Callaway 2019 Epic Flash Fairway Wood Vs Callaway 2021 Epic Max Fairway Wood Comparison Overview

The general perception is that newer golf clubs are usually better. Technology and R&D usually advance with time so it stands to reason that newer clubs have more to offer players than older clubs.

But is that always the case? Is it a universal and iron-clad rule? In our vast experience of testing clubs, we have found that it is not. There are always variables with clubs alone. Couple those variables with the different needs and preferences of individual players and you find that sometimes, older clubs are actually better for you.

We will say however that usually, newer does mean better. Case in point: the 2019 Epic Flash and the 2021 Epic Max fairway woods. The Epic Max takes almost everything that the Epic flash does well and does it even better.

Still, you may find that the Callaway Epic Flash fairway wood is more your speed. While it’s always advisable to get a fitting if you can, read the following article before making a move.

Callaway Epic Flash Fairway Wood Overview

The Callaway Epic Flash has some of the features that have become hallmarks of Callaway clubs.

Two in particular that make a significant impact on the performance of this club specifically are the A.I. face design and the internal bracing bars. The Callaway supercomputer went through gazillions of different face architectures to help designers identify the ones that would be optimal in different situations.

In the case of the Epic Flash fairway woods, they pinpointed face conditions that would be best for increased ball speed and distance. Indeed, the Callaway epic Flash fairway wood is nothing if not long.

You can feel that the face is thin after a few full swings with this club. And you would think that it would also be unstable. But the internal bracing bars which connect the sole and the crown behind the face keep launch conditions predictable and consistent.

Our testers noted how well the Epic Flash feeds back – you can feel where the ball is going to go as soon as it leaves the face. This also allowed for a surprising amount of left to right workability as well.

Staying on the topic of the face, it’s made of forged carpenter steel which is also what helps with the amazing feedback. The Face Cup design, while very common in 2022 among many manufacturers, helps increase forgiveness.

Callaway Epic Max Fairway Wood Overview

Again, we see the classic AI face design and the internal bracing bars in the newer Callaway Epic Max fairway wood.

The Epic Max fairway wood is a big, bold club that takes forgiveness to the next level. It has an oversized head profile but a shallow face profile. The purpose of this specific combination is to increase apex height.

The Callaway Epic Max fairway wood plays almost like a hybrid club in this sense. While turf interaction is a bit lacking, the Epic Max plays further, launches higher and is more forgiving than the Epic Flash.

The Epic Max also has an upgraded face made of C300 maraging steel. Our testers are still debating about which club gave the better feedback; one thing was agreed upon unanimously, however: that the Epic Flash was actually more workable.

The size of the Epic Max just doesn’t lend itself to working the ball to the left or right of the fairway. However, it does have interchangeable weights which gives it a sizable advantage over the Epic Flash.

2 and 14 gram weights can be positioned in the rear or the front of the head to optimize spin rates and MOI. If you need more forgiveness, put the heavy weight in the back. If you want to reduce spin, put the heavy weight in the front.