Callaway FT-iQ first look
Callaway FT-iQ
Callaway Golf have recently announced the introduction of FT-iQTM and FT-iQ Tour, with a striking design inspired by the F-22 Raptor stealth fighter and next generation supercars.
The FT-iQ's smart technology not only generates longer distances via a new Hyperbolic FaceTM and faster aerodynamic shape, it is 35% straighter than the FT-i, as a result of its stretched, lightweight carbon composite body, stealth-like head and extreme external weighting.
The FT-iQ employs similar materials as next generation military aircraft and the latest, lightweight supercars. Carbon composite, titanium, aerospace grade aluminium, plus a dense metal alloy, are combined for their light weight, strength and durability, enabling Callaway Golf's designers to precisely position beneficial weight in FT-iQ's eye-catching external weight unit (accounting for 18% of the club's total weight).
The futuristic, stealthy head shape, benefits from a stretched face, heel to toe, providing a larger effective hitting area, and a longer, tapered body, enabling extreme rear weighting, and also inspiring confidence at address.
LONGER...
NEW Design Feature: Hyperbolic Face TechnologyTM
Benefit: Significantly faster ball speeds across the face, due to strategic shaping of the face thickness. Effectively creates a much larger sweet spot and substantial distance gains on off-centre hits.
NEW Design Feature: Refined head shape
Benefit: Sleek, stealth-like head shape is aerodynamically faster, increasing clubhead speeds and generating extra driving distance. A lower, deeper centre of gravity promotes improved trajectory at higher head speeds.
STRAIGHTER...
Design Feature: Fusion Technology
Benefit: The lightweight carbon composite body, light but strong titanium cup face, and lightweight, durable aerospace grade aluminium and alloy skid plate (sole), enables weight to be pushed to the perimeter of the club. This allows for precise positioning of the centre of gravity to increase stability on off-centre hits and generate the straightest drives possible.
NEW Design Feature: Improved Complete Inertial DesignTM
Benefit: The longer body enables a deeper centre of gravity, creating a ?smart' Moment of Inertia (resistance to twisting at impact), while the stretched face from heel to toe offers a larger effective hitting area, increasing forgiveness on shots hit anywhere on the face.
NEW Design Feature: Visible External Weighting
Benefit: Strategically placed weighting in the extreme rear of the club repositions redundant mass saved from the lightweight body, creating the most performance enhancing weighting possible. Standard lofts have Draw weighting to help golfers minimise fades and slices. Tour lofts will have Neutral weighting for golfers that already have a straight ball flight and want a lower, more penetrating trajectory.
DESIRABLE...
NEW Design Feature: Futuristic design
Benefit: Inspired by the most advanced military and automotive hardware in the world - the F-22 Raptor stealth fighter and Lamborghini Reventón supercar.
NEW Design Feature: Tapered head shape
Benefit: Slightly tapered from face to back, the new look head shape presents a huge, confidence-inspiring face to the ball at address.
NEW Design Feature: Larger visual footprint
Benefit: At address, the new FT-iQ looks larger to promote confidence and encourage a sweeping action away from the ball.
NEW Design Feature: Fubuki shaft by Mitsubishi Rayon
Benefit: This striking, white, super premium shaft has been designed specifically to complement the playing characteristics of the FT-iQ for peak performance.
The FT-iQ Driver and Tour Driver will be on sale from mid October 2008.
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In addition to the Callaway Golf Hyper X Driver, the FT i-brid Irons, and Tour i Golf Balls, the 2008 Callaway Golf new equipment roster also includes a new FT-i® Driver, three new fairway woods, re-engineered Callaway Golf FT Irons, new Big Bertha® Irons, X-Forged® Wedges, new Odyssey® Black Series™ i Putters and new Top-Flite® Golf Balls.
"This is the deepest, most robust new product lineup we've ever offered," said George Fellows, Callaway Golf President and CEO. "And there's not a weak spot in this roster. Each of these products is rich in technology and innovation and designed to meet the needs of today's golfers."
