Got fitted for an adjustable Callaway AI driver last summer. I call it the Waymo (the driverless car service) driver. It works all on its own; I just make a swing, and it launches beautifully even when I mess up.
Hello from Arizona, USA! Another great video full of useful information and analysis! As someone coming back to golf after 20 yrs., I've come to rely heavily on your expertise and analysis. Many thanks!
Great video Simon very good. I have tried and return 3 2024 drivers so back using my SIM2 and simply see no difference. A new driver shaft made more sense. I have an EPIC speed head only for £90 in 2022, only bought as my son was leaving his package set phase. 75 gram stiff 44.5" shaft sound and feel : ) when hit from the center.
I did the same, tried out a Paradym, g430, tsr3, and the qi10. Have the sim 2 as well. Ended up using the qi10 all year. Performs a touch better than the sim 2 but it’s the look of that top crown that got me. Was never a fan of the white split crown on the sims
Same here! Really didn’t want to pay full price but once it was in the bag I’ve not regretted it once! Golf is so much more enjoyable when you can keep the ball in play off the tee 😂
I bought a Cobra King F9 at the end of 2019 for $280 and still have it in the bag. It's insane to pay full price when you can get something that suits your eye at half the price.
After 14 years of using my Cleveland HiBore XL Tour 10.5 with an Aldila 60gm stiff, I decided to upgrade to a Cobra LTDx, but could not find one in my budget. I did find an LS 10.5 though, with a Hazrdous 6.0 blue. Now that I have a better swing speed I would like to try an xs shaft just to see if I can bring things back to the right a bit more. Snap hooking like I never have before, or do I just relearn a swing to suit the setup?
@Tony-nf6ru so my snap hooks could be because I subconsciously overcompensate when seeing how open it is at address(which it is now that I took it down 1 degree)?
Snap hooks is face and path combination, so it’s unlikely that you’re 1 degree change is the major cause Had similar issue myself this season. I’ve fixed this by feeling like I’m externally rotating my forearms / wrists when I’m downswinging. Ironically, this is just a feeling that is shallowing my path. Few good videos on it around UA-cam
Very good series. I bought a new Mizuno ST Max after your last video for $200 USD / about 160 pounds. Really good performing driver. Not longer than my prior gamer (PXG 0811 Proto Plus) but some subtle differences in ball fight for me. Seems very neutral in standard setting so I can play it as is or do a minor sleeve adjustment to bias it one way or the other. Good time of year to find a great deal.
Picked up a TSR2 with a 45 inch shaft for less than half of a GT2. About 8-10 yards longer than my Mizuno 230 St-x with similar accuracy. Looking forward in a few years to picking up a Tour Edge E725 or GT2 second hand. Callaway pre-owned is a really good place to get Calloways cheap, and give good value on trades.
Still happy with my Cobra F8+ and extra shift shaft. I happened to hit further and more consistent with this driver than any driver I owned in the past. With the lack of tech improvements in the last 5-10 years, I see no reason to move away from something that is working. The carbon face sounds cool, but the MOI can't be any larger than the other drivers, the only changes will be possible slight gain in moi on off center hits, spin, and possibly aero that allows quicker swing speeds.
Insightful stuff Simon. Makes me wonder - I was fitted to a Callaway Epic Max with an Oban Devotion 4 45g shaft a couple of years ago. (I have a truncated backswing at c.90mph). Would it be worth me looking at a newer head like the Paradym Smoke AI? Has tech advanced much over two years? Cheers!
Very much like my Cobra Darkspeed. I’d pickup an extra as a backup. How many rounds How many ball strikes should the driver heads last If taken care of and just normal wear and tear. All drivers get to looking a little scratched up on faces and bottoms.
How is the ai smoke with the weight adjustment along the back? Is it adjustable throughout the entire rail it sits in and can the weight amounts be changed?
I’ve hit every driver on this list came into 2024 hitting tsr3 went to ping. Wasn’t for me then the ai td then got the new GT3 went back to the Callaway but got the TD max and it’s the best driver I’ve hit!
