2nd Swing Golf
Master fitters, Trackman-heavy testing
“The ball just jumps off this face.”
A more compact, players-oriented hybrid despite the Max name, with phenomenal ball speed, higher and more consistent spin than the OS, and the better sound and feel of the two.
+ the facts · 4 pros · 1 cons− the facts
- +Phenomenal ball speed, 1.48 smash factor and 236-yard carries from a 19-degree head
- +Higher, more consistent spin than the OS with better landing angle, good for demanding players
- +Better sound and feel than the OS, more like a fairway wood
- −Fitters would still add a touch of loft to steepen the landing angle for most golfers
For: Better players who want a compact, LS-style hybrid look with spin and height they can control.
Golf Monthly
UK magazine, season-long testing
“probably the product that I thought was the most forgiving this year”
The most forgiving fairway wood he tested this year, a large, shallow-sitting head that inspires confidence and holds ball speed on toe and heel strikes.
+ the facts · 4 pros− the facts
- +The most forgiving model of the year in his testing
- +Large head sits really shallow, hugely confidence inspiring at address
- +Shallow face helps get the ball airborne easily
For: Golfers who prioritize forgiveness and easy launch above all
Mark Crossfield
Coach, famously hard to impress
“The Quantum Max is the netcaster”
The sweet spot of the range and the head most people should go for — a great all-round performer he could really dial in, carrying near his top end.
+ the facts · 4 pros · 3 cons− the facts
- +Really good numbers he could dial in: 2,200-2,500 rpm and carries up near his 280-yard top end
- +The netcaster of the range — works from tour player to beginner as long as it is fit correctly
- +Has the popping impact sound most golfers want from a driver
- −So much TaylorMade-ism in the looks — the two brands are morphing into the same thing
- −Costs as much as a decent home gym, and he argues most distance gains actually come from your body, not a new driver
- −No quantum leap in speed — the numbers were solid but exactly what he would expect, leaving the Triforce hype question open
For: The broadest range of golfers — most people watching, once fit for loft and shaft
“The standard Max was really quite a nice driver”
The standard head impressed him most: surprisingly low spin for a Max model, big distance near 300, and a much improved look over last year's Elyte.
+ the facts · 5 pros · 1 cons− the facts
- +Surprisingly low spin for a Max head, 1,800-2,000 rpm, with distances up to 297
- +Tri-force titanium, poly mesh and carbon face is genuinely new speed tech
- +Sits very square with an AI Smoke-like carbon gloss crown he really likes
- −Quite a firm feel off the face compared to previous Callaway drivers
For: The core model most golfers will move into
MyGolfSpy
Data-driven independent testing
Runner-up overall and the test's distance winner with a 9.55 distance score, from a Quantum lineup the hosts rate as excellent top to bottom.
+ the facts · 3 pros · 1 cons− the facts
- +Highest distance score in the entire test (9.55)
- +Second overall behind only the Qi4D
- +Part of a Callaway lineup the hosts praise end to end
- −Small dip in forgiveness score relative to its distance ranking
For: Distance-first buyers
James Robinson Golf
Mid-handicap everyman reviews
“I can really see why, guys, that isn't at number four”
Number four: the Triforce face sounds and feels superb and it flew 275-278 into the wind, though he personally prefers the Triple Diamond Max in the lineup.
+ the facts · 4 pros · 1 cons− the facts
- +Triforce titanium/poly-mesh/carbon face feels and sounds fantastic
- +Rear adjustable weights with draw and neutral settings
- +275-278 yards into the wind
For: Callaway's core customer who wants the max-forgiveness version