Is Callaway A Good Golf Brand – Are Their Clubs Good?

Nowadays, it’s hard to remember a time when the name Callaway wasn’t a staple in every golfer’s home. Callaway makes some of the most storied golf clubs and balls in the game. Their clubs can be regularly seen on the PGA tour as well as local clubs.

Callaway is one of the biggest American manufacturers of golf gear in the world but does that prestige necessarily equate to good golf clubs? If you are in the market for new clubs then you have probably looked at some of Callaway’s offerings.

In the following brand profile, we will be taking a look at some of Callaway’s best golf clubs and breaking them down so you can see if they are right for your game. We will also be taking a look at the history and reputation of the company. Will Callaway golf clubs be a good fit for you? Find out in the following company profile.

Quick Facts

  • The Callaway company as we know it today actually started out as Hickory Sticks USA
  • The founder of Callaway is named Ely Callaway Jr. and he was an avid golfer when he bought the company
  • Today Callaway owns many prominent golf brands including TopGolf Entertainment Group and Odyssey
  • Callaway makes a variety of products including golf clubs. Golf balls, golf apparel, shoes and bags
  • Roger Cleveland, the founder of Cleveland golf, left his own company in order to work with Callaway in 1996

History of Callaway

The roots of the Callaway Golf company can be traced back to the roots of Hickory Sticks USA. Hickory Sticks USA was once a golf club manufacturing company known for producing clubs with hickory shafts and steel cores.

Hickory Sticks USA was the favorite brand of one Ely Callaway Jr. who was a successful business man and avid golfer. When Hickory Sticks USA ran into financial troubles, Callaway offered to purchase half of the company and help it out.

His involvement in the business would prove to be instrumental as he introduced many new innovations and brought in pioneering engineers to breath new life into the company. When he bought half of the company, it was renamed to Callaway Hickory Stick USA.

Callaway purchased half of Hickory Sticks USA in 1982 and in 1984, he bought the rest of the company. This is when the company officially became known as simply “Callaway” as it is today. Over the next 3 decades, the company would introduce new technologies to golf club manufacturing and release iconic lines such as the Big Bertha.

Today, Callaway is one of the most popular golf club brands in the industry and is a major force in the PGA Tour.

Best Driver – Callaway Rogue ST Max

Selling Points:

  • Triaxial carbon crown
  • Titanium frame
  • Tungsten cartridge

The Callaway Rogue ST Max is the company’s latest entry into game-improvement drivers. The new Rogue Max series uses 26 grams of tungsten in the rear of the head to produce massive launch and increase MOI to an insane degree.

The Callaway Rogue ST Max plays long, hot and forgiving. The titanium frame sits low in the body to keep the CG nice and low so launch is almost automatic. We really loved the carry distances we were getting from this driver at the range.

It’s not inconceivable for high handicap players to get 225+ yards from this driver even with slow swing speeds. It has a very slight draw bias though so just keep that in mind.

Pros:

  • Very easy launch
  • Great carry distance
  • Large footprint

Cons:

  • Not very workable
  • Still kind of expensive

Overall Rating: 96/100

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Best Callaway Game Improvement Irons for High Handicappers – Callaway Big Bertha B21 Irons

Selling Points:

  • AI Flash Face cup
  • Tungsten Energy Core
  • Urethane Microspheres

The Big Bertha series of golf clubs is one of the company’s most iconic. First introduced in 1986, the original Big Bertha driver was an immediate game-changer for high handicappers. In 2022, the Callaway Big Bertha B21 Irons continue that storied legacy.

At point of address, you can see the tungsten weight jut out from the back of the beefy head. These irons will inspire confidence in the highest of handicappers. What we love the most about these irons though is that they really help keep the ball straight.

Even on mis-hits, the consistent face keeps your ball on line and ensures good speed. The Callaway Big Bertha B21 Irons are marked by plenty of offset, wide soles and large footprints.

Pros:

  • Great for beginners
  • Good distance
  • Straight ball flight

Cons:

  • Very limited workability
  • A bit heavy

Overall Rating: 94/100

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Best Callaway Irons for Mid Handicappers – Callaway Mavrik Irons

Selling Points:

  • Urethane microspheres
  • Tungsten weighting
  • Designed by artificial intelligence

Using millions of computer simulations, the faces of the Callaway Mavrik Irons were designed to produce maximum distance. The Callaway Mavrik Irons produce a low, piercing trajectory that mid handicappers will love.

Keep in mind that these are relatively weak-lofted irons with the 9-iron checking in at just 36 degrees. But the stopping power comes from exceptional feel and spin. You’re not gonna get a lot of carry in these irons but better players will be able to land the green nonetheless.

The tungsten weighting which is custom in every iron in the set helps produce massive increases in energy and ball speed. Again, a great choice for mid handicappers.

Pros:

  • Good ball speed
  • Good spin rates
  • Soft feel

Cons:

  • Low launch
  • Durability issues

Overall Rating: 92/100

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Best Callaway Irons for Low Handicappers – Callaway Apex 21 Irons

Selling Points:

  • Forged design
  • Tungsten Energy Core
  • 1025 carbon steel construction

When feel and control matter most, the Callaway Apex 21 Irons are a great option. The Callaway Apex 21 Irons are forged from 1025 carbon steel which gives them an incredibly soft and responsive feel. There is still a lot of help with forgiveness and distance in these irons though.

