Callaway Golf Company today announced its X Hot and X Hot Pro Irons. Long-renowned for its best-selling and accurate irons, Callaway’s award-winning Research and Development department set out to deliver measurable distance gains with these two new, aggressive irons. Available to golfers on January 25, 2013, the X Hot and X Hot Pro Irons have distinctly different technologies that fuel distance and complete performance for both amateur and professional golfers.
In its pursuit of distance gains, Callaway incorporated a Deep Undercut CavityDesign and its powerful Speed Frame™ Face Technology to strike a balance of high ball speeds and great feel. The deep undercut design allowed Callaway to precisely position the Center of Gravity (CG) and move the most compliant part of the face – the hottest part – lower, where more golfers make contact with the ball. Callaway also, for the first time, incorporated Speed Frame Face Technology from its drivers into the X Hot Irons. Doing so optimizes stiffness across the face for more efficient energy transfer. This produces more ballspeed and consistent distance, even on off-center contact. Relative to its predecessor, player testing resulted in an increase in ball speed and distance gains through the set.
“The X Hot Irons have been meticulously engineered – both in terms of physical characteristics and club configuration – to increase ball speed and promote overall distance optimization,” said Dr. Alan Hocknell, SVP, Research & Development, Callaway Golf. “And in doing so I think we have raised the bar and created the standard in distance for the irons category. Golfers will very much enjoy the results.”
Rounding out the X Hot Irons is the Feel Management Technology, a dual material medallion that fine tunes sound by promoting a crisp, dynamic feel at higher ball speeds. The stock shaft offering is a True Temper Speed Step 85 Lightweight Steel Shaft.
The X Hot Pro Irons have been designed for a more discerning golfer with 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.
The X Hot Pro Irons also feature Callaway’s 20-degree Close Spaced V Grooves, which are typically reserved for forged player irons, but have been included in the X Hot Pro Irons to offer up to 1000rpm more backspin out of the rough (in comparison to its predecessor). These are Callaway’s most precise grooves, delivering optimum performance in an iron for better players.
Also announced today are the X Hot and X Hot Pro Hybrids designed by Callaway to complement the new distance-promoting irons. These long, high-performing hybrids apply a thin Speed Frame Face for significantly higher CT and faster ball speeds. Both X Hot Hybrids also introduce a modern Warbird sole plate relieved in the heel and toe for enhanced versatility from a variety of lies. The club shape allows for the distance and forgiveness of a fairway wood with the accuracy and control of an iron, providing a fast and long complement to the X Hot Irons and a great replacement for long irons. Both models are available with a Project X Velocity stock shaft.
The standard X Hot Hybrid will be available in a 3, 4, 5 and 6. The X Hot Pro model, which features asmaller footprint often preferred by better players, will be available in 16-, 18-, 20- and 23-degree models.
The new product introduction price for the X Hot Irons is $699 with steel shafts and $899 with graphite shafts. For the X Hot Pro Iron, the new product introduction price is $799 with steel shafts and $999 with graphite shafts. Both models of the X Hot Hybrids will be available for a new product introduction price of $179.
Click here to see pictures in the THP Forum
very nice. Was a fan of the Razr X irons when they came out in 2011. These have some upgraded looks and I like the sounds of the technology they have incorporated.
Can’t wait to see and hear the feedback on these irons!
I like the looks of these irons but the name isn’t doing them any justice IMHO.
There sexy
I would think these should compete well with the RocketBladez. More spin from the rough, like the sounds of that. Hybrids all the way to 6 definitely sounds good to me as well.
Man, all of the new offerings for next year are getting me very excited. These are very nice looking and I know they will be well received. Going to be fun to try them out.
Nice looking set of irons for sure. Can never turn down distance gains with irons!
Callaway has honest to goodness got me more intrigued than ANY other OEM out there right now. I have GOT to hit all of this stuff when it releases.
new hotness!
these look sick
I cant wait to hit these. They look awesome. I fear for my wallet that my bag is about to go all Callaway.
Sounds like another set of impressive releases from Callaway. I look forward to seeing them in person and taking them for a test drive.
I’m interested to see some more in hand pics and feedback on the x-hot pro, the RAZR X Tour irons were very popular and I want to see how Callaway builds on that.
Solid introduction to the line Josh, thanks! While these particular irons don’t appeal directly to me like Callaway’s X Forged, I do look forward to hitting them!
I think they look pretty good, the pro version looks clean and sleek.
These look beautiful! I would definitely love to try them out and see what Callaway has created. Any chance of letting THP users test them?
Really looking forward to Callaway’s 2013 line, will certainly keep an eye out for the feedback on these!
Very interesting sets of irons, I will have to demo these as I really liked the Razr x irons.
Sweet. Although this furthers my argument that Callaway is turning in to TM with the distance claims. Hopefully I don’t have to hate them like I do TM.
Those are sassy! I like the ref and black. The slight difference in look between the xhot and pro version isn’t too drastic.
man am i stoked to be a callaway staffer this year. they look good i think i’m gonna have some tough decisions to make this next year.
I like these a lot. I’m a Callaway homer, but I am being reasonably objective here.
I can not wait to swing these cubs. Everything that I have seen and read to date has me on full tilt. The lofts are similar to what I am playing now with a light weight shaft, I am expecting some serious distance. I don’t think we will be disappointed.
I currently play the Razr X HL irons and I am a huge fan of these irons. I love the look of the X Hot irons.
These irons being more of a cavity back design are probably designed for the higher handicap golfer.
Does anyone know if this is the target market for the irons?
I’m curious to hear of any distance improvement anyone gets as a result of using them when they come out?
These look great, cant wait to give them a swing
Really good looking stix and am looking forward to hearing more reviews.
great irons,got my control and distance back
Distance is great,went from titelest blades and got them yesterday and besides the thickness at address,they do long and straight.
I have demo these hot x clubs. Really liked the feel and the longer distance I got with them will be ordering my new set. Can’t wait to play golf …..
Just bought an X Hot Pro 18 degree hybrid to try to fill in the gap between my 4-iron (Adams CB2, which I hit about 185-190) and my 3-wood (Rocketballz Tour 15 degree, last year’s model, which I hit about 230-240). Last year, when I was having issues with my 3-wood (directional and getting it off the ground sometimes), I was using two Adams A12 hybrids — 4H (21 degrees) and 2H (17 degrees) that I hit in approximately 200+ and 215-220, respectively. Question, will the X Hot Pro 18 degrees fill in the gap, or will it hit the ball too much like my 17 degrees Adams? I assume it will go a little higher given the weight distribution, but I am wondering if perhaps the 20 degree X Hot Pro would have been a better choice.
I like the looks of the X Hot Pro irons! Also I am in the market for a 16 degree hybrid and this year’s model is really spiking my ponder mode.
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