William L. Coney Blog: First Look Callaway X-Series and Tommy Armour TA1 Drivers

Monday, February 19, 2018

First Look Callaway X-Series and Tommy Armour TA1 Drivers

Fresh to the USGA’s Conforming Clubs List is a new Callaway X Series Driver.

With no adjustable hosel, no movable weights, no Jailbreak technology, and a generally understated design, every indication is that X Series, like the X Series 416, is what we’d call a Big Box Special.

Both TaylorMade and Callaway have, from time to time, created clubs specifically for their big box retail partners. Often these clubs are powered by several-years-old technology hidden under small cosmetic changes. These clubs speak to the reality that as much as OEMs may want golfers to get fit, not everyone will. There is a segment of golfers whose primary interests lie in playing name brand gear without paying a lofty price for it.

Just don’t expect to see any commercials or other advertisements for it.

As rapid discount cycles have all but disappeared, these big box specials provide manufacturers with a means to satisfy the demands of a cost-driven market without compromising the integrity of their mainline offerings.

Tommy Armour TA1

Perhaps not coincidentally, a new Tommy Armour TA1 has also appeared on the USGA conforming list. Previously a house brand for Sports Authority, Tommy Armour was picked up by Dick’s when the former went bankrupt. As with the Callaway X Series, the aim here to offer a name golfers know (or perhaps, more accurately, a name some still remember) for prices well below the market average.

The TA1 is hosel adjustable. It offers a rear-placed tungsten weight and a MULTI-MATERIAL (carbon fiber) crown, which in combination, suggests a back CG position (generally associated with higher launch and more forgiveness).

The head itself is red, and the driver, which features a Kuro Kage shaft and Lamkin grip will retail for $299.99.

It’s probably worth mentioning that the TA1 will be included in the 2018 Most Wanted Driver Test.

Expect to see both the TA1 and Callaway X Series shelves in time for the start of the golf season.