This ball changes - Callaway Golf

ISSUE 17 • SUMMER 2008 • WWW.CALLAWAYGOLF.COM 

CALLAWAY GOLF 

M A G A Z I N E 

> 

> 

> 

Fredrik 

Jacobson 

3 steps to better 

ball-striking 

ernie 

els 

speaking out 

for autism 

johnny 

miller 

why it’s phil’s time 

at torrey pines 

This ball changes 

Everything 

the new tour i series golf balls seem 

to know the difference between a driver and a wedge. find 

out how dual-core technology will transform your game

editor’s letter 

welcome 

Pioneering technology and game-changing innovations 

have for a long time attracted many of 

the world’s leading players to Callaway Golf. The 

Company has always been recognized as a market 

leader in drivers, fairway woods and irons but, 

in recent years, its golf ball technology has been forcing the world’s 

elite golfers to take notice also. It was the performance of the HX Tour 

Golf Ball line, for example, that was an important clincher in convincing 

both Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson to become Staff Professionals. 

Over the past few seasons, a growing number of pros have started to use 

Callaway Golf Balls – attracted primarily by the consistency of ball flight. “I had 

heard a lot of good things from other players,” says Fredrik Jacobson. “The golf 

ball was a key factor in my decision to join Callaway Golf as a Staff Professional.” 

Several players even went as far as saying that it would be difficult to improve 

on the HX Tour and HX Tour 56 Golf Balls, but the new Tour i Series Golf Balls 

look set to change all that. The new 4-piece balls have two cores that respond 

differently to the clubhead speed generated at impact. In simple terms, this means 

that a Tour i Series Golf Ball will create less spin with a driver than it will on a 

wedge, leading to more distance off the tee and more control around the green. 

You can read more about this ground-breaking technology and how it will affect 

your game in our cover story starting on page 22. 

Elsewhere in this issue, you can get an amateur golfer’s perspective of 

the I-MIX System, learn how to improve your swing and ball-striking, and find 

out why Phil Mickelson is so anxious to win a tournament for his father. 

Enjoy the issue. 

Nick Wright 

Editor-in-Chief 

Welcome to the team! 

VISIT US ONLINE 

Enhance your Callaway Golf experience. Visit us 

online, any time, at one of these great websites: 

CallawayGolf.com 

In-depth information on the science and specifications 

of Callaway Golf equipment and accessories. 

Shop.CallawayGolf.com 

Buy the latest Callaway Golf technology on your 

schedule – 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

CallawayGolfPreowned.com 

Certified Pre-Owned golf clubs include a Certificate 

of Authenticity, plus a like-new warranty and 

a money back guarantee. 

CallawayGolfTV.com 

Watch streaming video of Team Callaway Golf, 

featuring pros like Annika Sorenstam, Arnold 

Palmer, Phil Mickelson, and more! View instructional 

videos or take a behind-the-scenes look 

at life as a Callaway Golf Staff Pro. 

CallawayGolf.com/magazine 

Read extended versions of features and view 

additional photos, video lessons and interviews. 

CallawayGolf.com/netfits 

This online driver fitting program takes you 

through a complete assessment of your game. 

What a welcome surprise Callaway Golf received from Patrick Buhrmann of Abilene, Texas. And vice versa. The new 

Callaway Golf Master Staffer switched to Callaway Golf club and ball technology this spring and made his first hole-in-one, 

in the very first round using his new X-Forged 6-iron and Tour ix Golf Ball. Buhrmann was part of a large gangsome called 

the Doctors’ Group that plays the Fairway Course every Friday. On February 29, at the par-3 16th hole, Buhrmann pulled 

out his new 6-iron for the first time since putting it in his bag. With 24 other players within earshot or sight of his accomplishment, 

Buhrmann aced the 171-yard hole. “It was my first round using the Tour ix Golf Ball, my first time using the 

X-Forged 6-iron and my first hole-in-one,” Buhrmann says. “A nice way to kick things off and a very nice surprise.” 

SUMMER 2008 Callaway Golf 3

your Letters 

Write to Callaway Golf Magazine, 2180 Rutherford Road, Carlsbad, Calif., 92008-7328, or to magazine@callawaygolf.com. Submissions should include your full name, address and daytime phone 

number. All submissions become the property of Callaway Golf and will not be returned. Please do not send creative ideas, original materials, or suggestions relating to products or marketing plans. 

Brotherly Love 

My brother Tom and I began 

playing golf in 1995, five years 

after our dad, who thoroughly 

enjoyed the game, passed on. 

Tom and I live several states 

away from each other, and our 

favorite vacation involves taking 

time to get in a few rounds of 

golf together. Even when we’re 

not able to play, our telephone 

conversations always include 

commentary on recent rounds. 

Without a doubt, golf has helped 

further cement an already strong 

brotherly bond. 

In December, Tom was 

seriously injured in a motorcycle 

accident. It was a miracle 

he survived, but Tom now faces 

a long road to recovery. Golfing 

together is not likely this year, 

but we know that anticipated 

first round is coming. In the 

past, Tom has played with a 

prize letter 

building toward a cure 

set of hand-me-down clubs, 

but I’ve promised him that he 

will have his choice of new 

Callaway Golf clubs when our 

long-awaited next meeting on 

the links takes place. Callaway 

Golf will definitely be part of 

our reunion on the course. 

Ed Krehl 

Waxhaw, N.C. 

I am writing in regard to the “Hollywood stars 

embrace a good cause” article in the Winter 

issue. Each June, The New England Council 

of Carpenters sponsors a golf classic in 

support of ovarian cancer research. Last year’s 

event raised over $200,000, and in the past 

10 years, $1.8 million has been raised. 

Over 320 construction workers and financial 

professionals get together to have fun playing 

golf and provide support for a devastating 

disease. At the end of the day, a clambake is 

held with a guest speaker who, very often, is 

a woman with ovarian cancer. You can look 

in the crowd of rugged construction workers 

and see many with watery eyes. 

charles ryan 

southborough, ma 

Patience is a Virtue 

In 1991, a friend of mine 

was given a brand new set of 

Callaway Golf S2H2 Irons as 

a wedding gift from his wife. 

We hit the course and he 

immediately let me know how 

great those irons were and that 

my hand-me-down clubs were, 

well, just hand-me-downs! 

Very seldom a day went by 

without him reminding me 

how great those irons were. 

I have been told many times 

over the years that it is not 

the equipment that makes 

the errors, but the player. 

Now that I have finally caught 

up with technology, I have 

to disagree. Callaway Golf’s 

technology is so great, I often 

feel like I am cheating! 

I recently purchased the 

X-18 Irons, and I now fully 

intend to look up my good 

friend from the past, just to let 

him know how right he was 

about Callaway Golf clubs and 

their excellent performance! 

Donavin Fuller 

Ferndale, WA 

write in to win! 

Fond Memories of 

Annika and 

Callaway Golf 

When my daughter was married 

last August, it was the happiest 

I’ve ever seen her. When she 

was a teenager, she became an 

if your letter is selected by the editors, you 

could win a Callaway Golf x collection golf 

shirt or other callaway golf merchandise. 

avid golfer. Annika Sorenstam 

(above) is her hero, and she 

actually got to meet her at the 

1998 U.S. Women’s Open. 

One of the other times I’ve 

seen her at her happiest was 

the day my wife and I gave her 

a set of Callaway Golf X-12 

Irons to use when she played 

on her high school golf team. 

She still uses her Callaway Golf 

clubs and occasionally reminds 

me of that day. 

John Suess 

Milwaukee, WI 

my travel partner 

I always look forward to receiving 

Callaway Golf Magazine 

and read every article. When I 

travel on business, I always take 

my clubs with me in case I can 

sneak in a round of golf. An 

associate asked me why I go to 

the trouble of dragging my clubs 

around when most golf courses 

rent clubs. I told him I couldn’t 

chance not being able to play 

with Callaway Golf clubs. Your 

technology definitely has helped 

cut strokes from my game! 

