Best Callaway Golf Drivers 2024: tested head-to-head
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What is the best Callaway driver for you in 2024?
Callaway have been leading the way in golf club development for nearly 40 years and are one of the market leaders when it comes to golf clubs, having made some of the best golf drivers over the last few decades.
The launch of the Big Bertha in 1991 was perhaps the most important landmark in golf design, and since then Callaway have produced many of golf’s best drivers, paving the way for the designs we all know and use today. Some of the best players in the world use the likes of Callaway Paradym, including major champions Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele.
Callaway offer several driver models, each with differing characteristics that help it suit a different type of golfer. The Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond is a low-spin model that typically suits golfers with fast swing speeds. The Callaway Paradym X is at the other end of the scale and will help golfers with a slow swing speed and/or those battling a slice. While the Callaway Paradym is a strong all-rounder, offering excellent levels of forgiveness.
Best Callaway Drivers at a glance – our top picks:
Best overall Callaway driver: Callaway Paradym Golf Driver | VIEW UK OFFER | VIEW US OFFER
Best Callaway driver for slicers/slow swing speeds: Callaway Paradym X Golf Driver | VIEW UK OFFER | VIEW US OFFER
Best Callaway driver for fast swing/high spin players: Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond Golf Driver | VIEW UK OFFER | VIEW US OFFER
Let’s dive into the best Callaway Golf Drivers of 2024…
Fantastic looks and performance that will suit a lot of golfers.
Best overall Callaway driver
The Paradym isn’t your usual Callaway driver. There’s a distinctly Japanese feel, with a funky carbon sole pattern, a shiny headcover, and a name many won’t quite understand, but it performs impressively.
We love the neutral address look, the impact sound is brilliant, and our data has it down as being one of the very longest drivers in 2023. Our drop-off and dispersion stats don’t quite support Callaway’s forgiveness claims, but those numbers are always heavily tester dependent. With an MOI of 9,000+g cm2, the model is getting mightily close to Ping levels of forgiveness.
Read our full Callaway Paradym driver review.
Pros
- Great looks
- Sounds fantastic at impact
- Good stability
- Produces big distances
Cons
- Not as accurate as some models from other brands
| Lofts: | 9° / 10.5° / 12° |
| Stock shafts: | Aldila Ascent, HZRDUS Silver, HZRDUS Black, Mitsubishi Kai’li White |
How the Callaway Paradym compares to other models in the forgiving driver category:
The best Callaway driver for slower swing speeds, plus up to 15 yards of shot shape correction for those battling a slice.
Best for slicers/slow swings
The idea means 11% of the head’s mass has been repositioned so that golfers can expect a 30% improvement in dispersion.
The more stretched Paradym X (which offers 15 yards of shot shape correction over the standard Paradym), sounds powerful and muted at impact, and it also produced Simon’s fastest ball speed within the draw category, which should be music to the ears of average speed players.
Expect a different, more confidence-boosting head shape and look to the standard Paradym, so make sure you choose carefully which model to dial in for your own game.
Our stats showed it was a couple of yards down on our very longest model, but that could easily be reversed on another day’s testing.
Even though it’s among the most expensive drivers available in 2023, Paradym has to be on the radar of golfers who don’t mind paying for ultimate performance. It really is a cracking choice in 2023.
Read our full Callaway Paradym X driver review.
Pros
- Unbeatable distances for slow swing speeds
- Lots of slice-fighting tech packed in
- Great impact sound
- Excellent ball speeds
- Fantastic carry distance
Cons
- Not quite as accurate as some models from other brands
| Lofts: | 9° / 10.5° / 12° |
| Stock shafts: | Aldila Ascent, HZRDUS Silver, HZRDUS Black, Mitsubishi Kai’li White |
How the Callaway Paradym X compares to other draw-biased drivers:
The best Callaway driver for fast-swinging elite golfers.
Best Callaway driver for fast swing speeds
The low-spinning Paradym Triple Diamond driver is a popular choice with tour pros, with many Callaway players seeing an increase of 2-3mph ball speed over the previous Rogue ST model.
In our driver’s test, we found that the Paradym Triple Diamond will be a cracking driver when it’s in the right hands. If you swing with the speed and consistency of Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele, this may be the perfect driver for you. The chances are that many of you reading this don’t swing as precisely as these tour players so may want to look for a low-spin driver with a little more forgiveness.
