The NEW Callaway AI Smoke Mini Driver Has ONE BIG ISSUE!

[@Noah-hd2je]

I have the Callaway X2Hot 2Deep from about 10 years ago. It's basically a mini driver at 12.5 degrees. It's awesome. I think Callaway's first mini driver came out the year after and was basically the same club. Anyway, it's really great off the deck.

[@lexxwhite747]

Good morning and happy Tuesday from the 10th tee at Madawaska golf club in Arnprior Ontario. Have a great week mate!😊

[@bobnish1]

If the Taylormade and the Callaway sell well, you are going to see Cobra and Ping jump on this. Ping to sell more forgiveness, then Cobra to sell something to give you more distance to match a driver (somehow). IMO.

[@billtokunaga4883]

Worth the wait... My 11.5 arrived yesterday. I gave up on using a driver in 2000. Played with the original Steelheads in 3+ and 4+. (Still have them) My very first swing with this was dead straight, 245 carry. Beautifully compliments my Apex UW 17. It's a keeper!

[@ianchisholm9215]

Great review James and I have this club it is awesome … btw just come back from Gloria old course and it’s tight 😮

[@MichaelSisley-fw3xr]

James, those boxes! You need a good pocketknife. If I need to send you one, let me know.

[@Erictheking66]

I hit my TM Copper with the shaft out of my driver in it, and hit it pretty much the same as my driver. A little less carry, a liitle more total (on course). I use it with the original shaft in it as an option off the tee on tight holes and for 2nd shots into par 5s.

[@BrandonGavin_EDC]

These mini drivers are amazing, I’d throw these in the bag as a 3 wood alternative, or driver on a tighter course.

[@sgodlike7911]

I'm throwing this in between my TSR 8.5* and Qi Tour at 16*. Then pull out my 60*. 56* for the win.

[@speedypete54]

I have been using my TM mini in preference to my driver for the past few rounds. I have been cut a shot , and had 3 top ten finishes in comps since making the switch. As soon as there is some run on the ball it gives me all the distance I need and hits more fairways.

[@vincentharper6761]

That looks stunning. I never thought I'd be saying this, but it looks better than the Taylormade.

[@simonbaines535]

Gamed this last weekend , 2 rounds in 2 days inc second round with a rather large HO , I have never ever been so consistent off the tee with distance to match driver .

[@StuartGreen-yq7ir]

Hi James, been following your channel for a while but I’ve been unable to comment until now. I started using a vpn. I’m in Thailand and play a fair bit here. Some awesome courses. I have a 300 mini and it’s staying in my bag. The callaway does look really good though

[@michaelr9397]

I was getting excited then seen it the new Mini driver, please try get your hands on the new Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Max, I mentioned this club to Gaz also. It has to be the most exciting release from callaway, well for me anyway lol.

[@jergernice1]

its a great driver, ive had the triple ddd and max, the triple ddd wasnt too much for me but was fade bias too much. max was fine super consistent but a bit of a distance penalty with the weight track...the ddd max is easier to hit consistent high low spin bombs easier to turn over if needed...

[@RedbeardInBluegrass]

Im sure its up to the player, but in my head to justify a mini driver over a regular driver I feel like the off the deck/fairway shot should be a major point to it? Like the way they sit vs the entire list of clubs is between driver and 3 wood right? So then it should be able to pull from both to where you only have the one club instead of both and then have that spot to fill with something else. The silliness of the mini driver is right up my alley lol

[@Jontexperia]

Hitting more fairways should be enough for most players too. I just picked one up and it matched my drivers distance on some holes. But most importantly 0 balls lost over 12 holes

[@MrBrendon7]

I just saw a vid of a guy doing a shaft length test from 46 down to 44.5. He lost basically nothing. I know it's player dependant but wouldn't most be better off with shorter shaft driver.

[@jongeephotography]

Next time my boss asks me if I'm hungover, I'm just gonna say "I'm all-inclusive today"😂😂😂

[@tommiethatcher7265]

Awesome review on a stunning looking club

[@christiaanouwehand3615]

Hi James! Great new toy you got there (I’m not speaking about the Ferrari key 😉) Can you also compare it with a normal driver and 3 wood?

[@atfinthehouse8631]

What makes it different than a fairway 3,4,5 wood?

[@RustyPutter62]

I would like to see it lofted up and big weight at the back.Chris sure hits the Mini's well.

[@sowgelder]

Cant find any option in the UK for a Senior shaft. Callaway are missing a large part of the market. Gentle reminder, many people with slow swing speeds play golf. Around 25% of my clubs membership.

