Callaway legitimately revolutionized irons when they first introduced the APEX lineup way back in 2014, the blending of forgiveness and all-out performance had never been done like that before. Not only that, but with each subsequent release the accolades have grown as has the amount of tech the company continues to pour into them.
What that has led to is an incredible amount of anticipation each time we edge closer to the unveil of the next iteration. Well, the Callaway Apex 21 lineup is coming, and it’s bringing a new friend with it.
The New Apex Family
Callaway has taken full advantage of the two-year lifecycle of the Apex lineup to not just bring forth two irons worthy of the family name, but they have brought a third to the party as well. Yes, a third.
This go-round the Apex and Apex Pro will be joined by their little-big brother, the DCB (deep cavity blade) which they believe makes their lineup reach more players than any other generation before it. But more on that very soon.
The Apex irons continue to be the crème de la crème of the Callaway iron umbrella, and with that it is no surprise that they continue to feature the best of all their iron technology developed over the years and rolled into each new version. This is after all the iron series that defined forged irons meeting true forgiveness and playability, literally blurring the lines of classification like never before.
This year the goal was to stretch the tech even more to hit an even broader player profile, while also in their minds not just retaining but increasing their hold as the “#1 Irons in Golf”. Performance and consistency of performance is the goal, and by implementing things like Flash Face Cup, Tungsten Energy Core, and Urethane Microspheres in all three irons, they definitely look poised to accomplish that.
Callaway Apex 21 Irons
It’s only right to start with the flagship iron, right? The Apex 21 is being hailed as a “21st Century Forging” by Callaway, and continues to be a shape and size that will fit the eye of a broad range of golfers. The shaping continues to let them put forgiveness into the iron, but without getting too big nor losing the shot-making potential that has endeared the line to so many over each release.
The goal was to further entrench the Apex as offering leading distance, launch, speed, feel, and most importantly consistency in all of those aspects. To do that they have implemented a “Big Three” of tech, if you will.
First, A.I. Flash Face Cup is here, and it is the first time that Callaway has implemented AI into a forged iron. It was a natural progression given the success A.I. has allowed them in the past couple of years, but it took a lot to implement it into these three sets of irons. This means more distance, but also with more forgiveness all while maintaining spin numbers better than previous iterations. It is also worth noting once again, each iron has a unique face design, both loft for loft as well as compared to the other two Apex sets.
Added to that is a “Massive” tungsten core with a unique split application system low in the iron with heel, toe, and center sections. The unique split placement allows for the increased MOI blended with a lower CG. In all, there is 5-times the Tungsten compared to the Apex 19 irons, ranging from 34g to 64g in the 3-9 while only 14 in the PW and AW to tune in the desired flight through the set. Rounding it out, the 1025 Carbon Steel with Urethane Microsphere technology that continues to be revolutionary compared to anything else on the market for performance and feel.
Callaway is claiming higher peak ball speed compared to the Apex 19, but more importantly the “sweet spot” is much larger and more centered as well as lower than previously which matches where most golfers tend to miss much better. The set will play off a 30.5° 7-iron and 43° PW, but Callaway notes that the A.I. design is allowing them to generate and retain more spin loft for loft than previously possible.
The Apex 21 will be available in 3-AW and paired with all new premium shafts in True Temper Elevate ETS 95’s (R, S) for steel and UST Mamiya Recoil Dart 75’s (L, R, S) for graphite. They are rounded out with Golf Pride Z-Grip Soft for the stock grip options.
Callaway Apex Pro 21 Irons
The Apex Pro irons have long thrived on being a unicorn of sorts, making a more players style iron impressively more playable for a wider range of golfers. Since they have been infinitely successful, Callaway did the only natural thing, they totally and completely redesigned them from the ground up. These are not like any Apex Pro before. Truly.
Welcome the Apex lineup to the age of the hollow body design.
The Pro’s are now a forged hollow body design that Callaway calls a player’s performance iron. For golfers from scratch to single digits who want performance mixed with forgiveness, this may be the ticket, fitting between the Apex 21 and the X-Forged CB.
Hollow is popular right now, but Callaway believes they have done it differently. They liked the hollow body design because it affords more stiffness in the rear of the club but allows a lot to be done internally with the application of the aforementioned A.I. Flash Face Cup, 1025 Carbon Steel with Urethane Microspheres, as well as a massiveamount of Tungsten.
The Flash Face cup is unique to this specific set as well as club for club within the set. When blended with the “Tungsten Energy Core” which has placed 53g to 90g in the 3-7 of the set you have an iron design primed for more speed, more forgiveness, and more spin consistency. Callaway also believes that thanks to the huge amount of Urethane Microspheres both low and higher in the club, and their ability to collapse and rebound without sacrificing energy transfer, they have produced a hollow body with feel like a one-piece forging. Now that is something that will perk up some ears.
