This is Golfer Geeks’ Taylormade Qi10 Max Driver vs Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max comparison.
Summary: We think the Qi10 Max and Paradym Ai Smoke Max are similarly forgiving and long. We prefer the sound and feel of the Qi10 Max. We believe the likely difference maker for you will be looks, sound, and feel. I’m a fan of the adjustable sole weight of the Ai Smoke Max.
In this comparison of the Taylormade Qi10 Max vs Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max drivers, we discuss our experience with each driver, unique features and benefits, and my suggestions on which you should buy.
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More Adjustability
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Better Sound & Feel
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4.8
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4.8
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~$599
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~$599
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- Stellar Distance & Forgiveness
- High Launch & Trajectory
- Adjustable
- Sound & Feel downgraded from the Paradym
- Exceptional Forgiveness & Distance
- Great Sound & Feel
- High Launch & Trajectory
- Not a big improvement over the Stealth 2
Club Testers
Wes (Primary Tester)
- Average score: 73.2
- Handicap: +1
- Years of Experience/ Expertise: 28
- Right/Left-Handed: Right-handed
- Typical ball flight: Fade
- Golf ball: ProV1x left dash
- Swing speed for this test: 118 (for this testing)
Jamie
- Average score: 85.9
- Handicap: 8.3
- Reviewing Clubs Since: 2015
- Right/Left-Handed: Right-handed
- Typical ball flight: Draw
- Golf ball: 2024 Chrome Tour X
- Swing speed for this test: 97ish mph
Clubs Tested
Taylormade Qi10 Max
- Loft setting: 10.5 set to 8.5 Degrees
- Shaft type: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Green 6.5 70g
- Shaft flex: X-Stiff flex
Paradym Ai Smoke Max
- Loft setting: 10.5 set to 8.5 Degrees
- Shaft type: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Green 6.5 70g
- Shaft flex: X-Stiff flex
How We Tested
Disclaimer – We tested the Paradym Ai Smoke Max and Qi10 Max drivers a few days apart and with different shafts. We didn’t have an x-stiff shaft for the Ai Smoke, so we used one of my stiff shafts.
We tested the Ai Smoke Max on the 2nd hole at Sterling Country Club.
Wes used Titleist ProV1x left dash golf balls.
We used the Garmin R10 launch monitor to get our numbers.
There was ~800 rpm more spin with the Ai Smoke Max in our testing. We believe the shaft difference caused at least half the spin differential and distance difference between the two drivers.
Wes’s Average Launch Monitor Numbers
Club | Club Speed | Ball Speed | Carry Distance | Total Distance | Vertical Launch | Peak Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Qi10 Max | 118 | 169 | 283.7 | 304 | *10.8 | 101 ft |
Ai Smoke Max | 117 | 166 | 269 | 287 | *9.9 | 105 ft |
Are there big differences between the Qi10 Max & Paradym Ai Smoke Max drivers?
We agree that the Qi10 Max has a better sound and feel than the Ai Smoke.
Despite the launch monitor numbers above, we think distance is pretty much equal. (see disclaimer)
We think they’re equally forgiving.
The Ai Smoke sole weight lets you dial in direction and trajectory better.
Category | Qi10 Max | Ai Smoke Max |
|---|---|---|
Looks | B | B |
Sound/ Feel | A | B |
Forgiveness | A | A |
Distance | A | A |
Flight/Playability | B+ | A |
Shaft Options | C | C |
Value | A | A |
Looks – Qi10 Max
They’re both average-looking drivers. I’m not the biggest fan of Ai Smoke Max color scheme – the gray carbon weave crown and light blue on the sole aren’t my favorite.
The Qi10 Max doesn’t have much going on, but it’s better than the Smoke Max.
Sound/Feel – Qi10 Max
Solid, soft, muted, and springy for the Qi10 Max, which I prefer. The Ai Smoke Max is a step down from the Paradym family of last year. It has a more hollow sound and feel and not as solid.
Forgiveness – Draw
For both clubs – minor misses toward the heel and toe don’t seem to be punished at all – our testing showed maybe a 2-5 yard difference. And bigger misses are still pretty good and in play.
Distance – Qi10 Max…Probably
We base this on ball speed, which averaged about 3 mph more with the Qi10 Max. We think we would have been neck and neck if we could have gotten the same shaft for both.
Flight/ Playability – Ai Smoke Max
The stock shot for both was high and straight in our testing. I like the movable weight in the Ai Smoke sole to help dial in shot shape. Moving it between neutral and fade took my ball flight from the occasional snap hook to manageable draws.
Shaft Options – Draw
Limited for both. Highly disappointing for $600 drivers.
Value – Draw
They’re both expensive and in line with premium drivers.
Qi10 Max – $599.99
Ai Smoke Max- $599.99
Taylormade Qi10 Driver Max
- Loft – 10.5 degrees
- Shaft – Project X HZRDUS Smoke Green 6.5 70g
The Qi10 Max is Taylormade‘s max forgiveness model and is built to be extremely stable on mishits and to prevent or reduce a right miss. The bugaboo of most high handicaps.
Taylormade says don’t be fooled into thinking the Max is only for high handicappers. They say Colin Morikawa and Nelly Korda play the Qi10 Max. (1)
Qi 10 Max Customer Reviews:
97% of buyers would recommend the Qi10 Max to a friend. It has an average rating of 4.7/5 out of 112 reviews at taylormadegolf.com.(1)
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max Driver
- Loft – 10.5 degrees
- Shaft – Project X HZRDUS Smoke Green 6.5 70g
The Ai Smoke Max used Callaway’s Ai technology to design the Max’s “Smart Face”. The new Ai Smart Face supposedly creates “micro deflections” at impact to give the effect of having multiple sweet spots. So, better launch conditions and tighter shot dispersion on various mishits. Perfect for golfers with inconsistent contact with their driver.
They also made the crown 15% lighter so they could move weight to increase forgiveness and improve launch and ball flight.
The adjustable sole weight adds another way to dial in your misses, too. (which I took full advantage of)
Ai Smoke Max Customer Reviews:
100% (11 of 11) of buyers would recommend the Ai Smoke Max to a friend. It has an average rating of 4.9/5 out of 15 reviews at taylormadegolf.com.(1)
Final Verdict on Our Taylormade Qi10 Max Driver vs Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max Comparison
These clubs perform similarly. Both have plenty of distance and plenty of forgiveness. You’ll likely pick the one that looks and feels better to YOU.
I give a slight nod to the Ai Smoke Max because of the adjustable weight in the sole, which gives you another way to dial those drives back into the fairway.
So…My #1 suggestion for you is to test both clubs 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
|
More Adjustability
|
Better Sound & Feel
|
|
4.8
|
4.8
|
|
~$599
|
~$599
|
|
|
|
|
- Stellar Distance & Forgiveness
- High Launch & Trajectory
- Adjustable
- Sound & Feel downgraded from the Paradym
- Exceptional Forgiveness & Distance
- Great Sound & Feel
- High Launch & Trajectory
- Not a big improvement over the Stealth 2
