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!
today, I hit 13 of 15 fairways. The 2 I missed, were off by a combined total of 7 feet.
I know it wasn’t my longest day off the tee, and I think the ball is spinning too much with is causing some distance loss, but I can’t be mad at the results from today.
Some days I really miss my Epic Flash SZ. Have to think this is a solid step up.
Of course, all of our games are different, but generally speaking, I have found the 9* Max head to be ideal for launch and spin. I did have the 10.5* head for a spell, but it launched too high and spun too much, so I sent it back to Callaway. If you want to bring launch and spin down, but still want a forgiving head that launches, the 9* Max is spot-on IMHO.
oh I absolutely agree.
I had the Mavrik in 9* and wanted to experiment this year so went with the 10.5 in the Epic Max.
When I did a fitting the 9* Max LS and Speed were better for me, but had already went through with what I have now.
I’ll get a fitting in a couple months and find something even better I am sure!!
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Might have to buy that just on principle…
What ball are you playing AND have you compared both stix on a LM? I’d be curious to see launch/spin numbers
It was either a chrome soft of Tour B RX. I haven’t compared on a LM.
I’m digging chrome soft…..Speed is so good but I’d love to find out why your sz is getting out there as far….
Glad you like that ball, it is a great ball!!
One thing is I think I swing my 3w faster or as fast as driver and make better contact with it. I have always hit fairway woods better than anything.
All in your head, sounds like a tempo issue. You’re better than what is showing up, smooth that swing out.
Working hard on it!
Lasted a couple of days staring at it in the wrapper. Finally decided that it kind of reminded me of some of the older Callaway fairways I hit in the past and decided to rip the plastic off and hit some shots into my net. It will be staying in the bag. Feels incredible. The ball just absolutely launches off the face.
My season is over. But, I can rest assured that there will be no 3 wood search this off season. Fantastic club.
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This isn’t my average, but it is a peak at what this club is capable of when hit on the screws.
Well, the Speed is the most fun to hit.
It’s the consistency that matters.
I played my second round with the max yesterday and I am seeing the same benefits. That Tensei orange is no joke, we’re you playing it before this driver?
Yes I played it in the Mavrik last year after trying a lot of shaft options. I plugged it into the Max LS and it worked so good that I do not need to tinker. It has a nice mid/high flight for me.
awesome to hear. I was playing the Blue 65g Stiff prior to the Epic where I went to a LAGolf X stiff but the results so far have been good.
I had been scared of the orange in the past but now I would like To put some swings on it.
A lot of people say that it has a unique feel that they do not care for. Counter balanced shafts seem to work good for me and I leave an inch or two of grip above my hands that will enhance the CB effect even further. I like my driver at the std. 45.75" Callaway length but only use the full length when I am trying to hit a bomb.
sounds like a secret weapon with that grip change
Sometimes I’m tempted to chase a few extra yards and need to remind myself not to mess with a good thing.
Sound/Feel – very consistent throughout the face. High heel and high toe, were a little loud/harsh and reminded me of the Epic Flash. Centered balls, I truly don’t know if there was a better feeling I’ve ever had in a driver. Felt like the ball was coming off a metal trampoline with a perfect "crack" sound
Forgiveness – there isn’t much to say to the driver here except THANK YOU. Those high heel and toe shots happened way too often but they mostly stayed away from being hooks or slices. The speed frame and the 2021 Flash Face kept ball speeds up which in turn kept distance up on shots that had no right going as far or as straight as they did. Not saying I was competing with a centered ball but I didn’t put myself at a distance disadvantage
Distance – mixed bag this season. Longest I’ve EVER hit the ball at times by a pretty significant margin. Then also times where I felt like I got one and it didn’t go as far as one that I didn’t catch as well. I really think this club rewards great ball striking. Maybe I could have used the Max with even more forgiveness and higher launch but I really felt when I was clicking with this club, there wasn’t anything else that was going to beat it. There was a 27 hole stretch where my AVERAGE drive was 310. That was an unreal couple of days. It’s a rocket launcher, but the swing HAS TO BE consistent. It won’t automatically do the work for you
Overall – This driver was everything I could have asked for and more this season. I got down to my lowest HC ever at 4.0. Obviously that also had to do with my irons, wedges and putter as well but the Speed put me in advantageous positions I haven’t been in on the course before. But all that comes with what I said earlier. I really do think it requires you to be "on" with your swing more often than not. I completely lost my mind and my swing off the tee since August. It’s been a frustrating nightmare. But that’s on me and my swing. It literally disappeared the second half of the year. The driver worked overtime to make sure I stayed in play and at least got out there a bit distance wise, but I did the club a disservice with my performance the last couple months.
