Although you likely already knew that Callaway was the number one driver in golf for 2023, you may not have realized they achieved that same ranking in fairway woods with their Paradym lineup as well. As such, the task to keep pushing the envelope can be a daunting one because there is a fine line of firepower and playability that has to be walked.
Last time around, it was done via the integration of Forged Carbon, but this time things are being kicked up a notch not only in terms of those materials, but also the entire concept of what a face design in a fairway can be.

Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Fairways
If you have read our release on the Ai Smoke drivers from Callaway, then you’ll not be surprised when we tell you that the fairway woods are also not simply a sequel. Just because they carry the Paradym name on them doesn’t mean there aren’t some significant changes, in fact, Ai Smart Face might be the most significant change we have seen from Callaway in their AI era.

One thing you absolutely have to admire about the companies who are creating the best fairway woods out there is that they all treat them as their own thing. Gone and dead are the days of just trying to take what you put into the driver designs and put it into fairways. A good example of that is when Callaway took their newly created AI “Swing Code” which utilizes “Real Player Swing Dynamics” of 250,000+ recorded swings from fitting centers and studios to create 80,000 lines of custom code and applied it to their fairway designs.

That code is the key to the creation of Callaway’s new “Ai Smart Face” which uses radically outside the box topographic designs created for each model uniquely using the real swing and path tendencies of actual golfers as opposed to a perfect path robot. What they saw immediately was that although the specific traits like speed, path, and face angle were as expected for each model, the strike locations for golfers in fairway woods were drastically different than with driver.
Overall, strikes were much lower on the face according to the data, which makes sense as most amateurs tend to get steep with fairway woods. This combined with the various swing traits are what lead to the implementation of four different fairway heads (MAX, MAX D, MAX FAST, and Triple Diamond) for the Ai Smoke release, each with an Ai Smart Face to optimize the clubhead for the needs of that golfer type.

However, there are still other design changes worth noting. Namely, the implementation of Forged Carbon in the Paradym fairways was a huge catalyst to their success in what it allowed for discretionary weight shifting in the design. One thing that Callaway knew could take things even further was if they could do away with the two support structures on the sole of the fairway between the Forged Carbon. They turned to their dedicated “Composite Engineering Team” and found a solution with a Forged Carbon application and chassis that no longer needs those beams for support.

That change freed up 24 grams of weight, of which 12g was moved back to increase launch and the other 12g shifted to the Tungsten Speed Cartridge which was the unsung hero of the Paradym release. That added weight forward has made for higher launch with less spin, according to Callaway. Everything adds up to the belief that the Paradym Ai Smoke fairways are still incredibly long, but are now also more accurate downrange than ever.
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke MAX Fairways
The flagship design which the biggest number of golfers should end up in, the MAX is the do it all offering in the lineup. It is aimed at the golfer with mid-speed with a moderately down, but not crazy, angle of attack combined with slightly out-to-in swing path. The Ai Smart Face is tuned also for a somewhat consistent strike pattern that ranges from the low heel to high on the toe.

Callaway is making the MAX model available in 3, 3HL, 5, 7, 9, 11, and also Heavenwood options.
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke MAX D
Those looking for a true draw designed fairway should look this way as the MAX D checks that box. The swing code implementation here is the golfer who has a strike pattern all the way from heel to toe with most occurring low on the face. Typically, the slower speed player has a definite out-to-in swing path and battles a hard downward attack angle and open face at impact.

The MAX D will be offered in 3, 3HL, 5, and 7 wood models.
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke MAX FAST Fairway
As with the drivers, it is nice to see Callaway essentially bring what has been the STAR release that occurs later in the year out at the same time as the main lineup. That is precisely the target of the MAX FAST which aims at golfers who fight the same strike tendencies as the MAX D but need more speed than natural draw bias.

The MAX FAST will come in 3, 5, 7, and 9 wood options.
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Fairway
Don’t worry, Callaway isn’t about to have a fairway release without the Triple Diamond. Geared at the player who finds the center of their fairway woods most of the time at higher swing speeds and a neutral path, this remains the “workable” and “players” fairway of the bunch. It is important to note, that because of the smaller shape and deeper face, the sole of the Triple Diamond is not Forged Composite like the others, but instead steel. It does still utilize the Triaxial Carbon crown, however.

