50 Words or Less
The Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond driver has the Tour-driven look and performance that golfers have come to expect from the Triple Diamond designation. Superb performance on center. Lower launch and spin.
Introduction
Over the last few generations of clubs, Callaway has successfully added “Triple Diamond” to the golf equipment lexicon. That term is now synonymous with clubs that are built for Tour players and accomplished golfers – smaller profiles, less forgiveness, and stronger ball flights. The Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond driver checks all those boxes, but the big question that I went into my testing to answer was, “Is this playable for the recreational golfer?”
Looks
Setting the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond driver into the address position, the first thing that struck me was the crown. Most of the Callaway Elyte woods, including the Callaway Elyte driver, have a “visible” Thermoforged Carbon Crown. The Triple Diamond driver has the same tech, but it’s hidden under a traditional gloss black look.
The other big difference is the size and shape. The Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond driver isn’t dramatically smaller than the other Elyte drivers – 450cc vs. 460cc – but the shaping is much more “Tour Driven”. The Elyte X driver [review HERE] is extremely stretched from front to back, the Elyte is about average, but the Triple Diamond is compact and traditional. Its shape is round and symmetrical with a very tall face.
Flipping it over, the Elyte Triple Diamond driver looks similar to the other Elyte drivers. The sole is primarily black with a silver V. One key differentiator is that the Triple Diamond driver has two small, round weights – one front, one back – rather than multiple ports on the trailing edge.
Sound & Feel
Callaway has never been afraid to let their players drivers announce their presence with a bit more volume, and that’s true with the new Elyte Triple Diamond, too. Impact produces a “clap” that is above average in volume. That’s a slight metallic note, but it’s predominantly a thuddy, bassy sound.
The impact feel of the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond driver leans more solid than fast, though it’s not at the extreme end of the spectrum. With the weight back, the sensation is stout with a little pop. Shifting the weight forward, the feel becomes stronger on center. In both positions, there’s good feedback through the hands, but it’s more stark with the weight forward.
Performance
Callaway’s driver comparison chart makes it very clear who the Elye Triple Diamond driver is for: advanced players. By their own numbers, it’s built for players with a 5 handicap or better. There are two reasons for this: the lower forgiveness and lower spin and trajectory.
Starting with forgiveness, the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond driver is not difficult to hit, but it’s not comparable to the standard Elyte driver [review HERE] or the “core” drivers from other OEMs. Off center strikes will lose ball speed faster, and the head is less stable. This leads to larger dispersion on mishits and launch and spin numbers that are less robust.
The lower spin and trajectory can be a benefit for faster swingers but a drawback for those without high speed or spin. Callaway bills the Elyte Triple Diamond driver as “Mid” launch and “Lowest” spin. I would agree on both counts, though the spin is not so low that it’s unplayable for someone like me. As always, it’s important to remember that launch and spin are variables that every player needs to optimize for themselves. More or less launch or spin are not inherently good or bad.
As with previous Triple Diamond drivers, the Elyte has two weight ports – one front, one rear. With the heavier weight forward, the spin is lower and the ball speed on center can be a bit higher. Putting the heavier weight back boosts the forgiveness. With the Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond driver [review HERE], I felt like this adjustment was pretty substantial, like having two drivers in one. My numbers did not reflect that much difference in the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond driver, but it’s still a meaningful adjustment to pair with the Optifit hosel.
In addition to the adjustability and lower spin, some skilled drivers may gravitate toward the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond driver for the workability. The smaller, more traditionally shaped head feels more agile to me, encouraging more shotmaking off the tee. Admittedly this is not something I need to bring to the course – my game needs maximum forgiveness off the tee – but those scratch and better players may enjoy the ability to easily shape cuts and draws.
Conclusion
So, should the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond driver be on the testing menu for recreational golfers? While I’m in favor of all golfers testing a wide range of clubs, I tend to agree with Callaway that this is a club best left to the more skilled drivers. If you’re routinely hitting the ball off center, there are a lot of clubs that will deliver more consistent performance. However, for those seeking peak performance on center and a stronger ball flight, the Elyte Triple Diamond driver may be tough to beat.
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Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond Driver Price & Specs
He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
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5 Comments
Mygolfspy claimed this model was the best driver for golfers under 85mph swing speed. Maybe if you play fairways of concrete and don’t have any need to carry anything. Do you or Meeker have any opinions on this? When I tested the core model, at a Callaway demo days, I joked with the fitter that this would happen. He rolled his eyes, but added it might help those slow swingers with a hook.
Alex,
I have no comment on other site’s opinions. From what I’ve seen, this is not the first driver I’d recommend to a player with sub 85 MPH swing speed.
Best,
Matt
I’m Old and Slow but I’m completely smitten by this Driver!! As you mentioned in the performance section, this club LOVES to be shaped …..
I’m normally a one trick pony; steady diet of cuts .
It has been over five years since I had a driver(the Callaway Epic Flash sub zero) that I confidently moved in both directions……
And the ETD Sounds much better than the EFSZ did…… as a lefty , I actually got to try the ETD tour draw and wasn’t for me .
No , the Elyte Triple Diamond is MY unicorn and I’m loving every minute with it!!
Just put one in my bag… three rounds in and it’s a game changer! Got the 8° set on slight draw bias (I play a little fade) and it flies straight and true… and about 20m further than my old Qi10! Whacked a Denali 70g 6.5 in planning the find a Velocore, but at 80% fairways so far not sure I’ll be changing it out! I’m 57 with a ~113mph driver swing, always had a little early release and this is the bomb!
For mid handicap players that prefer this shape and finish, there is another option. Callaway, as they did last year, released a Triple Diamond Max version. It’s a 460cc head with shaping similar to the Triple Diamond with the gloss black finish. I have both the standard Elyte and the Elyte TD Max. I find the TD Max is not as forgiving as the standard model, but not far behind.