[@sgodlike7911]

I'm throwing this in between my TSR3 driver 8.5* and my Qi Tour 3w @ 16* for off the turf. Taking my lob out of the bag. Open faced 56* for the win.

[@Pud56]

Looks just like my equivalent 3 wood, so effectively a Callaway 2 wood. The 3 wood is a beast, off the tee or deck, my AiSmoke driver works, so not sure where this would sit in my bag. I am trying one this afternoon, my fitter has already warned me that i wont need it.

[@rw1234able]

Not been able to find anywhere that have stock of this club.

[@MrMatthew262]

That’s because it’s sold out

[@GONADSable]

Yes please Callaway mini 340cc Looks amazing

[@WilliamWright-hf8ob]

I have both the Taylor and the Callaway , I like both but prefer the Taylor , easier off the deck.

[@paulaskey1508]

And just like TaylorMade they actively discriminate against “slow swing speed/senior golfer/Lady golfer”. you CAN’T buy this with a light or A flex shaft. strange when you consider that 33% of UK golfers are over 61 years old. Shameful.

[@unlvrebel10]

Someone lied to you! I love mini! I rarely use my standard driver anymore. I love my burner!

[@SteadyRolling]

This seems more like what Sam Snead recommended, i.e., a 1.5 wood, rather than a 2 wood (brassie). It's basically a driver, but 13.5 degrees instead of 9 or 10, so that it is easier to get the ball up in the air. That it's 25% smaller overall to a modern driver seems more of a coincidence.

[@petekenny3774]

Lovely course ....still don't get the mini driver 🤷 also James why are the OEMs not releasing many for sale 🤷 I have heard pxg and ping may be doing one

[@shawntaylor7442]

I have the Paradym Super Hybrid that, I guess, fits in between that mini and a fairway club. Stick with the hybrid. Still don't see the need for these 🤷‍♂️

[@DanB-]

Its just a 3 wood, thats the test everyone should be doing with these, low lofted 3 wood would surely be more versatile to!

[@douglasgardner4004]

I get the attraction but not the right club for me. If my driver distance was as large as yours then maybe but my good drives are 240 at best.

[@NextFairwayNorm]

Love the Mini drivers. Taylormade burner for me but the Callaway looks great like the AI smoke standard driver does

[@jimmccoys5778]

I really do not understand the logic of a mini driver, unless it’s really reliable from the fairway. I carry a 14 degree regular driver because I struggle to hit a 3 wood off the deck so I prefer to use it as a fairway finder. Many times I manage to hit it as far as my 10 degree so that’s a plus as well. Sometimes my regular driver and I do not get along so I have an option!

[@shaneWARs1]

Man I need to make golf content had to bust out the Ferrari key to open up the box 😮

[@JamesRobinsonGolf]

It’s easy mate don’t know why you dont

[@shaneWARs1]

@@JamesRobinsonGolf no one wants to see me shank a ball lol when can we see the ride ?

[@nickcann]

Can't believe that Taylormade dont actually have "mini-Driver" trademarked......

[@bobnish1]

legally speaking TMing 'mini-driver' would be a legal nightmare, as 'mini-driver' is descriptive rather than a distinctive phrase within the golf market. But you can bet your house they looked into it and probably tried.

[@milanboskovic9618]

@JamesRobinsonGolf James, like all other youtubers, you also failed to properly test this mini driver. If this is a driver replacement for a driver, then for Christ sake test 11.5 degrees dialed down to lowest loft. This is just like hitting a 2 wood at its best. Common now. Maybe even try it with a longer shaft 44.5 inches if you really are testing this!Then test it! I am a fan of smaller head, it is always easier for me to hit a 3 wood. If this is to replace my driver, I would test it as a driver…

[@petekenny3774]

Are they just more forgiving 3 woods 🤷

[@MrPanderific]

Casual dangling of a ferrari car key there ;)

[@wealdtkd3559]

It's just a driver from the 90's............. Call it a 2-wood if you want to. "Mini-Driver" is just marketing crap.

[@Beergoggled]

Controversial opinion, I don’t rate Callaway. I just can’t get on with the range at all.

[@stephenperrone8694]

I like the look of this compared to the driver's paint scheme.

[@shaunkelley55]

Stick with my TM BRNR

[@jonathanmitchell141]

Different "smokes" for different folks!

[@CatNash007]

Sold out!

[@doggoronnie3387]

Confident the club is solid, but sadly, like the BRNR, you can't get it custom fit or in x-stiff. Big miss from both the big golf brands imo

[@dereklast3829]

You can get the burner in x stiff on taylormade’s website. Lots of options.

