While initially the Callaway Apex 21 irons are going to get the lion’s share of attention, it is worth reminding everyone that Callaway is also well known for their hybrids, in fact it is yet another category they get to claim being #1. So, when I tell you they are bringing not one, but two hybrids this year to accompany their iron sets, you might want to pay attention.
Consider 2021 a re-imagining for Callaway and their entire Apex lineup, and the decision to offer two hybrids with the Apex name is one that makes a ton of sense. The realization was that they needed to have options that would blend with all three of their iron set designs.
Curious? Read on.
Callaway Apex 21 Hybrids
It makes sense to start here, as though the name is the same besides the date, this is legitimately an all-new hybrid model. The Apex 21 is targeted directly at golfers blending into a player’s distance or game improvement style iron, and as such it is at its root a high-tech game improvement hybrid which offers a ton of technology and forgiveness.
Size wise, the Apex 21 has a somewhat bigger footprint than past Apex hybrids which should inspire confidence in a lot of golfers. It also features an adjustable hosel to help further tune them in to hit the distance gaps each player is looking to fill. Internally, Tungsten is there in a big way with Callaway taking what they learned from the Super Hybrid and implementing it here with center-back-toe placement of a large amount of the material both for Center of Gravity (CG) purposes as well as counteracting the weight of the aforementioned hosel/adapter in order to tame any over-done draw bias.
More than that, the club features a carbon crown to help move even more weight, and each loft also has a unique Flash Face SS21 which really maximizes the launch and forgiveness in the club. However, it is what Callaway is calling the “Jailbreak A.I. Velocity Blades” that stands out in the tech story. With this all-new Jailbreak design and application, the goal is to stiffen the lower portion of the club/sole to generate more speed where most golfers miss while allowing the face cup to flex more at the crown to keep the spin more playable. Additionally, the bars create torsional stiffness which means more forgiveness across the face.
The name of the game here is forgiveness and launch, with a maximization of playability that easily blends into the irons for the biggest segment of golfers out there. The Apex 21 Hybrids will be available in 3-6 (19°, 21°, 24°, 27°) with 3-5 in RH and LH. As is expected with the Apex line, Callaway has selected a premium shaft for its stock option, and for this one it is the brand-new UST Mamiya Recoil Dart 75 (L, R, S) and the club is finished out with the Golf Pride Z-Grip.
Callaway Apex Pro Hybrids
The second hybrid to the Apex lineup is what Callaway is calling a true Pro-Style hybrid, and the one they anticipate being in their Tour Staff’s bags the most throughout the season. This club is unabashedly for a totally different type of player than the standard Apex 21 Hybrid.
As you would expect, compact is the name of the game here with focus on control and workability. Shape and size wise, there are a lot of similarities to the original Apex Pro hybrid which is to this day one of the most popular players style hybrids ever made. The segment for this one specifically is Tour pros up to lower handicap players that want a tee club or a long club offering versatility into longer golf holes.
Taking a shape similar to what is now a classic is a great decision, but pumping it full of all the tech Callaway has created since then ensures it to be a totally different beast. Flash Face SS21 is here and in full effect with unique faces for each of the lofts available, which Callaway believes has created a player’s style hybrid with more forgiveness than one might initially expect.
The iron like design is met with the previously discussed Jailbreak A.I. Velocity blades which serve the same goals as in the Apex 21 hybrid. More stiffness low for better speeds on misses, mixed with better torsional stiffness of the body and still letting the Face Cup flex near the crown for the spin that a better player will demand from their hybrid. There is no adjustability on the hosel of the Pro model to keep that iron like look intact, but it does offer sole weights to tune-in the swing weights.
Callaway will be offering the Apex Pro Hybrid in 2-5 (18°, 20°, 23°, 26°) with all lofts in RH and LH. Another premium stock shaft option is in play here as well with the Mitsubishi MMT HY (R – 75, S – 80, TX – 85) and the club is finished with a Golf Pride Z-Grip.
The Details
The Callaway Apex 21 lineup will begin fitting on 1/28/21 and have a retail date of 2/11/21. Pricing will be $269.99 upon release.
Be sure to keep an eye on THP for a lot more to come on the entire Apex 21 lineup.
When I talked to DNevs, he said the same ( neutral flight) and if I didn’t want help with a draw. The Pros would be the one for me if the small shape didn’t bother me. Since I play the OG, I’m looking forward to playing these.
While the shape was small I did not find it hard to hit or intimidating at all.
The 5 hybrid hit was my favorite, 175 yrds to a raised green, into a breeze. It headed straight towards the flag and ended up about 15 feet past the flag. I was expecting it to be off the back off the back of the green so was pleasantly surprised that it had hit and stopped.
