Is this Mini a straight driver replacement?

[Shrek74]

https://mygolfspy.com/news-opinion/first-look/callaway-paradym-ai-smoke-ti-340-mini-driver/

 

With the new Callaway Mini out for pre-order now, can we finally agree THIS one is NOT designed to replace a fairway wood?

 

I play the BRNR Mini as a driver replacement as I hit it pretty much the same distance as my previous drivers. I never hit it anywhere other than off a tee. I have traditional fw woods for off the deck.

 

But this new entry looks to be a true driver replacement. It's a bit larger than the BRNR at 340cc, but it is the same playing length at 43.75".

 

I'm considering replacing my BRNR with this guy due to its size and AI face.

 

What's everyone's thoughts on this guy vs. the BRNR?

 

Sent from my SM-N986U1 using Tapatalk

 

 

[TJ Hall]

Mini drivers have not really been my thing, but I also hit a 3W fairly well.

I will say, I really like the look of the Callaway.

[Erin B]

2 minutes ago, TJ Hall said:

Mini drivers have not really been my thing, but I also hit a 3W fairly well.

I will say, I really like the look of the Callaway.

Wait!?! Callaway now has a mini?

[Erin B]

I will hit my mini over a driver all the time. In fact, I’ve played a few rounds with it as my driver.

[Rob Person]

All of these remind me of the 1w clubs from the 80s/90s, just updated

[Mdrnsamurai]

These mini-drivers seem to be another marketing ploy by these companies hitting into the nostalgia aspect of golf... TaylorMade with the 300Ti, Burner, and now Calaway... I wouldn't doubt we see the same from Titleist and Ping eventually... Tapping into those golfers who loved the innovations of the mid 90's and early 2000's with a modern spin...

 

 

 

[KC Golf]

I have never put a mini driver in the bag.  I love my 3FW.  So I really should try this alternative out.  I think this one looks really interesting….

[CFreddie]

“Mini” at 340 cc is something…

Looks awesome, just not sure it’s for me, given I hit my driver and 3W pretty well. 

[alexchung]

Looks really good and as someone who doesn't use the 3 wood much let alone hit it off the turf, I am wondering if its something to think about for me. 

[BCases]

 

18 hours ago, Shrek74 said:

 

https://mygolfspy.com/news-opinion/first-look/callaway-paradym-ai-smoke-ti-340-mini-driver/

 

With the new Callaway Mini out for pre-order now, can we finally agree THIS one is NOT designed to replace a fairway wood?

 

I play the BRNR Mini as a driver replacement as I hit it pretty much the same distance as my previous drivers. I never hit it anywhere other than off a tee. I have traditional fw woods for off the deck.

 

But this new entry looks to be a true driver replacement. It's a bit larger than the BRNR at 340cc, but it is the same playing length at 43.75".

 

I'm considering replacing my BRNR with this guy due to its size and AI face.

 

What's everyone's thoughts on this guy vs. the BRNR?

 

Sent from my SM-N986U1 using Tapatalk

 

 

 

I think you hit the nail on the head. The Callaway will probably be best if it is used only as a driver alternative. The Taylormade will probably be best if you want a driver/fairway club. I have the TM BRNR and really like it. It is awesome on short tight holes or where a 250+ yard driver brings in trouble. It is also nice to have when my driver is bucking me. 

Edited June 12 by BCases

[Josh Parker]

So I pre-ordered this and there is a good video I posted on what have you bought thread that talks about why a mini could be a good option. 

TLDR - the video said most tour guys don't hit 3w off the deck.  They primarily use it off the tee.  Most of them also hit high cuts with driver and the mini allows them to shape the ball easier.

If I can work this club as well as my 4w it will stay in the bag.  I will either keep the 4w or 5w and one will go. Driver won't come out of the bag. 

When I get to my computer I will post the video in here. 

[Josh Parker]

 

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

Super tempting as I mostly use my 4w off the tee unless I have a super lie in the fairway on a par 5. 
 

question for others. Mention playing this 2” shorter than driver based on stock specs. If you play std driver shorter, should you adjust the length of the mini to also be 2” shorter? So 44.5” driver, then 42.5” mini. 
 

also oddly enough, says unavailable on their site now. 

Edited June 12 by Vegan_Golfer_PNW

[Josh Parker]

12 minutes ago, Vegan_Golfer_PNW said:

Super tempting as I mostly use my 4w off the tee unless I have a super lie in the fairway on a par 5. 
 

question for others. Mention playing this 2” shorter than driver based on stock specs. If you play std driver shorter, should you adjust the length of the mini to also be 2” shorter? So 44.5” driver, then 42.5” mini. 
 

also oddly enough, says unavailable on their site now. 