The Apex Pro 21 will be available in 3-AW and the set plays off of a 33° 7-iron and 45° PW. Additionally, the premium stock shaft offerings are the all-new True Temper Elevate ETS 115 (R, S, X) in steel as well as the Mitsubishi MMT (R – 85, S – 95, TX – 105) in graphite and paired with the Golf Pride Z-Grip.
Callaway Apex DCB Irons
Rounding out the Callaway Apex 21 irons lineup, the new kid on the block, the Apex DCB.
DCB stands for “Deep Cavity Blade” and the name says it all, this is an even more forgiving forged iron that Callaway wanted to create in order to allow golfers who need a wider sole, longer blade length, and a bit more offset a way to still be part of the Apex family.
All of the above traits meet up with the A.I. Flash Face Cup, 1025 Carbon Steel with Urethane Microspheres, and Tungsten Energy Core just like the other two irons in the lineup, simply in a more forgiving and easier launching package. Though they feature a progressively large sole than the rest of the Apex offerings, they look a lot like the Apex 21’s and visually blend well enough to make a golfer happy when looking down at the clubs.
The Apex DCB will be available in 4-AW and playing off of a 30° 7-Iron and a 43° PW with the set being practically the same as the Apex 21 other than the long irons. Premium shaft offerings for the DCB are True Temper Elevate ETS 85 (R, S) as well as UST Mamiya Recoil Dart 65 (L, R, S) and finished with the Golf Pride Z-Grip Soft.
Combo Time!
Some of you were reading along and wondering, so this is for you…
YES, Callaway will be offering a combo sets for the Apex 21 lineup.
The main option will be the same we saw last time around blending the Apex 21 3-7 with Apex Pro 21 8-AW through the use of unique tooling in the Pro’s to make the set flow as seamlessly as possible. However, they are fully anticipating the possibility of other combo’s created by the consumer or during fittings with the “Apex Sweet Spot” having DCB 4-5 and Apex 21 6-AW, the “Apex Triple Play” with DCB 4-5, Apex 21 6-9, and Apex Pro 21 9-AW, as well as the “Apex Player” featuring Apex Pro 21 3-7 and Callaway Apex MB 8-AW.
The Details
The Callaway Apex 21 irons lineup will begin fitting on 1/28/21 and have a retail date of 2/11/21. Pricing will be $185 per club for steel and $200 per club in graphite.
Be sure to keep an eye on THP for a lot more to come on the entire Apex 21 lineup.
I went from the standard CF19s to the 21 pros and I would say the feel is definitely different (better). I would say forgiveness wise, it’s about the same. Distance wise, I initially lost about a half a club, but had them adjusted to 1* strong and I am back at my normal distances. I also had a swing change, so that could be part of it as well.
I switched to the mixed combo set and I’m really enjoying them. The scoring irons are about the same distance for me as my CF19s. I’m starting to see a little extra off of the 5-7I. Whether or not it’s worth the upgrade will be up to you. I’ve been wanting to try a mixed set for a while and finally took the plunge. So far they’ve played great. Well enough I’m getting ready to sell off my other set.
The PSI are pretty much all standard specs other than MCC plus 4s.
I tried P790, Cobra forged Tec, T200 and APEX.
The fitter uses a club connex type system so it was a fit with any shaft head combo.
Long story short, APEX won, T200 for looks behind the ball but with APEX bent 1 weak, 2 up with Elevate ETS 115 X shafts gave me such consistent numbers. I would never have chosen the Apex but that’s why you get fit I suppose ?
i had a wedge on order for months that i just cancelled because it moved from being ready for delivery next week to september
Is newer ALWAYS better… for you ???
What are your existing irons… are they no longer playable that you cannot wait until next month ???
Curious as to which component(s) is holding up your order ???
It’s not that they become unplayable, it’s that I have never hit them and I could just bank that money into a different set next year – might be the same set (likely at a discount) or something else that fits my game. The customer service has been hit or miss over six months and it’s an interest free loan at this point.
The shaft is the problem, although they are also guessing the grip will become a problem by the time the shafts come.
I think you’re a good and patient man for waiting this long. I would have cancelled already. New stuff IS coming.
I had a blast with them on a new course yesterday. My iron swing confidence (and speed) is real high right now, so there were some wows out there for a few, especially on a couple long par 3’s. I also put myself in trouble off a tee bit – golf tired and unfamiliar course – so had to get creative with a few. There were a couple comments on their sound, but more the flights. Hard to say what’s just exposure to what someone’s not quite used to seeing and what’s the actual irons but they tend to impress people and are always great to play.