Dale Atwell 

Bishop, TX 

4 Callaway Golf SUMMER 2008

letters 

Pleasure in 

Tough Times 

I’m a loyal Callaway Golf fan 

in Detroit. With the severe 

economic times we are suffering 

here, many people are losing 

their jobs and homes. While 

many people are selling their 

“pleasure items” to make ends 

meet, I refuse to get rid of my 

Big Bertha Irons and Woods! 

These clubs give me something 

much more important than 

just a better game. They give 

me an excuse to get away from 

all the bad news for a few 

hours. They give me pleasure 

in tough times. 

Tony Bissonette 

Redford, MI 

What A Difference 

I have played hockey for the 

past 25 years, but golf never 

seemed exciting enough to 

collect my interest. My new 

boss recently decided that he 

should take me to his course, 

so that I could give the game a 

try. One thing led to another, 

and I bought a set of 25-yearold 

clubs at a garage sale for 

$10. After struggling with these 

clubs and having very few 

lessons, I decided it was time 

to update. I was afforded the 

opportunity to play with a used 

set of Callaway Golf X-18 Irons, 

a Steelhead Driver and 3- and 

5-woods. I was blown away by 

the difference the Callaway Golf 

clubs made when I was able to 

cut 10 strokes off my handicap! 

I have since purchased a new 

set of X-20 Irons (right) and an 

X460 Driver. I am now a true 

believer that Callaway Golf’s 

technology makes a huge 

dif ference and can immediately 

improve your game. Thanks 

for making a superior product! 

Alan Lane, via e-mail 

“I went to the pro shop and rented 

a set of X-20 Irons. I play to an 

eight and my first time out using 

Callaway Golf clubs, I shot a 73!” 

I Switched! 

I have never gone on vacation 

without my Pings, but recently 

I decided to leave my clubs at 

home and spend more time on 

the beach with my wife. It was 

just a matter of time, however, 

before I succumbed to the 

lure of the lawn. I went to the 

pro shop at Sandals Golf and 

Country Club in Jamaica and 

rented a set of X-20 Irons. I play 

to an eight, and my first time 

out using Callaway Golf clubs, 

I shot a 73! 

I immediately made an 

appointment to get fitted for 

a set back home. I am now 

the proud owner of a new set 

of Callaway Golf irons! 

Vin Nello 

Northport, NY 

ISSUE 17 summer 2008 

EDITOR-in-chief 

Nick Wright 

nwright@macduffgroup.com 

MANAGING EDITOR 

Leda Buster 

ledab@callawaygolf.com 

ASSISTANT EDITOR 

Paula Story 

paula@paulastory.com 

ART DIRECTOR 

Peter Yates 

info@peteryatesdesign.com 

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE 

Gail Early 

gearly@macduffgroup.com 

(404) 835 5735 

CONTRIBUTING PROFESSIONALS 

Rich Beem, Olin Browne 

Michael Campbell, Bruce Fleisher 

Rocco Mediate, Morgan Pressel 

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS 

Margaret Schmitz, 

Tim Sweeney, Abby Vetter 

PHOTOGRAPHERS 

Getty Images, Chris Stanford, 

Jeff Harris, Tim Tadder 

SUBSCRIPTIONS 

www.callawaygolf.com/mycallaway 

reader panel 

www.callawaygolf.com/readerpanel 

callaway golf magazine 

is pUBLISHed by 

the macduFF group 

6100 Lake Forrest Drive 

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All content owned by Callaway Golf unless stated. Reprinting in whole or in part is forbidden 

except with written permission from the publisher. Due care is taken to ensure that the content of 

the magazine is fully accurate, but the publisher cannot accept liability for errors and omissions. 

©2008 Callaway Golf Company. The following are registered trademarks and/or trademarks of 

Callaway Golf Company: A Better Game By Design, Big Bertha, Callaway, Callaway Golf, Chevron 

device, FT-5, FT-i, FT i-Brid, Fusion, Gems, Heavenwood, HX, Hyper X, I-Mix, Odyssey, OptiFit, 

S2H2, Tour Authentic, Tour i, Tour iX, X-12, X18, X20, X460, X-Forged, X-Hot and 2- Ball design. 

The following trademarks and logos are the intellectual property of their respective 

company or organization: Mercedes, Lexus, Ping, YouTube, Autism Speaks, ANNIKA, Chrysler, 

Cutter & Buck, LPGA, PGA Tour, Nationwide Tour, Neox, Nikon, Rolex. 

Page 7 Note: Gas Card Giveaway is valid in the U.S. only. Void where prohibited. While stocks 

last. Card valid for 6 months. Usage restrictions and guidelines apply. Go to: www.callawaygolf. 

com/gascard for official rules, eligibility requirements and redemption details. Go to: 

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online 

Sizzling Summer Offers 

Keep up with all the latest sweepstakes, offers and promotions from 

Callaway Golf and its partners at: www.callawaygolf.com/specialoffers. 

Free Gas 

Card Giveaway 

Purchase an FT-i, FT-5 or Hyper X Driver, 

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See page 5 for additional details. 

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If you enter and win your participating golf club’s 2008 Chrysler Club Championship 

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MASTER PHIL’S DRILL 

If you make at least 8 out of 10 putts 

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Planet 

Callaway 

worldwide news 

CONTENTS 

ISSUE 17 • SUMMER 2008 

Ernie Els and his family 

speak out to raise 

awareness for autism. 

A voice 

regulars 

3. editor’s letter 4. Letters your say 8. Planet callaway 

world news 34. straight talking johnny miller 

77 

sUMMER PROMOTIONS 

Check out the latest Callaway 

Golf special offers, promotions 

and sweepstakes. 

28 

the next one’s for dad 

Phil Mickelson shares some 

of his favorite childhood golf 

memories and anecdotes, 

17 

22 

3 Keys to better 

ball striking 

PGA Tour Professional Fredrik 

Jacobson shows you how to 

strike it like a Tour Pro and talks 

you through his swing and his 

life on the road. 

Tour i series golf balls 

We take a look at the 4-piece 

golf ball technology that is 

changing the games of Tour 

Pros, and delve into how it will 

30 

and explains why his father 

remains the man he respects 

and admires most. 

the perfect driver 

every time 

We invited Callaway Golf 

Magazine Reader Panel 

member and 9-handicap 

golfer Steve Brooks to the 

Ely Callaway Performance 

Center in Carlsbad, Calif. for 

an I-MIX System fitting and 

Ernie Els and his son Ben at home in 

Lake Nona, Orlando, Fla. 

change your game, too. 

recorded it all on camera. 


Planet 


for others 

For several years, Callaway Golf 

Staff Professional Ernie Els and his 

wife Liezl have dealt with their son 

Ben’s autism as a personal family 

issue, talking with specialists around 

the globe about the complex brain 

disorder that affects their son, who 

is now five years old. “As any family 

in our position would tell you, it’s not 

easy,” Els says. “It’s a change of life, 

a change of priorities.” 

Early this year, Els and his wife 

decided to speak out for Ben and 

the many others who are often 

misunderstood and sometimes misdiagnosed. 

“This is about the millions 

of families who have a loved one 

affected by this condition,” Els said. 

Els picked up the phone and called 

“Autism Speaks” – an organization 

dedicated to raising awareness and 

funding research on autism causes, 

prevention and treatments. 

In March, Els showed up on Tour 

with the organization’s logo on his 

Callaway Golf bag – and a mission 

on his mind. “I want to raise awareness 

and money for the disorder,” 

Els says. “I’ve obviously got a bit of 

a high profile and that will help grab 

some attention. To be honest, that’s 

what this problem needs.” 

