Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Vs Ping G430 10k Max Driver

Which is the better GI driver for 2024? The Ping G430 10k Max or Paradym Ai Smoke Max? Let’s find out.

Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Driver Overview

 

“The Ai Smoke Max features a movable rear weight, forged carbon sole, titanium bracing structure and Ai-designed face.”

The smokey carbon pattern on the sole is a bit busy but at least the crown looks cool. It has a matte carbon finish with a visible weave.

The sliding weight allows for excellent shot shaping and the AI-designed face makes for very tight dispersion. But the Ai Smoke Max launches pretty high which cost me some yardage.

It retails for $600.

Ping G430 10k Max Driver Overview

“The Ping G430 10k Max features an adjustable hosel, carbon fiber crown and a fixed rear weight.”

Yellow/black color scheme looks really nice and the turbulators on the crown are very Batman-esque. The Ping G430 10k Max launched lower which was better for my swing speed.

The forged face also felt really solid and worked to lower the MOI – leading to straighter shots. The Ping G430 10k Max sells for $550.

I liked the feel and launch of the Ping G430 10k Max a bit more than the Ai Smoke Max. The Ping G430 10k Max even yielded slightly tighter dispersion.

Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Driver

In 20 Words or Less

“Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max has better speed across the face and a more solid internal frame. A Big Upgrade.”

Ping G430 10k Max Driver

In 20 Words or Less

The Ping G430 Max 10k driver plays effortlessly straight and inspires confidence with how it sits behind the ball.

Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max Driver – First Impressions

“The Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max was instantly light and fast.”

I fell into a groove with it pretty quickly and found that I could use the entire expanse of the face and still find the fairway.

In fact, I had to work pretty hard to hit the ball heavy or thin enough to produce a significant decrease in ball speed.

The launch was pretty much where I like it: in the 10.5-12 degree window. And I found that I could work it just a bit lower or higher without much effort.

The performance of the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max has me really excited about what the entire Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke line and how to technology carries over between the range.

Ping G430 Max 10k Driver – First Impressions

My first impression of the Ping G430 Max 10k was that it was massive.

In fact, I would say that it looks bigger than the most recent Big Bertha drivers and that’s saying a lot. It still has the “turbulators” on the crown that purportedly improve aerodynamics so if you’re a fan of that sort of finned look, you’ll like the looks of the Ping G430 Max 10k driver.

There was never a time during my testing where I felt that I had to play coy with this driver. Despite its size it still feels light – probably due to the carbon fiber crown panel – so I was swinging it as firm as possible every single time.

The adjustable hosel allows you to tweak loft and lie but I didn’t need to mess with that feature very much. That’s because the Ping G430 Max 10k naturally plays straight and produces a mid/high launch window (14° launch angle on average).

Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max Selling Points

  • Sliding track weight
  • Full carbon filter chassis
  • Internal titanium bracing
  • AI-designed face
  • Lightweight performance

Ping G430 Max 10k Driver Selling Points,

  • Infinity carbon crown
  • Third generation Carbon Twist Face construction
  • Through Speed Pocket
  • Higher MOI than previous Stealth models
  • Multi-material construction
  • Optimized head shape
  • 10,000+ MOI rating

Who is the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max for?

“The Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max continues the legacy of forgiving drivers suitable for mid and high handicappers.”

The main benefit here is distance. When I swung out of my shoes, I was adding 10+ yards to my G430 Max driver distance. And it doesn’t take much to stay out of the rough because the face and body are designed to stay ridiculously stable on all kinds of mis-hits.

Callaway has really upped their game in terms of forgiveness so I have no reservations about saying that the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max is a great starting point for high handicappers.

Every golfer would benefit from the near-instant distance boost this driver provides and its sheer reliability off the tee. The Max will be used by most golfers but the Triple diamond is also available for the Elite players.

The Paradym Ai Smoke is a big upgrade from the Paradym and is definitely in the running for best driver of 2024.

Distance: 98/100

Accuracy: 95/100

Forgiveness: 96/100

Feel & Control: 94/100

Overall Score: 98/100

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Who is the Ping G430 Max 10k Driver for?

“The Ping G430 Max 10k driver may have been designed with high handicappers in mind, but we can really see why its just as popular with the better players.”

Because at the end of the day, who’s going to turn down a ridiculously high MOI rating in a driver that doesn’t produce a ton of side spin? That’s why I can see this driver in the bags of both high and mid handicappers.

If you want to impart more shape to your drives, the Ping G430 Max 10k driver will not work for you. But for mid and high handicappers who are more concerned with forgiveness and distance, the Ping G430 Max 10k driver ticks a lot of boxes. The Ping G430 Max 10k currently retails for $600.

Distance: 97/100

Accuracy: 98/100

Forgiveness: 98/100

Feel & Control: 95/100

Overall Score: 97/100

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