I've had my qi10 for the entire season I play twice a week minimum It doesn't have any issues with separation I average 162mph ball speed for reference
Nice one Si you are the man. Keep up the great work. I'm 53 had my first lesson Tuesday. Just picked up some xrs for next to nothing.. take it easy but merry Christmas
Very few of the tm staff players are using the standard “core” head - there’s a tour only standard dot * head they are all using which has a slightly different cg position and has slightly less spin that core head -
Fitted for a Qi10 6 weeks ago, got a bit of a deal on it (£450) and its awesome. Be very interesting to see what Taylor Made wheel out for 2025, I think the Qi10 is amazing.
The 2024 AI Smoke is going to be my gamer for 2025. It blows away my PXG driver by game changing yardage and control. However maybe I need to check the Titleist also.
Great video for showing how an appropriate fitting can work wonders, but it has to be the right fitting. My driver has been all over the place recently so I took it out the bag, but its more than likely just the completely wrong setup for me... Obviously not me swinging wildly, has to be the cub, right?
Just bought an ex demo ping max for £275 with not a s8ngle mark on it also it were custom fitted for me for free awsome deal .Im now looking for a ping max 5 wood ex demo may have to wait until boxing day at my local american golf store
@@SASGolf I just got one for $45 in a game on an auction app, not sure what shaft it has yet other than it being stiff but for $45 can’t really beat that
@ great video btw, very informative. New to golf this year and I’m hooked and always looking to learn. Idk if you ever tryout budget clubs but I started with a set of Hogans FW-817’s 5-PW, I like the irons a lot the driver isn’t the best but not terrible and the hybrids still unsure of
really interesting have tried several of these drivers ping g430 changed it for the 10k just could not stop hooking it ow got taylor made qi10 love this one never tried differant shaft options must seriosly consider this thank you for a great watch
I just bought a mint G430 LST off eBay for $300. It is a great driver-forgiving, low spin, and at least 10 yards more than my G425 LST with the SAME shaft. I think PANIC is a stretch.
Being that ping sales are mostly pier to pier on eBay… with new models coming soon? Is it better to wait or would prices not drop much? Currently used models on eBay are 1-200 less than what a store would sell a pre-owned for. Can’t imagine they’d drop even more.
Had an ai smoke all yr.. got rid and wanted 2 try carbon face TM.. managed to get the LS one new head and rdx blue shaft for 300.. tried once and feels much more powerful than the callaway imo.. and forgiveness doesnt seem 2 different either.. May be bias on first hit tho as i hit to 5inches at a short par 4. So time will tell 😁
AI smoke triple diamond driver has literally changed the way I golf I’ve never hit a straighter low spin driver and I’ve been through a s**t ton of drivers lol
Got rid of my qi10 max. Bottom of the head broke off. Will never go to a taylormade driver aslong as they have yhr carbon face. Heard they only stress test it to a certain level.
@donkee9 yeah I swapped my Qi10 max aswell. But sold it and ended up in a ai smoke max. Get less help but feel is alot better and don't have to worry about it breaking
Everyone keeps saying that the pain is not as long as the other drivers but every time I watch a tour of progress, another tour pro the ping is out driving those guys in some cases
I saved up money for a few months to buy a ZP, but it got scratched on the third day. I cried so much, and then my boyfriend bought me a bag from kislux for me to carry alternately. Anyway, there are so many bags on the street, so as long as others can't see it, I think it's fine. The thought is there.
I tested three drivers Taylor made Callaway ping against my 20 dollar 12 yr old Burner and they were on average 5 yrds better. Guess which one ended up in my bag.
Sound is up to the person. I play the max D. My arccos say it’s a damn good driver! 73% fairways hit. 248yard average. My swing speed is 98mph on average.
I play a callaway rouge triple diamond never changing to me best driver ever made next to the sim2 nothing compares to them the carbon is total b s and the max limit in clubs have reached there max abilities years ago how can drivers that come out every 5 months lol it’s all a marketing scam
You are trying to get people to panic buy clubs that are well over priced which is what American taking over the game has done. GREED GREED and more GREED
Everything in my bag was bought 1-2 years after the product was released. All new, still in plastic wrappers. Saved 40-50%
That is the absolute best way to go when buying new. I do this with all my woods.
