A $649 Driver Took First Place But Is This $399 Model Too Good to Ignore?

A $649 driver just took first place in our Best Golf Driver testing. I’ll be honest: I love a great deal and $649 isn’t exactly what I’d call a deal. While the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond may be the best of 2025 at $649, last year’s Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond is worth a closer look. We’re learning Triple Diamond technology isn’t just for tour pros and the savings might make the 2024 model the smarter choice for your game.

Please note, results from our driver test aren’t comparable year over year. Rather, clubs are compared against the rest of the field for that year, and each are scored respectively

The 2025 champion: Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond ($649)

When we test golf drivers, we measure distance, accuracy and forgiveness. It’s common to see a driver excel in one category and struggle in another. The Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond ranked in the top three for accuracy and distance and in the top third of the test for forgiveness.

Despite being considered a “low-spin” design geared toward better players, it was surprisingly playable across all skill levels.

Testers found the Elyte Triple Diamond to be long and accurate, especially when hit in the center of the face. One said, “It’s really easy to swing and get through the ball. I love every aspect of this driver.”

The 2025 Elyte Triple Diamond is visually different from previous generations. It features a glossy crown and a distinctive transition at the address. Some testers didn’t like it. If you’re picky about looks, it’s worth seeing this one in person before buying.

The value option: 2024 Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond ($399)

The first thing you’ll notice about the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond is that its best performance was in the distance category. The Ai Smoke Triple Diamond was in the top five for carry and total distance for 34 percent of the test pool.

If distance is important to you (which it should be when you have a driver in your hands), both Triple Diamond models offer strong performance.

From a versatility standpoint, the Paradaym Ai Smoke ranks in the top 10 for accuracy and forgiveness. Most notably, it was the second-best driver for dispersion percentage.

The Triple Diamond Ai Smoke was one of the lowest-spinning drivers in the test so it doesn’t work for golfers who need help getting the ball up in the air or increasing spin rates. In addition, it was not the straightest driver of the 2024 test.

Quick comparison: Which driver is right for you?

Sometimes, it helps to see the highlights side-by-side. Here’s a quick snapshot of how they compare:

Driver Comparison

Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond ($649, 2025)

Spin Profile: Low-Spin Top Strengths: Top 3 in distance and accuracy, great adjustability, above-average forgiveness. Potential Drawbacks: Glossy crown may not suit everyone’s taste.

Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond ($399, 2024)

Spin Profile: Low-Spin Top Strengths: Consistently long with a good balance of accuracy and forgiveness. Potential Drawbacks: Less spin help for slower swing speeds, not the straightest.

Final thoughts

If you want the best driver of 2025 and are comfortable with the $649 price, the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond has a lot to offer. For those worried about their budget but don’t want to sacrifice too much performance, the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond is a solid alternative. As always, you’ll want to get fitted to ensure that either of these Triple Diamond models has the spin profile and performance characteristics to suit your game.

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