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!
Love hearing that the shaft combined with the Max has brought your tee game back!
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This was a good start with the Max LS today on no warm up. Sent it right over that bunker online and it kicked left off a little mound into the left bunker or I would have had the green.
As you can see, I lost 4g of tape shortly after this, but got in a couple more real good ones. I’m not giving it back for a couple more days yet.
Maybe warm up a little tomorrow…then you can fly a soft, buttery cut onto that green and actually impress us. ?
Haha No golf tomorrow, but I’ll see what I can do. Might need to try that head on the Riptide LX for ? and . That’s what I was reaching for more as things went on.
2021 edition. Let’s go!
Also knocked the Speed 7 wd pretty well. I like the Speed and have a 4 wd coming in.
I am playing the Speed at 8 degrees. My son has the Mav, I have the Speed – I’ve hit both with the same shaft. The Speed IS JUST AS HOT.
Sounds as if it is just not a good fit for you. My flight is mid, high mid, high. Maybe you need another combo.
But good luck.
Funny thing is though the prov1x launches AND spins more than the prov1
Off driver, not true for me. I love it in irons for it’s lift and spin (which seems even more with the current version), but it consistently launches lower for me off driver. Rockets. I love it for that too.
That’s weird but I understand it happens with certain swings……I stuck with 2019 prov1x due to increase in both driver and iron launch/spin …..as @OldandStiff said the 21 ball is even moreso……again I need spin increase but glad you found your ball!
Yes, COMPLETELY different animal…..no worries and thanks for clarification……that is definitely a low spin monster and a great choice for those players needing reduction…… all good and keep up the great play! ?
Per Titleist website
Thanks in advance!
Distances were good and just like the EF it seems very forgiving.
Glad it went well first time out.
I cracked the head of my ping g400 lst, and purchased a Epic Max LS.
Wow what a club. For sure longer than my ping and is so forgiving. I’ve never hit so many fairways.
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I’m glad you like the LS. It has been phenomenal for me.
So the head adds nearly 1.25” to the shaft length.
Thank you!
Congrats man! I promise I’m not jealous
First was on a dogleg left par 5, and I hit a draw and left myself 190 yards to the center of the green.
Second was a slight dogleg left par 4 where my drive didn’t quite draw enough to miss tree branches hanging over the right side of the fairway. It hit the branches and dropped straight down, but it still left 120 yards to the center of the green. Those branches were at least 50 feet in the air, so that drive would have left me with an easy Sand Wedge if it hadn’t hit the branches. Next time.
The 2 I missed where just bad lazy swings I sliced but let in play.
After reading how many fairways you hit, it was a blast to watch how consistent you are in person Mr. Fairway!
FairwayDave!
I played with my usual group on our home course. They typically have more length off the tee box and that’s why I decided to buy this club. Happy to report, I was the long ball on several holes. New toy effect??? I had two pushes and one pull…the rest were down the middle. The impact feel is not my favorite. Jailbreak doing its thing? The distance is very impressive so I’ll get over it quickly. I hit my farthest drives ever on two of the holes. That’s a huge plus!
I’m going to see if our club pro will help with a shaft fitting. Smoke Hzrdus feels very stable but I’m working hard to get through the ball. Again, results are good but I need more comfort before the shot.
This description is similar to my game. Trying to stretch length to 250 but don’t want to give up FIR %. The fairways at my home course are fairly generous and things get tougher as you approach the green.
I will say that I definitely enjoyed the LS as well, and they all felt great to hit. Would be interested to see what the numbers looked like with my gamer shaft in there to see which one I actually wind up searching for next year to replace the B21.
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I also feel like I may be fighting the club when the weight is toe side, so moving it more neutral felt really good. Hit some screamers at the range.
Definitely get in a monitor if you can. Trying different shafts could surely help
When I demo’d them the Speed was definitely the fastest of the three for me. I’m going for some forgiveness with the Max LS.
I think the Speed is great. The Max did not do that much for me. Am testing out the Mizuno ST-G220 as a second driver.
Hole #1 is 395. We had a little tailwind and I found the center of the club. 2nd shot from 104!!! Pin was toward the front so 270 yards is a safe yardage which is way longer normal. Consistency was a bit sketchy today but the good shots were incredible and the misses surprised me with their distance. We played as a twosome so we had time to hit a couple of extra balls. I compared drivers. Ping G400 SFT is super-easy to hit and I’m very comfortable with this club. However, Epic Max LS mishits went farther than average shots with the Ping. The AI face technology is real. Very impressive.
I’m hoping to schedule a shaft fitting at 2nd Swing this week.
Shot -1 on our back 9 (35). Think my previous best on this 9 is 37 or 38. I’ve crushed numerous good rounds on the back 9 (it plays much harder than the front 9..for me). Anyway, I had a couple of good putts with 5 of 7 FIR which is below average for me. The two fairways I missed had plenty of distance so that’s a plus.
This has been my journey. went from std MAV to std speed and now playing MAX LS. MAX LS is definitely more forgiving for me than the std Speed (at the expense of sound) but I am confident that I’m hitting the ball as far now with MAX LS as I was with the std Speed now that I’m used to it. I did end up moving to Ventus Red from Blue as I’m seeing better dispersion.
They said I need more spin so I tested their suggestions which included Titleist TS2 and TaylorMade SIM2 with several different shafts. Max LS spin rate of 2000 to 2100. The SIM2 produced the highest spin rate of 2350. Again, I appreciate their input but moving on.
I visited Golf Galaxy today. They were slammed because 2 workers called in sick (tough to find labor in today’s market). I asked if it was okay to test on my own with their demo shafts. The employee said; "sure!". The Project Evenflow Riptide seems like a good candidate and I was encouraged with the initial results.
I brought my Ping G400 SFT into the store. The same-same data blew me away. Average distance with Epic Max LS is 260-265. Ping….240-245. Wow!
I talked to the pro at my home course and he offered to help with the shaft change. I played today’s round with a Riptide S from their fitting cart. I’ll do the same on Saturday & Sunday followed by an indoor/outdoor test session early next week. The Riptide is a very promising option. I might go with a R flex vs S for a slightly higher ball flight. The data needs to prove this assumption.
Here are a couple of video’s I used to educate myself about the Riptide shaft. Riptide + Epic Max LS = …think we’re onto something with my swing tempo/speed! FWIW, my swing speed is ~95 mph. Planning for -1" on the shaft length. Again, need data to prove this decision.
Completely agree. I’m looking forward to an indoor/outdoor fitting to determine AoA, spin, ball flight, carry, total distance, and dispersion. In general, my driver spin rate is fairly low and that also applies to the Ping G400. I tried the Evenflow Green today and its a good match for the Max LS and my swing.
The distance gain continues to impress. We’ve all seen commercials saying XYZ driver added 15 or 20 yards. This was absolutely true for about 10 of 14 drives today.
I have tried a Tour AD but not that one, those are good shafts for sure. I’ll be looking for your thoughts on it.