An Expert Guide to Callaway Golf Clubs
Photo by Jeppe Gustafsson
Tl;dr: Callaway makes some of the best golf clubs in the world. From woods to wedges, they have you covered. Whether you’re a scratch golfer or a high handicapper, there is a club or set from Callaway to help make the game easier.
Callaway makes some incredible golf clubs, and they’ve been a staple in my bag since 2019. I first discovered how good their drivers were a few years ago with the release of the Callaway Epic series drivers. This led to testing out the Apex irons and also adding them to my bag. Not to mention Fairway woods and a hybrid.
Since then, I’ve played a new Callaway driver each year and think it’s had a massive impact on my driving game. Their woods, irons, and wedges are extremely well-designed, and they have a massive selection for all types of players.
Today, I’ll share my picks for the best Callaway golf clubs to help you find the right ones for your game.
What Are Callaway Golf Clubs?
Callaway is one of the top five brands in golf alongside Titleist, Ping, TaylorMade, and Cobra. The company got its start in 1982 and, by the early 1990s, was near the top of the industry.
One of their best-selling clubs of all time was the Great Big Bertha driver. In fact, Golf Digest once said it’s the greatest club of all time! Thanks to its innovation, performance, and the lasting impact the club has had on the game.
Callaway continues to innovate all types of clubs and have been used by top players like Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Michelle Wie, and Annika Sorenstam. Callaway also owns other brands, including Odyssey, Toulon Design, OGIO (which makes great golf bags), and apparel company Travis Mathew.
What to Consider Buying Callaway Golf Clubs
Callaway has a great mix of clubs to help any aspect of your game. They also have different models of each club to fit different types of players and swing speeds. This is why PGA Tour pros can benefit from these clubs as much as an amateur golfer.
Before investing in any Callaway clubs, ask yourself the following questions.
What clubs do I need to replace or upgrade?
This is a time to be honest about your game and equipment to figure out what club(s) are holding you back. Does your driver always leave you in terrible spots off the tee? Are your irons not forgiving enough and lead to a lot of missed greens in regulation? Do your wedges make it hard to score around the greens and cost you strokes every round?
If you’re someone who tracks statistics using various golf apps or golf watches, start here to let the numbers do the talking. If not, be honest with yourself and your game so you can figure out which clubs are holding you back from playing your best golf.
This is a big mistake I made in my own playing career - letting my ego cloud my judgment and trying to play equipment that was better than my skill level. Which only made golf more difficult.
What is my handicap/skill level?
Once you identify the most important club(s) you need to replace, you need to assess your skill level and goals. If you're someone that’s always shot in the 80s and doesn’t have time to practice more, you’ll need different equipment from a beginner.
Beginners and more experienced players need more forgiving equipment, not to mention lighter weight shafts. If you’re a more seasoned player, you might need a smaller set of irons, a stiffer shaft in your driver, and different loft.
It’s essential to play clubs that match your current skill level and future goals. If you’re someone who is getting lessons and practicing more, you’ll need a very different set than someone who plays once per month.
What is my budget?
Finally, it’s always important to consider your budget, as golf clubs aren’t the cheapest thing in the world. Callaway makes high-end equipment that isn’t cheap (ex. $600 for a new driver). However, after playing a mix of their drivers, woods, and irons over the years, I can say they’ll last a long time. Think of these clubs as an investment that can pay dividends for years to come, especially iron sets.
Different Types of Callaway Golf Clubs
I’ve tested nearly every type of Callaway club and played them for the majority of my equipment since 2019. Here are my top picks and ones that you should consider adding to your bag. I’ll start with drivers and work my way to wedges (Callaway itself doesn’t make putters, but they do own Odyssey Golf, which makes an extensive line of putters).
Callaway Paradym Driver
The new Callaway Paradym driver is truly one of my favorite clubs ever. I didn’t think I’d ever replace the Rogue ST Max from 2022, but these drivers are even better. They’re long, accurate, and extremely easy to hit.
The Paradym driver has three different heads to suit all types of players - from pros to weekend warriors. Higher handicappers will gain the most from the Paradym X which has a draw bias to help correct a slice and higher launch. Mid-launch handicappers will benefit from the main Paradym model with a neutral flight bias and mid-launch.
If you’re a lower handicap golfer like myself, you’ll benefit most from the Paradym Triple Diamond. It has a slightly smaller head and the lowest spinning, lowest launching design which is perfect for faster swinging golfers.
Benefits
- Very easy to hit.
- Adjustable loft sleeve.
- Multiple stock shaft options
- New A.I. designed face for faster ball speeds.
- New Jailbreak system makes them lighter and more stable.
- Different clubheads promote different ball flights/spin rates.
Be Aware
- Finding the right shaft weight/launch is just as important as the driver itself.
- Getting the right model is important to maxing out driver distance and improving accuracy.
Callaway Paradym Driver
- Free shipping
- We price match
- Returnable
Callaway Paradym Fairway Woods
The Paradym Fairway woods are just as good as the driver and ones I couldn't recommend enough. Once I bought the driver, I added a new 3W and instantly gained about 10 yards from the previous Rogue ST Max. The new Paradym woods look great, sound amazing, and feel even better (even on mishits).
One of the reasons they’re longer than ever is the new “Batwing” technology. This improves the shape and promotes higher launch, making them easy to hit from the fairway.
Like the drivers, there are three options to suit all types of players.
Benefits
- Great selection of stock shafts.
