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.
If there’s a better iron in December, I can’t wait!
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It’s a lot like the 4.
But better..
Lord, this place is rough on a bank account. We all shiny things. (GREAT-looking club.)
Good luck man!
Appreciate it! Hope to bring the forum along for the matches!
Good luck today!
So what did he do? Put together an Apex Pro 4i that got about 12 yards more carry because it’s SPICY. And I’m starting to think he steals his ideas from us! Good video. I love me a spicy 4i in the bag.
Interested in the newer Callaways, after having the CF 16’s for a while now. How are the DCB’s holding up and can you feel the forged feel in the DCB’s?.. while fitting, did you also try the apex cf 21’s and what were your thoughts?
How are you finding the standard apex 21s? did you try the dcb’s vs the standards and if so what did you think?..
i currently game the standard apex cf 16’s and just love the solid feel of the forged clubs. So as i’m now considering getting newer clubs, i’m wondering if i should go with the more forgiving dcbs or the standard cf21’s. Hopefully the standard 21s are easier to hit and more forgivng compared to the standard apex cf 16s
Thanks for the response.. this is so informative.. I love the forged feel of the 16’s but need all the help i can get .. and it sounds like the choice of the DCBs might do the trick. going for a fitting in about a week, so excited to see them in person for myself but like also that you described the look of the dcbs as no diff from the standard. Many times i found some of these other player improvement clubs as being chunky and sound and feel hard esp in the 7 and lower irons.
Did you go with the stock shaft or something different?
I went with the stock True Temper Elevate ETS 95 steel. They feel great and am very happy with them and great in the Apex 21’s.
I went from steel shafts in my CF16s to graphite in CF21s. I tried the DCBs and could probably game them with no issues, but decided to stick with the regular Apex. The feeling is pretty nice, but my distance was thrown off my the lighter shafts and stronger lofts. I’m hitting the center of the club face more often now too. I picked up an honest 7-10 yards in the shorter clubs. My longest club is a 6 iron, so take your CF16s and do a side by side. I tried the Pros, but just could not make them work for me.
I just ordered the DCB’s so have yet to play them…I am excited. I tried all the Apex line and as you might expect, each progression in forgiveness comes with a change in size and thickness. The Pros really felt the best and looks fantastic but were too challenging for my current inconsistent ball striking. The Apex and DCB were much closer in look and feel. That being said, the DCB are surely thicker, louder and a bit firmer to me. I could have been happy ordering regular Apex (or blended set) but shoved my ego out the window and went DCB with Elevate ETS 95 shafts. I just couldn’t ignore the forgiveness of DCB’s. The shaft also surprised me and can’t wait to give them a workout.
Don’t think I have the game for pros throughout, but I love the pro 8-AW! How is the DCB 4I treating you? I’m still waiting on mine. Currently backorderd with Cally saying 8/16-8/20. May call and see if the grip is holding it up. Easy enough change there.
The DCB 4 iron has been great off the tee for me. I do not feel confident with it yet off the turf although it is showing promise when I use it. I did hit two bad tee shots with it yesterday so its not foolproof, it is a long iron and there will be some ugly shots.
Yeah I bought it on a lark as I’m actually fine with my 4H but love to tinker and see if I can gain anything. Will be fun to test at the very least!
cool. cant wait to hear how you liked the DCBs..
Your game sounds like its at another level than mine, but curious what it is about the pro sound that you didnt like, and did you try the 21’s regular apex?
I can just hear a lot of the construction and tech in it is all. Probably stands out more to someone who plays mostly players cavities and blades. There’s a post way back in here somewhere when I took them out on course right after they arrived and I talk about a ringing, multi-layer sound. It’s mostly in the mid and long irons though. Some like it, some don’t. I think I’m pretty sensitive to it. For example, I can hear it a bit in my TCB’s, which are the tour clubs. They sing a bit. It’s a little different. Nowhere near like the Apex Pro though.
I have hit the new standard Apex. I have a couple. If I’m being honest, and whytf not at this point lol, I prefer how they sound to the pros.
They’re all good clubs that perform great, so whatever looks and sounds and feels right to each person is a good choice.
When I first started playing the pros I could tell the difference from my XForged. They felt good but had a sort of tech artificial feel to them.