[@CharlotteK2008]

Any good club fitter can do that. You’re very wrong

[@doggoronnie3387]

@@CharlotteK2008 they could do for £60 for the fitting and £200 for the shaft I want, on top of £399 for the club in the first place (because no other shaft options are available as stock, which is the whole point of my comment). So I guess if you wanna pay £660 for a mini driver then yeah, great point, thanks for your reply

[@BrianRutherford-jl4qj]

What's happened to this weeks latest next 100 video?? Normally every sunday

[@marcelwieczorek6604]

If you stay at the Gloria Hotels you will have no All Inclusive wrist Band to wear

[@jamesbaine580]

I don't understand the hype either you can choke up an inch or 2 on your driver I can make it 13°

[@MrAshtute]

Wouldn't replace my 3 wood so it wouldn't make my bag

[@stevenjenkins3882]

You don't have holidays. Make a holiday clip.

[@scottarmitage1946]

What happened to last week's other 100? It ruined my Sunday morning...

[@slicerjohn1897]

I wonder if Mid handicap Dave is going to get a shot........... NO 😂.

[@theythinkimmadyouknow]

So its a small driver or a big 3 wood. The point is what?

[@johnniejay]

The point is that its easier to control and offers tighter dispersion than a driver, and offers more forgiveness on mishits than a 3 wood.

[@Lovetheducks]

It’s the length of a 3 wood size of a 3 wood but call it a mini driver and push it on the public.

[@MikeNolanRecruitment]

1st comment 🎉

[@jeffmarsh8900]

What a hack. 😂

[@stop736]

I personally just think these are more of a “niche” item for a lot of golfers. For those that drive 310 carry or more then I can see a place for this. Or if you’re someone that has the confidence to hit a driver off the deck, which is not easy for a lot of people to do consistently. I can see people that are at that high of a level in their game to have a mini driver over something else they could have in the bag instead. But I think that all of the company’s are really hyping this club specifically for the most money possible of course but they’re making this club seem like it is more necessary then it is for a majority of golfers. Not saying anything is wrong with them. They’re great for some of us. I just don’t think it’s as necessary as they’re being marketed as. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@MrMatthew262]

Yeah these are a niche product for better players. It’s not really for people who struggle with driver and think they’ll hit this better. They’re better off getting a lesson. To Callaway’s credit they made this as a custom option only and seem to only plan on making a limited quantity.

[@ecliqxse9591]

Company just trying to make some $

[@brianbrown543]

I think it's time to bid adieu to "Without any further adieu."

[@dccd3237]

hilarious a mini driver is not a driver. They should’ve called it something else.

[@JamesRobinsonGolf]

Like what?

[@richarddavis3239]

@@JamesRobinsonGolf- Easy, how about ‘slightly smaller headed driver’? Obviously that’s marketing genius but you can have the name as a gift. 😁

[@sparkdog44]

These are nothing but 2 woods and clever marketing

[@dirtyroo5562]

Save the money and by a stealth 2 3 wood or last years callaway 3 wood for half the price and same performance

[@MrMatthew262]

Would you please stop making “one big issue” titles on videos. It’s so freaking annoying.

[@ckkone]

Mini Driver hype already fading…. It’s less forgiving than driver off the tee and useless off the deck for the average golfer. Nothing new here other than marketing. Do an on course comparison to your 3 wood that would be more interesting than comparing it to another Mini Driver.

[@fergusrandall7623]

Personally I find a smaller head more forgiving but that’s just me

[@mpc77769]

@ckkone yep

[@GONADSable]

Mini drivers are fantastic

[@christophers9727]

Far from less forgiving

[@kingoftheheath3755]

Disagree. The shaft is shorter and more loft (11.5), find it way more forgiving than driver. Mine is keeping the ball in play more on misfits, obviously terrible swings are still punished. Yes, it doesn't go quite as far at it's longest, but the median distance is better than driver. 100 - 107 mph swing with driver and mini driver goes 275 - 300 downwind in the summer, I've got it out there 260 against the wind.

[@CharlotteK2008]

So again, a pointless club

[@JamesRobinsonGolf]

Cheer up

[@johnwaller411]

Boring video mini drivers are crap

[@JamesRobinsonGolf]

Cheer up John

[@johnwaller411]

@@JamesRobinsonGolf lol I do try james 👍

[@christophers9727]

We get it, you can’t afford and hit one.

[@thedeeprot]