Updated February 23, 2024. This article was thoroughly audited by multiple golf experts and coaches for its accuracy. You can read more about our rigorous testing protocol here.
The Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Drivers hit the shelves recently, promising an all-new AI-aided design that would help amateurs find more fairways with a far more forgiving face.
The most popular model, the Max, is one of a whopping seven new editions of the driver but also the most accessible to the largest number of golfers.
With a sliding weight in the back and an 8-option loft sleeve above the hosel, the AI Smoke Max is set to take Callaway’s brand to the next level in modern golf equipment.
But can it help your game?
I took the AI Smoke Max to the range and onto the golf course for several practice sessions and rounds, looking to find the top benefits of this magnificent new driver.
Check out my detailed Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Max Driver review for a deeper dive into this new driver and the other five models that could fit your game.
Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Max Driver
Best Callaway Driver for Mid Handicappers
Check Price on Amazon
Check Price on PGA Tour Superstore
Check Price on Global Golf
Specifications
- Loft: 9°, 10.5°, 12°
- Lie: 58°
- Shaft Length: 45.75”
- Flex: Lite, Regular, Stiff, X-Stiff
- Swing Weight: D2
- Shaft Type: Project X Cypher 2.0 40g (Light), MCA Tensei AV Blue 50g (Reg, Stiff), 60g (Stiff, X-Stiff)
- Grip Type: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 – 50-gram
- Price: $599.99
Pros
- Outstanding adjustable features
- Quick customization
- High launch with deep, extended carry
- Very forgiving with a broad sweet spot
- Solid feel and responsiveness
Cons
- So many options to choose from
- Better for fast swing speeds
- Very high launch for golfers wanting low, penetrating flight
Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Max Driver Review
How does the Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Max Driver look?
The AI Smoke Max carries a great deal over from the first Paradym.
The checkerboard crown and face cap make their way to the new driver, so if you weren’t a fan of the Paradym’s design, chances are you won’t like the AI Smoke Max.
I may be in the minority here, but I like the ‘marbled smoky” look of the sole of the clubhead. The blue and charcoal color scheme does look sharp in the bag.
I’m still not crazy about how the club looks at address with the face cap covering the first half-inch of the driver’s head, but it doesn’t bother me as much as it did with the original Paradym.
How does the Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Max Driver feel?
The AI Smoke Max delivers a very solid feel, something that instilled confidence in me with each progressive swing on the range and course.
Even on off-center strikes, the Max maintains a smooth feel with high ball speed.
When I struck the ball off the center of the face, there was no vibration, and it produced a smoothness that was unrivaled among other 2024 drivers.
The balls off the sweet spot launch high and provide quite the responsiveness, something I continue to enjoy with each successful drive.
Matching the right shaft with your swing speed will definitely not only improve performance but help minimize vibration and increase overall feel.
What handicap is best for the Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Max Driver?
Marketed to mid handicappers, the AI Smoke Max definitely lends itself to helping that large majority of golfers that suffer from inconsistent strike patterns on the face.
The very forgiving AI-aided hitting area boosts ball speed across the heel and toe areas, helping you hit more fairways, even when you don’t find the middle.
While I certainly believe the Max remains the best option for mid handicappers, I feel that low and high handicappers will find the driver accessible due to the adjustable features.
The sliding weight and OptiFit hosel sleeve make workability easy for experienced golfers.
In contrast, the launch and extended carry can make the learning experience easier for high handicappers.
How does the Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Max Driver perform?
All the features I want for a modern driver are here with the AI Smoke Max. Adjustable weighting and multi-position hosel sleeve allow me to easily adjust on the fly.
Also, I love the launch provided by this driver. The ball just jumps off the face with maximum energy transfer.
When I compare the original Paradym to the new Paradym AI Smoke Max, there are subtle differences.
Both drivers are exquisite, but the AI Smoke Max offers tighter dispersion and a bit more distance than the initial Paradym driver. I believe the AI Smoke Max’s Trackman data backs up the promise of a more forgiving hitting area.
What I like most about this driver is how I can really ramp up the swing speed without worrying that I’m going to lose the drive.
Since I have a faster swing speed, I know I can take advantage of the driver’s forgiveness without worrying too much about spending all day in the trees.
Great for adventurous golfers, the AI Smoke Max offers enough bells and whistles to place it among the top of my best drivers of 2024.
Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Drivers Series
Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Triple Diamond Driver
Check Price on Amazon
Check Price on PGA Tour Superstore
Check Price on Global Golf
With a neutral-to-fade setup, the Triple Diamond version of the AI Smoke Driver offers a smaller 450cc clubhead with premium options that help maximize workability.
