“One of the most rewarding drivers I've ever hit”
The core Elyte finally gives a Callaway driver the missing piece: one of the most rewarding sounds and feels he has ever hit, with the forgiveness and efficiency to match.
+ the facts · 6 pros · 2 cons− the facts
- +Premium, soft, rewarding sound and feel out of the sweet spot
- +Very stable and protective on mishits; a high-toe strike still carried 296 with a 320 total
- +Extremely efficient numbers, around 1.47 smash and 300-plus yard carries
- −Still not cheap
- −He is not committing it to his bag before testing the rest of the year's releases
For: Golfers who want an all-in-one forgiving driver without giving up premium sound and feel
Golf Monthly
UK magazine, season-long testing
“this is genuinely a really strong offering”
A surprise standout that pairs a desirable high-launch low-spin flight with genuine stability, versatility and extra clubhead speed.
+ the facts · 6 pros · 1 cons− the facts
- +High launch combined with a low spin profile
- +Genuine stability at impact
- +Really solid feel off the face
- −Unused weight ports look a little unfinished aesthetically
For: The mass of golfers wanting an all-round driver with playability and low spin
“the standard model definitely performed best overall”
His favourite of the three Elyte heads: the happy medium that was the most consistent, felt fast and powerful off the face, and produced upper-end speed and carry numbers.
+ the facts · 6 pros · 4 cons− the facts
- +Fast, powerful feel off the face with a good loud punchy sound
- +Most consistent of the three models on course
- +Strong numbers: 134 average ball speed, up to 137, with a 235-yard carry
- −Slight tendency to leak shots out to the right
- −Face looks very flat/delofted at address, which hurt his confidence
- −Model name printed near the heel draws the eye away from the alignment chevron
For: Golfers upgrading from a driver that is a few years old who want speed with consistency
2nd Swing Golf
Master fitters, Trackman-heavy testing
“The Elite's going to be a really good used option”
Last year's model still holds up: solid feel, easy to square, consistent 1.49 smash, and now a really good used-market value against the Quantum Max.
+ the facts · 5 pros · 1 cons− the facts
- +Feels really solid, responsive, and easy to square up
- +Consistent 1.49-1.50 smash factor and tightly grouped carry distances
- +All six test shots landed in a narrow fairway
- −Produced the occasional left-turning miss for this tester, which costs carry for draw players
For: Value shoppers who want 2025's high-MOI Callaway performance without paying new-driver price
James Robinson Golf
Mid-handicap everyman reviews
“I still just think I'd probably get the apex though”
He arrived predicting rental-set status and ended up eating his words — impressive distance, consistency and surprisingly good feel — yet he'd still personally buy Apex over them.
+ the facts · 4 pros · 4 cons− the facts
- +Frightening distance with consistency (170-177 yard 7 irons, 220-yard 4 irons back to back)
- +Short irons look great and feel buttery; even the 4 iron felt softer than expected
- +Easy to launch with steep landing angles that give control despite low spin
- −He'd still choose the Apex range over them, and struggles to see who gets fitted into these
- −Firmer, clickier feel than Apex, and fiery off the face on chips
- −Low spin rates, and pulls fly 10 yards long hurting front-to-back dispersion
For: Golfers who want forgiveness and ultimate distance performance and don't care much about feel
Mark Crossfield
Coach, famously hard to impress
“does it make me Elite no it just puts me in the pack”
The standard Elyte is the head he would game for its looks, sound and three-way adjustability, but the promised speed gains never showed up in his testing.
+ the facts · 4 pros · 2 cons− the facts
- +Fantastic stealthy matte carbon looks and classic great Callaway sound
- +Three-way weight port gives draw, fade and neutral options in one stable head
- +Strong spin retention and good north-south dispersion
- −Did not deliver the claimed club head or ball speed gains, an older driver matched it in his test
- −Premium Callaway pricing
For: Almost anyone, tour player to beginner, who wants one adjustable do-it-all head
“it's ticking a lot of boxes”
A square-sitting, solid-feeling all-rounder with genuinely low spin and simple fade/neutral/draw adjustability that he thinks will suit the majority of golfers.
+ the facts · 6 pros · 1 cons− the facts
- +Sits incredibly square with a beautiful matte black crown
- +Solid sound and feel
- +Low spin around 2,500 rpm, very good for this type of driver
- −Sole cosmetics don't blow him away and don't look as premium
For: The standard head that will suit most golfers
Won on hit distance and sound for him but a big drop-off on mishits kept it off the podium; still worth a go for others given its forgiveness reputation.
+ the facts · 2 pros · 2 cons− the facts
- +Best distance on pure strikes and a sound he liked
- +Forgiveness reportedly up there for other golfers
- −Mishits were punished a lot more than the podium drivers
- −Didn't make the top three on looks or performance
For: Worth a try for golfers it sets up well for, despite not suiting him