Callaway Ai Smoke Mini Driver Up for Preorder

[muniman]

9 minutes ago, ike31197 said:

Having never pre-ordered anything from Callaway, is it normal for my credit card to have been charged?  Or does this mean the club is being  built/sent early before the release date?  Curious how their processing typically works...

As I understand it, the mini driver is being built to order. Therefore, it is classified as a custom build, and your card is charged when the order is placed. On their normal, in-stock orders, the card is charged when shipped.

[zstokes]

I’m glad I got in on this one.

 

As someone who struggles with the 460cc heads, this will be a total experiment that, if I don’t like it as much as my TM BRNR, I’ll sell it to one of the folks who didn’t get in on it.

 

I went Tensei 1k Black +1 inch.  Tinker tinker…..

[third-times-a-charm]

59 minutes ago, muniman said:

As I understand it, the mini driver is being built to order. Therefore, it is classified as a custom build, and your card is charged when the order is placed. On their normal, in-stock orders, the card is charged when shipped.

This is correct.

 

And to add - they are build early and set aside boxed up ready to ship. So everyone who pre ordered should start getting them 1-2 days early I would say probably on the 25/26 if they ship that Monday.

[Pens #1 fan]

I keep going back and forth on this. I never pull 3w. I hit driver fairly straight, only time I’d hit less if I need to layup off tee. 

[muniman]

1 hour ago, third-times-a-charm said:

This is correct.

 

And to add - they are build early and set aside boxed up ready to ship. So everyone who pre ordered should start getting them 1-2 days early I would say probably on the 25/26 if they ship that Monday.

I hope your right. I just looked at my order, and they had it on a 2~3 week backorder. 

[adamwon84]

I would have pulled the trigger on this if I didn't just buy the new BRNR Copper Mini. I also really like my Max AI 3 Wood, so its been a struggle as to which one of the two clubs I prefer in the bag but based on how I hit the AI Smoke 3 wood, I would have gone for the mini driver version as well. 

 

**I don't hit 3 wood off the deck, havent had to in so long that its really just another slot for a fairway finder club and both the BRNR and AI Max have been fantastic**

[BirdieBob]

 

[lil'mike]

Hey all, just curious on these but would folks get these to replace their driver or FW or maybe both?

 

I could see them replacing the driver and FW in the same bag or either club in one bag!

 

I am guessing that maybe the 11.5 and/or the 13.5 could be a driver replacement whereas the 13.5 could be a FW replacement. 

 

Maybe mini, 4wd/5wd, hybrid/7wd setup.  Not for me though as I would not get enough yardage out of one to replace driver.

 

 

[third-times-a-charm]

31 minutes ago, lil'mike said:

Hey all, just curious on these but would folks get these to replace their driver or FW or maybe both?

 

I could see them replacing the driver and FW in the same bag or either club in one bag!

 

I am guessing that maybe the 11.5 and/or the 13.5 could be a driver replacement whereas the 13.5 could be a FW replacement. 

 

Maybe mini, 4wd/5wd, hybrid/7wd setup.  Not for me though as I would not get enough yardage out of one to replace driver.

 

 

Yes it can either be a driver replacement or a 3w replacement.

 

Personally I would never lose driver so it would be for 3 wood since its primarily a tee club for me, but it has to perform at least partially off the fairway.

[jblough99]

Looks like he's getting more ball speed and a higher smash factor from the Callaway than the BRNR.  Also noticed a draw bias from the Callaway and a fade bias from the BRNR.

 

[Bridges]

10 hours ago, zstokes said:

I’m glad I got in on this one.

 

As someone who struggles with the 460cc heads, this will be a total experiment that, if I don’t like it as much as my TM BRNR, I’ll sell it to one of the folks who didn’t get in on it.

 

I went Tensei 1k Black +1 inch.  Tinker tinker…..

I have been playing my 11.5 brnr at +.5 inch and accuracy has not suffered noticeably over std. Length. I have it cranked down to 9.5* and do not have any trouble with launch. I removed the lighter weight and it brought swing weight down to d5 from d7+. I had been using the heavy weight up front but moved it to the rear recently. Spin is about 2500 teeing it up 3\8" with a relatively neutral aoa. 

 

I ordered the 340 at +1" and requested d5 swing weight. We shall see how close it comes in at. Not sure if they will even try but "no's are always free"

[zstokes]

6 hours ago, lil'mike said:

Hey all, just curious on these but would folks get these to replace their driver or FW or maybe both?

