Why we might start to see fewer role models

On this week’s episode of the Fully Equipped Podcast with Johnny Wunder, we talked about the possibility of the LS model coming out and the questions its possible release raises. Let’s examine the theory and the implications.

A few things are at play here.

1.) Death of LS driver

Johnny and I talked about this last week as well. Jack also did a good write up on the topic that you can read here. The idea is that we’re starting to see less use of LS-style drivers like the TaylorMade Qi4D LS, Cobra OPTM LS, and Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond. Instead, players choose the Qi4D Core, Cobra OPTM X or Callaway Triple Diamond Max profiles.

The main reason is that the ‘core’ style heads, the ones that sit in the middle of a forest formation, have become so versatile. With any of the ‘core’ style heads I’ve mentioned, I was able to fit them to the same numbers I’d get from their LS counterparts, but with a lot more forgiveness. The appearance is also significantly improved. The idea of ​​playing smaller LS-style pear-shaped heads has never been particularly appealing, but this one isn’t as important as it used to be. In fact, many LS-style heads are being made larger to increase forgiveness, such as the Cobra OPTM LS. The new Titleist GTS 4 is also rumored to be slightly larger than it has traditionally been.

The one category that I believe is being overlooked, however, is the high-spinning golfer. This is the golfer who traditionally shuns LS head designs because they worry about the lack of forgiveness. But with modern heads this is no longer such a problem. I’ve fit quite a few handicap golfers in more forgiving LS models, like the OPTM LS or Wilson DYNAPWR LS models, and it’s gone pretty well. The big advantage is taking a 9 degree head and turning it up the sleeve to add loft and, more importantly, close the face. A closed face with lower spin results in a much friendlier ball flight.

Is the LS head dead? No. Could it be on its way out, or found in an increasingly niche market? I think it already has.

2.) Spawning Triple Diamond Max

A big reason why the lines between driver models have started to blur was the introduction of the Callaway Triple Diamond Max driver model, which debuted in 2024 with the Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Max. As a special release item, the Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Max gave players a Triple-Diamond feel and flight bias, but with a larger head for more forgiveness, a touch of added spin to complement the low-spin tendencies of the standard Triple Diamond head, and an easier time to return the ball. He did all of this without losing the speed that the Triple Diamond is known for. The setup was the same as the Triple Diamond: one front weight on the head and one weight on the back of the head. This helps to control not only the spin and launch, but also the starting line.

Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond Max Custom Driver

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The normal Triple Diamond inline head has always had a right-start bias with a tendency to support a fade for a right-handed golfer. By adding more weight to the front of the head, this feeling was intensified, and by adding weight back, the launch lines would become a little more neutral and the face was easier to close so the player could make a draw. That Smoke Triple Diamond Max was a monster. Uncontracted athletes like Justin Rose and Sepp Straka won several times with the model. Fast forward to the new Quantum Triple Diamond Max, and many golf equipment writers and reviewers are wondering why the other heads in the Callaway lineup even exist. I said the same thing in my launch video. I don’t think there is any reason for fitters to take a second look at Triple Diamond or standard Max heads. Just go straight to Triple Diamond Max for nine out of 10 players. This is my opinion.

What makes the Triple Diamond Max so good is its versatility. You can add front or back weight, the head starts neutral and can be useful for players who work the ball either way, and spin is incredibly manageable on errant face shots. If you look at the market over the last three years, you can see the answer to the success of Triple Diamond Max. TaylorMade’s new Qi4D core head shares many similarities. The OPTM X is a great head that can change characteristics when you move the weights and play with the FF33 adapter settings. There were others. Wilson released the DYNAPWR MAX+ as a direct competitor to the Triple Diamond Max, and Ping’s new G440 K entered the game as the new 900-pound gorilla in the room. All of these designs had the same goal: To make the platform as versatile and “fit” as possible without sacrificing an ounce of forgiveness. Each company also happened to do this without sacrificing speed. Which was one of the original wins we claimed for the new G440 K when we first tested the product.

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Right now, we’re living in the best consumer driver market imaginable. Having categories or header types that overlap or blur the lines only means more chances for an overly detailed fit. Each of them will do something different, and because no two swings are the same, that can only be a good thing. Do I think we’ll start seeing models taken out of lineups? No. But I think the patterns will become more specific. There will be a ‘core’ style header in every lineup that will work for 90% of players, something that wasn’t true even five years ago. And then you’ll have specific heads for the needs of golfers on specific courses. Which is nothing but fun, helpful and encouraging for the future of golf equipment.