I play my driver at 44.75 and plan on testing the mini at the stock length first and then adjusting from there.  I have my Newton shaft that I will cut an inch off to start and put on this when it gets here.

[Shrek74]

27 minutes ago, Vegan_Golfer_PNW said:

Super tempting as I mostly use my 4w off the tee unless I have a super lie in the fairway on a par 5. 
 

question for others. Mention playing this 2” shorter than driver based on stock specs. If you play std driver shorter, should you adjust the length of the mini to also be 2” shorter? So 44.5” driver, then 42.5” mini. 
 

also oddly enough, says unavailable on their site now. 

My thought is to start with stock and work from there. With so much variation in driver lengths for players, just using that 2" shorter number doesn't make sense. It's 2" shorter than standard, assuming standard is 45.75". Some might actually want to play it longer to get a bit more speed out of it, but still not get to that long driver length. I could easily see someone playing it 44.5".

Glad I got mine pre-ordered last night.

[RetiredBoomer]

12 hours ago, Mdrnsamurai said:

These mini-drivers seem to be another marketing ploy by these companies hitting into the nostalgia aspect of golf... TaylorMade with the 300Ti, Burner, and now Calaway... I wouldn't doubt we see the same from Titleist and Ping eventually... Tapping into those golfers who loved the innovations of the mid 90's and early 2000's with a modern spin...

We all have our own perspectives, of course, but I don't view them as a marketing ploy.

I see them as an alternative to the 460cc driver for that minority of us who don't like the
modern, massive-headed drivers. 

I wish more low volume niche products were offered.
I recently posted about 5° gap increments in iron sets, for example.
 

 

 

[Josh Parker]

8 minutes ago, Shrek74 said:

 

Glad I got mine pre-ordered last night.

Crazy!  I guess they got bought up quick.  I know the first release of the BRNR went fast like this as well.  

[Mdrnsamurai]

6 hours ago, CFreddie said:

“Mini” at 340 cc is something…

Looks awesome, just not sure it’s for me, given I hit my driver and 3W pretty well. 

well, when everything is 400cc plus you can understand why they call them mini's...

[zstokes]

Damn!  I missed the window by a couple of hours!?  C’mon Callaway, increase the run!  Release the hounds!

[Shrek74]

1 minute ago, zstokes said:

Damn!  I missed the window by a couple of hours!?  C’mon Callaway, increase the run!  Release the hounds!

Yeah, same for the Max too.

[zstokes]

3 minutes ago, Shrek74 said:

Yeah, same for the Max too.

I’m hitting the TM Mini pretty great, but I really wanted to try it.  I have a Nemesys shaft just waiting for it.

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

8 minutes ago, zstokes said:

I’m hitting the TM Mini pretty great, but I really wanted to try it.  I have a Nemesys shaft just waiting for it.

I am in a giveaway at my home course for a tm mini. Fingers crossed on that for now I guess. 

[zstokes]

And now the preorder is back open.  Ordered!

[Josh Parker]

1 minute ago, zstokes said:

And now the preorder is back open.  Ordered!

@Vegan_Golfer_PNW

[mardukes]

20 hours ago, Rob Person said:

All of these remind me of the 1w clubs from the 80s/90s, just updated

A few years ago before I heard about mini driver, I played with a couple of TaylorMade 340ti from year 2000

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

6 hours ago, Josh Parker said:

@Vegan_Golfer_PNW

And now showing sold out when I add to my cart

[Josh Parker]

6 minutes ago, Vegan_Golfer_PNW said:

And now showing sold out when I add to my cart

Dang!!!  

[zstokes]

3 hours ago, Vegan_Golfer_PNW said:

And now showing sold out when I add to my cart

Big bummer man, sorry to see it 

[Josh Parker]

It's looking like the Mini will be shipping out tomorrow according to my account on Callaway.  Looking forward to getting this thing in the bag and seeing how it performs.  

[KC Golf]

On 6/12/2024 at 8:00 AM, Josh Parker said:

So I pre-ordered this and there is a good video I posted on what have you bought thread that talks about why a mini could be a good option. 

TLDR - the video said most tour guys don't hit 3w off the deck.  They primarily use it off the tee.  Most of them also hit high cuts with driver and the mini allows them to shape the ball easier.

If I can work this club as well as my 4w it will stay in the bag.  I will either keep the 4w or 5w and one will go. Driver won't come out of the bag. 

When I get to my computer I will post the video in here. 

I just don’t have any where near the game to get any reliable results from hitting 3FW or a mini driver off the deck.  I am definitely looking at 5 or 7 FW which I can hit off the deck like my hybrid.  May be I need a lesson on hitting a 3 or a mini off the deck.