Now that I haven’t played anything else for a while I don’t notice it anymore. I’m used to them
On the plus side I really enjoy how I can hit every shot I need with these irons. For an iron so small they launch effortlessly, and despite my overall lack of talent, I am quite adept at flighting these irons down when needed. I attribute the ease of launch to the fact that mine are bent weak and the faces/heads pump out impressive speed.
Compared to my old Pro 19s I would say these are just a little bit better in every way, except one. I think the sound of the cup face long & mid irons is a little bit worse than the Pro 19s were. Not sure if it’s just a hollow body effect or a change in the cup face? But the increase in bag-appeal with the sexy looks is enough for me to quickly accept the sound.
I am finding the Pro 21s react quite well to being hit high on the face but will make you regret missing thin. I am capable of hitting really nice shots out of light rough that launch high enough to offset the spin drop. Tight lies and I have never got along, and that hasn’t changed.
I’ll try upload some videos to show some different shots/sounds – not sure if it’ll work.
Vid 1: Smooth mid iron to back left pin – released to 10 ft
Vid 2: Punch short iron straight into the fan
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Vid1: Full beans iron to a pin tucked on a left shelf. Hit to 3 ft.
Vid2: Wind riding slinger (didn’t hold green)
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No kidding!.. those sure look like a bunch of great swings..will see when i demo them in a couple days, but feel like im leaning towards the standards apexs..
Its basically just an idea or feeling where I’m not rushing the swing. Trying to really slow down the takeaway, and then also slow down the transition.
It was like flipping a switch for me. Gained distance through the bag (due to better strikes) and control is back.
I know that one. In your head it feels like you’re sitting there at the top of your backswing like Matsuyama, but it reality its pretty seamless.
Yeah, exactly.
For me I think it helps use more of my big muscles and less of my small twitchy muscles (no idea in reality – just a feeling).
This is something that has helped me tremendously! Plus I have a new wrist movement at the top that has been a game changer. Slow and steep takeaway, wrist movement at top which causes a short pause (feels like forever to me, but it’s not) and it drops my downswing inside to out and let it rip!
Did you try the DCBs before landing on the standard apex?.. although i wouldnt mind the added forgiveness the dcbs supposedly offer over the standard 21s, not sure if the possible thicker club and harsher feel is something i’m going to like. Right now i like the forged feel and look of the 16’s, so if i could get the same type look, feel and hopefully some newer technology gains in the 21s i’m thinking that should be enough for my game.. sorta like the best of all worlds of an upgrade
I’ve noticed I have 10-20 feet of rollout with my set gap wedge. I don’t like that, but at other times it’s stopped with relatively little rollout. I’ll keep trying different balls to see if I can find one that might give me more bite. That would be my only gripe thus far with the 21s.
I didn’t. The offset and top line are an immediate deal breaker for me. The regular Apex is about as thick a top line I can stand to look at. The regular Apex is probably the best feeling iteration since the 2014 Pros, which were better than both the 16 and 19 lines.
Good to hear!.. my first interaction with Apex irons was the 16’s and i love how they feel, so cant wait to try these 21s
Did you get the Modus 120S in it?
I went with the Catalyst 100. Felt like that would be closest to my hybrids and I’m legit curious about that iron shaft so seemed like a fit. If it doesn’t work out reshafting to steel is pretty straightforward.
And i really love them. I wondering if anyone could tell the different between X Forged and Apex Pro -21?
Forgivness, feel, sound and more. ?
I played the ‘18 XForged for 3 seasons before the Apex Pros this year. I was a big fan of the XForged.
I’ll start with the sound/feel. It is hard to beat that of the XForged especially out of the middle. The Apex Pros are good but definitely have sort of a techy feel to them. I first noticed right after I switched and don’t any more. Now they just feel good to me. If you miss Apex Pro way out on the toe you will know that sound is interesting.
Performance wise the Apex Pro is a big improvement for me in the long irons. They are definitely more forgiving, easier to launch and more consistent. Distance on good shots between boy is the same for me, misses are better with the pros.
Getting down to the short irons/wedges I don’t notice too much difference in performance. Maybe a touch more spin on the pros though I am playing with a different shaft.
The longest iron I played in the XForged was the 5i and while I had some good shots with it it was demanding and a little intimidating. 5 iron and 4 as well in the pros I have no hesitation or anything but confidence over the ball. Even needing to go over trees they launch so easy.
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Some comparison pics with the standard Apex 5I.
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