50 Words or Less
The Callaway Paradym irons provide excellent ball speed with ample forgiveness. Very appealing players look and wonderful feel.
Introduction
One word dominated Matt Saternus’ review of the Callaway Paradym X irons [review HERE]: long. Knowing Callaway designers are experts at utilizing technology across their lineups, I wasn’t surprised to find similar results with the players distance, non X, version of the Paradym irons – but it was still an eye opening experience. And based on my conversations with fitters at Club Champion, the Paradym irons have generated a lot of “wow” moments.
Looks
The Callaway Paradym irons have the three aesthetic characteristics sought after in the players distance category: thin topline, minimal offset, and a compact profile. What makes them stand out in the category is the backside. Neither cavity back nor traditional hollow body, the irons truly look fantastic in the bag. The textured deep blue field is distinctive on its own, and pairs nicely with the other two segments.
As I examined the top line more closely, I discovered it’s not actually as thin as it appears. The combination of roundness on the trailing edge and the satin finish continuing from the face is magnificently deceptive – in a good way. The thicker framework benefits performance yet looks attractive at address. Well done, Callaway.
Sound & Feel
With my very first swing, a Callaway Paradym 7 iron, I mentally noted how good it felt – soft but energetic. The ball felt like it popped off the face effortlessly. With more swings and different irons, that pleasant feeling never wavered. My hands could sense impact location, but it was subtle. Callaway is understandably secretive about their patented urethane microspheres, so I don’t have anything to say other than the secret sauce behind the face really works.
The sound of the Paradym irons is in harmony with their feel. Medium in volume and pitch, the sound falls somewhere between a “click” and a “snap.” Crisp with centered contact, the sound becomes slightly duller with reasonable mishits.
Performance
Earlier, I touched on the framework of the Paradym head, so let me start there. Officially called Speed Frame, it creates the hollow body structure at the heart of performance. With the stiff frame, Callaway designers were able to employ a thinner face while maintaining stability.
Forged from high-strength 455 stainless steel, each face was optimized for ball speed, launch, and spin utilizing A.I. technology. To further enhance launch and to promote forgiveness, Callaway precisely located tungsten weights both within the hollow body and externally as visually apparent on the rear of the toe.
All that tech sounds good, but did it have a noticeable effect? Absolutely. During my first test session it was clear the Callaway Paradym irons were longer than my gamers across the set. Trajectories were good, but what really caught my attention was how easy it was to get the golf ball airborne. And I really enjoyed being able to move the longer irons left or right.
Launch monitor results validated what I had observed. I picked up right around 5 yards with the Paradym irons. Ball speeds were excellent. Even my mishits were achieving 1.45 smash factors. Launch angles were consistently good. Spin was the only factor that wasn’t ideal for me – a bit on the low side.
As I examined the lofts of the Paradym irons, they seemed reasonable, but maybe a degree or two strong compared to other irons in the category. The lofts alone could easily explain my distance gains. The scary good thing is that with a better fitting shaft I could almost certainly get my spin numbers up, improving both carry distance and landing angle.
Conclusion
The Callaway Paradym irons check all the boxes in the players distance category, with a bonus check mark for forgiveness. If you’ve been playing game improvement irons, but have longed for the look and feel deemed only for better players, don’t hesitate to give the Paradym irons a try – you might just experience your own “wow” moment.
Visit Callaway HERE
Callaway Paradym Irons Price & Specs
Matt Meeker
Latest posts by Matt Meeker (see all)
- Puma ALPHACAT NITRO Golf Shoe Review - September 21, 2023
- Flag & Anthem Apparel Review - September 8, 2023
- PAYNTR X 005 F Golf Shoe Review - August 25, 2023
Thank you. I like the performance and AI aspect of the Paradym irons. But I prefer a sleeker topline, satin/flat finish, and a satin/flat cavity. No doubt I need the distance and a smidgen of forgiveness but I’d rather have something more timeless, that I can enjoy in the bag for 4-5 years.