AUTISM SPEAKS was founded in 

2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, 

the grandparents of a child with 

autism. Bob Wright is Vice Chairman, 

General Electric. You can keep up 

with Els and his family at: 

www.ernieels.com and learn more 

at: www.autismspeaks.org. 


Planet 


news TOUR STYLE technology 

Travel in Style 

New travel golf bag 

carriers take the 

stress and strain out 

of your next golf trip 

Jet-setting golfers, relax. With Callaway Golf 

Travel golf bag carriers, your prized possessions are 

uncompromisingly protected and easier to handle, 

whether on the road or in the air. New Callaway Golf 

golf bag carriers utilize ground-breaking features 

like the Steelhead Club Protection System, which 

wraps around the clubs to safeguard equipment, plus 

rugged Cordura nylon, which resists tears and abrasions 

with a superior strength-to-weight ratio, and smooth - 

rolling inline skate wheels with reinforced spokes for 

increased durability. 

Also new from Callaway 

Golf Travel Gear, look for 

women’s duffels, totes, shoe 

carriers and accessories featuring 

rhinestone logos and colors 

schemes complementary to the 

2008 Callaway Golf women’s 

golf bags and footwear. 

For more information, go to: 

www.callawaygolftravelgear.com 

1 

NEW PRODUCTS 

A Driver Just For Women 

The Callaway Golf Women’s Big Bertha 

Driver represents months of detailed 

research, extensive testing and input 

from female players and instructors. 

440cc all-titanium head: smaller size 

allows for increased swing speeds and 

greater distance potential for women 

with low to moderate swing speeds. 

Draw-biased weighting: helps golfers 

close the face at impact, which promotes a 

draw ball flight and reduces slices or fades. 

Longer shaft: helps increase clubhead speed for 

higher ball speed. S2H2 Design shortens traditional 

hosel length to redistribute weight and improve control.

Planet 


join our advisory staff 

Callaway Golf wants to Listen 

to Golfers Like You 

The Callaway Golf Advisory Staff is an online community 

of some 9,000 Callaway Golf enthusiasts that provides 

feedback on a variety of topics – from equipment, shopping, 

playing preferences, trends, lifestyle and more. 

Members represent a diverse range of golfing ability, 

location and background, but all are part of a unique 

online community that interacts and shares opinions 

with Callaway Golf and other golfers. We asked three 

regular participants to talk about their experiences: 

Trump Card! 

Callaway Golf introduced its GEMS golf club set in New York with the 

help of Callaway Golf Staff Pro Morgan Pressel and Ivanka Trump, resort 

developer and daughter of real estate mogul Donald Trump. “We’re trying 

to encourage women to play the game,” Pressel says. “Many women 

are intimidated by the game and are hesitant to go out and try it. Once 

they do play golf, they keep going back for more.” Ivanka Trump said 

she learned at a young age from her father and mentor, Donald Trump, 

that the golf course is where a lot of business is done. 

Brian Pitts 

Handicap: 14 Age: 37 

Home: Hickory, NC 

“The first thing I participated in 

involved prototypes of the HX Tour 

Golf Ball. It’s one of the best things 

going, to have responses from 

average, everyday players. We hear 

responses from other members as 

well as the Company … it lets me 

know my opinions are being heard.” 

Amy Patenaude 

Handicap: 8.9 Age: 40 

Home: Duluth, MN 

“I love Callaway Golf, they’ve done 

great stuff for my game. I’ve participated 

in two or three surveys now, 

and being a big golf enthusiast, it’s 

really a lot of fun for me. Sometimes, 

it’s a good diversion or break 

from work!” 

2 

FT i-brid Irons Set 

The ultimate in forgiveness 

and playability 

Callaway Golf’s most technologically advanced 

super game-improvement set features three 

hybrid-like clubs, plus game-improvement 

short irons. Seamless performance 

progression provides consistent distance 

separation with optimal trajectory. 

Offering the control and accuracy of 

irons with the forgiveness, distance 

and versatility of hybrids, a low, deep 

center of gravity helps get the ball in 

the air quickly and easily, while a wider 

sole provides exceptional turf interaction. 

Lefty 

alert! 

Left-handed 

models of the 

FT i-brid Irons 

are now 

available 

Gabe Tellez 

Handicap: 2 Age: 64 

Home: Mesa, AZ 

“Many years ago, I got to meet 

Mr. Callaway. I sent a letter to 

Carlsbad, and he wrote back and 

asked me to visit. That was shortly 

before the launch of the original 

Big Bertha Driver. I’m really 

impressed with the Callaway Golf 

research and development.” 

Are you looking for a more in-depth relationship with Callaway 

Golf and an “inside-the-ropes” experience The Advisory 

Staff invites you to join this special community to share your 

thoughts and opinions on all things related to golf. Go to: 

www.callawaygolf.com/advisory to learn more, and become 

part of the Callaway Golf Advisory Staff today. 


Planet 


news style tour technology 

FAST 

FACTS 

Best finish on the 

PGA Tour: 

T9 at the 2008 

Mayakoba Golf Classic. 

In the bag: 

FT-5 Driver, X Fairway 

Woods, X-Prototype 

Irons, Tour ix Golf Ball, 

Odyssey Black Series 

i-1 Putter. 

{Get to know} 

Nick 

Flanagan 

Meet the young Australian with a 

penchant for punk rock music, 

mountain biking and beachside life. 

Callaway Golf Staff Pro Nick Flanagan 

has quickly settled into life on the PGA Tour. In 

his 16th start, the 22-year-old from New South 

Wales, Australia, earned his first top-10, a T9 at 

the Mayakoba Golf Classic, with a career low, 

final-round 64. 

In 2003, Flanagan became the first foreign-born 

player to win the U.S. Amateur Championship 

in 22 years. He turned pro the next year and 

played the Australasian Tour in 2004 and 2005 

before joining the Nationwide Tour. In 2007, 

he logged consecutive wins at the Henrico 

County Open and the BMW Charity Pro-Am 

at The Cliffs. 

Flanagan was named Nationwide Tour 

Player of the Year and earned a “battlefield 

promotion” from the Nationwide Tour after 

a third win at the Xerox Classic. 

inspiration: 

He became serious about 

golf at age 14, after 

watching Tiger Woods 

win the 1997 U.S. Masters 

on television. 

First broke par: 

At age 15, with a 3-underpar 

69 at Belmont Golf 

Club, New South Wales, 

Australia. 

Off course: 

In his rare down time, 

the Aussie enjoys 

alternative and punk 

rock music, mountain 

biking and the beach. 

In his own words: 

“My goal right now is 

to continue to improve. 

That’s what Callaway 

Golf is all about, too. 

This is my first full season 

on the PGA Tour, and 

I’m working hard to 

make my mark and log 

my first win. With the 

best technology and my 

goals and desire, I know 

I can make that happen.” 


Planet 


Sorenstam Winning and going out on top 

Callaway Golf Staff Pro Annika Sorenstam 

(left) is back to her usual winning ways after recovering 

from last season’s neck and back injuries, but the 

Swede announced in May that she plans to retire at 

the end of the season to focus on her business and 

family life. After kicking off her first tournament of the 

year with a victory at the SBC Open, Sorenstam won 

the Stanford International Pro-Am and then cruised to 

a comfortable seven-stroke win at the Michelob ULTRA 

Open in May. 

