First Look: Callaway Golf's New Mini Driver Proves Good Things Come In Small Packages

Forbes

04-04-2025

Elyte Mini Driver
Callaway Golf
Full-sized drivers can be amazing off the tee – provided you can control where the ball goes. Many golfers fight fades and just generally don't feel confident with them as they stand over the ball on the tee box. The clubhead is large and intimidating. And while the long shaft can help you generate lots of clubhead speed and whip through the ball, it can also wreak havoc on impact and cause errant shots if you don't make contact in the right spot.
More golfers than you probably think – as a result – use a 3-wood to take their tee shots with. The smaller clubhead and shorter shaft are more manageable for them. But there's another less-known option: the mini driver. And every couple of years, it seems manufacturers come out with a new driver that's a smaller, shorter and higher-lofted version of their current popular driver model. This month, new such models from a few companies emerged. But I got my hands on the new Callaway Elyte Mini Driver to test it out. It's designed to not only be easy to hit drives with, but also playable right off the fairway grass – behaving more like a long fairway wood in that regard.
Selling for $450 – $150 less than its full-size, 460cc sibling – the 340cc Elyte Mini Driver is offered in adjustable base lofts of 11.5 and 13.5 degrees. Billed as versatility for the top of the bag, it's actually more forgiving and easier to launch than a fairway wood, according to the manufacturer, and features neutral, fade and draw settings. With an aerospace-grade carbon crown and AI smart face that's also on the other Elyte drivers, the clubhead is aerodynamically shaped for maximum speed, improved forgiveness, optimized launch all across the face, and tight shot dispersion. The shaft is a more-controllable 43.75 inches long, which is two inches shorter than the standard-sized Elyte driver models.
Briefly testing an 11.5-degree Elyte Mini this week hitting practice balls, I found it to look inviting at address. It really does lend an element of visual confidence. It truly identically resembles the full-sized Elyte, in every way. Impact sound is fantastic, too. As is the performance. I typically hit my drives pretty straight, and using this model was no different in that regard. Distance was promising too, but it's been super windy here in Southern California so its full yardage has been tough to gauge. Although 11.5 degrees is still a bit strong-lofted to try 'off the deck' for me, I did hit a couple of shots with it directly off the grass and the ball predictably launched low and hot. But I can't wait to try it out on the course – particularly as a second shot on a long par-4 or a par-5 hole.
I also spoke with several PGA Pros about who might use a mini driver. I honestly thought why would tell me it's for less-skilled golfers who might want something easier to use off the tee. But many told me it would be better players who might want an alternative to their regular driver on tight courses with narrow landing spots. But honestly, I say that regardless of your skill level, definitely give it a try. It may just wow you and bring an entirely new dimension to your long game.