructor, Bill Abbott says: "I have been wearing one since January 2006 and I have noticed a marked difference when playing on the golf course.  I certainly don't get as stressed over the ball these days and my decision making is improving all the time as I seem more focussed.

Qlink's ideas come from quantum physics technology and if you read their explanation of the science behind it, you will probably be as baffled as me!  But I can honestly say that it has helped me tremendously and I am always sceptical about these things."

So if you are feeling stressed on the course or have a lack of energy when playing, give Qlink a try, you never know, it might help you.