CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 1, 2003--Callaway Golf Company (NYSE: ELY) today officially introduced its new ERC(R) Fusion(R) Driver -- featuring radical new Fusion Technology for explosive performance off the tee. Bearing the initials of Company founder Ely Reeves Callaway, the ERC Fusion Driver represents the most forward-looking design Callaway Golf has ever brought to market. The driver combines a high-performance forged titanium "cup-face" with a lightweight carbon composite body that contains strategically located internal weighting. The result is a driver that fuses the best elements of titanium and composites by taking full advantage of both materials. The ERC Fusion Driver conforms to the Rules of Golf as administered by the USGA and the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews. It is expected to ship to retail accounts in December.

"We believe the ERC Fusion Driver is the most technologically advanced driver ever made," said Ron Drapeau, Chairman and CEO of Callaway Golf. "It is unlike any other driver on the market anywhere in the world. There are other metal woods that use both titanium and composite materials, but none of them integrates the full benefits of the two materials as extensively -- and successfully -- as the ERC Fusion Driver. This is not a titanium driver with a composite body, nor is it a composite driver with a titanium face. This is a unique driver made with Fusion Technology, and we believe golfers of all skill levels will enjoy the potential distance and forgiveness benefits of the ERC Fusion Driver."

The Fusion Technology that powers the ERC Fusion Driver is the successful blend of two design elements created and refined by Callaway Golf. First is the forged titanium cup-face design, which wraps around the face of the club and extends into the crown, ribbon and sole areas of the clubhead. This is similar to the face design first used by the Company in its legendary ERC II(R) Forged Titanium Driver, and encompasses Callaway Golf's Variable Face Thickness (VFT) Technology. The cup-face construction makes the clubface stronger in key, high-stress areas for greater strength, while VFT(R) Technology creates a highly efficient transfer of energy from clubhead to golf ball at impact to help achieve the maximum COR allowed by the USGA and R&A. The titanium cup-face used in the ERC Fusion Driver is also precisely tuned to create the powerful sound golfers want to hear at impact.

The second major element of the Fusion Technology used in the ERC Fusion Driver is its super-lightweight composite body. This is the same material Callaway Golf first used in the Big Bertha C4(R) Driver, which is a high-strength, multi-direction carbon composite similar to those used in other high-strength lightweight applications like aerospace and high-end performance vehicles. Using this lightweight material allows Callaway Golf engineers to move 45 to 50 grams of weight away from the center of the clubhead - where it has little benefit - to the back and perimeter of the driver using three high-density internal weight strips.

Callaway Golf's unique internal weighting system accounts for approximately 25 percent of the clubhead mass, and is calibrated to actively influence ball flight and help golfers choose the ERC Fusion Driver that best suits their swing:

    --  The 11- and 12-degree ERC Fusion Drivers have more weight
        positioned in the heel and have a slightly closed face angle
        to help higher-handicap players square the clubface at impact
        and reduce slice-creating sidespin.

    --  The 8-, 9- and 10-degree ERC Fusion Drivers have internal
        weighting that is more evenly spread across the perimeter of
        the clubhead, which works with a square face angle to help
        golfers produce a straight, repeatable ball flight.

    --  And the 7.5-, 8.5-, 9.5- and 10.5-degree ERC Fusion Drivers
        have more weight toward the toe of the clubhead and slightly
        open face angles to help better players with higher swing
        speeds to shape their shots as desired, whether that be a
        controlled draw or a power fade.

The ERC Fusion Driver already is one of the most popular drivers across the world's major professional tours, where Callaway Golf has been testing the driver as a prototype over the last several weeks. This past weekend, Annika Sorenstam switched to the ERC Fusion Driver and won her fifth LPGA Tour event of the year while Nationwide Tour rookie James Oh, age 21, used the ERC Fusion Driver in his first professional victory and became the youngest winner of a PGA Tour co-sponsored event in history. More than 90 professionals used the ERC Fusion Driver last week alone despite limited availability, and it has already become the No. 1 driver model on both the PGA European and Japan Golf tours in recent weeks. Most Tour professionals who have used the driver report that it produces a strong ball flight with exceptional forgiveness and a "hot" sound at impact. One touring pro who is not a Callaway Golf Staff Professional switched to the ERC Fusion Driver and won a Champions Tour event for his first victory in more than a year and later explained to the media how the ERC Fusion Driver was the key to his victory.

ERC Fusion Drivers feature Callaway Golf's new RCH System 55 graphite shaft in strong, firm, regular and light flexes. This lightweight shaft is 45 inches long, which is long enough to help produce exceptional clubhead speed while still delivering control and balance. For women, the new RCH System 50 graphite shaft is an inch shorter and even lighter. For golfers looking for more shaft options, ERC Fusion Drivers will also be available by special order with a number of popular after-market shafts factory-installed.

"The goal of Callaway Golf is to make products that are demonstrably superior and pleasingly different, and ERC Fusion more than delivers on that promise," said Patrice Hutin, President and Chief Operating Officer of Callaway Golf. "ERC Fusion is a product only Callaway Golf could conceive and manufacture, and more than 70 patents cover this driver's remarkable technology. We believe golfers of all skill levels will love the ERC Fusion Driver, as it will deliver the performance and enjoyment they expect from the industry leader in golf club innovation."

The Callaway Big Bertha Heavenwood is a great option for golfers that need to replace their difficult long irons. This hybrid has a longer heel to toe profile with a low Center of Gravity that makes is easier to get the ball into the air. The modified War Bird sole makes it easier to cut through turf or even sand to make solid contact. The hosel design keeps weight low and contains a plug to improve feel and stability at impact.

A Heavenwood is a hybrid golf club originally designed by Callaway in 2004. Most golfers really struggle to hit their long irons and equipment manufacturers are always looking for ways to get more people enjoying the game and by extension buying more gear!

Review: "I was a little hesitant about hybrid clubs since I historically haven't hit many of them well compared to the equivalent fairway wood or long iron (I used to carry a 2 iron). I tried Taylormade's rescue club and demoed the Cleveland Hi-Bore hybrids and just couldnt hit them well. That all changed when I was given the Callaway Heavenwood 3H as a gift. I replaced the shaft with a custom I-Rod graphite shaft and this club is the go to club in my bag. The 3H is a bit of a misnomer, since the ball has a trajectory of a strongly hit 2 iron or 5 wood. It has a great launch angle that achieves increasing trajectory so it cuts out the wind throughout 2/3s of its initial flight. It is not a club that is meant to be struck hard, like a 2, 3, or 4 irons. A smooth swing will out this club long and straight. I can hit this club with a lto of consistency in distance and trajectory out of rough, fairway or off the tee. The sole is designed to make this club very playable off most lies including hill or sloped lies (just make sure to swing smoothly and aim accordingly). I can carry this club consistently a good 225 yards off the fairway, which would break my back swinging if I tried with my old 2 and 3 irons. I can get a 230-235 yard tee shot, so it makes it ideal of tight fairways or short par 4s. The club is also very workable, especially when you want to hit high power fades or low punch draws. I am much more precise with this club than my fairway woods and my long irons. I am in the market for the 2H, since I like these hybrids better than my woods. I wouldn't recommend this club for people with very fast swing speeds, there are fairway woods and long irons better suited for quicker swings. Other than that, this club is clutch when you need a 200+ shot. They are a little pricey, but most hybrids in its bracket are, but you do get a quality club."