The Triple Diamond will be offered in 3, 5, and 7 wood models.
The Details
While all initial eyes will be on the new drivers to see if they can deliver on surpassing what was the most successful release of 2023, they will soon fall to these Paradym Ai Smoke fairways in a very similar fashion. There is a lot to live up to, but if the Ai Smart Face implementation delivers, then Callaway might not just maintain their #1 played tally but extend it.
Standard shaft options will consist of the Mitsubishi Eldio and Tensei Silver for the MAX FAST drivers as well as the Mitsubishi Tensei AV Series Blue, Project X Cypher 2.0, and Project X Denali Black for the rest of the clubheads. The entire lineup will be available for pre-sale on 1/14/24 with product hitting retail on 1/26/24 and will be priced at $349.99.
As past of my Grandaddy bag, I added a HL 3W. I’ve been a spaz when attempting to hit this club off the deck. but in certain situations I continue to try and make it work for me. the 16.5 loft and added elevation is a good fit. I just need to put a good swing on it.
Yesterday, I was on pace for a career low score. Hole 13, par 5. I left my driver face open and lost one to the street. I took my drop on some fluffy dormant bermuda. I was way out, and need to make up some distance to recover. so I said….3W HL….now is your time. I ripped a towering shot. 255 yards up the right side. leaving me 85 yards and a chance to recover. I saved a bogy even with that penalty. thanks to the 3W HL.
Just picked up the 3HL from CPO with my Paradym trade in. First time at the range this afternoon. What an amazing club! kept my tour AD-DI shaft in it. This fairway wood and my driver are just butter. What an awesome combo!
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In the past, I would rely on hitting fairway woods (3W or HW) a lot from the fairway, mainly because I was at a distance disadvantage off the tee for a long. I would usually play fairway wood second shots on every Par 5 and all long par 4’s, because I needed to. I thought I was decent at playing those FW’s, but in reality I was just happy with hitting a 2nd shot that kept me in the fairway, and ate up most of the yardage.
When we switched to the Ai Smoke Max 5 Wood and Heavenwood, we set out fixing my grip and swing, to try an address a number of issues. Along the way, distance with driver off the tee increased by a large amount, and distance/accuracy with my irons has increased as well. I became more likely to hit a 5/6/7 iron on those longer 2nd shots, because I didn’t need as much yardage in those situations.
Fairway woods became more situational, off a tee, or as a long approach shot to challenge a green. Use during rounds became more sporadic, to maybe 1-3 times a round total. When I have hit them well, the Ai Smoke Max have performed well above what I thought I could do with them. Launching high, flying straight, 5W running more, HW landing softer. Probably my favorite non-driver shot of the year was a blind Heavenwood shot I took around a corner, setting up a short chip and easy birdie putt. I hit 5 Wood off the first tee multiple times this year, so I did have a great level of trust in the clubs.
What happened next was surprising, and maybe more frustrating than anything. I lost the ability to hit my fairway woods consistently, from lack of use, and being in between with swing changes.
I’ve gone a solid 2, almost 3 months, of being all over the place with my fairway wood swing. A lesson helped, but soon after that I started popping my fairways up, and haven’t been able to fix it on my own. At this point I am probably going to defer lessons until winter/spring before the season to have it be fresher.
How bad has it gotten? Well, you are in luck, I have…… DATA!!!
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Days when I hit well, I have been mid 90’s clubhead speed, which isn’t far off what I would hit my driver. Right now I am hitting a lot of 5W 175 carry, close to 200 yd total….. and I am not happy with my swing, my contact, tempo, pretty much anything. We just managed to finally add more dots on the face to see what is going on contact wise, and this session I am low/heel consistently, and that just isn’t going to be successful.
So what is the point? I feel like I haven’t been in the FW review much lately, mainly because other things have been going on (life, work, depression probably, fall changeover) and it has resulted in not being able to work on things as much as I would like.
Work with the 5W, as well as with my wedges, are the priorities to work on this offseason/spring. I feel like I have taken steps back on swing/contact from the changes I have made, and it is incredibly frustrating. Hit it 50 yards further, but pop up fairways and chunk/shank wedges.
I feel like I needed to put this out there, to talk struggles, because I’ve been dealing with FW problems for a while. Maybe you are too, who knows.
