Callaway XHot Hybrid - Forum Testing Review

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Just received word that Callaway has sent out the XHot Hybrids to those selected to take part in the Forum Testing here on THP. With the testers receiving their clubs soon, this thread will be for them to post their long term reviews, thoughts, results and experiences. Feel free to join in on the conversation on the latest Hybrid offering from Callaway Golf!
 
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I was thrilled to find a box on my porch yesterday for my birthday. Due to having my son and dinner plans, I didn't get a chance to do much more than rip open the box yesterday.

Inside I found a 19° XHOT 3 Hybrid standard with Regular Flex shaft. Here are some pictures and my initial thoughts.



Spoiler


Sole_zps27e9054a.jpg


Grip_zps35b677e4.jpg


Crown2_zps5088bfa2.jpg




I've handled the XHOT hybrids in the store before, but was excited to get this club in hand for real. There are a few things that I like right from the start. These hybrids set up at address with a fair bit of forward shaft lean (offset perhaps), which falls perfectly in line with where I'm at in my lessons. This inspires quite a bit of confidence for me, as I currently struggle to keep my slice under control. I would say that these set up like an iron, but feel and look like a small fairway wood. The stock Callaway grip is the same as the Razr X Black fairway woods, and has a nice feel to it, with a hex pattern for texture and strong lines for grip alignment.

In the appearance department, the XHOT is in no way lacking. The sole plate is a mix of shiny and matte surfaces, with a combination of black, white, red, and steel gray. It all works very well in concert. The steel gray crown is simple and understated, and blends well with the pearl white shaft and gray shaft graphics. This is head to toe a good looking club. The only negative I can find so far is the lack of an alignment mark on the crown.



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Headcover_zpsbbcc8804.jpg


Club_tags1_zpsdf5ce223.jpg


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The headcover that comes with the XHOT hybrid is a simple sock type, with embroidered XHOT logo. It comes with two interchangeable club tags, which give the options of 2-7, 16/18/20/23/X/XX.



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DSCN2326_zpsee5598dc.jpg


It appears I'm not the only XHOT fan in my household. This club is exactly one (1) Jonah tall.



I can't wait to get to the range tomorrow to put some real swings on this club.
 
Great start Shark! Can't wait to see mine! I wonder if we all got the same loft?
 
Sharp looking club Shark. Good luck with it!
 
Enjoy the club Shark, I took my 16* for a ride today and saw exactly what I was looking for. I'll share once all the testers have had a chance to post
 
Looking good so far shark. Great initial thoughts and I hope the clubs works well for you.
 
Mine was waiting for me this morning before I left for Monroe. I will have a full write up tomorrow.
 
Mine was waiting for me this morning before I left for Monroe. I will have a full write up tomorrow.
Let me start your review for ya, since I got a few in with it....

This thing is for real!
 
Looking forward to hearing some results as I really liked this at a demo day two weeks ago. High and straight!
 
Let me start your review for ya, since I got a few in with it....

This thing is for real!

I agree. I've only taken a few swings with my 19* but it's a monster.


Taptaptaparoo
 
This is one area that Callaway is under rated. I think some people are going to be very surprised with Callaway hybrids.
 
Nice pics shark looking forward to your review. I'm not sure if I'm going fairway woods or hybo at the top of my bag. They both sound great but I think the hybo might be more versatile.
 
#bringit arrived today

#bringit arrived today

I got home late Friday night and did not check the delivery bin we have for FedEx and UPS. I had to got up early to head to Monroe, for the impromptu THP outing. I saw the flag up, opened the bin and what did I find, a box from Callaway. I didn't have time to take pictures before I headed to Monroe, so I took it out of the box, put it in my bag. I spent about 20 minutes messing with the box, so I only got a few putts in before the round. I was waiting for a chance to hit the XHot, but I did not get a chance until the 4th hole. I had not touched it so, I took a big whiff and hit it about 30 yds.

That was the last bad swing I put on it. I hit it solid the next several times I hit it. Three times in the first 18. Straight with a penetrating flight. I had to concentrate on swinging smooth and accelerating through the ball. This is now the lightest club in my bag. The new Project X shaft is very light, compared to the shafts I am playing in everything else (65grams). I am not displeased with it, I just have to get used to it. It definitely does not hurt the solid feel that I get from this club. There is a distinct difference from my Altitudes. This club has a lower flight. I will have to get to a LM, but, I suspect a significant differences in launch and spin.