The 2008 new product lineup includes:
FUSION PLATFORM
FT-i Tour Low CG Driver - Designed with input from Callaway Golf's Tour players, the FT-i Tour Low CG Driver has discretionary weight positioned lower and in the extreme corners, producing the highest moment of inertia (MOI) of any Callaway Golf driver. ($529)
FT-i Squareway™ Woods - The FT-i Driver set a new standard in driver performance in 2007 and the new FT-i Squareway Woods will do the same for fairway woods. With an MOI approaching that of Callaway Golf's best-selling drivers, the FT-i Squareway Woods utilize Fusion Technology to provide unprecedented accuracy, forgiveness and stability for longer, straighter shots off the tee or from the fairway. ($299)
FT Fairway Woods - The stainless steel face and body combine with a tungsten-infused dual-runner sole to enable Callaway Golf engineers to strategically position discretionary weight for a higher MOI and precise positioning of the center of gravity (CG). The OptiFit® Weighting System allows golfers to choose a Draw or Neutral CG bias to fit their individual shot shape. (Standard model, $249; Tour model, $269)
FT Hybrids - A stainless steel face and body is combined with a tungsten-infused sole to optimize the CG and increase the MOI for superior forgiveness. The OptiFit System enables golfers to choose Draw or Neutral weighting to fit their individual shot shape. ($199)
FT i-brid Irons - The FT i-brid Irons are a new Fully Integrated Set Design that smoothly transitions from super game-improvement mid and short irons to the new i-brid design - clubs that blend the control and accuracy of traditional irons with the forgiveness, distance and versatility of hybrids. The lightweight titanium body, TPU SenSert® and heavy Tunite® alloy combine to create the most forgiving and playable clubs we've ever made. (Steel, $162 per club/$1,299 per 8-club set; Graphite, $187 per club/$1,499 per 8-club set)
FT Irons - An evolution of the original Fusion Irons, the new FT Irons deliver the utmost in performance and playability. Multi-material construction allows for premium performance and the Tunite® cradle has been optimized with the addition of Extreme Notch Weighting. Eighty percent of the clubhead's weight is positioned in the extreme perimeter for a higher MOI and enhanced stability and forgiveness. The new head shape will appeal to more mid-to low-handicap players. (Steel, $137 per club/$1,099 per 8-club set; Graphite, $162 per club/$1,299 per 8-club set)
X-SERIES PLATFORM
Hyper X and Hyper X Tour Drivers - The innovative Hyper X Driver provides a new benchmark in performance with the introduction of Hyperbolic Face Technology™, redefining the look, feel and speed at which golf balls leave the clubface. The Tour models are designated by half-degree lofts and have square faces for enhanced workability and a more pleasing look at address. (Standard model, $299; Tour model, $329)
NEW X Fairway Woods - Based on feedback from some of the best players in the world, Callaway Golf engineers have re-energized some of the best-selling fairways woods in the game. The most significant upgrade is the addition of the highly successful Modified X-Sole™ Design featured in our X Hybrids, which lowers the leading edge and provides clean turf interaction from the rough or fairway. (Steel, $179; Graphite, $199; Tour model, $219)
X-Forged Wedges - Legendary clubmaker Roger Cleveland designed these new wedges with input from Callaway Golf Tour players. The X-Forged wedges provide better players with all the elements they demand from their clubs: soft 1020 carbon steel for incredible feel, a tighter heel-toe radius for increased versatility and, on select 56- through 64-degree models, the aggressively-sized Mack Daddy™ Grooves, designed at the maximum depth and width for tour-level spin, trajectory and distance control. (Chrome Finish, $109; Vintage Finish, $119)
BIG BERTHA PLATFORM
NEW Big Bertha Irons - The new Big Bertha Irons feature the same Fully Integrated Set Design as the FT i-brid Irons as well as increased offset, a larger effective hitting area and a constant width sole in the mid and short irons. This allows for the control and accuracy of irons with the forgiveness, distance and versatility of hybrids. (Steel, $75 per club/$599 per 8-club set; Graphite, $100 per club/$799 per 8-club set)
GOLF BALLS
