Callaway Epic Speed Driver

Expert Review: Callaway Epic Speed Driver Review – 2024

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Callaway Epic Speed Driver is awesome. It makes the golf ball go fast and is very forgiving, but it still looks classic and is easy to use. It’s good for many golfers, especially those with a medium to low skill level.

Callaway Epic Speed Driver Review

Callaway Epic Speed Driver Details

Item Dimensions       48″L x 6″W x 6″H
Item Weight              50 Grams
Hand Orientation     Right/Left
Loft                            9/10.5/12 Degrees
Flex                            Regular/Stiff
Clubhead Speed       80
Ball speed                 119
Launch Angle           16
Spin                            1710
Offline                        7
Carry Distance         178
Total Distance          214

Reason For Buy

  • Forgives off-center hits well.
  • Makes it easy to shape shots.
  • Gives more distance compared to older drivers.
  • Looks cool with a sleek design.
  • Makes a nice and consistent sound.
  • Feels stable and solid when hitting the ball.

Callaway Epic Speed Driver Review & Score

Quality 100%
Ease of use 100%
Distance 98%
Value for money 97%

Looks

The Epic head cover had nice stitching, but I was excited to see the driver itself. What caught my eye was an interesting mix of simplicity and complexity.

The top of the Epic Speed driver looks simple but cool. It’s rounded, a bit toward the toe, with a glossy black crown that lets you see the carbon fiber pattern. The white chevron at the front is easy to spot, and there’s a small “EPIC” and some pin striping at the back. Simple and stylish.

Now, the bottom of the driver is busier. There’s a shiny silver strip in the middle, surrounded by the classic Epic green that says “SPEED.” Along the sides are the Jailbreak Speed Frame ends, now four of them. The again has raised fins, a weight port, an emerald lap pool, and a large white Callaway logo. It’s a lot to take in but it looks pretty cool.

Sound & Feel

The Callaway Epic Speed driver stands out for its forgiveness and consistent ball speeds across the face. The club’s aesthetic features a sleek crown and detailed sole, creating a visually appealing driver. Sound-wise, it produces a distinctive ‘ting’ at impact, with a restrained volume. The experience is stable and stable, imparting remarks on strikes. Overall, it’s a high-performing and visually pleasing driver with excellent forgiveness.

Performance

The club felt good like the sweet spot was huge, and it showed in how consistently I hit the ball far and in the right direction at the driving range. The data from a launch monitor at Club Champion confirmed that the Callaway Epic Speed driver is very forgiving. The smash factors, which measure how well I hit the ball, were consistently high.

Looking at the chart, you can see that my spin and launch were on the low side, affecting how far the ball carried. The shaft I was using wasn’t quite right for my swing, but when I tried a different one, my numbers improved. As I got more comfortable with the Epic Flash, my swing speed increased, and the ball went even farther. The best part was that even if I didn’t hit the ball perfectly, I could still find the fairway.

To help golfers swing faster, Callaway added fins to the sole and flattened the top of the Epic Speed driver for better aerodynamics. To make it more forgiving, they used a special carbon material in the crown to save weight and distribute it better. They also used that material in the toe patch to make it easier to hit a slight draw.

Distance

I started hitting the Epic Speed Driver, and my distance improved for sure. With the Cobra, I was carrying around 260 and getting a total of 275-280 after the ball rolled. But with the Epic Speed, the average carry was up to 275, and sometimes I even went over 300 yards with the roll.

Forgiveness

I’m amazed at how forgiving the Epic Speed is on off-center hits. When I miss the shot and hit it high on the toe, I can still feel it, but the club stays very steady, and the results are still really good. Even on those high-toe strikes, I’m still getting carry distances of around 260 yards. Callaway has been improving their jailbreak tech for a while, and it seems like their efforts have worked!

Workability

The club feels good when I set it up, which makes me feel confident about hitting shots in different ways. My usual shot is a small draw, and when I swing smoothly, it happens easily. I can also hit a fade or a bigger draw without any problem when I need to.

Spin

Indoors with Trackman, I noticed spin rates in the low to mid-2000s when hitting the ball in the middle, which is perfect for me. When playing on the course, I’m achieving distances that align with these spin rates.

