From GOLF Magazine
It's for: Players who like to shape shots, regardless of skill level
Key feature: External head weighting
Forty grams along the sole and outside the head in external weight pads contribute to 3- to 5-percent higher MOI (heel to toe) than in FT-5. This weight placement also creates higher vertical MOI (by 20-percent versus FT-5). In short, shots that are struck high or low on the face perform similar to dead-center contact (in terms of spin and ball speed). A hyperbolic face design'X' pattern behind hitting area is thickest in center, thinnest in perimeterdelivers consistent ball speed across the face. FT-9 comes in Neutral or Draw versions. Company tests indicate that Draw hits it, on average, 10 yards farther left with a 100-mph swing speed.
From the Shop Blog
Designed to appeal to golfers who like to work the ball off the tee, the 460cc FT-9 is an upgrade from the FT-5, which was used by both Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els. It will be available with a neutral face or draw bias in lofts between 9° and 13°.
The FT-9 Tour edition has a face angle that is 1° open, which should appeal to fast-swinging players who prefer to fade their tee shots rather than hit a draw. The FT-9 Tour will be offered in lofts of 8.5°, 9.5° and 10.5°, and according to Callaway, it produces a lower, more penetrating ball flight for more accomplished players. The stock shaft for both drivers is a Fujikura ZCOM.
Golfers will immediately notice a stainless steel weight web system in the lower rear portion of the FT-9. According to Callaway, the weight they saved by using a carbon composite body and titanium face has been repositioned into this webbing to move the center of gravity down and back. The company says that by precisely positioning these web weights, they can manipulate the bias of the club to help golfers reduce their slice or increase workability.
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$399, callawaygolf.com
From the Shop Blog
Although Callaway recently provided GOLF.com with a video showing Ernie Els testing the new square-headed Callaway FT-iQ driver, during the first round of the Merecedes-Benz Championship Thursday in Hawaii, the Big Easy was using a new FT-9. Click on the image for a better look.