TG’s test pro Neil Wain said when hit out the middle the Paradym Triple Diamond is a rocket. This is proven in our test, with the Paradym Triple Diamond ranking second for carry distance. However, testing also showed that anything hit off-center was punished severely by the Paradym, resulting in a 59-yard-left-to-right dispersion.
Read our full Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond driver review.
Pros
- Excellent ball speed
- Very strong carry distance
- Keeps spin down for fast swings
Cons
- Minimal forgiveness
- Wide left-to-right dispersion
| Lofts: | 8° / 9° / 10.5° |
| Stock shaft: | Aldila Ascent, HZRDUS Silver, HZRDUS Black, Mitsubishi Kai’li White |
How the Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond compares to other low-spin drivers:
Rrp: $549.99
Rrp: $549.99
In 2021, Jon Rahm and Phil Mickelson won the US Open and PGA Championship respectively, while Xander Schauffele won an Olympic Gold Medal, and they were all playing Callaway Epic Speed Triple Diamond drivers, a model that wasn’t available to the public.
Thanks to an influx of interest in Triple Diamond, Callaway brought the Rogue ST Triple Diamond LS to retail, aimed at elite players and those with very fast swing speeds.
Callaway say the Triple Diamond is a tour-proven, 450cc (it’s smaller than the standard Rogue ST Max), low-spin option for better players. The model is the lowest-spinning Rogue ST driver and it comes decked out with a neutral-to-fade bias which Callaway say makes it a great anti-left driver.
Compared to the previous Sub Zero the Triple Diamond has a deeper face, more sole relief, and a higher skirt, which means its MOI is nudging 8,000+ gcm2 whereas the Rogue ST Max is a full 1,000 points higher at 9,000+ gcm,2.
Think very seriously before plumping for a Triple Diamond on the grounds of just lowering spin or because the best players in the world use them.
Read our full Callaway Rogue ST Triple Diamond LS driver review.
Pros
- Good for very fast swing speeds
- Trusted by tour pros and major winners
Cons
- Not very forgiving
| Lofts: | 9° / 10.5° |
| Stock shaft: | Mitsubishi Tensei AV White |
Rrp: $549.99
Rrp: $549.99
The Max has a touch of draw bias built in (though nowhere near as much as the ST Max D), and Callaway say it’s easier to hit straight than the Ping G425 Max.
Based on the Max’s hugely impressive performance, we really shouldn’t give up on titanium faces just yet. Within this category the ST Max is outstanding.
It was our pro’s longest forgiving driver by five yards (a significant amount at his swing speed), but it’s not just raw power with no forgiveness; it also tied second-fastest in terms of ball speed and was third best at protecting carry drop off (nine yards or 3.2%), which is really beneficial when it comes to consistency. Its wide, stretched body, with a new matt black crown, manages to look really desirable at address.
But what’s really clever is that Callaway have built in a touch of draw bias to this model. The idea will help improve ball speeds for very slight heel strikers and give a hand to many golfers in attaining the ball flight shape they dream of.
Read our full Callaway Rogue ST Max driver review.
Pros
- Small amount of draw bias
- Very easy to hit
- Good ball speed
- Very forgiving
- Great distances
Cons
- Older model which may mean limited availability
| Lofts: | 9° / 10.5° / 12° |
| Stock shafts: | Mitsubishi Tensei AV White 60 or Blue 50, Project X Cypher |
An excellent choice for bombers, who also want a degree of shot-shaping capability, Callaway say the LS typically falls into the hands of mid to low-handicap golfers.
Golf equipment has moved on massively since Callaway gave their 2013 X Hot driver a matt paint job (it was dark grey not black), but we love the return for the Rogue ST. Equipment Editor Simon Daddow had the LS as his favorite-looking driver in the category, with the matt black finish really inviting you to hit it.
Our test pro didn’t quite hit the same heights as he did with the standard Rogue ST Max, even though we tested both models with exactly the same shaft.
Our pro’s slightly downward attack angle saw the model giving up 2.9 mph of ball speed and 12 yards of carry distance to its more forgiving sibling. It’s highly likely that more neutral and upwards driver strikers could see these numbers reversed.
What’s certain is that the LS is one of the best low-spin drivers of the year. If you’re a more consistent striker who wants to chase distance through lowering spin then it should be on your shortlist to try in 2023.
