Three Amazing Drivers That Deliver Great Performance
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2024-02-19
Callaway Smoke Drivers
(Callaway Ai Smoke Max, Callaway Ai Smoke Max D, Callaway Ai Smoke Max Fast, and Callaway Ai Smoke Triple Diamond)
The standout feature of Callaway’s latest Paradym Ai Smoke range is the Ai Smart Face. Crafted through an extensive process involving over 50,000 face iterations and meticulous player-fitting data analysis, this innovation tailors each driver to specific attack angles, swing paths, and face angles for every model. It’s like having a personalized “swing code” for your game.
Simulations and fitting data analysis determined that golfers using the draw-biased Max D and lightweight Max Fast would benefit most from a face technology that favours an out-to-in swing path, slower swing speeds, and a downward attack with misses ranging from low heel to high toe.
For golfers with moderate swing speeds who may not consistently hit the center of the face, the Ai Smart Face on the Max model is optimized for mid-speed swings, an upward attack angle, and a slightly out-to-in path.
Meanwhile, for advanced players with higher swing speeds, the low-spin Triple Diamond model is designed for those who generate even more upward attack angles and maintain a neutral to slightly left path.
Available for $599.00 at www.callawaygolf.com.
Cobra Darkspeed Driver
(Cobra Darkspeed X, Cobra Darkspeed Max, and Cobra Darkspeed LS)
The latest lineup of high-performance drivers from Cobra: the Cobra Darkspeed X, Cobra Darkspeed Max, and Cobra Darkspeed LS. Each model showcases advanced aerodynamic design for enhanced speed and distance off the tee.
Key features across all three models include a redesigned PWR-Bridge structure behind the face, engineered to optimize energy transfer and mass positioning. Additionally, the drivers boast a 13-percent larger PWRSHELL H.O.T. Face insert, meticulously crafted with cutting-edge A.I. technology.
Crafted with a multi-material construction, these drivers feature lightweight carbon soles and crown plates, alongside a reinforced titanium body. The carbon fibre plates, which are 30% lighter than traditional titanium, allow for strategic weight distribution around the clubhead, resulting in increased Moment of Inertia (MOI) for improved forgiveness on off-center hits.
Each of these technological advancements has been fine-tuned to cater to the unique needs of different golfers, ensuring maximum benefits tailored to individual playing styles.
The Darkspeed X model is designed for golfers looking for speed and low spin but with plenty of forgiveness.
The Max model is designed for slower swingers looking for lots of forgiveness and help with slices.
The Darkspeed LS model is designed for expert golfers looking for maximum workability and control, and therefore, offers the lowest amount of forgiveness among the Darkspeed models by design.
All models come equipped with Cobra’s MyFly adjustable hosel, providing golfers with versatility and customization options to optimize launch conditions and trajectory.
Available for $549.99 at www.cobragolf.com.
XXIO 13 Driver
As a frontrunner in the lightweight club arena, XXIO has established itself as the premier choice, thanks largely to its tailored technologies aimed at aiding players with moderate swing speeds.
The standout feature on the XXIO 13 driver (and woods) is the innovative BiFlex face, a highlight of both the XXIO 13 and XXIO 13 Ladies collections.
This advanced face design incorporates a trampoline-like framework strategically fortified along specific points around the perimeter to amplify ball speeds.
XXIO’s internal testing reveals a remarkable 125% increase in the coefficient of restitution (COR) area compared to its predecessor.
Another pivotal technology is ActivWing, engineered to enhance stability during the initial phase of the downswing. By bolstering stability at this crucial juncture, the club enables smoother and more consistent acceleration through impact, a feat accomplished by the Dual ActiveWing system. Notably, the visible trapezoidal features protruding from the crown denote this technology, serving to correct the face angle by 11% in the face of aerodynamic forces during the swing, thereby minimizing slices.
The XXIO 13 driver is designed to add speed and consistency to golfers with slower swing speeds and places emphasis on forgiveness, so slower golfers will gain distance and accuracy.
The XXIO13 is crafted for golfers who’ve lost some speed over time but are still looking to add distance and maintain accuracy.
Available for $699.99 at www.us.dunlopsports.com.
For senior golfers, opting for a driver with a higher loft, such as a 10.5 or 12-degree model, is advantageous. In our testing group, we modified a 10.5-degree driver, reducing its loft to 11 degrees. This increased loft facilitates easier launching of the ball at a higher trajectory, resulting in longer distances. Amongst our testing group of 25 golfers, the Callaway Ai Smoke Max Fast, with its light shaft, most forgiving, and wide clubface, was adjudged the favourite of the 3 drivers tested for high launch and maximum carry distance.
Senior golfers benefit from using a shaft with a senior flex. These shafts are lighter and more flexible compared to regular or stiff shafts. The increased flexibility enables better energy transfer during the downswing, leading to enhanced speed and power. This optimized energy transfer results in faster ball speeds and reduced spin, ultimately contributing to longer drives.
While the premium-priced driver offers top-notch performance and long-lasting durability, it might not fit everyone’s budget. For those seeking to save on expenses, I recommend considering the more affordable options of the Cobra Aerojet or Callaway Paradym drivers. Despite their lower price points, both the Aerojet and Paradym drivers still deliver solid performance and reliability for budget-conscious golfers.
About the Writer
Barry Lotz, J.D., Ph.D. is the director of the Professional Golf Teachers Association of America. Visit www.facebook.com/PGTAA to see all the latest mental strategies, travel, and equipment reviews. Currently, he also works with between 10 to 12 PGA TOUR players on the mental side of golf.
He is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America and serves both as a consultant and mediator to the golf industry. He is also the author of numerous books, including “333 Best Web Sites for Golfers” and his previous book, “How to Build Business Relationships Through Golf,” which is still on the Top Ten Golf Business Book’s bestseller list. His current book, “The Right Mind for Golf,” is now in its 13th reprint and is available on Amazon and at the Torrey Pines Golf Course. Just released on June 1st, his new book, “The Right Mind for Putting,” is now available at www.pgtaa.com.