First Look At Callaway's New 2013 X-Forged Irons

Callaway provided a preview its new 2013 irons, the X Forged, on Wednesday. Luke Williams, senior director of global woods and irons for Callaway, discussed their decision to not manufacture more forged cavity back irons. He explained the the most popular irons on the PGA Tour and the European tour are not the company’s forged cavity backs but last year’s RAZR X Muscleback irons and the Tour Authentic X-Prototype irons. The tour players favor the clean looks and performance of the musclebacks and X-Prototype to the forged cavity backs.

Golf WRX reports, “According to Williams, Callaway’s recent musclebacks have been a success due to what the company is calling CG Height progression. CG (Center of Gravity) Height Progression places the center of gravity lower in the long irons for the higher trajectory that tour pros want. It also places the CG higher in the short irons for a flatter trajectory. Callaway’s past forged cavity back irons, the RAZR X Forged, had the opposite CG progression. The center of gravity was actually the lowest in the short irons.”

The musclebacks also go more smoothly through the turf than the RAZR X Forged irons which tend to dig through impact. The new X Forged have what Williams called “a slightly wider muscleback sole.” The 2013 X Forged look like musclebacks as well. Compared to the 2012 RAZR X Forged irons, the 2013 X Forged have a shorter blade length and do not have the high heel and sharp toe.

Callaway’s Facebook page described the new irons as, “A new face design, sole profile and optimized CG Height Progression through the line delivers distinctive performance advantages, including distance, with an incredible (and somewhat drool-inducing) look.” The 2013 X Forged irons are expected to be available in January 2013 for $999 per set.

Right now Phil Mickelson is testing these new irons out and expect many of the other Callaway staffers to be putting them in their bag next year. With the announcement of the new TaylorMade RocketBladez irons and now these, 2013 is looking like a great year for new irons.