The fairway isn’t my absolute favorite in the lineup. But my 3HL came in clutch today.
One of the holes on the course I played today has a super tight landing spot. It has a line of trees on the right and the fairway slopes down into a valley on the left. A shot hit straight and about 200 yards leaves 90 or so yards left.
I didn’t hesitate to pull the 3HL out. I was getting a bit fatigued (had an hr lesson before a 4.5 hr round). But I knew I needed distance and forgiveness
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Absolutely straight shot on a rope and about a 100yd shot left. Just perfect.
I don’t always use this club but it’s in the bag for this reason right here. When I need a long shot off the tee that has a tight window, this is the club I pull
[QUOTE=”Bryndom, post: 12694015, member: 53516″]
The fairway isn’t my absolute favorite in the lineup. But my 3HL came in clutch today.
One of the holes on the course I played today has a super tight landing spot. It has a line of trees on the right and the fairway slopes down into a valley on the left. A shot hit straight and about 200 yards leaves 90 or so yards left.
I didn’t hesitate to pull the 3HL out. I was getting a bit fatigued (had an hr lesson before a 4.5 hr round). But I knew I needed distance and forgiveness
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Absolutely straight shot on a rope and about a 100yd shot left. Just perfect.
I don’t always use this club but it’s in the bag for this reason right here. When I need a long shot off the tee that has a tight window, this is the club I pull
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TD 3w is becoming a real weapon for me as I get more comfortable with it. Used it 5 times off the tee and went 4/5 on those holes for FIR. Used once off the deck on a par 5 and absolutely smashed it with a nice tight draw. I love this thing. Also loving my max 5w. Used 2 times off the tee and went 1/2 FIR and the one I missed was only by a couple feet. It’s so clutch off the deck though.
So for the past couple months I have been working on 5 Wood every session in the simulator with the Ai Smoke Max 5 Wood. I’ve talked a fair bit about struggling with the woods, but more struggling with consistency than anything. I see flashes of what I can do with the 5 Wood, but my swing is so all over the place, contact is inconsistent, and have been having problems making a repeatable swing that I like.
Fast forward to #SimSaturday, and after 7 iron work the 5 Wood got it’s time. I thought as a whole, that the good were really good (for me anyways). If I could manage 200+ carry, and around 215+ I would be reasonably happy. Moreso I wanted to put together a batch of swings that showed some level of consistency.
The Good (for me anyways):
Most noticeable, the ball speed and clubhead speed were right up there with my driver speeds (on the day the head speed was actually faster on 5 Wood than Driver which almost never happens with me).
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But lets look at overall consistency. The above batch was pulled as “good”, but below is the overall segment:
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Still struggling with contact, and at times have baffling drops in Head Speed and Ball Speed. Its no wonder I see such large fluctuations in distance when my overall contact can change by such huge margins. Sometimes its a 10-15 mph drop in head speed. Sometimes the angle of attack will suddenly be 8.8* up lol….. thats good for like a 30 mph drop in ball speed, and and about an 80 yard drop in carry….. The swing comes and goes, and I would just like it if I could get it to shop up a bit more often on the course.
Really though, its a technique issue, and needing more reps. Working on keeping the ball further back in the stance, hitting down on the ball more, and it has shown some improvement. Weirdly the club path is much better than I thought it would be.
As a whole though, the “good” of the 5 Wood today, had implications later on when I was swinging driver, and I will cover that in the Ai Smoke Max thread in a bit!
Just joined the party. Demo sale at golftown. They had a new unit demo club 3hl tensei 65 stiff.
Hit it great in the sim and pulled the trigger. Cost about 205$ US plus tax
Got to Florida on a golf trip and first shot was a fat tee shot draw only went 190 for me.
Next shot was another tee shot fat into a hazard off the tee. Was like maybe I should return it.
Well used again off the tee on back 9 and hot it 246 high draw. Much better!
Then 2 holes later into a strong wind another great tee shot 227 yards into a 1-2 club wind.
Last home from the rough 2nd shot par 5. 190 high straight ball again with not a yard of roll. 2 club wind again otherwise would have gone 220 easy.
Starting to like this club and think it will settle in as a 230-245 off the tee club and 220-230 off the deck which is exactly what I am looking for and my hybrid 4 AI smoke goes 215 total and 205 Carry.
