Callaway Ai-Smoke Drivers: 2024 Forum Review

[bens197]

40 minutes ago, Berg Ryman said:

Be nice if the weather played ball with me. Scared of a second straight washout weekend... boooooooo

@EasyPutter I’m loving how green everything is up here but not loving why. 
 

Hoping you both get some more agreeable weather next week. 

[RickM71]

I managed to play a short 9 hole course today.  We had great weather in the Chicago area.  Fortunately, my wife had no issues with me getting away for 9 holes.  It was a good driving day.

The green line is my longest drive of the day of 273 yards - middle of fairway even!  The light blue line is the P-Average of 259 yards.  The dark blue line is the average of 238 yards.  Overall, distances were a bit lower than the last week's round, but every drive was in play today. Maybe less roll, as I felt I was generally hitting the ball pretty well.  I was happy with my round - nothing worse than a bogey.  If I had better chipping and putting, I would have saved a few strokes.  

Two days on the course and both were very good off the tee. 

Edited May 13 by RickM71

[Berg Ryman]

So, another sub round this week on Wednesday looks like it's on the cards. Also, going to try to get some down the line video footage at the range this weekend from the wife for a few reasons. One, to give you guys some more looks of me in action and more importantly, to see what's going on with my swing path and why it's seemingly all over the place with longer clubs including driver. Perhaps with the assistance of technology we'll be able to see what's up.

[JAYER38]

With the weather not playing along today and tomm I'm going to do my best to get some testing in on the sim.. Be it a round to compare numbers and fairways hit or just the range for numbers, I want to do some real comparison between the drivers I have at the house...

Will try to do this outside also as I know my swing is different inside on the sim

[JAYER38]

SOOOO some interesting results last night on the sim....

I played a full 18 holes just to ensure I was warmed up and have 100% realized that if my driver is good my chipping sucks, if my chipping is good my driver sucks haha.... But onto what yall really want to know!

A few comparison shots to show the current gamer and the Callaway Ai SMOKE MAX D   

  

Ai SMOKE MAX D is...

-Deeper(front to back) with back being more heel biased

-Face seems to have more bulged/roll to it

So now onto the session results... I will say that my current gamers has been thru ALOT of testing and changes with me to find what is the most consistent for me and that held true last night. The 2 clubs feel different in my hands from walking up to the ball to finishing the swing... I will be taking both clubs to a local builder/shop to get them spec'd and see what the difference is there.

-Spin rates were a bit lower than expected with the Ai SMOKE MAX D but VERY consistent across the face, nothing more than 500 rpm different 1800-2250

-Distance was more consistent with the Ai SMOKE MAX D (forgiveness)

 

That is all FOLKS! 

*Side note: If folks would like more details like AOA, Spin, Rollout, Ball/Club speed, etc just let me know and I can add those things in just didn't want to bore anyone but pictures are always fun to see

[russtopherb]

7 minutes ago, JAYER38 said:

-Distance was more consistent with the Ai SMOKE MAX D (forgiveness)

Was this total distance across shots were consistent, or was the side to side dispersion more consistent? Or both? Thanks!

[JAYER38]

13 minutes ago, russtopherb said:

Was this total distance across shots were consistent, or was the side to side dispersion more consistent? Or both? Thanks!

Happily I say BOTH! (Sim and Course scenario tested)

With a disclaimer of terrible shots will be terrible shots as clubs aren't magic wands  haha

Total distance was more consistence across the face and I was punished alot less dispersion wise.

Dispersion wise before if I hit a severe toe shot it would basically twist the club in my hands... The Ai Smoke MAX D  fights back to mitigate that and the shot is still very usable.

[EasyPutter]

On 5/10/2024 at 9:41 AM, bens197 said:

@EasyPutter I’m loving how green everything is up here but not loving why. 
 

Hoping you both get some more agreeable weather next week. 

Steve you hit the nail on the head, when I do have the opportunity to play in the last 2 weeks, it has either been rain that even I will not play in or some conflict like son graduating college, vehicle repair with limited time before a long trip, cutting grass between rains when golf would be the other option.  You know the usual trade-offs that make us northerners easier to sway into going south during colder months.

