Four years ago, Jailbreak revolutionized drivers, and two short years later A.I. did the same. Now, Callaway’s A.I. technology is actually revolutionizing the Jailbreak system, in a big way.
Today, Callaway is officially announcing their new Epic Speed metal woods lineup and looks to build on why is has been the #1 selling driver in golf as well as on worldwide Tour’s. There is much pressure that comes with the Epic name given the success of the past iterations, but as would be expected, Callaway believes they’ve taken yet another jump in performance and overall fitting potential.
For this article we will dive first into the drivers, and then the fairways. Are you ready?
Callaway Epic Speed Drivers
Being real, the Epic driver and Jailbreak is what cemented Callaway as being right at the top of the game, it was, and frankly remains, a cutting-edge design. There are a few companies out there who might have just ridden that wave as long as they could adding some slight tweaks here and there but not messing with the overall formula. Well, Callaway doesn’t do that, they only know one way, and that is forward at all times.
The inclusion of A.I., and we are talking true A.I. that is learning and evolving itself with each use, not just a simple computer program that companies have been using for years and now have slapped the A.I. name on for marketing, was another game changer with Epic Flash. The ability to use the face design in order to accomplish things that were only possible before with head shape and internals has unlocked another world of performance possibility.
With Epic Speed, Callaway turned the A.I. not just toward the face design, but also the Jailbreak design, and the result is what they are calling Jailbreak A.I. Speed Frame technology. By designing the Jailbreak simultaneously with the clubfaces they’ve found a more efficient design which you might have been seeing on the company’s various social media outlets featuring their players. The original design uncoupled CT and COR from each other, and this design now works with Flash Face to create and even higher overall COR at a set CT, translation? More speed through the more effective geometry as well as the way the now four connection points stiffen the body vertically and horizontally.
Speaking of Flash Face SS21, each driver does indeed have a unique face design to maximize performance aspects in relation to where golfers for each model typically strike the face. The other big aspect to the Epic Speed driver designs is the Advanced Composite Design. As the name indicates, Callaway has sought to utilize their Triaxial Carbon more effectively and with the Speed drivers the crown to body connection has been moved more toward the face which means more composite being used, and a savings of over 18 grams that could be repositioned. Additionally, they are using a “Toe Patch” on the sole which has enabled a more effective internal weight shift for the designs.
Now, to the options.
The Epic Speed will be the fastest driver head of the trio within the lineup. This one utilizes the Cyclone Aero Shape which originated for Callaway with the standard Mavrik model. Compared to the Epic Flash, this shape is considerably lower drag which in their testing has shown up to a 1.5 MPH increase in overall clubhead speed. This head also has the same forward CG as the Mavrik, but with a higher MOI through the weight savings from the amount of Triaxial Carbon in the design, the head will also have a mid-spin profile and moderate natural draw bias. While there is no sliding weight on the Speed model, it does still utilize Callaway’s adjustable adapter.
Next, the Epic Max is what Callaway considers their most forgiving Epic driver ever. It will also be the highest launching head of the lineup, but the improved aerodynamics compared to the Mavrik Max set it apart with speed potential as well as a higher overall MOI. The Epic Max is the most draw biased of the options but also features an adjustable adapter and a 17g sliding weight in order to fine tune for each player.
Finally, there is no Sub Zero this go around because the movement on Tour is currently away from a super low spinning driver with players actively seeking out a spin profile more in the mid 2,000 RPM range. So, the Epic Max LS has been born. This is the “better player” driver of the lineup, but it is a totally different configuration than Sub Zero possessing the aforementioned spin profile but also over 8,400 MOI, making it shockingly forgiving. The goal here is a super neutral driver which also has the most fade potential of the three heads. The Max LS also features an adjustable adapter and utilizes a 13g APW weight.
All three drivers will be available in 9°, 10.5°, and 12° versions with the Project X Cypher (40g, W/L), and Project X HZRDUS Smoke IM10 (50g, R/S and 60g, S) as standard options for the Epic Speed and Epic Max, with the Mitsubishi MMT (60g, S/X and 70g, S/X) for the Epic Max LS.
