Older model · Callaway’s 2021 driver

Callaway Epic MAX LS Driver Review

The New “Gamer” is Still a Callaway Driver

The Epic MAX LS came out in 2021 alongside the Epic Speed and Epic Max, and Callaway has replaced the family five times since. The current family is Quantum. Ryan’s original review is below, word for word, for anyone buying an Epic MAX LS used or comparing it with what they play now.

Shopping today? The current versions

Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond Driver

The lower-spin Quantum that Ryan tested, for fast swings that want the low spin the Epic MAX LS offered.

Read our review

Our verdict at the time

Callaway did it again — the Epic MAX LS earned the gamer spot in the Independent Golf Reviews bag, with a blend of distance, stability, and consistency that makes it a standout driver.

Pros

  • Distance, forgiveness, and low spin combined
  • Great feel and strong overall performance
  • Averaged over 300 yards for a full round
  • Stayed forgiving even during a swing slump

Cons

  • Not the lowest-spinning option in the Callaway lineup

Where to buy this one

Our rating: 5 out of 5

In this review
  1. Our verdict
  2. Callaway Epic MAX LS Driver STATS
  3. Summary
  4. Buying one used
  5. Model history
  6. Photos

Ryan’s original review

This is my definitive Callaway Epic MAX LS Driver Review.

I have used the Callaway Epic MAX LS driver for my last 15 rounds and will continue to do so in the future.

Callaway again takes the gamer spot in my bag with a different formula, but the same successful results.

This is my review of how Callaway won the spot for the 5th year in a row through on course performance and FlightScope data.

Every year I give the top drivers a shot a winning the “gamer” spot in my bag.

Whatever brand and whatever model needs to beat the previous “gamer” driver.

It is an annual tradition at Independent Golf Reviews to see who takes the crown each season.

It feels like a broken record to say that Callaway did it again.

I start to wonder if I have bias, start to question my method, I wonder if they really did produce the best driver for my bag again?

I’m like you and I read the other blogs, forums and reviews of golf products and they too validate my findings that Callaway makes the best driver for my bag.

Callaway made a change to their driver formula in 2021.

They went with Epic MAX, Epic Speed and Epic MAX LS (and two Triple Diamond models).

Noticeably gone is the Sub Zero model which has been my “Gamer” model over the years.

I went with Epic MAX LS.  It is the lower spinning model with MAX forgiveness.

This sounds like a match made in heaven.

I can get the low spin launch my swing demands, but also the forgiveness to help keep the ball in the fairway.

The Callaway Epic MAX LS has a noticeably larger footprint than the Sub Zero models of the past.

That large footprint creates more forgiveness.

The trick is to keep spin down with a large footprint driver.

Callaway managed to keep the spin low.

While not the lowest spinning, still lower than most.

What becomes more obvious is the wider face which offers more forgiveness.

The Callaway Epic MAX LS driver is the first driver I’ve had in my bag to average 300 yards off the tee for an entire round.

I hit 12 drivers during the rounds and hit a long of 332 and a short of 285.

After the round the average was 302.

I’ve never done that before.

I’ve hit long drives, but never had an average so long for all 18 holes.

While not every round since then has been that spectacular, it certainly is the longest driver in terms of average distance off the tee.

Callaway Epic MAX LS Driver STATS

Data from Flightscope Xi Tour Launch Monitor

➜ Spin: 2043 rpms

➜ Launch Angle: 14.7*

➜ Club Head Speed: 109.0 mph

➜ Ball Speed: 162.1 mph

➜ Total Distance: 304.9 yds

➜ Carry Distance: 290.1 yds

The Callaway Epic MAX LS driver became my gamer in spite of a late-summer slump.

I went through a testing rough patch with my driver swing.

It didn’t matter what I had in my hands, I didn’t have a clue where the ball was going.

It wasn’t the drivers fault, but the guy swinging it.

Even with the mess of a month on the course with the driver.

I still found the Callaway Epic MAX LS the most forgiving during that stretch.

It wasn’t pretty, but the ball was still on the course for the most part.

While it didn’t feel forgiving because of how bad I was swinging, the reality was that it saved my game for a number of rounds when the driver swing went away.

The technology behind the Callaway Epic MAX LS is built on the same foundation that Callaway has used in the past:  AI designed Flash Face, JailBreak Speed Frame technology for improved energy return, a carbon fiber crown for the most weighting options, and adjustable weights and hosel to adjust to each individual golfer.

It simply means that Callaway is staying ahead of the competition with technological advances.

It means on the course, you can be confident you’ve got the best driver in your hands.

Summary

Every driver gets the same opportunity to win the “gamer” spot every season.

If it performs, it wins.

The Callaway Epic MAX LS driver did it again with performance.

While I was worried that without the Sub Zero model, I wouldn’t find a fit, but the MAX LS offered both the low spin and forgiveness my swing needed.

The combination of Distance and Forgiveness made for some Epic rounds with the Callaway Epic MAX LS in the bag.

See more on the Callaway Website

Buying an Epic MAX LS used

  • The 2021 Epic family had three drivers: the Epic Speed, the Epic Max and the Epic Max LS. Check that the head says Max LS.
  • LS means low spin. It works best for faster swings that need spin taken off, and it can be harder to launch for slower swings.
  • Look closely at the face and the crown for chips and wear.

Callaway drivers, 2017 to now

Key Callaway drivers since the Epic. Red names are ones we’ve reviewed.

  1. 2017 Epic Not reviewed
  2. 2018 Rogue Not reviewed
  3. 2020 Mavrik Not reviewed
  4. 2021 Epic Max LS You’re here
  5. 2022 Rogue ST Max LS Our review
  6. 2023 Paradym Triple Diamond Our review
  7. 2024 Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Our review
  8. 2025 ELYTE Triple Diamond Our review
  9. 2026 Quantum Triple Diamond Our review

About the author

Ryan Heiman

Founder and Head Reviewer of Independent Golf Reviews

Ryan Heiman founded Independent Golf Reviews in 2011 and is its head reviewer. A 3-handicap based in Tucson, Arizona, he has written more than 1,500 reviews of golf equipment, accessories and courses, played more than 600 courses, and worked with virtually every major golf brand over 15 years.

More about Ryan