Callaway 2024/Will there be a new Callaway driver in 2024

[OhioGolfDude]

12 minutes ago, Carolina Golfer 2 said:

 

Nice jobs...I'd take those.

 

I'm typically +3 on my launch angle, and I would trade you a a degree or two for about 5 mph of your swing speed, then we'd be pretty much the same distance 🙂   I'm low 80's and hover around 120 to 123 ball speed and am only getting typically 185 to 188 carry and 206 total with my Smoke Max 12 degree.  Our Height and spin are almsot identical as well, my smash might be 1 point higher. 

 

Thanks! I guess the stats really showed that I was correct to be in a 50g shaft. SS was under 90 when using a 60g. The Tensei as mentioned above really seemed to work for me. 

[Jim53]

I received a nice email from Callaway about the shipping delay and a code for a free dozen of the new Chrome tour balls (or any ball I wanted). Some complain about the Callaway CS but they have always went above and beyond IMO and why I continue to send them my Business.

[txbadger]

5 minutes ago, Jim53 said:

I received a nice email from Callaway about the shipping delay and a code for a free dozen of the new Chrome tour balls (or any ball I wanted). Some complain about the Callaway CS but they have always went above and beyond IMO and why I continue to send them my Business.

I would have stuck with my Callaway order if offered the same.   Instead I was told that I had bad luck.     It's great that they are making more of an effort now. 

[Jim53]

6 minutes ago, txbadger said:

I would have stuck with my Callaway order if offered the same.   Instead I was told that I had bad luck.     It's great that they are making more of an effort now. 

That is a shame you got a tool on the phone, if you ever need something again call Cole @ 512-617-7131 he is really a good guy and knows his job.

He can sell either New or Pre-Owned and has helped me many times over the years and put up with my stupid buying and trading habits (which at times make no sense to me).

[dlow206]

Normally a callaway guy in driver. Went and tested the AI Smoke Max against my Paradym X (have also owned a Paradym standard). Results were almost identical. Some snap hooks, some overdraws, and some good shots, no distance gain or dispersion improvement.

 

Thought i had brought the bad swing today but then hit the ping g430 max 10k and that thing was magic. Flat setting plus the tour 2.0 chrome was straight or small draw. 10 yard increase in carry because i was finding the center and more comfortable swinging a bit harder.

[gsrjc]

Awesome driver. 

 

 

In case folks were curious. Kept the 2g front weight and changed the back weight to 7g from the standard 14g. Then added 3.5g of lead tape each on the back toe and heel to make it ultra forgiving and back to the 14g total rear weight. It also changed the sound as it’s a little muted. 

Edited February 5 by gsrjc

[OhioGolfDude]

A buddy and I got to demo the Max today out on the course for 18. WOW is all I can say. This thing is HOT and very straight. I have 75% of fairways today.

 

I was using the 9* w/ Tensei Blue 65s and I tuned it up +2* to 11. Loved the mid-high ball flight and changed my mind from the TD. Figured I could use the extra forgiveness. The head pro has been hitting the same head on the sim and agreed. He was leaning toward the Max as well.

 

Ordered a 10.5* w/ Tensei Blue 55s from Amazon. I had $350 in GC credit so I couldn't pass it up. Arrives Wed!

[aussieb]

Has anyone added heavy weights to the front in the Max to drop the spin/lower launch and also add ballspeed?  I'm on the fence with the Triple Diamond and Max, so adding heavier weights to either might sway my testing.  But most reps in Australia don't have them in their kits. 

The TD Smoke has to be one of the most forgiving drivers that's workable.  It's very tempting to retire my TSR4 this year.

[CactusGolf]

Had the chance to hit my Paradym compared to the AI Smoke Max.  Bought the Paradym sight unseen last year so I did the same with the AI Smoke Max.  Had a coupon at Dick's so was able to get the simulator for a $10 off the hour!

 

I hadn't played a round since December so I did take a good amount of time beforehand stretching and hitting irons.  Felt that the session was a good representation of how I'm hitting it coming out of a really good second half of the season.  Smash factor in both driver sets was at 1.50.  Used the same ball for the session (Callaway Chrome Soft X).

 

Had both drivers at 10.5* set to +1* with Fujikura Ventus TR Red 6S.  I noticed immediately that the AI Smoke Max felt like it sat neutral to a bit open compared to the Paradym that could sit closed on occasion.  Saw that I was swinging the AI Smoke Max 2.7 mph faster than the Paradym, resulting in a higher ball speed (+ 4.6 mph).  Increase in ball speed lead to 11.9 yards of increased carry (259.2 yards from 247.3 with the Paradym).  Launch angle also increased slightly (12.1* in the Paradym to 12.5*) with a marginal decrease in spin rate from 2,295 rpm to 2,156.  Total distance increase of 11.9 yards.

 

Ultimately, the AI Smoke Max was an improvement over my current Paradym.  Dispersion felt roughly similar and I definitely didn't see a single ball go left (which is totally fine with me).  It "felt" that the AI Smoke Max wanted to hang right if anything.  Think it was a good improvement for me over the Paradym.  My biggest struggle last year was having the "low-spin hook" off the tee.

