Callaway Paradym Irons - 2023 Forum Review

[Beakbryce]

On 5/27/2023 at 8:58 AM, funkyjudge said:

If you watch until near the end of this video, you will see the differences between hitting the ball slightly off-center (heel and toe), massively off-center (heel and toe) and absolutely dead-center on the face.  The tester hit thin shots and shots that were slightly thin, in addition to the heel and toe shots and the dead-center hit(s), all with a Paradym 6-iron, and the balls hit dead-center with a square face went 12 yards farther than his average of "otherwise good" shots, and up to 23 yards longer than the average toe hits. It is clear to me that those "hot" and "flyer" shots that I was hitting must have been absolutely pure strikes in the center of the sweet spot, because this is almost exactly what I was seeing. He also hit shots with a clubhead speed in the low-mid 80s, which is exactly my clubhead speed range with a middle iron, as well as shots with his normal 95 MPH 6-iron speed, and the shots hit at 82 to 84.9 MPH with that Paradym 6-iron almost identically matched my experiences with these irons.

Kinda hard to figure the yardage if a dead center shot adds 12 yards and just a little off center results in the normal distance. 

[funkyjudge]

2 hours ago, Beakbryce said:

Kinda hard to figure the yardage if a dead center shot adds 12 yards and just a little off center results in the normal distance. 

Yes, indeed!

[Javs]

2 hours ago, Beakbryce said:

Kinda hard to figure the yardage if a dead center shot adds 12 yards and just a little off center results in the normal distance. 

I must say that I have become used to the distances in the last couple rounds 

[Beakbryce]

21 hours ago, Javs said:

I must say that I have become used to the distances in the last couple rounds 

Reading a lot of your posts and it is pretty clear you hit in the center a lot. That would make the distance usable.  Great reviews and have fun with the clubs.

[Javs]

Just now, Beakbryce said:

Reading a lot of your posts and it is pretty clear you hit in the center a lot. That would make the distance usable.  Great reviews and have fun with the clubs.

Thank you! Yes, I’m finding these clubs awesome!!

[billpierce]

Sounds like from a movie “old long drive guy..”

[Javs]

12 minutes ago, billpierce said:

Sounds like from a movie “old long drive guy..”

Not familiar with that

[funkyjudge]

2nd POST-REVIEW UPDATE: 

Last Thursday, I played another travel league match using the Paradym irons, and last night I played nine holes in my regular Monday evening recreational league. Results were mixed -- fantastic results last Thursday, including several shots that I stuck really close to the pins (within 8-10 feet), helping me to shoot a net 68 (with my 15 handicap, that's a rarity in itself), and more importantly to beat my opponent handily by a score of 3-0. I won both nines by 3 holes and beat an opponent that I was giving 6 strokes.

Last night was quite a different story, and I knew that it would be after hitting less than 10 balls from my small bucket while warming up on the range. I was hitting the ball all over the clubfaces -- high, low, toe and even a heelward shot (not a shank, but about 1/2' to 3/4" toward the hosel from the center of the face).  I am going to chalk this up to the fact that I did a pretty extensive workout yesterday and no matter how much post-workout and pre-round stretching I did, I felt very "tight".  Note to self: This has happened twice now, so other than stretching no more workouts on golf days!

I still love the Paradym irons, and even contacted Callaway Golf and had them build me a custom Paradym X 4-iron to go with the 5-AW set of Paradyms.

[Golf2Much]

After playing with the Paradym X's for two months, I thought it was time to pull my former gamers, Ping G30's, out of exile and see if my issues with my iron play were due to some creeping in of some bad swing mechanics or the Paradym X's.   After the round, it was pretty clear that it's likely more the "archer" than the "arrows".  

I hit less than a handful of decent iron shots all day.  The one exception was a par 3 seven iron that yielded my only birdie of the day.  For most of the round I struggled to hit my old friends consistently.  The feel just didn't seem to be there.  Part of it was my swing issues and part was being somewhat spoiled by the feel of the forged Paradym X's when by accident I did hit it flush!   

After the round, even before I changed out my golf shoes, I decided on four things:  First, the Ping G30's are being banished to the shed for now.   Second, the Paradym X's are back for now.  I seem to hit them a little better, but still struggle a bit trying to generate enough height and spin to hold our relatively small greens.  Third, it's time for professional help with my swing.  It's tough as there's really only one option for any kind of lessons here so my options are limited.  Finally, it may be time to look at other new iron options that may be better suited for my game and physical situation.  By that, with an iron swing speed in the low to mid 60's I may need an iron and shaft combination that will launch the ball higher with more spin to help me hold my smaller greens.  

