“This isn’t your typical Callaway Paradym driver. Not at all.”

Right now, I have a club in my bag that I’m pretty sure nobody else in the UK has got.

A brand-new Callaway Paradym Long Drive driver.

I know what you’re thinking: “A Paradym Long Drive driver? I thought Callaway only released three Paradym models?”

You’re right – kind of. Callaway only took three models to retail: the Paradym, Paradym X and Paradym Triple Diamond.

However, they also created a limited number of ‘extra special’ heads for people who compete on the World Long Drive circuit.

People like me.

Right now, I’m in Germany for this week’s European Long Drive Games (ELDG) event. It’s a pretty big deal featuring some of the big-hitters in Europe.

I’m going there feeling good about my prospects, in part because of the driver Callaway has given me.

This isn’t your typical driver. Not at all.

Most rounds back home, I used a Paradym Triple Diamond with 8˚ of loft. My Long Drive model has only 2.5˚.

It’s also got a much lighter shaft than my ‘normal’ driver. This week, I’m using a Fujikura Flywire triple extra stiff shaft, which tips the scales at 55g. That’s 15g lighter than the Fujikura Ventus Black 7X that’s in my Triple Diamond.

At 48 inches, my Long Drive model is also longer than the Triple Diamond by just over two inches.

Why the differences? In the case of the shaft weighting, it’s pretty simple: the heavier one is better suited to slower, more controlled swings; the lighter one is for swinging for the fences.

More broadly, though, the Long Drive circuit requires a completely different golf swing, one that is incredibly hard to time but must generate extremely fast club head speeds and high angles of attack to get the ball airborne.

It’s golf, but just not as you know it.

Aesthetically, there is also a big difference when you sit them side by side. The Paradym Long Drive head looks larger and longer – but they are both 460cc heads.

The Long Drive head is minimalistic and simplistic looking in comparison, with noticeably more aggressive aerodynamic shaping and a sharper rear.

It has been stripped back, featuring a small 5g tungsten weight at the back, and appears not to feature the AI Jailbreak technology that’s in the Triple Diamond.

It doesn’t have the 360 Carbon Chassis either, but it does have the chevron on the crown marking the middle of the face which looks like it favours the heel at address.

The main difference when you look down at it, though, is that the crown meets the very start of the driver face, while the Triple Diamond’s face wraps over the edge by about a centimetre.

So, there are a lot of differences, and the results speak for themselves.

So far, I’ve already achieved 218mph ball speed. That’s phenomenal. I shouldn’t be surprised, though. Whilst it’s a niche part of their business, the good people at Callaway have an impressive track record in the Long Drive department.

Joe Miller used their drivers when he won his two World Long Drive titles. Sandra Carlborg has also won multiple titles on the Women’s World Long Drive scene, whilst the reigning World Long Drive champion Martin Borgmeier is another Callaway player.

Let’s see if I can add to the success.

James Tait is bunkered’s Gear Editor. Want to know how the latest Callaway driver, Vokey wedge or Scotty Cameron putter performs? He’s the guy to ask. Better yet, just watch his videos on the bunkered YouTube channel. One of the biggest hitters in the UK, James also competes on the World Long Drive circuit and is a descendent of former Amateur champion Freddie Tait.

Gear Editor