Sent from my SM-F956W using Tapatalk
I think I’m going to put the Smoke TD 3w back in the bag for the next few rounds. I’ve been gaming the 340 Mini in its place but miss hitting the 3w and like having the benefit of how easy it is to hit it off the deck.
I recently purchased the Ai Smoke 3W triple diamond and was surprised to see the face slightly shut at setup in the neutral / square setting. Does anyone else notice this?
Also, the 3W came with the Denali black 70g shaft which seems more stout compared to the Kai’li white 70g shaft in the original Paradym 3W triple diamond.
Curious to hear your thoughts? Thanks
This freaking Ai Smoke 7 wood. ? :love: ?
Hole #18 today – I had a 184 yard approach shot with a light breeze in my face. Hit the 7W, it might be the best shot I’ve ever hit with it – pured it and the trajectory was absolutely beautiful, all I could do was stand there and laugh as I admired it and my buddies were all yelling “great shot!”. I don’t hit greens from 184 yards out very often, but this one landed, checked and stopped exactly pin high, 9 feet to the left of the flag. I barely missed the birdie putt but left an easy tap-in for par, it was a nice way to finish an otherwise so-so round.
I’m not sure I can call the 7W my favorite club in the bag this year – that would go to the Ai Smoke Max driver because it’s so insanely good – but the 7W is without a doubt my easiest and most [I]fun[/I] club to hit. It’s the first club I’ll grab when I have a longer shot and I’m even the least bit sketchy about the lie or having to worry about keeping the ball straight and in play, because it’s just effortlessly reliable. I’ve raved over it more than a few times over the course of this year, and I stand 100% behind all the adjectives I’ve used to describe it – it’s an awesome/filthy/silly/ridiculous/stupid/amazingly fun and effective club! Two of my regular golf buddies have bought them as a result of seeing the quality and consistency of my results with it, and they both love them as well.
I demo’d one at my local course and ended up ordering a 3 wood. I went to Edwin Watts to get fitted on shafts, ended up going with the Tensei AV Blue 75. Felt amazing, should be in next week.
My 3w TD arrived just in time for me to include in the bag before I went to the range this late afternoon.
Hit 5 in practice mode and then went into some sim golf / virtual golf on the range’s TopTracer system with my son – 18 holes of matchplay. Off the tee it was pretty good, but off the deck it was outstanding and a significant upgrade from my previous Paradym TD gamer. Bullet straight, penetrating flight, and I would imagine forgiving as well. Really nice in combination with the Kai’li White stiff shaft which I switched over and replaced the Hzrdous Silver which it came with.
Looking forward to spending some more time with this to just tidy up the tee shots.
Now I just need to work out if I’m going to add a 5w as a course dependent option with the 7w or just upgrade the 7w to an Ai Smoke as well over the next month or so when one comes up at a great price. A revised gapping session with my driver and 7w should give me the answer.
To upgrade the Paradym Triple Diamond 3 wood for the AI Smoke Triple Diamond . Hard ponder right now
I feel like for all the struggles I have had off the fairway with the Ai Smoke Max 5 Wood, it really overshadowed the success I was having with it off the tee.
5 Wood off the first tee was the go-to on many rounds. It was weird opening the round with a draw ending up the left side of the fairway, after playing big fades the majority of the time prior to this year.
The Ai Smoke Max 5 Wood rapidly became a trusted choice off the tee whenever I didn’t need as much yardage as the Smoke Max driver would give me.
The struggles with the 5 Wood and Heavenwood were typically more with just hitting higher on the face than anything, and popping thigns up with a loss of yardage. The ball flew high, and flew straight, I just struggled with swing issues that prevented me to get the face into the optimal position for the best yardage output.
The Smoke Max fairway woods are probably what will garner the majority of the work this off season. I want to hit the season next year without missing a step, and getting more comfortable with the Smoke Max woods is going to be a big boost to my game!
[QUOTE=”leftygolfermn, post: 12759528, member: 56052″]
To upgrade the Paradym Triple Diamond 3 wood for the AI Smoke Triple Diamond . Hard ponder right now
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First, thanks to all who posted their experiences with these clubs here: [USER=44109]@brians[/USER], [USER=3386]@BigMac[/USER], [USER=53516]@Bryndom[/USER], [USER=9473]@Just_Brad[/USER], …I appreciate all of your feedback!