Read our full Callaway Rogue ST Max LS driver review.
Pros
- Good option for mid-to-low handicappers
- Decent distance
- Stable through impact
Cons
- Lower ball speeds than some low-spin drivers
| Lofts: | 9° / 10.5° |
| Stock shafts: | Mitsubishi Chemical AV White |
The Max D is noticeably wider than the Rogue ST Max, front to back, which should boost confidence, and is one of the best-looking drivers in the category.
Read our full Callaway Rogue ST Max D driver review.
Pros
- Lots of draw bias
- Confidence-inspiring looks
- Good height on drives
- Decent distances
Cons
- Shorter carry distances than some other brands
| Lofts: | 9º / 10.5º / 12º |
| Stock shafts: | Mitsubishi Chemical AV Blue, Project X Cypher |
Rrp: $511.33
Rrp: $511.33
A 13g back weight gives up to 13 yards of shot shape tuning.
Thanks to Callaway’s new thinking, the Epic Max LS feels like a much more well-rounded proposition for decent players, as ultimately golf is played on the course, not on a launch monitor.
With the LS being designed with tour input, its head naturally has a more traditional pear shape, which a lot of decent players will appreciate over the wider-bodied Callaway Max.
Read our full Callaway Epic Max LS driver review.
Pros
- Adjustable weight to dial in shot shape
- Low but not super-low spin
- Decent stability
Cons
- Low flight won't suit everyone
| Lofts: | 9°, 10.5° |
| Stock shaft: | Mitsubishi MMT 60/70 |
There’s a moderate draw bias and a forward center of gravity like the Callaway Mavrik, but this time you get more MOI thanks to a bigger carbon crown and new toe section. Expect similar spin numbers to Mavrik, but with a higher launch.
Lower MOI (forgiveness) but better accuracy is a really tough concept to get your head around, but it was the entire marketing story behind the Callaway Mavrik. The Epic Speed operates along exactly the same lines. It’s designed to be fast and long, while dispersion is controlled by a face that manages spin.
Some will argue that its forward CG means the Callaway Epic Speed shouldn’t really be within our forgiving drivers category. But look more closely and you quickly realize it doesn’t sit among the low spin or draw biased groups, either. It’s a hard one to pigeonhole because it approaches forgiveness from a unique angle.
The Callaway Epic Speed isn’t a traditional forgiving driver; spray shots around the face and you will be better off with the more forgiving Epic Max. But for golfers who make a reasonably consistent impact, the Callaway Epic Speed is a fast and long driver, with decent levels of forgiveness.
Read our full Callaway Epic Speed driver review.
Pros
- Fast and long
- Decent dispersion
Cons
- Requires solid contact
| Lofts: | 9°, 10.5°, 12° |
| Stock shaft: | Project X Cypher 40, Project X HZRDUS Smoke IM10 50/60, Mitsubishi MMT 60/70 |
The new Epic 21 driver family switched from two Jailbreak bars to a “Speed Frame” design which Callaway say reduces crown deflection by 20%, meaning more energy is directed to the ball.
The Epic Max is the mass-market Epic 21; it’s the most draw capable, the highest launching, and the most forgiving Epic model available. And, thanks to a 17g backweight, you can dial in up to 20 yards of shot bias. Sit the Callaway Epic Max next to the Epic Speed and it’s easy to see the pair are very different in shape. We’ve yet to meet a golfer who doesn’t prefer the Speed’s shape, but in our hearts, we know the Max will do a better job of keeping club golfers on the fairway. It does a brilliant job of combining speed and distance with an excellent degree of forgiveness.
A full range of Opti-Fit shafts also gives plenty of weight and profile options, including an inch-shorter HZRDUS that should help less consistent strikers find the center of the face more often.
Read our full Callaway Epic Max driver review.
Pros
- Very forgiving
- Good ball speed
- Excellent carry distance
Cons
- Not as pleasing to the eye as some Callaway drivers
| Lofts: | 9°, 10.5°, 12° |
| Stock shaft: | Project X Cypher 40, Project X HZRDUS Smoke IM10 50/60 |
The brand conducted extensive performance-data research and carried out huge amounts of testing with golfers before reworking the technologies that make Big Bertha drivers long, straight and easy to hit to ensure Reva delivers exactly what women need for their game.
