Callaway Elyte Irons

[Dougie]

I have an Ai Smoke 4i in the bag and hearing that the turf interaction has been improved has my attention. I like the badging as well so ponder engaged on the Elyte 4i.

Immediately may be a little too long to wait to compare once available. The Elyte 4I has replaced my previous driving iron.

 

[bsbmike]

I don't have a side by side comparison, but going from memory they are on par with the AI200 in terms of footprint (standard head that is) and the X reminds me of the AI300 from a size perspective.

During my iron fitting I hit the 200's, 300's, Elyte and Elyte X and came away with far better numbers and strikes with the standard Elytes.

Something I've always appreciated about Callaway is having different options in similar sizing with some differences between them (Apex Ai vs Elyte)

That way you're not just stuck in one head design for a certain footprint

 

[War Eagle]

How good looking are these??

View attachment 9317927

Such a good looking iron, so slick.

 

[Dougie]

Love the looks of these compared to this category of release in the past where the badges were colorful and such that personally felt cheesier. These are really well done.

So clean and I bet nothing what people thought they would look like in person.

 

[amarkabove]

Man these look good. Takes everything great about Ai Smoke and improves on it. Very curious about that new sole design.

Fantastic article @ddec!

 

[jlew]

Something I've always appreciated about Callaway is having different options in similar sizing with some differences between them (Apex Ai vs Elyte)

That way you're not just stuck in one head design for a certain footprint

It really is- I'm someone who's hit the smaller footprint irons better in every single iron fitting I've been to. I could benefit more from the forgiveness that's packed into GI irons though, so I've generally had to give up something to gain something- but that's not the case here and I love it.

 

[Dougie]

They really are and their surprisingly small for what they are. I'm used to a little more junk in the trunk from the GI segment, but these are not that at all.

Sir Mix A Lot would be disappointed for sure. Still has a trunk I think, but very pleasing for this category!

 

[Mayor McCheese]

Very nice look, should grab some eyes on the rack

 

[jlew]

@amarkabove just so you know, these are the irons that took down Mr. Finley

 

[ddec]

@amarkabove just so you know, these are the irons that took down Mr. Finley

there were rumblings that they were going to add that slogan to the Callaway website.

 

[Dougie]

Love the info here @ddec

-20% more urethan microspheres seems like it'll really help with the feel and feedback they wanna see
-Optimizing the faces based on typical golfer playing them with Ai...forever will be a game changer for them, so good
-Tri sole design seems like maybe a detail not everyone will notice off the rip, but the benefits seem awesome
-These look really good..sharp, clean

-Best feeling irons in this category I've hit to date.
-Face is really good and haven't seen a lot of "flyers".
-This sole is a huge step and is outstanding. Takes it away from same class as the AI Smokes in my mind.
-Really good all around presentation. Maybe a bit too shiny.

More to come...

 

[amarkabove]

@amarkabove just so you know, these are the irons that took down Mr. Finley

I refuse to believe it was anything other than the Captain wielding the irons that was responsible for that victory.

 

[ddec]

Good morning THP!

These were definitely not what I was expecting to be fit into when I arrived at ECPC on Tuesday morning, but after hitting the AI200/300 and TI Fusions- and while I know I could have bagged any of those (The Fusions may have been a bit of a stretch) I couldn’t be happier putting these Elytes in the bag as I think they may be the sleeper of the release. Packed with tech that’s been mentioned already by @ddec these things look amazing and the footprint is not what I would expect to see in a GI iron. Seriously, next to my Pro 225’s I can’t see a huge discernible difference.
Onto the performance- here’s my SS data from my singles round vs Mr. Finley:

View attachment 9317923

It’s only one round obviously and I mentioned in my write up that I played some of my best golf of the year on Singles Thursday, but still that’s not something that I’ve typically seen. From a distance perspective, they are on par with my previous set of irons- only two rounds on the new irons but here’s the performance distance tracking from SS (Orange = Elyte, Black = 225’s)

View attachment 9317925
Obviously only two rounds with the Elytes and one of those was a shamble so still plenty to discover, but at least the first indications are that we’re cooking with something here. GI tech in an iron that looks amazing = yes please!

Couple of memorable shots from the Grandaddy:

Aside from this being a gorgeous hole, this was one that I thought had a chance to go in during shamble

View attachment 9317926

Also from my singles match:


View attachment 9317924

The Elytes, weren’t what I was expecting to come home with but man were they impressive. I know everyone always gravitates towards the driver and they are really good, but these irons may be the sneakiest and best line in the release.

I've been waiting patiently for this post.

 

[Nappy]

Love the looks of these compared to this category of release in the past where the badges were colorful and such that personally felt cheesier. These are really well done.

This exactly. I honestly was expecting to see that cheesier look and I'm blown away. These look great.

 

[jlew]

I've been waiting patiently for this post.

I'm so excited for these irons- I told @ZackOakleyCG that these were my favorite part of the new bag, and that's saying something as good as the driver treated me.

 

[ddec]

-Best feeling irons in this category I've hit to date.
-Face is really good and haven't seen a lot of "flyers".
-This sole is a huge step and is outstanding. Takes it away from same class as the AI Smokes in my mind.
-Really good all around presentation. Maybe a bit too shiny.

