Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Irons Review – Expert Tested

This is Golfer Geeks’ Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke irons review. I tested the combo set.

I’m an avid golfer, 8ish handicap on my way to a 2 (been a 5.6) and frequent tester of golf clubs and equipment since 2015.

Summary: The new Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke irons are solid game improvement irons. You get added distance, help with launch and carry, and clubheads that aren’t intimidating for the average golfer to stare down at. They shine in preserving distance on off-center hits. The price is good too.

In this review of the Ai Smoke irons, I discuss my experience with the clubs, their unique features and benefits, customer reviews, and potential alternatives. 

About Jamie

I’m an avid golfer, with an 8ish handicap on my way to a 2 (I’ve been a 5.6), and frequent tester of golf clubs and equipment since 2015.

• Handicap: 7.8
• Expertise: reviewing clubs since 2015
• Right/Left-Handed: Right-handed
• Typical ball flight: Mid-High Tight Draw
• Golf ball used: ProV1x, ProV1

Paradym Ai Smoke Club Specs

• Model: 2024 Paradym Ai Smoke
• Set: 4 iron – pitching wedge
• Iron Shaft: True Temper Elevate MPH 95
• Shaft flex: Stiff flex

Club	Loft	Angle	Length
4	19*	60.375*	39.125″
5	22*	61*	38.5″
6	25*	61.625*	37.875″
7	28*	62.25*	37.25″
8	32*	62.875*	36.625″
9	37*	63.5*	36″
PW	42*	63.75*	35.75″

How I Tested

I played 3 rounds with the Ai Smokes set in ridiculous Houston winds.
I hit them off my Fiberbuilt mat and used my Garmin R10 to get launch and spin numbers.

7-iron Launch Monitor Data

Club Speed	Ball Speed	Carry Distance	Vertical Launch	Peak Height	Descent Angle
78.5	115.8	178.1	14.8 *	60.7 ft	31.9*

Performance Review

Category	Grade
Looks	B+
Sound/Feel	B+
Distance	A
Forgiveness	A
Flight/Playability	B
Value	A

Looks: (B+) Not exactly my cup of tea, but not bad or weird looking.

Sound/ Feel: (B+) Good sound and feel. No harshness. Makes a “clicky” sound at impact common to many game improvement irons.

Distance: (A) Good distance on center strikes and excellent on slight mishits. I had almost no loss of distance.

Forgiveness: (A) Very good. (see above)

Flight / Playability: (B) High and straight are default, but you have some workability. Just not as much as with player irons.

Value: (B) ~$143/club. This is reasonable, on the higher end. See other options for the game improvement category.

My Experience with the Ai Smoke Irons Set

Range Sessions – 0
Rounds of Golf – 3

The Paradym Ai Smokes make their money on mishits. For me, that was mishits toward the toe.

I did that often, but got probably 98% to 100% of my distance consistently. Ball flight wasn’t quite as pure, but that’s a fair sacrifice.

The ball went high and straight when I managed crisp contact. They felt solid and had a pleasing little “click” on contact.

I found them accurate with consistent distance. No jumpers or surprises. A great asset for scoring.

I got better with them the more I played them.

They’re not my preferred look and feel, but I could play them as everyday clubs.

Who are the Ai Smoke irons for?

I’d say from an 18 handicap on down. From good ball strikers to higher handicaps looking for added forgiveness, but want smaller clubheads.

Low handicaps: (Maybe) Picky low handicaps that prioritize being able to produce a variety of shots will likely avoid these for irons. These are point and shoot.
Mid handicaps: (Yes) They’ve got a good combination of correction and playability mid handicaps need and at a nice price.
High handicaps: (Nope) Not impossible you could learn to play these, but there are easier options for you.

Potential Alternatives

Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal irons – The best game improvement irons in the game of golf until Mizuno releases the 925s. They do it all and with the best sound and feel in the game.

Titleist T350 irons — An outstanding set of irons – and priced that way. Titleist is in the game improvement iron game for real. They are the best-looking game improvement irons by a few miles.

Tayloramde Qi Irons – Maybe a touch more forgiving with good distance and launch.

Customer Reviews

4.5 average rating out of 124 customer reviews. 90% of buyers would recommend to a friend.₍₁₎

• Complaints are all over the place. From shipping to scratches on clubhead, to disappointment with performance, to feel.

Final Verdict

The Paradym Ai Smoke irons are a solid choice and have all the performance the mid-handicapper needs.

• Good distance.
• Good forgiveness. (They shine on mishits.)
• The elevate the ball well with good carry and hold greens well.

As usual…

My #1 suggestion is to get your hands on them before you buy. Either at your local golf store or take advantage of Global Golf’s Utry trial program. I use it and recommend it.  

Thanks for checking out our Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke irons review, and let us know how they work for you.