Cynicism and the internet seem to go hand in hand. Since golf equipment is our passion, we often see it crop up in that context most often, and while it can be wearisome to read, there are sometimes nuggets of truth mixed in with the barbs. The topic of Tour Issue golf equipment, or whether professionals get the same equipment as we do, is always rife for controversy, especially when it comes to drivers. The reality is that for years Tour players have had access to special versions of drivers that match their unique needs, and there has always been a vocal group of consumers who wanted to join in on the fun who weren’t afraid to express their displeasure at not being offered the chance. Callaway Golf, often the target of this cynicism, wanted to do something to reach these consumers. Last year’s Callaway AI Smoke TD Max illustrates the company’s commitment to opening the curtains a bit.
You didn’t think Callaway would stop there, did you? To bolster 2025’s Elyte Driver line, the company is bringing even more Tour-inspired options to market, and today we’re going to talk about one that should fill in a very interesting hole. It’s called the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond Tour Draw driver, or TD for short.
Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond TD Driver
Tour Draw? Don’t all great golfers play a fade these days? “I play a fade” has become a bit of a status statement for some internet golfers, and the truth is that the fade shot shape does seem to dominate the PGA Tour. This is one reason we see a proliferation of better players’ drivers that have a built-in fade bias. Still, there are plenty of great players out there that want to turn the ball over with a driver in their hand. While this certainly isn’t limited to the LPGA or LET, it’s more common on the ladies Tours for the simple fact that the draw shot shape tends to maximize distance.
“Draw bias” drivers tend to get a bit of a bad rap, with most people instantly assuming that they are really only for poor golfers that slice the ball, but the TD is anything but that. Make no mistake – this is a classic Callaway Triple Diamond design. The compact, 450cc head has the same head shape and neutral face progression that better players have come to love about Triple Diamond. It will deliver the same high speed and low-spin combination that delivers the exceptional distance, and the incorporation of the Elyte’s advanced aerodynamic shaping encourages higher swing speeds with the same amount of effort.
Of course, there is a small tradeoff in what we’d classically refer to as forgiveness when you are talking about smaller heads, high speeds, and low spin. Callaway tends to look at forgiveness a bit differently than some other companies do at the moment. They’ve invested a massive amount of resources into their AI 10X face technology, which is unapparelled when it comes to ball speed retention and dispersion on shots away from the center of the face. So, while there will be an element of forgiveness lost moving to the 450cc TD, it would be hard to find a more “forgiving” better player’s driver.
What makes it different?
So, how is the TD different than the other Triple Diamond and Tour-inspired drivers in the Elyte lineup? In reality, there’s not much chance you’d see a difference at all visually comparing it to the 450cc Elyte Triple Diamond. Callaway is adamant that the TD is the same size, shape, and occupies the same footprint. Even the externally visible weights are located in the same places. The difference is internal, with a subtle change to the internal weighting of the head that moves mass closer to the heel. Of course, this promotes quicker face closure that encourage the draw flight certain players are looking for.
How much draw bias is there? According to Callaway robot testing, a standard Triple Diamond head would average dispersion 6 yards right of the centerline. The Triple Diamond TD would average 6 yards left of the centerline. So, while we wouldn’t lump the TD in with those drivers trying to eliminate the slice, it does offer a distinctly different shot shape potential than the original Elyte Triple Diamond.
The Details
The Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond TD driver is available on Callaway’s website, callawaygolf.com. It’s offered in two lofts; 9 degrees and 10.5 degrees, both measuring 45.75” in length. There are two stock shaft options: the 65g Aretera EC1 Blue (stiff) and the 65g Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Black (stiff and extra stiff). Stay tuned to the THP Forum for more feedback on the Tour Draw in the coming weeks.