But it also makes a nice segue into yesterday.  It was a gorgeous looking day until I was driving home from downtown Buffalo, heading towards the southeast.  It was impossible to miss seeing rapidly growing weather that was creating an anvil head cloud top with dark clouds below where sunlight cannot penetrate far enough to make the clouds glow.  Weather radar had its colorful precipitation just southeast of where a favorite par 3 course with very nice driving range is located between Orchard Park and East Aurora.  

70 balls were supposed to be in the large basket and all 70 flew north over the downhill range with colored poles and targets at marked distances.  More drives went straight or with a fade than either pulled left or turned more like a slice, usually the result of the club touching mat before ball.

Something huge for me at a range is the rapidity of hitting 70 balls.  Yesterday mother nature was dowsing the countryside behind me and I had to deal with the physical and mental effects of hitting on the range.  Physically the session is the equivalent of 10 (ten) 9-hole rounds of drives.  I usually play that much over 2 weeks with driver for 7 holes each round.  Mentally I don't care to stand on a faux turf mat with a rubber tee of noodle properties and bounding walls in front of me and behind me in my stance. 

All that to consider while also attempting to make a video the practice.  It just did not turn out well as you can see by no video or photos of actual practice.

[ejgaudette]

7 hours ago, EasyPutter said:

Steve you hit the nail on the head, when I do have the opportunity to play in the last 2 weeks, it has either been rain that even I will not play in or some conflict like son graduating college, vehicle repair with limited time before a long trip, cutting grass between rains when golf would be the other option.  You know the usual trade-offs that make us northerners easier to sway into going south during colder months.

But it also makes a nice segue into yesterday.  It was a gorgeous looking day until I was driving home from downtown Buffalo, heading towards the southeast.  It was impossible to miss seeing rapidly growing weather that was creating an anvil head cloud top with dark clouds below where sunlight cannot penetrate far enough to make the clouds glow.  Weather radar had its colorful precipitation just southeast of where a favorite par 3 course with very nice driving range is located between Orchard Park and East Aurora.  

70 balls were supposed to be in the large basket and all 70 flew north over the downhill range with colored poles and targets at marked distances.  More drives went straight or with a fade than either pulled left or turned more like a slice, usually the result of the club touching mat before ball.

Something huge for me at a range is the rapidity of hitting 70 balls.  Yesterday mother nature was dowsing the countryside behind me and I had to deal with the physical and mental effects of hitting on the range.  Physically the session is the equivalent of 10 (ten) 9-hole rounds of drives.  I usually play that much over 2 weeks with driver for 7 holes each round.  Mentally I don't care to stand on a faux turf mat with a rubber tee of noodle properties and bounding walls in front of me and behind me in my stance. 

All that to consider while also attempting to make a video the practice.  It just did not turn out well as you can see by no video or photos of actual practice.

Working on the range is always tricky and indeed you need to be mindful as you do. It is very easy to go fast, groove a feel and the go home and the next day not much has changed since you have new feels. Some concerted practice where you are working on something specific with a slower routine I find helps. Overall though love seeing the progress and I glad the club is working for you.

[JAYER38]

8 hours ago, EasyPutter said:

Steve you hit the nail on the head, when I do have the opportunity to play in the last 2 weeks, it has either been rain that even I will not play in or some conflict like son graduating college, vehicle repair with limited time before a long trip, cutting grass between rains when golf would be the other option.  You know the usual trade-offs that make us northerners easier to sway into going south during colder months.

But it also makes a nice segue into yesterday.  It was a gorgeous looking day until I was driving home from downtown Buffalo, heading towards the southeast.  It was impossible to miss seeing rapidly growing weather that was creating an anvil head cloud top with dark clouds below where sunlight cannot penetrate far enough to make the clouds glow.  Weather radar had its colorful precipitation just southeast of where a favorite par 3 course with very nice driving range is located between Orchard Park and East Aurora.  

70 balls were supposed to be in the large basket and all 70 flew north over the downhill range with colored poles and targets at marked distances.  More drives went straight or with a fade than either pulled left or turned more like a slice, usually the result of the club touching mat before ball.

Something huge for me at a range is the rapidity of hitting 70 balls.  Yesterday mother nature was dowsing the countryside behind me and I had to deal with the physical and mental effects of hitting on the range.  Physically the session is the equivalent of 10 (ten) 9-hole rounds of drives.  I usually play that much over 2 weeks with driver for 7 holes each round.  Mentally I don't care to stand on a faux turf mat with a rubber tee of noodle properties and bounding walls in front of me and behind me in my stance. 

