Callaway Elyte X Driver Review – Fast & Forgiving

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Callaway Elyte X Driver - 3 Perspectives

Today, I’ll be reviewing the Callaway Elyte X driver.

The Elyte X benefits from the same cutting-edge technologies as the standard Elyte including a new Ai 10x Face and Thermoforged Carbon Crown. However, it has a more stretched back profile and draw bias geared towards golfers who are seeking more forgiveness.

How does the Elyte X actually perform when put to the test? How does it compare to the standard Elyte model and 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 X 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.

  • easy launch
  • long with big ball speeds
  • hugely forgiving
  • solid, powerful feel
  • many prefer the look over the Paradym Ai Smoke MAX
  • some find the spin to be excessive

The Features

The Elyte X driver packs the same technologies as the standard Elyte, namely:

  • Ai 10x Face: replacing the Ai Smart Face found in previous Callaway drivers, this face technology delivers 10 times more control points, further enhancing performance across the face. The results is higher ball speeds, tighter dispersions, and better optimized spin and launch.
  • Thermoforged Carbon Crown: a new aerospace-grade carbon fiber 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.
  • Elyte Shape: a new aerodynamic shape, developed through advanced prototyping, consists of a lower heel section and lower crown profile. It’s designed to minimize air resistance and maximize speed through the entire swing.
  • Discrete Weighting System: a new discrete perimeter weighting system with a 13g movable weight.

The key differences that set the Elyte X apart are:

  • a stretched footprint which shifts the center of gravity (CG) back for higher launch and more forgiveness
  • an inherent, slight draw bias
  • an altered perimeter weighting system with neutral and draw positions (no fade port)

Stock Info

The Elyte X driver is available in 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.

Also available is the Elyte X driver for women. The women’s version has the same clubhead, but the swingweights, lengths, shafts and grips are tailored to women to maximize their performance.

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 X driver. Click or zoom to enlarge.

Callaway Elyte X Driver Specs

The Performance

In the below sections, I’ll talk about my experience with the Elyte X driver. Let’s jump right in.

Distance

My field test indicated that, as expected, ball speeds and clubhead speeds tend to be slightly lower than the standard Elyte, with a disadvantage of around 1-2 mph — small, but notable. These metrics are very much comparable to the Paradym Ai Smoke MAX.

I was seeing about 10-15 yards less carry, on average, compared to the standard Elyte. However, because of the Elyte X’s higher launch and spin, you may actually see more distance depending on your swing and natural shot patterns.

Forgiveness

As already mentioned, the Elyte X has the most stretched profile of any Elyte driver. Callaway classifies the Elyte X as being the most forgiving model in the Elyte family.

Indeed, during my test, I noted the outstanding ball speed retention on mis-hits. Directional forgiveness is impressive, and dispersions are tight as far as drivers go. The deeper CG makes this driver a little bit more stable than the standard Elyte.

The driver appears to have an edge in forgiveness over the Paradym Ai Smoke MAX as well, which is great.

Playability/Trajectory

Callaway lists the launch of the Elyte X driver as high. I certainly found this to be the case in my testing, and it’s the result of a slightly higher launch (by around 0.5°) and a considerably higher spin (by about 500-800 RPMs) relative to the standard Elyte.

While the Elyte X has a perimeter weighting system with a draw port, I still found the driver to produce a slight draw bias even with the weight in the neutral position. With the weight in the draw position, the draw bias becomes moderate to strong in intensity.

The workability of this driver is pretty limited, especially with the inherent flight bias, so don’t expect to be a shot-shaping maestro off the tee. Having said this, the driver tends to produce very consistent results, even if your ball contact is not so consistent.


The Look

The Elyte X driver has a 460 CC profile with a streamlined shape and smooth curves. As the most forgiving model in the Elyte driver family, it’s more stretched back than the standard and Triple Diamond models, meaning the footprint is longer from front to back.

Compared to the Elyte, though, the difference in shape is quite marginal; I would have liked to see even more distinction in this regard.

While the Paradym drivers of the previous two years were marked by a teal blue colour, the Elyte models distinguish themselves with green accents surrounded by various monochrome shades.

I find the matte black finish on the crown to be very attractive behind the ball. As with Callaway’s previous generations, there’s a chevron on the top line to help with alignment, which, when combined with the stretched-back profile, gives you a driver that is very confidence-inspiring at address.

The sole aesthetic of the Elyte X speaks to my tastes, more so than the Paradym Ai Smoke MAX. There’s good contrast, the logoing stands out more, and the colour scheme is more cohesive.

Unlike the standard Elyte which has three ports in its perimeter weighting system, the Elyte X has just two corresponding to neutral and draw shot shapes, which is expected as most higher handicappers don’t need fade bias. The model also lacks the small round weight port near the face that the standard and TD models have.


The Sound & Feel

Like the standard Elyte, the Elyte X driver feels solid, powerful, and responsive at impact. The feels are very similar between the two, but if anything, the Elyte X might be a touch softer. The driver also feels nicely balanced throughout the swing.

The sound at impact is a crisp, slightly metallic “click” of medium loudness and pitch.

One noticeable difference between the Elyte X and standard Elyte is that the Elyte X is more consistent across the face, both in terms of feel and sound. Most of the time, you’ll understand the general area of contact, but the feedback isn’t particularly distinct.


Where To Buy This Driver Online

The natural place to go to order an Elyte X driver with custom specifications (loft, length, shaft, grip, etc.) is this page on the Callaway store. If you’re looking for the women’s variant, go here.

If you want to save some money, you can find discounts on eBay.

Optionally look at what’s available on PGA TOUR SuperstoreGlobal Golf or Amazon. The first two vendors may offer club trade-ins, performance guarantees, and/or financing plans to help you minimize the financial hit.


Final Thoughts

If you’re someone who doesn’t make consistent enough ball contact with Callaway’s standard Elyte or Elyte Triple Diamond drivers, you should definitely give the Elyte X a try. You may be very well-served by it.

This driver benefits from the same speed-boosting technologies but is more forgiving on mis-hits and has the potential to deliver a significant draw bias to treat a slice.

The Elyte X may just be Callaway’s most forgiving driver yet, with likely gains over the Paradym Ai Smoke MAX from last season. Plus, the adjustable sole weighting (in addition to an adjustable hosel) helps it appeal to golfers across a range of skill levels, so it’s not necessarily reserved for high handicappers only.


Are you interested in the Elyte X driver? Have you played it? What’s your experience? Tell us about it in the comments below.

Callaway Elyte X Driver - Featured
Callaway Elyte X Driver
Distance
8.9
Forgiveness
10
Playability
9.3
Looks
9.6
Sound & Feel
9.3
Pros
Incredibly forgiving across the face
Higher launch and spin make it easy to get the ball airborne
Healthy draw bias for straightening out slices
Sharp aesthetic
Solid, satisfying feel
Cons
Spin is a little high
Not a lot of workability
9.4
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