Two adjustable weights, weighing 14 and 2 grams, can increase or decrease launch for a more penetrating flight.
Since low handicappers are the primary audience for the Triple Diamond, you’ll find three top-tier shaft options to choose from, including the Project X Denali Black 60-gram and 70-gram shafts in stiff and x-stiff flex.
Also, if you want a lighter shaft, the MCA Tensei AV Blue 50-gram in stiff flex is available.
The Triple Diamond uses the Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 grip, a popular option among PGA Tour professionals, signaling the high-quality composition of the driver.
Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Max Fast Driver
Check Price on Amazon
Check Price on PGA Tour Superstore
Check Price on Global Golf
Built for golfers who want a lightweight driver, the Max Fast utilizes an oversized head and big loft options to increase launch off the face to maximize carry.
The club is equipped with a draw bias and works best for slow swingers like junior and senior golfers.
Callaway gave the Max Fast Driver an MCA Tensei 40 shaft, which is available only in blue and silver color. The Max Fast only comes with a light flex shaft and a Winn Dri-Tac Lite 2.0 grip.
The Max Fast Driver has no adjustable features, such as a loft sleeve or sliding weight.
Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Max D Driver
Check Price on Amazon
Check Price on PGA Tour Superstore
Check Price on Global Golf
The Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Max D Driver carries a 460cc clubhead with a D3 swing weight and a 60° lie at address.
The driver comes with three different shaft options, including a 40-gram Project X Cypher 2.0 in a light flex and a 50-and 60-gram MCA Tensei AV Blue in regular and stiff flex.
The golf driver does feature the adjustable loft sleeve to help customize launch to help you increase or decrease height and spin.
A 5-gram stationary weight anchors the back of the club head to deepen the CG for increased launch. The spin is relatively mid-range with a dip into the low RPM range.
Built for moderate to average swing speeds, the sturdy Max D Driver works best for golfers with an inconsistent strike pattern on the face.
Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Women’s Max Driver
Check Price on Amazon
Check Price on PGA Tour Superstore
Check Price on Global Golf
The women’s version of the Max delivers the same clubhead as the men’s version with a few small differences to help female golfers get more off the tee box.
The golf driver comes equipped with the Project X Cypher 2.0 40-gram graphite shaft to increase feel and swing speed.
The Lamkin Comfort ST+2 Soft Grip, specially designed for ladies, comes with the driver to improve tackiness and stability on the swing.
A winner of the Gold Medal on Golf Digest’s prestigious Hot List, the Women’s Max Driver offers extended carry, high launch, and plenty of rollout to maximize distance.
Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Women’s Max Fast Driver
Check Price on Amazon
Check Price on PGA Tour Superstore
The Max Fast for Women comes in 10.5- and 12-degree loft options and has no adjustable features.
Featuring a stretched-back head design, the Max Fast offers a lightweight option for women golfers wanting to maximize their swing speed.
Great for senior and junior women golfers, the Max Fast features a draw-bias setup that helps boost launch while offering high-grade slice correction.
The bonded hosel design helps female golfers stabilize their swings as they deal with inconsistency and slow swing speeds.
Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Women’s Max D Driver
Check Price on Amazon
Check Price on PGA Tour Superstore
Check Price on Global Golf
The Women’s Max D from Callaway provides high MOI with an emphasis on distance and forgiveness.
Featuring a 5-gram back weight, the Max D also features a draw-bias setup that minimizes side spin to put more drives in the fairway.
For moderate to average swing speeds, the Women’s Max D comes in 9°, 10.5°, and 12° loft offerings.
The golf driver also comes with the same Project X Cypher 2.0 40-gram graphite shaft that the other Callaway AI Smoke Women’s drivers use.
Great for women golfers struggling with a slice, the Max D driver offers an oversized 460cc clubhead that redirects off-center strikes to help you keep your intended target line.
Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Max Driver: My Honest Verdict
If you are looking for a driver that inspires confidence from the moment you have it in your hands, then I highly recommend the Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Max Driver.
Not only is the Callaway driver incredibly powerful with staggering distance and length, but it feels so solid at impact. I doubt I’ll test another 2024 driver as smoothly robust as this one.
Along with the sturdiness, the Max delivers two important adjustable features that helped me dial in the perfect customized shot shape.
The loft sleeve and rear sliding weight are easy to adjust on the fly, helping you get the most out of your range sessions when feeling out the driver.
Great for all levels of golfers, I recommend the Max for mid handicappers who want more workability with their driver.
Low handicappers might find the Triple Diamond version more to their liking, although the AI Smoke Max will certainly appeal to their skill set.