Tour i and ix Golf Balls - The new Tour i Golf Ball is the most technologically advanced tour ball ever developed - incorporating perimeter weighting to increase the ball's MOI. Innovative 4-piece inertia technology utilizes a tungsten-infused outer core to shift weight away from the center of the ball, reducing driver spin for maximum distance and straighter shots, and a softer inner core for unparalleled tour feel. The softer urethane cover generates more short-game spin for precision control and aggressive shot-making and refined HEX Aerodynamics further increase distance by reducing drag. The Tour ix shares the same technology with a slightly firmer construction for more explosive distance. ($44.99 per dozen)
HX Hot Bite™ Golf Ball - This technologically advanced golf ball features a softer, high-resiliency core and ionomer boundary layer that combine for exceptional feel. The softer, thinner proprietary cover gives the ball soft feel and generates extra stopping power for phenomenal short-game control to go along with drag-reducing HEX Aerodynamics for a highly efficient and long, stable ball flight. ($29.99 per dozen)
NEW HX Pearl® Golf Ball - The new 3-piece HX Pearl Golf Ball is longer and softer than the original version. The softer rubber core boosts distance for golfers with moderate swing speeds and HEX Aerodynamics reduces drag for long, efficient ball flight. With a thin ionomer cover that features a pearlized finish for a rich, unique look, it's the perfect ball to complement a woman's game. ($24.99 per dozen)
WOMEN'S PRODUCTS
NEW Big Bertha GEMS - A complete set designed for women new to the game or the occasional, high-handicap player looking to play better golf, the GEMS Set includes eight clubs that utilize the latest Callaway Golf game-improvement technologies. Designed with input from women golfers, instructors and expert designers, this is a technologically advanced set of clubs that features weighting that promotes a draw and higher trajectories to help keep the ball in the air for increased distance. ($599)
NEW Big Bertha Driver - After extensive research and testing among women golfers and instructors, Callaway Golf engineers have developed its first driver designed specifically for women. The 440cc titanium head is slightly smaller than a men's clubhead to reduce the club's weight. When combined with its slightly longer shaft and core Callaway Golf technologies, the new women's Big Berta driver allows a woman to maximize her swing speed for increased ball speed and longer distance. In addition, the CG has been strategically positioned to promote a draw and help reduce fades and slices. ($299)
NEW Big Bertha Fairway Woods - With feedback from women, Callaway engineers have designed clubs that complement a woman's unique swing characteristics and feature the latest game-improvement technologies. The smaller head sizes and slightly longer shafts combine to help increase clubhead speed for higher ball speeds and longer distance, and strategically positioned internal weighting helps promote a draw, reducing fades and slices - and raising confidence. ($199)
NEW Big Bertha Irons - Women now can play with clubs that take the guesswork out of their set configuration. These technologically advanced stainless steel clubs consist of i-brids instead of hard-to-hit long irons, and super game-improvement mid and short irons. Each club has a wide sole design that improves turf interaction and a low, deep CG that helps get the ball in the air quickly and easily. The shafts are slightly longer to better match the average woman's height and the lofts, lie angles and club weights are optimized. ($100 per club/$799 per 8-club set)
JUNIOR PRODUCTS
X Junior Set - Fueled by the success of the X Junior Set for kids 9-12 years old, Callaway introduces X Junior Set for kids 5-8 years old (or between 41 and 50 inches tall). The X Junior sets incorporate much of the same innovative advancements Callaway Golf has incorporated into its X Series® clubs for adults. The clubs provide the perfect combination of performance and forgiveness so junior golfers can play confidently and aggressively. ($199)
ODYSSEY PRODUCTS
Odyssey Black Series i Putters - Black Series i Putters feature the same multi-material construction as the original Black Series Putters with the addition of a new multi-layer Tour insert that provides premium feel and responsiveness. Each putter's headweight is precisely controlled and matched with the specific shaft length for impeccable consistency and control. Each model utilizes Odyssey's Fine-Tuned Loft System, which optimizes each putter's loft in conjunction with its CG to generate pure and consistent roll characteristics. ($269)