For me I guess… My friend didn’t love them. Scratch guy, good iron player. He didn’t like how compact they were, and that they didn’t seem very long on distance. Former he said made him uncomfortable out of bad lies/rough, and the latter just really bugged him. "If I’m going to give up a few yards I need to see a real benefit. I’m not getting it.". Lol. His friend, who plays blades quite a bit on the other hand, thought they were GREAT. I’m guessing he already ordered a set. . So player responses tend to still be pretty mixed from the guys who have tried mine, and as is usually the case, seems highly dependent on what a guy is used to.
Personally I love that you only get what you give with them. Faces don’t help you out, but with the cavity you do get some noticable forgiveness compared to a blade, for a similar-ish flight and spin profile, with a soft feel, and decent sound. Very little I don’t love about them and I’m really excited they made them available to order and more people are going to get a chance to try them.
I’ve heard that somewhere else too…..[emoji6]
Heard or seen?
It’s good to hear some reaping the launch and height benefits of the Apex Pros. That’s some of the reasons I’ve kept it around. I remember hearing/reading someone say the TCB’s launch lower than the X Forged, and that hasn’t been the case for me. The X Forged were both lower launching and lower spinning for me. It wasn’t a great fit for me and sticking greens that weren’t soft, and the couple guys I know who play those are pretty launchy/spinny compared to me. All trying to meet in the middle I suppose. That’s why I preferred the Apex Pro to the X Forged combo’d with my MB’s and TCB’s though.
TCB’s continue to be great 5-A. Some real good rounds this last week. They suit me real well on launch and spin and carry numbers have been very good lately. That’s why I haven’t needed the Apex Pro 4 much. Rubbed my hip wrong today so speed might take a dip for a bit, but I think I’m finally ready to swap shafts in my TCB’s. IO 6.5’s hold up VERY well imo for my swing, but I’ve noticed some delivery dynamics I don’t love with a recent speed boost and think it’s time for a little more weight. Mioght put the IO’s in something new to get a good comparison, and go X100 or Modus 115X in the TCB’s. Picked up some grey Z Softs today and those, on the black Modus 115, with the TCB heads, would look reeeeal sharp I think…
Exactly! Ha. Long irons are unreal.
I shall play the 3 iron today,.
and like it.
3i was fun off the tee and turf. Glad to get it out because we’re supposed to get about 5 days of rain soon. Not my favorite 3i, but it’s good. Pretty easy to get up and spin up to land softly. Nice and compact but with some help.
Couldn’t agree more…. I have DCB 4&5i and they are absolute beasts! Love these clubs… so easy to hit and super confident swinging!
Honestly, I think the long irons, specifically the 4-iron are my favorite irons to hit in the pros. A flushed 4 iron makes me gitty!
I would definitely go hit these before purchasing. They have so much good going on especially for higher handicap players but sound and feel are not the strong point.
I’m still a bit hit or miss with the 3i, but yes, the 4i is just about amazing.
I wouldn’t mind giving the 3i a go, but can’t really pull any clubs out the bag for it.
Also, I continue to be shocked at how weak the satin finish is on these. I feel like every shot leaves a mark of some sort on the face & sole.
I baby mine and this is my only gripe, especially for the satin finish on the face as the finish on my Apex 19s look better all over and they have 2 seasons on them.
With the number of rounds I have on mine they are doing ok. I haven’t been to the driving range in quite a while I’m sure that is helping them hold up.
I have other clubs, like my UT iron I’ve been playing for three years and the finish looks nearly new they can certainly do better there.
Thanks! Curious to see what other irons you were considering at the time. And would love to get a sense of feel. I can’t really notice much of a difference between the Apex and the DCBs with respect to feel and looks, but the DCBs are definitely more forgiving and slightly longer. Hard to see why I wouldn’t go with the DCBs.
The biggest difference I found between the Apex and DCBs is the turf interaction.
The Apex irons glide through the turf quicker which gives me higher ball speeds and improved dispersion.
Keep in mind that I’m a picker so YMMV.
Had to order some better collared ferrules but these are getting the Modus treatment this weekend
Just started at the beginning of today’s coverage because I didn’t get to watch much, and it’s awesome to see it start with one of the amateurs, and him rocking the TCB’s!
Edit: looks like Fritelli too. More and more
Same but not those shafts, bit too much for me!! I’d defo like the less offset and hiding the top line a fraction. I’d love some before an after pictures of his irons! Got fit into the standard apex but didn’t like the offset….some pictures could tip me over the line