Equipment
Forum Thread of the Day: “New Callaway Driver – Epic Flash”
Today’s Forum Thread of the Day comes from tbomb who describes his experience with a new “Epic Flash” driver from Callaway. Despite not being due for release until next February, tbomb claims to have tested Callaway’s new driver, and he has got our forum members more than a little interested, stating how “The sound alone will make you excited. It’s a powerful sound, and the ball flies off the club face.”
Describing in great detail the appearance, from colors to crown, and performance of the new Epic Flash driver, tbomb reveals: “Launch was great, I played the 9* Epic Last year with 1*+, and this launched the same. May have been the shaft. Feel great. I hit 15 balls (straight out of the Pro Shop), and I nutted 12 of them. All on a rope. No more then 15 yards dispersion.”
There may be no photos until December, but tbomb has disclosed plenty of information to get a feel for what the new Epic Flash driver will look like, describing it as “yellow and green” and a “bright club.” His overall impression of the new club from Callaway? “I feel confident saying this will be the driver for 2019.”
Get the full rundown of the new Callaway Epic Flash driver here.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D LS (8 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 9 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (3), TaylorMade P7CB (4), TaylorMade P7TW (5-PW)
Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 10 X, True Temper Dynamic Gold X100
Wedges: TaylorMade Prototype (50-SB09), TaylorMade MG5 (56-HB12, 60-LV07)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold S400
Putter: TaylorMade TP Juno
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Christiaan Maas’ clubs here.
TaylorMade Golf’s MySpider program underwent a substantial overhaul over the last month. Firstly, the company launched the option to customize the Spider ZT model, and now the program has returned with the MySpider Tour and MySpider Tour X.
The revamped page now gives golfers complete control over every visual and functional detail of their putter on the popular Tour and Tour X head, with every cosmetic idea thought of. In MySpider Tour, golfers can choose from four head finishes, 16 paint fill colors, nine Surlyn face insert colors, three aluminum insert options, six sightline configurations, and four hosel options — L-neck, small slant, double bend, center shaft. Six sightline options are available in MySpider Tour, including the optically engineered True Path alignment system. MySpider Tour X gives builders the option of four head finishes, four hosel configurations, and five sightline options, also including True Path alignment.
One of the more interesting features of the new MySpider program is the availability of three distinct face insert options. Along with the usual Surlyn Pure Roll insert trusted by Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, which can be customized from nine colors, golfers can now also select firmer options. Two are offered with the black aluminum Pure Roll insert, slightly firmer than the traditional insert, or for the firmest feel, golfers can choose from two colors of milled aluminum inserts.
Another fun addition to the MySpider Tour is the ability to use the “Tommy Sightline.” The custom alignment aid design, which was first drawn onto Tommy Fleetwood’s putter by PGA Tour Rep James Holley, is based on the milled sightline on his Spider ZT head. There are five shorter lines on the left and right of a longer central line serving as the traditional short line alignment aid.
See below for the full specifications sheet for MySpider Tour and Tour X:
MySpider Tour
MySpider Tour X
Equipment
Then and now: Comparing Rory McIlroy’s current setup to his record-breaking 2019 Canadian Open victory
In Rory McIlroy’s first appearance at the 2019 RBC Canadian Open, he crushed the record books to earn his 16th PGA Tour title in dominating fashion, winning by seven shots over Shane Lowry and Webb Simpson.
McIlroy’s score of 22-under-par 258 is the lowest 72-hole score to date at the Canadian Open, and his closing 61 is also the best final-round score in the history of one of golf’s oldest tournaments. Finally, with his win in 2019, McIlroy became only the sixth player to win the career Triple Crown, adding to his victories at the U.S. Open in 2011 and The Open Championship in 2014, joining Tommy Armour, Walter Hagen, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino and Tiger Woods in a coveted list.
So, with that, why not compare his current setup to the clubs he used to break all the records?
Driver
2019: TaylorMade M5 (9 degrees), Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 70 TX
2026: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees @8), Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7X (45 5/8 inches)
McIroy led the Tour in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee in 2019; he’s doing the same in 2026. Between now and then, McIlroy has switched from the Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 70 TX (a shaft with slightly more feeling in the tip) to the original Fujikura Ventus Black 7X, having just made the change to the heavier version from playing the 60X.
What’s interesting about McIlroy’s 2019 setup is that the weighting on his driver is actually set in the high-draw setting, using the T-Track weighting system, whereas in the Qi4D, he’s currently using a heavily rear-weighted setup. (Two 13-gram weights in the rear and only two 4-gram front weights.)
The TaylorMade M5 driver he played in during his Canadian Open win was the company’s first head that they claimed to design to initially exceed the USGA’s COR limit, and then injected with tuning resin to bring it back in bounds.