These irons have shifted my game into a new paradigm. As a 67 year old senior golfer (7.1 index) I needed length – and carry – these clubs deliver, in spades. 5 rounds and a dozen range sessions tell me these clubs are at least 10 yards longer (7 iron; Shot Scope verified 140+ yards). I played Callaway X Forged CBs before which may not have been ideal (great clubs though) for me. I play the same shafts shown above, love the HZRDUS Gen 4 silver technology. I can hit my 6 iron well now, and may even game a 5 iron. After years in the gym working on strength and power, hitting 300+ golf balls a week [here in (again) sunny CA] and many efforts to refine my swing mechanics, these irons are a wonderful payoff. All highly recommended.
I find some of these tests hard to accept for us ordinary golfers who most of the time find in difficult to reproduce the same swing etc every time.
Terence, as Matt Meeker suggests, the clubs are very forgiving for a Player’s type iron. You don’t say your handicap index or level of play, but the game improvement category might be right for you now. Manufacturers produce, and Plugged-in-Golf writes for the entire, broad – and growing – golf constituency. Best wishes for improving your golf game! Doug
Are they forged irons. I’m a
64 year old scratch handicapper but I need irons that can be bent to 3-4° flat.
The face is forged. I don’t know the limits of bending, you’ll need to consult with whomever would perform that task for you.
– Meeks
I just replaced my 1990’s Titleist DCI relics for the Paradym irons. My snap hook immediately went away, and I was able to get enough backspin to execute viper bite after viper bite on the greens. My index sat at 18 and I’m now shooting in the high 70’s to low 80’s.
Do they have taper or parallel hosels?
You can order these Paradym irons from Callaway pre-bent up to 3 degrees upright or down as much as 3 degrees flat.
How would you compare the Paradym irons to the PXG Gen6 0311 P iron? Forgiveness and distance?
Sorry Don, but I haven’t hit the PXGs.
– Meeks
I’m 65 and playing golf since I turned half a century. My best shot was 135 yards with a 7 Iron. I hit with the paradym x this week, and landed 150 with better loft. I repeated 10X to confirm. A perfectly executed shot – one out of 5 for me – and I landed 155. These Irons are the real deal and if you want more distance, don’t hesitate. I don’t know about forgiveness yet but will a few rounds after my new set arrives. NorCal Duffer 10 handicapper.
I just purchased the paradym iron and all I can say is amazing!!
Bought them, Love them.
a 13 – old clubs 150 yards 7 iron.
These 160 no BS no drama no kidding.
I have had Paradym irons for about a month and the paint on the back of the irons is already coming off. This is going to be a big problem for Callaway. They had better get in front of this problem now because I can see a class action lawsuit coming their way in the near future. I am sure I am not the only one having this problem because it is caused by my clubs simply being in a golf bag.
I got fit for full bag replacement. I have always been a Ping man and have G400 irons and driver/fairway woods. I planned to get the new Ping 430 irons and driver/woods. After 3 hours at Goltec fitting and trying every brand, the Callaway Paradym iron were easy to pick. I was hitting 10 yards farther and very straight. I did end up with Ping LST 430 driver/woods. But was very surprised how the Callaway Paradym irons (and 56 degree wedge) were so much better with my swing. I am 69 yrs. old and have a 9 handicap from white tees.
I play off an index of 10.9. I’ve had my paradym irons (non X model) for about 6 weeks now and think they are great. Significant extra distance and good forgiveness. The one problem i’m having adjusting to is, because the ball is so fast off the face, i’m finding it difficult to judge distance swith ¾ shots. Most of my golf is on links courses so i do play a lot of ¾ shots because of the windy conditions. Do you reckon this will just come will practice or is there something specific i could try?
Sounds like you’ve adjusted to the longer full swing distances Calum – which just took time to learn. If you don’t want to adjust club selection based on the new distances you are learning with the 3/4 swings, you can consider stopping a few inches shorter in the backswing – to achieve your previous distances.
– Meeks
Hi – I’m shopping for new irons. I’ve read your great reviews on 2 brands that sound good – Calloway Paradym and TMP790 or Stealth. I have a swing speed of 69-74 seven iron. Used to play low 80s now low 90s. (Age :))
Any preference?
And at that swing speed could I still use steel. I went to a senior graphite but can’t quite get used to it. Or is that speed too low for steel. (Think my driver is 90)
Really need to see on the course as I don’t like the inside fitting – so a gut feel from you would be more helpful!!!
Cheers – always go to your site!