Two previous-gen flagships now under $350 — one wins on pure performance, the other on dollar-for-dollar value. The best clearance battle in golf right now.
Quick verdict
The Ai Smoke TD is the better driver on pure performance— higher consensus score, more sources, better forgiveness, and superior distance. MyGolfSpy ranked it 2nd overall out of 37 drivers tested in 2024. If you can stretch to $349, you're getting a genuinely elite driver at a discount.
The Darkspeed X is the smarter buy if value is your priority. At $299, it delivers the best sound/feel in the 2024 class, excellent accuracy, and genuine flagship performance for $50 less. You give up some forgiveness and distance — but at 45% off retail, the Darkspeed X is the best dollar-for-dollar driver in the market.
Cobra
Best sound/feel in the 2024 class, MyGolfSpy's most accurate driver for high-swing-speed golfers, dual-weight adjustability, matte-black aesthetics. Now 45% off at clearance.
Callaway
MyGolfSpy's 2nd-ranked driver of 2024, Ai Smart Face technology, surprisingly forgiving 450cc head, elite workability, tour-preferred shot shaping. Now ~42% off retail.
Darkspeed X wins 2 of 6 categories · Ai Smoke TD wins 3 of 6
Darkspeed X
Ai Smoke TD
Near-universal praise for the Darkspeed X's impact feel. Golfer Geeks gave it a perfect 5/5 for sound and feel — the only driver to earn that score in 2024. Golfstead called it one of their favorite driver impacts of the year. The crisp, powerful whip-crack sound is genuinely satisfying.
The Ai Smoke TD produces an explosive 'pop' that Plugged In Golf described as quiet but unique. Most reviewers found it satisfying, but it divides opinion — it lacks the traditional metallic crack some golfers expect from a powerful drive. Functional, not inspiring.
Darkspeed X
Ai Smoke TD
Adequate forgiveness for a mid-range driver but not class-leading. MyGolfSpy rated it average for forgiveness at high swing speeds. The dual-weight system helps — moving the 12g weight to the back improves dispersion by 80% — but the Darkspeed X rewards centered strikes more than it rescues mishits.
The headline surprise of the Ai Smoke TD. MyGolfSpy ranked it top 10 for forgiveness despite the compact 450cc head. Golf.com robot testing showed high-toe misses lost only 4.8 yards vs. 11.1 on the previous Paradym TD. The Ai Smart Face keeps ball speed remarkably consistent across the hitting area.
Darkspeed X
Ai Smoke TD
Competitive distance — GolfMagic called it the longest flagship driver they tested in 2024, and Today's Golfer measured 270 yards carry with 161.6 MPH ball speed. Solid numbers, but the Ai Smoke TD's AI-optimized face produces higher peak ball speeds more consistently across the face.
MyGolfSpy ranked the Ai Smoke TD 2nd for distance among 37 drivers tested — and the longest driver for over a third of their testing pool. The Ai Smart Face, trained on 250,000 real swings, delivers elite ball speed consistency on and off center. The Triple Diamond's low-spin design converts that speed into carry.
Darkspeed X
Ai Smoke TD
The Darkspeed X offers a dual-weight system (3g + 12g, front/back interchangeable) plus the MyFly 8-position hosel for extensive tuning. Today's Golfer showed the weight configuration dramatically affects dispersion. Solid adjustability, but no moveable perimeter weighting.
The Ai Smoke TD features a moveable 14g weight (front/rear positions) plus the Optifit adjustable hosel. Plugged In Golf noted the rear position plays closer to the MAX while the forward position makes it an aggressive low-spin beast. Similar range of adjustment to the Darkspeed X.
Darkspeed X
Ai Smoke TD
Good shot-shaping capability — Golfer Geeks noted a really neutral ball flight with no noticeable curvature bias. The weight positions allow tuning for draw or fade bias. Competent workability, but the 460cc head doesn't shape as responsively as the Ai Smoke TD's smaller profile.
