Callaway Elyte Drivers, Fairways and Hybrids

Callaway’s new 2025 driver, fairway wood and hybrid launch is Elyte in name and elite by nature.

Whether the Elyte name is a tip of the cap to Callaway founder Ely Callaway or just a continuation of Callaway’s dubious spelling is up for debate. Remember, we’re just emerging from the Paradym era…

Semantics aside, the new Callaway Elyte metalwood line-up is engineered to break the trade-off between speed and forgiveness by getting the one-percenters right (apologies for the footy analogy in summer). And much like a premiership-winning team, focusing on the small details has, collectively, transformed performance from merely good to elite — or Elyte, as Callaway would prefer.

Let’s take a look…

CALLAWAY ELYTE DRIVERS

The overarching Elyte design philosophy is to add speed without impacting forgiveness.

In other words, no trade-offs. Just the benefits.

Essentially, Callaway wanted to merge the speed of their 2021 Epic driver — which was incredibly fast out of the middle of the face — with their more forgiveness focused efforts in the Rogue ST, Paradym and Ai Smoke follow-ups. To unlock significant performance gains in the new Elyte line-up Callaway decided to go back and run everything under the microscope.

The forensic review yielded three distinct areas of innovation that allowed Callaway to decouple speed and forgiveness in the Elyte range to maximise performance.

A NEW AERODYNAMIC SHAPE

Driver heads are, by nature, big and flat. In the Handbook of Aerodynamic Efficiency, big and flat equates to slow and inefficient, and thus should be avoided.

Making the driver head smaller would be a simple solution to lift speed through the air. However, the associated forgiveness penalty — namely lower MOI, higher centre of gravity and more spin — means the juice just isn’t worth the squeeze.

The goal for Callaway’s new Elyte driver was to create a faster head shape without sacrificing MOI and CG.

Callaway’s aerodynamic modelling suggested a lower heel profile would create an uptick in speed on the downswing, where you really need it.

However, the top ribbon on the Elyte crown has also been pulled higher and deeper, which would usually result in a CG penalty. But Callaway had a solution…

NEW THERMOFORGED CROWN

Making the top ribbon (the bit on top of the face before the crown starts) higher would typically raise the centre of gravity and increase spin. But Callaway’s new thermoforged crown is the answer.

The aerospace-grade carbon fibre is stronger and lighter. It’s also able to be moulded more precisely, which meant Callaway could wrap the crown further down the Elyte’s chassis. The result is that it displaces titanium, which lowers the centre of gravity and cuts spin, completely offsetting the raised ribbon.

Testing reveals the new head shape increases head speed by up to 1.3mph, with speed gains seen across every handicap bracket.

Ai 10x FACE

Callaway have been leading from the front in artificial intelligent face design for a while now, but they’ve shifted gears in the new Elyte driver.

Last year, Callaway’s Ai Smoke introduced zones of forgiveness on the face that were conceived by inputting real player data into the A.I. design process. In the new Elyte line-up, Callaway have supercharged the process.

Feeding quality data into an A.I. algorithm will always lead to a better outcome, which is the narrative behind Callaway’s new 10x Ai face. Boosting the quantity and refining the quality of player data used in the A.I. process has created a 10-fold increase in the number of “sweet spot” zones on the Elyte driver face. It has tightened downrange dispersion by a huge 19 per cent compared to the Ai Smoke driver face.

Callaway are outliers by preferring to focus on dispersion rather than a more nebulous MOI figure. But it translates to the Elyte driver being straighter and more accurate.

CALLAWAY ELYTE DRIVER MODELS

CALLAWAY ELYTE DRIVER

The standard Elyte driver is fast and low spinning but offers high MOI and forgiveness. It’s a combination that makes the Elyte driver the best fit for the majority of players. A new peripheral weight system features three discrete settings — fade, neutral and draw — to finetune, rather than transform, ball flights. Lofts: 9°, 10.5°, 12° 

CALLAWAY ELYTE X DRIVER

The Elyte X driver replaces Callaway’s Max Draw driver and provides help for players who need it, in two distinct ways. It offers 4-8 yards more slice-correcting draw bias than the Max Draw in the heel-weighted Draw setting. In the neutral setting, it offers more forgiveness, a higher launch and is 2-4 yards more right than the Draw setting. Lofts: 9°, 10.5°, 12°

CALLAWAY ELYTE MAX FAST DRIVER

The Elyte Max Fast driver is an ultralight design made for moderate swing speeds. For the first time, the Max Fast features adjustability. Replicating the Elyte X driver's weight configuration, the neutral setting produces a higher launch and more forgiveness while the draw setting produces a left bias for slice correction. Callaway also offer an Elyte Max Fast Women's driver. Lofts: 10.5°, 12°

