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Callaway Paradym Fairway Woods and Hybrids
The 2023 calendar suggests that Callaway’s Epic franchise is due for a refresh.
But it’s not. The Epic clock has struck zero.
It’s Callaway Paradym time. If this launch had a theme song, it would have to be You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) by Dead Or Alive. It just makes sense. But don’t think about it too hard.
Regardless, Epic lurid green is gone and, for at least another year, we won’t be talking about Rogue, either. It’s an entirely new Callaway family, though the guts of the fairway woods and hybrids build off a good bit of the 2022 Rogue ST architecture.
If you’re reading this on Jan. 4, I’m likely hitting the Paradym right now at Topgolf in El Segundo, Calif. (Damn, where’s my wallet?) I only mention that to corroborate Tony Covey’s last known location, should that be important at some point.
The chief question with any new family of metalwoods is: “To what degree does keystone driver technology and materials trickle down to fairway woods and hybrids?”
At times, it’s significant. But too often, it’s a RINO. Release In Name Only.
So where does that leave the Callaway Paradym fairway woods and hybrids?
Callaway Paradym Fairway And Hybrid Tech Story
The bulk of the Paradym driver story focuses on the “360-degree shift in performance.” That doesn’t exactly apply to the fairway woods and hybrids. And there’s a good explanation for this.
With a driver design, engineers are working to carve out an extra 1/10th of a gram of weight here and shift CG several millimeters. Fairway woods are smaller (in volume) and heavier. So, frankly, it’s comparatively easy to move weight around to alter the spin, trajectory, forgiveness/MOI balance beam. In addition, every design is the result of a series of tradeoffs. All that aside, using carbon (in place of steel or aluminum) can be helpful but copious amounts aren’t required—or necessary.
With Paradym, Callaway is using the same Forged Carbon material as in the driver, albeit in smaller quantities. Also, its application is isolated to specific locations on the sole of the Paradym fairway woods and hybrids. That said, the Forged Carbon replaces steel, which frees up plenty of discretionary weight.
Some of that weight is allocated to the adjustable Optifit hosel which makes its return to the Paradym line. Much to the chagrin of consumers (and some Tour staff), Callaway elected to go with a fixed glued hosel in the 2022 Rogue ST line.
Adapters are great for versatility and fitting but negatively impact mass properties. On balance, adapters pull weight higher and toward the heel which is suboptimal. But there is one additional, though not obvious, benefit.
Paradym Bat Signal
With Rogue ST fairway woods, Callaway introduced a new Jailbreak ST structure, loosely termed “Batwing.” The Batwing structures conjoin the face, sole and crown, increasing vertical stiffness without impeding face flex.
But, like the American pop band Sparks said, “This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us.” Rogue ST used two Batwing structures: one on the toe and one on the heel. Comparatively, Paradym has a single, toe-side Batwing structure with the Optifit hosel more or less serving the purpose of the heel-side Batwing piece.
Callaway continues to use a forged C300 material for the Face Cup but it’s the AI face design where Callaway feels it can offer improved performance. Though every manufacturer uses artificial intelligence (i.e., computers) to optimize designs, it’s been a focal marketing point and R&D strategy for Callaway’s modern metalwood franchises.
In case “AI” is an unfamiliar term, basically you feed the computer certain parameters, let it iterate and simulate, and then see what it spits out. It’s not that simple in practice but you get the concept. In this case, Callaway emphasized the importance of low/center face behavior. Because golfers strike roughly 75 percent of all fairway and hybrid shots below the geometric center of the face, Callaway felt this was an area where it could provide a tangible performance benefit.
A tungsten speed cartridge concentrates mass as low/forward as we’ve seen in a Callaway fairway wood design. Pulling the CG this direction helps increase ball speed while keeping spin down. As with the Paradym driver, the hopeful net result is a slightly faster platform that generates more consistent launch conditions and, ultimately, tighter downrange shot patterns.
Callaway Paradym Fairway Models
Callaway is offering the Paradym fairway wood in three discrete models: Paradym, Paradym X and Paradym Triple Diamond.
As expected, the standard Paradym fairway wood is the most neutral option and should fit the broadest segment of golfers. Additionally, it uses more forged carbon in the sole than either of the other two models. This allows for a low/forward center-of-gravity location, thanks chiefly to the 23-gram Tungsten Speed Cartridge.
In high-school algebra, “x” was the independent variable. Now, in Callaway’s parlance, x=draw. Plenty of golfers need a draw-biased fairway wood but they’d prefer that the model not include any mention of the actual word “draw,” hence the Paradym X moniker. In this case, Callaway uses forged carbon in the toe section to keep more weight heel-side and a slightly more upright lie angle to help create the moderate draw bias.
The lowest-spinning model in the lineup is the Paradym Triple Diamond. It features more compact shaping and a deeper face. Primarily, it will best fit stronger golfers who need a more penetrating flight. Because of the target player, this model does not use forged composite on the sole but does have a Triaxial carbon crown.
Callaway Paradym Hybrid Models
The primary objective of the Paradym hybrids was to create a new shape, closer to what most of us would consider a small-ish fairway wood. Regarding technology, the primary emphasis is the inclusion of the Jailbreak Batwing structure and new Cutwave Sole Design. Forged carbon composites aren’t part of this equation.
The rest of the menu reads just like the Paradym fairway woods alhough the hybrids use a 455 steel Face Cup material as opposed to the C300 material in the fairway woods.
The Cutwave Sole Design is there to make it easier for the head to move through the rough and keep the leading edge lower from varied lies. As with the Paradym fairway woods, the AI face topography varies by model with the primary benefit being tighter downrange dispersion. Translation: Callaway believes Paradym hybrids are more accurate than Rogue ST and marginally faster.
Comparing the two models, the standard Paradym is the more player-ish of the two. Also, Callaway removed the top score line which theoretically allows it to sit more square at address. The Paradym X hybrid has a larger footprint and is intended more as a direct long-iron replacement. And though it’s not explicitly billed as a draw-biased model, my hunch is that that is the space into which the standard Paradym will fit.
Callaway Paradym – My $0.05
Callaway’s player and robot test results tend to be short on specifics. But what they do indicate is that, compared to Rogue ST, all Paradym models produce marginally more ball speed. That aside, the fact that Callaway is touting the consistent downrange accuracy is the real paradigm shift.
Does this mean the distance narrative is over? Nope. But it might indicate that manufacturers are more willing to engage consumers in a conversation around total performance. Distance is a safe topic because brands know that it sells. But providing golfers with access to equipment that can realistically help them shoot lower scores shouldn’t be overlooked. In fact, it’s likely to become one of the
More golfers chose Callaway fairway woods and hybrids in 2022 than any other brand. That’s both a feather in Callaway’s cap and a positive indicator for 2023.
Stock Shafts
Callaway is offering four stock shafts with the Paradym fairway wood and hybrid lineup.
The Aldila Ascent PL Blue is the lightweight option for golfers seeking higher launch and more spin The Project X HZRDUS Silver is your middle-of-the-road mid-launch, mid-spin option. The Project X HZRDUS Black is your mid/low-launch and -spin option. The Diamana Kai’Li White should prove to be the lowest-launching and -spinning option for most golfers.The stock grip is a Golf Pride Tour Velvet.
Callaway Pardym Availability and Pricing
Pre-sale for the Callaway Paradym fairway wood and hybrid lineup begins 1/13. Full retail availability starts on 2/24.
Retail price is $349.99 (fairway) and $299.99 (hybrid).
For more information, visit Callawaygolf.com.
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