As with the Big Bertha BB21 driver, the Reva featured Callaway’s Artificial Intelligence-designed Flash Face SS21, which was the market-leading stronger and lighter material and provided faster ball speeds across more of the face.
Reva also uses Callaway’s coveted Jailbreak technology. Two bars behind the face help increase its flex for even more distance, while the lightweight carbon crown has allowed weight to be placed elsewhere for more forgiveness.
There’s also a speed-enhancing RCH 40 shaft and Lamkin Women’s ST Soft Grip.
Read our full Callaway Big Bertha 21 driver review.
Pros
- Great ball speeds
- Excellent forgiveness
- Smart design
Cons
- No sliding weight for shot shaping adjustability
| Lofts: | 10.5°, 12.5° |
| Stock shaft: | Callaway RCH (65g R, S) 55g (L, R, S) 45g (L, R) |
How we tested the best Callaway drivers
The leading brands sent us their 2023 drivers in our Test Pro Neil Wain’s specs; draw models and those aimed at more moderate speeds were sent in Equipment Editor Simon Daddow’s specs.
We created an indoor test lab at Keele Golf Centre to ensure a controlled environment, which meant we could use premium Srixon Z-Star golf balls and a Foresight GC Quad launch monitor to create the most reliable data possible.
Major misses were rejected, but we recorded how shots launched, span, peaked out, and how far they flew in which direction.
See more about how TG tests golf clubs and other equipment.
How to choose the best Callaway driver for your game
What is the difference in Callaway drivers?
Paradym is the latest driver family from Callaway. In the Paradym range, the Paradym is the ‘standard’ head, Paradym X is the draw-biased model, and the Paradym Triple Diamond is the low-spinning option.
What Callaway drivers do pros use?
Most tour pros have high swing speeds and therefore tend to favor the low-spinning Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond. You’ll find that driver in the bags of Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele, among others.
What is the most forgiving Callaway driver?
The Callaway Paradym X will be the most forgiving Callaway driver for golfers who want the most help with their tee shots. We found it to be one of the most forgiving drivers available.
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Simon Daddow
Today’s Golfer Equipment Editor
Simon Daddow is the Equipment Editor for Today’s Golfer. Having tested and played more than 10,000 clubs in his life, what he doesn’t know about golf clubs isn’t worth knowing.
He’s a specialist in all things metal having spent a large part of his career as a golf club maker and product development manager, and has worked in the golf industry for more than 30 years. Starting out as trainee professional at Downes Crediton GC where he learned the art of golf club making, he went onto work for Clubhaus Plc and Tony Charles Ltd as a golf club maker, and running Product Development at Benross Golf.
Simon also spent time working as a Sales Executive in Harrods’ golf department, even helping supply Sir Nick Faldo with personalized shirts in a last-minute emergency ahead of a flight to a tournament.
He joined EMAP Active (now Bauer Media) as Equipment Editor in 2006 and has worked for both Today’s Golfer and Golf World. Working alongside our test pro Neil Wain, Simon has made todays-golfer.com the most reliable source for golf club testing.
Despite his youthful looks, Simon has played golf for more than 40 years and plays to a handicap of 10. A lack of club speed means he’s short off the tee, but very handy from 125 yards and in.
He enjoys excellent relationships with the biggest names in the golf equipment industry, including PXG boss Bob Parsons and TaylorMade’s Tomo Bystedt and Adrian Rietveld.
Away from the course, Simon is a season-ticket holder at Peterborough United Football Club, attending games with his young son. He’s also a keen cyclist and enjoys working (and relaxing) at his allotment.
His favorite ever piece of golf equipment is the Callaway Warbird fairway wood and he considers the biggest technological advancement in the game to have been titanium driver heads.
Simon’s job means he plays regularly around the world, and rates Kingsbarns as his favorite course. He uses a PXG 0311 GEN6 XF driver, TaylorMade Stealth 2 HL (15º), Ping G400 (20.5º), PXG 0317 X Gen2 hybrid, PXG 0311 GEN6 P irons (6–PW), Cleveland CBX2 wedges (52°, 58°), Ping 21 Fetch putter and a TaylorMade Tour Response golf ball.
You can contact Simon via email and follow him on Twitter for loads more golf equipment insight.
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Best Callaway Drivers
