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Callaway has focused on developing their drivers to be exceptionally forgiving and stable in recent years, but now they have reverted their focus back to speed.
Callaway Quantum Max Driver Review: A return to speed for Callaway | National Club Golfer
The Quantum range is their latest line-up and the Quantum Max is the model most golfers are likely to gravitate towards to.
It is designed to offer quality distance and playability, promising faster ball speeds and strong carry numbers without pushing players into low-spin options. We put it to the test to see how it performs and if it should feature in your bag for 2026.
NCG Summary
NCG SUMMARY
The Callaway Quantum Max driver is a fast, modern looking driver that is a revert to type for one of the biggest brands in golf.
While forgiveness isn’t the main focus of Callaway drivers this year, the Quantum Max still offers enough stability and adjustability to suit a wide range of golfers.
PROS
Excellent ball speeds
Solid feel
Modern styling looks good
CONS
Could launch a touch higher than what some golfers find optimal
I feel as though Callaway has gone back to the drawing board with the new design of the Quantum after the Elyte range.
Although I thought the Elyte was a great looking driver, which I really liked it, was a bit too traditional. This more modern and futuristic design is very much where Callaway belongs.
There’s lots going on here. We have an adjustable weight near the face. A really nice adjustable weight to the back of the head where golfers can make it more draw or fade bias. I really like that it’s hidden away.
The only way you can tell whether it’s draw or fade is whether the red is on the drawer or the red is on the Fade, which I think is really cool.
I also think Callaway drivers should look a certain way and this is exactly that. I like the gloss finish they have gone with on the club head and the grey top line creates a nice separation between the crown and the face.
NCG Verdict
This driver is much more about speed and focuses less on forgiveness, which is a shift from previous Callaway drivers. They have gone back to their roots and I’m all for it.
My initial impressions of the Quantum Max, in terms of performance, was that it feels very solid off the face. Mid 160s ball speeds and over 280 yards of carry without the club being fitted to my preferences was an outstanding return.
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I hadn’t messed with the loft, nor the draw or fade bias whatsoever and I was pretty much dialled in from the get-go. For those of you who don’t get fitted for your clubs, and that is probably the majority of you, then there is a good chance you’ll stumble across a quality performing driver here.
The main tech story of the Quantum drivers is the brand new face. This is a face that has three layers; a titanium layer, a poly mesh layer and a carbon layer. This is the first time Callaway has managed to get all three of those things together.
They’ve been able to increase speeds by making the titanium face thinner, because the titanium is reinforced by this poly mesh layer and the carbon layer.
This isn’t even the fastest out of the Quantum drivers Callaway are offering this year and it is still producing quicker numbers than a lot of other drivers I have tested this year.
While this driver may not be as forgiveness-focused as some of Callaway’s other recent releases, it still performs well on mishits and maintains playable ball speed across the face.
It feels very solid. They have avoided equipping it with a hollow or tinny feel and it instead feels like you are hitting the ball with something heavy.
Final Thoughts
The Callaway Quantum Max is a clear statement of intent from Callaway. It’s a driver that feels fast, powerful, and exciting to hit, without becoming intimidating or overly demanding.
It’s a long way from being the most forgiving driver Callaway has produced but the ball speeds certainly make up for that.