TaylorMade SLDR Mini Driver vs. Callaway X2Hot 3 Wood

I have been in the market for a 3 wood all season. I just didn't like how my old TaylorMade R5 Fairway Wood was treating me lately. There was probably nothing wrong with the club, but like any golfer I wanted something new to make me feel like I was hitting it better. With the end of the season deals starting at Dick's Sporting Goods, I decided to go demo these two clubs.

I was for sure I would end up with the TaylorMade Mini Driver because I'm partial to TaylorMade Driver and Woods. I decided to test the Callaway X2Hot 3 Wood because it got great reviews and was probably the biggest competitor to the Mini Driver. 

The Mini Driver hit very well off the tee for me. Very easy to hit, very forgiving on mishits. What I was really hoping for tho was to be able to hit it well off the deck. This was a struggle for me as a high-handicapper. Even though it's a smaller head than the driver, it is still a larger head than a normal 3 wood and was difficult for me to hit off the deck very well. So I was a little let down after that, until I hit the X2Hot 3 Wood by Callaway. It hit so well off the tee and gave me more distance than the Mini Driver which was very surprising to me. The true test came when I decided to try it off the deck. Obviously I gave up some distance, but it still launched very well off the deck and was very easy to hit. Hopefully, par 5's should be more manageable next season (Hopefully key word)! Decision was easy after that and I'm proud to have added the X2Hot to my bag. With the deals Dick's was running online at the time, I was able to get it for $160 and free shipping. 

Highlights

Smaller 260cc Head

Low-Forward Center of Gravity

Speed Pocket Technology

Inverted Cone Technology

Lightweight Shaft

Specs: TaylorMade SLDR Mini Driver

Loft: 14 Degrees

Length: 43.5"

Lie: 57 Degrees

Fujikura Speeder 57 Graphite Shaft

Highlights

Deeeper Face and Tour Inspire Shape

Hyper Speed Face Cup

Improved Internal Standing Wave

Improved Modern Warbird Sole Design

Specs: Callaway X2Hot 3 Wood

Loft: 14.5 Degrees

Length: 43.5"

Lie: 55.5 Degrees

 Aldila Tour Blue Stiff Shaft Weight: 73