Callaway · Driver · 2024 · Previous model
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke MAX driver
Game improvement, 3.0 of 5 for forgiveness
Callaway's 2024 adjustable 460cc driver, with a weight that slides around the back of the head to set a draw or a fade, in 9°, 10.5° and 12°. Callaway still sells the Paradym Ai Smoke MAX new; the Elyte followed it, and the Quantum Max is the newest model in its line.
3.0 of 5 forgiveness score
$399.99 at Callaway
Used from $263.99 at 2nd Swing Golf
In average condition or better: from $329.99
New instead: Callaway Quantum Max, $649.99 at Golf Discount, checked 2 Nov
Choose it if
- You want some help on mishits, short of the maker's most forgiving head.
- You play left-handed: it is sold left-handed.
- You need a softer shaft: it comes in Light, the flex Callaway's buying guide calls senior.
- You want to spend less: $399.99 is in the cheapest third of the 28 we price.
- Class
- Game improvement
- Stock lofts
- 9° · 10.5° · 12°
- Stock flexes
- Regular to extra stiff
- Hands
- Left or right
- Price
- $399.99 at Callaway, checked 12 Oct
What changed in the Quantum Max
Both are Callaway's adjustable 460cc driver of their year, in 9°, 10.5° and 12° and 45.75 inches long. The Ai Smoke MAX has a weight that slides around the back of the head; the Quantum Max moves a weight between neutral and draw settings, sits a degree flatter (a 57° lie against 58°) and has a face of titanium, polymer and carbon layers. The Elyte came between them in 2025.
Callaway still sells the Ai Smoke MAX new, from $399.99 against $649.99 for a Quantum Max. Choose it for an adjustable head for less; choose the Quantum Max for Callaway's newer layered face.
| Detail | Paradym Ai Smoke MAX (previous) | Quantum Max (current) |
|---|---|---|
| Class | Game improvement | Game improvement |
| Forgiveness score | 3.0 of 5 | 3.0 of 5 |
| Stock lofts | 9° · 10.5° · 12° | 9° · 10.5° · 12° |
| Slice help | None stated | Draw setting on the adjustable weight |
| Stock flexes | Regular to extra stiff | Regular to extra stiff |
| Hands | Left or right | Left or right |
| Price new | $399.99 at Callaway, checked 12 Oct | $649.99 at Golf Discount, checked 2 Nov |
| Price used | From $263.99 at 2nd Swing Golf (10.5°, stiff flex, below average condition), checked 31 Oct | From $419.99 at 2nd Swing Golf (9°, extra stiff flex, average condition), checked 31 Oct |
Head to head: TaylorMade Qi10 Max vs Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke MAX driver · Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke MAX vs MAX D driver · Callaway Paradym vs Paradym Ai Smoke MAX driver
Build a whole bag around it, or check the lofts in the bag you carry.
Paradym Ai Smoke MAX: the questions buyers ask
- Is the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke MAX forgiving?
- Moderately. It is Callaway's game improvement driver, with lofts up to 12°. It scores 3.0 of 5 on our reading of what Callaway publishes about it; the most forgiving drivers we cover score 4.0.
- Who is the Paradym Ai Smoke MAX for?
- It suits golfers who want some help on mishits, short of the maker's most forgiving head.
- Does the Paradym Ai Smoke MAX come in senior or ladies flex?
- Senior, yes, as Callaway names it: Light, the flex its buying guide calls senior. Callaway lists Light, regular (R), stiff (S) and extra stiff (X).
- Is the Paradym Ai Smoke MAX sold left-handed?
- Yes: Callaway sells it left- and right-handed.
- How much does the Paradym Ai Smoke MAX cost?
- $399.99 at Callaway, checked 12 Oct. Used from $263.99 at 2nd Swing Golf, checked 31 Oct. In average condition or better, from $329.99. Prices change; the seller's page has today's.
How the 3.0 adds up
The forgiveness score is our reading of what Callaway publishes about the head, from 1 to 5. It is not a test result. How every score works.
| Part | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Head | 3 | A game improvement driver head, not the most forgiving kind Callaway made. |
| Forgiveness score | 3.0 | of 5 |
Draw help, lofts, flex and hand don't change the score. They decide which version fits you, and the picks for a slice or a slow swing use them.