Callaway Epic Speed and Epic Max Fairways
It wouldn’t be a release without Callaway flexing their muscles with new fairway woods which aim to continue on the lineage they have established as some of the longest and most playable on the market. For the Epic Speed line there are two models, both focused on playability and firepower.
Both options also feature Flash Face SS21 utilizing a forged C300 maraging face and high strength Face Cup which is a big part of what makes their fairways so effective. As is expected, A.I. is here and each model and every single loft of each have a uniquely designed face which is optimal for how that club is typically utilized.
However, it is important to mention that the fairways don’t use the same Jailbreak which the drivers do. Because of the differences in size, profile, and design features like the Face Cup, a new design was necessary for the fairways. So, the Jailbreak A.I. Velocity Blades were born. This also increases the horizontal and vertical stiffness of the head for better energy retention and transfer, but it fits the needs of the fairway woods and even increases the torsional stiffness. A huge aspect to this design falls in Callaway aiming for these fairways to have the same CT as drivers, and the new Velocity Blades ensure the Face Cup can flex and help create that energy. The Mavrik fairways approached driver CT, but Callaway is claiming these reach it, and if that is the case, then hold on tight.
The Epic Speed Fairway has the more forward CG of the two options and according to Callaway is lower spinning when compared to the Mavrik. With that, there is a new leading edge which has helped optimize tee and turf performance as well as the previously discussed design elements placing this one into an area falling between what the Mavrik and Mavrik SZ fairways were, distance with launch and forgiveness. The shaft options for the Speed will be the new Project X Cypher (40g, W/L), Project X HZRDUS Smoke IM10 (60g, R/S and 70g, S), as well as the Mitsubishi MMT (70g, X – with 80g custom order) and will be available in 3+, 3W, 4W, 5W, 7W (13.5°, 15°, 16.5°, 18°, 21°).
On the other side, there is the Epic Max Fairway. This is the shallower faced of the two, but it also has the larger, somewhat oversized profile. After talking with their fitters about the Mavrik Max designs, Callaway realized that the sole weight to the draw side didn’t really influence things all that much, so it has now been replaced with a front and back weighting design which is reminiscent of the old 816 in terms of placement.
This is a 14g and 2g adjustable system which can be used to influence the spin and MOI possibilities. Additionally, the company believes that the better player who fits into the Epic Max LS driver can play either of these because of the ability to put that heavy weight forward and bring down the spin. The shaft options for the Epic Max will be the new Project X Cypher (40g, W/L) and Project X HZRDUS Smoke IM10 (60g, R/S and 70g, S). It will be available in 3+, 3W, 5W, HW, 7W, 9W, and 11W (13.5°, 15°, 18°, 20°, 21°. 23°, 25°).
The Details
Callaway’s new Epic lineup will begin hitting fitters everywhere on 2/4/21 and be on the shelf come 2/18/21. Prices for the Epic Speed, Epic Max, and Epic Max LS drivers will come in at $529.99 alongside the Epic Max and Epic Speed fairways at $299.99. Additionally, at the time of release, Callaway will be offering the new clubs through their Callaway Customs program which will undoubtedly make many golfers happy.
Are you excited or curious about the new Epic lineup from Callaway? Be sure to let us know what you think both below as well as on the THP community. Rest assured, we will have these in hand very soon with much more to come!
the two big things that stuck out to me where the CT on the fairway woods, WOW. The second was Callaway saying the draw bias in the mavrik max wasn’t really working that well. I think its pretty cool to see a company try something then come back and say its not really working the way we hoped it would but we think we got it right with this version.
Agree. Standard Mav was pretty fantastic there. The Max though….was not.
That’s great to hear, as I think the Mav Max is probably the best sounding driver I’ve ever hit (edit: even if Jman doesn’t think so, haha!).