Based on this, I traded in my Ping G425 3w and Ping G410 4h and got a mint AI Smoke Max 3HL from CPO for $70.
I’ve never been able to hit these Pings consistently. The 3w has been in my bag because every once in a while, I hit an amazing 230ish yard shot on a part 5. But it’s pretty rare. My current favorite wood ever is my Mavrik Max 7w. I ended up hitting this almost exclusively this year because I know 9/10 times I can hit a straight shot that goes at least 175, and that trumps the mostly mediocre shots from 3w. 5w is decent but tends to have a much bigger dispersion, so the 7w does all the heavy lifting.
My plan is – if this 3HL works like I think it will, then next year I’ll grab the 7w (or maybe heavenwood?) and just take 5w out of the bag.
Hoping to do some indoor sim golf with it over the winter; playing outside any time soon is probably wishful thinking at this point
[QUOTE=”Grins, post: 12761307, member: 6320″]
First, thanks to all who posted their experiences with these clubs here: [USER=44109]@brians[/USER], [USER=3386]@BigMac[/USER], [USER=53516]@Bryndom[/USER], [USER=9473]@Just_Brad[/USER], …I appreciate all of your feedback!
Based on this, I traded in my Ping G425 3w and Ping G410 4h and got a mint AI Smoke Max 3HL from CPO for $70.
I’ve never been able to hit these Pings consistently. The 3w has been in my bag because every once in a while, I hit an amazing 230ish yard shot on a part 5. But it’s pretty rare. My current favorite wood ever is my Mavrik Max 7w. I ended up hitting this almost exclusively this year because I know 9/10 times I can hit a straight shot that goes at least 175, and that trumps the mostly mediocre shots from 3w. 5w is decent but tends to have a much bigger dispersion, so the 7w does all the heavy lifting.
My plan is – if this 3HL works like I think it will, then next year I’ll grab the 7w (or maybe heavenwood?) and just take 5w out of the bag.
Hoping to do some indoor sim golf with it over the winter; playing outside any time soon is probably wishful thinking at this point
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That is a great deal btw.
Also, you are going to love the 3HL. I haven’t even considered a 5w at this point because it’s so darn versatile.
Cannot wait to hear how it works out for you over the winter (sims are the sliced bread winning invention for us up north!)
[QUOTE=”Grins, post: 12761307, member: 6320″]
First, thanks to all who posted their experiences with these clubs here: [USER=44109]@brians[/USER], [USER=3386]@BigMac[/USER], [USER=53516]@Bryndom[/USER], [USER=9473]@Just_Brad[/USER], …I appreciate all of your feedback!
Based on this, I traded in my Ping G425 3w and Ping G410 4h and got a mint AI Smoke Max 3HL from CPO for $70.
I’ve never been able to hit these Pings consistently. The 3w has been in my bag because every once in a while, I hit an amazing 230ish yard shot on a part 5. But it’s pretty rare. My current favorite wood ever is my Mavrik Max 7w. I ended up hitting this almost exclusively this year because I know 9/10 times I can hit a straight shot that goes at least 175, and that trumps the mostly mediocre shots from 3w. 5w is decent but tends to have a much bigger dispersion, so the 7w does all the heavy lifting.
My plan is – if this 3HL works like I think it will, then next year I’ll grab the 7w (or maybe heavenwood?) and just take 5w out of the bag.
Hoping to do some indoor sim golf with it over the winter; playing outside any time soon is probably wishful thinking at this point
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Thats awesome to hear that our feedback might have played any part at all in your decision.
The Ai Smoke lineup of fairway woods are by far the best sounding and feeling woods I have ever played, and the performance, well I haven’t come close to them with anything else!
Best of luck with it, hopefully it helps you tackle the course in new and score lowering ways!
[QUOTE=”Grins, post: 12761307, member: 6320″]
First, thanks to all who posted their experiences with these clubs here: [USER=44109]@brians[/USER], [USER=3386]@BigMac[/USER], [USER=53516]@Bryndom[/USER], [USER=9473]@Just_Brad[/USER], …I appreciate all of your feedback!
Based on this, I traded in my Ping G425 3w and Ping G410 4h and got a mint AI Smoke Max 3HL from CPO for $70.