Specification sheet
| Maker | Callaway |
|---|---|
| Model | Paradym Ai Smoke MAX |
| Model year | 2024 |
| Type | Driver |
| Class | Game improvement |
| Handicap range the maker states | – |
| Offset | – |
| Sole | – |
| Moment of inertia (MOI) | – |
| Face technology | Ai Smart Face - Callaway's first face designed from real player swing data (Swing Code), with micro deflections meant to create sweet spots all over the face; 360-degree Carbon Chassis with an internal titanium support structure, 15% lighter than the Paradym '23 chassis; Forged Carbon sole |
| Construction | A carbon body and sole over a titanium frame, a face Callaway shaped from players' swing data, and a weight that slides around the back of the head to set the flight. |
| Stock steel shafts | – |
| Stock graphite shafts | Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei AV Series Blue 55, Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei AV Series Blue 65, Project X Cypher 2.0 40 |
| Stock flexes | R (regular), S (stiff), X (extra stiff) |
| Stock lofts | 9° · 10.5° · 12° |
| Hands | RH, LH |
| Men's or women's | Men's |
| List price when new | $599.99 (2024 model); not a price today |
| Price at Callaway | $399.99 · checked 12 Oct |
| What the price buys | The lowest price on Callaway's drivers page, single driver |
Compare with other game improvement drivers
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| Lofts | Slice help | Hand | Where to buy | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mizuno JPX ONE (2026) | 3.0 | Game improvement | 9° · 10.5° · 12° | – | R · S · X | RH · LH | $450 at Mizuno checked 2 Nov | |
Callaway Quantum Max (2026) | 3.0 | Game improvement | 9° · 10.5° · 12° | Draw setting on the adjustable weight | R · S · X | RH · LH | $649.99 at Golf Discount checked 2 Nov | |
Callaway Quantum Max Fast (2026) | 3.0 | Game improvement | 10.5° · 12° | – | not published | RH · LH | $699.99 at Golf Discount checked 2 Nov | |
| 3.0 | Game improvement | 9.5° · 10.5° · 11.5° | – | R | RH · LH | $799.99 at XXIO checked 2 Nov | ||
| 3.0 | Game improvement | 9° · 10.5° · 12° | – | A · R · S | RH | $299.99 at Tour Edge checked 2 Nov | See it at Tour Edge Check price on Amazon Amazon's price may differ | |
TaylorMade Kalea Gold (2024) | 3.0 | Game improvement | 11.5° · 13.5° | – | L | RH | $499.99 at TaylorMade checked 9 Oct | |
| 3.0 | Game improvement | 10.5° · 12° | – | L | RH | $699.99 at Golf Discount checked 2 Nov | ||
| 3.0 | Game improvement | 10.5° · 11.5° · 12.5° · 13.5° | – | L | RH | $799.99 at XXIO checked 2 Nov |
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Order: Most forgiving in this class first, then price. Use the arrows to sort. A dash means the maker does not publish it.
See all drivers on the most forgiving driver page, or compare this club side by side. Waiting for a sale? The Black Friday golf club deals page has the price to beat on every club we price.
Sources
The specification comes from these pages; open the maker's page before buying, because prices and shaft options change. Check the exact shaft and hand at the shop before ordering.
- Callaway's specification sheet
- Callaway's specifications, archived copy of 8 Feb 2024
- Callaway's specifications, archived copy of 6 Jan 2025
- Callaway's specifications, archived copy of 11 May 2026
- Callaway's drivers list (price checked 12 Oct)
- Callaway's launch announcement
- Callaway's Elyte page, archived copy of 2 Feb 2025
- Callaway's Quantum Max page, archived copy of 15 Feb 2026
- Callaway Pre-Owned's page on availability (checked 12 Oct)
- 2nd Swing Golf's used listings (checked 31 Oct)
- Pre-owned: seen at 2nd Swing Golf from $263.99 (checked 31 Oct)