Callaway Steelhead XR Fairway Wood Vs Callaway Epic Speed Fairway Wood Comparison Overview
Callaway clubs become classics for a reason: each one seems to represent some kind of innovation that changes the game. Such is the case for the older yet still viable Steelhead and Epic Speed fairway woods.
When it was proposed that we do a comparison review of these two models, we were a bit hesitant. After all, what could these fairway woods offer that newer models can’t? We were honestly thinking this comparison wouldn’t be exciting.
We were wrong to have ever doubted Callaway. Testing the Callaway Steelhead XR and Callaway Epic Speed fairway woods was like running into that ex that you never quite got over.
We had forgotten how lovingly designed these clubs were and how much they still have to offer the every day golfer. In our defense, this is common when your job is to test golf clubs.
Still, there is a lot to love about the Callaway Steelhead XR and the Callaway Epic Speed fairway woods so let’s get into it.
Callaway Steelhead XR Fairway Wood Overview
The Callaway Steelhead XR fairway wood plays fast thanks to a lightweight design.
The weight savings mostly come from a special carbon fiber crown. When we tested the Callaway Steelhead XR fairway wood, our launch monitor was picking up club head speed increases of 2MPH on average above our usual speeds.
The shortened hosel of the Callaway Steelhead XR also helps keep the total weight down. Then there is the stock Mitsubishi Tensei CK shaft – an incredibly light yet stable choice for this club.
According to Callaway, the Callaway Steelhead XR fairway wood also has a “stepped” design which increases aerodynamics. We can’t confirm that this helped swing speed specifically; but we do know that we were swinging faster with this club.
The Callaway Steelhead XR fairway wood is also forgiving on mis-hits. In particular, if you tend to top the ball, you will love this club. Low-face shots on this thing are akin to dead-center strikes in terms of ball speed.
Callaway Epic Speed Fairway Wood Overview
The Callaway Epic Speed fairway wood combines premium features in a club that is also meant to play fast.
Apparently, Callaway doesn’t mess around when it comes to fast clubs. We should have known this from our history with the Epic Speed line of clubs but we were pleasantly reminded of this fact with the Epic Speed fairway wood.
Of course, there is the obvious aerodynamic design of the head which helps with swing speed. But helping to actually achieve more distance is a forged face cup made from premium C300 maraging steel.
This is a tandem that not only pushes ball speed to new extremes; but feels amazing as well. The Callaway Epic Speed will help you hit the ball further too. There is forward-positioned weighting in the head that works to reduce spin rates.
The combination of the ultra-thin face forging and the forward weighting equates to very easy distance. And you won’t need an incredible swing speed to unlock said distance either.
Callaway Steelhead XR Fairway Wood
In 20 Words Or Less
The Callaway Steelhead XR fairway wood is extremely lightweight and will help with off-center strikes.
Callaway Epic Speed Fairway Wood
In 20 Words Or Less
The Callaway Epic Speed fairway wood will help you swing the club faster and get down the fairway quicker.
Callaway Steelhead XR Fairway Wood – First Impressions
At a glance, there really isn’t very much to get excited over.
The Callaway Steelhead XR fairway wood looks like a typical, game-improvement fairway wood. It has a nice, large head so you would expect it to be forgiving. And it is; but what really struck us as special about this fairway wood is how fast it plays which is something you can’t determine just by looking at it.
While turf interaction was something of an issue with our testers (most of them didn’t like how “chunky” it felt from the rough) they conceded that the added swing speed was a delight.
Callaway Fairway Wood Family
Despite our initial hesitance to test the Callaway Steelhead XR fairway wood, we were ultimately psyched because it meant we could opt to re-test one of our favorite Callaway clubs: the Callaway Rogue fairway wood. The feel of the carpenter steel face can’t be matched. And when compared to the Callaway Steelhead XR, the Rogue (original) fairway wood launches higher.
Callaway Epic Speed Fairway Wood – First Impressions
We were a bit skeptical at how viable this club would be for beginners and high handicappers.
And to be completely honest, our suspicions were confirmed upon testing. Our higher handicap testers were having trouble making consistent contact.
Our lower handicap testers however, loved this club. The forward-position weighting creates a fast, low ball flight and the workable profile was a delight to our more skilled testers. While this won’t be the club of your dreams if you are a beginner, the Epic Speed was made for faster ball speed.
Callaway Epic Fairway Wood Family
If however you were hoping we would tell you the Epic Speed was forgiving, you are in luck because the Callaway Epic Max fairway wood is exceptionally forgiving. The oversized head, forged maraging steel and shallow face profile make this club extremely easy to make consistent contact with. Launch angles were also better with the Epic Max.
Callaway Steelhead XR Selling Points
- Carbon crown
- Perimeter weighting
- Shortened hosel
- Mitsubishi Tensei CK shaft
Callaway Epic Speed Selling Points
- Forward weighting
- Maraging steel face
- Forged face cup
- Aerodynamic head design
Who is the Callaway Steelhead XR Fairway Wood for?
We would love to say that the Callaway Steelhead XR fairway wood would be great for players of all skill levels. But the truth is that it will be best for players who can keep the ball on the fairway from the tee and the deck.
The Callaway Steelhead XR fairway wood won’t help you too much if you find yourself in the rough a lot.
If however, you have no problem keeping your ball on-line then you will find the Callaway Steelhead XR to be a great asset. It’s lightweight performance and generous head profile make for a winning combination for mid handicappers.
If you are seeking help with swing speed but still need a fairway wood that is reasonably forgiving, we highly suggest giving the Callaway Steelhead XR fairway wood a good look.
We were instantly reminded of how fun this club was to swing and how much faster it made us play. Swing tempo was something that we noticed an increase in while testing the Callaway Steelhead XR – just food for thought.
Distance: 94/100
Feel & Control: 92/100
Accuracy: 91/100
Forgiveness: 94/100
Overall Score: 92/100
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Who is the Callaway Epic Speed Fairway Wood for?
Almost everything about this club was designed for mid to low handicappers. From the lower launch to the lower spin rates, this club is a dream for anyone who wants to be able to work the ball a bit more from the deck. Another thing that we really liked about this lightweight, fast club is that it also feels surprisingly stable. Shots weren’t dispersing all over the place on full swings with the Callaway Epic Speed Fairway wood.
Distance: 95/100
Feel & Control: 94/100
Accuracy: 93/100
Forgiveness: 93/100
Overall Score: 95/100
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