Sorenstam says she wants to concentrate on her 

ANNIKA Academy in coming years. She plans to marry 

next year and has said she would like to have children 

and pursue her passion for cooking. 

lpga on youtube 

The LPGA’s new YouTube website tracks the personalities and performances of the 

Tour’s stars. There are weekly wraps, behind-the-scenes views of Tour life, and charming 

moments like shutterbug Morgan Pressel discussing why she takes tons of digital photos to 

record special moments and share with friends. Go to: www.youtube.com/lpgavideo. 

honor roll 

Callaway Golf Staff Professional 

and Ball Staff Professional 

2008 victories to date 

LEFTY RAISES 

his game 

Phil Mickelson asked technicians to 

add an inch-and-a-half to the length 

of his Odyssey White Hot Putter 

after he discovered he had grown 

taller. “In the last three or four years, 

through some of the stretching exercises, 

I’ve probably grown a half-inch 

to an inch,” Mickelson says. “I hadn’t 

really made an adjustment to that.” 

In mid-April, Mickelson began working 

with Dave Pelz to adjust to his 

new 35-inch putter and fine-tune his 

putterface angle at impact. 

Ernie Els The Honda Classic 

Phil Mickelson Northern Trust Open 

Annika Sorenstam 

Michelob ULTRA Open 

SBS Open at Turtle Bay 

Stanford International Pro-Am 

Lorena Ochoa 

HSBC Women’s Champions 

Safeway International 

Kraft Nabisco Championship 

Corona Championship 

Ginn Open 

PRESSEl’s Eagles 

for st. jude 

Morgan Pressel (left) has teamed with Stanford Financial 

Group to raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 

a premier pediatric cancer research center. Stanford will 

donate $1,000 to St. Jude for each eagle made on the LPGA 

and PGA Tours. Pressel will donate $1,000 for every eagle 

she makes on the LPGA Tour. During filming of a commercial, 

Pressel was joined by cancer survivor Macy Morgan, a former 

patient at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, 

Tenn. To learn more, go to: www.eaglesforstjude.com. 


Planet 


news tour style technology 

1 

2 

Items featured are from 

the new Callaway Golf 

Lifestyle Collection and 

Callaway Golf. 

FT Performance Kinross Stripe Polo 

Shirt (1) from the Callaway Golf 

Collection contains a unique blend 

of Tencel with microfiber polyester 

and moisture wicking. 

Callaway Golf Timepieces are known 

for their innovation, quality and 

attention to every detail. This model – 

CY2116 (2) – is from the new 

Collection Series. 

14 Callaway Golf summer 2008

Planet 


Work, Rest and Play 

This Father’s Day, there are no wrong choices. Callaway Golf has all the answers. 

He works hard. He plays even harder. From early morning 

meetings to evening cocktails, and weekday networking 

to weekend father-and-son time, only one brand keeps 

pace with an active, plugged-in lifestyle. From Monday 

to Sunday, Callaway Golf’s line of golf and lifestyle products 

includes premium quality apparel, accessories, footwear, 

travel gear, executive desk sets, timepieces, rangefinders 

and beyond – all designed to deliver style, comfort and 

functionality on and off the course. 

For more information, go to: www.callawaygolf.com 

Buy now online at: Shop.CallawayGolf.com 

7 

3 

5 

6 

4 

Callaway Golf Executive Collection 

items in full-grain Nappa leather 

include a Golf Pouch (3), Money Clip 

Wallet (4)and Putter Cup (5), plus 

a selection of other accessories. 

The LR 1200 Rangefinder Flagship 

Tournament Model (6) features 

lens technology by Nikon and provides 

quick and accurate distance measurements 

up to 1,200 yards. 

The Callaway Golf Tour Authentic 

Staff Bag (7) features a 6-way divider 

system, Ballistic Nylon fabrics with 

leather accents and double strap 

connections. 


PROFESSIONAL 

INSTRUCTION 

3 keys to better 

BALL 

STRIKING 

My simple steps will improve 

your swing and your scores 

GROWING UP IN SWEDEN, I PLAYED A 

lot of different sports, including hockey, 

ping pong and tennis, so there’s a bit 

of everything in my swing. Because of this, 

I’ve always been a fairly ‘handsy’ player 

and I’m still at my happiest trying to 

conjure up something a little out of the 

ordinary – a low, running draw, say, or a 

high fade into a tight pin. I like to use my 

imagination when I play. 

However, you can’t play those types of 

shots without having a solid foundation to 

your swing. Over the next few pages, I’ll 

show you the swing keys that I rely on to 

keep my game in check and explain how 

you can upgrade your own game, too. >> 

BY fredrik jacobson with nick wright 

Photography: chris stanford 

Location: the medalist gc, hobe sound, FL 


PROFESSIONAL 

INSTRUCTION 

1 

Building a 

great posture 

Keep it neat 

and simple 

Your set-up should be as relaxed 

and natural as possible to allow 

freedom of movement. There’s 

no need to overflex your knees 

or create too much spine angle. 

Take a look at my set-up here 

(right) and you’ll see I stand fairly 

tall at address with my arms 

hanging almost vertically from 

my shoulders. My lower back is 

nice and straight and my knees 

are lightly flexed. See how my 

feet, knees, hips and shoulders 

align squarely to each other 

That’s a major key for solid ball 

striking and accuracy. 

FREDDIE’s 

practice 

pointers 

It’s very easy to slip 

into bad habits when 

you play a lot of golf. 

Faults can creep into 

your set-up over 

time, so I always like 

to practice with a 

club on the ground 

to ensure that my 

alignment remains 

consistent on every 

shot I hit. 

Don’t forget: Make time 

during each practice 

session to review your 

swing basics and rehearse 

your pre-shot routine. 

MY SWING 

What you can learn 

from my technique 

I never paid much attention to my technique growing 

up. My coach always said it was more important 

for me to play than to spend hours fine-tuning my 

swing. I quickly learned how to shape the ball and 

I still believe the shot produces the swing, not the 

other way around. In fact, after we finished photographing 

this article, I had a few balls left over. With 

a 6-iron, I hit a few shots into a green about 120 yards 

away. I loved the challenge of having to visualize the 

shot and then finesse the ball into the flag. Let me talk 

you through some of the key points of my golf swing. 

>> 1. I stand quite tall at address. I don’t tilt forward from my hips or flex my 

knees as much as some players. >> 2. In the past, my left arm would have 

been farther away from my body and outside the line, but this is good. 


PROFESSIONAL 

INSTRUCTION 

2 

Get off to a 

good start 

Your first 

move sets up 

your swing 

In recent months, I have made 

a major change to my swing. 

I used to have a tendency to 

drag the clubhead inside at 

the start of the backswing, 

causing me to overswing and 

get ‘handsy’ through impact. 

Now I focus on keeping my 

arms, shoulders and clubshaft 

working away in one piece. 

As a result, my swing is more 

on plane, I have a more compact 

and controlled swing, 

and I simply rotate my body 

through impact to square the 

face. It feels like cheating! 

NO! 

Dragging the club too far inside at the 

start of the backswing caused problems 

with my swing plane and forced me to 

rely too heavily on good timing. 

yes! 

When the hands, arms and shaft work 

away together, I don’t have to make 

compensations in my swing. My technique 

is simpler and more efficient. 

>> 3. Thanks to my improved takeaway, my backswing is more compact than in previous years. The clubshaft is parallel to the ground and square to 

the target. >> 4. Approaching impact, the clubshaft is still square to the target . >> 5. I rotate my body to square the clubface at impact and extend the club 

down the target line as long as possible. >>6. Not the most photogenic follow-through you’ll ever see in Callaway Golf Magazine, but it works! 


PROFESSIONAL 

INSTRUCTION 

3 

Develop 

great timing 

Strive for an 

even tempo 

When I first joined the PGA 

Tour, I had a slow, deliberate 

backswing and then really went 

after the ball in the downswing. 

Thanks to good hand-eye 

coordination, I got away with 

the abrupt change in swing 

speed most of the time, but I 

would hit the occasional disaster 

shot if my timing was off. 

