50 Words or Less
The Callaway Paradym X irons are some of the fastest, longest irons I’ve ever tested. Ultra forgiving. Crisp, booming impact sound with fast feel. Premium look in the bag.
Introduction
With so much (justifiable) hype around the Callaway Paradym driver [review HERE] and its torrid start on Tour, it would be easy to overlook the Paradym X irons. However, if you like hitting your iron shots really, really far, that would be a mistake.
Looks
I want to start with the in the bag look of the Callaway Paradym X irons. It’s sensational. These irons are loaded with details without being gaudy or loud. The navy blue behind the Paradym and Callaway branding injects some color, and the gold above it is measured and tasteful. By far the best element is the texture of the blue. It looks like a guilloché watch dial. As much as I’ve praised other GI and SGI irons for eschewing colorful, clownish looks, I think that trend has gone too far. The Paradym X irons are the perfect antidote.
Moving to the address position, the Paradym X irons are classic Callaway GI. They are unapologetic about the thickness of the top line and healthy dose of offset. The faces are large and inviting without any sharp edges. Contrary to what you might expect, the sole is only visible behind the top line in the 4I, and even then, it’s only just.
If you prefer a slightly smaller iron, check out the Callaway Paradym irons HERE
Sound & Feel
If you put the Callaway Paradym X irons into your bag, your playing partners will know that your shots are going a long way. The impact sound of these clubs is a booming, crisp “snap.” There’s a noticeable low end to the sound but not enough to turn the overall character dull. The volume is lower in the short irons and higher – above average, to my ears – in the longer irons.
On center, the feel of impact echos the crisp sound. The ball feels very fast off the face.
In terms of feedback, the Paradym X irons aim to make you feel good about your ball striking. Everything around the center of the face sounds and feels fantastic. On bigger misses, the feel becomes firm and loses its crispness. All that said, if you pay careful attention, you can feel the impact location with some precision.
Performance
The Callaway Paradym X irons have many fine qualities, but one dominates my testing notes: “F***ing long.” For ball speed and distance, there are very few irons that can keep pace with these. That speed comes from a combination of Callaway’s AI-designed Forged 455 Face and the new Hollow Body design with Speed Frame construction.
I noted earlier that these irons want you to feel good about your ball striking. That’s not just about a lack of punishing feedback; it’s also about the forgiveness. If you strike the ball anywhere near the center the face, the speed and distance are exceptional. You need to put the ball well onto the toe or heel to see a significant drop off performance.
This extreme level of forgiveness shows up both on the launch monitor and on the course, and I actually got to see the latter first. During Callaway’s Paradym launch event, I had the opportunity to play The Lakes at Topgolf El Segundo. For context, it was around 7 PM Pacific, about 45 degrees and misting, and I had been awake – mainly on my feet or on a plane – since 6 AM Central. To say I didn’t have my best stuff would be an understatement. Despite all that, I grabbed a stock set of Callaway Paradym X irons and proceeded to hit nothing but good golf shots. Did I knock down every flag? No, but I was on or around every green, which is all any recreational player could ask for.
Shifting back to the launch monitor, the Paradym X irons tend to launch the ball slightly lower than comparable sets with very playable spin. The wide soles and tungsten weighting make it so that even thin shots get airborne, but, for me, these irons favor a stronger trajectory.
Finally, I found that the Paradym X irons do favor a draw or small pull. For me, that’s largely the effect of the “Moderate Offset” (per Callaway). If you’re looking for a more neutral ball flight, want slightly weaker lofts, or prefer a slightly smaller head, check out the Callaway Paradym irons.
Conclusion
The Callaway Paradym X irons may not be getting the same amount of press as the Paradym driver, but they’re every bit as impressive in their own way. These are some of the longest irons I’ve ever tested, and they’re incredibly easy to use. If those sound like attributes you want in an iron, test these with a fitter before your season starts.
Visit Callaway HERE
Callaway Paradym X Irons Price & Specs
Matt Saternus
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Do you keep a database of the metrics of different clubs you review? You say these are crazy long, but I’m wondering how that compares to the ball speed, carry, spin, total distance, etc. of other irons you review. Seems like it might be a very helpful database to use for reference
Brian,
Yes, I have a personal database of testing results.
-Matt
Do you list the results on you site? Considering new irons, driving the 4 hrs to the PGA superstore to get fit, but I’d like to have some way to narrow down the list of irons I’m considering. I like the idea of long, rather hit a 7 than a 5, but every club says it’s the longest, easiest to hit, most consistent… Data seems to be the best delineator.
Thanks! Love your reviews.
Brian,
We post our launch monitor numbers on driver and FW reviews, not irons or hybrids.
As I stated in the review, if you want ball speed and distance, the Paradym X irons are among the best we’ve ever tested.
Best,
Matt
Looking at the specs on these irons they are roughly 2.5 degrees stronger than my current set but also a .5 inch shorter. Would the length of the Club impact distance as much or more than the club’s length or are there other factors involved? Also my experience has been a lower ball flight does not hold the greens as well. I hit my irons high so would be wary of using irons with a lower trajectory that may roll out too much on the greens. What are your thoughts on those 2 issues?
Larry,
There are a lot of factors involved in distance. I wouldn’t put a huge premium on 1/2”.
Finding an appropriate landing angle is part of a good fitting. It should certainly be considered when getting new irons.
-Matt
They should be long. The strongest lofts I have ever seen
On target review. I just played with my new Paradym X irons yesterday and averaged one club more distance for each iron.
That’s because the lifts are so jacked, the iron specs are pretty close to one club more. Dead giveaway is when you need BOTH an A wedge AND 51 degree wedge before your SW!
I’m sure glad I grew out of these high tech clubs. They look very nice , I like the colors they are , they look like my dress blues I wore when I was in the marine corps.
I matched the loft of my RAZR 8 iron of 36 degree to this iron at 31.5 degrees. Of course it will go longer than the RAZR, same swing speed, should it not? What benefit, if I am right, will this club then provide? Thanks
Craig,
I’m sorry, I don’t understand your question. Can you rephrase it?
-Matt
Actually, the Mavrik irons have a stronger loft design… in some cases, 2 degrees LESS loft, which means MORE distance.
From above, these Callaway irons and a long line before them, look exactly the same since the X series irons which must be 20 years old. The only thing that changes appearance wise is the design of the back of the club. Presumably there is something behind the cavity to reflect tech changes, and obviously much stronger lofts. A 41 degree pitching wedge? Really?
Is a review for the standard Paradym irons planned?
Kevin,
Yes, that’s on the way.
-Matt
So my i7 has the same loft as paradyms i9…
That’s just weird.
Matt,
Just read the PXG Gen 6 review. How do the Paradym X compare to the Gen 6 P?
Rick,
I have a full review of the Paradym X here: https://pluggedingolf.com/callaway-paradym-x-irons-review/
The Paradym X is almost an entire club stronger in lofts and is substantially larger than the 0311 P.
Best,
Matt
What would be the difference in Paradym X GW (51*) versus any 52* wedge?
Jon,
The Paradym has a larger cavity back than any wedge. There are also differences in the sole and CG.
Best,
Matt