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In this review, I’ll be taking a comprehensive look at the Callaway Elyte driver.
With the Elyte, Callaway has taken speed and forgiveness to unprecedented levels. A new Ai 10x Face, Thermoforged Carbon Crown, and aerodynamic head shape are designed to produce even more distance and better off-center performance than last year’s Paradym Ai Smoke driver.
How does the Elyte actually perform when put to the test? How does it compare to the previous generation Paradym Ai Smoke MAX? Who is it best suited for? Is it worth putting in the bag?
Here’s what will be covered in the review:
Read on to learn what you need to know to make an informed purchase.
Note: Unless otherwise stated, stock shafts and stock grips are used when evaluating this club. In most cases, the golf clubs reviewed on Golfstead are acquired temporarily for testing purposes and are not purchased. The review that follows is based on the personal experience and research of the author. Because everyone’s swing and body are different, results with a particular club may differ from person to person.
What are the reviews like?
The Elyte driver is a new release, so the ratings that are out there are currently limited.
However, it won a gold medal on the Golf Digest 2025 Hot List and enjoys wide praise from critics and consumers, with a 5/5 rating on the official Callaway store.
What People Like
- outstanding clubhead and ball speed
- superb forgiveness
- wide appeal
- an all-around performer
- solid, powerful feel
What People Don’t Like
- the look doesn’t suit some people’s tastes
- pricey
The Features
Ai 10x Face
The key to the Elyte driver’s advantage over the Paradym Ai Smoke MAX in terms of distance (up to 8 yards longer and 1.8 yards longer on average) and mis-hit performance is the Ai 10x Face, which replaces the Ai Smart Face found in previous Callaway drivers.
This face technology, developed with artificial intelligence, delivers 10 times more control points than the Ai Smart Face, further enhancing performance across the face. This results in higher ball speeds, tighter dispersions, and better optimized spin and launch.
Elyte Shape
The Elyte driver features a new aerodynamic shape developed through advanced prototyping.
It consists of a lower heel section and lower crown profile, designed to minimize air resistance and maximize speed through the entire swing.
Thermoforged Carbon Crown
This new aerospace-grade carbon fiber material that makes up the crown allows the center of gravity (CG) to be positioned optimally for low spin and high launch.
It also works with the unique shape of the driver to deliver unprecedented speed and distance.
Discrete Weighting System
Unlike the continuous weight track of previous drivers like the Paradym Ai Smoke, the Elyte driver features a new discrete perimeter weighting system with a 13g movable weight.
This weighting system has three positions for fade, neutral, and draw ball flights. Discrete systems like this offer a number of benefits including simplified use and more consistent performance.
Stock Info
The Elyte driver is available in 9°, 10.5°, and 12° standard lofts at 460 CC.
An included Optifit hosel allows you to adjust loft and lie. The loft settings are -1, +1, 0 and +2 (a range of 3°). The lie settings are N (neutral) and D (draw), giving a total of 8 possible configurations.
The stock graphite shafts are the Project X Denali Charcoal 50 & 60 and Mitsubishi VANQUISH PL 40. The stock grip is the Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360. Custom options are available.
If you’re interested, full information on the driver, shafts, grips and their specs can be found here.
Below are the specs of the Elyte driver. Click or zoom to enlarge.
The Performance
In the below sections, I’ll talk about my experience with the Elyte driver. Let’s jump right in.
Distance
Ball speed and clubhead speed are marginally higher than the Paradym Ai Smoke MAX, although it’s worth noting that the Paradym Ai Smoke MAX was more geared towards forgiveness (hence the “MAX” in the name), so it’s perhaps not the best comparison.
Compared to the original Paradym from two seasons ago, my field test indicated a pretty significant increase in ball speeds, with a carry distance gain of around 10 yards or more.
Having said this, as the “speed model” in the Elyte driver family, the Elyte is a distance monster that sets a new precedent for 2025.
Forgiveness
When you have a driver as fast and long as the Elyte, forgiveness tends to come with the territory. Indeed, the Elyte is a very forgiving driver.
Ball speed retention on mis-hits is exceptional, and the directional forgiveness is nothing to sneeze at either; dispersions are impressively tight given the speed and power at play.
While Callaway claims, based on consumer testing, that the Elyte is even more forgiving than the Paradym Ai Smoke MAX, I didn’t see too much of a difference during my testing.
Whether the face technology makes the claim technically true or not, the level of forgiveness doesn’t seem to be noticeably different, as my mis-hits performed similarly.
Playability/Trajectory
Callaway lists the launch of the Elyte driver as “mid-high”. This is consistent with my field test, but I should note that I was getting a slightly lower trajectory than the Paradym Ai Smoke MAX, with an apex height of a couple yards less. This was my personal experience, but results may vary.
Spin is low, although I interestingly found it to be marginally higher (around 50-100 RPMs) than the MAX.