I really believe my game could go to another level if I could have a competent game off the tee. This club had everything I needed to do that and my mind and body let me down and I couldn’t get over the hump.
Sim league starts soon so I can get some numbers to see what’s happening with the ball and see what I can work on to dial it in before December!
Tried a different shaft? I use the Riptide 60 and it seems to work well in the Speed 4. I’ve added speed recently and ball go higher, so that helps.
I haven’t tried anything other than the stock one, especially since its a bonded head. Don’t get me wrong, the 4 wood has been pretty good the majority of the time, but I think some added loft would be a help for trying to land par 5 greens which is really all I use it for.
I prefer the Speed over the SIM Ti, and have owned both. Speed is more playable, better feel, and more consistent for me.
The SIM Ti may be longer but I can hit the Speed consistently well every time I’ve hit it. The Sim Ti was a crapshoot. It must be the size because I have similar issues with the Mizuno STZ – just a bit too large.
Thanks……what shaft profile?
Holy goodness that’s a hammer. I don’t think I’m swinging mine that well. I seem to be leaking a bit more right with mine than I did with my SpeedZone tour 3W. I’m thinking it’s operator error, at least I hope so.
I may try to get mine on a monitor next week and see what the numbers tell me. I feel like I am getting good launch, which gives me hope.
I couldn’t have hit it any better than that swing… That’s the maximum I could get out of it on a perfect swing…
I very highly doubt they were poor selling clubs. 34 reviews on CPO about them I would argue is pretty good since the Epic’s probably haven’t been very available on there since they are "in season". You see more reviews on the Mav line since they were last year’s club and more readily available. I wouldn’t base their sales on how many reviews are on their preowned site
Both had a midkick profile
Speed had a Riptide. 60. SimTi had the stock, then an Accra 200 series,
People pass on writing reviews most of the time. In terms of shape, size, forgiveness, and playability, Speed is towards the top of the list. Over the last year, I’ve gone from thinking I need big-headed fwys and have gotten better results from clubs that are more compact like the Speed and Honma TR21 – the Honma is a sleeper at $179 – compact yet easy to launch.
My sim2 ti 5wd has stock tensei blue 65R……
Probably mid-kick.
The Diamana in the SimTi was "made for". But the size and interaction with the turf kinda’ sucked for me.
Yeah, but those are the exact same reviews used by their main site (callawaygolf) and retailers such as TGW. For example, TGW has 37 reviews. Those 34 and 3 of their own.
When you compare the Speed lineup to the Maverik and Rogues lines, the difference in numbers is startling.
I’m the same with FWs. I just tried the Maverik Max woods and can’t get used to the huge heads. I also seem to be a bit shorter with them for some reason. The Speeds have me back to where I was with my old Rogues (they were great clubs for me)
I don’t care as much for consumer reviews as I do for the guys here and others on YouTube or other sites that do this all the time. The Speed Reviews that I’ve read are great. Traded in the SimTi for a Speed 4 wood. Really impressive club with the right shaft – if you have a great head with a mismatched shaft, as you know, it’s not the head.
I tried the Honma on a lark and it’s as small or smaller than Speed – scalloped heel, very playable from rough, great sound, surprisingly forgiving and long – a real surprise. If you like a 7 wd, get the Honma – square to open, compact, but needs a higher kick shaft and one needs to go the next higher flex if on the cusp. If you need a compact 3 wd that gets up in the air – Honma. Not the Big LB, but the regular 3 wd. I need to start a thread when I decide on the Honma.
But Speed? Very pleasing club.
And you look at the reviews of the Mavrik and Rogue and how many of those were made when those were during their year of release? I went through them and at least 98 of the 139 were within the last 12 months for Mav on CPO (combined between the main site and pre owned). Which was either at the very end of the Mavs release year or after when it was easier to get one at a cheaper price.
All I’m saying is I wouldn’t base the sale strength of the Epic Speed line based on the amount of reviews on the product