Callaway Diablo Edge Irons

Is there anything you should know about Callaway Diablo Edge irons? No golf club is cheap, but Callaway clubs are always among the most expensive. Callaway has always used superior technology, materials, design and craftsmanship, but you've always had to pay for it. There was a time when a set of Callaway irons with graphite shafts could easily cost you as much as $1200 or $1300, and that was a few years ago.

It's always been that way with Callaway products. But things can change for the better. Imagine my surprise when the Callaway Diablo Edge irons hit the market in 2010 at a much lower price - anywhere from $600 (steel shafts) to $750 (graphite shafts) for a complete set of Callaway Diablo Edge irons. These are the cheapest Callaway irons in years and arguably the best since the Big Bertha irons in 2002. Callaway Golf themselves claim that these clubs are the longest stainless irons the company has ever produced. And the price has dropped since launch.

My home golf course has a men's demo set of Callaway Diablo Edge irons, so I tried them out this morning (you can get them as women's clubs, but because of my height I always use men's clubs). My husband tried it yesterday and I'll include some of his thoughts here alongside my own impressions. His handicap is around 7, mine is around 9.

Let me first mention their looks because that's the first thing that strikes you when you pick one up. In short, the Diablo Edge irons have a controversial look. People love the sharp edges and undercut shape and deep red, white and silver gray graphics, or think these are some of the ugliest irons ever made. There is not much indifference here. I personally think they look chic and futuristic. My husband thinks they look greasy so check it out.

Callaway Diablo Edge Irons are game improvement clubs designed for players who want to hit the ball more consistently and gain distance. A forged variant is suitable for better players, but the irons we tried were the "regular" investment version that we will discuss here.

These irons are designed with a low, deep CG spine to help mid and high handicap players hit the ball more accurately and for longer, more consistent distance. Like other Callaway racquets, they share three "core" Callaway design features: VFT technology, which increases forgiveness by increasing weight distribution around the circumference; the shortened hosel in the S2H2 design, which shifts the weight from the racket hosel to the circumference of the racket head, making the racket easier to hit; and an improved Tru-Bore design that improves feel and clubhead control, even on misses. This special design feature includes a polycarbonate plug to dampen vibration on misses, and your hands will appreciate it if you don't hit the ball as cleanly as you'd like.

A wide Solid Impact sole optimizes grass interaction by allowing the club sole to slide more smoothly through your lay. This feature is designed to reduce the likelihood of hitting the ball behind or thin, and minimize the penalty if you hit it poorly. The cavity on the back of the Callaway Diablo Edge irons features a new "360 degree undercut channel" to add even more forgiveness. The ceilings are slightly reinforced for increased width. And after determining where the average golfer typically hits the ball, Callaway enlarged and moved these clubs' sweet spot to the lower part of the face to provide greater overall range and distance control.

Callaway Diablo Edge irons are available with steel or graphite shafts in a variety of fixed configurations and shaft bends. Many people buy them as a traditional full-iron set, but Callaway also offers "combo" sets where easy-to-hit Callaway Diablo Edge hybrid clubs replace the longer irons. This option increases the price, but offers significant benefits to players who struggle with long irons – and unfortunately, many of us do.

Conclusion: The Callaway Diablo Edge irons are easy to hit, offer good distance and are very forgiving, even on off-center shots. They're also the cheapest Callaway irons we've had in years. If you are a medium to high handicap golfer, they may give you the competitive edge you were hoping for. Make sure you're happy with how she looks though, as opinions on her looks are completely divided.