I still have my X14 PS somewhere.

They claim the X-14 Steelhead had was the most successful Callaway designed irons, ever. Now, this Steelhead Xr supposed to be an improvement of the X-14 model.

Marketing highlight, The return of the bore through design ( which is not an innovation for the Xr )
The Steel infused insert ( which is also not an innovation for the new Xr )
The redesigned cup face ( also an older concept ).
After reading up on the "new and improved features " I'd assume the feel of these new irons would be closer to a hybrid than the traditional irons. A hybrid camouflaged in the skin of iron ?

Has anyone tried out the Steelhead Xr ?

I'm somewhat "in lust" with these irons. I'd like to have them for next season but I know that I won't pay
what they are asking. I also would want actual hybrids with them but I don't know if they are/will be offered.
Maybe I'll own a set in about two years when the price comes down.

    mulegolf

    With many players either dropped out of retracting from the golf equipment manufacturing segment, I think the retail market would gradually return to similar make up as 2 decades ago.
    Selection would be fewer and the price tag would be higher in general.

    If I "lust over" these new irons so much like you, I would get to demo these ASAP to find out if these play as well as they look. Saving money is frugal, however, the lost of time while waiting will never be recovered.

    Otherwise, if matched with the right set up, any golf club will play well for the average golfers. A roll of lead tape with proper application would, improve the ball striking as the least expensive way of getting a better game.

      I won't attempt to demo them anymore this year but may do so late winter/early spring. If I " fall in love" at that time, who knows what will happen. For right now I'm fairly satisfied with the Adams Idea hybrid irons that I purchased this year and I usually get new irons about every 2 years (although I have replaced my irons in just a year before as well as used the same set 3 years). I'm not the type that waits to replace my irons until they are antiques. I just like new stuff every couple years.

        mulegolf

        Like you, I don't 'replace" irons. Bought sets over the years because for one reason or the other, sometimes over 6-8 years and sometimes just because.....

        I tend to keep my iron sets. The only thing is, over the years I'm not able to motor the XS shafts in some sets and even the stiff flex is getting difficult to power the long irons ( 2.3 & 4), especially the heavier weighted shafts.

        Do not like the regular flex nor the graphite shafts , yet. Who knows, I'll try again maybe in a year or two. I do like the light weight steel in long irons for now, except I need to find the right swing weight to tune in the timing.

        Nothing beats a roll of lead tape, irons take 2 gm. to change one swing weight instead of the one gm/swing weight for the woods.. Old school way of adjusting with lead tape on the driving range, to see the distance and trajectory changed with a small change in swing weight.

          Typhoon

          Equipment is important, especially for a hacker like I am. Sometimes I keep getting golf equipment because I like the history or the look of the shinning golf club, or a wish to be able to "buy" the miracle golf club to cure all the issue with this this game. Gradually, everything seemed to be solved by time and practice. I could do easily the 4 out of the 6 ball flight, the high draw and low fade is still not dependable. The only thing lacking now is the disappearing of distance.

          Players like Sam Snead could fashion a tree branch into a straight stick with a lump at the end plus one wedge to defeat a 15 handicap index holder.

          Here is the story of John Montague which was mimic and copied in the movie "Tin Cup ".
          https://forgottennewsmakers.com/2010/11/30/john-montague-1903-%E2%80%93-1972-fugitive-golfer/

            A few years back I almost picked up the Ping eye 2 wedges that came out " new" a few years ago.

            I had a 30 year span between irons for me and the new ones are just sooo friggin nice!

            hot damn, 30 years span between sets of irons is "way over due ".
            Did the irons have any grooves left ? Or if you just play a handful of rounds a year .

              sdandrea1 They were PING Eye 2 irons - the grooves don't wear out...................

              The grooves on Ping irons do wear out eventually. If it has been used a lot.

              I can't provide a scientific statistic but, the cast Ping iron grooves lasts close to 2 1/2- 3 times longer than the regular forged irons would.

              It'll show more wear if used on sandy turf or hard-pan.

                  Release

                  As usual, my comment was hyperbole. I have yet (in 50 years of golfing) to see an older model cast PING with worn out grooves, but I'm sure it is possible.

                      sdandrea1

                      Should have known when I replied to a life time member for Ping/////

                      I don't know if anyone had worn out the grooves entirely except for some old forged irons used by the likes of Snead. He probably used up one set of irons per season.
                      Ping Eye2 is legendary of the heat treatment they used for longevity. I meant lost of the sharpness to spin a golf ball like when they were new. By no means wearing the face down to smooth.

                      I know back in the 80's many Tour players had their Eye2 irons re-grooved each season by OEM.

                        I regrooved mine by " dremel".

                        Bad part is they are copper so I'm balding, missing 4 lower and 3 upper teeth and have 3 years to live.

                        sdandrea1

                        My understanding is that Ping does not "heat treat" their iron heads any longer. Some models are made overseas from the same foundry which makes everyone's.
                        Be interesting to see how the G irons fair after a season or two of playing. You qualify for a frequent flier, so review should be worth looking forward to.

                            Release i think all of their heads are made in China. The G model is heat treated according to their marketing blurbs. Time will tell.