In four weeks I turn 67.  The way I keep my irons (my G30's were purchased used seven years ago and still would be using them if not for the MGS review), I might not have too many iron sets left in me.  So, part of my search is thinking ahead and what I may need not only today, but into my mid-70s.   So for example, I've been talking to Sub 70 golf about their clubs (thanks @GolfSub70 for the feedback and contacts).  The debate is do I go with the hollow body, game improvement 699 V2's for today or look at the hollow body, super game improvement 799's to get the added launch and forgiveness for tomorrow?  With their demo program, I may have to try both.

I guess as I get older, a decent metric of success is living past your last set of clubs you bought!  

 

[Beakbryce]

On 6/14/2023 at 5:49 AM, Golf2Much said:

After playing with the Paradym X's for two months, I thought it was time to pull my former gamers, Ping G30's, out of exile and see if my issues with my iron play were due to some creeping in of some bad swing mechanics or the Paradym X's.   After the round, it was pretty clear that it's likely more the "archer" than the "arrows".  

I hit less than a handful of decent iron shots all day.  The one exception was a par 3 seven iron that yielded my only birdie of the day.  For most of the round I struggled to hit my old friends consistently.  The feel just didn't seem to be there.  Part of it was my swing issues and part was being somewhat spoiled by the feel of the forged Paradym X's when by accident I did hit it flush!   

After the round, even before I changed out my golf shoes, I decided on four things:  First, the Ping G30's are being banished to the shed for now.   Second, the Paradym X's are back for now.  I seem to hit them a little better, but still struggle a bit trying to generate enough height and spin to hold our relatively small greens.  Third, it's time for professional help with my swing.  It's tough as there's really only one option for any kind of lessons here so my options are limited.  Finally, it may be time to look at other new iron options that may be better suited for my game and physical situation.  By that, with an iron swing speed in the low to mid 60's I may need an iron and shaft combination that will launch the ball higher with more spin to help me hold my smaller greens.  

In four weeks I turn 67.  The way I keep my irons (my G30's were purchased used seven years ago and still would be using them if not for the MGS review), I might not have too many iron sets left in me.  So, part of my search is thinking ahead and what I may need not only today, but into my mid-70s.   So for example, I've been talking to Sub 70 golf about their clubs (thanks @GolfSub70 for the feedback and contacts).  The debate is do I go with the hollow body, game improvement 699 V2's for today or look at the hollow body, super game improvement 799's to get the added launch and forgiveness for tomorrow?  With their demo program, I may have to try both.

I guess as I get older, a decent metric of success is living past your last set of clubs you bought!  

 

I am with you. Almost 71. I went in a slightly different direction with clubs and just want to pass this along. You might want to consider hybrids. I swapped out my mid irons for 4, 6, 7 hybrid and haven't looked back. I hit the 6 and 7 hybrid at least twice as high as I ever hit an iron but can still play them back in my stance and knock them down. I have 8-pw and 3 vokey wedges as my only irons. Fun times. 

[Golf2Much]

16 hours ago, Beakbryce said:

I am with you. Almost 71. I went in a slightly different direction with clubs and just want to pass this along. You might want to consider hybrids. I swapped out my mid irons for 4, 6, 7 hybrid and haven't looked back. I hit the 6 and 7 hybrid at least twice as high as I ever hit an iron but can still play them back in my stance and knock them down. I have 8-pw and 3 vokey wedges as my only irons. Fun times. 

@Beakbryce thank you for the suggestion.  I'll give it some thought.  spacing the hybrids like that may help get my 60 degree wedge back into my bag as well.

[Beakbryce]

3 hours ago, Golf2Much said:

thank you for the suggestion.  I'll give it some thought.  spacing the hybrids like that may help get my 60 degree wedge back into my bag as well.

Little more info. Since you have a 7 wood, you might want to go with 5,6,7 hybrid. My heavenwood and 4 hybrid have the same loft, but the heavenwood has a 5 wood length shaft and goes much higher and 10 yards longer than the 4 hybrid, which keeps my distance spacing right. My 6 hybrid has a longer than normal shaft as well which means I can either choke down on the 4 hybrid or gear up on the 6 hybrid for the distance gap between the two of them. That is one advantage with the older Big Bertha 19 hybrids, you can swap out the shaft and adjust loft to make a club for specific distances.

