2,025 drivers from Callaway and PING have landed on USGA (and R&A) compliant club lists. As usual, full details are being held back until the embargoes are officially lifted in early January, but there are a few bits to glean from the information (and photos) provided by governing bodies.
Let’s take a look.
Callaway Elyte driver
We’re guessing this latest round of dubious spelling is a temptation for company founder Ely Callaway, so we’ll gladly give it a go.
Still, Callaway, there are definite ways to spell things, and no one would blame you for going back with the status quo.
Right out of the gate, however, Callaway will launch with four models that appear to mirror last season’s offerings.
Elyte without the suffix seems the possible successor of Paradym Ai Smoke Max.
While the new model will still offer neutral, draw and fade positions for its rear weight, it’s noticeable that Callaway has gone from one continuous track to three discrete weight positions.
I’ll bet that with the post patterns, golfers who bothered to deviate from the neutral setting either went as far as fading or as far as pulling. With that, it could be argued that the positions in between offered little utility.
The discrete position approach slightly reduces the structure required for the weight track and is likely to yield more useful mass properties as a result.
Elyte Triple Diamond Driver
Officially listed as the “Elyte (TD),” the triple diamond looks like a one-for-one replacement for last year’s model with the same suffix.
The fore-aft weighting system appears essentially unchanged. The unknown here is whether the TD will remain the slightly undersized (slightly faded) “player’s best driver” or whether Callaway will use the switch to the Elyte platform to make the TD action more similar to last season after the release in TD Max market.
Of course, if Callway’s model holds, we can expect to see a handful of tournament-only variants, while additional retail models are also a possibility.
Driver Elyte X
Callaway seems to be playing a bit of ping pong with himself on what we assume is the continuation of his draw biased pattern.
As you may recall, the Ai Smoke MAX D replaced the Paradym X in the draw category. The thinking around this time last year was that consumers would prefer clear recall nomenclature.
At first glance, it seems that thinking has reverted to the 2023 mentality.
Like the stock Elyte, the Elyte X features discrete rear weight positions. The notable difference is that the Elyte X lacks a dimming option, further suggesting that the X is once again a draw-biased model.
We’d expect some noticeable differences at address position as well, but that’s not a shot the USGA makes.
Elyte Max Fast
Finally, Callaway will once again offer a Max Fast model. Assuming there are no drastic changes, the Max Fast should present itself as a lightweight version of the Elyte X (it shares the same neutral weight/equipment options).
Callaway stuff I’m thinking about
How many more? – Callaway is known for stocking one-off models on the USGA list. Likewise, the company is not afraid to launch additional models throughout the season. With that, it’s fair to wonder if this will be all Callaway has for 2025, or if some golfers might want to hang around to see if exactly what they’re looking for hits the market.
Does Ai’s story still resonate? – Callaway long ago established themselves as the leader in Ai (within the golf equipment industry anyway). That said, every major manufacturer is making good use of AI, and as more tools like Chat GPT and Grok hit the open market, we’re fed up with all things AI.
So while USGA descriptions indicate that all Elyte models will offer Ai 10x faces, I wonder if Callaway might need a new shot to engage consumers.
How much will they cost?
It will be an interesting year in terms of prices. With a good portion of golf equipment still manufactured in China (and, in Callaway’s case, assembled in Mexico), it’s fair to wonder what impact the threat of tariffs will have on pricing.
With Callaway continuing to position itself as a premium brand, I wouldn’t be surprised if the retail price were to cross $600 into headline territory.
I’d like to be wrong.
PING
For 2025, PING will introduce three new driver models at launch. The G430 MAX 10K is expected to stay in the line. ……
G440 MAX driver
PING’s next MAX remains the middle of the bell curve pusher for the masses. At a glance, aside from the color scheme (PING is going blue), the most obvious change is the CARBONFLY WRAP Crown.
As you may remember, when the G430 series was launched, only the 430 LST had the carbon crown. He moved to the MAX 10K and is now slotted into the rest of the lineup.
A visible three-position rear weight is consistent with previous MAX models.
G440 LST driver
In USGA photos alone (which obviously isn’t much to work with), the 440 LST looks a bit like the G440 MAX. Chalk it up to the three weight position, I guess.
I don’t expect much to change for 2025. With that said, I expect the LST (low spin technology) to be PING’s lowest spin model (duh), but I also don’t expect any radical changes in approach PING to low rpm.
That said, I still expect the LST to be among the highest revving, most forgiving low revving models on the market.
G440 SFT driver
For our money, the SFT is the best driver on the market for players looking to tune parts. While nearly everyone is ramping up their one-sided appeal efforts, PING seems to have found a sweet spot in the category.
With that, my expectation is that we’ll see an increase in ball speed and a bump in MIA, but otherwise, it’s more of the same.
PING stuff I’m thinking about
Is the titan dead? – This isn’t so much a PING thing as it is an industry wide thing, but with PING and Titleist now all in on carbon fiber crowns, have we seen the last of titanium (as a crown material) from the biggest names in golf?
Do golfers understand spice? – PING has been talking about its strong face technology for several generations now. As PING’s homegrown word suggests, spinsistency is about using face technology to deliver more consistent spin. I’m not sure technology has ever resonated with golfers, but this time, PING is putting the word on its driver’s faces. I’m not sure this will help explain what it does, but it should help raise awareness.
How much MIA will the G440s offer? – There is no doubt that PING will continue to rely on MIA throughout the lineup. That said, with the 430 MAX 10K on the line, will the PING MOI dial back the 440 MAX in favor of a bit more ball speed?
There are similar questions to ask about the LST, where it’s reasonable to wonder if the target golfer wouldn’t be willing to give up an MOI for a little more speed.
How do they sound? – Been a bit mixed on the sound from PING. There are inherent challenges with large shapes, large weights and carbon fiber crowns. All three apply to PING, so it will be interesting to see if the new drivers offer improved sound and feel.
How much will they cost? – As a private company, PING does not face the same pressure from shareholders as most golf companies. If any major golf company has the luxury of keeping prices down, it’s PING.
Of course, there are some nuances to the idea of holding prices. The G430 MAX and SFT models launched at $550. The LST was $30 more at $580 (call it the carbon tax), while the MAX 10K launched at $600.
I don’t expect anything new in the new lineup to be less than that, but I also don’t think it will be more.
More information soon
We expect the embargoes on the Callaway Elyte and PING G440 drivers to be lifted in early January. With the COBRA DS-ADAPT drivers already on the list, TaylorMade is the latest of the big boys to hit the list. Come on guys, show us NOVA.
More information as it becomes available (and we’re allowed to share it).
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