No one asked.
@@ryguy8805 Why douche reply?
@@ryguy8805first day on the internet huh?
@@jwheels9876 says the seasoned expert with an absolute clever zinger. Wow.
Bought my 2023 ParadymX this year (2024) second hand for $200 USD. They sold new for $600 USD.
I bought the Callaway Paradym standard driver it's magic so consistent and does not mark up looks so cool
Got fitted for an adjustable Callaway AI driver last summer. I call it the Waymo (the driverless car service) driver. It works all on its own; I just make a swing, and it launches beautifully even when I mess up.
BTW, the golf shaft and swing weight of your build should be about 90% of your concern.
Cheers🎉
Hello from Arizona, USA! Another great video full of useful information and analysis! As someone coming back to golf after 20 yrs., I've come to rely heavily on your expertise and analysis. Many thanks!
Picked up an ex demo Darkspeed X for £205 - not a mark on it - great driver
Can you do a video on changing the loft sleeve on a driver? When to try it and what settings to try to fix certain shots?
Great video Simon very good.
I have tried and return 3 2024 drivers so back using my SIM2 and simply see no difference. A new driver shaft made more sense.
I have an EPIC speed head only for £90 in 2022, only bought as my son was leaving his package set phase. 75 gram stiff 44.5" shaft sound and feel : ) when hit from the center.
I did the same, tried out a Paradym, g430, tsr3, and the qi10. Have the sim 2 as well. Ended up using the qi10 all year. Performs a touch better than the sim 2 but it’s the look of that top crown that got me. Was never a fan of the white split crown on the sims
Great show and great advice yet again, I'm off to see Alex at orka tomorrow thanks to you, keep them coming mate.
Gamed the qi10 almost all year with a blue Ventus velocore+ and i had the best year driving yet
Same here! Really didn’t want to pay full price but once it was in the bag I’ve not regretted it once! Golf is so much more enjoyable when you can keep the ball in play off the tee 😂
The driver is whatever for me the qi10 fairway though is a favorite.
0
I bought a Cobra King F9 at the end of 2019 for $280 and still have it in the bag. It's insane to pay full price when you can get something that suits your eye at half the price.
That's the same thing I did with the F8+, bought it near the end of the golf season that it came out for $150 shipped
After 14 years of using my Cleveland HiBore XL Tour 10.5 with an Aldila 60gm stiff, I decided to upgrade to a Cobra LTDx, but could not find one in my budget. I did find an LS 10.5 though, with a Hazrdous 6.0 blue. Now that I have a better swing speed I would like to try an xs shaft just to see if I can bring things back to the right a bit more. Snap hooking like I never have before, or do I just relearn a swing to suit the setup?
Just remember all cobras are open at address, this can play with your brain box
@Tony-nf6ru so my snap hooks could be because I subconsciously overcompensate when seeing how open it is at address(which it is now that I took it down 1 degree)?
Snap hooks is face and path combination, so it’s unlikely that you’re 1 degree change is the major cause
Had similar issue myself this season.
I’ve fixed this by feeling like I’m externally rotating my forearms / wrists when I’m downswinging.
Ironically, this is just a feeling that is shallowing my path.
Few good videos on it around UA-cam
@@patrickmcevoy6824 thank you. Will look them up.
Play a fade?
Timely video..well done as always…Looking at pxg sale right now
Heck yes, PXG has 5th gen drivers with multiple shaft options for $199. Now that's hard to beat.
Very good series. I bought a new Mizuno ST Max after your last video for $200 USD / about 160 pounds. Really good performing driver. Not longer than my prior gamer (PXG 0811 Proto Plus) but some subtle differences in ball fight for me. Seems very neutral in standard setting so I can play it as is or do a minor sleeve adjustment to bias it one way or the other. Good time of year to find a great deal.
Picked up a TSR2 with a 45 inch shaft for less than half of a GT2. About 8-10 yards longer than my Mizuno 230 St-x with similar accuracy.
