2008 FT Irons -- love'em or what?

golfdad907 · March 5, 2008

Now that some ahve played these, what's consensus?

Been a couple of threads on this, kind of died, so thought I'd inquire as to everyone's experience and thoughts on these. They sure are good looking, ought to be for over a grand retail. Do they live up to billing as a player's club? I got mine for a gift, stock shafts, only played once due to travel and weather. I'm not sold on the Nippons, but having played once, can't judge so quickly.

Anyone out there have these with Black Gold, Dynamic Gold or Project X? Your impressions are welcome, as I figure will play a couple more rounds and if haven't adapted, might be ship to Cally for a reshaft.

Thanks!

JCJiffy · March 6, 2008

I've had my FTs with the Nippon shafts for about two months. And I'm also wondering if they would feel even more balanced with Project Xs or DGs or Black Golds. I've definitely gained quite a bit of distance with these irons, but I think I may still be struggling a little bit with the light weight.

I'm not that big of a swinger so I thought the lighter shafts would let me gain some swing speed. I previously had Black Golds in a set of X-Forged. I'm finding that sometimes, with the lighter Nippons, my tempo gets out of whack and I'm a little out of sync. I have to mentally remind myself to keep a smooth tempo. If I do that, the shafts feel great. If I get too quick on my backswing and at the top, it feels like I lose feeling of where the clubhead is.

What are you finding with yours?

rege24 · March 6, 2008

I have used mine for about ten rounds and also have doubts about the Nippon shafts. I called Callaway and asked if they would put in the Callaway uniflex shafts that I had in my x-18s or dg superlite. They told me to send them back at no charge but the shipping, Great Customer Service. I am disappointed as I really like the heads…thinking of going back to –x-18s or mx-25 both of which I sold when I got these.

jwfgolfpro · March 6, 2008

Been a couple of threads on this, kind of died, so thought I'd inquire as to everyone's experience and thoughts on these. They sure are good looking, ought to be for over a grand retail. Do they live up to billing as a player's club? I got mine for a gift, stock shafts, only played once due to travel and weather. I'm not sold on the Nippons, but having played once, can't judge so quickly.

Anyone out there have these with Black Gold, Dynamic Gold or Project X? Your impressions are welcome, as I figure will play a couple more rounds and if haven't adapted, might be ship to Cally for a reshaft.

Thanks!

What kind of swing tempo do you have? I have a slower swing with a smooth transitiona and I love the Nippons. I gained about a full club in distance with these. They are also more appealing to my eye than the old fusions.

JWF

volchris · March 6, 2008

I've played about 6 rounds with mine, and I love them. The X-Tours are now in BST!

I have Project X Flighted in mine. I had these same shafts in my X-Tours, so I wanted to stick with them. I only demoed the Nippons, but I like the feel of the Project X much better.

I also agree that these are far better looking at address than the Fusions (I also owned those). Side-by-side, the FTs look similar (if not smaller) than the X-Tours!

Chris

golfdad907 · March 6, 2008

I've had my FTs with the Nippon shafts for about two months. And I'm also wondering if they would feel even more balanced with Project Xs or DGs or Black Golds. I've definitely gained quite a bit of distance with these irons, but I think I may still be struggling a little bit with the light weight.

I'm not that big of a swinger so I thought the lighter shafts would let me gain some swing speed. I previously had Black Golds in a set of X-Forged. I'm finding that sometimes, with the lighter Nippons, my tempo gets out of whack and I'm a little out of sync. I have to mentally remind myself to keep a smooth tempo. If I do that, the shafts feel great. If I get too quick on my backswing and at the top, it feels like I lose feeling of where the clubhead is.

What are you finding with yours?

I'm thinking I'm in same situation you've found; I have a fairly quick temp and tend to hit more than swing. If I swing slower (almost too slow for me) shaft feels fine, but if go more natural speed I'm lost as to where clubhead is. How were the Black Golds? Other than my hogan Apex 4, only shaft I've ever played has been DG S300. Black Golds similar in weight to DG?

Thanks for feedback.

golfdad907 · March 6, 2008

I have used mine for about ten rounds and also have doubts about the Nippon shafts. I called Callaway and asked if they would put in the Callaway uniflex shafts that I had in my x-18s or dg superlite. They told me to send them back at no charge but the shipping, Great Customer Service. I am disappointed as I really like the heads…thinking of going back to –x-18s or mx-25 both of which I sold when I got these.

I've always found Cally Cust Svc to be about the best in the industry. I might suggest, as with all new irons, it does take some adoption time to get used to them. I'm thinking a reshaft to get some weight and slightly lower launch angle will make those heads really sing....

How are you choosing new shaft? The DGSL are even lighter than the Nippon, though maintain DG flex profile.

JCJiffy · March 19, 2008

Well, I called Callaway today to inquire about reshafting the FTs with Dynamic Gold R300s. The rep told me it'd cost $250...

How do others get them to reshaft for free?

slahitou · March 19, 2008

Is the nippon a made for callaway option??? I used Nippon 850, 950 1150 and nickents 1180 and for me nippon is above any other steel shaft in the industry.

I am more of a swinger, but still the 85grm version was pretty stable.

jick · March 19, 2008

I tried them in a demo session, but the one I tried had graphite shafts. For a head with this much bells and whistles (Ti face if I'm not mistaken), it looks and feels pretty good. I would get these over X-20's or X-20 tours. Price may just be an issue. But it really feels better than most cast irons. I give props to Callaway for developing this club.

golfdad907 · March 20, 2008

It's been my and others experience, it's all about the rep you get and how you handle them. I was once quoted $450 for an X-Tour reshaft, called back couple of times and got done for comp grata. Keep trying it's worth it. I had the clubs back within 5 days. Good Luck

golfdad907 · March 20, 2008

IN reply to, "Is the nippon a made for callaway option??? I used Nippon 850, 950 1150 and nickents 1180 and for me nippon is above any other steel shaft in the industry.

I am more of a swinger, but still the 85grm version was pretty stable."

Yes, the FT shaft is a Nippon 1100GH. Feels great, fairly stiff, mid/high bend. I'm getting more used to them and they do feel great. What's your preference on the Nippons?