Great write-up @Jman, lots of great info and I’m sure these will be a huge hit. Can’t even imagine the FWs having a higher CT than the Mavs, the Mavrik FW is a rocket launcher already!
Indeed! That’s the movement forward of the Triaxial closer to where the face and crown meet which I referenced in the article.
With the sliding weight here as well as the dual cog it’ll get much more neutral than the Mav Max would.
I appreciate that brother, release season is like Christmas for me!
Haha! I hope to take a closer look at that soon, but I’d say they’re still different beasts.
Apologies. I was talking about the fairways. That’s where I’m confused.
They made a conscious effort during the design of this new version in the sound department to keep it more in the line of the Mavrik line than the old Epic Flash line. Something the Callaway engineering teams were well aware of from feedback in the wild.
you’re welcome? i remember one time i placed a to-go order at a local pizza place. i guess i unknowingly signed in through a gmail account our grandaddy team used. so i went to pick up the food and said my name, but they didn’t have that order. then the little high school girl behind the counter goes "are you ‘grandaddy’?" i was like man, she is probably SO creeped out by me right now. lmfao
I read that, but my simple brain needs a picture or graphic to help drive the concept home.
With the smaller profile of the head it takes less to make bias, additionally, they used the carbon fiber toe patch to take weight from out there and move it internally, creating the bias.
That said, they’re adamant that better players can play both this year, and I mean adamant.
Thank God for that, too.
reading is hard and I’m on one cup of coffee! I see it now and from my understanding the weights are spin management so now I’m curious as well.
Interesting. I was hoping it was primarily due to lie angle and I could just order them flatter. Doesn’t look like that’s in play so I’ll have to see which one sits more neutral at address.
Given the size and profile, the Speed should sit more neutral to the eye at address.
Agree with this. During our review of the product line, there was no doubt they felt all 3 versions could be fitted to any level of HC and play skill level. Each differentiated themselves enough without losing the performance aspects that will drive consistency between heads. Therefore, it will come down to fitting for swing profile more so than the old tropes of "looking for the bomber driver in the lowest spin" or the "going to have to give up distance to get the most forgiveness". They were very excited about the fact that all 3 head shapes provide great distance and forgiveness with the best ability to fit your personal swing.
that’s pretty encouraging. i like the idea of the weight in the toe to minimize that toe hook the mav max does not handle very well. i just know my instructor started to lean toward recommending a new driver last year because my swing numbers were good, but we couldn’t eliminate the left miss and we were out of adjustable options.
I totally agree on the drivers. And that’s super well stated!
FWIW, I was referencing the two fairway models. The Max is infinitely more interesting to me now with the two weight system.
Time for new shiny!
That being said, I’m not super blown away by it at the moment that would make me want to upgrade from my flash? I mean if someone said here hit this, well yeah okay sure. I’m just not pacing waiting for release day by the sound of it.
fify
preorder for apex will happen
may have already ordered some other stuff
why stop now?!
I think the new jailbreak design could be the differentiator. The way they’re making AI Flash Face abs the new Jailbreak design work together is wildly intriguing to me. The expansion of the speed retention is something I’ll always need
Yeah the Fairway woods even more so. The Max is where I gravitate to especially with glued hosels instead of adjustables. Personnaly that 4w action is calling my name.
I really wish I had every got to hit the triple diamond. The Speed definitely reminds my of a Mav SZ in looks. I mentioned that in my initial reactions and talked about it with the guys there. I got my fastest SS both sessions with it, but couldn’t get it to translate to fastest BS overall. A couple though… The Max LS shape and feel are really nice for someone who played the normal Mav SZ a lot. I don’t know if something about the size/shape of the Speed head gets in my head, and it looks the most closed so there’s a chance, but my ball speeds were better with the Max LS using same shafts. Could be subtle strike differences, the surprising forgiveness of the LS, or something else, but it held through both sessions.
I think the big thing for people that like the shape will be moving it around the LS. It looks bigger and more forgiving, and feels more forgiving. Kind of makes me want to go after it. The shape just suits my eye.
