Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Driver Review

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The Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond driver has elite ball speed.  Very good forgiveness for a Tour-style driver.  Adjustable weights give it great flexibility for fitting different spin needs.

Introduction

Last year, the Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond driver [review HERE] raised the bar for how much forgiveness we can expect from a low spin, Tour-style driver.  This year, the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond driver aims to kick it up again.  With a lighter 360° Carbon Chassis and even better face design, this is a players drivers that’s open to more than just the low single digit golfers.

Looks

At 450cc, the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond driver is just about 2% smaller than the Max version, but the difference in address look is much larger than that.  The Triple Diamond is smaller front-to-back and more triangular in shape.  Its face looks very tall, accommodating whatever tee height you prefer, and the crown is free of alignment aids.

In the bag, every Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond driver is different with a pattern in the carbon fiber that’s as unique as a fingerprint.  The blue weights and “Smoke” branding pop off the grey backdrop, pushing everything else to the background.  This is a club with a lot going on – the carbon fiber pattern is mesmerizing – but somehow it manages not to look busy.

Sound & Feel

The Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond driver has one of the more unique impact sounds on the tee.  It’s an explosive sound, closest to a “pop,” but it’s quiet.  The overall impression is almost confusing at first because you have the sense that it should be louder.  However, after a couple swings, I really enjoyed the miniature explosion.

The feel of impact syncs well with the sound.  My hands felt a quick pop that enhanced what I heard.  Surprisingly, the feedback on impact location was fairly muted.  I expect smaller players drivers to be uncensored in their critique of mishits, but the Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond driver gives only a subtle rebuke.

Performance

Thanks to two adjustable weights, the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond driver is really two drivers in one.  With the 14 gram weight in the rear, it’s a bit closer to the Paradym Ai Smoke MAX driver [review HERE].  When you go all out and put the 14 gram weight near the face, it’s an unapologetic, low spin beast.

I started my testing with the heavier weight in the rear.  This setting offers more forgiveness and stability.  Just as with the Max, the ball speed was what caught my attention first.  Callaway’s face technology may be the best in the game.  Both on center and off, the ball speed is exceptional.  The spin was lower than the Max, but not wildly so.  I did see a more substantial drop in launch angle.  As a low spin player, this setting was a better fit for me, and my numbers above were created with this setting.

Shifting the heavier weight forward gives players enhanced ball speed on center, lower spin, but it does reduce the forgiveness.  My best shots were as fast as anything I’ve ever hit.  Mishits, however, lost more speed than they did with the weight back.  Putting the weight forward also put the Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond driver into truly low spin territory.  While this isn’t a plus for me, high spin players may find a lot of extra distance with this setting.

In addition to the lower spin, players may opt for the Triple Diamond over the Max for the neutral ball flight.  This is a very workable driver.  Where the Max wants to funnel all your shots into a tight circle, the Triple Diamond gives you full responsibility for direction and curve.  There is no sliding weight to set a draw or fade bias, but you can use the hosel to adjust the lie and face angle.  Finally, it’s worth noting that the stock lie angle on the Triple Diamond is one degree flatter than the Max making it naturally more right biased.

Conclusion

Whether you’re seeking a driver that reduces spin or one that allows you to shape the ball off the tee, the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond driver delivers.  The adjustable weights also give this driver a lot of flexibility for fitting and allowing a wider range of players to game it.  Get fit for the right shaft and specs and enjoy the benefits of some of the game’s best face technology.

Buy the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Driver HERE

Visit Callaway Golf HERE

Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Driver Price & Specs

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Matt Saternus

Editor In Chief at Plugged In Golf

Matt has worked in nearly every job in the golf industry from club fitting to instruction to writing and speaking.

He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.

Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.

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