Callaway Edge Set Review

The 460cc titanium driver was the initial club I pulled from the bag, and honestly, it looked the part. That oversized head isn't just for show; it's genuinely forgiving in ways that reminded me of drivers costing three times as much. The thin face combined with that low, deep center of gravity creates a launch window so wide, I started calling it the "forgiveness factory."

What really caught my attention was the simplified Jailbreak Technology. Now, it's not the full-blown system you'd find in a Rogue or Epic, but those internal bars connecting the crown and sole still deliver. I'm seeing ball speeds that shouldn't be possible from a driver at this price point. The Variable Face Thickness might be less complex than Callaway's premium lines, but standing on the tee, you'd never know it.

The graphite shaft is where things get interesting. Callaway describes it as "feathery," and that's actually perfect. It's light enough that slower swingers (I'm talking sub-90 mph) can generate real whip through impact. I handed this driver to my 68-year-old playing partner, who swings around 85 mph, and he immediately added 15 yards to his drives. The look on his face was priceless.

During my testing, I averaged 238 yards with this driver, only 7 yards shorter than my usual gamer, a TaylorMade Stealth that cost $500. For a driver that comes as part of a complete set, that's borderline ridiculous performance.

The cavity-back irons (6-9) represent everything modern game improvement technology should be. That second-generation stabilizing arch isn't just marketing speak; it's a legitimate forgiveness improver that saved my bacon more times than I care to admit. Each iron features progressive offset, with the longer irons showing more offset to help square the face at impact.

I spent an entire range session deliberately hitting shots off the toe and heel, trying to find the limits of these irons. What I found was extraordinary consistency. Toe shots that should have gone 15 yards right barely moved 5 yards offline. Heel strikes that typically cost me 10 yards of distance only lost about 5. The large cavity-back design creates a sweet spot so generous, it's almost cheating.

The steel shafts in the irons provide a different feel from the graphite in the woods, and that's intentional. You get better feedback on your strikes, which is essential for improving your ball-striking. The weight distribution helps you feel where the clubhead is throughout the swing, something beginners desperately need to develop proper tempo.

My 7-iron typically carries 165 yards with my Mizuno JPX forged irons. With the Callaway Edge 7-iron, I was carrying 162 yards. The consistency was what impressed me most; my dispersion pattern tightened by about 20% compared to what I usually see with game improvement irons.

The pitching wedge deserves special mention. Those aggressive grooves aren't just for show. I was generating legitimate stopping power on approach shots. From 120 yards and in, I could attack pins with confidence, knowing the ball would check up rather than bounce through the green.

I've always been a long iron guy. Give me a 4-iron over a hybrid any day, or at least that's what I used to say. The Edge 5-hybrid might have permanently changed my mind. At 25 degrees of loft, it launches higher than any 5-iron I've ever hit, but with the distance I expect from that club.

The compact head design means it doesn't look like a fairway wood at address (a common complaint I have with hybrids). It sits neutral behind the ball, inspiring confidence rather than doubt. From the fairway, rough, or even hardpan lies, this club just performs. The graphite shaft keeps the total weight down, making it easy to generate speed without overswinging.

During a particularly wet round last month, I found myself in thick rough about 185 yards from the green. With a traditional 5-iron, I'd be looking at a punch-out. With this hybrid, I took dead aim at the flag and watched the ball launch high and land softly on the green. My playing partners couldn't believe it came from a "box set" club.

What really sells me on this hybrid is its versatility. I've used it for everything from 200-yard approach shots to bump-and-run chips around the green. It's become the Swiss Army knife of my test bag, and I find myself reaching for it in situations where I'd normally grab three different clubs.

The sand wedge in this set challenges everything I thought I knew about wedges from complete sets. That wide, rounded sole isn't just beginner-friendly, it's genuinely effective. The bounce angle and sole grind work together to glide through sand and thick grass without digging. I've played rounds where I forgot I was using a "starter set" wedge because it performed so well.

From greenside bunkers, the club almost plays itself. The weight distribution and sole design make it nearly impossible to chunk or blade bunker shots. I gave this wedge to a student who'd been struggling with sand saves, and within one practice session, he was getting up and down consistently. The forgiveness built into this club turns a weakness into a strength for most players.

The Odyssey White Hot Pro putter rounds out the short game arsenal perfectly. That SuperStroke grip immediately stabilizes your stroke. I could feel the difference from my first putt. The White Hot insert provides the soft feel Odyssey is famous for, while still giving enough feedback to judge distance. From 20 feet and in, I was making more putts than I typically do with my Scotty Cameron (don't tell anyone).

The 3-wood might be the sleeper hit of this entire set. With its aerodynamic head shape and advanced perimeter weighting, it launches balls higher and straighter than fairway woods costing twice as much. The low center of gravity makes it surprisingly easy to hit off the deck, something many golfers struggle with in fairway woods.

That flat sole design means you can hit this club from almost any lie. Tight fairways, light rough, even fairway bunkers, this 3-wood handles them all. The graphite shaft maintains the same "feathery" feel as the driver, creating a consistent swing feel between your longest clubs. During my testing, I was carrying this 3-wood about 215 yards, with a tight dispersion that made it my go-to club on tight driving holes.

What impressed me most was the forgiveness of mishits. Shots hit low on the face still got airborne and traveled a respectable distance. High face strikes didn't balloon as much as expected. This is the kind of fairway wood that builds confidence rather than creating anxiety, exactly what a complete set should provide.

Absolutely, while the Callaway Edge Set is a great product, there are a few pros and cons that you need to be aware of:

Pros:

• Exceptional value with performance matching sets costing 2-3x more.

• Genuine forgiveness technology throughout the bag makes golf more enjoyable.

• Mixed shaft setup (graphite woods, steel irons) tailored for each club's role

Cons: 

• Limited adjustability compared to buying clubs individually

• Stock grips might need upgrading for players with larger or smaller hands.

• No gap wedge included, leaving a distance gap between PW and SW