I’ve taken about a half second 

off my swing speed during the 

past couple of seasons and I’ve 

hit the ball better than ever. 

The power in my swing now 

comes from the club, not my 

body. My slightly quicker 

backswing enables the club to 

stay more easily on plane, prevents 

me from overswinging 

(photos right and below) and 

has improved my ball-striking. 

A more even-paced swing has enabled me to reach a better position at the 

top of my backswing, and achieve a more balanced follow-through., b 

Freddie 

Talks 

Golf 

Callaway Golf’s newest 

Staff Professional talks 

putting, shanks, pasta, 

stats and hair styles. 

“The stats say that putting is 

the strength of my game, but I believe it’s 

my ability to shape my shots and scramble 

around the greens. I’m a big believer in 

keeping track of what you do well so that 

you can repeat it again. In fact, I will often 

review on video the tournaments where I 

played well to look at the way I walked, the 

routines I used and how I conducted myself.” 

“it can be difficult to eat 

well on Tour. I’m a huge fan of Italian food 

and eat lots of pasta. I try to start each day 

with some fruit – like all Swedes, I love 

bananas – but that isn’t enough if I’m teeing 

off early. If that’s the case, I’ll also have 

some scrambled eggs and bacon to help keep 

my energy level high throughout the round.” 


PROFESSIONAL 

INSTRUCTION 

I never intended to 

grow my hair this 

long; I just didn’t 

get it cut often 

enough. I’m beyond 

hating it, and quite 

like it again now 

“I hit a beauty of a shank 

at the TPC of Scottsdale in my rookie PGA 

Tour season – a wedge shot that flew at right 

angles into the crowd. I thought the fans 

were going to get on my back, but they took 

it easy on me. Thankfully, I got up and down 

in two from the mounding for par. I got it 

out of my system with a nice smooth wedge 

into the green on the next hole.” 

“people often comment on my 

hair. I never intended it to get this long; I just 

didn’t get it cut it enough. I liked it when 

I could spike it up, then it got too long and 

would just hang down. I’m beyond hating 

it now and quite like it again. Some women 

in the crowd at a recent tournament said I 

looked cool, so it can’t be too bad!” 

“i’ve always been a good 

putter. It’s rare for me not to make several 

long putts a round and I can’t remember a 

time when I was out of the top-three in the 

putting stats. My secret Enjoy putting and 

don’t become too results-oriented. You’ve 

got to feel like you putt with a smile on your 

face and with a relaxed, carefree attitude.” 

“there is a big contingent of 

Swedish Tour Pros in southern Florida. 

Per-Ulrik Johansson, Jesper Parnevik and 

Richard Johnson all live just down the road. 

Last year, my wife and Per-Ulrik’s wife were 

in hospital giving birth at the same time. 

You’re probably thinking I’ve got plenty of 

practice partners. I’m thinking that we’ve got 

an instant baby-sitting network!” 

MY equipment 

ft-5 DRiver: “Driving 

used to be my biggest 

weakness. I’m now hitting 

65 percent of fairways.” 

x hot fairway wood: 

“Strong from the tee, the 

fairway and light rough.” 

big bertha 5-wood: 

“I use it on long par-4s and 

par-5s when I need to stop 

the ball quickly.” 

x-forged irons: “I get 

a stronger ball flight and a 

few extra yards than my 

previous irons.” 

tour ix GOLF BALL: “I 

love the consistency of the 

trajectory, especially on 

the driver where it maximizes 

my carry distance.” 


EQUIPMENT & 

TECHNOLOGY 

STORY BY: 

PAULA STORY 

Photography: 

CHRIS STANFORD 


GOLF BALL 

TECHNOLOGY 

What if 

your golf ball could 

tell the difference 

between a driver and 

a wedge and react 

appropriately to each 

This uber-ball would deliver low 

spin and improved distance off the 

tee, high spin and control around 

the green, and great performance 

everywhere in between. Stop wishing. 

the future of golf ball technology has been 

rocked to the core. With the new Tour i Series 

Golf Balls, you really can have it all. 


EQUIPMENT & 

TECHNOLOGY 

Welcome to the 

new Tour i Series 

Golf Balls. 

The first thing you need to know about Callaway Golf’s new 4-piece 

ball technology is this: no other manufacturer offers a golf ball 

this advanced, innovative and complete. In just a few months, this 

patented game-changing design has proven itself with 11 victories 

on the world’s professional tours. From the lightweight, lower compression 

inner core and the high-density, high-compression outer 

core to the high inertia mantle and the HEX Aerodynamics cover, this 

science could only come from Callaway Golf. 

The next thing you need to know about Tour i Series Golf Balls is that 

4-piece technology changes everything. The “i” stands for inertia and 

this new science will alter the way you look at golf balls in much the 

same way the original Big Bertha Driver transformed the most-feared 

club in the bag into the most-loved. 

To find out how this technology made its way from concept to reality, 

we need to go back a few years. In 2000, Callaway Golf launched 

the first solid-core, 3-piece cast thermoset covered golf ball – the Rule 35 

It seems like the Tour 

i Series Golf Balls know 

instinctively what kind 

of shot you want to hit 

– using state-of-the-art manufacturing processes. The ball was so 

revolutionary that Arnold Palmer (who once used a circular metal ring 

to measure the spherical accuracy of his golf balls) started using the 

Rule 35 and decided to become a Callaway Golf Staff Professional. Next 

Technology 

from the 

Inside Out 

Tour i Series Golf Balls 

are constructed to react 

differently to power shots 

off the tee and controlled 

wedge or finesse shots. 

1. Spin Separation and 

dual core technology 

Two cores mean complete performance on a 

variety of shots. The challenge in designing 

golf balls is matching the correct amount of 

spin to the club – lower spin with driver, higher 

spin with wedges. Tour i Series Golf Balls 

give you both. The inner core is less dense 

and soft, while the outer core is very dense 

and firm. Driver shots with more force react 

with the softer inner core to give you less 

spin, while finesse shots impact the firmer, 

heavier outer core for more spin and control. 

2. Inertia Technology 

Dual Core Technology offers the ability to 

differentiate the specific gravity of the inner 

core from that of the outer core and take 

advantage of perimeter weighting in the 

outer layers of the Tour i Series Golf Balls. 

High-density fillers, such as Tungsten, are 

used in the ball’s outer core and mantle layer 

to move weight away from the inner core. 

This increases the moment of inertia (MOI) 

and makes the ball as heavy as it can be while 

still conforming. A high MOI means less spin 

and more distance on driver shots. 


GOLF BALL 

TECHNOLOGY 

came the HEX Aerodynamics cover pattern, which replaced traditional 

dimples in the HX Series Golf Balls with a more aerodynamically 

efficient pattern of hexagons and pentagons unique to Callaway Golf. 

Featuring that technology, the HX Tour and HX Tour 56 Golf Balls 

combined to win 13 major championships. 

With the HX Tour Golf Ball enjoying such a successful Tour pedigree, 

developing a superior new ball technology was no small order. The 

real challenge for the Company was to make the next-generation Tour 

ball significantly better, not simply tweak the previous line. 

To develop such a ball, Callaway Golf’s designers felt they needed 

to look beyond HEX Aerodynamics and revisit the ball’s construction 

from the inside out. At the forefront of their thoughts was the idea to 

add a second core to help deliver relatively low spin levels off the 

driver while providing enhanced control around the greens. 

Callaway Golf engineers had known of the potential performance 

benefits of a dual core for some time, and the answer to the next revolution 

in golf balls turned out to be tied to the growing Callaway Golf 

family of brands. Callaway Golf’s acquisition of Top-Flite included that 

brand’s patent portfolio. Top-Flite’s technology included the Strata Tour 

Ultimate Golf Ball, which Jim Furyk used to win the U.S. Open in 2003. 

