Callaway XR vs Callaway XR OS
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | XR loft | XR OS loft | XR lie | XR OS lie | XR length | XR OS length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 18 | — | 59.75 | — | 39.5 | — |
| 4 | 20.5 | 22 | 60.5 | 60.5 | 38.875 | 39.125 |
| 5 | 23 | 25 | 61.25 | 61.25 | 38.25 | 38.5 |
| 6 | 26 | 28 | 62 | 62 | 37.625 | 37.875 |
| 7 | 30 | 31.5 | 62.5 | 62.5 | 37 | 37.25 |
| 8 | 34.5 | 35 | 63 | 63 | 36.5 | 36.625 |
| 9 | 39 | 39 | 63.5 | 63.5 | 36 | 36 |
| PW | 44 | 44 | 64 | 64 | 35.75 | 35.75 |
| AW | 49 | 49 | 64 | 64 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| SW | 54 | 54 | 64 | 64 | 35.25 | 35.25 |
| LW | 59 | — | 64 | — | 35 | — |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- XR
- XR OS
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the XR is 30° and the XR OS is 31.5°, a 1.5° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the XR should carry roughly 4 to 6 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the XR OS. Across the 9 clubs both sets share, the XR OS averages 0.8° weaker, with the largest gap at the 5-iron (23° vs 25°). Beyond loft, the XR OS 7-iron is 0.25 inches longer (37" vs 37.25").
The sets are built differently: the XR runs 3-iron to LW (11 clubs), the XR OS 4-iron to SW (9 clubs).
The XR is a game improvement iron and the XR OS a super game improvement iron, so they sit one step apart on the forgiveness scale. The XR OS is the more forgiving design, with a wider sole, more offset and more perimeter weighting for high handicaps, beginners and slower swing speeds. The XR trades some of that for a more compact head, thinner topline and more control over flight and shape, which suits roughly 10 to 25 handicaps.
Both heads are listed as investment cast. With the build method this similar, differences in feel come down to head size, sole width, topline and offset rather than how the heads are made.
The XR OS came out 1 year after the XR, but it is a different line rather than a direct replacement, so the two were designed for different golfers as well as different seasons.
Which should you choose?
The XR OS is the weaker-lofted set — up to 2° weaker than the XR. That trades raw distance for a steeper landing angle and more predictable stopping power into greens.
Both charts are reproduced in full on their own pages: Callaway XR specs and Callaway XR OS specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Callaway XR stronger lofted than the XR OS?
Yes. The Callaway XR 7-iron is 30° against 31.5° for the XR OS, 1.5° stronger, which is worth roughly 4 to 6 yards of extra carry with the same swing.
What is the loft difference between the Callaway XR and XR OS?
At the 7-iron the difference is 1.5° (30° vs 31.5°). The largest gap on a shared club is 2° at the 5-iron, and 5 of the 9 shared clubs differ.
Which is better for higher handicap golfers, the Callaway XR or the XR OS?
The XR OS. As a super game improvement iron it is the more forgiving design, suited to high handicaps, beginners and slower swing speeds. The Callaway XR is a game improvement iron, better suited to roughly 10 to 25 handicaps.
Do the Callaway XR and XR OS have the same lie and length?
Not exactly. At the 7-iron the Callaway XR is 62.5° lie and 37 inches, the XR OS 62.5° and 37.25 inches. Both can be bent or built to your own fit.
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