All that to consider while also attempting to make a video the practice.  It just did not turn out well as you can see by no video or photos of actual practice.

A bad day on the course/range is still better than a day at work!

[bens197]

9 hours ago, EasyPutter said:

Steve you hit the nail on the head, when I do have the opportunity to play in the last 2 weeks, it has either been rain that even I will not play in or some conflict like son graduating college, vehicle repair with limited time before a long trip, cutting grass between rains when golf would be the other option.  You know the usual trade-offs that make us northerners easier to sway into going south during colder months.

But it also makes a nice segue into yesterday.  It was a gorgeous looking day until I was driving home from downtown Buffalo, heading towards the southeast.  It was impossible to miss seeing rapidly growing weather that was creating an anvil head cloud top with dark clouds below where sunlight cannot penetrate far enough to make the clouds glow.  Weather radar had its colorful precipitation just southeast of where a favorite par 3 course with very nice driving range is located between Orchard Park and East Aurora.  

70 balls were supposed to be in the large basket and all 70 flew north over the downhill range with colored poles and targets at marked distances.  More drives went straight or with a fade than either pulled left or turned more like a slice, usually the result of the club touching mat before ball.

Something huge for me at a range is the rapidity of hitting 70 balls.  Yesterday mother nature was dowsing the countryside behind me and I had to deal with the physical and mental effects of hitting on the range.  Physically the session is the equivalent of 10 (ten) 9-hole rounds of drives.  I usually play that much over 2 weeks with driver for 7 holes each round.  Mentally I don't care to stand on a faux turf mat with a rubber tee of noodle properties and bounding walls in front of me and behind me in my stance. 

All that to consider while also attempting to make a video the practice.  It just did not turn out well as you can see by no video or photos of actual practice.

It’s so lush. 
 

I had the conversation with my boss this AM while leaving work. He belongs to one of the top 3 clubs in Rochester and it’s immaculate. He asked if I had plans to play today and I’d said my go to for the moment is often dried out and not in great shape, this spring had given it life and has made some of the unplayable areas AOK. 
 

Any plans for you to play this weekend?

[Berg Ryman]

Alright sub round done this week and happy to report a round of 39, with 7 pars, a bogey and a lateral hazard dropped drive triple. 

Being completely fair to the AI Smoke, I'm still not super confident over driver swing right now. The path is pretty not great right now, but I will say this anecdotally. The results on bad swings is far superior to any recent driver I've played. Again, uncertain if that comes down to Smart Face AI or added loft, but when I top a drive and it still gets out there 100 yards when it used to just bury itself dead left in the ground, it is immense.

As I mentioned from the jump here, I wasn't expecting to be blown away by a huge distance increase or the like, but I was expecting better results due to the promoted forgiveness of this driver and that's showing up in spades. I do think a lesson maybe before Kingsmill if I can find the time is worth my while to perhaps unlock something a bit more, but in swinging the swing I've got right now I'm hitting a fair amount of fairways and not driving it into a ton of trouble, which to me is super valuable, even if the distances aren't what I'm 100% used to due to bad strikes and increased spin.

As for the great round yesterday, that comes down to my steeper swing meaning I'm a good striker of short irons and wedges, that an a solid putting round from that 6-8 foot range. Hit GIR's, make a putt or two, and scoring is good. Just need to figure out that driver things to really feel like we can be in it with a real chance to go low on a more consistent basis!

[Berg Ryman]

So, reached out to a local pro to maybe get an hour in soon... so we'll keep you posted on that. Also, as an aside, that Chrome Tour ball shows real promise, except for the durability. Took one swing with my rusty RTX, decent scuff. That was a slight disappointment.

[EasyPutter]

22 hours ago, bens197 said:

It’s so lush. 
 

I had the conversation with my boss this AM while leaving work. He belongs to one of the top 3 clubs in Rochester and it’s immaculate. He asked if I had plans to play today and I’d said my go to for the moment is often dried out and not in great shape, this spring had given it life and has made some of the unplayable areas AOK. 
 

Any plans for you to play this weekend?

No plans right now but thinking of getting in an early 9 holes at Southern Meadows before the HOPE session on Sunday, will have to check with Mike Clawson to see what the earliest is on his course.  Might be opportunity to play the afternoon at Genesee Valley GC...