“It was a dual core golf ball, but it didn’t have HEX Aerodynamics, 

or a RIM (Reaction Injection-Molded) cover, and it didn’t fully leverage 

dual-core technology,” says Steve Ogg, Callaway Golf Vice President, 

Research and Development. We took the dual-core idea and optimized it.” 

Ernie Els 

Rory Sabbatini 

selective spin: 

The Tour i Series Golf Balls know the difference 

between a powerful driver shot and a controlled 

wedge and react appropriately, producing less spin 

off the driver and more with a wedge or lofted iron. 

3.THINNER, DENSER MAntle 

The mantle layer is significantly thinner on 

the Tour i Series Golf Balls, compared to 

their predecessors, which allows the core to 

be bigger. The new material is also very dense, 

which again helps to move weight outward 

and away from the center to increase the 

golf ball’s moment of inertia. This important 

penultimate mantle layer primarily impacts 

and improves ball feel, but it also keeps the 

core from oxidizing, which retains the power 

or resiliency of the rubber cores – the engine 

of your golf ball. 

4. HEX Aerodynamics 

Traditional dimple patterns cover up to 

86 percent of the surface of the golf ball. 

With Callaway Golf’s patented HEX Aerodynamics, 

you get a seamless cover and 

100 percent surface coverage, which means 

a more symmetrical golf ball that flies farther. 

The newest version of HEX Aerodynamics 

features 38 separate facets per hexagon, 

allowing Callaway Golf engineers to further 

fine-tune the aerodynamic characteristics of 

the ball so your shots penetrate the wind for 

even longer, straighter ball flight. 

5. RIM Technology 

Reaction Injection Molding (RIM) precisely 

centers the mantle layer-covered core of the 

Tour i and Tour ix Golf Balls during manufacturing, 

resulting in a more consistent 

cover thickness that delivers a very steady 

launch and flight, tighter dispersion and, 

ultimately, a better flying golf ball. Two 

liquid components are injected under pressure 

into a cavity that centers the mantle 

layer-covered cores. When the two liquids 

mix, they create a chemical reaction that 

forms a solid cover material in just seconds. 


EQUIPMENT & 

TECHNOLOGY 

Enter the Tour i Series Golf Balls. This next-generation ball technology 

takes the evolution of the Company’s impressive 3-piece heritage 

and existing core technologies – HEX Aerodynamics with the sub-HEX 

Design and RIM Technology – and supercharges it with dual-core 

construction and inertia technology to create a new, 4-piece revolution. 

If it seems like the new Tour i Series Golf Balls instinctively know 

what type of shot you’re trying to hit … well, technically speaking, they 

do. These new golf balls understand the important difference between 

driver and wedge shots – and they react appropriately to each. 

The new “secret ingredient” is a feature called spin separation – a 

result of the core differential compression created by dual core technology. 

In layman’s terms, this means that the two separate cores inside the ball 

react differently to shots of different clubhead speeds. For example, if you 

hit a Tour i Series Golf Ball with a driver, the high clubhead speed compresses 

the ball, transferring the force, stress and energy all the way 

“ 

into 

Maximum 

Distance 

Golf Ball 

Increase loft Reduce loft 

Dual Core is a new technology platform, but it’s not a trendy thing or a 

gimmick. It’s the real deal, and there is more coming in the future. 

This is the next wave of revolutionary golf ball technology. 

– Steve Ogg, 

Callaway Golf Vice President, 

Research and Development 

“ 

the soft inner core. This deformation is a good thing with the driver 

because it reduces the moment arm from the ball’s center of gravity. For 

golf ball tech junkies, “moment arm” is the new rock star. In simple 

terms, it is a measure of torque upon the ball from the spin-generating 

force (club impact) to the ball’s center of gravity. A reduced, or shorter, 

moment arm causes the ball to spin less. Less spin equals more distance. 

But what about when you need more spin The firmer outer core of a 

Tour i Series Golf Ball prevents the force created by a slower clubhead 

speed from reaching the softer, inner core. The ball maintains its shape, 

resulting in a large moment arm for a high level of backspin. 

“It’s very easy to misinterpret information regarding spin,” says Ogg. 

“You read magazine articles that say, ‘This ball has good spin,’ but 

they probably tested it by hitting full wedge or 9-iron shots. But a lot 

of balls spin well under those conditions. A more rigorous challenge is 

to maintain control and consistency on a chip. The dual core and RIM 

Technology really pay off when you’re trying to get close to the pin.” 

In addition to optimizing spin rates for different clubs, an additional 

benefit of dual core technology is the opportunity to differentiate the 

specific center of gravity of the inner core from the specific center of 

gravity of the outer core. “We move the high-density fillers that we typically 

use in a single core construction to the outer core, thus increasing 

the moment of inertia (resistance to twisting or, in this case, spinning) of 

the golf ball,” Ogg says. “The increased moment of inertia (MOI) reduces 

the driver spin at launch for reduced drag and also helps maintain spin 

later in the flight for increased low speed lift and longer carries.” 

The mantle layer – the boundary between the cores and the cover 


GOLF BALL 

TECHNOLOGY 

– of the Tour i Series is significantly thinner than previous Callaway Golf 

balls, which makes the balls feel softer. However, the new mantle 

material is denser, which additionally helps increase the MOI and move 

weight out and away from the inner core to help improve driver distance. 

In a golf ball cover, you want enough thickness that the material can 

get into the grooves and grip on wedge shots. Callaway Golf’s Reaction 

Injection Molding (RIM) process creates an ideal and consistent cover 

thickness all the way around the Tour i Series Golf Balls at 20 thousandths 

of an inch. That compares to 35 thousandths of an inch in the original 

Rule 35 Golf Ball, and 30 thousandths of an inch in the HX Tour Series. 

The combination of dual core technology, inertia technology, RIM, and 

HEX Aerodynamics is something you can only get in a Tour i and Tour ix 

Golf Ball. When you want a drive to spin less and fly farther, it does. 

When you want an approach shot to spin and stick, it does that, too. 

And when you want soft feel, durability, precision and consistency from 

tee to green, it has all that, too. That makes Tour i Series Golf Balls 

the weapon of choice these days for pros like Phil Mickelson, Annika 

Sorenstam, Ernie Els and others who thought they had the “holy grail” 

of golf balls in the HX Tour Series. In fact, it was Callaway Golf’s ball 

technology that convinced Ernie Els to join the Company as a Staff 

Professional. “I didn’t think it was possible to create a better ball,” Els 

said. “Once again, Callaway Golf has raised the bar.” 

There is a misconception, stemming from the old balata ball days, 

that you have to be an accomplished golfer to play a Tour-level ball. The 

balata ball did spin a lot with the driver, and the pros were among the 

few who could get good distance out of it. But those days are long gone. 

“You don’t have to be a pro to play a Tour i Series Golf Ball,” Ogg 

says. “Anybody who wants great feel and greenside control will benefit 

from this ball. Anybody who wants less driver spin and more distance 

will benefit from this ball, too. It really is the best of all worlds.” 

“I tried every 

brand and the 

Tour i Golf 

Ball stood out 

because 

around the 

green it has a 

softer feel” 

– Lorena Ochoa 

Professionally 

Speaking 

Tour i Series Golf Balls 

tearing it up on Tour! 

By Tim Sweeney 

with 11 tour victories through April, this 

new ball technology has made believers out of 

some of the world’s best players. Callaway Golf 

Ball Staff Professional and women’s World No. 1 

Lorena Ochoa grabbed the year’s first major when 

she used the Tour i Golf Ball to win the Kraft 

Nabisco Championship. As we went to press, 

Ochoa had five wins on the LPGA Tour with the 

Tour i Golf Ball. Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els and 

Annika Sorenstam have all won in 2008 using the 

Tour ix Golf Ball. Through the first three months 

of the season, every tournament on the PGA and 

LPGA Tours has seen more Callaway Golf balls in 

play than in 2007. In some cases, twice as many 

were in play. (Source: Darrell Survey.) 

