Mini Driver Showdown: TaylorMade R7 Quad vs Callaway Elyte
We put the TaylorMade R7 Quad and Callaway Elyte Mini Drivers head-to-head in looks, feel, tech, forgiveness, and real-world course play. Find out which one comes out on top.
Mini drivers are back—and they’ve never looked or performed better. In one corner, we’ve got the TaylorMade R7 Quad Mini Driver, a blast from the past dressed in retro colours and loaded with modern tech. In the other, the Callaway Elyte Mini Driver, a sleek, contemporary powerhouse that promises effortless speed and control.
Our latest golf drivers test wasn’t just about distance or looks—it was about confidence. Which club inspires trust when you’re standing on a tight par-4 with trouble left and right? Which one delivers when you swing flat-out under pressure?
I took both onto the simulator and out onto the fairways of Morden Golf Club in south west London to find out.
From launch monitor stats to real-world shot shapes, our latest driver test was a proper duel. Let's dive in and show you in our new video...
Watch our TaylorMade vs Callaway Mini Driver Showdown video below, and scroll further down this page for more...
Player Level
The Callaway Elyte feels very much built for the amateur player. It’s confidence-inspiring at address, offers forgiveness across the face, and its simple weighting system means no fiddling or guesswork—just line it up and swing.
The R7 Quad is aimed more at the experienced player or confident ball-striker. With greater adjustability, it rewards precision and punishes mistakes more than the Elyte, but it gives back in ball speed and flight control when struck pure.
Looks and Feel
TaylorMade R7 Quad Mini
It’s a retro-lover’s dream. From the red, orange and white accents to the infinity carbon crown, the R7 is all blacked out with just enough colour pop to catch the eye. It’s one of those clubs that makes you want to hit balls just by looking at it.
In hand, it feels solid and powerful. Mis-hits are harsher, especially off the heel, but catch the centre and the ball absolutely jumps off the face.
Callaway Elyte Mini
Sleeker and more modern in design, the Elyte doesn’t shout for attention—but it gives confidence at address. It feels lighter, easier to manipulate, and the sound at impact is softer, more cushioned. Even a toe strike came off like it had a spring behind it.
Between the two, the Elyte wins for comfort and consistency, while the R7 shines in visual flair and explosive feel.
Performance and Forgiveness
Here’s how both clubs performed during my simulator testing:
Metric | TaylorMade R7 Quad | Callaway Elyte |
|---|---|---|
Best Carry Distance | 266 yards | 262 yards |
Typical Carry Range | 247–250 yards | 234–258 yards |
Ball Speed (Peak) | 150–152 mph | 146–152 mph |
Backspin | Low 2,000s to mid 2,000s | Low 2,000s to low 3,000s |
Dispersion | Tight when centred | Slightly wider but forgiving |
The Elyte was a touch more forgiving. I could swing hard and still get consistent results, even if the carry was slightly shorter. It’s a safer bet for someone who values dispersion over raw distance.
How It Compares
Technology
Both clubs bring modern features, but with different goals:
- TaylorMade R7 Quad: Twist face, speed pocket, four adjustable weights.
- Callaway Elyte: 10X AI-designed face and simple rear-weight adjustability.
The R7 offers more adjustability—great for tinkerers. But the Elyte wins in user-friendliness, making it ideal for players who just want to play without tech overload.
On-Course Comparison
Testing moved to the tight fairways of Morden Golf Club. Here, it was about confidence, alignment, and shot shape—less about numbers.
- TaylorMade R7 Quad: Built for these situations. The low-running burner it produced flew like a dream under pressure, skipping past bunkers and hugging the fairway.
- Callaway Elyte: Bigger head and softer feel made me feel aligned and assured. Even when I didn’t stripe it, I felt in control.
Testing Data Summary
Driver | Carry (Avg) | Ball Speed | Spin Range | Total Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
TaylorMade R7 Quad | 247–266 | 147–152 | Low-mid 2000s | Up to 277 |
Callaway Elyte | 234–262 | 146–152 | Low 2000s–3000s | Up to 286 |
Pros and Cons
Driver | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
TaylorMade R7 Quad | Retro design, powerful off-centre strikes, customisable weighting | Less forgiving, harsher feel on mis-hits |
Callaway Elyte | Lightweight, forgiving, easier to manipulate, softer feel | Slightly shorter distance, limited adjustability |
Should You Buy It?
Choose the TaylorMade R7 Quad if:
- You’re a confident ball striker who wants precision control.
- You love a retro aesthetic.
- You want maximum adjustability to fine-tune your shot shape.
Choose the Callaway Elyte if:
- You want forgiving performance with minimal setup.
- You’re a mid-to-high handicap player looking for confidence off the tee.
- You value feel and consistency over maximum distance.
Verdict
This was one of the most enjoyable head-to-heads I’ve done in recent months. The Callaway Elyte offers comfort, confidence, and forgiveness in a sleek package—perfect for most amateurs.
The TaylorMade R7 Quad takes you back with its looks but drives you forward with distance and adjustability, though it demands more from the golfer.
For me, the R7 Quad edges it, but only just. It gives me the shot shape I want on tight fairways, especially with that low, hot runner. But for the everyday golfer? The Elyte is tough to beat.
Tom joined GolfMagic as Equipment Editor and Presenter in April 2025, and he is very much the face of the GolfMagic YouTube channel where he looks after all of our latest equipment reviews and buyer guides.