I’ve never been able to hit these Pings consistently. The 3w has been in my bag because every once in a while, I hit an amazing 230ish yard shot on a part 5. But it’s pretty rare. My current favorite wood ever is my Mavrik Max 7w. I ended up hitting this almost exclusively this year because I know 9/10 times I can hit a straight shot that goes at least 175, and that trumps the mostly mediocre shots from 3w. 5w is decent but tends to have a much bigger dispersion, so the 7w does all the heavy lifting.
My plan is – if this 3HL works like I think it will, then next year I’ll grab the 7w (or maybe heavenwood?) and just take 5w out of the bag.
Hoping to do some indoor sim golf with it over the winter; playing outside any time soon is probably wishful thinking at this point
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Congratulations, that’s a great deal on the Ai Smoke 3HL! I hope it works as well for you as it does for me, it’s the best 3W I’ve ever hit and it’s not even close. Glad our input could help you out!
[QUOTE=”Grins, post: 12761307, member: 6320″]
First, thanks to all who posted their experiences with these clubs here: [USER=44109]@brians[/USER], [USER=3386]@BigMac[/USER], [USER=53516]@Bryndom[/USER], [USER=9473]@Just_Brad[/USER], …I appreciate all of your feedback!
Based on this, I traded in my Ping G425 3w and Ping G410 4h and got a mint AI Smoke Max 3HL from CPO for $70.
I’ve never been able to hit these Pings consistently. The 3w has been in my bag because every once in a while, I hit an amazing 230ish yard shot on a part 5. But it’s pretty rare. My current favorite wood ever is my Mavrik Max 7w. I ended up hitting this almost exclusively this year because I know 9/10 times I can hit a straight shot that goes at least 175, and that trumps the mostly mediocre shots from 3w. 5w is decent but tends to have a much bigger dispersion, so the 7w does all the heavy lifting.
My plan is – if this 3HL works like I think it will, then next year I’ll grab the 7w (or maybe heavenwood?) and just take 5w out of the bag.
Hoping to do some indoor sim golf with it over the winter; playing outside any time soon is probably wishful thinking at this point
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Thank you for following us! We really appreciate when folks hear and see the feedback. I hope it works for you – please post your thoughts as well!
Hit probably 10 more shots with this during some virtual golf at the range this morning.
All relatively straight, launched off the deck well, and off the tee. Couple of nice 230-240yd approach shots in to par5’s held the green.
Just a cheat code weapon now in my bag. I can’t quite believe the upgrade in performance and reliability I get from this compared to my Paradym 3TD. So good – especially with the Kai’li white shaft in it.
She arrived today! Excited to try at some point but MN problems. Scratches won’t impact swing but kind of disappointed on a “like new” to show a few good ones
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Well it is only a couple of weeks later but the excitement of the improvement with my Ai Smoke 3w TD over the Paradym has seen me also upgrade my 7w TD and add in a 5w TD to fill the gap which I was now seeing. I’m so happy with these that the 3-hybrid was included in the trade-in, just didn’t see the need for it anymore as I am going to look at hitting a 5w or a lower flighted 7w for the same distance.
The 5w just works and I have no prior comparison as I don’t think I have had a 5w in the bag for over 25 years, but the 7w TD is again a noticeable improvement over the Paradym.
I think on another thread it was said that for the $100 odd I have "paid" in trade-up premium it is like a really cheap lease on the clubs. I obviously haven’t had the opportunity that those who went to the Grandaddy had with the Elyte woods but even with a comparable improvement I think I’m set with these for a couple of seasons.
Key for me:
– Launch: I’m finding these really easy to get up in the air and the consistency of flight gives me great confidence that those shots which are approaches to the green have a really good chance of sticking
– Foregiveness: I’m seeing less dispersion on good shots, and far less punishment on those off the toe or heel than the Paradym.
– Looks: I loved the blue of the Paradym but the charcoal grey has really grown on me. I do though really like and prefer the sole of these fairways compared to the Paradym
[QUOTE=”mikefrench, post: 12802761, member: 77714″]
Well it is only a couple of weeks later but the excitement of the improvement with my Ai Smoke 3w TD over the Paradym has seen me also upgrade my 7w TD and add in a 5w TD to fill the gap which I was now seeing. I’m so happy with these that the 3-hybrid was included in the trade-in, just didn’t see the need for it anymore as I am going to look at hitting a 5w or a lower flighted 7w for the same distance.
