Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D Driver Review
What’s new? How much does it cost? And how does it perform? Paul Miller brings you the low down on Callaway’s new Paradym Ai Smoke Max D driver.
The Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D driver is Callaway’s latest draw-bias driver. So how does it perform? Find out in our Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D driver review.
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Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D driver review: NCG Summary
NCG SUMMARY
This is a great-looking club and is a superb addition to the Callaway driver family. It produced consistent ball speed numbers and carry distance relative to my low club head speed. It was also extremely consistent across the board.
If you are someone who is looking for consistency from your driver, this is a great option, especially if you are looking to hit a draw.
PROS
- Consistency
- Sits great on the eye
- Great for those wishing to draw the ball
CONS
- Premium price point
First Impressions
When you have the club in hand, you just want to hit it! It looks great behind the ball, and the lattice pattern on the top of the club is a nice touch. Personally, the smoke effect on the back of the club does nothing for me but is something different.
NCG Review
I am aged 46, 8 handicap golfer with a slow swing speed. I don’t hit the ball a great distance, but the strength of my game is generally the consistency of my driving. I can hit the ball both ways, but I do favour a fade off the tee.
Straight away, I loved how the club sat behind the ball. I just wanted to hit it and see how it performed. For my initial testing, I used a Foresight Sports GC3 simulator at the Worksop Indoor Golf Centre.
Looking at the data below, the first thing to notice is that I am not capable of hitting 10 shots without scuffing one left! It has nothing to do with the club. It is completely down to my lack of ability! Discounting the first bad hit, I pretty much averaged 200 yards carry with a total average distance of 215 yards. The furthest carry was 213 yards, with a total rollout of 230 yards.
To put the numbers in context, I tend to compare myself to LPGA Tour averages – these being a carry with the driver of 218 yards, ball speed of 140, launch angle of 13.2 degrees, descent angle of 37 degrees & peak height of 25 yards.
As such, I was pretty happy with my numbers below, with the ball going right or left when I intended to. So, even though the total spread was 69.3 yards from left to right, I would point out that in reality, when I was trying to hit a fade or a draw, it happened, and with the draw, it was definitely under control.
The club face is an AI Smart Face and offers something new to golfers, whereby it uses real player data to develop and provide golfers with a number of sweet spots on the club face. I would say that if you are looking to hit a controlled draw, this club definitely helps.
Overall, I was really impressed with this driver’s performance. When you are over the ball, you just want to hit it, and so it gives you confidence before you even hit the ball. Though I tend to play mainly with a fade, I was impressed with the results when trying to hit a draw. I felt the ball was under control and would be happy to use this when finding the fairway – be it with a fade or a draw.
Developing a driver with the new AI Smart Face is definitely an exciting move by Callaway, and though it is pricy, it will definitely provide you with control and consistency off the tee.
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Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D Driver Review: The Details
Available: Now
RRP: £569
Shafts: Project X Cypher 2.0 | 40 G (LGT) | D2
MCA Tensei AV Blue | 50 G (REG | STF) | D3 & 60 G (STF ) | D4
Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 50G
Lofts: 9°, 10.5° & 12° Length: 45.75″ Lie: 60° Volume: 460cc
More information: Callaway website
Paul Miller
Paul has been playing golf for around a fourth of a Century, whilst his time on this Earth is rapidly approaching half a Century!
During that time his handicap, on average, has gone down around half a shot a year and is currently at 8.
His general love of Sport included a time studying the Philosophy and Sociology of Sport.
In 2013 he co-authored a book chapter 'The good and bad of youth sport today'.
His passion for youth sport is equally matched in his role heading up the Buyer's Guides for National Club Golfer.
He wants to inform golfers what gear is the best whilst finding all the best golf deals so you can save money.
Since joining the equipment testing team at NCG he has become a hybrid convert and is ready to tell you to ditch the long irons if you want to hit more greens this season!
Paul uses a Cobra DarkSpeed Max driver, Callaway Ai Smoke hybrids, an Odyssey Ai-ONE Putter and a TaylorMade Tour Response golf ball.
