Callaway has released Night Edition versions of both its Elyte and Elyte X drivers, bringing what the company describes as a “dark, refined finish” to its current driver platform.

Here we go again

By now, you more than know the drill. The Night Edition models feature the same technology as their green accented counterparts, including Callaway’s new Ai 10x Face, a Thermoforged Carbon Crown and an adjustable perimeter weighting system.

The standard Elyte is still positioned as the more versatile everyman option, while the Elyte X is designed specifically for golfers seeking greater forgiveness and higher launch.

The notable difference is that the Night Edition drivers are nearly all black. I should probably also mention they cost fifty bucks more.

Following the playbook

The release of an all-black colorway has become standard practice across virtually every category in golf equipment. Whether companies call it “Night Edition,” “Stealth,” “Blackout,” or any number of creative alternatives to simply saying “black,” the dark treatment has become as predictable as the spring equipment cycle itself.

What’s always struck me as curious is that there’s plenty of evidence to suggest that golfers prefer the black colorways. Of course, in a market with not a whole lot of product differentiation, brands typically rely on bold colors and eye-catching designs out of the gate to generate interest at launch.

The boring black that many of you want has to wait.

The trend speaks to a fundamental disconnect between what gets golfers excited in marketing materials and what they actually want to look down at when they’re standing over the ball. Bold graphics and vibrant colorways might drive initial interest, but when it comes time to make a purchase, the classic appeal of black often wins out.

Premium pricing for premium looks

Equally true is that these alternative colorways also create convenient opportunities for manufacturers to implement premium pricing strategies. The Night Edition drivers carry a retail price of $649.99. That’s a $50 upcharge over the standard Elyte models. It’s a familiar pattern across the industry—take the same technology, apply a different finish, and add a premium to the price tag.

Don’t get me started on raw wedges.

As long as golfers are willing to pay the premium price (and the evidence suggests they are), you can expect this particular play to be run over and over again until the retail market decides it has had enough.

Availability

The Callaway Elyte Night Edition drivers are available in 9-, 10-, and 12.5 degrees. The 12.5-degree version is offered in RH only.

Stock shafts are the True Temper Denali Charcoal (50g, 60g) and the Mitsubishi Vanquish (40g).

The Callaway Elyte and Elyte X Night Edition drivers are available now.

For more information, visit CallawayGolf.com.

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