CALLAWAY ELYTE TRIPLE DIAMOND DRIVER

Callaway’s new Elyte Triple Diamond driver isn’t just for the better, stronger player anymore. Featuring a more compact 450cc tour-preferred head shape and neutral ball flight, the Triple Diamond will still give better players the ability to work the ball through the air. But it offers more stability in the back of the head and low spin in the front that provides casual golfers with a tonne of low-spinning distance, combined with more forgiveness than previous Callaway Triple Diamond drivers. It’s longer and straighter than the Ai Smoke Triple Diamond driver and the interchangeable weight screws can be swapped to slightly elevate spin rates and launch. Lofts: 8°, 9°, 10.5°

CALLAWAY ELYTE DRIVER SPECIFICATIONS

Australian Launch Date: January 24, 2025. Pre sale: January 17, 2025
Hand: Right/Left
Shaft Options:
Callaway Elyte Driver: True Temper Project X Denali Charcoal 50/60g (r,s,x); Mitsubishi Chemical Vanquish PL 40g (r2)
Callaway Elyte X Driver: True Temper Project X Denali Charcoal 50/60g (r,s,x); Mitsubishi Chemical Vanquish PL 40g (r2); Mitsubishi Chemical Eldio 40g (l)
Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond Driver: Aretera EC1 Blue 65g/75g (s,x); Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei 1K Black 65g/75g (s,x); True Temper Denali Charcoal 50g (s)
Callaway Elyte Max Fast Driver: Mitsubishi Chemical Vanquish PL 40g (r2); Mitsubishi Chemical Eldio 40g (l)
Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360; Winn Dri-Tac Lite 2.0 (Max Fast); Lamkin ST Soft Undersized (Women’s)
Callaway Elyte Driver Lofts: 9°, 10.5°, 12°.
Callaway Elyte X Driver Lofts: 9°, 10.5°, 12°.
Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond Driver Lofts: 8°, 9°, 10.5°.
Callaway Elyte Max Fast Driver Lofts: 10.5°, 12°.

CALLAWAY ELYTE FAIRWAY WOODS

To deliver elite performance in their new Elyte fairway woods, Callaway set about improving performance in a couple of areas that golfers tend to struggle with when playing fairway woods.

The first was improving the performance of low misses on the face; the second was achieving better, and more consistent, contact.

Callaway have introduced two key technologies in the five-model Elyte fairway wood range: the Tungsten Speed Wave and a new Step Sole. And with an Ai 10x face design like the driver, it provides Elyte fairway woods with a significant boost in performance.

TUNGSTEN SPEED WAVE

Elyte fairway woods use almost twice the amount of tungsten as the previous Ai Smoke range. However, Callaway haven’t used it exactly where you’d expect.

The Tungsten Speed Wave, as Callaway call it, weighs 35g and sits inside the head, rather than on the sole.

It’s intended to push the CG forward to lift spin on low strikes. But because the Tungsten Speed Wave kind of floats inside the head, rather than being attached to the sole, it allows the face unimpeded deflection when a low strike occurs. More speed and distance is the result, with ball speeds from low impacts almost matching centre strikes.

But Callaway Elyte fairway woods also have something to stop those low strikes in the first place…

STEP SOLE DESIGN

Callaway Elyte fairway woods feature a Step Sole design borrowed from Callaway’s Apex Utility Wood line.

Callaway noticed that reducing the area of sole contact with the ground in the Apex UW range produced markedly more consistent contact. The Step Sole allowed players to get the leading edge of the club into and through the turf without it bouncing or skipping back up.

Elyte fairway woods feature 57 per cent less sole contact area than the Ai Smoke fairway thanks to the Step Sole and Callaway estimate the move will reduce low strikes by 25 per cent.

CALLAWAY ELYTE FAIRWAY WOOD MODELS

CALLAWAY ELYTE FAIRWAY WOOD

The Callaway Elyte fairway wood is the model designed for mass appeal. It features a neutral ball flight and its shallow face makes it easy to get the ball up in the air. Callaway Elyte fairway woods offer the most lofts (3W-11W).

CALLAWAY ELYTE X FAIRWAY WOOD

The Elyte X fairway wood features a bigger footprint than the standard Elyte model and more forgiveness. Like its driver namesake, the Elyte X also features a slight draw bias and comes in 3W-7W.

CALLAWAY ELYTE TRIPLE DIAMOND FAIRWAY WOOD

Featuring a more compact, tour-preferred head shape and slightly deeper face, the Elyte Triple Diamond fairway wood is the most workable model. The Triple Diamond’s forward weight screw cuts spin, producing a more penetrating ball flight for higher swing speeds. The TD is available in 3W-7W.

CALLAWAY ELYTE Ti FAIRWAY WOOD

The Elyte Ti fairway wood is a new model for Callaway. It’s a blend of the standard Elyte and Triple Diamond fairway wood models, with a deeper face like the Triple Diamond matched with the footprint of the standard Elyte fairway wood. It also features a titanium face and body, creating low spin, high ball speeds and lots of distance. It’s an absolute bomber off the tee and is available in 3W-5W.

CALLAWAY ELYTE MAX FAST FAIRWAY WOOD

The Callaway Elyte Max Fast fairway wood is designed for players with moderate swing speeds. Its lightweight construction is highlighted by a premium shaft and a carbon sole. Callaway also offer an Elyte Max Fast Women's fairway wood. Available in 3W-9W.