“I tried every brand and the Tour i Golf Ball stood 

out because around the green it has a softer feel. 

I look for distance, but the most important thing 

is consistency. I want to know that I’ll have really 

good distance control. I want to work the ball 

easily, so I need a ball that I feel comfortable 

doing that with.” – Lorena Ochoa 

“I’ve gained so much more consistency with the 

Tour i Golf Ball. I was literally shocked at how 

well the golf ball plays in the wind, how it stays 

down and goes through it.” – Ryan Moore 

“The Tour ix Golf Ball goes through the wind 

so well. I’ve been really pleased with how it performs 

in windy conditions. It doesn’t float up in 

the air at all.” – Rory Sabbatini 

“I heard a lot of good things from other players 

about the Callaway Golf balls in regard to consistency 

of ball flight, so I was excited to test the 

Tour i and Tour ix. I love the performance. The 

ball flight is just how I like it. They are both very 

good Tour-level balls. The Tour i gives me more 

spin and a softer feel.” – Fredrik Jacobson 

For more information on Callaway Golf Ball Staff 

Professionals, go to: www.callawaygolf.com/tour. 


28 Callaway Golf SUMMER 2008 

Phil Mickelson says his father is the man he admires 

and respects most. Here, the pair walk together 

during a practice round at the British Open.

father’s day 

interview 

The next 

one’s 

for dad 

Winning the 

U.S. Open 

for my father 

would mean 

the world 

to me. 

By Phil mickelson 

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MICKELSON FAMILY 

Winning The PLAYERS 

Championship last year was 

a big thrill for several reasons, 

one of which was being able 

to give my mother a gift I knew 

she would really appreciate 

on Mother’s Day. 

Looking back, it’s hard to believe it was nine years ago 

when Payne Stewart, who had just won the U.S. Open, 

gripped my face and said, “You’re going to be a father 

and there’s nothing greater in the world.” Amy was 

expecting our first child and I was very excited about that 

but, for a second or two there at Pinehurst, I had my 

doubts about Payne’s words. Our daughter Amanda was 

born the next day and I immediately understood what 

Payne meant. When I think back to that moment, it always 

makes me realize how much my father means to me. 

Golf has rewarded me with many great experiences, 

but one of my very favorite memories is walking in through 

the brush from the far side of Balboa Municipal after the 

sun went down with my dad. My father’s optimism, wisdom 

and patience have been invaluable. He is far and away the 

man I admire most because I couldn’t be the father I am 

now without his guidance. I now have a chance to raise my 

children the same way he and my mom raised me. 

Another memory that stands out clearly in my mind 

is when I was about eight years old. Dad would often take 

me out to play nine holes after school, and one day I 

started slamming my clubs down after I missed a shot or 

putt. Finally, my dad said to me, “Phil, you don’t look like 

you’re having fun. Put your clubs up until you’re ready to 

have fun out here.” I walked for one hole and then told 

him I was ready to have fun again. He said, “OK, let’s play 

the last hole together.” 

A few years later, he drove me to a two-day event in 

Tucson. I was one or two shots back after the first day, but 

I shot about a million in the last round. On the way home, 

he said, “Let’s look at the bright side. What did you learn 

today that you can work on and be better at next time” 

We spent the long ride home talking through every shot. 

I’ve come close to giving my dad a perfect Father’s Day 

gift. I’ve been in a great position to win the U.S. Open 

three times now, but haven’t quite done it yet. I’ve taken 

care of Mom with a win. Dad’s is coming. 


I-MIX READER 

CASE STUDY 

The Perfect 

written BY: 

paula story 

Photography: 

chris stanford 

Location: 

ely callaway performance center, 

carlsbad, calif.

EQUIPMENT & 

TECHNOLOGY 

Driver 

{Every time} 

We put the new I-MIX System to 

the test with a golfer just like you. 

Last issue, we introduced you to the technology behind the new I-MIX System that allows 

you to match Callaway Golf FT-i and FT-5 Driver clubheads with more than 70 top-of-the-line 

shafts to create the perfect driver for the changing needs of your game. Over the next few 

pages, we’re going to put that technology to the test. 

Golf is not a static sport. Your game is impacted by such variables as course conditions, 

wind, weather, altitude and even your attitude. Why should your driver stay the same We 

invited Steve Brooks, a member of the Callaway Golf Magazine Reader Panel, to test the 

I-MIX System at the Ely Callaway Performance Center in Carlsbad, Calif. We asked Brooks 

to go through the same, simple process that you can try at any authorized Callaway Golf fitting 

or retail location. Read on to learn how, in just a few clicks, Brooks achieved straighter, 

longer, more accurate drives with I-MIX – and how you can, too! 

Steve Brooks (left) 

Callaway Golf Magazine reader 

Handicap: 9 

“I’m the perfect golfer to test this new 

system because I haven’t owned a driver 

in 12 years. I teed off with an original 

Big Bertha 2-iron and then a Big Bertha 

Heavenwood Hybrid. I recently started 

hitting an X460 Driver, but I’m not sure 

the specs are right for me. I’m looking 

forward to getting a taste of what it feels 

like to be a Callaway Golf Staff Pro.” 

Greg Sabella 

Callaway Golf Woods Product Director 

“What we are looking to demonstrate 

here is how I-MIX puts pro-level 

customization in the hands of every 

golfer, fitting your shaft and clubhead to 

your swing, strategy and style of play. 

Up until recently, only Tour Pros had the 

opportunity to customize their equipment. 

We’re really excited about being 

able to give amateur golfers the same 

opportunities.” 

{the fitting} 

t 

For the fitting, Sabella has 15 shafts, including 

those from Aldila, Fujikura, Grafalloy and 

Mitsubishi Rayon, and nine FT-i and FT-5 

Driver clubheads. This creates some 400 

possible head/shaft combinations. Brooks has 

been playing a 10-degree driver, so in a few 

seconds, Sabella uses the I-MIX wrench to 

assemble a 10-degree FT-5 Driver head with 

first a 65- and then a 75-gram shaft. They also 

try a 9-degree FT-5 Neutral clubhead with a 

Matrix 75-gram shaft. 

1 


I-MIX READER 

CASE STUDY 

t 

After Brooks spends a few minutes warming 

up on the driving range, Sabella starts the 

session by handing Brooks the 9-degree 

FT-5 Neutral clubhead fitted with a Matrix 

75-gram shaft. Brooks is pushing a lot of his 

drives to the right off the tee, so they move 

on to a 9-degree FT-5 Draw clubhead with an 

Aldila 75-gram shaft. Brooks’ shots fly longer 

and straighter with this configuration, but he 

says the shaft feels stiffer in the tip and thinks 

he might prefer a slightly lighter feel. 

2 

t 

With the goal of increasing Brooks’ clubhead 

speed, Sabella fits the FT-5 clubhead with a 

Grafalloy Pro Launch Platinum 65 Stiff Shaft. 

Both Sabella and Brooks are enamored with 

the shape and distance of the shots. Brooks 

tries the FT-i Neutral clubhead with the same 

shaft. Although the high moment of inertia 

helps his off-center hits, Brooks still prefers 

the more traditional look of the FT-5 Driver. 

Sabella explains that the square-shaped 

FT-i Driver requires an adjustment period 

and that the I-MIX system is a great way to 

experiment with technology combinations. 

3 

t 

After about 30 minutes, Sabella and Brooks 

find the perfect combination – a 9-degree 

FT-5 Driver with a Grafalloy Pro Launch 

Platinum 65 Stiff shaft. Brooks’ drives are 

now flying as straight as an arrow, and his 

shot dispersion has narrowed into a nice, 

neat patch some 40 yards left of where his 

earlier pushed shots were landing on the 

Ely Callaway Performance Center test range. 

