Are these MINI drivers worth buying - Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke versus TaylorMade BRNR mini driver.

Subscribe to The Average Golfer for FREE now - / @theaveragegolfer
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Stewart Golf Trolley Aff Link - stewardgolfuk....
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Join The Average Golfers Club:
/ @theaveragegolfer
---------------------------------------------------------------------
AG caps and merchandise - www.theaverage...
Links:
Instagram - / averagegolfer99
Twittter - / averagegolfer99
Website - www.theaverage...
Media enquiries - [e-mail]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Just an Average Golfer giving unbiased opinions on all things golf, product tests, Golf travel vlogs and golf news!

[@shaunkelley55]

I recently purchased the TM BRNR Mini Driver, it’s probably the best club I’ve ever owned, I bought the 11.5 dg positioned the heavy weight forward, and boom it’s as long as a normal driver but so easy to hit, it sounds and feels incredible it really is a cheat stick

[@hallowed45]

i have the exact same one and i agree with you 100%..i usually hit it off the deck in the fairway , i dont hit it off the tee. i have the heavy weight forward and the loft turned down

[@sar2547]

I'll agree 100%

[@rexdiamond]

I have the TM 13.5 BRNR and absolutely love the club. While 10 - 15 yards short of my best drives, my average distances on the course are about the same and the BRNR is way more accurate, so I'm saving strokes. As far as the "controversy" about whether it's a 2-wood, beefed up 3, butchered driver or whatnot, that's irrelevant. If a club helps my game I don't care what you call it...I call it "in my bag". 😊

[@buckshaw79]

Save you 9 minutes... Both are great clubs, Callaway is better strickly as a driver replacement (as they are designed). Taylor made is better if you want to use it as a 3 wood replacement.

[@abelvasquez2804]

thank you , read your comment and moved on to other vidoes haha

[@willjones3908]

I chose the Callaway at 11.5 with the weights swapped round. Reason being hitting my G425 driver was a Jeckyl & Hyde experience which could quickly ruin my card. I have SO much more confidence over the ball using the mini driver, and that’s probably come from the amount of fairways I’m finding. And with these settings I’m not losing any yardage.The other thing is I don’t hit it off the deck. I have a G430 5 & 7 wood which I happily use for those duties. The 5 can go out to 235, the 7 up to 220. For anyone who has issues with their driver I would 100% recommend trying a mini driver. I’m sure you will love it.

[@chrismcateer7912]

I bought a 2nd hand tm mini driver last week and I adore it!!! Regular shaft (I usually use stiff) but the flight is still penetrating. It hits a lot more fairways if I’m having an off day with my driver. It’s a 250 club and I got 280 out of it when I roasted it. In short I love it!!!!!

[@relentless1]

I look at the whole mini driver a bit different than most. It is a MINI driver, not a large 3 wood. You have to ask yourself how often do you hit your current driver off the deck? I personally never hit my driver off the deck. I am not at that level. I do hit my 3W off the tee and off the deck. So for me the Mini driver is intended for me to hit more fairways. Thanks for doing another great video!

[@vintageswiss9096]

Hit more fairways? You just said its main use is off-the-deck... you're already in the fairway... Do you drive 180yd on a 550yd par 5 or something?... Or do you plan on driving into a green and running 20yds off the back? Something in your comment doesn't add up...

[@adrianmolloy6204]

I have a 10 Yr old TM SLDR Mini Driver in 16 Deg LH with a large 265cc head , I fitted a stiffer lighter shaft. I am told these were made for Phil Mickleson. I never use off the fairway. My course has 3 dogleg holes with carries over water or small trees. In the summer my regular Driver is too long. The Mini Driver gives me height, straightness and a long carry with shorter overall distance. We also have two 200 yard Par 3s so the Mini Driver is a perfect tool for a Senior Golfer in specific situations.

[@kennymchardy]

Good comparison Andy. Got the BRNR MINI and I like the performance, the sound and the looks. Only use it off the tee and perhaps lose around 10 yards on my driver however it is far more consistent. Use my 4 wood for long shots of the deck.

[@neilmckie2511]

Previous sceptic, recently got myself a TM Original One 13.5 degree. Sold on it now, I do have some speed so can use it off the ground and the tee and love it, out performs my old TM M5 3 wood in every way

[@Seektruth-59]

The burner colours I hated when I had them in the 90’s and to see them back, no way for me. Glad I have my mini driver v2 from TM and will try the Callaway soon as it’s out.