CALLAWAY ELYTE FAIRWAY WOOD SPECIFICATIONS

Australian Launch Date: January 24, 2025. Pre sale: January 17, 2025
Hand: Right/Left
Shaft Options:
Callaway Elyte Fairway Wood: True Temper Project X Denali Charcoal 60g/70g (r,s,x); Mitsubishi Chemical Vanquish PL 40g/50g (r,r2)
Callaway Elyte X Fairway Wood: True Temper Project X Denali Charcoal 60g/70g (r,s,x); Mitsubishi Chemical Vanquish PL 40g/50g (r,r2); Mitsubishi Chemical Eldio 40g (l)
Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond Fairway Wood: Aretera EC1 Blue 75g/85g (s,x); Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei 1K Black 75g/85g (s,x); True Temper Project X Denali Charcoal 60g (s)
Callaway Elyte Ti Fairway Wood: Aretera EC1 Blue 75g/85g (s,x); Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei 1K Black 75g/85g (s,x); True Temper Project X Denali Charcoal 60g (s)
Callaway Elyte Max Fast Fairway Wood: Mitsubishi Chemical Vanquish 40g (r2); Mitsubishi Chemical Eldio 40g (l)
Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet; Winn Dri-Tac Lite 2.0 (Max Fast);
Callaway Elyte Fairway Wood Lofts: 3 (15° adj), 3HL (16.5° adj), 5 (18°), HVN (20°), 7 (21°), 9 (24°), 11 (27°)
Callaway Elyte X Fairway Wood Lofts: 3 (15° adj), 3HL (16.5° adj), 5 (18°), 7 (21°)
Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond Fairway Wood Lofts: 3 (15°), 5 (18°), 7 (21°)
Callaway Elyte Ti Fairway Wood Lofts: 3 (15°), 3HL (16.5° adj), 5 (18°)
Callaway Elyte Max Fast Fairway Wood Lofts: 3 (16°), 5 (19°), 7 (22°), 9 (25°)

CALLAWAY ELYTE HYBRIDS

The Elyte benchmark filters through the to the new Elyte hybrids, which are built on a platform of providing the most adjustability and versatility possible at the top end of the bag.

And you can actually see and alter said versatility.

Interchangeable heel-toe weights (3g and 13g) feature on a Callaway hybrid for the first time to provide shot shape adjustability. With the 13g weight positioned in the toe, the Elyte hybrid will play neutral; switch it to the heel and it will produce up to 12 yards of draw bias.

The meaningful adjustability continues with the Elyte hybrids’ new OptiFit 4 hosel. It offers seven unique loft and lie combinations, including the option to completely flatten out the sole to straighten up a left miss.

Callaway’s Elyte hybirds also feature an Ai 10x face.

CALLAWAY ELYTE HYBRID MODELS

CALLAWAY ELYTE HYBRID

The standard Callaway Elyte hybrid offers the most neutral ball flight. Its mid-sized profile is designed to complement the Elyte and Elyte HL iron models. Lofts: 3H, 4H, 5H

CALLAWAY ELYTE X HYBRID

Featuring a slightly oversized profile and a little bit more draw bias in the neutral setting, the Elyte X hybrid is built on a platform of maximising forgiveness. Lofts: 3H, 4H, 5H, 6H, 7H

CALLAWAY ELYTE MAX FAST HYBRID

A stretched-out back section gives the Elyte Max Fast hybrid a large footprint that makes it an excellent match for moderate swing speeds. It also features a shallow face and sits lower to the ground, making it easy to get in the air for moderate swing speed players. Lofts: 4H, 5H, 6H, 7H, 8H. Callaway also offer an Elyte Max Fast Women's hybrid.

CALLAWAY ELYTE HYBRID SPECIFICATIONS

Australian Launch Date: February 7, 2025. Pre sale: January 17, 2025
Hand: Right/Left
Shaft Options:
Callaway Elyte Hybrid: True Temper Project X Denali Charcoal 60g/70g (r,s); Mitsubishi Chemical Vanquish PL 50g (r2); Mitsubishi Chemical Eldio 40g (l)
Callaway Elyte X Hybrid: True Temper Project X Denali Charcoal 60g/70g (r,s); Mitsubishi Chemical Vanquish PL 50g (r2)
Callaway Elyte Max Fast Hybrid: Mitsubishi Chemical Vanquish PL 50g (r2); Mitsubishi Chemical Eldio 40g (l)
Grip: Lamkin Crossline 360; Winn Dri-Tac 2.0 (Max Fast); Lamkin ST Soft (Women’s)
Callaway Elyte Hybrid Lofts: 3H (19°), 4H (22°), 5H (24°)
Callaway Elyte X Hybrid Lofts: 3H (18°), 4H (21°), 5H (25°), 6H (29°), 7H (31°)
Callaway Elyte Max Fast Hybrid Lofts: 4H (23°), 5H (27°), 6H (31°), 7H (35°), 8H (39°)

To read about the accompanying Callaway Elyte iron range, click here.