The 5w just works and I have no prior comparison as I don’t think I have had a 5w in the bag for over 25 years, but the 7w TD is again a noticeable improvement over the Paradym.
I think on another thread it was said that for the $100 odd I have “paid” in trade-up premium it is like a really cheap lease on the clubs. I obviously haven’t had the opportunity that those who went to the Grandaddy had with the Elyte woods but even with a comparable improvement I think I’m set with these for a couple of seasons.
Key for me:
– Launch: I’m finding these really easy to get up in the air and the consistency of flight gives me great confidence that those shots which are approaches to the green have a really good chance of sticking
– Foregiveness: I’m seeing less dispersion on good shots, and far less punishment on those off the toe or heel than the Paradym.
– Looks: I loved the blue of the Paradym but the charcoal grey has really grown on me. I do though really like and prefer the sole of these fairways compared to the Paradym
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The Ai Smoke TD 3w is incredible and a legit improvement over the Paradym TD. The Smoke is unreal off the turf and a monster off the tee.
[QUOTE=”Jeff Spicoli, post: 12805970, member: 10545″]
The Ai Smoke TD 3w is incredible and a legit improvement over the Paradym TD. The Smoke is unreal off the turf and a monster off the tee.
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Yea I feel like I need the TD 3w
[QUOTE=”PhillyV, post: 12805977, member: 6890″]
Yea I feel like I need the TD 3w
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I hit some of my most memorable shots with the TD this year.
[QUOTE=”Jeff Spicoli, post: 12805988, member: 10545″]
I hit some of my most memorable shots with the TD this year.
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They are “like new” right now on CPO for around $200. The shafts are a good fit but I could throw in something better. Serious ponder mode
[QUOTE=”PhillyV, post: 12806164, member: 6890″]
They are “like new” right now on CPO for around $200. The shafts are a good fit but I could throw in something better. Serious ponder mode
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[IMG alt=”Theres More Can You Believe It GIF by VCG Construction”]https://media0.giphy.com/media/YV03rwFKoxyEH9nVhb/200.gif[/IMG]
:censored::censored:
[QUOTE=”jlew, post: 12806167, member: 40346″]
[IMG alt=”Theres More Can You Believe It GIF by VCG Construction”]https://media0.giphy.com/media/YV03rwFKoxyEH9nVhb/200.gif[/IMG]
:censored::censored:
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I don’t like to wait! I like to buy in December knowing I can’t play golf for at least three months! Haha
[QUOTE=”PhillyV, post: 12805977, member: 6890″]
Yea I feel like I need the TD 3w
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You do. This thing is a monster. It’s taken me a little time to get comfortable off the deck but man I love this thing.
Came here to say that I can’t get over the performance of the Max 3HL at 16.5° paired with the Ventus Red TR 7-X. SS hovering around 106 mph and I’m seeing ball speeds at 155-157 mph translating to a carry of 250-260 yds. Long, forgiving and straight. Feel is amazing to boot. Compared to my previous gamer, Ping G425 Max 3 wood at 14.5°, it’s longer and straighter – really impressive for what’s essentially a 4 wood. See this being in the bag for a long time.
I just wanted to say thanks for a lot of your feedback on these fairways. I traded in my Ping g410 5 wood that has been in my bag for 4 years for a max 3 HL. What an incredible club. Thought I would need to loft it up a bit but I get more launch and carry with this compared to the 5 wood. I tend to draw clubs a bit so I was concerned the Max may be to draw biased but it seems to have a very neutral ball flight for me. CPO for the win also. “Like New” condition came fully wrapped in plastic. Small mark on the shaft but not a deal breaker at all. Interested to see some feedback on the new Elyte TI fairways!
I thought yesterday was maybe the most pleased with the Ai Smoke Max 5 Wood that I have been since owning it. It wasn’t that the shots were the longest, but definitely the most conistent grouping that I have been able to put up in the simulator in MONTHS. Thats saying a lot.
Weirdly my club speed numbers are way up with the 5 Wood right now, to the point where I am right up there if not faster than my driver….. which is good for the 5 Wood, but terrible for my driver swing.
Straighter, more consistent flight, grouped together. I was digging it!