Thanks for starting my mind up, had so many competing things distracting me from the most important thing in life.  

That is golf of course!

[bens197]

21 minutes ago, EasyPutter said:

No plans right now but thinking of getting in an early 9 holes at Southern Meadows before the HOPE session on Sunday, will have to check with Mike Clawson to see what the earliest is on his course.  Might be opportunity to play the afternoon at Genesee Valley GC...

Thanks for starting my mind up, had so many competing things distracting me from the most important thing in life.  

That is golf of course!

One of the FF here who grew up with my father plays there often (southern meadows) and opened my eyes to it. I had no idea it was so close. 
 

Genny Valley is one I need to get back out on and play. We played Durand last season when it wasn’t soaking wet and reminded myself that the parks courses here are such a good value. 
 

Wherever you end up play well

[JAYER38]

Boss was nice enough to let me slide out of work early and get another 18 in at the local course. It was not my best striking day by any means and sometimes you've just got to accept that. The Callaway Ai SMOKE MAX D was not going to let me down tho! Not going to say I hit every fairway but first cut/within a few feet had me happy, only the WORST of the WORST shots caused by me leaving the face so open you'd think I just wanted to go 3 holes over and still very playable on the correct hole  I hope to get some videos of bad strikes just to show this somehow because it really does amazes me

Here is a pictures of a beautiful center strike (cant see in the picture haha) that is probably the best hit I've ever done on this hole!

Ended up a 99 in total. Mostly because of terrible irons strikes going OB. But again I say the Callaway Ai SMOKE MAX D is worth its weight for tits 3rd round out.

 

14 hours ago, Berg Ryman said:

So, reached out to a local pro to maybe get an hour in soon... so we'll keep you posted on that. Also, as an aside, that Chrome Tour ball shows real promise, except for the durability. Took one swing with my rusty RTX, decent scuff. That was a slight disappointment.

On the note of the Chrome Tour.... I actually found the same thing to happen. Durability was not great after playing 1 par 4 & a par 3 it felt like a had hit basically been playing off a cart path.

[EasyPutter]

Found a moment to catch up on the most recent testing with Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D. It happened yesterday at my regular course after persistent rains arrived in the area.  Yes I am one of the few who did venture to the course for a round in the rain and conversations were lively with the others who enjoy it apparently as much as I do!

The rain was not too heavy and winds were light so the umbrella on the Clicgear cart and cover on the golf bag made for some very pleasant and solitary golf.  Overall, it was an example of how I play better in rain than I have done with the fair weather 9's this season.  SwingU app has been showing me numbers between 50 and 55 after 9, and Friday the app showed a 47.  I actually had par on both par 3 holes  bogies on both par 5, and doubles on all but one par 4.

 
The setup under the umbrella where I hang the putter so it is easy access with drying towel.  It is not a perfect solution for putter accessibility but keeps putter cover dry and it is necessary to push the umbrella spring load up when it sags under the putter weight however hand holding on to the putter grip with the umbrella shaft keeps everything steady and actually makes it easier to push the cart.

Smoke Max D stroked some really nice drives that meets one of my requirements, for it to supplant my gamer in the bag by hitting farther than the gamer and my 19 degree Tommy Armour fairway hybrid which tends to hit longer than the gamer.  The longest drive so far was 178 yards off the par 5 4th tee box and the fairways were lush and wet. 

Max D hit well on Tees 1, 2 (both par 4) and on 4, 5 (both par 5).  But when I pulled the club out at the 6th tee, I felt a rattle as I did my pre-swing routine.  Investigating I noticed the adjustment sleeves on the shaft where the head is attached had play and the head was loose.  With no tool to tighten it, the Smoke was covered and returned to its snug dry place in the golf bag.

The Teeless Driver once again had a moment to shine but its performance was as dreary as the weather.  I should do a write up of my experience with that club now I have had it for the year, passed on to me after its official forum test by none other than Mr. @Yellow Ball himself in what I believe was a magnanimous gesture.   Sooooo, if anyone who is going to the Kingsmill meetup would like to be the next foster parent of the Teeless Driver, the handoff will come with best wishes its performance in the hands of its next MGSpy.