Odyssey White Hot® Tour Putters - The unique weight ports in the sole allow Callaway Golf engineers to precisely control each head's weight so it can be optimized to a specific shaft length for consistency, control and performance. Each putter incorporates the new White Hot Tour insert with a firmer feel for the feedback and responsiveness accomplished players seek and a Tour-preferred bronzed finish to reduce glare. ($149)
Odyssey White Hot XG® Sabertooth™ Putter - Featuring the most radical headshape in golf, the Sabertooth Putter utilizes high-density Dual Fangs to position more weight to the outer-most limits, helping keep the putter on-line for wicked accuracy. Aiming Channels inside the fangs make lining up putts easier and the multi-layer White Hot XG insert, our most popular and most responsive, generates our softest feel with fine-tuned responsiveness ($169)
Odyssey Divine Line™ Putters - Designed specifically for women, the heavier head on each Divine Line Putter is perfectly united with a shorter shaft for outstanding performance on the greens. Each Divine Line model - 2-Ball, Marxman Mallet and Rossie® - utilizes the White Hot XG® insert for phenomenal feedback and distance control. The Divine Line features softer head shapes and a new color scheme for a more feminine look. ($169)
Odyssey Marxman™ X-act Putting Wedge - The Marxman X-act Putting Wedge is designed to function like an Approach Putter, providing an easy-to-hit option that plays perfectly between a putter and a wedge for those tricky scoring shots around the greens. ($119)
TOP-FLITE PRODUCTS
Top-Flite Gamer™ Golf Balls - Top-Flite takes the benefits of its proprietary Dimple in Dimple™ Aerodynamics and puts it on a 3-piece performance golf ball that's long, soft and generates more short-game spin for total tee-to-green control. The thin soft ionomer cover over a firm boundary layer and a highly resilient rubber core gives golfers a ball that performs like no other in the Top-Flite lineup. ($19.99 per dozen)
Top-Flite Freak™ Golf Balls - The Freak is the longest Top-Flite golf ball available. Period. Its unique aerodynamic surface maintains spin longer throughout its flight, allowing the ball to hold its line and maintain lift longer. Perfect for scramble tournaments, reaching par 5s in two and out-driving your foursome. ($15.99 per dozen)
Top-Flite XL 5000™ Golf Balls - Three new XL 5000 models replace one of the most successful Top-Flite balls ever, the XL 3000. The new version provides all the XL distance you expect from a Top-Flite ball with enhanced softness and feel. The XL 5000 Super Long has a firmer cover for maximum distance, the Super Soft has a thin cover and lower compression core that provide better feel with more short-game spin for total control around the greens, and the Super Straight uses a special Slickote® coating to help reduce hooks and slices. ($12.99 per 15-pack)
Top-Flite Rec Sets - Top-Flite is back in the golf club business with a half dozen new recreation sets designed to meet the needs of just about any golfer. Six sets - XL® (men's and women's), XL 5000™, D2®, AHS™ (Advanced Hybrid System; men's and women's) and IHS™ (Iron/Hybrid Set) - offer no compromise on quality or performance at affordable prices. (XL Men's, $199; XL Women's, $249; IHS, $249; XL 5000, $299; D2, $399; AHS, $449)
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NYSE — Shares of Callaway Golf Co. rose Thursday after the company said it will likely record a third-quarter adjusted profit, compared with Wall Street's projected loss, and raised its outlook for the full year on strong consumer demand.
The company surprised investors Wednesday by predicting it will report third-quarter profit, excluding items, of up to 6 cents per share _ easily topping Wall Street's current forecast for a loss of 5 cents per share. Callaway also projected quarterly revenue above analysts' estimates and lifted its full-year outlook for earnings and sales.
Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Rommel Dionisio maintained his "Buy" rating and $24 price target on the stock. Callaway Golf's brand recognition, market share gains from new products and gross margin growth from restructuring could help the stock trade at a 25 percent premium compared with its peers, he said.
"We believe recent manufacturing initiatives to automate the production of golf clubs, as well as the success of the company's premium-priced new Fusion drivers and X-20 irons, drove such gross margin expansion," Dionisio said in a client note.
Susquehanna Financial Group analyst John Shanley, however, remained cautious on the company's new product line and maintained a "Neutral" rating on the stock.