More to come...

I've been wanting to hear more from you on these as well. I think many would have been surprised to hear you end up in this direction in some regards. After taking some swings with them, I'm really not. So I can't wait to hear more.

 

[bsbmike]

-Best feeling irons in this category I've hit to date.
-Face is really good and haven't seen a lot of "flyers".
-This sole is a huge step and is outstanding. Takes it away from same class as the AI Smokes in my mind.
-Really good all around presentation. Maybe a bit too shiny.

More to come...

It's always tricky developing feel in this category...Callaway has done a good job to date in my opinion, but to add more that that is wonderful. I'm looking forward to finding them and giving them a hit

Great news about flyers too!

 

[Dougie]

One of my main regrets was not at least hitting these on the range at ECPC. The guys who were fit into them cannot stop raving about them.

On initial impressions, I even think I prefer the look, and look at setup over the Ai200/300 lines.
I was pretty skeptical of the whole Ai marketing scheme a couple years ago, but changed my mind quick with the OG paradym. Continuing improve on the process and trickle down to all these other lines is pretty impressive.
They are packing a ton of tech into a good looking package at a pretty stunning price point.

My first round back home was with a guy playing the Paradym Iron's. He was also in-the-know about these coming out. He was also a very good golfer and was honestly surprised at what he had in his own bag. He couldn't stop coming over to my bag and that's why I purchased head covers.

I almost wanted to have a quick NDA drafted he came over so much. Explained how these came to be in my bag and he promised no pictures or talk on socials. His current clubs were put on notice that day. He never swung a single iron but for was for sure right behind me every time I did.

 

[JTinMO]

These are seriously good looking irons, and in my mind may be the highlight of the new lineup, and I haven’t hit them.

Coming from two sets of Srixon irons, the v-sole incorporated into this line makes it a huge contender. I don’t hit ball first and need that sole shape.

Their size matches up very well with the ZX lineup.

Finally, we were all surprised by the pricing. They match up or beat all other GI irons in that regard.

These deserve serious looks in 2025.

 

[jlew]

My first round back home was with a guy playing the Paradym Iron's. He was also in-the-know about these coming out. He was also a very good golfer and was honestly surprised at what he had in his own bag. He couldn't stop coming over to my bag and that's why I purchased head covers.

I almost wanted to have a quick NDA drafted he came over so much. Explained how these came to be in my bag and he promised no pictures or talk on socials. His current clubs were put on notice that day. He never swung a single iron but for was for sure right behind me every time I did.

Now you can get rid of those iron covers too....phew.

 

[amarkabove]

I would love to hear more about the sound of these at some point.

 

[Dougie]

These are clean looking and these will get a try in my iron search.

Stock shaft offerings per the article seem pretty light which is interesting.

Right there with you and wanted heavier myself. I don't think the heavier weight iron class is what these are geared for golfer wise. But man do they work when a smooth swing is applied. (Ummm, that didn't happen in Cali )

 

[ddec]

So clean and I bet nothing what people thought they would look like in person.

I was pretty surprised at the shaping and sizing.

 

[Bernoulli]

Nice informative and detailed write up about the new irons. I am definitely interested in the HL and the X.

 

[MMaynard11]

Good morning THP!

These were definitely not what I was expecting to be fit into when I arrived at ECPC on Tuesday morning, but after hitting the AI200/300 and TI Fusions- and while I know I could have bagged any of those (The Fusions may have been a bit of a stretch) I couldn’t be happier putting these Elytes in the bag as I think they may be the sleeper of the release. Packed with tech that’s been mentioned already by @ddec these things look amazing and the footprint is not what I would expect to see in a GI iron. Seriously, next to my Pro 225’s I can’t see a huge discernible difference.
Onto the performance- here’s my SS data from my singles round vs Mr. Finley:

View attachment 9317923

It’s only one round obviously and I mentioned in my write up that I played some of my best golf of the year on Singles Thursday, but still that’s not something that I’ve typically seen. From a distance perspective, they are on par with my previous set of irons- only two rounds on the new irons but here’s the performance distance tracking from SS (Orange = Elyte, Black = 225’s)

View attachment 9317925
Obviously only two rounds with the Elytes and one of those was a shamble so still plenty to discover, but at least the first indications are that we’re cooking with something here. GI tech in an iron that looks amazing = yes please!

Couple of memorable shots from the Grandaddy:

Aside from this being a gorgeous hole, this was one that I thought had a chance to go in during shamble

View attachment 9317926

Also from my singles match:


View attachment 9317924

The Elytes, weren’t what I was expecting to come home with but man were they impressive. I know everyone always gravitates towards the driver and they are really good, but these irons may be the sneakiest and best line in the release.

I love seeing this and the excitement it brings for you in 2025. Based on minimal rounds it looks like you lost a little distance in the longer irons, which obviously could be you didn't hit them as much. Would you say that is a good guess?

These really look good and I think I will be trading in my Ai Smoke irons for a set of these!!!

Great write up @ddec