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In this review, I’ll take a comprehensive look at the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke MAX Fast irons.
The Paradym Ai Smoke MAX Fast, like its sister models, is built for distance and forgiveness, but with a weak-lofted, lightweight configuration that allows slower swingers to generate more speed and a higher ball flight.
How do these irons actually perform when put to the test? How do they compare to last generation’s Paradym irons and the other models in the Paradym Ai Smoke family? Who are they best suited for? Are they 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 handful of reviewers who have gotten their hands on the Paradym Ai Smoke MAX Fast irons view it positively in general.
What People Like
- great way for slower swingers to get a higher trajectory
- good spin and excellent stopping power
- fast off the face
- extremely forgiving
- premium looks
- solid feel
What People Don’t Like
- more pricey than the other Paradym Ai Smoke models
Features & Tech
The Paradym Ai Smoke MAX Fast iron is very similar to the HL model, with a deep cavity back construction and tungsten weighting precisely placed to shift the center of gravity (CG) low and deep.
Features include:
- Ai Smart Face: developed using data Callaway calls the Swing Code (swing speed, face orientation, club delivery), from over 250,000 swings from real golfers, this face is designed to not only maximize ball speeds across the face, but also increase launch and spin through the set.
- Dynamic Sole: a pre-worn leading edge with variable bounce cuts through the turf more efficiently, promoting clean, crisp, forgiving contact for all different types of shots.
Where the Paradym Ai Smoke MAX Fast separates itself from the HL model is:
- slightly weaker lofts
- lightweight components (stock shaft and grip) that allow slower swingers to generate more clubhead speed and a higher launch
Stock Info
The Paradym Ai Smoke MAX Fast irons come in 5-SW (25°-56°). Sets and singles are available for purchase.
Also available are the Paradym Ai Smoke MAX Fast irons for women. The women’s version has the same head technologies, but the swingweights, lengths and shaft are tailored to women to maximize their performance.
The stock shaft option is the Mitsubishi TENSEI Blue/Silver 40 IR/HYB in graphite, and the stock grip is the Winn Dri-Tac Lite.
If you’re interested, more information on shafts, grips and other customizations can be found here.
Below are the specs of the Paradym Ai Smoke MAX Fast irons (click to enlarge):
The Performance
Distance
The ball speeds produced by the Paradym Ai Smoke MAX Fast irons are pretty much the same as the HL model.
However, the lightweight configuration may cause you to gain or lose clubhead speed depending on your swing speed and swing type. Slow swingers who generate clubhead speeds of under 70 mph will be most likely to see gains over their previous gamer.
In addition, the extra loft compared to the HL will help many slower swingers get a more optimal trajectory on their shots, which will, in turn, lead to increased distance.
Forgiveness
As you might guess, the Paradym Ai Smoke MAX Fast irons are extremely forgiving, comparable to that of a super-GI iron even though it lacks the chunkiness of one.
Ball speeds are remarkably consistent across the face, and dispersions are tight. You’ll often get bailed out of minor or moderate mis-hits and thus avoid trouble around the green.
I didn’t notice any difference in forgiveness between this iron and the HL model during my field test.
Playability/Trajectory
The Paradym Ai Smoke MAX Fast irons produce the highest launch in the Paradym Ai Smoke family. Spin is high.
What I was particularly impressed by during my test was how controllable the long irons were, in addition to being forgiving. These are some of the most enjoyable long irons to hit, and that comes from someone who wouldn’t typically game lightweight irons like these.
These irons essentially move even farther in the direction the HL model took in relation to the standard Paradym Ai Smoke. The higher ball flights and higher spin lead to much better stopping power into greens, although workability is not particularly good.
The Look
Aside from marginally weaker lofts, the Paradym Ai Smoke MAX Fast iron has essentially the same look as the HL model, with a cavity back design, thicker top line, wider sole, and more offset compared to the standard model.
The tungsten is visible as a grey piece near the trailing edge, and the logoing on the back of the iron contrasts nicely with its surroundings.
This iron inspires plenty of confidence at address, but it also has a clean look that isn’t excessively chunky like some super-GI irons.
I don’t have much to say about the aesthetic as nothing really stands out to me. It’s a nice design, of course, but beyond that, my feelings are neutral.
The Sound & Feel
Like the HL model, the Paradym Ai Smoke MAX Fast irons are solid and responsive at impact, with a crisp sound that is a little higher-pitched than the standard Paradym Ai Smoke.
Callaway’s urethane microspheres make a return this generation, and like the original Paradym, they help produce a quieter impact sound.
Feel is very consistent in mis-hit regions, and sound is quite consistent across the face as well.
The Dynamic Sole is very versatile, being able to perform well out of a variety of lies.
Where To Buy These Irons Online
If you want a brand new set of (or individual) Paradym Ai Smoke MAX Fast irons with custom shafts, grips, lengths, lofts, lies, etc., definitely head over to this page on the official Callaway website before it gets removed.
Looking for the women’s variant? Go here.
For possible savings on new and used irons, look on eBay.
Alternatively, check out Global Golf or PGA TOUR Superstore. These vendors may offer club trade-ins, performance guarantees, and/or financing plans to help you minimize the financial hit.
Final Thoughts
A great way to think of Callaway’s Paradym Ai Smoke MAX Fast iron is that it’s a lighter, slightly more weak-lofted version of the HL (‘High Loft’) model, appealing to many seniors, beginners, and women.
Like the HL, it has incredible forgiveness and a thicker game-improvement profile that will give you plenty of confidence at address, but with a potentially higher launch and even more stopping power into greens depending on your swing speed.
Throw in a modern, fast, cutting-edge A.I. face and a familiarly exceptional Callaway feel, and you get one of the best lightweight irons ever made. Just keep in mind that the MAX Fast is a bit more expensive than its sister models.
Are you interested in the Paradym Ai Smoke MAX Fast irons? Have you played them? What’s your experience? Tell us about it in the comments below.