These are shallow cavity back irons that still have a fairly high MOI. At point of address though, low handicappers will love the thin top line and moderate offset. These are extremely workable irons that will suit the needs of single-digit handicappers.

Pros:

  • Workable
  • Surprisingly forgiving
  • Incredible feel

Cons:

  • A bit pricey
  • Limited spin

Overall Rating: 95/100

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Best Used Callaway Irons – Callaway Epic Irons

Selling Points:

  • Cavity back design
  • Balanced design
  • Stable feel

The Callaway Epic series of irons was a hit with mid to high handicappers when it first came out. In 2022, you can score a used set for an Epic price. These irons still have a lot to offer in terms of distance and forgiveness.

The moderate footprint looks great at point of address and you get flighted loft very easily. The Epic irons are large so there is not a lot of workability to them. But players who are seeking more distance from their irons will love them.

Pros:

  • High MOI
  • Good forgiveness
  • High launch

Cons:

  • Some scratches
  • Some outdated features

Overall Rating: 93/100

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Best Callaway Fairway Wood – Callaway Epic Max

Selling Points:

  • Oversized head
  • Shallow face
  • Jailbreak blades

We really like the Epic Max fairway wood because it offers a lot of lateral forgiveness. The shallower face expands the sweet spot from toe to heel and covers the areas where most players mis-hit. This is a great fairway wood to use if you tend to slice the ball.

The Callaway Epic Max fairway wood feels incredible too. The maraging steel face plays hot and offers a very rewarding sound and feel when you pure the ball. The forging process really works wonders for the consistency of the face as well.

Predictable distances are spot-on whether you’re using the Callaway Epic Max 3 or 5 fairway wood. They are even viable off the tee!

Pros:

  • Low spin
  • Great ball speed
  • Consistent performance

Cons:

  • Not great from the rough
  • No adjustable weight

Overall Rating: 94/100

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Best Callaway Hybrid – Callaway Epic Flash Hybrid

Selling Points:

  • Jailbreak bars
  • Lightweight crown
  • Flash face design

One of the things we really like about the Callaway Epic Flash Hybrid is the lightweight design. If you have a slow swing speed but still need to fill the distance gap between your 5 wood and your irons, the Callaway Epic Flash Hybrid is a great option.

It has a lightweight crown and sole design and overall, it feels very light and wieldy in the hands. Stability is not an issue with this club though. The internal jailbreak bracing arms keep everything in check and MOI high.

The flash face cup design feels fantastic when you pure the ball and provides plenty of ball speed. The Callaway Epic Flash Hybrid also comes with an adjustable hosel so it’s a great asset in situations where you need to tweak loft and lie to stay on the fairway.

Pros:

  • Great for a wide variety of players
  • Rewarding feel
  • Great look at address

Cons:

  • Sounds more like a wood
  • Low launch

Overall Rating: 94/100

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Best Callaway Wedges – Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge

Selling Points:

  • Cavity back irons
  • JAWS grooves
  • Multiple sole grind options

The Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedges are some of the most forgiving we have ever played. If you have been trouble getting the kind of launch and spin you need from your wedges, you need to try these clubs. They come in a variety of sole grinds so you can choose the bounce that suits your swing the best.

The face grooves have exceptionally sharp edges and you can really feel them when you pure the ball. Spin control is exceptional and turf interaction is buttery smooth.

Pros:

  • Good from the rough
  • Great spin control
  • Forgiving

Cons:

  • A bit pricey
  • Weak loft

Overall Rating: 93/100

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Best Callaway/Odyssey Putter – Odyssey Red Ball Putter

Selling Points:

  • Unique alignment marker
  • White hot face insert
  • Mallet type putter

We end our Callaway club profile with the Odyssey Red Ball Putter. This is one of the best-looking putters on the market and features a unique “red dot” alignment marker that makes it super easy to line the ball up.

The famous White Hot face insert feels incredibly smooth and gets the ball rolling true extremely quickly. It feels very balanced in the hands and really shines on long putts. The feel and roll on longer putts just feels so true and effortless.

Pros:

  • Great for players of all skill levels
  • Forgiving
  • Looks great

Cons:

  • Right-handed versions are currently hard to find
  • Older model

Overall Rating: 96/100

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Who are Callaway Golf Clubs for?

Callaway makes clubs for every skill level whether you are a pro or are just beginning with the game.

Are they Good for Beginners?

For beginners, we would recommend the Big Bertha line of clubs. They are extremely forgiving and will help you get to the cup with fewer strokes.

Good for Seniors?

Many of Callaway’s clubs can be outfitted with senior flex shafts so they can be used effectively by older players or players with slower swing speeds.

What Pros Use Callaway Golf Clubs

Callaway golf clubs can be seen in the bags of tour pros such as Phil Mickelson, Xander Schauffele, Jon Rahm and Henrik Stenson.

Final Assessment

So is Callaway a good golf brand? We certainly think so. In fact, you would be hard-pressed to find any modern Callaway club that couldn’t benefit you game in some way or another. Like always, you have to practice discernment and choose a club that suits your style of play but Callaway clubs make it easy to find a perfect match.