Fairway woods
2019: TaylorMade M6 3-wood (15 degrees), Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 80 TX; TaylorMade M5 5-wood (19 degrees), Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 90 TX
2026: TaylorMade Qi4D 3-wood (15 degrees), Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 8X; TaylorMade Qi4D 5-wood (18 degrees), Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 9X
The TaylorMade M6 fairway wood that McIlroy was using during the 2019 season is still in the bag of some of the best golfers on Tour in 2026. Just check out Justin Rose’s winning setup from the Farmers Insurance Open earlier this year. This year, though, McIlroy has still been searching for his top-end-of-the-bag setup, having played both the new Qi4D and the Qi10, which he won the Masters with.
The same shaft swap can be seen in the fairway woods as the driver, along with slightly less loft on the 5-wood.
Irons
2019: TaylorMade P750 (4) Buy here, TaylorMade P730 (5-9), Shafts: Project X 7.0
2026: TaylorMade P760 (4), TaylorMade Rors Proto (5-9), Shafts: Project X 7.0
The biggest difference between McIlroy’s custom set and the stock P730s is the groove design. While the P730s were constructed with 14 MX-9 grooves on their milled faces, McIlroy’s proto heads instead use the higher-spinning, 16-groove layout of the TW2 grooves. Other big differences between the sets are that McIlroy’s 7- and 8-irons have thinner toplines, are 1 degree stronger in loft, and are 1/4 inch longer than the original P730 builds.
With McIlroy’s 4-iron, the switch from P750 to P760 sees a transition to a two-piece construction with Speed Foam in it, which allows McIlroy to launch the ball slightly higher, with more workability.
Wedges
2019: TaylorMade Milled Grind (48-09SB), TaylorMade MG Hi-Toe (52-09SB, 56-09SB, 60-LB09), Shafts: Project X Rifle 6.5
2026: TaylorMade MG5 (46-09SB, 50-09SB, 54-11SB, 60-08LB @61), Shafts: Project X 6.5 (46-54), Project X 6.5 Wedge (60)
Between 2019 and 2026, McIlroy’s focus on his short game has been much more apparent. It was the reason why he switched back to the TP5 golf ball, to help with launch, spin and control with his wedges leading up to his career Grand Slam victory in 2025. The most apparent changes to McIlroy’s wedge setup are his lofts and bounce. He’s slowly delofted his pitching to a sand wedge, but has increased the loft on the lob wedge, bending his current 60-degree to 61. With that, adding more loft to his lob wedge also slightly increases the bounce and leading-edge sit point, so, as a result, he plays a lower-bounce lob wedge compared to 2019. The MG5 wedges are also softer than the first Milled Grind option from 2019. McIlroy also no longer plays the full-face grooves found on the Hi-Toe.
Putter
2019: TaylorMade Spider X
2026: TaylorMade Spider Tour X
Notice anything similar. Yes, the copper finish on Rory McIlroy’s Spider X putter in 2019 is a slightly more reflective finish than the recently released torched PVD finish. McIlroy was using the True Path alignment system, but now uses only a single white sightline.
Ball
2019: 2019 TaylorMade TP5 (#22)
2026: 2025 TaylorMade TP5 (RORS)
As mentioned above, McIlroy had transitioned from the TP5 to TP5x golf ball since his victory in Canada in 2019, but now is black with the same style of golf ball as his victory at Hamilton Golf & Country Club.
Grips
2019: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
2026: Golf Pride MCC
Interesting, McIlroy actually used Golf Pride’s Tour Velvet Cord grips during his victory in 2019 (it was during a 2+ year switch to the corded TV) as opposed to his usual MCC grips, which he has played for most of his career.
What’s the story behind Webb Simpson’s custom-stamped irons?
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Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D LS (8 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 6 X 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black...
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Connor Jones
Nov 21, 2018 at 11:48 am
Callaway is just shooting themselves in the foot with this. They keep releasing their “best driver yet” and sooner or later people are going to stop buying their stuff but we will see
Speedy
Dec 1, 2018 at 4:15 pm
Yep, it didn’t work for sliced bread either.
Kirby
Nov 21, 2018 at 1:39 am
So great to here all the “Amateurs” out there making comments on another club, the day you people are playing on tour I’ll be listening until then keep on amusing each other. The simple reason the club companies release new clubs every year is to make money, simple, honest truth..just as there are $250 up green fees on courses with no tee times available, there are plenty of players with $500 in their golf bag to buy any club they want.
MauriceGer
Nov 7, 2018 at 5:17 am
Invest $ 1500 once and get from $ 3000 per month: https://tinyurl.com/makemoneyonline264621
Susansap
Nov 5, 2018 at 12:09 pm
Try new life – work from home!