Brooks’ ball flight is slightly lower, but he 

is carrying the ball farther. 

4 

An introduction 

to i-mix 

By greg sabella 

“The USGA used to have a rule on how the clubhead was attached to the 

shaft of the golf club. It basically stated that there needed to be permanency 

in the bond. That’s why golf equipment manufacturers used a strong glue 

to fix the two components together and also why it required significant heat 

and/or force to break that seal. 

A couple of years ago, to improve the speed, efficiency and accuracy of 

our fitting for Staff Professionals, we developed a system called OptiFit, 

which is very similar to what I-MIX has become. That system enabled us to 

quickly and easily interchange clubheads and shafts for the players to test 

on Tour or when they visited us at the Ely Callaway Performance Center. 

When the USGA announced that it was going to change the rule, we were 

ready to introduce I-MIX to both our Staff Pros and amateur golfers. 

The I-MIX System allows you to change your driver loft for differing course 


EQUIPMENT & 

TECHNOLOGY 

t 

Brooks assembles his own club 

in less than 25 seconds on the 

first attempt. The I-MIX system 

is intuitive, with graphics on 

the tool, shaft and clubhead 

that cue Brooks on the proper 

orientation for each piece. The 

pieces only fit together one way. 

How I’m going 

to use my new 

I-MIX System 

by steve Brooks 

5 

PICK. CLICK. PLAY 

Your three quick steps to 

mastering the I-MIX connection 

a } When you insert the 

shaft, make sure it is aligned 

properly. The chevron on the 

tip should be visible. Wiggle 

the shaft slightly when 

inserting to ensure a good 

fit. Finger tighten the shaft 

nut to the clubhead. 

b } Holding the clubhead 

with one hand, place the 

wrench around the shaft 

and slide it up toward the 

nut. Ensure that the wrench 

remains at a 90-degree angle 

to the shaft and that the 

wrench completely covers 

the shaft nut. Avoid gaps. 

c } Turn the wrench in the 

direction indicated by 

the arrow on the wrench. 

Tighten until the red indicator 

appears in the window, 

you hear a click and feel 

the wrench advance a few 

degrees. It’s locked and 

you’re ready to go play! 

conditions or altitude changes, and also to experiment with a variety of 

different shafts. You’re probably not going to tear the shaft out of a brand 

new driver just to see how a new one performs, but with I-MIX, you don’t 

have to go to that trouble or expense. 

I-MIX also helps golfers adjust their driver set-up as their game changes. 

For example, you might begin the season with one particular loft and shaft 

combination, then switch to another as your game improves later in the 

summer. Golfers who frequently travel to different courses will find it easy 

and convenient to leave their favorite shaft at one or more locations, and 

simply take the clubhead in their carry-on luggage. You won’t have to worry 

about the airline breaking or losing your driver, and you’ll always have the 

right loft and flex for where you’re playing.” 

For more information, go to: www.callawaygolf.com/imix. 

“Immediately after the fitting, I 

couldn’t wait to play. I was very 

impressed by the speed at which 

Greg was able to fit me with the 

optimum shaft and clubhead. I 

started the day pushing my drives 

and ended the session hitting 

them as straight as an arrow. 

I was a little nervous when Greg 

first handed me the wrench and 

invited me to switch the shafts 

myself. But it was very simple. 

I’m already looking at different 

shaft options for my 9-degree 

clubhead and, as I get more and 

more comfortable hitting a driver, 

adding a 10-degree head to the 

mix. I typically play closer to the 

coast, where it’s often wet in the 

mornings, so I’ll use the10-degree 

then. For drier conditions, such as 

trips to the desert, I’ll also take 

the 9-degree clubhead.” 

“I started the 

day pushing 

my drives and 

ended the 

session hitting 

them as straight 

as an arrow” 


Straight Talking 

Johnny Miller 

Time for a Torrey 

fairytale story 

After a succession of agonizing near misses, the stage is perfectly set at Torrey Pines for 

Phil Mickelson to win the one major championship he craves more than any other – the U.S. Open. 

I always look ahead to the U.S. Open with a great deal of 

anticipation. For me, it’s golf’s ultimate gut check. The players 

expose their nerves and games to the toughest golf course 

with the toughest set-up and with the most punishing rough 

imaginable. Tony Lema once said that playing at Augusta 

National was fun at the top, but there are no such frills at the 

U.S. Open; it’s survival of the fittest and all about proving how 

tough you are. The Masters followed by the U.S. Open is a 

great one-two punch combination. 

I’m pleased to see the rotation of U.S. Open golf courses 

now includes a selection of public facilities. The championship 

returns to Bethpage State Park 

in 2009 and a year later visits 

Pebble Beach before heading 

in 2015 to another renowned 

public course – Chambers Bay, 

which overlooks the gorgeous 

Puget Sound in Washington 

State. I think it’s great that our 

national championship isn’t just 

played at exclusive, private 

country clubs and I applaud the 

USGA’s strategy. 

Bethpage in 2001 was a great 

success. We had a great finish 

with Phil Mickelson and Tiger 

Woods dueling it out on the 

final day and I’m expecting a 

similar head-to-head battle this 

year at Torrey Pines in Southern 

California. Torrey Pines is a very 

successful stomping ground for 

both Phil and Tiger, who each have a great track record there 

with several victories apiece. 

Here’s my prediction: If Phil can finish above Tiger – who is 

the guy to beat – he will win the U.S. Open. He’s the one guy 

on the planet who can match Tiger when he’s really playing 

well. As the hometown favorite and a San Diego native, the 

expectation will be huge for Phil and he’ll undoubtedly feel 

the nerves kick in more than usual. The key for him is to manage 

that adrenaline rush and post a solid first-round score. 

If he can avoid a high number and shoot somewhere around 

even par or better, he is going to be really tough to beat. 

Adding to the pressure is the fact that the U.S. Open is 

probably the one major Phil wants to win more than any other. 

For a guy who has won 33 tour events, he has gone an awfully 

long time without winning the U.S. Open. In that regard, he’s 

similar to Tom Kite. After dominating the Money List in the 

1980s without claiming a major, Kite produced a clutch performance 

at Pebble Beach in 1992, shooting an amazing score 

in 30 mph winds to win the U.S. Open. To this day, I consider 

Kite’s final round performance one of the all-time great 

displays of golf. 

Although he has three majors 

to his name, Phil is in a similar 

If Phil can beat 

Tiger at Torrey 

Pines in front of 

his hometown 

fans, it will 

undoubtedly 

be the greatest 

achievement of 

his career. 

position to Kite in regard to 

winning the U.S. Open. He will 

be 38 in June but, as far as I’m 

concerned, he’s still in his prime 

for this tournament. Experience, 

patience, will power and the 

ability to just hang in there, 

overcome your frustrations and 

grind it out are the key attributes 

you need to climb to the 

top of the leaderboard at the 

U.S. Open. 

It’s time for Phil to win and 

this undoubtedly is his best 

chance. With his great short 

game and phenomenal shotmaking 

skills, Torrey Pines 

suits his game perfectly. The fairways are going to be wide 

by U.S. Open standards and the USGA is going to let the 

seaside wind become a major factor in keeping the golf 

course difficult. It’ll be firm and fast because you’re not going 

to get any rain in Southern California that time of year. 

I think Phil feels totally comfortable at Torrey Pines, and I’m 

one of the many thousands of fans who will be pulling for him. 

If he can beat Tiger and everybody else in front of his hometown 

fans to finally win the championship he wants more than 

any other, it would be the greatest achievement of his career. 

34 

Callaway Golf summer 2008

This ball changes - Callaway Golf

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