Thank goodness my Tommy Armour 19 degree fairway hybrid still outdistances all other clubs in my bag, as a stand in driver off the tee box and holes 8, 9 (both par 4) it played well with all long ball hitting and did most of the distance work off tee box and fairway.  That club has a secure place in my golf bag 

Enter the new tool, a size 25 star bit in my hex driver handle to travel with the Smoke driver to ensure no further testing delays due to a loosening club head.

With the driving range earlier this week of approx 70 balls, the 22 hits at the OnCore HQ, and 8 9-hole rounds of 7 drives (not used on the two par 3 holes) for about 56 hits, the club head lasted about 150 ball hits before the head became noticeably loose requiring maintenance.

Planning to get a round in at Southern Meadows GC after the PGA HOPE session tomorrow.  That will be about 11:30 Steve @bens197 if you want to come out for a round, or anyone else in the Rochester area who wants to share a 9 hole round.  My son is likely going to be playing too so at least one of us will get a drive in the 200+ distance 

Edited May 19 by EasyPutter

[bens197]

1 minute ago, EasyPutter said:

Found a moment to catch up on the most recent testing with Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D. It happened yesterday at my regular course after persistent rains arrived in the area.  Yes I am one of the few who did venture to the course for a round in the rain and conversations were lively with the others who enjoy it apparently as much as I do!

The rain was not too heavy and winds were light so the umbrella on the Clicgear cart and cover on the golf bag made for some very pleasant and solitary golf.  Overall, it was an example of how I play better in rain than I have done with the fair weather 9's this season.  SwingU app has been showing me numbers between 50 and 55 after 9, and Friday the app showed a 47.  I actually had par on both par 3 holes  bogies on both par 5, and doubles on all but one par 4.

 
The setup under the umbrella where I hang the putter so it is easy access with drying towel.  It is not a perfect solution for putter accessibility but keeps putter cover dry and it is necessary to push the umbrella spring load up when it sags under the putter weight however handing on to the putter grip with the umbrella shaft keeps everything steady and actually makes it easier to push the cart.

Smoke Max D stroked some really nice drives that meets one of my requirements, for it to supplant my gamer in the bag by hitting farther than the gamer and my 19 degree Tommy Armour fairway hybrid which tends to hit longer than the gamer.  The longest drive so far was 178 yards off the par 5 4th tee box and the fairways were lush and wet. 

Max D hit well on Tees 1, 2 (both par 4) and on 4, 5 (both par 5).  But when I pulled the club out at the 6th tee, I felt a rattle as I did my pre-swing routine.  Investigating I noticed the adjustment sleeves on the shaft where the head is attached had play and the head was loose.  With no tool to tighten it, the Smoke was covered and returned to its snug dry place in the golf bag.

The Teeless Driver once again had a moment to shine but its performance was as dreary as the weather.  I should do a write up of my experience with that club now I have had it for the year, passed on to me after its official forum test by none other than Mr. @Yellow Ball himself in what I believe was a magnanimous gesture.   Sooooo, if anyone who is going to the Kingsmill meetup would like to be the next foster parent of the Teeless Driver, the handoff will come with best wishes its performance in the hands of its next MGSpy.

Thank goodness my Tommy Armour 19 degree fairway hybrid still outdistances all other clubs in my bag, as a stand in driver off the tee box and holes 8, 9 (both par 4) it played well with all long ball hitting and did most of the distance work off tee box and fairway.  That club has a secure place in my golf bag 

Enter the new tool, a size 25 star bit in my hex driver handle to travel with the Smoke driver to ensure no further testing delays due to a loosening club head.

With the driving range earlier this week of approx 70 balls, the 22 hits at the OnCore HQ, and 8 9-hole rounds of 7 drives (not used on the two par 3 holes) for about 56 hits, the club head lasted about 150 ball hits before the head became noticeably loose requiring maintenance.

Planning to get a round in at Southern Meadows GC after the PGA HOPE session tomorrow.  That will be about 11:30 Steve @bens197 if you want to come out for a round, or anyone else in the Rochester area who wants to share a 9 hole round.  My son is likely going to be playing too so at least one of us will get a drive in the 200+ distance 

Tomorrow I’m on duty but I will absolutely join you for a round this summer. Let’s set something up!

[Berg Ryman]

12 minutes ago, bens197 said:

Tomorrow I’m on duty but I will absolutely join you for a round this summer. Let’s set something up!