[@DiscGoStu]

I’ve had a mini BRNR for a few months now, took it to Scotland, played with it a bunch and I just love it more and more with every swing. I primarily use it when I want a straight drive or a draw, or when there’s OB right. I’m very confident in my full size driver but the mini gives me that versatility and extra control that I want when the fairways get tight or the wind comes up; being able to move the weights and alter the flight is a huge bonus too

[@danielmartin6988]

You get the 11.5 or 13.5?

[@per-davidalm1434]

I use this club (11.5 set to 12.5 with 12g weight in the front position) as a pure driver replacement. I love it! Much improved accuracy but I lose some distance compared to my paradym driver. More specific carry distance. Mini driver might be around 10-15 yards shorter!? But i flies like a bullet and runs forever after carry so average distance is not far from a normal driver. But standing on every tee box knowing the ball will end up in a playable spot beats the slightly shorter distance 👍😃

[@davidmbarr9255]

The average golfer who's even considering a mini for tee consistency is unlikely to be skillful enough to hit it from the fairway with any consistency. It surely has to be much harder than a 3 wood, which rightly you advocate against in favour of a 5/7 wood. The telling average golfer comparison is how well does the mini do from the fairway in comparison to a 3 and 5 wood in the hands of an average golfer. I suspect results will show the average golfer should simply weigh up mini as a driver replacement and forget about anything else.

[@samwayne5765]

Bought original one when it came out in 2019, fairway finder and still plenty of distance. I drive green all the time with it on par 4s that are 300 range. Low, straight, and consistent

[@p47ker1]

My mini BRNR has been an absolute god sent, best consistency i have ever had off the tee, definitely a keeper in my bag.

[@glenncoldicott1040]

Bought my first Callaway 1.5 (mini) driver back in 2015 or thereabouts. They are not a new phenomenon and I replaced this one with a new model about 4 or 5 years ago. I use it as a 220-230ish yard fairway finder when I play a tight course where distance is not the issue. Much, much easier for an older duffer like me than using a driving iron or 3-wood off the tee 😊

[@richardskinner5050]

I purchased the new BRNR and it is a weapon off the tee. There are several holes at my club where driver is too much club, the mini driver is perfect off the tee. I also recently purchased the Callaway TD Max Ai Smoke driver and that is also superb. I do think golf companies should launch all of these range products at the same time.

[@davidree2858]

I play a SLDR mini 14⁰. 235cc and love. I play this as a 3 wood club when the fairways are tight. it's about 10 yards longer than my PXG driver.

[@Erictheking66]

I bought one to replace my 3 wood. I don't hit 3 wood off the deck very often, it's more of an option off the tee, the mini driver is more confidence inspiring than a 3 wood for me. It's basically a 2 wood.

[@pricecochran5438]

The burner has completely changed my game for the better. I really mean that. No longer in the honeymoon phase. Some clubs really can do that for your game.

[@EagleJim62]

I'm keeping an open mind about a mini driver. If I were to buy one, it would be the Taylormade or the upcoming Titleist. Im pretty confident with my driver, but I use my 3 wood off the tee on tight holes and rarely from the fairway. I'll see how the season goes, but I am still considering adding a mini driver to the bag.

[@TheVarmitpoontang]

I have the Original Mini One and it’s my favourite club - I might not hit it consistently but when I get one out of the middle, nothing feels as good as it does

[@markaochoa2017]

I bought a tsr2+ on discount to fill in a strong 2nd option off the tee and a very usable off the fairway. 14.5 opened to 13.75. (Play driver @ 8.5). I gotta say it goes far enough and the confidence is unreal. The worst part is feel is not the best, but I con over look that due to the results.

[@xxthadeucexx]

You saw a noticeable difference on the course which is the only place it matters. Having identical/nearly identical numbers on the Trackman means nothing if the on course performance tells a different story.

[@user-de9gu3zs9y]

I would love to see a test of a minimalistic bag with not so usual clubs : a Mini driver, the Callaway UW, maybe a 25-26° hybrid and a half set of irons.

[@GONADSable]

The callaway for me sure Good video Thanks

[@garethmorgan7474]

Nice review of the mini drivers, when u doing your next mini series, really enjoyed the last one you done

[@ckkone]

Would love it if you compared these to the SLDR mini driver, can buy those for around $125 used. Are these new ones worth triple the price?

[@justinstephenson9360]

Whilst I am definitely in the camp of this is a modern version of a 2w, I do not consider that to be a problem, probably because I grew up playing a 2w some 45 years ago. Personally I massively prefer the look of the Taylor Made but as I am not a 3w player I am not sure a mini driver is the club for me and off the fairway if I need to hit it further than I can get with my 5w, I should swallow my pride and admit I need two shots to get to the green

[@SungHoAhn-ly4nh]

I had 4 driver before Callaway mini driver. They are all in the garage.

