AI Smoke Fairways - Max vs Triple Diamond

[tomg1969]

I'm hoping that someone can share their experience/opinions on these heads.

I've gone driver, 5 wood,  21* hybrid at the top of my bag for a few years, but I'm considering changing things up a bit and going with 3/4 wood, 19* UW and a 24* hybrid. 5 woods have been the Titanium version offered by TM, starting with the OF SIM and now the Qi10 Tour.

I have the AI Smoke Triple diamond 5 wood and don't have any issues with it. I'm thinking about the Triple diamond 3 wood playing 1/2" short or the Max 3HL also playing 1/2 short.

Has anybody compared the Max to the triple diamond? What kind of differences have you seen with launch and spin? Easy of use?

 

Thanks

[third-times-a-charm]

Max = higher spin, shallower face, more spin retention on mis-hits, higher flight

TD = lower spin with higher face height, less spin retention, flatter flight

[me05501]

I have the Max 3HL and it's a really good club and quite versatile with the adjustable neck. The draw bias is subtle and the face is fast. I have seen 1.48-1.49 smash factor with mine when I hit the center...more like 1.41-1.42 off-center. 

 

I think the "low spin" concept from maxing out driver distance has trickled down into fairway woods but maybe it doesn't make all that much sense. Spin is quite helpful to getting a higher trajectory and soft landing which fits the flight that a lot of players would like to see from their FW's. 

[speedeuphoria]

Can you turn the 5wd and 21* down a degree and make that work with the 24*?

[rsyutzy]

I would say go with smoke max if you're looking for something to go for par 5's in two.. if you're looking for a second driver for shorter par 4's I would say go with triple diamond. I went with smoke max cause I wanted something with more height and spin if I want to go for par 5's in two but I have to say the triple diamond feels fantastic!

Edited June 17, 2024 by rsyutzy

[jt2gt]

1 minute ago, rsyutzy said:

I would say go with smoke max if you're looking for something to go for par 5's in two.. if you're looking for a second driver for shorter par 4's I would say go with triple diamond. I went with smoke max cause I wanted something with more height and spin if I want to go for par 5's in two but I have to say the triple diamond feels fantastic!

I agree...thought I would have to play the Max at 16 degree, but getting plenty of height at 15 even thinkin of trying 14.  Plus, it listens and still fires great off the tee, baby draw when I ask it too.😁

[prouse25]

I have the 3HL smoke max and couldn’t be happier.  It’s the first 3/4 wood I have had in years that really performs.  I agree with the comment- if you are looking for a driver alternative, the triple diamond is the way to go. The max definitely spins more.  If you want it to be a fairway wood, it spins in a good way.  I can move it either way on demand.  Contact has a wonderful feel.  It’s going to be a long time before this club leaves the bag. 

[lil'mike]

1 hour ago, prouse25 said:

I have the 3HL smoke max and couldn’t be happier.  It’s the first 3/4 wood I have had in years that really performs.  I agree with the comment- if you are looking for a driver alternative, the triple diamond is the way to go. The max definitely spins more.  If you want it to be a fairway wood, it spins in a good way.  I can move it either way on demand.  Contact has a wonderful feel.  It’s going to be a long time before this club leaves the bag. 

 

I really like my 3HL and paired it with the Heavenwood.  Wow what a great set!  The Heavenwood is sneaky long so I may need another club before my 6 iron.

 

[bnb9433]

I have the Smoke TD 3w and it’s a phenomenal club off the deck and tee. It finally replaced my epic flash SZ

Edited June 18, 2024 by bnb9433

[Carolina Golfer 2]

Like a couple others i have the Max 16.5 snd only one round in I really like it.  It launches high enough for the little Soeed i generate.   Also its good off the tee on a couple holes that set up for a draw.   

[gator022]

Anyone have any comparisons to the Ping G425 Max FW line here?  I love my G425 5w set at a 4w loft but I feel like I could be leaving a little distance on the table with it.  I've heard these are as accurate as the Ping's but with the ball speed of others.

[tomg1969]

On 6/17/2024 at 10:54 AM, speedeuphoria said:

Can you turn the 5wd and 21* down a degree and make that work with the 24*?

I can do it with the 5 wood, but the hybrid that I play isn’t adjustable. Might work though. 

[black bnr32]

I tested back to back out side and the max has more draw bias, just like past callaway heads.  The max and TD spun the same for me, probably because the difference in draw bias.

[MerryTex]

I just picked up the TD in the 3 wood and it’s very good off the tee and turf. I played it off a variety of lies at my course’s range which has just reopened. I was impressed to see no difference in contact from a tight lie compared to sitting up on bermuda. I liked what I saw from the Denali Black 70 in 6.0 so I may just keep it as is. I might even throw in the 5 or 7 wood. I’m thinking 7 since I cranked the loft up 1* to play 16*. 

[cmatthews77]

On 6/17/2024 at 9:54 AM, speedeuphoria said:

Can you turn the 5wd and 21* down a degree and make that work with the 24*?