 Callaway Epic Speed Driver Review [Pros & Cons]

 

PROS

  • Forgives off-center hits well.
  • Makes it easy to shape shots.
  • Gives more distance compared to older drivers.
  • Looks cool with a sleek design.
  • Makes a nice and consistent sound.
  • Feels stable and solid when hitting the ball.

CONS

  • Spin rates indoors might be too high.
  • The shaft might feel softer than expected.

Tester Feedback

I tried the club in September 2023, and I got it in October 2023. I’ve had it for about 40 days now. I used it at different places like the driving range and golf courses like Glenwood Country Club, Battleground Country Club, New Bern Golf and Country Club, and Carolina Colors Golf Club. I also used it indoors with a Trackman Simulator.

I tested it in all sorts of weather. Sometimes it was warm in North Carolina, and other times it was cold, wet, and windy in the Northeast. The temperatures ranged from 30 to 80 degrees, and the wind went up to 30 mph. I like playing in all kinds of weather!

Value for the money

The Callaway Epic Speed Driver performs well in every aspect, making it a great driver. While still a significant cost, I consider it a good value for money. If you’re considering a new driver this year, I strongly recommend trying the Callaway Epic Speed Driver for top-notch performance in every category. Adapting to the head shape and blue face may take a bit if you’re upgrading from a recent Callaway Epic Speed Driver, but given the performance, it’s worth it.

FAQs

Is the Callaway Epic driver a solid choice?

The Callaway Epic Speed Driver provides fast ball speeds and forgiveness while still being easy to control and having a classic appearance. It works well for a broad range of golfers, particularly those in the mid-low handicap range.

How does the Callaway Epic Speed Driver perform on off-center hits?

The Epic Speed is highly forgiving on off-center hits. Even when striking the ball high on the toe, the driver remains stable, and the results are still impressive, offering great distance and consistency.

How does the Callaway Epic Speed Driver improve distance?

The driver provides significant distance gains due to its aerodynamic design, which increases clubhead speed. It also utilizes a special carbon material in the crown to optimize weight distribution, resulting in higher carry distances and more roll.

Is the Callaway Epic Speed Driver easy to control?

Yes, the Epic Speed is very workable. Golfers can easily shape shots, hitting fades, draws, and even bigger draws with confidence. The club setup gives players a solid feel, making it easy to control the ball’s direction.

When did the Callaway Epic Speed Driver come out?

The Callaway Epic Speed Driver was released in 2021 as part of Callaway’s Epic Speed series, which includes the Epic Max and Epic Max LS models.

How to adjust the Callaway Epic Speed Driver?

The Callaway Epic Speed Driver offers adjustable settings to help golfers fine-tune their performance. Here’s how you can adjust it:

  • Loft Adjustment: The Epic Speed driver features an adjustable hosel, allowing you to increase or decrease the loft. The hosel has 8 settings (ranging from 1° up to 2° down), which can help optimize launch and trajectory based on your swing.
  • Face Angle Adjustment: By changing the loft setting, you can also slightly adjust the face angle. This can help with shaping shots by opening or closing the face.

How to adjust:

  1. Use the included wrench: To adjust the loft, insert the wrench into the screw at the base of the hosel.
  2. Loosen the screw: Turn the screw counterclockwise until it’s loose enough to rotate.
  3. Adjust to the desired setting: Rotate the clubhead to the preferred loft setting (check the markings on the hosel to match the correct setting).
  4. Tighten the screw: Once the desired setting is achieved, use the wrench to tighten the screw back into place.

Final verdict

Callaway says the Epic Speed driver is super-fast with a big sweet spot. It’s the fastest Epic driver ever because of its aerodynamics. It’s more forgiving than the older MAVRIK designs. Some expert players might not like the feedback because of the new Jailbreak Speed Frame, but the improved consistency in performance is worth it. The overall feel is excellent.

I started my review not sure which driver to use in 2024, and the Callaway Epic Speed convinced me. If you need a new driver, think about getting the Callaway Epic Speed. It’s a great, steady driver that can give you more distance and forgiveness, no matter your skill level.

Best Alternative TaylorMade Stealth 2 Driver

 Callaway Epic Speed Driver Review [YouTube]

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