It may be the PGA Tour’s off-season, but December’s exhibition events and international tournaments could be providing some real-world tests for some of the drivers set to hit the market early next year. One early conclusion: There will be more models to attack individual golfer profiles than ever before. Four major companies account for 13 new models recently added to the conforming list. Check this week’s list and you’ll see images of new drivers from Callaway, Cobra, Ping and Srixon.
While the companies aren’t ready to share details yet, the images on the USGA and R&A’s lists of conforming driver heads provide a few details. Here’s a rundown:
Callaway: It looks like the new drivers will go by the name of Elyte, whose spelling seems a gentle nod to company founder, Ely Callaway. The four driver models in both right- and left- handed versions go by the names of Elyte, Elyte Max Fast, Elyte (Triple Diamond) and Elyte X. The Elyte features three weight ports in the rear perimeter (draw, fade and neutral settings), while the Max Fast, TD, and Elyte X feature two (front and rear on the TD, neutral and draw on the Max Fast and X). All the models feature a reference to “Ai 10X Face.”
Cobra: The four new drivers come under the heading of “DS-Adapt,” seemingly a reference to the previous year’s Darkspeed lineup. The lineup includes DS-Adapt LS, DS-Adapt Max D, DS-Adapt Max-K and DS-Adapt X. The LS and X models appear to have front and back weights, while the Max-D shows a rear center and heel-sided sole weight. The Max-D seems to have a single weight port in the deep center. All four models feature a large QR code with the letters “FF33,” and the adjustable hosel appears to be a departure from past models. While in years past, the adjustable loft showed through a window in the hosel, these models show a loft printed on the hosel and what looks like multiple cog feature.
Ping: The company is due for its next driver release in early 2025 and the latest models to hit the conforming lists appear under the “G440” heading. As in the past, the three models are the “Max,” as well as an “LST” (typically a low-spin option) and an “SFT” (usually a slice-fighting draw bias model). Each of the models again seem to feature a movable weight in the perimeter, with draw, fade and neutral settings on the Max and LST and draw and Draw+ settings for the SFT. Among the markings are the phrases “Carbonfly Wrap,” a reference to the weight-saving carbon composite piece on the back portion of the crown that spills over the side and “Spinsistency,” a reference to changes in the face’s roll curves to produce more consistent spin up and down the face.
Srixon: Previously listed among the conforming drivers is a new collection under the “ZXi” nomenclature. That includes a ZXi and ZXi LS. The ZXi entry shows heel and toe movable weights on the sole, while the ZXi LS image reveals front and back sole weights. Among the markings is the phrase “Rebound Frame,” likely a reference to Srixon’s technology that incorporates the flexing of the crown to enhancing the spring-like effect through alternating rigid and flexible regions surrounding the face.
You can view additional images at the USGA’s equipment database.
This article was originally published on golfdigest.com