Ahem...

[bens197]

50 minutes ago, Berg Ryman said:

Ahem...

Haaaaaa!

I mean, he asked. 
 

To know me is to know I’m horribly awkward when it comes to asking people to go play. 
 

Now that it’s out there, an AI Smoke get together with a guest should happen soon!

[RickM71]

We've had great weather recently near Chicago, but family obligations have kept me away from the course this weekend.  Nonetheless, I finally had some time to compare my Cobra LTDx I picked up a few months ago with the Callaway Ai Smoke Triple Diamond hitting indoors on my GC3.  I'm working on some swing changes, and my striking today wasn't the best.  I was tending to hit the ball higher on the face than I usually do.  

A few observations comparing the two clubs.  The LTDx is a 9.0 loft and I play it either there, or at 10.5.  For today's session it was at 9.0. The club was originally released in 2022, but as I said above, I just acquired it a few months ago.  It has a Hzrdus iM10 stiff shaft, mid traject / mid spin version.  I find the Cobra head it is neutral to maybe sitting a little draw biased.  When I increase the loft to 10.5, I find that it is slightly more draw biased.  I can compensate by squaring the club face at address, but it tends to want to sit more closed.  My natural miss is a snap hook, and the LTDx sometimes punishes me horribly for that.  The Callaway Triple Diamond is a 10.5 with the Denali Black 60g stiff shaft.  I currently have it set to 9.5.  The Triple Diamond sits more neutral to slightly fade biased, and turning it down to 9.5 should encourage more of a fade biased resting position at address.  Given my natural tendency to hook the ball, I really like the way the Triple Diamond sits at address.

I find I have to be mindful of which club I'm swinging as the Cobra LTDx does tend to want to hook more.  As I play for that, switching to the Triple Diamond, I may actually tend to leave the ball out to the right too much.  I think I've adjusted to the differences between the two clubs, and that data today seems to support that.  

OCn days when I was having trouble with my hook, the Cobra LTDx kills me, but on those same days, the Triple Diamond was very playable.  In some ways, that may wind up being the most significant difference between how these two drivers play for me.  

I was using my GC3 with the range on GSPro.  I use Golf Shot Analytics to look at the data.  I hit about 20 balls with each driver.  I did throw out a few bad mishits (which also makes my striking look more consistent than it actually was), but I tried to be fair to both clubs in doing so.  During my hitting, I felt like I was seeing much lower spin numbers off the Cobra, and felt that was likely due to the bigger draw I was hitting.  I felt like I was leaving the Callway out to the right a little more, with higher spin on those shots.  I was surprised when I looked at the averages and the distribution to see that the two clubs were VERY similar.  I'm not a robot by any means, so the variation is just as likely to be from my swing as opposed to the clubs.  Nonetheless, the data does show that the Cobra LTDx had a slightly lower spin number (less than 100 rpm though), and had a slightly more leftward spin bias.  The two are possible related as my draws do tend to have less backspin.  Interestingly, the Cobra launched slightly higher with a vertical launch of 15.5 compared to the Triple Diamond 14.4.  I was hitting both clubs high on the face, and I thought both performed equally well on high mishits.  The two clubs sound different, but I don't find either being particularly notable good or bad.  I very slightly prefer the sound to the Triple Diamond, except solid strikes with the LTDx are quite nice sounding, but different.  

As for overall distribution - I was sure that I was hitting the Triple Diamond more to the right and the LTDx more to the left, but the data shows they were much more similar than I thought.  You could maybe argue that the LTDx was slightly less accurate, but realistically, they were VERY close.  

So this was just one practice session, in the midst of me going through a swing change.  The LTDx has a reputation as being a low spin driver, even this version which is NOT the lowest spinning version, and this data seems to support that.  At this time, I strongly prefer the look and slight fade bias at address of the Triple Diamond, given my nasty miss of snap hooks.  My work on my swing is try to get away from that miss, and some of that was borne out in this session, as I did not have any horrible hooks with either driver, even the mishits that I removed from the sample.  

So, my prior session on the outdoor range had the Triple Diamond giving better distance numbers, but this sample was only a 2 yard difference.  

