SPOTTED: First Images of the New Callaway Driver and Kirkland Irons

While TaylorMade was the first to break the ice with the teasers and unofficial release of their 2024 driver, the other OEMs can’t be too far behind with their 2024 launches as the Hawaii swing (and January) quickly approaches.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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So it was only inevitable that Callaway’s launch would leak with the limited amount of time that’s left in 2023.

And the Paradym Ai Smoke—the apparent successor to the Paradym, which helped Jon Rahm bring home a come-from-behind win at the 2023 Masters—looks good. 

And while it hasn’t found it’s way onto the USGA’s conforming list yet, there are some interesting things we can’t spot from these leaked images, including that the Paradym Ai will be bringing back the rear-positioned adjustable weight track on what appears to be the Max model (while front and rear weights appear to be returning on the Triple Diamond) and, perhaps, most notably, the absence of Jailbreak.

Indeed, if the images are to be taken on face value, this will be the first Callaway driver since 2017—when the Great Big Bertha (GBB) Epic debuted with the groundbreaking technology—to not have Jailbreak in the driver.

That said, it would be very safe to assume that if Callaway is dropping a proprietary technology that’s become a staple in its metalwoods for more than 5 years (which, in golf, should probably be viewed in dog years), that they’ve found a new way to keep ballspeeds up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Callaway isn’t alone. As we noted nearly a year ago now, Kirkland Signature is preparing to expand its reach into the golf equipment space. After launching the KS1 putter and forged, milled wedge set, Kirkland is now looking to add irons that have a strong resemblance to the TaylorMade P790s.

In addition to the similar, polished finish, the Kirkland Signature are a welded, likely forged face and hollow-head design with a toe-injected polymer filing that (in all likelihood) will help ball speeds, feel and sound.

While Kikrland has drawn the ire of other manufacturers with some of its prior golf equipment releases, it will be interesting to see how TaylorMade responds to the Kirkland irons that are allegedly being sold for only $500, despite also being paired with True Temper Elevate 115 shafts and Lamkin Crossline 360 grips.

This certainly won’t be the last time you hear about either the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke or Kirkland irons, so make sure to continue to follow Golficity for all teasers and announcements concerning the 2024 equipment launches.

Cover Photo via @slade_golf