- 3 and 5 woods have adjustability features.
- New batwing technology adds more distance with every wood in the lineup.
- Perfectly placed Tungsten speed cartridge improves CG for more forgiveness and higher launch.
- Paradym X fairway woods are great for higher handicap golfers who want a higher launch and straighter ball flight.
Be Aware
- Buy the right shaft to optimize distance and accuracy.
- Most everyday golfers should avoid the lower loft 14 degree 3-wood, as it’s tough to hit from the deck.
Callaway Paradym Fairway Wood
- Free shipping
- We price match
- Returnable
Callaway Apex Pro Irons
While I’m a big fan of their woods, Callaway makes some great irons too. In 2019, I used the Apex Pro and switched to the Apex TCB in 2021. Now, the newest Apex irons are even better with three models to help your approach shot game.
The Apex series are designed for mid to low handicap golfers, as they’re built for playability over forgiveness. Not to say they’re not forgiving, but they’re definitely geared toward a more consistent golfer.
Most golfers will benefit from the Apex Pro as it has a more forgiving design. While lower handicaps will like the CB or MB irons.
Benefits
- Forged design.
- Combo sets available within the Apex Pro lineup.
- Long irons are a lot easier to hit than previous designs.
- Thin topline to inspire shot shaping and confidence at address.
- Dynamic sole design improves turf interaction for better contact.
- Progressive face design for a good mix of distance and precision.
Be Aware
- 99% of golfers should avoid the MB model, as they’re very compact and hard to hit.
- None of the Apex irons aren’t offered in a combo set with hybrids to replace long irons.
Callaway 2024 Apex Pro Irons
- Free shipping
- We price match
- Returnable
Callaway CB Wedge
The final clubs you should consider from Callaway are the new CB wedges. These are much more forgiving than a standard wedge thanks to the cavity back design. I played an older model in 2019-2020 and loved them.
The design makes them a lot easier to hit and provide a smooth transition from your iron set. They also have plenty of spin to help with all sorts of short game shots.
Benefits
- Premium shaft and grips.
- Great option for all types of players.
- Available in 48 - 60 degree loft options.
- Jaws grooves for more spin and full face groove options as well.
- Good mix of confidence inspiring design with plenty of feel around the greens.
Be Aware
- It’s important to match your gap wedge from your pitching wedge loft to avoid any distance gaps in your set.
Callaway CB Wedge
- Free shipping
- We price match
- Returnable
Features to Look for in Callaway Clubs
Now that you have an overview of the different types of Callaway clubs, let’s get into three features to look out for.
Clubhead Features
The clubhead is one of the most important parts of a golf club, especially with a driver. What’s great about Callaway is that they have a lot of adjustability features to fine tune to your swing.
When it comes to irons, you want clubs that are forgiving above all else. One of the biggest mistakes I see with golfers is playing clubs (like CB or MB irons) that are too hard to hit.
Unless you’re a low single-digit golfer, opt for larger designs so you can hopefully hit more greens in regulation.
Type of Shaft(s)
The second thing to consider when buying any golf club is the shaft themselves. Make sure to consider your swing speed to get the right flex (learn more about graphite vs. steel shafts here).
If you’re an experienced golfer or just getting started, graphite shafts are the best choice in irons. If you have a faster swing and play a lot of golf, steel shafts are a better choice. Make sure to do a little research on the shaft characteristics as some are high, mid, or lower launching.
Long Irons
The final thing to consider when buying clubs is the long irons. The truth is most golfers do not (and should not) play a 3, 4, or even 5-iron depending on handicap. Even the best golfers in the world use more forgiving driving irons or larger designs to help with these clubs. Most golfers will benefit from high lofted fairway woods, hybrids, or utility irons instead.
How to Choose the Right Callaway Golf Clubs
Below are some examples of different types of golfers and what Callaway clubs are the best fit for their unique game.
Jeff
Jeff is a recreational golfer who likes golf, but has a busy schedule with his family and business. He’s about a 20 handicap. He plays more than he practices and wishes he could fix his slice.
Features Jeff should look for:
- Offset irons.
- Easy to hit hybrids.
- Lightweight graphite shafts.
- Draw biased woods and driver.
His best picks are the Callaway Paradym X driver, Big Bertha irons, and CB wedges.
Tanner
Tanner is a mid-handicap golfer who loves to play and practice whenever he can. His biggest goal is to become a single-digit handicap in the next 12 months.
Features Tanner should look for:
- Stiff shafts.
- Neutral flight bias driver.
- Hybrid or driving irons instead of long irons.
- Clubheads that offer a mix of forgiveness and playability.
His best pick is Callaway Paradym, Apex Pro irons, and maybe adding an Apex UT iron.
Kevin
Kevin is a committed golfer who used to play in college. He now plays all the events at his country club and practices as much as possible.
Features Kevin should look for:
- Stiff or X-flex shafts.
- Clubs with a more compact shape to minimize spin.
- Heavier steel shafts to optimize spin and accuracy with irons.
His best picks are the Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond, Paradym Triple Diamond 3-wood, and Apex CB irons.
Find the Best Callaway Golf Clubs for You
Callaway makes no shortages of great golf clubs - from drivers, woods, irons, and wedges. Not to mention their putters, which are from Odyssey Golf, are also a reliable choice.
If you aren’t sure which bag is right for you or have more questions, don’t hesitate to contact a Curated Golf Expert today.