[@bobt4949]

Very tempted to make this my choice for driver. Always felt the 460 head was too big and hard to consistently control

[@harryatkinson9757]

I liked the nod to the retro drivers with the 4:3 aspect ratio 👍😀

[@markturner8916]

Great video has helped me make my mind up and ill be buying the callaway. It's just a shame you can't go and try both at a fitting as it looks like you can only buy direct 😢 correct if I am wrong

[@DonAl9114]

Hello Andy , as always a very informative video. It would be great if you have the time to do a test on the two new TM driving iron. It’s always good to have your opinion. 😊😊😊

[@johnmagnell8902]

If you use a three wood mainly as an alternative to driver off a tee. A mini driver is a far better option

[@RogerFedora895]

Other than being a Pro playing for sheep stations,still struggle to see the relevance of Trackman data.

[@briantreadwell2206]

I am looking forward to testing both TM and Callaway - i worry that the Titleist will come out after i have made the leap in another direction

[@paulcooper8521]

Great video Andy 😊

[@patrickmccabe3241]

thank you.

[@dirtyroo5562]

As a struggles to stay under 100 on a crap course. Yes buy a mini and take the extra 20-30 yds of fairways you get from a 3w. Instead of any game improvement driver that gives you 50yds but still ends up in ob

[@paulnutbrown9836]

Why do reviews always try hitting them of tight lies.. Its a driver.. That's it's purpose, we don't review putters of a tee and say numbers aren't great, it's a driver, tee it up and enjoy it

[@TheAverageGolfer]

Read Callaways website, they claim it to be versatile and playable from fairway, we test that theory……

[@johnbrodnik839]

A 2 wood, Mini is made for a long 2nd shot as well as off a tee. And current 3 woods are very difficult to hit off the deck so much so strong 5 woods are replacing them. You still have to hit any club well. Its golf! 😊

[@martinbarry2198]

I have an old TM R540 knocking around - would this be a similar alternative to a mini driver?

[@JimmyHamAnp]

nicely done!

[@jonathanmebane3782]

for the callaway does it have a driver adapter or a fairway adapter

[@jeffjob6995]

OK... let's say you love it. What are you pulling OUT of your bag to make room for this? Driver? No... maybe your longest fairway wood...

[@danielmay8557]

Just picked up the Taylormade mini driver, how are you hitting it off the tee? Are you setting it up like you hit your driver (front foot etc..) are you treating it more like a 3/5 wood off the tee? Thanks

[@trevoransbro810]

I setup like driver shot off tee, but with the tee lower

[@sar2547]

​@@trevoransbro810I agree 100%

[@deankyall1]

Just sold my 2024 burner , just get a decent 3 wood , just didn’t see anything great about it for me .

[@kevinvassago]

Comparably to your normal driver, how much yardage did u lose??

[@johntinkler6718]

I've never been comfortable with modern drivers. The shafts are too long and the heads too big for me. That bigger heads are "forgiving" does not compute for me. Strike is, as ever, the key. There seems to be no alternative modern driver. They are all as big as the R&A will allow and manufacturers largely design to that specification. If a mini driver can be lofted down, I will be seriously looking at it. Otherwise, I'll be seeking out something in hickory...

[@fretless05]

I did go to the shop to try the BRNR mini driver a while ago and, sadly, I couldn't get help from anyone. I tried the 11.5 and 13.5 versions in stiff and regular on my own, but couldn't get decent launch numbers with any of them. Maybe if I had gotten some attention from the staff to make adjustments, I could have found one that worked for me, but I left without ever seeing what the club could really do. I get along fairly well with my fairway woods, but not my driver, so I'm looking for a tee-only club, i.e., driver replacement. Because the Callaway is little larger, I'm hoping that volume=forgiveness and it will work better for me.

[@pickin4you]

I love the smaller heads, but hate the higher lofts. I wished they made one in a 9 degree. I would buy it. I hate these 460cc drivers. Way too large. But I need a lower loft. Much lower than the average golfer. I do love the size of these but hate the lack of lower loft selections.

[@ryaneaton6851]

Same I want this in 9 degree

[@trevoransbro810]

You can lower the loft of the 11.5 taylormade mini driver by 2 degrees leaving it at 9.5

[@valterbariselli4303]

Mini driver taylor Made top

[@user-qw8zj8vd6o]

Just save some money and buy a strong 3 wood and add .25 inches to it. Now you have a mini driver.

[@andybt3989]

I don’t know what to make of them! They’re sold out in no time! Never hit one!

[@jadesmith6823]

When one reviews a 🐰

[@ivealwaysbeencrazy2]

Stretch that sucker out to over 9 minutes long