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).
Finally!!!
I am so pumped to hear who got fit into exactly what on these. Bring it Grandaddy guys. It’s details time!
Let’s go sitting down to read them all!
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Let’s go!!! I believe I can now say I left the Grandaddy with Paradym Ai[I] [/I]SMOKE irons in a 5-AW.
Finally and why do I have goosebumps??? I’m so damn excited!!!
im sure the grandaddy crew will agree, the Ai Smoke irons look really good at setup.
[QUOTE=”PPFour12, post: 12046637, member: 74425″]
Let’s go!!! I believe I can now say I left the Grandaddy with Paradym Ai SMOKE irons in a 5-AW.
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Hell yes. I have a 7 iron of that and the HL here and was super impressed by the Ai Smoke package. A significantly better looking package than the Rogue Max irons.
Oh wow! Those look freaking incredible
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Nice improvement in the looks.
HL is definitely interesting to me will look to try them out once the fitting cart are ready.
I was between the Apex Pro’s and the Smoke. It just seemed like a neat idea to go with the new tech. And, quite frankly, iron play is the weakest portion of my way. I think the Smoke line will be a big help. My iron performance at the Grandaddy was shaky. I actually did swing it well at the fitting though and the numbers gap was just too much to ignore.
I’m really looking forward to the journey with these.
I love to looks.
[QUOTE=”PPFour12, post: 12046703, member: 74425″]
I was between the Apex Pro’s and the Smoke. It just seemed like a neat idea to go with the new tech. And, quite frankly, iron play is the weakest portion of my way. I think the Smoke line will be a big help. My iron performance at the Grandaddy was shaky. I actually did swing it well at the fitting though and the numbers gap was just too much to ignore.
I’m really looking forward to the journey with these.
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One thing they wanted to hit on was a clear product order…which I’m sure you heard about. So tell me your thoughts on how the segmentation goes from Apex Pro – Paradym – Ai Smoke.
I expected Smoke to look bulkier but it really doesn’t to my eye and is quite impressive.
Gotta say, I’m not a huge Callaway iron guy, but I’ll be damned. Those look really good and the three different options have me very interested in directly comparing the three.
Also, I probably have to hit the HL hybrid.
They are announced finally! I was fit in the AI Smoke irons. Having come from the Paradym from last year, I was a bit nervous. I had tried the Maverik and the Rogue ST previous and found them to be a bit clunky in appearance and felt lacking off the face (for me). I couldn’t game them and really struggled because I am a player that probably should be in the GI setup.
Paradym was a relevation for me. A long, forgiving, and pure feeling iron that wasn’t clunky at address. I wanted the same from Paradym AI but I didn’t want to give up the look of a players distance iron or the feel of Paradym.
The Smoke irons I think fulfilled that in spades. They are thicker in the top line than the Paradyms, but the leading edge of the top line has been rounded off so at address they don’t look chunky or clunky at all
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From a feel perspective – they feel VERY like the Paradym’s. I only hit these outside, but even with toe hits and chunks and clunks, they don’t feel clunky at all. They feel smooth like the Paradyms. Much better than any other hollow body iron I have hit and very close to what you’d want from more of a forged experience. Don’t get me wrong – you can tell the difference from a completely forged iron, but then you’d expect to. The Smokes are very pleasing to the eye and ear.
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The badging on the back of these irons I think is MUCH better than the Paradyms. They look like a premium iron and certainly don’t look like thick clunky iron at all. The back looks smooth and the badging at the bottom even looks a little like a cavity back.
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Like that fact that the Smoke Hl adds some spin but they look a little bulky.
This is a sexy line of irons and hybrids. The HL irons sound intriguing
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[QUOTE=”JB, post: 12046792, member: 3″]
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I like the look of these too…
You guys remember that little secret weapon of mine that I was talking about?
That wasn’t a utility iron?
🙂
These are much improved. Many had issues with the badge getting beat to hell and chipping on the originals.
[QUOTE=”Canadan, post: 12046822, member: 2320″]
You guys remember that little secret weapon of mine that I was talking about?
That wasn’t a utility iron?
🙂
[/QUOTE]
Most interesting bag award still intact!
[QUOTE=”ddec, post: 12046750, member: 782″]
One thing they wanted to hit on was a clear product order…which I’m sure you heard about. So tell me your thoughts on how the segmentation goes from Apex Pro – Paradym – Ai Smoke.
I expected Smoke to look bulkier but it really doesn’t to my eye and is quite impressive.
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On paper, there’s clear segmentation. Apex Pro’s look very much like you’d expect. Paradym and Smoke look slightly different. The lofts on these though tell the tale.
7 irons
Apex Pro – 33
Paradym – 29
Smoke – 28
There’s a natural progression from 7 up through the longer irons (though the 9 down seem to be the same lofts between Smoke and Paradym and the 8 is awfully close)
The Smoke is slightly longer than Paradym and a little more forgiving. The Smoke’s face benefits from the Callaway “Swing Code” that [USER=1579]@Jman[/USER] was alluding to in the article – 250k swings by real players. That’s a huge departure from the prior testing by Callaway – instead of using robots, using real human swings with all the slight differences swing to swing instead of a lab repeatable swing of a robot. That changed the face quite a bit to help maintain distance, ball speeds, and improve dispersion. That’s the other area of difference the Smoke irons have over the Paradyms and the Pros – the dispersion that mid to higher handicaps will see, it will provide a lot more consistency.
The look of top line and back are such an improvement over the Paradym line.
The HL irons and hybrids look and sound like winners. Love seeing expanded lines like these continuing from Callaway.