My Vokeys are 50,54,58. I couldn't golf without my 58, so hoping you can get your 60 back in the bag.

Testing different clubs should help your choices.

[Javs]

Update on the Paradym irons. Bottom line up front: I am still loving these clubs. I have figured out the yardage and distance control. I have worked with them enough now that I feel comfortable flighting them high or low. They can work the ball both directions; however, the preferred flight seems to be a tight draw. They are still easy to hit and very long on well struck shots. Misses do not lose too much distance. The best combination with these irons for my game has been using the Callaway 2022 Chrome Soft X LS Golf Balls. Feel free to drop any questions about the irons.

Edited June 18 by Javs

[MattWillGolf]

These irons will be in my bag for a very long time. The more I play them the more I like them. The ball flight is the best I've ever experienced both in terms of height and distance and after a lesson with the pro at my home course, I am seeing an improvement in my accuracy as well. I feel that with improvements to my swing I will see a distance improvement as well. Because when you hit these irons flush, they just go. I couldn't be happier.

[Javs]

1 hour ago, MattWillGolf said:

These irons will be in my bag for a very long time. The more I play them the more I like them. The ball flight is the best I've ever experienced both in terms of height and distance and after a lesson with the pro at my home course, I am seeing an improvement in my accuracy as well. I feel that with improvements to my swing I will see a distance improvement as well. Because when you hit these irons flush, they just go. I couldn't be happier.

I am glad they are working for you! In my experience with the Paradym irons, I agree fully. I love these irons. They are the best I have ever played. These sticks have made my game better! I used to always be looking for the next set, but I found the only set I need!

[funkyjudge]

3rd POST-REVIEW UPDATE:

It’s been 3-1/2 weeks since my last update, and I have played another four 18-hole and three 9-hole rounds using the Paradym irons. Included in these rounds have been three competitive rounds in my statewide travel league and two 9-hole league rounds. I have played well enough to have my 9-hole league handicap drop by two strokes and my USGA Handicap Index has been reduced by another half stroke. In consecutive rounds, I shot 80, 38 (9 holes), and 83, and had my putting been a bit better, the two 18-hole rounds would have been 3 to 5 strokes better.

In my 9-hole round of 38, my ball-striking with the Paradym irons was superb. The only things that kept me from shooting even par or better were two wayward tee shots (one, a 4-wood that I pushed right into a water hazard, the other a driver that I hit well on a shorter par-4 where I was attempting to drive the green that took a hard kick off of a greenside mound and ended up behind a tree).

Overall, I remain very happy with these Paradym irons, and they are staying in my bag.

[Golf2Much]

I might as well round out the tester's latest follow up with my latest Paradym X experiences.

I play three times a week (sometimes four including a non-profit scramble), so I've given the Callaway's a good run.  I wish I could sing the same Paradym praises like my fellow testers.   Statistically, I'm seeing only a marginal performance improvement compared to my previous G30's.  My approach shot accuracy for 100-150 yards (yardage where Paradym X's perform) was up slightly with the Callaway's (37% versus 33% with the Pings).  Not surprisingly to their more aggressive lofts, the number of shots long almost doubled (3% to 5%) with the Paradym X's and the iron shots short was down about 15% (48% with the Pings to 41% with the Paradym X's). 

My shots gained with my approach shots did improve over 1 stroke (0.5 to 1.69 with the Paradym X's).  However, the improvement was within 50-100 yards (0.92 to 1.42 mostly with my Edison wedges and the Paradym X's A wedge) and 150-200 yards (-1.25 to -0.88 which is mostly my fairway woods).  In the iron sweet spot of 100-150 yards, my strokes gain dropped slightly (0.72 to 0.56) with the Paradym X's. 

Overall, some small improvements, but probably not enough to make me feel totally comfortable with them sticking in the long term.  

With my slow swing speed (low to mid 70 with a driver, mid-60's with irons), I still struggle getting the height and ball rotation with the Paradym X's to hold my course's small classic Rees Jones' greens.  I'm looking to take some lessons over the next few weeks to see if I can improve the ability to hold the greens.  I hate to say this (as it makes me feel like I'm giving up a little as I approach my 67th birthday), but I'm also demoing some super game improvement hollow hybrid-like irons to see if they can help me through some of my green holding difficulties.  I'd love to keep the Paradym X's in the bag as I think they are a beautiful looking iron!  But it's ultimately their performance that will drive staying in the bag.  

