The Tri-Pressure Face within the Callaway Quantum driver isn’t simply Callaway’s lead metalwood know-how for 2026. It’s arguably probably the most consequential face innovation the corporate has launched because the lurid inexperienced Jailbreak bars first confirmed up and made everybody ask uncomfortable questions.
In actual fact, it could find yourself being the face tech story of 2026. And that’s saying one thing in a 12 months that additionally consists of Mizuno’s Nanoalloy push, COBRA’s POI framing and TaylorMade’s fourth-generation carbon face. That doesn’t even account for no matter Titleist has ready within the wings when the GT sequence ultimately provides solution to its successor.
So, sure, expectations are excessive.
Which brings us to the predictable—however nonetheless crucial—disclaimer: You shouldn’t count on landmark driver face know-how to totally carry over to fairway woods and hybrids.
Why driver breakthroughs not often scale down
The reason being easy and largely unavoidable: floor space.
Whether or not we’re speaking about carbon, polymesh, nanoalloy or another unique materials, significant good points require face actual property. Fairway woods and hybrids merely don’t have sufficient of it to justify the associated fee or complexity of most driver-level developments. The proverbial juice nonetheless isn’t definitely worth the squeeze.
That doesn’t imply fairway woods are an afterthought. In actual fact, they is perhaps the alternative.
As a helpful level of reference, the 2024 Callaway Ai Smoke driver posted sturdy market-share numbers and landed two of the highest three spots in our annual Most Wished testing—but it was outsold by the Ai Smoke fairway wooden.
Fairway woods outselling drivers? What’s subsequent? Taylor Swift releasing an album about emotional stability and wholesome communication?
Oh, how the flip tables. (Courtesy of Michael Scott)
Anyway … again to Quantum.
Quantum fairways and hybrids: a CG story (as a result of it at all times is)
It’s not my intention to slight the Quantum hybrids however, in each significant manner, they’re Quantum fairway woods—simply in hybrid kind.
That’s as a result of that is essentially a CG story. And when individuals say “physics at all times wins,” that is what they’re speaking about.
Pushing the middle of gravity low and ahead is nice for ball velocity and for moderating launch and spin. The tradeoffs are equally actual:
Diminished stability (or what most golfers consider as heel-toe MOI)
Much less ball velocity retention on misses
Potential stiffness points if an excessive amount of mass is clustered close to the face
In brief: an excessive amount of construction close to the face can forestall it from flexing the best way you need it to.
That’s the place Velocity Wave 2.0 enters the image.
Velocity Wave 2.0: Low-forward with out killing face flex
Consider Velocity Wave 2.0 as a floating tungsten bar. It positions mass low and ahead however with very particular placement, span and spacing that permits the face to hinge and deflect—significantly on low-center strikes.
Extra deflection means extra ball velocity. Pair that with applicable spin and launch and, sure, that’s usually an excellent factor.
That is an iterative change, not a moonshot, however it addresses an actual design stress that reveals up any time you chase low-forward CG.
Step Sole, take two (and why it issues)
The up to date Step Sole design returns with the identical overarching objective as earlier than: scale back turf interplay to assist golfers discover center-face contact extra usually.
Something that improves strike high quality goes to pay dividends. And whereas “will get the ass finish of the membership out of the best way” will be the blunt description, Step Sole is extra like carrying a quarter-inch tee in your pocket for each fairway shot.
It’s delicate. It’s sensible. And it really works in service of one thing golfers really expertise—cleaner contact. It’s additionally much less awkward than fluffing your lie whereas your taking part in companions aren’t watching.
AI face optimization and adjustability
AI modeling continues to outpace human iteration in relation to face topology and Callaway stays deeply invested right here.
Every Quantum face is optimized for its meant golfer profile, accounting for swing traits and affect patterns to stability velocity, spin, launch and accuracy. Callaway isn’t alone in utilizing AI however they’d argue the best way they apply it nonetheless offers a aggressive edge.
On the adjustability entrance, OptiFit 4 stays one of many higher hosel methods in the marketplace. Most notable is the flexibility to regulate lie angle by ±2° with out altering loft. Change loft and lie strikes accordingly: extra loft will increase lie angle; much less loft flattens it.
It’s not full unbiased adjustability however it’s considerate and practical.
Quantum fairway fashions: Acquainted however clearly segmented
The golf green lineup mirrors the driving force naming and intent:
Quantum Max – Mid-sized footprint, shallow face, impartial flight; widest attraction
Quantum Max D – Barely bigger with draw-biased weighting
Quantum Max Quick – Identical form as Max with lighter elements to spice up velocity
Quantum Triple Diamond – Deeper face, compact profile, lowest launch and spin; neutral-to-fade bias for quicker gamers
Nothing revolutionary right here—and that’s not a criticism. The segmentation is logical and nicely executed.
Quantum hybrids: Another verse
As Herman’s Hermits as soon as sang, “Second verse, (largely) similar as the primary.”
The low-forward CG idea carries over as do Velocity Wave 2.0, Step Sole, Ai face optimization and the OptiFit 4 hosel. The notable distinction is the return of cut up rear weighting.
It’s an costly building and if fitter and client suggestions doesn’t clearly justify the efficiency profit, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Callaway transfer away from it within the subsequent era.
Shaping is extra conventional than Elyte: fewer visible cues, a extra squared toe and an aesthetic that aligns cleanly with the Quantum irons.
The hybrid lineup breaks down as follows:
Quantum Max – Impartial flight, mid-sized footprint
Quantum Max OS – Bigger, extra draw-biased
Quantum Max Quick – Lighter construct for velocity
My $0.05
Quantum reveals clear proof of studying—each from earlier generations and from adjoining merchandise.
The up to date Step Sole builds logically on what began with the Apex UW, and Velocity Wave 2.0 looks like a sensible, focused refinement slightly than a advertising and marketing reset. Designing round the place golfers really strike the ball (low-center) whereas bettering their odds of discovering the middle within the first place is a method that ought to resonate.
Credit score the place it’s due: permitting ±2° lie adjustment with out altering loft is genuinely helpful. And if Callaway ever decides to go all-in on absolutely unbiased loft and lie adjustability, I’d fortunately co-sign that call.
Larger-lofted fairway woods proceed to develop in recognition throughout talent ranges which solely strengthens the case for broader hosel adjustability. Quantum improves on Elyte by together with OptiFit 4 in all 3- and 5-woods—however with opponents providing extra strong methods, there’s nonetheless room to push additional.
All advised, Quantum doesn’t chase hype. It refines the basics—and that’s normally the place the true good points are hiding.
Pricing and availability
Retail availability: Feb. 13
Fairways
$399.99 – Quantum Max, Max D
$449.99 – Quantum Max Quick, Triple Diamond
Hybrids
$349.99 – Quantum Max, Max OS
$379.99 – Quantum Max Quick
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