This year Callaway did its homework and I am glad to say that the all new X-Forged Iron is Forged in JAPAN! Thats right even the USA retail version. Way to go Callaway! Also they had a bunch of new products like the Hyper ERC drvier that is replacing the ERC3. The new Hyper is 460cc's and features their CMT chemical milled crown keeping it ultra thin at 2mm. This is the first Callaway driver to incorporate the Heat Forged Hyperbolic Face Technology. It makes the hitting zone 4mm thick in the shape of an X while the gaps between the X are only 2mm thick creating better feel and a more distance on off center hits. Its face is made of SP700 while its crown is 15-3-3-3, its body is titanium and its 23g weight chip is too. This is a Japan only driver and yes its USGA conforming. Callaway Japan has decided only to sell the FT-i and FT-5 drivers but they have a new list of shaft options that rock hard like the Quattro Tech, PT-6, Rombax X, Diamana, not to mention the stock shaft has a triax weave in it. The ERC Hot FW is still the fairway wood in this series along with the Japan only ERC Forged Iron and ERC Titanium face irons. Callaway has also released a new Hyper ERC Ball, We are talking the next gen balls for america seen now in Japan. Awesome kids clubs and ladies gear but the apparel was out of this world not to mention very expensive. Callaway Japan has insane clothing and its quality luxury style. The odyssey putters are the same as the USA models.

Enjoy!

(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/7629-3/DSC_0442.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/10058-2/DSC02477e.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/7770-3/DSC_0521.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/7764-3/DSC_0513.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/7647-3/DSC_0451.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/7650-3/DSC_0454.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/7653-3/DSC_0457.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/7662-3/DSC_0463.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/10208-2/DSC02549d.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/10211-2/DSC02550d.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/10109-2/DSC02498e.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/10112-2/DSC02499d.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/10115-2/DSC02501e.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/10118-2/DSC02502e.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/10121-2/DSC02505e.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/10124-2/DSC02506e.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/10127-2/DSC02507e.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/10133-2/DSC02509d.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/10136-2/DSC02511e.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/10142-2/DSC02515e.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/10163-2/DSC02531e.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/10154-2/DSC02526e.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/10160-2/DSC02528e.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/7734-3/DSC_0493.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/7737-3/DSC_0495.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/7740-3/DSC_0497.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/10181-8/DSC02539e.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/10184-2/DSC02540e.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/10187-2/DSC02541e.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/10199-8/DSC02546e.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/10205-2/DSC02548e.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/10196-2/DSC02545e.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/10217-2/DSC02552d.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/10214-2/DSC02551d.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/10193-2/DSC02544e.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/10190-2/DSC02543e.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/7692-3/DSC_0477.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/7689-3/DSC_0476.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/7680-3/DSC_0472.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/7677-3/DSC_0471.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/7665-3/DSC_0467.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/7668-3/DSC_0468.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/7671-3/DSC_0469.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/7674-3/DSC_0470.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/7785-3/DSC_0532.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/7791-3/DSC_0536.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/7794-3/DSC_0537.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/7797-3/DSC_0538.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/7800-3/DSC_0540.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/7803-3/DSC_0541.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/7806-3/DSC_0542.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/7698-3/DSC_0481.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/7701-3/DSC_0482.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/7707-3/DSC_0484.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/7710-3/DSC_0485.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/7713-3/DSC_0486.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/7716-3/DSC_0487.jpg)
(IMG:http://member.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.php/d/7719-3/DSC_0488.jpg)

Hi Chris,

Well, I obviously didn't make it to the show, but I'm glad you were there (both for yourself and for the great coverage you have for us). I am in love with the ERC Hot irons, and the fairway wood is not far behind. Did you get a chance to demo the new driver?

Has anyone tried the new square Ft-i driver yet? If so, impressions are appreciated.

Yes sir I have tried many of the new MOI drivers and i dont think the technology is much of a difference. Most of them dont feel very good but worse yet I had an actual designer tell me that the difference is too small to notice and that the next generation of square drivers should be much better with more stability through the swing. Also there are new ways to measure MOI that are being taken into account.

I am surprised that Callaway elected to use the SP700 instead of some other more exotic materials. Also, it appears that the Japanese OEMs, including US based - Japanese OEMs are not hog-wild over the "square" driver this year. Any idea why?

I also think it is interesting that the top JDM drivers (from Japanese and American companies) are not square, case in point the ERC Hyper.

I can't compare the performance of the ERC III CF to the Sumo squared or FT-I (haven't hit them with the same shaft) but I will say there is no comparison between the sound at impact... the ERC III takes it hands down for me. As for feel, that comparison is also a bit questionable without trying the same shafts, but again, I really like the ERC III in comparison to the current square drivers.

Chris, what's the difference between all the Hyper ERC golf balls? It looks like there is a silver and white box, a black and gold box, and another that is light blue. Thanks in advance. The clothes line up looks really sharp. I like the different colors available on the shoes.

SP700 can be purchased in different grades, some factories use JIS standards and their is a higher actual Ti content inside the SP700 makeup. Some brands use recycled Ti reserves from Russia, others have it made to order for their application.

I just tried the ERC III CF, with WD-1000 shaft - SR flex, today and my goodness what a driver.
Straight and consistent. I fell in love with it. Felt better to me than the Hyper and the Big Bertha. Full titanium and what a sound it makes at impact.

Hmm, time to trade up my Maruman Exim Nano II.

I think there was an ERC III CF for sale here recently.

I tried the Hyper ERC and the Ft-i (among others) while I was in Tokyo a couple of weeks ago. A little dissapointed with the Ft-i, good, but I expected more. I was however very suprised and pleased with the Hyper ERC. IT is was significantly longer and straighter then any of the other drivers I tried. If I was very pleased with my current SuperQuad setup I would have bought the ERC on the spot.