It wouldn’t be a release cycle from Callaway without irons and hybrids. As a brand, they have always been incredibly successful in both categories, but under talked about is the way things have evolved to blend and provide their target audiences with options in the bag. This year with the new Paradym Ai Smoke lineup, that is no different.
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Irons Review
While the Paradym Irons were a definite success for Callaway last year, this year’s iron release, though also under the Paradym umbrella, are different in a few ways. Foremost, these are not Paradym replacements, instead, they take aim at replacing the Rogue ST irons. More than that, they are implementing Ai Smart Face as well as a better overall differentiation across the three models.
Every single iron face across all three designs is using an industry first Ai Smart Face design that utilizes Callaway’s “Swing Code” that is based upon over 250,000 swings of actual golfers from fitting centers. This is such a story because it allows them to create three unique iron designs, each aimed as a unique type of golfer and the typical swing styles that they possess. In the past, these things have always been done by robots and a standard swing path, not so much a real world one.
All of that has allowed Callaway to now tweak everything via changes to the face, thanks to being able to run tens of thousands of simulations per face via AI, they can do things that were never before possible, even so far as creating what seems like multiple sweet spots across the face. In fact, there is more topography on the face than ever allowing them to really control and manipulate the iron launch and spin independent of loft.
Beyond the Ai Smart Face, there have been adjustments to lofts (weaker in two models) and adding 1/4 inch to the longer clubs in the sets. Add in a redesigned dynamic sole with pre worn leading edge similar to what we saw in the latest Apex iron release, and you have three irons aimed at the “core” golfer out there who need specific performance in a confidence inspiring package.
Paradym Ai Smoke Irons Review
The Ai Smoke is the most compact of the three irons in the lineup and though it is a modern hollow body design, it looks to be the replacement for the previous Rogue ST irons. Not only does that carry with it a confidence and pride aspect in the back with a slightly thinner sole, but it packs in all the benefits of a hollow body.
These are a distance focused iron for golfers who slot in that 135+ yard 7i range, and according to Callaway even those well beyond that range could potentially benefit from the longer distance, steeper angle of descent, and better downrange dispersion.
The Paradym Ai Smoke Irons will be available in 4-P, A, G, S.
Paradym Ai Smoke HL Irons Review
Where the Ai Smoke irons seek to hit that modern hollow cavity category, the HL are a design focused fully on creating all the launch possible. That is a reason for them being a cavity back design with moderate offset and a slightly larger overall profile. This is all about MOI and forgiveness while maximizing the carry potential.
To do this, the Ai Smart Face in the HL’s have been created with the Swing Code specifically to add launch and spin, adding 750+ RPM compared to the standard Smoke irons. On top of that, the lofts have been taken weaker (2 degrees in the 7) but that is possible thanks to the increased efficiency of the face, otherwise adding loft simply would have shortened the irons distances.
Like its Ai Smoke siblings, the Ai Smoke HL irons will be available in 4-P, A, G, S.
Paradym Ai Smoke MAX FAST Irons
Finally, the MAX FAST irons are all about speed, just as the name indicates. These are aimed at golfers with very slow swing speeds who need speed more than anything else to help optimize their potential carry. The Ai Smart Face implementation here is focused on launch and spin as well, by using the specific swing code for this type of golfer Callaway is claiming two more degrees of launch and anywhere from 500-600 RPM more spin than the HL’s.
The MAX FAST irons will be available in 5-P, A, G, S.
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Hybrids
Accompanying the iron release is, of course, a full contingency of hybrid options as well. With the Paradym hybrid release we saw a much more player driven style of size profile, but like the irons, the Paradym Ai Smoke hybrids are more aimed at the more forgiving Rogue ST style. That isn’t to say that these hybrids won’t fit a wide range of golfers, as there should be something for everyone.
Just like the rest of the Paradym Ai Smoke releases, the hybrid too are showcasing the new Ai Smart Face powered by the previously discussed “swing code” with 80,000 lines of unique code that they have developed via captured amateur golf swings to be able to dial in each hybrid in the lineup to a specific audience. Don’t worry though, the Tungsten Speed Cartridge is alive and well in all three models.
Paradym Ai Smoke Hybrids
The Ai Smoke hybrid is slightly larger than the standard Paradym but maintains much of the same overall shaping. This one is aimed at players with average to higher swing speeds who want to maximize their distance and improve dispersion.
Callaway is offering the Paradym Ai Smoke hybrids in 3 through 6 options, both RH and LH.
Paradym Ai Smoke HL Hybrids
The Ai Smart Face looks to shine in the new HL model which most will classify as a more oversized type of shape. Interestingly, although the overall profile is larger, the face depth is actually shallower both to help blend with the HL irons in performance as well as simply maximizing distance and launch with tighter dispersion.
The main audience here is the more moderate swing speed golfer, though with such a wide variety of options (4 through 8, RH and LH) there is a large fitting potential.
Paradym Ai Smoke MAX FAST Hybrids
You guessed it, the MAX FAST hybrids like all their Paradym Ai Smoke counterparts are focused primarily on speed. The name of the game here is making the most forgiving Ai Smart Face possible while also creating the lightest possible setup, notably going with a fixed hosel unlike the other models. The MAX FAST is also the most shallow faced of the three, also possessing a flatter overall shape/profile which is another design trait aimed at maximizing speed.
The MAX FAST hybrids will be available in 4-8 options but are RH only.
The Details
With Ai Smart Face all over the place and a clear focus on creating irons and hybrids that blend together to give golfers not only more options in their set makeup, but options that are designed for their real world swing traits, the Paradym Ai Smoke lineup is a robust one. Sure, the drivers and fairways will collect most of the initial buzz, but the core designs present here will appeal to the average golfer extremely well.
The irons are paired with True Temper Elevate 85 and 95 shafts in steel, while the graphite options in the irons and hybrids are the Mitsubishi Eldio (Women’s), Mitsubishi Tensei Blue White (Light), and PX Cypher 2.0 (L, R, S).
Both the irons and hybrids will begin presale on 1/12/24 and hit retail 1/26/24 with the hybrids priced at $279.99 and irons $999.99 (7 Piece Steel) or $1,099.99 (7 Piece Graphite).
