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
2nd Swing Golf
Master fitters, Trackman-heavy testing
“It's a good golf club... does what it's supposed to do.”
Does what Callaway promises: slightly less ball speed than the Elyte in this test, but tighter dispersion and remarkably consistent spin and carry with no left miss.
+ the facts · 6 pros · 2 cons− the facts
- +Tighter, more consistent dispersion than the Elyte, eliminated the fitter's left miss
- +Very consistent carry distance and spin even on off-center strikes
- +Forgiving face, mishits still came back toward the fairway
- −Ball speed was actually a touch lower than the Elyte here despite higher club head speed
- −Fitter had some trouble squaring the face; they theorize the neutral weight setting may add an open-face tendency
For: Golfers who want a brand-new high-MOI core driver with more weight adjustability than the Elyte offered
Golf Monthly
UK magazine, season-long testing
A very solid all-round package of speed, stability and playability, though he has never loved the chevron on the crown.
+ the facts · 1 pros · 1 cons− the facts
- +Very solid all-round package of speed, stability and playability
- −Has never loved the Callaway chevron on the crown, preferring the cleaner Triple Diamond look
For: The broad middle of golfers wanting an all-rounder
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