The discrete weighting system of the Elyte is honestly more appealing to me than single-track systems. I really like it. It’s easy to work with, and you know the degree of flight bias you’re getting depending on which slot the weight is in.
The Elyte driver is not as workable as the Triple Diamond model, but it’s not far behind; I was able to flight the ball in various ways without much trouble. At the same time, the driver is capable of producing very consistent results from shot to shot.
The Look
The Elyte driver has a rather large profile with a streamlined shape and smooth curves. As the middle model in the Elyte driver family, it’s more stretched back than the Triple Diamond model but a little more compact than the X model from front to back.
While the Paradym drivers of the previous two years were marked by a teal blue colour, the Elyte distinguishes itself with green accents surrounded by various monochrome shades.
I find the matte black finish on the crown to be very attractive behind the ball (I often prefer it to a glossy crown), and as with Callaway’s previous generations, there’s a chevron on the top line to help with alignment and inspire confidence at address.
I have to say that I like the sole aesthetic of the Elyte quite a bit more than the Paradym Ai Smoke. There’s good contrast, the logoing stands out more, and the colour scheme is more cohesive.
The adjustable weighting at the perimeter is tastefully incorporated and is easy to work with; when moving the weight, simply loosen the screw and screw the weight into the desired port.
The Sound & Feel
When I hit the Elyte driver, the feel is more solid and powerful than anything. You can feel the strong deflection of the ball off the face.
In addition to impact, though, there’s also something to be said about the feel throughout the rest of the swing. The driver feels balanced and effortless, like the clubhead was made to move through the air.
The sound at impact is a crisp, slightly metallic “click” of medium loudness and pitch. On mis-hit, the sound tends to be less crisp than center strikes.
I found the consistency in feel across the face to be at least as good as the Paradym Ai Smoke MAX and probably even a bit better. Mis-hits are impressively responsive and solid.
Where To Buy This Driver Online
The natural place to go to order an Elyte driver with custom specifications (loft, length, shaft, grip, etc.) is this page on the Callaway store.
If you want to save some money, you can find discounts on eBay.
Optionally look at what’s available on PGA TOUR Superstore, where club trade-ins, performance guarantees, and financing plans are offered to help you minimize the risk and the financial hit.
Final Thoughts
Callaway’s Elyte driver is the next generation of speed off the tee, delivering the best ball speeds and distance that any modern driver has to offer along with forgiveness, workability, and sleek looks.
There’s no doubt that this is Callaway’s fastest driver yet, with clear gains over the Paradym Ai Smoke from last season. Plus, the adjustable sole weighting (in addition to an adjustable hosel) helps it appeal to golfers across the skill spectrum from high to low handicap.
If you already own a Paradym Ai Smoke MAX driver, it may be worth grabbing the Elyte for the extra small boost in performance, especially if you can get a good trade-in value.
Are you interested in the Elyte driver? Have you played it? What’s your experience? Tell us about it in the comments below.
I appreciate the mention of the original Paradym since I own that and will soon hit the Elyte to compare. What I found puzzling was you said the Elyte was more forgiving than the Paradym. The Paradym was given a 10 on Forgiveness on this website and the Elyte 8.9. All subjective I understand but I am eager to put them side by side.
Hi Steve. What I actually said was that while Callaway asserts it has an edge in forgiveness over the Paradym Ai Smoke MAX, I didn’t really see that in my field test.
As for the ratings, they are not necessarily relative to each other; back when I reviewed the Paradym, I was extremely impressed with its forgiveness and rated it according to what was on the market at the time. Part of the reason why I give the Elyte an 8.9 is because it’s the “middle model” in the Elyte family, with the X model being designed for max forgiveness. The Elyte is, of course, very forgiving for what it is.
Hope this helps, and thanks for reading! Feel free to let us know how your comparison goes.
Thanks for the response Paul. I really appreciate the review, I DID like how you said the Elyte was getting 10 yards more than the original Paradym and you saying it’s more forgiving which I do believe since it’s 2 years newer. I never hit the Smoke since I had just purchased a driver the year prior. The Paradym was also the “middle model” which got the 10 and I assume the Paradym X had a very high forgiveness rating. Once the temps warm up a bit here in Pinehurst I will give it a go! Thank you and I appreciate what your website does for club ratings and comparisons.
Thanks for the review – I have been looking to upgrade my Rogue ST Max driver and Rogue irons/hybrid clubs to the new Elyte – any reviews or insight on the fairway woods, X hybrids or the HL irons? Unfortunately, I went to a local golf shop and they were limited on their selection of what I could demo Any insight or information out there on other clubs in the Elyte family?
I’ll be testing those and putting out reviews at some point in the near future. I haven’t gotten to it yet. From what I’ve seen so far, they’re all great clubs. Sorry I can’t provide more detailed insight yet.