Looking forward in a few years to picking up a Tour Edge E725 or GT2 second hand.
Callaway pre-owned is a really good place to get Calloways cheap, and give good value on trades.
Still happy with my Cobra F8+ and extra shift shaft. I happened to hit further and more consistent with this driver than any driver I owned in the past. With the lack of tech improvements in the last 5-10 years, I see no reason to move away from something that is working. The carbon face sounds cool, but the MOI can't be any larger than the other drivers, the only changes will be possible slight gain in moi on off center hits, spin, and possibly aero that allows quicker swing speeds.
Insightful stuff Simon. Makes me wonder - I was fitted to a Callaway Epic Max with an Oban Devotion 4 45g shaft a couple of years ago. (I have a truncated backswing at c.90mph). Would it be worth me looking at a newer head like the Paradym Smoke AI? Has tech advanced much over two years? Cheers!
Very much like my Cobra Darkspeed. I’d pickup an extra as a backup.
How many rounds
How many ball strikes should the driver heads last
If taken care of and just normal wear and tear.
All drivers get to looking a little scratched up on faces and bottoms.
How is the ai smoke with the weight adjustment along the back? Is it adjustable throughout the entire rail it sits in and can the weight amounts be changed?
I’ve hit every driver on this list came into 2024 hitting tsr3 went to ping. Wasn’t for me then the ai td then got the new GT3 went back to the Callaway but got the TD max and it’s the best driver I’ve hit!
I've had my qi10 for the entire season
I play twice a week minimum
It doesn't have any issues with separation
I average 162mph ball speed for reference
Nice one Si you are the man. Keep up the great work. I'm 53 had my first lesson Tuesday. Just picked up some xrs for next to nothing.. take it easy but merry Christmas
Very few of the tm staff players are using the standard “core” head - there’s a tour only standard dot * head they are all using which has a slightly different cg position and has slightly less spin that core head -
Fitted for a Qi10 6 weeks ago, got a bit of a deal on it (£450) and its awesome. Be very interesting to see what Taylor Made wheel out for 2025, I think the Qi10 is amazing.
The 2024 AI Smoke is going to be my gamer for 2025. It blows away my PXG driver by game changing yardage and control. However maybe I need to check the Titleist also.
Sound like a plan mate, What PXG you got currently?
Great video for showing how an appropriate fitting can work wonders, but it has to be the right fitting. My driver has been all over the place recently so I took it out the bag, but its more than likely just the completely wrong setup for me... Obviously not me swinging wildly, has to be the cub, right?
Just bought an ex demo ping max for £275 with not a s8ngle mark on it also it were custom fitted for me for free awsome deal .Im now looking for a ping max 5 wood ex demo may have to wait until boxing day at my local american golf store
What do you think of the Callaway Rogue LS ?
Outrageous value and best looking driver they have created. 👌
@@SASGolf I just got one for $45 in a game on an auction app, not sure what shaft it has yet other than it being stiff but for $45 can’t really beat that
@ great video btw, very informative. New to golf this year and I’m hooked and always looking to learn. Idk if you ever tryout budget clubs but I started with a set of Hogans FW-817’s 5-PW, I like the irons a lot the driver isn’t the best but not terrible and the hybrids still unsure of
Another great, informative video! Hope to catch up soon.
really interesting have tried several of these drivers ping g430 changed it for the 10k just could not stop hooking it ow got taylor made qi10 love this one never tried differant shaft options must seriosly consider this thank you for a great watch
I just bought a mint G430 LST off eBay for $300. It is a great driver-forgiving, low spin, and at least 10 yards more than my G425 LST with the SAME shaft. I think PANIC is a stretch.
Being that ping sales are mostly pier to pier on eBay… with new models coming soon? Is it better to wait or would prices not drop much? Currently used models on eBay are 1-200 less than what a store would sell a pre-owned for.
Can’t imagine they’d drop even more.
Had an ai smoke all yr.. got rid and wanted 2 try carbon face TM.. managed to get the LS one new head and rdx blue shaft for 300.. tried once and feels much more powerful than the callaway imo.. and forgiveness doesnt seem 2 different either..