[GolfSpy TCB]

I am excited to announce an additional tester for the Callaway Paradym Irons!!

@BKervin received her set of irons after testing had completed, and has been putting the Paradym X irons through its paces to provide her review for you all.  

I have linked her testing post HERE and in the header at the top of the page.  

Watch for her review and how the Paradym X Irons worked for her game!

[BKervin]

[Testing Review Placeholder]

Introduction

I can’t believe I was chosen to test these Callaway Paradym ☓ irons as an additional reviewer.  Thank you so much to MyGolfSpy, Callaway and @Golf2Much.  @Golf2Much was kind enough to offer the irons that where not what he had selected returned to Callaway – Callaway told him he could keep them but he offered them back to forum.  I was asked to if I would like to be an additional tester on these.  Thank you everyone for allowing this opportunity to put my hands on these beautiful clubs, what a privilege!

I was born and raised right here in Bradford, Pennsylvania area.  I have 2 grown children and 3 grandchildren.  My son lives here in Bradford and my daughter lives in Spencerport, NY (near Rochester).  Currently, I am insuring businesses on a part time basis (more retired than working). 

I started golfing over 20 years ago with my husband and children.  I had not really had the time to commit to golf as I would have liked working.  My husband retired January of 2022.  My employer offered me a part time position at that time so we could enjoy his retirement.  It was just too good to pass up.  This has allowed us to winter in Pawleys Island, SC January – April.  We golfed most everyday while there.  My handicap is not at a great number at 28.5 but I am working on getting that down.

The course that I play on regularly is the Pennhills Club here in Bradford.  Walter Travis designed the course and the first 9 holes were completed in 1922.  14 of the 18 holes involve water on the 6,400 yard course with undulating greens making it a challenge. The course is far more open at this time than it had been, as there was a tornado that took out many trees and the course was closed for a few weeks to clear them and get power back to the clubhouse.  The clubhouse is like an old castle.

I do not have a long drive nor a high swing speed, but I can typically keep the ball in the fairway or just off the fairway.  I have learned how to hit out of the sand with the winters in South Carolina.  My true strength is my putting.  I am not sure if it’s the undulating greens that I am used to playing but I seem to be able to read the greens fairly well. My biggest challenge is my approach game.  I have been working on my irons and currently have PXG 0211Z clubs that I was fitted for this winter.  These replaced my TaylorMade Miscela clubs.

I did not have a fitting for these clubs but have brand new hand my downs from @Golf2Much.

Unboxing

These clubs had to make an around the block trip to my home.  They went from Callaway to Key West and then north to me.  They were packed extremely well and made the journey unscathed.  You can see that there was cardboard between each club. Each club was sealed in plastic and then bubble wrapped.  @Golf2Much included the packing slip so that I could see what was shipped.  The pictures of these irons just don’t do them justice.  They are beautiful.  They are polished to a shiny gloss almost mirror like with the face being a more matted finish.  The blue Callaway Parardym X insignia is just gorgeous. The Aldila Ascent Shafts design with black, grey and blue compliment the blades very nicely. The Golf Pride CP2 Pro Wrap grips are comfortable and very grippy.  No slip in the hand without a glove on as I unbox them.

With the technology behind the clubs, it’s hard to believe they can look so beautiful and unassuming.

Final review:

Thank you MyGolfSpy and Callaway for the opportunity to review the Paradym X irons.  It was my pleasure.  This is my first testing opportunity with MyGolfSpy, I do not have all the statics that others have with their computer analysis, but hope you find this review informative from the higher handicapped recreational golfer that plays very frequently.

First impressions (20 out of 20 points):

Callaway states that these irons will improve my game with a more forgiving forged face based on AI technology.  I am eager to put these to work for me.

These irons are beautiful to look at and I hope they are as forgiving and improve my consistency as they are designed to do.  Pictures of these irons just can’t do them justice. The feel, the look, the precision of craftsmanship in these irons is remarkable.  They have a cohesive blend from the grip to the head.  There isn’t one place that your eyes stop that doesn’t bring pleasure if such a fine piece of equipment.

Aesthetics (10 out of 10 points)

These irons are so easy on the eye.  I thought that the shiny metal shaft would create reflection or glare for me but have found that they do not have any impact.  I have never had a chrome shaft, so this was totally new to me.  The irons feel good in the hand with a sublte weighting of the club head.  The nice click when you strike the ball is pleasant to hear as well.