No Callaway astonishingly didn’t make the 5w or 7w adjustable in either max or 3D. 

[third-times-a-charm]

On 7/3/2024 at 11:27 PM, cmatthews77 said:

No Callaway astonishingly didn’t make the 5w or 7w adjustable in either max or 3D. 

The paradym TD was adjustable - bonded in the newer ai smoke line, though.

 

Callaway released a fully adjustable line in the great big bertha line but those were like niche expensive SGI clubs and the last players line was the epic flash.

 

I bet you Callaway will release another fully adjustable line soon to drive sales back up.

[T626G]

I got the max 3hl turned down 1 and set to draw and I absolutely love it. Off the deck im 240-250 on my very best shots. Haven't played around going +1 much but need to do that. Feel like when I did I was 225ish but don't remember. I really like the club and those yardage are with the av regular flex shaft even tho I have a stiff flex swing speed. About to upgrade to the ventus velocore red 6s tipped. See what happens with that. Either going to be really bad or good. 

[mattk22]

On 7/3/2024 at 11:27 PM, cmatthews77 said:

No Callaway astonishingly didn’t make the 5w or 7w adjustable in either max or 3D. 

I don’t understand why companies don’t make everything adjustable. I know it costs a few more bucks, just charge us $10 more. 

[Mob]

I just got the Ai Smoke Max fairway and so far, I am really impressed.  Great club off the fairway and the tee.  Feels great, sounds great, and very strong performance.  I need more time with it, but my  initial impression is very positive.

[Red4282]

On 7/7/2024 at 1:50 PM, mattk22 said:

I don’t understand why companies don’t make everything adjustable. I know it costs a few more bucks, just charge us $10 more. 

If Im not mistaken, callaway rotates the releases for adjustable hosels. And in theory, no adapter can potentially make a club slightly more forgiving. 

[cmatthews77]

After battling a few weeks of hooks out of nowhere I’m experimenting with the following:

1) Max 3w HL set at -1 to open face angle as much as possible. (Would have probably gone triple diamond but no 16.5 option and didn’t want to go +1 and close the face angle). This is replacing my Speed 4w. 
 

2) 3D 7w 

Disappointed this wasn’t adjustable but trying anyway and so far happy. This is fighting for the spot previously occupied by my Apex UW 21. 
 

The triple diamond 7w is one less degree of loft at 20 and not as draw bias as a previous model I tried. 

Edited July 15, 2024 by cmatthews77

[Mobert19]

Any more comparisons on these two heads?

[Kmac]

On 7/15/2024 at 11:39 AM, cmatthews77 said:

After battling a few weeks of hooks out of nowhere I’m experimenting with the following:

1) Max 3w HL set at -1 to open face angle as much as possible. (Would have probably gone triple diamond but no 16.5 option and didn’t want to go +1 and close the face angle). This is replacing my Speed 4w. 
 

2) 3D 7w 

Disappointed this wasn’t adjustable but trying anyway and so far happy. This is fighting for the spot previously occupied by my Apex UW 21. 
 

The triple diamond 7w is one less degree of loft at 20 and not as draw bias as a previous model I tried. 

I've been fighting the hooks for weeks. Tell me the way...

[Lord Helmet]

All of a sudden my trusty F9 3w has been an embarrassment for me out there - so here I am looking at AI Smoke 3w.  The driver (see sig) is the bees knees in Max version so I will start there.

[lil'mike]

I use the Smoke Max 3HL and like it alot.  Great club and easy to hit.  It just goes straight!

 

Edited September 6, 2024 by lil'mike

[odshot68]

The TD is very low spin, not great off the deck. The max sits closed so a no go. A 16.5 TD with adjustable head would have been a nice combo but going to gt line. Sad because rocking TD driver and UW hybrids. 

[Kmac]

 I picked up the Ai Smoke 7w and that thing is so easy to hit. While fighting the hooks somehow that has remained my best and easiest to hit club, straight. Great pickup. 

So that makes:
Ai smoke TDM drive, Ai Smoke TD 3w and 5w and the Ai smoke 7w.

 

[GoldenAges]

5 hours ago, Kmac said:

I've been fighting the hooks for weeks. Tell me the way...

Best way to fix a hook is to start slicing, and vice versa.

[Kmac]

19 minutes ago, GoldenAges said:

Best way to fix a hook is to start slicing, and vice versa.

I've been trying but the hook just wont listen..

[GoldenAges]

2 hours ago, Kmac said:

I've been trying but the hook just wont listen..

When that happens to me, l just start making pronounced slice swings. Not a cut swing, a full slice swing. On the range, with a weaker grip (strong grip is probably your issue) setting up left, club take away waaay outside with left arm rigidly straight. After hitting a handful of those slowly start to work your way back towards your normal swing. Then hit a hook. 

 

Now, hit a slice, then a hook and then feel where the middle ground is, and hit it straight. I do this before my round if I'm struggling with the hooks and it always works for me. Leaving the range l can hit it straight and hit a cut and I focus on hitting those two shots for that round.