Here’s a confession: Almost every driver I test these days feels so good and goes so far that it really is hard to single out one over the other; they’re all very good. It really comes down to what fits your eye and ear. Visually, I prefer a smaller-looking clubhead or “footprint,” as industry jargon goes. Aurally, I prefer the sound of all-titanium models to composite heads.

Make that “preferred” in the case of the latter. The FT Tour has completely changed my mind. While the sound is much improved over previous models, it’s the club’s overall performance that really struck a chord with me. It’s one of the straightest, longest drivers I’ve ever hit, and I’ve shot some of my best scores in a while with it.

The first thing you notice about the FT Tour is the 440cc clubhead and the relatively shorter 45” shaft (most driver shafts today are around 46”). The second thing is the softer feel. The ball seems to stay on the face a fraction of a second longer, producing a high but boring trajectory. The last, but certainly not least, thing you notice is your position in the fairway: a lot farther than you’re probably used to.

$399, callawaygolf.com

TESTING GROUNDS: Callaway FT Tour driver (9.5 degrees, S flex) BALL SPEED: 143.4 MPH
LAUNCH ANGLE: 13.5 degrees
SPIN RATE: 2677 RPM
CARRY DISTANCE: 237.1 yards