I have had other golfers ask what I am playing as they are such an attractive club.  I have even had others ask to use them for a stroke or two.  They are never disappointed either.

The Numbers (10 out of 10 points)

My mid game with irons has always been a challenge to me.  I don’t seem to be able to be consistent in the swing, loft or direction of the ball off the face of the PXG 211 irons.  I am not a long hitter with my drive around 130 – 150 so my irons play a big part of my game. 

These clubs where much more accurate to the green – consistently getting me either on the green or fairly close to the green, which is the way of my game not a club error.  The feel in my hands provide stability with consistent swing, whether it was a full swing or a partial swing.  The irons provide about a 10 – 12 yard gain.

The distance is much more consistent as well as the trajectory.  I was hitting each of the irons a consistent distance, as you can see by the chart below compared to my current PXG 211s.  I did not compare club number to club number as the loft was different from the PXG to the Callaway.  i used the comparable PXG 211 loft.

Callaway Paradym X 7, 8, 9, PW, AW - I did not currently have an AW and did not have anything to compare it to in my PXG lineup.

PXG 211 6, 9, 8, 9, PW - I kept the 6i in play as there wasn't a Callaway to compare it to.

Each of the Callaway clubs played a straighter and tighter flight.  Landing on the green 50% more than with the PXG.

On The Course (20 out of 20 points)

The irons are solid on impact and have me on the green more frequesntly.  They are consistent in the distance and the accuracy of the ball flight.  The ball comes off the face with a nice arch that is easy to achieve with each swing (other than operator error).  The “shiny” shaft did not impact my play – I actually forgot that they were shiny until someone would comment on them.

My iron usage had been erratic at best – too long, too short, too right, too left – you name it and that was me on the approach to the green.  I was becoming more and more frustrated with my green approach.  The Callaway Paradym X has changed my mind about this area of play.  They have created a consistent straight flight with consistent distance creating a much more enjoyable game for me.  The head of the club provides more forgiveness than I have seen in my PXG 211s.  The Paradym X in the rough is such a smooth transition from the PXG 211s.  I always could feel the pull of the rough on the face/toe of the iron with the PXG but I don’t feel that with the Paradym X.   I have even received compliments on my improved iron play during league play.  This in itself is a complement to the iron.

The Good, the Bad and the In between (20 out of 20 points)

While I was not part of the original group having the clubs custom built for me, the good would need to start with the look of these irons right out of the box.  From the grip to the brilliant shiny shaft to the gorgeous head with the blue Callaway inset is just a pleasure to look at.  If looks were it’s only badge of glory, it would be disappointing unless hung on the wall as art, but the effects of these irons on my game are incredible.  With my slow swing speed and an inconsistent swing these preformed so much better than anticipated.  I was on the green 50% more than with my PXG 211s.  They removed a great deal of the variance of my ball strike and trajectory of the ball in a much straighter direction.  It helped remove the far left or right shot.  It built much more confidence in my swing.  I was able to reduce my index from 31.5 to 28.5 over a short period of time.  Having my best game ever while using these irons.

They have earned a spot in my bag at this time as they are improving my outcome on a consistent basis.  This also creates confidence in myself and my game, which can only increase my ablity to play, it definitely won't hurt it.

 

I cannot find anything “ugly” about these irons – they are simply a beautiful piece of equipment that has enhanced my game.

Play It or Trade It? (20 out of 20 points)

This is a definite Play It!  From the door step to the green these irons do not disappoint.  They only improved my game.  The straighter line, the higher trajectory, the closer to the green – I just can’t go back to the old irons.

Conclusion

I have played Miscella clubs for most of my golf life with a change to the PXG 211s February 2023.  I have never been in love with an iron like I have the Paradym X. Before the Paradym X I hated to even consider needing to pull out an iron.  The Paradym X are terrific irons that helped my confidence with a much more consistent straighter and tighter trajectory.  They have increased my distance by 10 – 12 yards with a much more accurate outcome.  Callaway is setting a high standard for great irons that also look so pleasing to the eye from the grip to the shiny chrome shaft to the forged head with the Callaway blue emblem.  I am a higher handicap player and these are a game changer for me!

Final Score (100)

 

Edited 21 hours ago by BKervin

[Beakbryce]

Looking forward to BKervin's test. My wife is extremely interested to read a lady testers comments. She currently has Cobra irons but would consider a fitting if they work out.