Callaway golf irons have a reputation as high-quality clubs that still offer the forgiveness higher-handicap players crave in their irons. The company has steadily released a new set of clubs in the X-series every two years since 1997. These different sets of irons often have only slight changes to compensate for recent golfing trends. However, the X-20 line released in 2008 saw a significant change in the approach to the X-series of irons.
Loft
The X-20 irons were the first club set to which Callaway Golf added more loft, paving the way for the future of the X-series as middle- to high-trajectory clubs. Changes in the X-20 irons from their predecessor, the X-18 line, were seen as a half-degree more loft in the 4-iron and a full degree added to the 5-iron, 6-iron and approach wedge. Not all clubs saw an increase, however, as the pitching wedge and sand wedge in the X-20 set were reduced by a full degree in loft.
Length
The standard Uniflex steel-shaft model of the X-20 clubs weas shortened by 1/4 inch compared to the steel-shaft X-18 clubs. Callaway chose to leave X-20 irons with graphite shafts the same length as the X-18 clubs. The standard length of the X-18 irons begins at 39 1/2 inches for the 2-iron and decreases by 1/2 inch every club, completing the line with a 35-inch lob wedge.
Head Design
According to Callaway, the center of gravity in the X-20 clubs was lowered by 6 percent from the X-18 models. The sole of the club was also made thinner. These two features combined make it easier to get under the ball, even in deep rough. The notched weighting system in the X-20 clubs moves the weight even farther toward the outer edges of the clubhead to increase the club's forgiveness.
Pro to Tour Models
Jack Waddell of The Sand Trap says the biggest change between the X-18 and future lines of clubs in the X-series was the alteration from the Pro to Tour models for low-handicap players. Through the X-18 line of clubs, Callaway offered a standard and a Pro set of irons in each series, with the latter designed for more-experienced players. Beginning with the X-20 clubs, Callaway changed the name of the Pro line to Tour and drastically altered the head shape. According to Waddell, the sleeker X-20 Tour irons have little resemblance to their predecessors and should be used mainly by elite golfers.
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