CALLAWAY ELYTE vs CALLAWAY PARADYM AI SMOKE | Fairway Woods Comparison

Summary

In this engaging video, DW from Second Swing Golf is joined by Kevin Craft, a Master Club Fitter, to compare two Callaway fairway woods: the Paradigm AI Smoke Max (2024 model) and the Callaway Elite (2025). The pair discuss the aesthetic, technology, and features of each club, with Kevin sharing his personal insights and testing results. The clubs are tested on Trackman, focusing on ball speed, carry distance, and consistency. Kevin expresses strong interest in the Elite, praising its performance and feel, though both clubs prove to be solid choices for golfers seeking a fitting, high-performance fairway wood.

Takeaways

• 😀 Kevin Craft is testing two Callaway fairway woods: the Paradigm AI Smoke Max 2024 and the Callaway Elite 2025.
• 😀 The Callaway Elite 2025 has a more visually appealing glossy finish compared to the Paradigm AI Smoke's carbon fiber look.
• 😀 Both clubs feature adjustability, which is something Kevin appreciates for customizing club performance.
• 😀 Kevin's ideal fairway wood delivers more carry distance (around 250 yards) and higher launch for better stopping power.
• 😀 The Callaway Elite features a new 10x AI face, resulting in improved ball speed and launch efficiency.
• 😀 The Callaway Elite also introduces a 'Step Sole' for better turf interaction, especially on softer lies.
• 😀 Testing with Trackman showed the Elite provided better consistency in spin and launch angle than the Paradigm AI Smoke Max.
• 😀 Kevin prefers the Elite's higher launch and more consistent spin, leading to more distance and tighter dispersion.
• 😀 The Paradigm AI Smoke Max provided decent performance but lacked the consistency and higher launch of the Elite.
• 😀 Despite the construction noise in the background, the testing results showed promising data for both clubs, with the Elite coming out on top in several key areas.
• 😀 The importance of getting fitted for clubs was emphasized, as performance can vary greatly based on individual preferences and swing characteristics.

Q & A

What two fairway wood models were compared in the video?

The video compares the Callaway Paradigm AI Smoke Max (2024) fairway wood and the Callaway Elite (2025) fairway wood.

What was Kevin Kraft’s initial opinion of the AI Smoke Max?

Kevin thought the AI Smoke Max was a very good fairway wood with a clean carbon fiber aesthetic and strong performance, but he viewed the Elite as a noticeable step up overall.

What new technology is featured in the Callaway Elite fairway wood?

The Callaway Elite features the new AI 10x face, designed to improve ball speed and efficiency across the face.

What is the purpose of the Step Sole design in the Elite model?

The Step Sole design is intended to improve turf interaction by helping the club glide more smoothly through different lies, especially on softer fairways.

How did ball speed compare between the two models during testing?

The Elite produced slightly higher ball speeds despite Kevin swinging at slightly lower clubhead speeds, indicating improved efficiency.

What carry distance does Kevin typically look for from his 3-wood?

Kevin typically looks for around 245 yards of carry with his 3-wood, but he has seen the Elite reach into the 250-yard range in previous testing.

Why is peak height important for Kevin when evaluating a fairway wood?

Peak height is important because it contributes to a steeper landing angle, which helps the ball stop more effectively on par-5 greens.

What spin rate range does Kevin prefer for his 3-wood?

Kevin prefers a spin rate in the high 2000s to around 3,000 RPM for optimal control and stopping power.

Why are fairway woods difficult to test indoors off mats?

Fairway woods are difficult to test off mats because it is harder to strike the ball perfectly from a tight surface, often resulting in slightly thin strikes and higher spin rates.

How did dispersion compare between the two clubs?

The Elite demonstrated slightly tighter dispersion and more consistent spin, even though both clubs showed a tendency for shots to leak slightly to the right.

Why does Kevin sometimes choose a mini driver over a 3-wood?

Kevin chooses a mini driver when he needs a reliable tee-shot option, but opts for a 3-wood when he wants better performance for attacking par-5 greens.

What overall conclusion did Kevin reach about the Elite compared to the AI Smoke Max?

Kevin concluded that the Elite offers incremental but meaningful improvements in ball speed, carry distance, height, and consistency, making it a strong candidate for his bag in 2025.