I purposely tried to hit the XHot more during the extra nine we played in Monroe. From the tee, too the greens I struck the ball pretty well yesterday so I felt like I could go ahead and try to work the XHot. I hit it off the tee, straight down the middle right on 180. I aimed at the 150 stake and was about 5' from it. I hit it on a 160 yd. par 3 and tried to hit a 3/4 swing high cut and it did exactly what I envisioned. I was just off the front of the green, but, pretty impressive that it was that easy to execute. The rest of the shots were just straight at my target.

Once the round was done we went to the range, for everyone else to hit my other clubs and for me to get more familiar with the XHot. I hit it solidly on the range. Tried to hit draws and cuts and straight and it responded well to good swings. I will spend the next couple of weeks getting 'friendly' with the XHot. Once Toad got a chance to hit the XHot, I didn't get it back until we left the range. I think he liked it.

This has been a bit disjointed, but, that is how the day started. I usually have a plan when I test a club, and that will be the case as the testing goes on. I plan on doing direct comparison with my existing clubs over the next several weeks. I will do distance, ball flight, launch and spin comparisons. I plan on going to PGASuperstore, where I bought bay time to do these comparisons. I also will use my laser range finder to compare distance at the range. I am really excited now that the XHot is here.

I took pictures after the round and will post them in their own post. Stay tuned.
 
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Phil, I felt bad I bogarted your club for a bit, but it's just so easy to hit. My V4 might be getting the boot.
 
Got a UPS delivery alert, should have my Xhot hybrid tomorrow!
 
Phil, I felt bad I bogarted your club for a bit, but it's just so easy to hit. My V4 might be getting the boot.

I was enjoying watching you hit it. Glad other THP'rs got a chance to hit it.
 
Good initial write ups shark and Phil, and great pics shark. I hate walking straight on to the tee without hitting the range first, it can make for a long day. Hopefully you guys get some good time with them soon. I look forward to your thoughts!
 
Pictures after Monroe

Pictures after Monroe

A very pretty club:

XHotHybridHead_zpsfc2b38ac.jpg


The face:

XHotHybridFace_zps03cae8b6.jpg


The shaft:

XHotHybridShaft_zpsa390d94a.jpg


The hosel:

XHotHybridHozel_zps3d5c8880.jpg


The headcover:

XHotHybridCover_zps4301cc73.jpg


The Sole:

XHotHybridSole_zpsdb00fa79.jpg


A view from my perspective:

XHotHybridAddress_zpsbf96c0b4.jpg
 
A very pretty club:

XHotHybridHead_zpsfc2b38ac.jpg


The face:

XHotHybridFace_zps03cae8b6.jpg


The shaft:

XHotHybridShaft_zpsa390d94a.jpg


The hosel:

XHotHybridHozel_zps3d5c8880.jpg


The headcover:

XHotHybridCover_zps4301cc73.jpg


The Sole:

XHotHybridSole_zpsdb00fa79.jpg


A view from my perspective:

XHotHybridAddress_zpsbf96c0b4.jpg

I'm loving the photos Phil. I'm freaking jealous that mines hasn't got to me yet:/
 
Your first initial write up on the club was great Phil:) at anytime did you try and get as much yardage as you could from it?
 
Your first initial write up on the club was great Phil:) at anytime did you try and get as much yardage as you could from it?

I did on the range. I didn't have the range finder out, so I was estimating about 190-195 yds. Short of the 225 stake, but, solid for my swing speed.
 
I did on the range. I didn't have the range finder out, so I was estimating about 190-195 yds. Short of the 225 stake, but, solid for my swing speed.

That's pretty solid bud. I know you'll get more out of it with more time with it. It seems to be giving you what you want out of it.
 
I did on the range. I didn't have the range finder out, so I was estimating about 190-195 yds. Short of the 225 stake, but, solid for my swing speed.

That's not bad at all Phil, definitely solid. Keep up the good work.
 
Some truly amazing details, even the headcover is classic and nice!
 
I'm most interested to see how they compare to the Razr X Hybrids. I currently game the 3 & 4.
 
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