[QUOTE=”Templet0n, post: 12046833, member: 53139″]
Most interesting bag award still intact!
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the re-return, definitely.
Three sets of iron heads, UTs, and a boom stick.
[QUOTE=”Hawk, post: 12046772, member: 1193″]
Gotta say, I’m not a huge Callaway iron guy, but I’ll be damned. Those look really good and the three different options have me very interested in directly comparing the three.
Also, I probably have to hit the HL hybrid.
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I tried both the HL hybrids and irons. Definitely go the fitting route for everyone. I was hitting the HLs a good 10 yards shorter than the normal Smoke irons and hybrids. They just created too much spin for me (the height was there, but I was losing too much due to the spin)
[QUOTE=”Canadan, post: 12046845, member: 2320″]
the re-return, definitely.
Three sets of iron heads, UTs, and a boom stick.
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I think your bag is the quality i like most about you..
Ai Smoke Irons.
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Next to Cobra FTx
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[QUOTE=”Templet0n, post: 12046853, member: 53139″]
I think your bag is the quality i like most about you..
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Controlled chaos?
[QUOTE=”Canadan, post: 12046822, member: 2320″]
You guys remember that little secret weapon of mine that I was talking about?
That wasn’t a utility iron?
🙂
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I was confused when you said not a utility iron…and now I understand! Can’t wait to see how this plays for you, as I know a 4i has been in your bag here and there over the years. Seems like it’s good so far!
Whats your longest shot with it so far?
[QUOTE=”Canadan, post: 12046867, member: 2320″]
Controlled chaos?
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Sure.
[QUOTE=”Bryndom, post: 12046850, member: 53516″]
I tried both the HL hybrids and irons. Definitely go the fitting route for everyone. I was hitting the HLs a good 10 yards shorter than the normal Smoke irons and hybrids. They just created too much spin for me (the height was there, but I was losing too much due to the spin)
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I think that’s where I might benefit. My spin numbers with hybrids are often closer to what people look for in drivers ?
[QUOTE=”mtbloco, post: 12046866, member: 53632″]
Ai Smoke Irons.
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Next to Cobra FTx
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Forged Tec X is my current iron, thanks for the comparison!!!
Is the Hl and Speed irons the same other than loft difference ? In looking at the pics here and on Callaway site I can’t tell.
[QUOTE=”Hawk, post: 12046891, member: 1193″]
I think that’s where I might benefit. My spin numbers with hybrids are often closer to what people look for in drivers ?
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Then they may be just what you need! Give them a try
[QUOTE=”erock9174, post: 12046907, member: 7797″]
Is the Hl and Speed irons the same other than loft difference ? In looking at the pics here and on Callaway site I can’t tell.
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By Speed you mean the Fast irons?
The Fast looked similar to my eye but the Callaway badging on the back looked like a slightly different size. I think that was to manipulate the weight for the Fast irons
[QUOTE=”gkeller813, post: 12046885, member: 51675″]
I was confused when you said not a utility iron…and now I understand! Can’t wait to see how this plays for you, as I know a 4i has been in your bag here and there over the years. Seems like it’s good so far!
Whats your longest shot with it so far?
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I flew the green with it on our first hole of the day on the par 5. I think I had like 225 to the flag that was a touch uphill. The ball just kept flying lmao
I’m drawing a blank on what distances I was carrying it during the range session. I’ll be sure to put a number on it when I can for you.
either way, the intent was an easy to hit club from any lie, and I think it’s accomplishing that in a big way already.
Can we get some address photos against a ball to get a idea of offset?
Anyone get these with Recoils?
[QUOTE=”Canadan, post: 12046922, member: 2320″]
I flew the green with it on our first hole of the day on the par 5. I think I had like 225 to the flag that was a touch uphill. The ball just kept flying lmao
I’m drawing a blank on what distances I was carrying it during the range session. I’ll be sure to put a number on it when I can for you.
either way, the intent was an easy to hit club from any lie, and I think it’s accomplishing that in a big way already.
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That last paragraph is awesome to hear. Finding a club that works off the tee, on approach, and from some different lies is crucial for a club like this. It’s need that versatility, which I haven’t always found with other 4i’s. I’ll be following along!
[QUOTE=”JDax, post: 12046940, member: 22002″]
Anyone get these with Recoils?
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Yes
[QUOTE=”Golfers Anonymous, post: 12046932, member: 59233″]
Can we get some address photos against a ball to get an idea of offset?
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Here’s a Smoke 8i
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For comparison – Paradym 8i
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[QUOTE=”JDax, post: 12046892, member: 22002″]
Forged Tec X is my current iron, thanks for the comparison!!!
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I picked up a club in distance with these irons and the new Chrome Tour ball. The feel is so great!!!! Go hit them STAT!
These look really nice and better than I expected.
The HL hybrid sound intriguing for a spot just below my 3w!!
[QUOTE=”erock9174, post: 12046907, member: 7797″]
Is the Hl and Speed irons the same other than loft difference ? In looking at the pics here and on Callaway site I can’t tell.
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light components, extra degree of loft, which should give about 2° more launch and 5-600 more rpm of spin. The face is a bit different too with the topography designed to lend towards even more launch and spin.
[QUOTE=”mikeg_74, post: 12046970, member: 15992″]
These look really nice and better than I expected.
The HL hybrid sound intriguing for a spot just below my 3w!!
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I think [USER=19877]@Mmaynard11[/USER] has one!
An interesting note was that Callaway believes that HL will stand up compared to so many irons out there. With the way it’s designed, it might even beat distance numbers head to head vs the Ai Smoke during fittings.