 

I could see them replacing the driver and FW in the same bag or either club in one bag!

 

I am guessing that maybe the 11.5 and/or the 13.5 could be a driver replacement whereas the 13.5 could be a FW replacement. 

 

Maybe mini, 4wd/5wd, hybrid/7wd setup.  Not for me though as I would not get enough yardage out of one to replace driver.

 

 

driver replacement for me.

[thezinfan]

1 hour ago, Bridges said:

I have been playing my 11.5 brnr at +.5 inch and accuracy has not suffered noticeably over std. Length. I have it cranked down to 9.5* and do not have any trouble with launch. I removed the lighter weight and it brought swing weight down to d5 from d7+. I had been using the heavy weight up front but moved it to the rear recently. Spin is about 2500 teeing it up 3\8" with a relatively neutral aoa. 

 

I ordered the 340 at +1" and requested d5 swing weight. We shall see how close it comes in at. Not sure if they will even try but "no's are always free"

What is the stoke swing weight? I also ordered +1". Was told they would decrease head weight to keep swing weight stock.

[nosedive32]

Just switched to The AI Smoke Max Driver, Apex UW, and Apex Pros some im tempted to try this out but I'm skeptical it could perform as well as the BRNR off the deck.

 

340 just seems a touch too big. Honestly 300 and BRNR only work as well as the do at their size off of the deck because of the sole design. 

[Bridges]

49 minutes ago, thezinfan said:

What is the stoke swing weight? I also ordered +1". Was told they would decrease head weight to keep swing weight stock.

My BRNR with a std. Length 60gram shaft is D-4. With a std. Length 70gram shaft is D-5

[ike31197]

It appears these are ready to start shipping.  My order status changed from "Backordered 2-3 weeks" to "Estimated To Ship Between: Tue 06/18 - Mon 06/24."  This is a club that won't fit in many people's bags, but if it does what I believe it will do, it's going to be perfect for me.  I'm a pretty long hitter that's waffled between 43" cut down/heavy driver, 1 iron, 2 iron, 3 wood and even a strong 3 iron as a fairway finder on tight holes or holes I want to more easily work the ball.  Although I've been happy with each at times, I'm starting to believe that slot might get permanently filled by this club.  I love some of the stuff Callaway is putting out recently...

[zstokes]

35 minutes ago, ike31197 said:

It appears these are ready to start shipping.  My order status changed from "Backordered 2-3 weeks" to "Estimated To Ship Between: Tue 06/18 - Mon 06/24." 

Thanks for the heads up, my status has changed to the same.

Christmas in June!

[ike31197]

4 minutes ago, zstokes said:

Thanks for the heads up, my status has changed to the same.

Christmas in June!

I wish my wife saw it that way.  😂

[thezinfan]

42 minutes ago, ike31197 said:

It appears these are ready to start shipping.  

I wonder why mine is delayed a month....I'd swap out the offending part. May have to call Cally and find out.

 

• Estimated To Ship Between: Mon 07/22 - Fri 07/26
• Close Details
  • Grip: Golf Pride - CPX (Midsize) 66g
  • Length: + 1 in
  • Shaft Type: Project X Denali Blue 60 Graphite
  • Shaft Flex: Stiff
  • Shaft Material: Graphite
  • Wraps: Standard
  • COG Type: STANDARD
  • Hand: Right
  • Club: Driver
  • Loft: 11.5°
  • Gender: Mens

[zstokes]

5 minutes ago, thezinfan said:

I wonder why mine is delayed a month....I'd swap out the offending part. May have to call Cally and find out.

 

• Estimated To Ship Between: Mon 07/22 - Fri 07/26
• Close Details
  • Grip: Golf Pride - CPX (Midsize) 66g
  • Length: + 1 in
  • Shaft Type: Project X Denali Blue 60 Graphite
  • Shaft Flex: Stiff
  • Shaft Material: Graphite
  • Wraps: Standard
  • COG Type: STANDARD
  • Hand: Right
  • Club: Driver
  • Loft: 11.5°
  • Gender: Mens

looks like the shaft?  OR maybe they have to assemble them in batches and I just got lucky?

