Taylormade Qi10 Vs Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Drivers Comparison Overview
2024 is going to be a great year for new clubs with AI really taking things to the next level in terms of performance and forgiveness.
Today we have two of the best offerings from Taylormade and Callaway under the microscope with the Qi10 range from Taylormade and the Paradym Ai Smoke from Callaway.
Taylormade Qi10 Driver Overview
The Taylormade Qi10 features a carbon fiber crown, Thru-Slot Speed Pocket and a third-generation carbon Twist Face construction.
The Taylormade Qi10 looks very clean – especially compared to the Paradym Ai Smoke. The blue carbon face also provides a nice contrast to a white ball. I was amazed at how straight the ball flew as well.
Even when I was swinging out of my shoes, I got really tight shot dispersion. My usual semi-fade was eliminated and I actually hit a slight draw on a few test strikes.
This is a great choice for high handicappers and beyond. The Taylormade Qi10 retails for $600
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Driver Overview
The Paradym Ai Smoke Max features a moveable rear weight, carbon fiber chassis, titanium internal bracing and advanced Ai-designed face.
The sole of the Paradym Ai Smoke looks a bit busy with the white/gray “smoke” graphics. But the crown looks clean and doesn’t distract. The Paradym Ai Smoke plays ridiculously long.
On average, my carry was 271.3 yards which was a 13 yard increase over the Taylormade Qi10. The Paradym Ai Smoke sells for $600
Both drivers are excellent choices for for all levels of golfers. The Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke offers more distance while the Taylormade Qi10 provides straighter flight, espeically if you suffer from a slice.
Taylormade Qi10 Driver
In 20 Words or Less
The Taylormade Qi10 driver combines accuracy with forgiveness. It looks great behind the ball and in the bag.
Taylormade Qi10 Driver – First Impressions
“I liked the depth of the face and the look of the crown right away.”
I could tell that this was going to be a very “user-friendly” driver and I was right. In fact, I had to open up my stance quite a bit to get a true mis-hit out of this thing. It’s very easy to find the sweet spot and even when you miss it, you aren’t punished nearly as much as you may deserve.
While the Taylormade Qi10 driver didn’t play quite as long as say, the new Callaway Paradym Smoke Ai Max, the dispersion was tight which is, I believe, more important for beginners and high handicappers. After all, distance will always follow accuracy – the inverse of that statement is not always true.
In any case, I loved the way the Taylormade Qi10 driver helped me produce favorable lies whether I was warmed up or not.
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.”
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.
Taylormade Qi10 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
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max Selling Points
- Sliding track weight
- Full carbon filter chassis
- Internal titanium bracing
- AI-designed face
- Lightweight performance
Who is the Taylormade Qi10 for?
“The standard Taylormade Qi10 driver would be a good choice for handicappers in the 18-25 range.”
More to the point, if you are having trouble staying out of the rough with your current driver, the Taylormade Qi10 would definitely be worth the upgrade. The updated carbon fiber face construction works wonders towards coaxing favorable lies out of all kinds of mis-hits.
If you tend to hit the ball heavy or are a 25+ handicapper, the Taylormade Qi10 Max version would probably be better for you. But the standard is still plenty forgiving and accurate for most high handicappers.
Even as a brand new driver, the Taylormade Qi10 utilizes some of the most successful forgiveness features from past models like the Through Speed Pocket. And while distance could be enhanced a bit, I have to agree with Taylormade’s claims that the Taylormade Qi10 is the most forgiving driver in the company’s illustrious history.
Distance: 96/100
Accuracy: 98/100
Forgiveness: 98/100
Feel & Control: 96/100
Overall Score: 97/100
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
Aidan Lehane here, I’m a Mid-low handicap golfer who has made tremendous progress in breaking 90 in just over 1 year of playing golf seriously.
I get out to the course or range as often as possible and review all the equipment I’ve come across on this blog.
