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Callaway has released their latest driver range for the year, the new Callaway Elyte. But how do the new drivers compare to the previous generation, which was very popular, the Paradym Ai Smoke?
These new drivers offer something a little different in looks, while there's new tech involved too. But where do the big changes lie? Perhaps you're looking to invest in a new driver, but you're wondering if a 2024 model will serve the job just as well.
Well, don't worry, as we have you covered. We've gone through the differences between the new Callaway Elyte drivers and the 2024 Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke drivers and put them side by side.

PROS
- New Ai10x Smart Face delivers ten times more forgiveness across the whole face, as well as more speed and distance
- New aerodynamic head designs achieve faster club speeds, which equals more distance
- New Thermoforged lightweight carbon crowns come in a Gloss finish in the Triple Diamond and a matte carbon finish in the Elyte and Elyte X, so you've got a choice
- Plenty of adjustability on the sole and hosel to dial in ball flight
CONS
- The gloss finish on the triple diamond might not appeal as much as the matte finish on the Elyte and Elyte X drivers
The biggest change with the new Callaway Elyte driver is the new Ai 10x Face. The Ai Smart Face was a big success in the Paradym Ai Smoke as it replaced Jailbreak and it has refined and improved further in the new Elyte drivers. What you can expect in this new face design is a performance ten times better than the previous generation. In essence, this will deliver tighter dispersion, forgiveness, speed and distances across the whole face.
Another main focus is aerodynamics. With new refined shapes, the club will travel faster, which of course will lead to better ball speeds. A new Thermoforged lightweight carbon on the crown contributes to faster speed. With a slightly different finish on the Elyte Triple Diamond which is a gloss finish and a matte carbon finish on the Elyte and Elyte X.
There is adjustability throughout the three models on the sole which allows you to dial in your ball flight and increase your MOI. The Elyte TD has two weight ports which can be switched with one giving you more MOI and the other maximising speed off the face. The Elyte has a weight behind the face and three weight ports to dial in flight for optimising flight and speed. Lastly, Elyte X is the most forgiving option with the weight in the rear delivering the highest MOI possible with neutral and draw bias setting.

PROS
- Fantastic looks in a tried and tested Paradym line
- Faster ball speeds than the original Paradym which, of course, means longer drives
- Impressive dispersion despite being such a long hitter
CONS
- The looks might not be for everyone, especially on the sole. But it's all subjective of course!
The Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke drivers, which hit the shelves in 2024, feature the Ai Smart Face which replaced the previous iteration of Jailbreak Technology.
This was made possible using Callaway's Ai supercomputer, which takes the data of 250,000 swings from real golfers and uses that to create the Ai Smart Face. The Ai Smart Face has mini sweetspots for those off-centre strikes giving you great distance, speed and forgiveness. As well as that, the 360 Carbon Chassis was redefined and is lighter than the Paradym drivers, which allows weight to be saved and redistributed around the head.
You have a few differences in head options in this range. The Triple Diamond allows you to move weight around the head to create the lowest spinning driver possible. In the Max, you have a new low weight further forward towards the face and a new adjustable weight track to dial in the flight and get more distance. The Max D is going to be the best option if you want a draw bias driver, particularly if you hit that left-to-right shape as it is high in MOI. The fourth option is the Max Fast, which is lighter in design for the slower speeds who need help generating speed and getting the ball in the air.
The Conclusion
Having tested the Callaway Elyte driver this year, I'm very impressed with it. For me, the biggest difference is the new Ai 10x Face. The forgiveness is great along with the distance and dispersion. The feel off the face is very good and the ball speeds are fast. It is a step up from the Ai Smoke with its face design and aerodynamics. Those are marginal gains but they all add up to make a difference.
Does that mean the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke driver is a bad driver? No, not at all. The differences in distance and speed off the Smart Face are minimal in comparison to the Elyte. It still has great adjustability and feel off the face will tick a lot of boxes for a lot of golfers. But the forgiveness and dispersion of the Callaway Elyte driver is better this year and with those marginal gains it's slightly longer and faster.
You're probably wondering if it's worthwhile upgrading if you're someone who is currently playing the Paradym Ai Smoke. As I say, it's all marginal gains, but there is some extra performance to be had. What I will say is that most golfers will only change their driver every four or five years and if you're in that range, then the Elyte is certainly a great option. Each driver that is brought every year is aimed at that golfer giving them best option possible with the latest tech and head shape offerings, it just might not be huge jumps in performance in every year.
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How we picked
Performance Consistency
We meticulously evaluated each piece of equipment's performance across a number of variables.
Forgiveness and Playability
With golf clubs, our assessment always considered the versatility and forgiveness levels, especially on off-centre strikes.
Innovative Technology
We scrutinise the incorporation of innovative technology in each piece of equipment we review.
Customisation
We consider factors like adjustable features and customisation options available to the buyer.
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