 

• Grip: Winn - Dri-Tac 2.0 Oversize Jet Black (56g)
• Length: + 1 in
• Shaft Type: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Black 65 Graphite
• Shaft Flex: TX
• Shaft Material: Graphite
• Wraps: Standard
• COG Type: STANDARD
• Hand: Right
• Club: Driver
• Loft: 11.5°
• Gender: Mens

Edited June 18, 2024 by zstokes

[thezinfan]

4 minutes ago, zstokes said:

looks like the shaft?  OR maybe they have to assemble them in batches and I just got lucky?

 

• Grip: Winn - Dri-Tac 2.0 Oversize Jet Black (56g)
• Length: + 1 in
• Shaft Type: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Black 65 Graphite

Going +1" also. Should be interesting.

[zstokes]

1 minute ago, thezinfan said:

Going +1" also. Should be interesting.

I have a VA Comp Nemesys at 43.5 inches with a Callaway sleeve that I’m planning on using, so I wanted to order with something completely different to try.  I have that same Nemesys shaft in my BRNR Mini, so the comparison will be very close.  May the better distance and dispersion win!  I’ll probably give the loser to my wife as a gamer off the tee.

[robzgolf]

Probably no different from the Brnr, but it looks way cooler

[zstokes]

Just now, robzgolf said:

Probably no different from the Brnr, but it looks way cooler

That’s debatable……I like the retro look.  But that’s just like, my opinion man.

[robzgolf]

Just now, zstokes said:

That’s debatable……I like the retro look.  But that’s just like, my opinion man.

Gotta get all my clubs to match 😂

[HarborMike]

40 minutes ago, thezinfan said:

I wonder why mine is delayed a month....I'd swap out the offending part. May have to call Cally and find out.

 

• Estimated To Ship Between: Mon 07/22 - Fri 07/26
• Close Details
  • Grip: Golf Pride - CPX (Midsize) 66g
  • Length: + 1 in
  • Shaft Type: Project X Denali Blue 60 Graphite
  • Shaft Flex: Stiff
  • Shaft Material: Graphite
  • Wraps: Standard
  • COG Type: STANDARD
  • Hand: Right
  • Club: Driver
  • Loft: 11.5°
  • Gender: Mens

Mine updated to end of July as well. Guessing it’s the shaft with stock everything else. I know it’s not the grips since my hybrids I ordered at the same time are enroute. 

[AdExec]

I ordered a 13.5 with Kaili blue 60x and shipping is showing 6/18-6/24 

[natesmith083]

1 hour ago, HarborMike said:

Mine updated to end of July as well. Guessing it’s the shaft with stock everything else. I know it’s not the grips since my hybrids I ordered at the same time are enroute. 

Same order here expect I got the 13.5 but mines still 6/18-6/24

[ike31197]

2 hours ago, thezinfan said:

I wonder why mine is delayed a month....I'd swap out the offending part. May have to call Cally and find out.

 

• Estimated To Ship Between: Mon 07/22 - Fri 07/26
• Close Details
  • Grip: Golf Pride - CPX (Midsize) 66g
  • Length: + 1 in
  • Shaft Type: Project X Denali Blue 60 Graphite
  • Shaft Flex: Stiff
  • Shaft Material: Graphite
  • Wraps: Standard
  • COG Type: STANDARD
  • Hand: Right
  • Club: Driver
  • Loft: 11.5°
  • Gender: Mens

The shaft is not backordered, the grip may be I suppose.  Maybe the 11.5 heads were in shorter supply?  Not sure, a call to them would quickly alleviate any of your concerns and if the grip is backordered you could switch it out. 

 

The different length has nothing to do with it, and actually would work to get your driver to you quicker.  If it's custom in any way, it's built in Mexico and shipped overnight to you whereas shipping on a stock club can take a bit longer. 

For reference, I ordered a 13.5 with a Denali Black, -1/4", standard sleeve with a midsize Winn grip.  

[ike31197]

2 hours ago, zstokes said:

I have a VA Comp Nemesys at 43.5 inches with a Callaway sleeve that I’m planning on using, so I wanted to order with something completely different to try.  I have that same Nemesys shaft in my BRNR Mini, so the comparison will be very close.  May the better distance and dispersion win!  I’ll probably give the loser to my wife as a gamer off the tee.

I did the same.  Ordered a shorter, lighter Denali Black to give it a try.  I'll likely play my Tensei Blue 70TX at 43.5" in this thing, but also have a Diamana TB 70TX that plays to 44" I'll try out.  I'm really looking for accuracy, forgiveness and workability, so the Tensei will likely win out but I wanted options.  I have a bunch of different weights to dial in what feels and work the best as well.