Callaway RAZR Fit Xtreme Driver Review

Bottom Line: The RAZR Fit Xtreme driver from Callaway Golf is an aggressively styled and re-engineered driver, optimized for ball speed and spin characteristics. In our testing, it produced significant distance gains compared to previous-generation Callaway drivers.

Pros
• Small form "pro look" driver at address, with big-driver performance
• Upgraded stock shaft offerings fit a variety of skill levels
• Opti-Fit system allows easy adjustment of face angle, plus trajectory adjustments

Cons
• Supplied weights of 13-grams and 1-gram may need to be supplemented

Keypoints
• The OptiFit hosel allows golfer to adjust face angle to open, square or closed positions.
• Has draw and neutral settings with the included moveable weights; weights can be adjusted to create more draw bias.
• Some clubhead characteristics vary with loft: lower-lofted models have smaller (440cc) clubhead; higher-lofted models have larger (460cc) clubhead and more draw bias.
• MSRP at time of introduction is $399.99.

Jan. 2, 2013 - If the design doesn't catch you, the performance will. Callaway begins 2013 with a strong driver offering in the RAZR Fit Xtreme. While the club resembles the RAZR Fit driver first introduced by the company in 2012, the Xtreme is a whole new beast.

For starters, a new optic look at address is a smaller-sized head. Yes, a driver that doesn't look like a Volkswagen on a stick. The 440cc head (which comes with the lower-lofted versions) has a deeper, thinner face. The larger (460cc) clubheads on the higher-lofted models position the sweet spot where most higher-handicappers tend to miss driver shots - heel and toe. Face angle can be easily adjusted to square (neutral), open or closed positions using the company's Opti-Fit system.

The bold looks are taken from the Callaway Tour Authentic driver model. Don't like the color combo? You can choose from eight others!

Performance has been more than tweaked with improved numbers in both ball speed and spin rate. Launch monitor testing bore this out in our apples-to-apples comparison between the Xtreme and its predecessor. A couple more MPH ball speed and a few hundred less RPM really adds yards. In my case, the distance boost was easily 8-10 yards on average over Callaway's previous driver offering.

The unsung hero in the RAZR Fit Xtreme package is Callaway's offering of the Aldila Trinity shaft as the stock shaft. This green monster has plenty of feel with a higher torque rating than many aftermarket shafts (Stiff 4.5 and Regular 5.4), yet sends the head into the ball very powerfully. Want more? Callaway also offers a low-spin Matrix Black Tie shaft for those who want something a little stouter.

There are many more engineering tweaks with the Xtreme, but one of my favorites relates to sound. The sound at impact is a solid "thwack!" that moves Callaway off a trend toward "plastic-y," dull-sounding drivers.

One of my peeves? Why ship adjustable drivers with moveable weights of only 13-grams and 1-gram? I'm sure the engineers have their reasons, but as received, 13 grams in the heel to promote a draw tended to really promote a draw. Good news is that optional weight kits will be available to fine tune your trajectory. Price? A bit rich - but plenty of goodies make it worth the reach.

Callaway has been viewed by some as a bit plodding in the recent past, but with the RAZR Fit Xtreme driver Callaway is really putting the pedal to the metal. In you're in the market for a new driver, you owe it to yourself to demo the Callaway RAZR Fit Xtreme and see where it can take your game off the tee.