You may or may not realize this but Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp. has an ever-increasing footprint in the golf world. They are making a lasting impression on die-hard golfers, weekend warriors, casual golfers, even non-golfers.
They achieve all of this through many avenues but most notably by those who play a Callaway driver.
You likely know the professional golfers: Xander Schauffle, Jon Rahm, Rose Zhang and others. There are popular YouTubers who game Callaway drivers such as Good Good and Bob Does Sports. Arguably, the latter two bring more eyes and exposure to Callaway than the pros.
Although you likely aren’t a pro or a celebrity, you may want to put a Callaway driver in your bag. So we are here to answer the question: Which Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Driver is best for you?
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Driver Lineup
The first talking point you need to understand is this: Not all drivers are created equal. Each one of Callaway’s drivers has a specific design and is geared towards certain golfers.
The second talking point: Be open-minded with your driver selection. Throughout Most Wanted testing, we see scenarios where a driver stands out for a wide variety of golfers, some of whom may not have even considered that particular driver.
Time to take a look.
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max Driver
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max is the flagship driver model. Think of it as the best of both worlds, jack-of-all-trades, etc. Theoretically, Ai Smoke Max should offer reasonable distance and forgiveness, which allows it to fit a wider golfer profile.
This driver offers an adjustable loft sleeve and sliding weight. These two components give golfers the opportunity to dial in distance, forgiveness, and workability. I love the ability to make a driver slightly more fade-biased to avoid draw-shaped misses. You might be the opposite. In that case, Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max allows you to make the driver more draw-biased via the loft sleeve and sliding weight.
Callaway Paraydym Ai Smoke Max Data
Data is the lifeblood of MyGolfSpy. Without it, we wouldn’t be who we are. Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max is an improvement over the previous Paradym driver model. Here are some key metrics from our 2024 Most Wanted Driver Test:
Ball Speed – 141.9 mph
Carry Distance – 237.5 yds
Total Distance – 250.8 yds
Backspin – 2,376 rpm
Launch Angle – 13.75 degrees
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D
“Don’t judge a book by its cover.” This saying is applicable to the next Callaway driver in this evaluation, the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D.
In back-to-back years, we’ve seen Callaway’s “draw-biased” driver contend for best overall driver. Yes, it is draw-biased. However, the argument can be made that it provides a controlled draw versus a severe draw. “Consistent and reliable” are alternative descriptors as well. Additionally, Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D is the best driver for distance in our 2024 Most Wanted Driver test.
This driver packs a punch in several ways. Across our testing pool, it is definitely one of the best drivers on the market. Be open-minded with your approach to a new driver.
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D Data
Now take a look at how the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D’s data and see why it is such an intriguing driver option.
Ball Speed – 142.6 mph
Carry Distance – 241.4 yds
Total Distance – 255.4 yds
Backspin – 2,270 rpm
Launch Angle – 13.92 degrees
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Driver
For years, Callaway’s Triple Diamond driver offering wasn’t available at retail. However, Callaway recenttly began to offer their TD model at retail. Since this decision, Triple Diamond drivers have been some of the most consistent driver models.
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond is no different. For us, it is one of the best drivers of 2024. It is a “low-spin” driver that excels at producing consistent ball speeds.
The most beneficial component of Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond is movable weights. Positioning the heavier weight in the back of the clubhead allows for more forgiveness and an increase in spin. For golfers, especially those who spin it low, this is a great benefit because it allows them the chance to retain better spin off the driver. Traditionally, “low-spin” drivers are marketed towards high swing speed golfers. By offering two movable weights, Callaway broadens the playability of Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond. The data we saw in testing only validates this.
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Data
With the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond, you’ll see similar numbers to the Max D, which is quite shocking given the stark design differences between the two.
Ball Speed – 142.8 mph
Carry Distance – 239.6 yds
Total Distance – 255.8 yds
Backspin – 2,215 rpm
Launch Angle – 13.06 degrees
Which Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Driver Is Best For You?
I’ll play “Debbie Downer” here: There is no correct answer.
Each Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke driver offers pros and cons. They all perform differently. The data above showcases the differences in performance. I will say, though, that the performance is tighter across all three models relative to other drivers on the market. That makes the decision even more difficult.
The data above is our “Efficiency Data,” which is more refined than traditional raw averages. Think of it as a truer representation of how a golf club performs, especially since our driver testing consists of 35 testers, each of whom delivers the driver differently at varying speeds. A person swinging at 80 mph will not have the same data as a golfer swinging at 120 mph. Our “Efficiency Data” covers this gap in performance.
So, again, which Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke driver is right for you? Ultimately, you need to assess your game and determine what your needs are off the tee.
Do you want more distance? In our testing, Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D and Triple Diamond are two of the longest drivers. Both excel with ball speed.
Do you need less spin? Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond is your best bet. However, both Paradym Ai Smoke Max and Max D show potential of handling spin well. If you go with either of these two, be attentive to the spin numbers.
Do you need higher-launching shots? In testing, Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D produces the highest launch angle of the three drivers. But Paradym Ai Smoke Max might be the best combination of spin and launch angle.
Performance Over Everything
Choosing which Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke driver to play should boil down to which one best serves your needs off the tee and the one that offers the best performance. Only you can determine what type of performance you are searching for. The best way to discover this is to go through a professional fitting. In some cases, you might find an unorthodox combination of driver shaft, driver head and driver loft that gives you the best results.
There are three critical performance metrics you need to consider: distance, accuracy and forgiveness.
Finding the driver that offers the best combination of distance and accuracy is a no-brainer. Some may sacrifice distance for improved accuracy. For others, it may be the opposite. Only you can decide which performance characteristics will take precedence in your decision. But be confident knowing that, top to bottom, Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke driver lineup is one of the best available.
**This review does not include Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max Fast or Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Max. These two drivers round out the entire Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke driver lineup and were not available at the time of Most Wanted Testing.**
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