Callaway Quantum Max Hybrid Review

Callaway’s new Quantum hybrid lineup is made up of three distinct models, each targeting a different type of golfer. The standard Quantum Max is the all-round option, while the Quantum Max OS adds extra size and is one of the most forgiving hybrids on the market this year. Rounding out the range is the Quantum Max Fast, a lightweight, easy-to-swing hybrid designed for golfers with slower or moderate swing speeds, making it a particularly good hybrid for seniors.

Across both the Quantum fairway woods and hybrids, the design brief has been simple: create clubs that are fast, easy to launch and highly playable from a wide range of lies. To achieve this Callaway has gone back to the drawing board, with Speed Wave 2.0 at the heart of the redesign.

By pushing weight low and forward in the head, the technology is designed to increase ball speed while maintaining stable, predictable launch conditions. The face has also been engineered to flex more efficiently, especially on strikes low on the face, helping retain speed on the most common mishit. This was something that really jumped out in my testing, as thin strikes still managed to get surprisingly good height and distance.

Further performance gains come from a reworked Step Sole Design, which limits turf interaction to promote cleaner strikes and more consistent contact from the fairway or rough. The package is completed by a next-generation Ai-Optimized Face, built to preserve ball speed and overall performance across a much larger area of the face. Callaway’s use of Artificial Intelligence has been a staple of its recent releases and has proved to be a real game changer, and the brand always features prominently in any list of the best golf hybrids.

For testing, I received both the Quantum Max and Max OS, and the contrast in head size is immediately obvious. The Max OS has a noticeably larger overall profile, which is clear at address and even more apparent when you turn the club over and look at the sole.

That extra footprint is exactly what you’d expect from a game-improvement hybrid, offering a more confidence-inspiring look for higher-handicap golfers. The compact head of the standard Max will appeal to traditionalists and golfers who value workability over ultra forgiveness.

Beyond the size difference, the two models share a very similar visual identity. Both are bold and modern in appearance, with clean lines and plenty of shelf appeal. The black and grey headcover complements the clubs nicely and feels well judged. While the glossy crown finish isn’t to my personal taste, there’s no denying Callaway has put together a smart-looking package overall.

The standard lofts across the three Quantum Max hybrids differ, with the Max OS set at 18°, the standard Max at 19° and the Max Fast at 20°. To ensure a fair comparison I adjusted the Max OS up by one degree so that both clubs were set to 19°.

It’s worth noting that altering loft and lie using Callaway’s OptiFit 4 hosel wasn’t the most straightforward process. Even after studying the instructions on Callaway’s website, I struggled to get my head around it. As is often the case when in doubt, YouTube came to the rescue. I got there in the end, but compared to other adjustable hybrids I’ve tested recently, such as the excellent TaylorMade Qi4D Rescue, this felt unnecessarily complex.

I initially wondered if it was just me, but three professionals at Hurlston Hall Golf Club in Lancashire, where the testing took place, also struggled with it!

Purely based on the data there was very little to choose between the Max and the Max OS, but in terms of dispersion the Max OS was a clear winner for me. That might not be the case for everybody, but I’ve been struggling with a slight push recently and a significant number of shots with the standard Max model strayed a little right of my intended target. That’s a me problem of course and while I may be a bad workman I rarely blame my tools!

What I would say though is the extra forgiveness and draw bias of the Max OS model provided me with the assistance I needed. If you don’t need that then the standard Max will probably appeal more due to the compact head, which is something better players tend to value as it aids with shot shaping.

Performance on the course was excellent. Off the tee the Quantum Max hybrid was solid. The Max OS is designed to help with launch and a higher flight but I noticed very little difference between them and I don’t think golfers will have any issues getting the desired height with the standard Max model. On approach shots I really enjoyed the turf interaction and high, penetrating flight, while performance out of the rough was generally faultless too.

Many golfers like to use a hybrid around the green for bump and run shots. This is an area where I definitely think a compact head like that of the Max really helps as it provides that little bit more feel and control you need when playing delicate touch shots.

While for me personally I enjoyed the Max OS slightly more due to how consistently straight I was able to hit it, I would say that if you prefer a hybrid with a more compact head and good workability (while still offering a variety of adjustability options), then the Quantum Max ticks a lot of boxes and will almost certainly be one of the more popular hybrids on the market this year.

The Callaway Quantum Max hybrid will be retailing at $349.99/£269.