Updated February 21, 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.
Callaway’s new AI Smoke series has garnered a ton of attention due to its innovative design and hot ball speeds.
Those accolades are shared with the powerful Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Hybrid, a compact yet dangerously long golf club that can revolutionize how mid and high handicappers look at shots over 200 yards.
With an adjustable loft sleeve, the hybrid offers customization and the ability to confidently work the ball from side to side.
So, is the hybrid worth the $279.99 price tag?
In this review, I’ll take a deep dive into the best features of the Smoke AI Hybrid and what this club can deliver to your game.
Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Hybrid
Best Callaway Hybrid for Mid Handicappers
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Pros
- Tight dispersion with penetrating flight
- Solid forgiveness with fast ball speed
- Low spin delivers long distance
Cons
- Lacks vibrant appearance
- Compact shaping limits turf interaction
In-Depth Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Hybrid Review
How does the Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Hybrid look?
While the Paradym AI Smoke series has drawn criticism for its appearance, I think the hybrid’s size saves it from the complaints that have plagued the driver and fairway wood.
One of the biggest reasons the hybrid offers a nice look is its compact size.
Callaway designers had to minimize some of the more extravagant flourishes, instead focusing on giving the hybrid a clean black crown, silver face, and a modern sole with a balanced appearance.
I don’t mind the colors and design of the Paradym AI Smoke Hybrid with any of the clubs, but with the hybrid, I thought the appearance registers as solid and overall pleasing to the eye.
How does the Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Hybrid feel?
Punchy and powerful are the words I use to describe the feel of the hybrid.
When I found the center of the face, the ball energetically jumped off the center, providing an addicting feeling, especially when you see the results of your swing.
The responsiveness also ranks high, helping you find the right path to the golf ball to strike the sweet spot regularly.
On shots off the toe, the ball speed stays high, and the feel doesn’t overtly vibrate or jar your hands. Rather smooth, the AI Smoke Hybrid delivers a smooth, clean feel that offers a very rewarding experience.
What handicap is best for the Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Hybrid?
As with most non-specialized clubs, the AI Smoke hybrid plays well for mid and high handicappers.
The adjustable loft sleeve adds some customization to this club, something you don’t normally see in a standard hybrid, making it more accessible to a larger pool of golfers.
The forgiveness and high launch also play well for golfers who need more distance and accuracy from their shots over 200 yards.
The spin and landing angle also provides enough rotation on the greens to help you stop shots cold on the putting surface.
The hybrid also remains accessible for beginning golfers who want to grow their game with a club that features a neutral setting.
How does the Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Hybrid perform?
Overall, the hybrid delivers the launch, distance, and precision you want to improve your long-range game.
The hybrid offers outstanding accuracy from the tee box with minimal side spin. Even when the strike point strayed away from the sweet spot, the ball speed stayed high, and the ball maintained my intended target line.
Off the short grass of the fairway, the hybrid provides solid turf interaction. The sole doesn’t snag.
Instead, it moves cleanly over the grass to provide that ball-first contact that golfers need to get the most from their shot.
There’s limited customization here, as the loft sleeve does a nice job creating a customized setting.
I found I could work the ball from side to side with height, but workability might be more subtle than experienced golfers want for their game.
Other Ai Smoke Hybrid Models
Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Max Fast Hybrid
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For the men’s version of the Max Fast hybrid, the club comes equipped with an MCA Tensei Blue/Silver 40-gram shaft in a lite flex with a Winn Dri-Tac 2.0 grip.
Lofts run from 21° to 33° with five different options, from a 4-hybrid to an 8-hybrid.
Swing weight rates at D0 and shaft length covers 37.5” for the 8-hybrid to 40.5” for the 4-hybrid in the set.
The Max Fast for men offers a longer, low profile to boost launch and improve overall forgiveness on shots that impact the toe.
The revamped sole camber also increases turf interaction for the clean ball-first contact that golfers crave.
Callaway Paradym AI Smoke HL Hybrid
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Built for golfers with moderate swing speeds, the HL version of the AI Smoke hybrid offers help with distance, accuracy, and dispersion.
The HL comes in 3-through 8-hybrid models, making it a candidate for total iron replacement, which could help senior and beginning golfers get more enjoyment out of their game.
The HL comes equipped with either a 50-gram or 60-gram Project X Cypher 2.0 shaft. The Lamkin Crossline 360 grip adds another 50 grams to the club’s weight.
Lofts run from 18° to 33° with the HL hybrid with a D1 swing weight, making it light and fast for golfers who need more club head speed from longer distances on the course.
Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Women’s Max Fast Hybrid
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The Women’s Max Fast hybrid offers several worthwhile features for female golfers looking to improve their distance and accuracy on the course.
The shaft is the only true difference between the women’s and men’s Max Fast versions.
With the women’s model, golfers will receive the lightweight MCA Eldio 40-gram shaft and Winn Dri-Tac 2.0 grip.
Golfers can choose a 4-hybrid through an 8-hybrid with the Max Fast for women. Lofts run from 21° through 33° with a C4 swing weight and shorter shaft length to help promote a faster clubhead speed.
My Honest Verdict
I really liked how compact and quick the AI Smoke Hybrid feels when moving back to the golf ball. Launch is high, distance is plentiful, and the ball stays relatively straight, even when you hit the ball toward the toe.
There’s some workability here, and when I combined it with the adjustable loft sleeve to knock the face down just a bit, I could hit low, penetrating stingers with movement all day long.
But when I needed spin to hold greens from over 200 yards, the AI Smoke Hybrid was more than capable.
Great for mid and high handicappers who want a neutral setup, the AI Smoke Hybrid delivers durability with performance that certainly meets the 2024 top-tier golf club price tag.
Must read: How to Hit a Hybrid Club