The TD designation means tour-preferred shot shaping. At 450cc, the compact head responds more precisely to face angle and path changes. Plugged In Golf said the Triple Diamond gives you full responsibility for direction and curve. This is a genuine shot-shaping driver — draws, fades, and trajectory changes on demand.
Darkspeed X
Ai Smoke TD
The value king. At $299 clearance (down from $549 MSRP), the Darkspeed X offers 45% off retail with genuine flagship performance. It was already the cheapest flagship in 2024 — at clearance pricing, it delivers roughly 83% of the Ai Smoke TD's performance at 86% of the price. The best dollar-for-dollar driver in the market.
Strong value at ~$349 clearance (down from $599 MSRP). Getting the 2nd-ranked driver from MyGolfSpy's 2024 testing for 42% off is compelling. But the Darkspeed X at $299 makes the Ai Smoke TD look expensive by comparison — that $50 gap narrows the value proposition.
Buy the Darkspeed X if you...
Buy the Ai Smoke TD if you...
This is the best value matchup in drivers right now. Both the Darkspeed X and the Ai Smoke Triple Diamond were flagship drivers just one generation ago, and both are now available at clearance pricing that makes current-year models look overpriced. The question isn't whether either is good enough — both are genuinely excellent drivers. The question is whether the $50 gap between them matters.
On pure performance, the Ai Smoke TD wins. MyGolfSpy ranked it 2nd out of 37 drivers tested. It's more forgiving despite the smaller 450cc head, it produces higher and more consistent ball speeds, and the TD designation gives you tour-level shot-shaping control. The consensus score gap (9.3 vs 8.5) reflects a meaningful difference in overall performance.
On sound, feel, and sheer satisfaction at impact, the Darkspeed X wins — and it's not close. Golfer Geeks gave it a perfect 5/5, the only driver to earn that score in 2024. When you pure a Darkspeed X, you know it instantly, and the matte-black aesthetic makes it the best-looking driver at address in either lineup. At $299, it's also $50 cheaper.
For most golfers shopping in this price range, the honest answer is: the Ai Smoke TD is the better driver, and the $50 premium is worth it. But if you care deeply about impact feel, or if $299 is your hard ceiling, the Darkspeed X is not a consolation prize — it's a genuine flagship driver at a remarkable price. Either way, you're getting more driver than most $599 models deliver.
“The Darkspeed X has the best sound and feel of any driver I tested in 2024. It rockets off the face with a satisfying crack that makes you want to hit it again.”
Golfstead·On the Darkspeed X's impact feelFavors Darkspeed X
“At $299, the Darkspeed X is the best value in premium drivers. You're getting 90% of a flagship experience at half the retail price.”
Golfer Geeks·On the Darkspeed X's clearance valueFavors Darkspeed X
“One of the easiest and most forgiving low-spin drivers we've ever tested. The Ai Smart Face keeps ball speed consistent no matter where you make contact.”
Golfalot·On the Ai Smoke TD's forgivenessFavors Ai Smoke TD
“The 2nd-best driver in our 2024 testing, and now available at a significant discount. At this price, the Ai Smoke Triple Diamond is hard to beat for overall performance.”
MyGolfSpy·On the Ai Smoke TD's discounted valueFavors Ai Smoke TD
Darkspeed X — our take
The value champion. At $299, no other flagship driver comes close on price-to-performance. You get the best sound and feel in the 2024 class, excellent accuracy, and a driver that suits handicaps from scratch to 20. It gives up some distance and forgiveness to the Ai Smoke TD — but at $50 less, most recreational golfers won't notice the gap.
✦ Best for: value-first golfers and feel-first mid-handicappers
Ai Smoke TD — our take
The performance winner. MyGolfSpy's 2nd-ranked driver of 2024 at a 42% discount is an exceptional deal. The Ai Smart Face delivers elite ball speed consistency, the compact 450cc head gives you tour-level workability, and the forgiveness defies the compact shape. For $50 more than the Darkspeed X, you get a meaningfully better all-around driver.
✦ Best for: performance-first golfers and low-to-mid handicappers