 

I'd still like to add a little more spin, but I think I can do that with a ball switch as I'm really happy with the contact that I've been making and definitely don't want to move away from the Ventus TR Red.

[roxald]

13 minutes ago, CactusGolf said:

Had the chance to hit my Paradym compared to the AI Smoke Max.  Bought the Paradym sight unseen last year so I did the same with the AI Smoke Max.  Had a coupon at Dick's so was able to get the simulator for a $10 off the hour!

 

I hadn't played a round since December so I did take a good amount of time beforehand stretching and hitting irons.  Felt that the session was a good representation of how I'm hitting it coming out of a really good second half of the season.  Smash factor in both driver sets was at 1.50.  Used the same ball for the session (Callaway Chrome Soft X).

 

Had both drivers at 10.5* set to +1* with Fujikura Ventus TR Red 6S.  I noticed immediately that the AI Smoke Max felt like it sat neutral to a bit open compared to the Paradym that could sit closed on occasion.  Saw that I was swinging the AI Smoke Max 2.7 mph faster than the Paradym, resulting in a higher ball speed (+ 4.6 mph).  Increase in ball speed lead to 11.9 yards of increased carry (259.2 yards from 247.3 with the Paradym).  Launch angle also increased slightly (12.1* in the Paradym to 12.5*) with a marginal decrease in spin rate from 2,295 rpm to 2,156.  Total distance increase of 11.9 yards.

 

Ultimately, the AI Smoke Max was an improvement over my current Paradym.  Dispersion felt roughly similar and I definitely didn't see a single ball go left (which is totally fine with me).  It "felt" that the AI Smoke Max wanted to hang right if anything.  Think it was a good improvement for me over the Paradym.  My biggest struggle last year was having the "low-spin hook" off the tee.

 

I'd still like to add a little more spin, but I think I can do that with a ball switch as I'm really happy with the contact that I've been making and definitely don't want to move away from the Ventus TR Red.

I noticed the Ai line seems to sit open on most of the one's I've seen.

Did you notice much difference in feel and sound?

 

I tried the Ai Max vs my Rogue Max Ls both with the Ventus Blue TR and prefer the Rogue-better sound/feel and looks better at address(dead square).

Spin was 200 lower with my Ls and over the range session, the average distance was basically the same.

 

Love the look of the new Ai over last years' tho.

 

Rox

[CactusGolf]

Just now, roxald said:

I noticed the Ai line seems to sit open on most of the one's I've seen.

Did you notice much difference in feel and sound?

 

I tried the Ai Max vs my Rogue Max Ls both with the Ventus Blue TR and prefer the Rogue-better sound/feel and looks better at address(dead square).

Spin was 200 lower with my Ls and over the range session, the average distance was basically the same.

 

Love the look of the new Ai over last years' tho.

 

Rox

I'm glad I wasn't the only one who noticed, but I agree with the AI sitting more open.  Will be interested to see how that translates to the course (vs. on synthetic indoor).  

 

I could NEVER get the Rouge ST Max to work for me.  That series seemed like it wanted to go no where but left.

 

The feel/sound felt extremely similar from the Paradym to the AI Smoke on an indoor setting, so I'm looking forward to getting it outside this weekend (looks like 60* here in Kentucky) to at least get to the range as it is still a little too wet to play.  

[apprenti23]

22 hours ago, aussieb said:

Has anyone added heavy weights to the front in the Max to drop the spin/lower launch and also add ballspeed?  I'm on the fence with the Triple Diamond and Max, so adding heavier weights to either might sway my testing.  But most reps in Australia don't have them in their kits. 

The TD Smoke has to be one of the most forgiving drivers that's workable.  It's very tempting to retire my TSR4 this year.

Heavy weight forward will increase spin? Or decrease? Decrease right?

Edited February 6 by apprenti23

[aussieb]

47 minutes ago, apprenti23 said:

Heavy weight forward will increase spin? Or decrease? Decrease right?

Decrease, as the CG gets moved forward

[OhioGolfDude]

She's HERE!

 

[bcflyguy1]

6 hours ago, OhioGolfDude said:

She's HERE!

 

[Pens #1 fan]

6 hours ago, OhioGolfDude said:

She's HERE!

 

5 hours later has it hit a ball yet? 

[phizzy30]

On 2/5/2024 at 7:00 PM, CactusGolf said:

I'm glad I wasn't the only one who noticed, but I agree with the AI sitting more open.  Will be interested to see how that translates to the course (vs. on synthetic indoor).  

 

I could NEVER get the Rouge ST Max to work for me.  That series seemed like it wanted to go no where but left.

 

The feel/sound felt extremely similar from the Paradym to the AI Smoke on an indoor setting, so I'm looking forward to getting it outside this weekend (looks like 60* here in Kentucky) to at least get to the range as it is still a little too wet to play.  

Same for me but I had the Rogue ST TD as a loaner recently.  Left all day, unfortunately.  Same thing when I went to Boston last year and the head pro at my sister's CC let me borrow his clubs.  At first I thought it was the shaft, but it's the head.  Have an AI Smoke TD coming on Friday and I can't wait to take her out on Saturday.    