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Pete O'Tube
Oct 30, 2018 at 2:53 pm
We need a ‘Who gives a d***’ between IDHT and Flop, because really, I don’t give a d***.
Brandon
Oct 11, 2018 at 5:55 pm
I bet I can still hit it past 90% of the people who go buy this with my used 80 dollar BioCell+.
Derek
Oct 21, 2018 at 6:04 pm
I have a picture of it. How do i post it?
Josh Babbit
Oct 30, 2018 at 1:05 pm
Congrats big guy!
Tom
Oct 10, 2018 at 11:48 pm
Epic Flush is more like it……
JP
Oct 10, 2018 at 10:55 pm
Yet none of the top ten PGA Pros that hit the driver the farthest this year used a Callaway. TM and Ping. So much for being the longest / hottest driver.
Michael
Oct 10, 2018 at 9:35 pm
What? Removed the thread?
Johnny Penso
Oct 10, 2018 at 9:04 pm
….and the OP of the thread is gone…
bill
Oct 10, 2018 at 6:59 pm
seriously pissed off at callaway and am going with another vendor in my shop next season. how many times do they tell us 2 year product cycle and then come out with a new driver every year. WE HAVE ROGUE. WE DONT NEED ANOTHER DRIVER LET US SELL THE ONES WE HAVE. Then no net down all year and they expect you to sell the previous model driver at full price. No thanks callaway. No flash for my course.
Paul
Oct 11, 2018 at 1:55 pm
No one is forcing you to upgrade every year. Callaway knows if they produce it, people will buy it, which they will.
Thomas A
Nov 13, 2018 at 11:07 am
Honda comes out with a new Accord every year. Do you feel pressured to buy the upgrade?
Brian McGranahan
Oct 10, 2018 at 6:28 pm
That name though, terrible.
Ardbeggar
Oct 10, 2018 at 6:22 pm
I can hardly wait to get it. An additional 2 yards is worth every dollar.
joro
Oct 10, 2018 at 5:06 pm
Oh boy, another 500 Dollar plus Driver.
Think Golf
Oct 10, 2018 at 4:38 pm
Had the driver in my hands today, I can’t share any details however it will be another successful Driver that I promise.
ogo
Oct 10, 2018 at 2:40 pm
Color… size… sound… shape… wicked name… fancy exotic shaft… gearhead’s delight… soooo stoooopid … 😛
Tom
Oct 10, 2018 at 2:34 pm
If this club conforms to the equipment standards, it will perform no better than anything else released over the past 7-8 years…..nutt’n new except another attempt to take the consumers’ money.
dave
Oct 10, 2018 at 3:08 pm
so wrong…the epic an rogue were much better all over the face along with great sound and feel….much longer than 917 line…not longer than my new ts3 but id rather have my epic back same shaft. hits toward the toe stay in the air longer with less dispersion. epic was first driver that reduce slight toe hooks to playable if not bombs….the m3 addressed this by opening the toe more but if you happen to push off the toe it was much much worse….different technology better result for callaway…i will say i never got along with my rogue..long as hell but not the control i had with the epic same shafts of course…
Tom
Oct 10, 2018 at 6:39 pm
What department do you work in at Callaway Dave?…..all BEE S lol!All heads are at the limits of the rules- ALL HEADS – even “open models” from China factories….
smo3131
Oct 16, 2018 at 8:10 am
Which shaft did you have in your epic and rogue drivers?
Baz
Oct 10, 2018 at 1:23 pm
What a load of b*llocks
Hurricane Michael
Oct 10, 2018 at 12:52 pm
“No more then…” It’s bad enough you trust a guy that doesn’t know simple grammar. But to repost it is truly dumb.
Benny
Nov 22, 2018 at 8:16 pm
Isn’t there a couple billionairs who don’t have high school diploma’s? I know a guy who cannot even spell let alone worry about his grammar worth about $90mil. If trolling someone over their grammer is all you have than you are in trouple man…
Dtrain
Oct 10, 2018 at 12:16 pm
I always love how people describe a “powerful sound” “the ball flies off the face” “it sounds hot” “the ball is just exploding off the face”
Please, this is just acoustics, nothing to do with actual performance, but then again we all like listening to different kinds of music….so….
I do agree that a driver than sounds pleasing is more enjoyable to hit, but it really has nothing to do with actual performance.
ogo
Oct 12, 2018 at 11:55 am
FYI… A loud impact sound means you are losing energy… which means you are losing distance…. believe it because that’s the science.
2putttom
Oct 10, 2018 at 11:09 am
…” he new Epic Flash driver will look like, describing it as “yellow and green”
Oregon Duck colors I like
JP
Oct 10, 2018 at 9:11 pm
Does one of the brothers work for the post office?