Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Driver review
What’s new? How much does it cost? And how does it perform? Jack Backhouse brings you the low down on the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke TD Driver
Callaway’s best-looking driver has returned with a new face upgrade, but how did we get on with Callaway’s low-spin driver? Read the Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Triple Diamond Driver review to find out.
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NCG SUMMARY
Callaway have done it again. The AI Smoke Triple Diamond driver perfectly blends sleek looks and raw power. The head is compact and deep but looks more inviting than its predecessor.
Callaway have introduced new technology in the AI Smart Face, which makes this driver so much more forgiving than it looks. Golfers will find this driver extremely playable, and it will end up in plenty of golfers bags this year.
PROS
- Looks brilliant behind the ball
- Strong performance from off-centre hits
- More distance than last year’s Triple Diamond
CONS
- A compact head is not confidence-inspiring for inconsistent golfers.
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Driver Review: First Impressions
No one can argue that this is not one of the best-looking drivers ever made. The head shape is small and classic, the carbon crown gives you a premium feel and the line on the face at the address gives it an inviting look that the old Paradym Triple Diamond didn’t offer. The smokey 360 carbon chassis looks brilliant too.
NCG Verdict
I had a love-hate relationship with the 2023 Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond driver. I loved it, and it hated my misshits. I would have loved to game the driver all season, but I just found the toe and heel strikes performed too poorly to consider them real contenders. It did work very well for golfers who do find the centre regularly, I must add.
Callaway has acknowledged and addressed this directly with the new Paradym AI Smoke Triple diamond driver with enhanced technology in the head. The first new tech story is the AI smart face: this has been developed by Callaway’s trusty supercomputer with the help of amateur golfer’s strike data. Thousands of golfers’ strike data have been input into the computer, which has led AI to design a face that is more forgiving of regular golfers’ habits and faults.
The result of this is fascinating. In the test, I found that I never hit any shots where the back spin rate dipped into my ‘danger zone’ of below 2200, which is where I cruised with the old driver. More spin is more control and I was delighted to see the ball spinning on average 700 rpm more than the old driver, which resulted in a 10-yard average carry gain. This is not to be sniffed at.
My ball speed was 1 mph quicker than the old Paradym TD, but speed really isn’t the main story in the new driver. The Carbon Chassis is 15% lighter than the previous model which has allowed them to redistribute the mass in the club to different, more optimal locations. in the head for improved ball flight, sound, feel and performance.
Callaway’s Paradym Ai Smoke TD is definitely a “player’s” driver. The head makes you feel that you can work the ball a lot more than the standard head and old standard Paradym driver. The head is not as inviting as many lower profile clubs available including the others in the Ai Smoke range. I did personally feel like I could produce a better swing speed with the more compact head, and it did stop my shots curving as far left as other new drivers out this year.
I absolutely would consider putting this club in my bag for the 2024 season. Like always I would want to have a thorough custom fit with an expert to dial in my speed, launch and spin, but what Callaway have done to help improve performance on bad strikes is too big to ignore. In test I was sure to use all strike locations, from heel to toe, and I wouldn’t have had any lost balls or penalty shots, so you can’t look past that.
If you are a player who wants to work the ball and loves a compact shape, the Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Triple Diamond driver is the one for you.
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Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Driver Review: The Details
Available: Now
RRP: £569
Shafts: Project X Denali Black | 60 G (STF | X STF) | D4
70 G (STF | X STF) | D5
MCA Tensei AV Blue | 50 G (STF) | D3
Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 50G
Lofts: 8° (RH only) 9° & 10.5° Length: 45.75″ Lie: 57° Volume: 450cc
More information: Callaway website
Jack Backhouse
Jack is a PGA Golf Professional who specialises in coaching, teaching golf to beginners and top-level amateurs for 10+ years. He also loves his golf equipment and analysing the data of the latest clubs on the market using launch monitors, specialising in blade irons and low-spinning drivers despite having a chronically low ball flight.
Although Jack has no formal journalism training, He has been reading What's In The Bag articles since he started playing at 12 and studying golf swings since his dad first filmed his swing to reveal one of the worst over-the-top slice swings he reckons has ever been recorded, which set him off on the path to be a coach. His favourite club ever owned was a Ping G10 driver bought from a local top amateur with the hope that some of the quality golf shots would come with it (they didn't), and worst was a Nike SQ driver he only bought because Tiger was using it.
Jack is a member of Sand Moor Golf Club and regularly gets out on the golf course to prepare for tournaments. Jack uses a TaylorMade BRNR Mini driver, a half set of TaylorMade P7MB irons, MG4 wedges and a TaylorMade TP Reserve putter.