[SwingBlues]

On 2/5/2024 at 6:00 PM, CactusGolf said:

I'm glad I wasn't the only one who noticed, but I agree with the AI sitting more open.  Will be interested to see how that translates to the course (vs. on synthetic indoor).  

 

I could NEVER get the Rouge ST Max to work for me.  That series seemed like it wanted to go no where but left.

 

The feel/sound felt extremely similar from the Paradym to the AI Smoke on an indoor setting, so I'm looking forward to getting it outside this weekend (looks like 60* here in Kentucky) to at least get to the range as it is still a little too wet to play.  

 

I did have some gr8 driving experiences with the Max but it would tend to stray left but it was liveable and long at that time.

 

My AI Smoke sits more open than my Rogue ST Max. BUT coming from the Stealth 2+, neither of them are considered as open as the S2+. So I went with a 10.5 Smoke and cranked it down to get the same open face feel as close to the S2+ as possible. Might want to consider that...

 

[CactusGolf]

6 minutes ago, SwingBlues said:

 

I did have some gr8 driving experiences with the Max but it would tend to stray left but it was liveable and long at that time.

 

My AI Smoke sits more open than my Rogue ST Max. BUT coming from the Stealth 2+, neither of them are considered as open as the S2+. So I went with a 10.5 Smoke and cranked it down to get the same open face feel as close to the S2+ as possible. Might want to consider that...

 

I play 10.5* set to +1* and it definitely sits more open than the Paradym did, which isn't a bad thing.  I'm going to get the first round of the year with it on Sunday.  It will be interested to see how it translates from the simulator to the course.  Granted, when I'm indoors, I tend to line up more right of the target line than I would on the course.

[PickItUpGolf]

Found the matching car available for sale:
 

F

 

I joke! The car actually looks much worse

 

 

[JohnnyDub]

On 12/10/2023 at 10:49 AM, 03trdblack said:

 

Same thing happens every year. The clubs always look better in person anyway. 

 

We'll have Johnny Wunder coming on soon to tell everyone that these are the best golf course drivers Callaway has ever made and we'll see their pros getting more ballspeed (even though the tour heads are supposedly slower) and then we'll see fittings on YouTube with Steph Curry and Rose Zhang. Not sure how Callaway will play the Rahm card now that he's playing for LIV. 

 

Then we'll see the 7 other tour only versions show up on the USGA confirming list that won't be available at retail. 

 

Same show, same channel, new year.  Still probably will be a great club as always. 

 

 

Your insight was so accurate!! Thanks for following along

[geauxWRX]

What happened to the other thread? 

[dbone919]

9 hours ago, geauxWRX said:

What happened to the other thread? 

Wondering the same thing. Musta killed him n the thread with my kindness 🤷‍♂️ 

[OhioGolfDude]

On 2/7/2024 at 10:49 PM, Pens #1 fan said:

5 hours later has it hit a ball yet? 

Not yet, playing 18 on Saturday as long as the rain holds. Need to take an inch off and get a NDMC grip

[bryanwmilburn]

Anxious to test the Max out against my TSR3. Going to be tough to beat but if the story I've seen which is excellent spin consistency on strikes all over the face, I'm in. 

[ilikegolf26]

1 hour ago, OhioGolfDude said:

Not yet, playing 18 on Saturday as long as the rain holds. Need to take an inch off and get a NDMC grip

When you take an inch off how much weight are you adding to the head and where are you adding it? That’s been sorta my problem. I play my driver 1” short aa well and got a heavier front weight in the head but it decreases the spin too much. 

[JohnnyDub]

2 hours ago, dbone919 said:

Wondering the same thing. Musta killed him n the thread with my kindness 🤷‍♂️ 

If you are referring to the TOUR head one, WRX took it down for god knows what reason. There are no links in there; just answering questions you all have without copying and pasting an entire article in here.

 

 

[endy]

40 minutes ago, JohnnyDub said:

If you are referring to the TOUR head one, WRX took it down for god knows what reason. There are no links in there; just answering questions you all have without copying and pasting an entire article in here.

 

 

 

I noticed it was gone as well unfortunately, was a lot of good info in there. Thanks for your insights. 

[dbone919]

1 hour ago, JohnnyDub said:

If you are referring to the TOUR head one, WRX took it down for god knows what reason. There are no links in there; just answering questions you all have without copying and pasting an entire article in here.

 

 

Yeah that was the one. Damn I was looking forward to hearing more insight from you in there we don’t normally get to hear…great stuff. Dont they know living in northern MI that thread was one of the few golf things I got going right now. Guess I ll go back to swinging my orange whip when its above freezing lol

[OhioGolfDude]

4 hours ago, ilikegolf26 said:

When you take an inch off how much weight are you adding to the head and where are you adding it? That’s been sorta my problem. I play my driver 1” short aa well and got a heavier front weight in the head but it decreases the spin too much. 

Never thought about it. I just feel more control with a shorter shaft. I've always played at 44.5