Callaway Elyte Irons 2025 | Better Than Ai Smoke?

Think of a forgiving iron.

You’re probably thinking of something bulky, chunky and not all that easy on the eye, right?

The Callaway Elyte irons are going to change all that.

They are, quite simply, the total package, combining performance and looks in a way that promises to shake up the game-improvement category forever.

There are two to choose from – the Elyte and the Elyte X – and both tick plenty of boxes. But how does it compare to last year's Ai smoke model? Let's dive in!

0:00 Intro
0:59 Feel
2:57 Forgiveness
4:55 Speed
7:30 James and Lewis' Verdict

#callaway #callawaygolf #callawayelyte #callwayelyteirons #callawayelytevsaismoke #callawayaismokeirons #callawayirons #golf #bunkered

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[chrisengland]

Exactly what I found when testing this week - the Elyte was tighter dispersion due to a better land angle and spin holding the ball - I tested my current Ai Smoke standard 7 vs new Elyte standard 7 - I’m 13 HCP and have been missing greens 33% but when I tested the Elyte (near 100+ shots) 95% were on the 150 yd green 😇

[Mark-woyt]

I went to Golfers Wearhouse (aka WW Golf) looking to trade in my old set of TaylorMade M4s ('21) for a 'game improvement iron'. I can't stress enough how critical it is to actually HIT irons before buying. I hit the M4s OK, but didn't love them. Spent hours researching (online, not hitting) and narrowed it down to AI Smoke, Qi Irons, Cobra Dark Speed, Mizuno and possibly a Ping. BUT - since the Ai Smokes were last years model and less $$ I was sure I'd get the AI Smoke... so much so I considered just going into the store (or online) and buying AI Smoke
.
At WW Golf I explained what I wanted (Game Improvement) and the guy from WW Golf (Eddie) grabbed a 7I in Smoke, Qi, Mizuno 925 and Callaway Elyte (which I didn't ask to see). I hit probably 10 shots of each and to my surprise liked the Qi's and Elyte the best... Smokes and Mizuno, the worst for me. He then gave me a 5I and 9I in Elyte and Qi and I hit another 70 or so balls with all 6 clubs - 3 each. It was eventually clear - I hit the Elyte much better than anything - straighter and farther.
Moral of the story, don't buy clubs because some guy in a video gushes over them - he's probably paid to gush over them AND is probably a scratch golfer. Figure out what type of club you need - game improvement, players iron, blade, etc. then narrow it down to companies who make those (Taylor Made, Ping, Callaway, et al) THEN hit at least 3 or 4 clubs in those models - not just the 7I which is easy to hit...that is how I ended up spending $1, 400 on P790's 2 years ago. I hit the 7I great at a TM golf expo. "Can I hit a 5 or 8 or 9?" ... Nope, just the 7. Bought them anyway and 3 months later was selling them online for a fraction of what I paid...couldn't hit them to save my life...not even the 7I.

[Wynmann]

Should I go for these or apex pro? I am mid handicapper

[lan]

I DID NOT WANT TO LIKE THE ELYTE! I play the Ping G20s- YES, +14 yo... like my scotch (with an early season 20 handicap, moving to a 14 by season-end). I am finally upgrading these old but consistent irons. I tested the Titleist T350, Ping G440 & 730, TaylorMade Qi and Mizuno JPX 925, as well as the Callaway Elyte in steel and graphite. I initially favored the T350 (better dispersion) and JPX 925 (wonderful softness, but erratic distances that were sometimes hot/long and made it difficult to gap with my Titleist TSr2 5h & GT2 7w that I am consistent with). After multiple testings with both steel and graphite, I settled (with the advice of my Fitter) on the Callaway Elyte 6-GW in the stock KBS MAX 80 steel shaft. The dispersion with the Elyte, for me, was tighter than the T350 and I had more consistent distance production (not longer) as well; letting me better gap my set for lower potential scores. I overcame the bias against Callaway and also found that the club was pretty freekin' appealing in looks and feel... looking more like a player's distance iron than a Game Improvement club. Finally, the steel shaft gave me a better feel and feedback on my strikes. The feedback I gained on my mis-hits was astounding... better forgiveness and more consistent distant production. I thought the graphite would offer the softness I desired, but it lacked intuitive feedback and control upon strike. I ended up purchasing the Callaway Elyte, Reg. KBS MAX 80 steel shaft, with a -1.0 loft and 2 up lie (My Fitter agreed on the 2 up lie in my transition from a white dot G20 iron). Who knew that getting clubs fitted by a professional actually works!?!?! I kept an open mind with my Fitter and was willing to consider the data and trust my instinct. David... a real, unpaid and unbiased reviewer. I definitely did not seek out the Callaway line of irons. Thx Trent, My Fort Myers, Florida Fitter.

[ElieAnquetil]

Only downside I saw is the Elyte is way too shiny.

[bonscottrocks]

Irons are always an individual feeling.. don't by the hype...this bs from the 2024 smokes to the 2025 elites are minimal at best...