I’m truly in love with these. Everything that I was hoping for.
I believe on every swing I saw either a straight or slight fade ball flight. My original Apex is a draw to hook typically. It seemed to be a piercing flight also which would be great in the wind we play in.
Spin wise I was very happy and saw about 3,000-3,150rpm consistently. I didn’t have my original Apex hybrid to compare it to but that comparison will come later on.
Mishits are going to be punishing with this smaller size but it’s pretty much what I expect.
My last shot of the day was pured and have me the exact yardage I was hoping to see (225 carry). If that is consistent for me I’ll be a happy camper.
This was a decent strike from tonight.
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Nice swing, solid takeaway there.
Um….is that your personal sim?
Man I wish! We were at a simulator/restaurant last night.
I now want to open a simulator restaurant.
I am a fan of 5 hybrids too, but I’d have to give the Apex a lengthy test before buying, because it could be a little too hot.
The sound/feel is noticeably different from my Mavrik. Very carbon-like side. It was a bit surprising at first but I really came to like it by the end of the round. Still need to work on timing the DART, but the ball flight was perfect off the tee and deck.
I don’t love the look and size of the regular, and bonded hosel on the Pro was basically a non-starter for me. When you play +1/4" and about 1.5* flat, and can turn a hybrid pretty easily, that’s a hard no. Love the faces though. A bunch of the original ones of both delivered to stores here are still on the racks.
I’m still gaming the original and have certainly pondered this one. I am disappointed a little in the lack of adjustability but that hasn’t bothered me too much the last several years.
I think the thing holding me back is the shaft options. The shafts I want are upcharge where they aren’t with some other brands. Still I’m tempted.
Yes I saw that video also – it was yesterdays MGS YT video. I laughed when Tony said it. It reminded me of people an their 3 woods… once people find one that works for them they keep them for ever – at least in golfing terms.
Unfortunately I never found a 3w that I could ever hit off the ground so I haven’t carried one in several years. LOL
I know it’s not the right thread, but have you tried the 425 3W? It sits crazy flat. Just begs for a fairway lie. Might be worth looking into if you haven’t.
Not the 425… the last one I tried was 400. After that failure I gave up the 3w for good – just not meant to be.
Use your Rewards cash
This is interesting and definitely anecdotal for me, but I am still playing the x2hot pro hybrid, and have tried most of the newer Callaway stuff and just cannot imagine switching.
A 7 year old club when the rest of my bag is all a year old at most.
I have the Apex Pro and for me it’s awesome. I can’t have any hybrids/FW with any sort of draw bias. For me this is neutral, which lets me swing away.
Same as me. This allows me to fight off the hook tendencies and allows me to shape the shot pretty easily.
One thing I have noticed is that if I swing it like an iron ( negative attack angle ), I get a really penetrating ball flight and relatively lower spin. If I swing it more like a fairway wood ( even or slightly negative attack angle ), I get a high ball flight that lands soft and goes maybe 15 yards shorter. I noticed it while I was first testing it and thought it was a fluke. Then tried to separate the two swings and sure enough, consistent results.
I noticed that too during demo – seemed like the more I swung it like an iron, the better I liked it.
This exactly.
I use my 2 pro off the tee for a couple holes at my home course that force a less-than-driver club. It has become a very versatile weapon based on conditions and needs of any given shot. I love it.
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Wow, this bad boy is out for delivery—just 6 days after placing my order for a custom shaft. Can’t wait to get it on the course!
Guy in my group is like this, has original 2016 3H and 4 H and kills them.
I’m also looking for a higher ball flight with more spin for approach shots.
Consider going to an Apex (non-pro) 4 iron. Stronger loft + more forgiving.
i loved the 2016’s and also love my 21 pro, but i haven’t compared them side by side in any setting yet. would be fun to put the 21 pro 3h vs 19 3h vs 16 3h against each other on the monitor.
That would be fun. From your on course experience how are they different to you?
Unfortunately I haven’t had the 2016 on course for at least 3 years. I’d say I hit the 21 Pro farther (and perhaps consistently higher), but my swing is probably not the same as it was back then and they have different shafts in them (Kuro Kage vs MMT). I love the size/footprint of the 2016 and the 21 Pro, especially compared to the standard 21 and the 19. Probably not helpful really but I’ll try my best to answer any other questions you have.
For those that have the Apex hybrids, are you still liking it? Any regrets or issues with it?
Ok have the Apex 3 and 4 hybrids, and they’re both lofted down 1 degree. I do have a tendency to overturn with hybrids, so the slightly more open face helps a little. Overall, I find these hybrids to be quite hot and forgiving.
Gaps really nicely for me between 5I and 7W.