May be bias on first hit tho as i hit to 5inches at a short par 4. So time will tell 😁
just found a Titleist gt3 that looked absolutely brand new for 419 today
AI smoke triple diamond driver has literally changed the way I golf I’ve never hit a straighter low spin driver and I’ve been through a s**t ton of drivers lol
Buy a carbon face at your own peril. There good for a few years, after that, a ticking time bomb. Nothing like titanium face for durability
Got rid of my qi10 max. Bottom of the head broke off. Will never go to a taylormade driver aslong as they have yhr carbon face. Heard they only stress test it to a certain level.
I cracked my ping g430lst called ping and took it back to golf mart. They swapped it right out
Sounds like it got rid of you
@donkee9 yeah I swapped my Qi10 max aswell. But sold it and ended up in a ai smoke max. Get less help but feel is alot better and don't have to worry about it breaking
@@jgdbb30004 I swear I hear about and see more Taylor made woods breaking. I love my p770 though.
I'm using a Nike Vapor Fly. Titanium 😅
Happy thanksgiving you limey blokes.
Twenty lashes with a wet turkey noodle to you scurby dog
Did you re upload this? I swear I saw it a few days ago
Cheers Simon.
Had all of those. Settled on Mizuno 😂
Everyone keeps saying that the pain is not as long as the other drivers but every time I watch a tour of progress, another tour pro the ping is out driving those guys in some cases
Mizuno 230 is $299 new and gets fantastic reviews.
Great vid as usual
Got me the ai smoke irons, 3w and driver. They’re not leaving my bag anytime soon.
I’ve just bought what was meant to be ex demo AI smoke TD in my spec £290 it’s mint condition.
The Darkspeed is a great club but an LTDx off eBay is a better head.
Is it worth buying a ping g430 max 10k now or should I wait till Jan?
January... 2027. 😂
My old driver was 33 years old. Bought the AI Smoke Max and far loving it. Wish I got it for less than $500 😅
I upgraded my Ping K15 for a Wilson D200 driver this year. I’ll get an AI Smoke in 2030.
I saved up money for a few months to buy a ZP, but it got scratched on the third day. I cried so much, and then my boyfriend bought me a bag from kislux for me to carry alternately. Anyway, there are so many bags on the street, so as long as others can't see it, I think it's fine. The thought is there.
all my clubs were bough from 2-4 years ago
I tested three drivers Taylor made Callaway ping against my 20 dollar 12 yr old Burner and they were on average 5 yrds better. Guess which one ended up in my bag.
Did not like the smoke that sounded horrible and flat, wouldn't recommend it at all
Sound is up to the person. I play the max D. My arccos say it’s a damn good driver! 73% fairways hit. 248yard average. My swing speed is 98mph on average.
Also remember PXG are phenomenal value
Why is it I have to swing out of my shoes to get 107 head speed and these guys just half swing for 113
It's called lag, like skipping a stone, the wrists need to be in a position to hinge and then unhinge at a precise time every swing.
Yup. You're not swinging a bat... You're cracking a whip 💯
Anyone looking for better rescuers, don’t buy a new driver that 6 years old or newer change shafts get grips that are the right size
Cobra F9 still outperforms
I've learned that all the 'new' clubs are nothing but hype. For the Average Joe, new makes zero difference. Save your money, get some lessons.
Quite literally the best advice 🙏
Taken a break from golf ...and recently playing again
In 5 years nothing has changed 😮
Still trying to sell us gear we don't need to..
Tell us in 2 minutes instead of dragging the video out !!
1.5x speed
I would never buy a Taylor Made driver.. they fall apart
I play a callaway rouge triple diamond never changing to me best driver ever made next to the sim2 nothing compares to them the carbon is total b s and the max limit in clubs have reached there max abilities years ago how can drivers that come out every 5 months lol it’s all a marketing scam
You are trying to get people to panic buy clubs that are well over priced which is what American taking over the game has done. GREED GREED and more GREED
So wasteful