50 Words or Less
The Callaway Elyte hybrid is highly adjustable with a new hosel and two weight ports. Shallow face makes it very easy to elevate. High launch and above average spin.
Introduction
It’s often hard to know exactly what an OEM has improved from one generation of a club to another. That’s not the case with the new Callaway Elyte hybrid. This club features an upgraded hosel and a new weighting system to give players more control over their ball flight. I tested one to see if the improved adjustability makes this club worthy of a spot in your bag.
Looks
The Callaway Elyte hybrid has a clear connection to its predecessor, the Paradym Ai Smoke hybrid [review HERE], sharing the chevron alignment aid and the matte black crown. It has been reshaped slightly – it looks more rounded, fuller, and shorter heel-to-toe – but it still fits comfortably into the “mid-sized” label that Callaway gives it. The combination of a fairly shallow or short face and the full length scoring lines make the face look long.
In the bag, the Elyte hybrid is pretty bland. There are just two tiny ribbons of green, and nothing really pops. It’s not a bad looking club, it’s just underwhelming, particularly given how good most of Callaway’s clubs have looked over the last several years.
Sound & Feel
Something else that’s carried forward from the Paradym Ai Smoke hybrid is the sound and feel. The Callaway Elyte hybrid produces a very gentle impact sound when striking a premium ball. It’s quiet and quick, a discreet “tink.”
This pairs naturally with the light, quick feel of the ball striking the face. For players who want their hybrid to feel more controlled and iron-like, this is not it. Those that want more of a fairway wood sensation will be pleased. In terms of feedback, the Elyte hybrid is middle of the road. If you’re paying attention, you can locate impact through your hands, but you won’t find big swings in the sound or feel.
Performance
The added adjustability of the Callaway Elyte hybrid is what sets it apart from many competitors and previous Callaway hybrids, so I’ll start there. Most obviously, the Elyte hybrid has adjustable weights. There’s a 13 gram tungsten weight and a 3 gram aluminum weight. With the heavier weight in the toe, the club is neutral; with the heavier weight in the heel, it will favor a draw. In addition to the weights, the Elyte hybrid has Callaway’s new OptiFit 4 hosel. This has seven settings for loft and lie, allowing you to turn the loft up or down one degree and the lie one degree upright or two degrees flat.
Per Callaway, player testing showed that the combination of weights and lie angle can change the shot shape by up to 13 yards. My testing reached a similar conclusion. The weights alone make a subtle change. They won’t cure your slice, but they can take some of the sting out of it. Taking the anti-draw settings to the max, I was able to swing confidently without too much concern for hitting it left.
Speaking of swinging with confidence, the Elyte hybrid has very good ball speed and forgiveness. While not a significant jump over the previous generation, Ai10X Face does an excellent job keeping the ball speed consistent regardless of strike quality. On center, there’s as much ball speed here as you’ll find in any hybrid.
The Callaway Elyte hybrid’s shallow face helps it to launch the ball high and easily off the turf. My launch monitor testing was in alignment with Callaway’s rating of this club as High launching and Mid-High spinning. This is unlikely to be the longest hybrid for most golfers, but it can deliver the ball gently onto the green. If you’re looking for more control than raw distance, you’ll like this club.
Conclusion
Despite not being a players model, the Callaway Elyte hybrid has several traits – the flatter lie angle and focus on control over distance – that will please the skilled ball striker. That said, there’s ample ball speed and forgiveness for the mid handicap player, too.
Support Plugged In Golf, Buy HERE
Callaway Elyte Hybrid Price & Specs
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.
- Callaway Elyte Hybrid Review - June 3, 2025
- TaylorMade R7 Quad Mini Driver Review - June 2, 2025
- Newton Fast Motion Shaft Review - May 30, 2025
