Callaway is launching a new line of eye-catching clubs for 2023, named Paradym.
Paradym sounds a little fancy for a golf club name in my opinion and at first I didn't know what this exotic word meant, so had to Google it. It's a name which sounds glamorous and aspirational. The name alone signals a big change in direction for Callaway away from the masculine names of the past like Epic, Mavrik, Apex and Rogue.
As part of the new Paradym range, Callaway are offering three fairway wood models available to buy:
Paradym Fairway Wood - this is the 'standard' offering featuring progressive shaping, and fits the widest range of players. This model is all about offering a high launching neutral ball flight.
Paradym X Fairway Wood - this model is the most forgiving shape with a high launch and a slight draw bias in a which a forged carbon toe patch redistributes weight to the heel to make it easy to turnover.
Paradym Triple Diamond - the Triple Diamond model is the most compact fairway wood shape with a deeper face at address. This offering is best suited for stronger players who are looking for a penetrating ball flight with lower spin.
In this review I will be focusing on the standard Paradym, testing the 15 degree 3 wood which most golfers will prefer due to its high launch and neutral flight.
The Tech
A new Jailbreak Batwing structure designed by Callaway's A.I. super-computer sits behind the face and around the perimeter of the toe and heel areas. The batwing shape allows the face to flex faster and greater to produce higher balls speeds.
Another new feature is a forged carbon sole which joins to the crown and face with one seal. This forms an extremely lightweight wrap around the structure of the head. This extreme weight saving allows Callaway to shift mass to where it is needed most.
In this case to a 23 gram tungsten speed cartridge that pushes CG lower resulting in an optimum launch and spin to generate the max distance.
The face and head shape have also been tweaked to increase speed and forgiveness due to the super computer creating more efficient designs.
Like the other manufacturers in 2023, Callaway are working towards putting more carbon material in their golf clubs to save weight and therefore lower CG for better launch characteristics.
Fairway woods need to be easier to hit and this formula will hopefully result in just that.
The Test
I wanted to take a real close look at the data the Callaway Paradym Fairway Wood could produce and therefore took it indoors to the Golfalot simulator and tested it using Trackman 4.
Callaway Paradym Fairway Wood Review
Looks
I have to start with the headcover; it reminds me of a XXIO product - it's shiny blue and white with a few dashes of gold in there for good measure. This to me seems like a style that is heavily geared for the Asian market and is a shift away from anything I have seen Callaway do before.
Personally, it didn't really catch my eye and I have to say it's not my thing, I think it may divide opinion - some people will really get it and others won't.
Now for the head itself... at address you look down on a dark blue satin crown with a graphite grey, matte face that wraps around the front of the head, this again is a little different but I liked it.
The sole is very eye-catching but again may divide opinion. It has a dark blue marble effect like the driver, said to be from the forging of the carbon and I'd describe it as like looking down into the deep ocean water - there's a real 3D effect to it - totally different.
To the back of the club there is also a subtle wave design also to help aerodynamics and turf interaction through the ball.
I'm glad the marble effect is not carried onto the crown as the head would be too distracting behind the ball. Shape-wise it is brilliant with a shallow face and low profile head. I am a fan of the white lines on the face for helping centre the ball and the graphite line helps with face squaring at address and impact too.
Final thoughts here are that Callaway got the important bit right for the golfer - address. But can you get past the first impressions of a tacky headcover and fancy sole on the shelf in the pro shop? I'll let you decide...
Feel
This fairway wood felt extremely easy to hit, it was high launching and unbelievably stable through the strike, which clearly is a massive plus - I was impressed. I have said this in the past when reviewing Callaway fairway woods, jailbreak technology makes a lot of sense and adds so much to strike and dispersion.
This year, I'd go as far to say that Callaway have taken over Ping in the forgiveness category in my opinion, this is a big compliment.
Performance
'Steady' would be the best word to describe this fairway wood head when analysing performance. During my testing I found however that they weren't the quickest, achieving 125mph ball speeds, but they certainly were the most forgiving.
My difference in carry from front to back was 10 yards with the peak height also being very stable. In terms of accuracy and reliability I was very impressed with the Paradym.
Unfortunately in the distance department I was a little disappointed as I wasn't able to produce a shot which carried over 200 yards, which is important for me as my 3 hybrid carries 190.
Callaway Paradym Fairway Wood Verdict
When I first started hitting the Paradym Fairway Wood I was impressed with the ease and stability of strike, but it wasn’t until I had a go with other fairway woods on offer for 2023 that I realised it wasn’t the longest.
My data suggested it leads the way for 2023 so far in dispersion and forgiveness. I mentioned above how I never hit a shot over 200 yards but my average was still only 3 yards behind other fairways woods due to the incredible clustering. My good wasn’t as good as the rest but my bad was better than the rest and that is something very important in a 3 wood, especially if you need to carry water or bunkers.
My first impressions were not good as I struggle with the name and the shelf appeal of the these clubs. As a traditionalist they are a little 'bling' for me, however I did enjoy them in testing and there is the adage of the adjustable hosel allowing you to fine tune your game if needs be.
The huge £375 price tag didn’t add to my enthusiasm either but it did support my theory of Callaway moving in a different direction and wanting to take over from brands like PXG and XXIO at the higher end of the market.
Who Is It Aimed At?
A player who wants consistency and stability in their long golf shots. This is one of the easiest 3 woods to hit on the market and I doubt it will be beaten in this department in 2023.
Would I Use It?
No, probably not. I was put off with first impressions and I am already a consistent player so forgiveness isn't quite what I'm looking for. I need the extra distance and street cred, the Paradym fairway woods unfortunately gave me neither.
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