"We have limited insights regarding retailer feedback of the company's new product initiatives for fiscal 2008, in what is becoming an increasingly difficult retail environment," Shanley said in a client note. Despite these concerns, he did raise his third-quarter forecast to a profit of 5 cents per share, excluding items, from a previouly forecast loss of 5 cents per share.
Susquehanna analyst Christopher Svezia, who cowrote the note with Shanley, said in a phone interview that Callaway Golf's higher-income customers may be limiting their spending as worry of a recession spreads.
"You can't ignore who Callaway Golf distributes to," Svezia said in a phone interview. "Potentially there could be some headwind," related to the recent credit crunch.
Shares of Callaway Golf rose $1.78, or 11.7 percent, to $17.05 in Thursday afternoon trading.
For the second quarter of 2006, the Company reported net sales of $342 million and fully diluted earnings per share of $0.33 (on 68.6 million shares), including long-term incentive compensation expense.
Those results include after-tax charges of approximately $0.02 per share associated with the restructuring initiatives announced in September 2005 and the Top-Flite integration.
Business Update
"We are very pleased with our preliminary second quarter results,"
commented George Fellows, President and CEO of Callaway Golf. "Retail sell-through of our products was strong, resulting in solid re-orders from our retailers during the quarter. While demand for our fusion drivers had been outstripping capacity, by the end of the quarter we were able to make significant headway, and expect to have the supply issue completely behind us by the end of July. In addition to the strong consumer acceptance of our 2007 products, the progress we're making on gross margin improvement and inventory reduction initiatives has resulted in the significant improvement in profitability for the quarter compared to last year. This was in line with our full year guidance."
Details of Second Quarter Results :
Sales >>>>
The estimated increase in sales for the second quarter is attributable to several factors, including strong sales of FT-5 and FT-i drivers and X-20 irons, and increased sales of accessories and golf balls.
Gross Margins >>>>
The Company estimates its gross margins as a percentage of net sales to be approximately 46% for the second quarter. Excluding charges related to gross margin improvement initiatives, it is estimated that pro forma gross margins, as a percentage of net sales, would be approximately 47%. In the second quarter of 2006, the Company's gross margins were 41% and excluding integration and restructuring charges were 41%. The estimated increase in pro forma gross margins can be attributed to an increased mix of sales of higher margin products such as fusion drivers and X-series irons, as well as positive contribution from this year's implementation of gross margin improvement initiatives.
About Callaway Golf
Callaway Golf Company, which celebrates its 25th Anniversary in 2007, manufactures and sells golf clubs and golf balls, and sells golf accessories, under the Callaway Golf(R), Odyssey(R), Top-Flite (R), and Ben Hogan(R) brands in more than 110 countries worldwide.
For more information please visit www.callawaygolf.com.
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CARLSBAD, CA, February 7, 2006 - Callaway Golf Company (NYSE: ELY) today announced the introduction of its Callaway Golf. X Junior Set specifically designed for junior golfers.
The X Junior Set includes six clubs, a putter and a bag. Each club is loaded with much of the same technological and innovative design advancements Callaway Golf has put into its men's and women's X Series. Clubs for years.
The X Junior Set is small in size only, designed for boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 12 and/or between approximately 4'2" and 4'11" in height. The XJ Series Clubs include two woods (a 16-degree driver and 24-degree fairway wood), three irons (5, 7, and 9), a 56-degree sand wedge and an XJ Odyssey. 2-Ball Putter.
The driver is a smaller (360cc), all-titanium version of the popular X460. Driver. Like its big brother, it features the Consistent Alignment Sole and a large effective hitting area for more distance and forgiveness. The stainless steel fairway wood features the X-Sole Design for consistent alignment and perimeter weighting to help get the ball in the air quickly and easily.
The cavity back irons feature Extreme Notch Weighting for amazing forgiveness and stability. XJ Odyssey 2-Ball Putter uses the revolutionary 2-Ball alignment system to make lining up putts easier so more putts find their way into the hole. Everything comes in a lightweight stand bag that incorporates a 3-way triangular top, seven zippered pockets, a double strap, an MP3 player holder and a rain hood.
The X Junior Set is also available in a left-handed version. It will be available at retail on February 15 at a suggested retail price of $275.
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