About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the iron, which I tested for 14 days in January and February of 2023.

My take

For a game improvement iron, the Callaway Paradym X is insane. It is one of the fastest and longest irons I have ever tested. Premium look in any bag. The forged face cup allows for insane ball speeds, and the A.I. face design makes for the most forgiving face on the market.

About the club I tested

• Model: 2023 Paradym X 7-iron
• Loft setting: 27.5º
• Shaft type: Graphite
• Shaft flex: Stiff

About me

• Average score: 79
• Handicap: 3.9
• Experience: 26 years of golf
• Right/Left-Handed: Right-Handed
• Typical ball flight: High
• Golf ball used: Chrome Soft LS
• Club swing speed: 95mph with the 7-iron

Test conditions

• When I tested the club: January/February 2023
• Days tested: 14
• Where I’ve used it: Wildhorse Course, range, and indoor simulator
• Weather and wind conditions: Wind, rain, sun, dry, hot, and cool

How it performs

What I was looking for

I was looking for this to be a competitor to the Mizuno Hot Metal, which has long been my favorite game improvement iron. I wanted an option to top it.

Why I chose this club

I was asked to test this club by Callaway and Curated. We wanted to see what this club was like and how it felt and performed so we could report back to our readers. While I would not be looking to add this set to my bag, I think it is a legitimate option for anyone looking for a game-improvement iron that looks great and performs.

What I love about it

• Distance: The Paradym X is absurdly long. If we could use expletives, I would because it warrants it. As mentioned, this iron is by far one of the longest game improvement irons I have tested. Its speed comes from a combination of Callaway’s A.I.-designed Forged 455 Face and the new Hollow Body design with Speed Frame construction.
• Forgiveness: Accuracy is exceptional if I am anywhere near the face in any direction. One has to have a significant strike on the heel or toe to see a drip in performance.
• Feel: The Paradyum X is designed to make golfers feel good about their ball striking. When I connect in the center of the face, I can definitely tell the “snap” sound. They feel incredibly fast. Off-center strikes feel fantastic, and if someone pays attention, they can tell the location of impact. Vibration is reduced on the graphite shaft, making it a more enjoyable hitting experience.
• Sound: Expect a booming “snap.”** **The Paradym X has a noticeable low end but is not too low to become dull. It seems higher in the long irons and goes down the lower one gets in the set.
• Shaft Feel: I hit them with the HZRDUS Silver shaft. I have never been a huge graphite fan of irons, but this has me rethinking things. The Paradym X felt tremendous. The vibration reduction was fantastic while still being able to feel my shots and be in control.
• Aesthetic Appeal: The Paradym X has a premium appearance. The color scheme is great throughout the line. And it matches the driver and woods. Any playing partner will know one has premium clubs in the bag.
• Launch Angle: I tend to launch the ball high. The Paradym X seems to launch the ball lower than the Hot Metals from Mizuno or the Stealth from TaylorMade. The tungsten weight and the wider sole allow still allow for bad shots to get airborne without ballooning.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Workability: Not a ton. The Paradym X has a moderate offset that does lend itself to a pull or draw. Not the best if someone is looking to work the golf ball. For something smaller and more workable, consider the Paradym irons.
• Grip Feel: I have never been a big fan of the stock grip that Callaway offers. It is slicker than the TaylorMade stock grip. I recommend getting these re-gripped immediately or ordering with custom grips.
• Spin: I hesitate to put this as an issue. Maybe just a warning. The Paradym X is designed to be low spin. While I usually look for 6,000-7,000 spin on a 7-iron, the best I could do was 5500. One will get more runout with these irons than others in the class.

Best shot with this club

While there wasn’t one shot above the others, I found that I was on or around all greens I played with it. It was incredibly accurate and performed well. I loved that I could rely on it to be accurate.

Value for the money vs. other options

There is no getting around the fact that the Callaway Paradym X is one of if not the most expensive game-improvement iron on the market. However, for a game-improvement iron, it is incredible. There isn’t a better option out there if one is looking for distance, accuracy, and premium construction rolled into one. While someone can pay less for the TaylorMade Stealth or even less for the Mizuno Hot Metal, they are not getting as complete an iron as they are in the Paradym X.

Final verdict

The Callaway Paradym X is very easy to use. A point-and-shoot iron is one of the longest I have ever hit. If someone needs a new set of irons, more distance, accuracy, and playability, look no further than the Paradym X.