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!
So I was able to get my hands on this shaft and not having swung it before, decided to take it to the course. Let’s say it instantly kicked out the GD XC, which I was really liking, out the bag. Hit driver as much as I could and ended up finding 71% of fairways which is unheard of for me. LOL.
Did you happen to test the Max LS against that head? Interested in differences if so. Thanks,
Yeah it is. Everyone I have let hit the Speed 4 wood comments on how fast it seems to jump off the face. Last time I did some numbers on a GC, I was averaging 147.9 mph with a couple peaking above 150. Just an absolute rocket and now one of my favorite clubs in the bag.
Its wreaking havoc on my pea brained size thinking as I rebuild the bottom of the bag.
Between this and the new super hybrid, are the days of your second "mini" driver numbered? Inquiring minds want to know.
They might be. Or I end up with 4 clubs to play with down at that end of the bag and really have some fun
hmm. I have the Mavrik Sub Zero 4w in the bag now and it’s a bomber!! Haven’t had a chance to hit the Speed version yet.
edit: has anyone with the max in this thread played around with the weights and seen much difference in ball flight?
I selected Riptide, 60 gram, 6.0 (stiff), -1.00”. I add 0.50” to my iron and wedge shafts. Driver length will be 44.75”. I think it’s easier to swing freely with a slightly shorter driver. Fairway finder!
Max LS is a 9* head. Epic Flash with 10.5* head and Evenflow green shaft is a reference club. Previous gamer is Ping G400 SFT. Like-new Hzrdus Smoke green with Lamkin midsize grip is headed for the Marketplace. ?
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I outdrove him on at least half the holes and we were pretty close on the other ones. The difference was 10-15 yards on a few holes. We’re walking to our balls on #17 and he causally mentions testing an Epic Max this Fall. He didn’t get shorter over the last month but thinks I gained 20+ yards. If only I could buy an iron and putter swing to match him!!!!
It’s also great off the deck.
Yes. Yes it is. ?
Definitely an area I am practicing.. fairways off the deck. My Epic Speed 5 wood is very good when I catch it
I have a Sim2 Max which I like and feel like I hit quite well, but the LS is a solid 15 longer than it for me.
I am glad the LS is working good for you after the honeymoon. It is great for me on my normal drives which are long but the success rate when I am trying to hit a bomb is something i have not seen with any other club.
I liked the Speed A LOT. The MAX LS is a game changer (for me).
Wish me luck please. I’ll need it
Update on this…gamed the Max LS this last Friday and I just couldn’t get it turned over. I don’t know if it’s the shaft or what, but I can’t handle loosing stuff right that much. I played a wide open course and that saved me a lot! For some reason the XB is so much easier to turn over. Not only that, the Max LS face feels much stiffer than the XB if that makes any sense at all. I think a lot of it is to do with the shaft. I can’t feel the MMT load like I can the Lin-Q purple.
EDIT: I need to add that I have the same shave in my fwy woods (Mavrik Max 3/5) in the 70x and it is fantastic. I’m not sure what it is. The only other thing I can think of is the swing weight. When I first got the Max LS, I had straight to baby fade ball flight. I then went through a bout where I was losing everything right, bad, and then had a swing change and was back to straight to baby fade. Now, after introducing the XB to the picture, it’s weird because the XB turns over so much easier and my miss has actually become left with it, but then through the Max LS in the bag and it felt like I was swinging a stiff board and the face just felt so firm. I really think it’s the shaft…
I only have a very limited experience with the Max LS but that is exactly what my experience has been. I hit two this past weekend that I was fully expecting to see the ball sailing into the woods but they ended up staying in play.
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Played near my Mother in Laws house this AM. Wet, slow conditions. Played the course about a dozen times and I’ve had many solid rounds there. I miss hit two drives longer than some of my best. And my best have been very good at this course.
I continue to fight my driver swing a bit, but the Ls was so good this morning. Was only 25 yards short of the green on a healthy uphill 328 yard hole. And I hit it low on the face!!!
Playing the Riptide in it right now and its working.
Despite a bad swing, this driver just works for me – something I thought I had with the Epic Flash SZ…but haven’t had this level of confidence since my Taylormade R11s…
Hole 5 – dogleg slightly left, so I was trying to hit a draw anyway, but over cook it and lose the ball left. Not a great swing, but I was pleased to see a strong draw rather than the straight up hook I had been seeing.
Hole 6 – Best of the bunch. Pretty much a dead straight hole, line up down the right side of the fairway and produce a nice slight draw that gets out to 275
Hole 8 – Straight with woods right and pond left. Aim down the middle and over draw the shot into the pond. Again, ball is moving left quite a bit but it’s not a hook so I’m okay with it despite the lousy result
Hole 10 – Another straight shot, another similar result. Again start the shot right down the middle of the fairway and it draws off to the left but stays in play just in the rough. Definitely the most well struck of the bunch as this one gets out to 295. At this point we’re running out of daylight so I decide to take another swing with this one and to trust what I was seeing. So I line up down the right side of the fairway and fire away. Similar result as it draws back but starting it up the right side lands me in the middle of the fairway and this one was a solid 20 yards deeper than the first one so very pleased in that aspect.
All in all I’m very encouraged, as the (hundredth) new swing seems to work well with the driver and has really helped my iron play. I think my next move with this will be to adjust the weight all the way toward the toe side of the track as, from what I’ve been able to find, that should help tone down the draw even further. Please correct me if that’s wrong . I’ll also play around with my grip to see if I can find the right combination.
The one thing that really jumped as different for me was the sound. I’m not usually one to notice sound but this has a very different sound than the B21 had, being sharper to my ears. Not unpleasant, but definitely different.
I’ve played this hole a hundred times. I found a spot I have never been before.
That’s an absolute rocket!!!
Your results are pretty similar to mine. If I try to step on and hit a draw, it becomes a hook so I’ve learned if I swing easy, it’s hard to hit a bad one with this driver. The sound is a big change from the B21 and was kind of shocking going from the muted sound of the B21 to Max LS.
I’m still tinkering with shafts in mine. Doesn’t help that my Mavrik has been on point since I picked it up… Need to find some time to hit the range with it and get it dialed in. Lord knows I’ve got plenty of driver shafts with Callaway adapters in them.
I have actually went back to the Evenflow Riptide shaft in my Speed head and it has been great. Just nice little draws most tee shots.
The Mavrik is another great one. I enjoyed my time with it, but you know…the grass is always greener.