I’m excited for you to hit them and hear your take.
I think this aspect is being under talked about IMO
So much of the criticism (of many brands) comes on the pricing front. While still more expensive than most, it still isn’t nearly as expensive as it could be.
I specifically asked about sound in the presentation and they explained that they used AI again to get the sound profile they wanted and there’s a weird internal fin inside (and toward the rear of) the head which is specifically there for acoustic purposes.
I love you, but no.
Kind of crazy to see it priced below both TaylorMade and Titleist.
I honestly expected a $20 price bump
LS for me too. Definitely wanting to upgrade from the OG Epic SZ this year and that shot right to the top of the list.
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As someone who loved the Mavrik FW’s and is a little non-plussed by the TSi3’s, it made me almost twitchy to hit these reading about them.
Lots of great information in there.
Second – someone commented that these look like an original xbox and all I could say was YES! I’m really digging the looks on these. I haven’t gamed a Callaway driver in a bit. Hopefully I can change that this year.
The weight of 17g in the Max is going to give so many options of adjustment. I was surprised a bit to see the Sub-Zero model without a weight toward the front as in previous versions. Then you have the new design on the fairway woods to increase stability.
Man, I am supposed to wait till 22’ for a driver. Damn. My wife is going to want to shoot me when I tell her it’s time for an upgrade. ?
Did somebody say 4w…
I think it’s going to be part of their job to get people to understand the LS is not the Sub Zero. It’s not all about low spin, it fits the current trend on Tour where they’re hunting for 2500-2700 RPM
Now, we mortals may get much lower than that based on our inconsistent swings, but the LS doesn’t have the same goals as the SZ
The tech is super intriguing, I’ll give it that. The nerd in me is like hey yeah let’s really talk more about that. I mean let’s be real, I’m gonna hit it haha
I would make @Canadan ban you if you didn’t.
Thanks for the info @Jman!
That photo of the AI face is trippy! These will be fun to rip on a simulator and look at numbers.
Callaway going next level as always.
What’s cooler is that’s just the face of the Speed, the others are totally different. And the face that every single loft in the fairways has a unique one as well still blows my mind.
James – Sub Zero’s in the past were designed for faster swingers IIRC, Does the LS version on this year iteration open it for sub 100 SS that need lower spin with out being penalized ?
I guess that’s why I don’t understand not putting both weights in the Speed fairways as well. My miss is left. I don’t need the head facing that way. So that leaves the speed line…without the ability to manage spin via weights.
Fit is everything. I know several here and locally that fit into the SZ last time with a sub 100 swing, as for this one, it’s not the super low spin seeker that the SZ is, it’s an all new animal
I agree with this. Pro target spin is actually higher than a lot of us normal folks look to get but they also have much higher swing speeds and better contact / ball striking skills to get the most of the drivers. The higher spin in the pro’s also help as their launch windows tend to be lower. What’s interesting about the Max LS is that unlike the SZ where the target was minimizing spin, the LS target is really normalizing spin across the face in the lower spin range. The design goal wasn’t to reduce spin to the max ( excuse the pun ). So while the LS is designed to be the lower spin/better striker head, its more targeted to keep it in a range, not drop the bottom out of the spin window.
It’s the lower spin fairway with the deeper face, it didn’t need the weights.
The Max got the weights because the fitters feedback to them was the heel weight in the Mav Max didn’t really do much fitting wise, so they built the internal bias and added the front back to make it more accessible to a broader range, while still being able to the the higher launcher and more forgiving of the two in standard settings.
Okay. It’s clicking now. That makes sense. Sorry…I’m a bit slow.
I thought going in I was going to be fit for the Max but instead the Speed was for me based on consistency, trajectory and one way miss.
The sound and feel is huge upgrade over the Flash. I hit all three drivers using my current Hzdrus black smoke. Speed was the big winner. Unfortunately I don’t have any track man numbers to back this up but visual with my instructor we both agreed.
I think though that the Max will be the big seller of the group though. So forgiving.
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