Callaway Paradym drivers £599
GM verdict
By opting for a completely new name in Paradym, Callaway is clearly evoking the idea of a significant shift in its offering, and the design, with its 360˚ carbon chassis, backs up this claim.
The aesthetics represent a fairly significant departure from what we’ve seen from Callaway in recent years. Last year’s matte black Rogue ST has been superseded by a gloss crown with a deep blue carbon effect. There is a very subtle contrast between this and the black leading edge. The colour scheme is quite different to anything we’ve seen in 2023, but, as the shapes are all still very classic, the overall look is modern, premium and appealing.
The technology within the club is also brought to life via the sole. The carbon effects – which are unique in every driver – and gold flashes make the Paradym driver stand out on the shelf. The standard model also has a moveable weight at the rear, enhancing its appeal for golfers looking to promote a certain shot shape.
For us, the Paradym drivers delivered a jump in ball speed over Rogue ST despite a slightly slower clubhead speed. One of the things we loved most about the previous-generation Rogue ST Max was how playable it was. Yes, it was long, but it was easy to hit. It seems that with the Paradym, Callaway has retained, if not slightly enhanced, that user-friendly performance, which can make all the difference. Without having to swing the club too hard, we were consistently able to hit straight drives with a little more overall distance.
With its 450cc clubhead, the Triple Diamond (TD) driver is the smallest of the three in the range and there is no alignment aid on this version. Although only 10cc
smaller than the standard Callaway Paradym and Paradym X drivers, it appears notably more compact at address, which better players will enjoy. It creates a clear point of difference – the compact shape will not be for everyone, but for those in search of a more traditional look, this will immediately strike a chord. In testing all three of the new Paradym drivers, the Triple Diamond hit the longest shots when struck out of the middle. However, it is important to say that we did lack consistency with it; we weren’t as straight with the TD as we were with the standard model. Most will veer towards the standard model because it is long, adjustable for shot shape and offers that extra forgiveness and accuracy. For golfers who need more launch, spin and draw-bias to maximise carry, the Paradym X is a powerful alternative. It means that whatever your ability, there’s a driver in the Paradym range built for your needs that will outperform what’s in your bag.
“THE TRIPLE DIAMOND IS THE MODEL I WANT TO PUT IN THE BAG, BUT THE STANDARD PARADYM IS NEARLY AS LONG AND MUCH MORE PLAYABLE”
Neil Tappin, GM digital editor