Callaway X Forged UT 4

Callaway X Forged UT Iron Review

Callaway X Forged UT Iron

The Callaway X Forged UT Iron is the newest driving iron from Callaway.  Now, driving irons have always intrigued me, but make no mistake, they’re not easy clubs to hit.  Sure, all the pros play them these days, but that’s because they can literally play butter knives out there.  However, if you’re a good ball striker looking for a little more forgiveness from a long iron, but don’t quite get along with a hybrid, the X-Forged UT may suit your needs.

Callaway X Forged UT 5

The Looks

The Callaway X Forged UT is downright gorgeous.  It has beautiful lines, a great finish, and just looks phenomenal.  In my humble opinion, it’s probably the best looking driving iron on the market.  The topline is thicker than your traditional player’s long iron, with a beefier sole.  Callaway has done a great job of hiding as much of that sole at address as possible so it’s not overly distracting if you’re used to a thinner player’s club. With that said, it still gives you a bit of that player’s club look while still having enough “meat” to give you that a little bit of added confidence.  There’s also minimal offset in the setup, which is again good for those who prefer a player’s club profile.

Callaway X Forged UT 9

How Does it Feel?

When you strike the Callaway X Forged UT on the center of the club face, it has a nice, soft feel.  Striking it dead in the center has a more sweet and pure feel than a lot of other driving irons I’ve hit.  For what’s supposed to be a more forgiving club, the X Forged UT still lets you feel it when you don’t hit the center.  Shots off of the toe give you a nice little sting and vibration through the hands, and it definitely lets you know that you missed it.  Make no mistake, this is no game improvement club.  The feel lets you know this club is for better players.

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How Does it Sound?

When you hit the center of the club face, the Callaway X Forged UT gives you a great, solid click.  It matches perfectly with the feel of the club.  Unfortunately, for average Joe’s like myself who struggle with long irons, this holds true for misses as well.  Thin or toed shots have a dull thud and and really rubs the miss in your face.  Again, I will reiterate, this club is for better ball strikers.

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On-Course Performance

For the thousandth time in this short post, the Callaway X Forged UT is for better players.  If you’re a good ball striker, this club will play as advertised.  If you have a set of player’s irons, the X Forged UT will add a little forgiveness with playability to the top of the bag, replacing a 2, 3, or 4 iron and add a little distance on top of it.

When I struck the ball well, I gained four to six yards due to some extra ball speed.  The UT also had a penetrating ball flight, but was a tad easier to get in the air than a blade or player’s long iron.  Thin shots still got in the air and weren’t awful, but I saw a massive loss in ball speeds off of the toe and heel.  Because of this, if you need a good amount of forgiveness, you’d be better off with a hybrid or a GI long iron.  Just being honest.

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Final Thoughts

Better ball strikers looking for long iron replacements with distance should consider the Callaway X Forged UT.  If you’re in the anti-hybrid crowd and meet those qualifications, even better.  I mean the club looks great, has great feel, and the performance is definitely there.  If you don’t, but think “hey, all of the guys on Tour play one, so I should too!” (which I 100% definitely have never done nor would do, right…) I would suggest looking at other options.  If a driving iron does fit your game, take a look at the X Forged UT.  Remember, getting fit for the right shaft combo is key, as players of all swing speeds can use a graphite or a steel shaft in a driving iron.

Stock Callaway X Forged UT Iron Specs

Club Loft Length Swing Weight Stock Flex RH/LH
#2 18º 39.5″ D2 R (5.5), S (6.0) RH/LH
#3 21º 39.0″ D2 R (5.5), S (6.0) RH/LH
#4 24º 38.5″ D2 R (5.5), S (6.0) RH/LH
#5 27º 38.0″ D2 R (5.5), S (6.0) RH
#6 30º 37.5″ D2 R (5.5), S (6.0) RH

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