Edited May 19 by RickM71
Clarified loft of LTDx

[EasyPutter]

The Max D was out on course again yesterday and true to the axiom, the club is only as good as the golfer swinging it and contrary to the amazing play on Friday in the rain, the Sunday in the sun suffered from a great deal of user error.  The balls that were hit well performed well.  The balls that were not hit well will not be mentioned any further (and a couple were never to be seen again).  Just one of those rounds.  Next rounds should be this week 

[JAYER38]

27 minutes ago, EasyPutter said:

The Max D was out on course again yesterday and true to the axiom, the club is only as good as the golfer swinging it and contrary to the amazing play on Friday in the rain, the Sunday in the sun suffered from a great deal of user error.  The balls that were hit well performed well.  The balls that were not hit well will not be mentioned any further (and a couple were never to be seen again).  Just one of those rounds.  Next rounds should be this week 

Believe we have all been there and have to donate to the Golf God every now and again haha. Long as you had fun doing it right?!

[Berg Ryman]

So, got out for another nine holes this weekend, the scoring was mediocre (+6), the driving was mediocre (long of around 230, consistently in the 215's), and the time was fun enough, although warm.

This would be the point for most of us where we'd start to see doubt enter the picture. Was the AI Smoke really all it was cracked up to be, do I just not have it anymore, what's going on and how can I improve. If this was a movie we'd have minor chord piano music as I closed the trunk from a shot within the trunk looking at a dejected me.

Also if this was a movie we'd smash cut to my experience on Sunday. As I was waiting for my mother to leave to go to Costco for some groceries for the house, I took some old ProV's out of the bag that had seen better days and began launching them into the field/woods in our backyard. The grass was high so to make sure we kept it clean, I tee'd it high... and I think I figured it out.

Cue a major swelling of strings and brass while watching continual ball-flights through the air. I needed to tee the ball higher, and I think I found the height, and boy is it higher than I thought. Honestly, I think before I leave next week for Kingsmill some 4" tees are in the offering here. I'd been so concerned about swinging up and topping the ball, I never just thought, tee it up and swing away more. You'll see here how high above the driver head we're talking.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-P-UNzamzks

The other thing, my mind was empty on these swings. I didn't think about aiming direction, I didn't think about swing path, didn't think about anything. Just got up there and swung. Sometimes we can find paralysis from over analysis... I think that may be what I was doing. It isn't that I need to focus on the task at hand more, I need to let go of the minutia and just do the thing. Hoping for another round before heading down for what should be  very interesting week of golf and good times in Maryland, VA, and maybe even PA on the way back.

[JAYER38]

Practice scramble coming up this afternoon so should be able to really swing for it and see what the Callaway Ai SMOKE MAX D can do!

Going to also bring a few different weights with me to try on course vs in the sim. 

[RickM71]

29 minutes ago, JAYER38 said:

Practice scramble coming up this afternoon so should be able to really swing for it and see what the Callaway Ai SMOKE MAX D can do!

Going to also bring a few different weights with me to try on course vs in the sim. 

You just reminded me that I wanted to test swapping and/or removing weights on the Triple Diamond to see what impact that will have for me. Good luck in the scramble! 

[Rob Person]

20 hours ago, Berg Ryman said:

 Sometimes we can find paralysis from over analysis...

This is so very true. I can't tell you how many times I would have a great range session and then it all goes awry on the course trying to do what I did on the range.

[JAYER38]

45 minutes ago, RickM71 said:

You just reminded me that I wanted to test swapping and/or removing weights on the Triple Diamond to see what impact that will have for me. Good luck in the scramble! 

Will say the adjustments I tried with weight changed feel and numbers on the Max D. Was quiet surprised honestly at how responsive the head was

[KC Golf]

1 hour ago, JAYER38 said:

Will say the adjustments I tried with weight changed feel and numbers on the Max D. Was quiet surprised honestly at how responsive the head was

In a forgiving head, it’s nice to see that the weights can make a meaningful difference.  Usually with Max type heads the weights are less heavy to maximize overall forgiveness, so it’s good see that you can tune it up well.

[Berg Ryman]

Man, seeing the new reveal of Triple Diamond Max today on the blog and knowing that I could use the forgiveness and consistency maybe with lower spin makes ya wonder! 

Ah well, hoping to get a round out this week before heading south... but that might be difficult with the storms coming in after this heatwave breaks tomorrow