Callaway Apex Performance Series Irons – Ai200, Ai300 and Ti Fusion

Just a 7 iron from 167 that I thought I miss hit. I could feel that I missed the center of the face.

It went 162.

What in the world
Beauty, feel, and forgiveness?!
Season 2 Sailor Mouth GIF by SpongeBob SquarePants
 
Wanted to do a first glance quality control as it had been mentioned in reviews and podcasts that it was a priority so used my digital SW scale and loft lie gauge to get to work. The lofts and lies were quick measurements and I’ll dig in even more thoroughly when I get more time.

Swing Weights Out of Box (Spec’d D1 Std/Std)
G - D0.7 48°/65°
P - D2.0 42.75°/64.75°
9 - D1.0 38°/64.25°
8 - D0.3 35°/63.75°
7 - D2.1 31°/62.75°
6 - D1.0 26°/62.5°
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This is the worst of the ferrules with another 2 near this but no light shining through and they all have a bit of a lip where they are just installed to size and no ferrule turning occurs. High end set so just wanted to show what I received with just a few look overs and measurements. Lengths were all spot on though so was really happy with that.
 
I keep going back and forth between the 200’s and the Tif’s. 200’s look easier and likely longer (always fun) the Ti’s just look sexier, like an apex pro frame with apex distances.

So now I don’t know what I wanna do :(
 
I'm addicted to the feel of the TiF at impact. I just want to hit irons all day. They are so pure. I hate that it is going to rain all week and weekend and my next round will probably end up being another week and a half. Glad I have the sim, sure, but I want to be out hitting them on course again. Have a net tournament on the 16th. Just played the course with my old irons on August 26th, so it will be cool to compare the two rounds with the new TiF.
 
I'm addicted to the feel of the TiF at impact. I just want to hit irons all day. They are so pure. I hate that it is going to rain all week and weekend and my next round will probably end up being another week and a half. Glad I have the sim, sure, but I want to be out hitting them on course again. Have a net tournament on the 16th. Just played the course with my old irons on August 26th, so it will be cool to compare the two rounds with the new TiF.
Looking forward to the comparison
 
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Really like how you can tell where the differing materials combine.
 
And what are your buddy's impressions so far?
He hadn’t hit them yet…first day on the course with them and the range was closed due to the rain. He hit some damn good golf shots out on the course.

On one hole I grabbed his 8 iron and had 157 to the flag and my pitch mark was 10yds past the flagstick!

Rocket launchers if you ask me. Can’t tell you if I’ve ever hit an 8i that far. 😂
 
First maiden voyage will be tomorrow at 10:30. Cannot wait to get these on course.
 
One thing that stood out to me yesterday while looking at the top line of the Apex Pro 8i and Apex Ai300 was very minimal.
 
One thing that stood out to me yesterday while looking at the top line of the Apex Pro 8i and Apex Ai300 was very minimal.
You getting the Ai300?
 
Initial thoughts after yesterdays first round with the TI Fusions

I can’t get over how good they feel. Even/especially on miss hits. But that feeling on the sweet spot is sooooo addicting.

Ball flight: this is what I’ve wanted for a long time. A high towering shot that doesn’t balloon. This is like the perfect launch and spin for me. It suits my eye, and is giving me about a half club longer, but at a better descent angle. I’m holding greens and even zipping some back.

Workability: I’d say this is the only thing that holds this up. And it’s not a bad thing at all. It’s not as workable as my apex pro/cb combo. I can’t get the ball to turn over as much, but I’ll gladly trade that for the higher straighter shots that it is giving me.

The forgiveness is astounding. These are way less punishing than anything I have experienced, the ball just wants to jump straight no matter where you hit it on the face. I had a toe hit on a 175yd par 3, where 160 of that is water. I’m talking toe hit where I’m running out of groove on the face. It went about 168 and was safely on the green. Unbelievable

I think 1 more round and maybe a range session is needed to dial in distances, but it’s pretty close.

Visually, I love the look, but can see a bit of bag chatter on the finish. Knowing this set is more about performance though, this isn’t going to bother me at all.

It’s a hefty price for these irons, but I’m blown away with the performance here.
 
One thing that stood out to me yesterday while looking at the top line of the Apex Pro 8i and Apex Ai300 was very minimal.
While that isnt something that bothers me, hearing the Ai300 on the top line is minimal is exciting. Pictures had me thinking it would be on the larger side.
 
Tried taking the irons out for their maiden voyage today. To say it didn't go to plan was an understatement. A little backstory time...

Not too brag but I had been hitting my irons pretty well this year, 56% GIR for a 10 handicap is pretty good per Shot Scope, but just wanted something that felt a little nicer. I had previously played the i530s and regular AI Smokes. Both of those felt pretty good on solid strikes but just not quite what I was looking for. In the fitting the 200s felt better than the Smokes I wad currently playing and I wasn't losing any distance despite the small differences in lofts, which helped with spin. Plus they had the satin finish I preferred vs the Smokes shiny chrome. I had already moved on from the i530s.

Almost immediately after placing my order for the AI200s my iron game went in the gutter, hard. I was hitting some nice shots but just as many low smothery shots that are my bugaboo. I had put it down to the fact that I had went with regular sized grips on the Smokes even though I normally played midsized, and was glad I had placed my order for the AI200s with midsized grips.

Fast forward to today's round. I don't normally like trying out new clubs when that portion of my game is poor. I think I place too much pressure on myself and the clubs to instantly see improvement when I'm not hitting that particular part of my bag well.

The clubs themselves performed exactly as I would expect. Solid strikes, which were few and far between, felt amazing and flew the usual distance or a little farther with a slightly higher ball flight. Perfect. The bad shots were still bad and not down to lack of forgiveness from the clubs, but my crappy swing. I feel like I'm letting the clubs down 😆. They probably never expected to be swung so poorly. It also didn't help that I got out later than I normally do and got stuck behind the maintenance crew and they are verticutting, then double cutting the greens. I ended up only playing 6 holes so I'm hoping to get out again soon. I will say, they are beautiful and I love the satin finish. Callaway did a nice job with all the irons in this release.

Whoa, that got a longer winded than I expected....apologies.
 
Made the difficult decision to send back the TiF's today. Played a few more rounds and the finish is getting progressively worse. Truly wonderful clubs. Wish I could get past the chatter marks/finish issues. But alas, it was diminishing the amount of enjoyment I got from an activity that exists to be my escape. All in all, very sad about it.
 
Made the difficult decision to send back the TiF's today. Played a few more rounds and the finish is getting progressively worse. Truly wonderful clubs. Wish I could get past the chatter marks/finish issues. But alas, it was diminishing the amount of enjoyment I got from an activity that exists to be my escape. All in all, very sad about it.
That's a real shame - what is your plan - Ai200s, Pros or something else ?
 
That's a real shame - what is your plan - Ai200s, Pros or something else ?
I will likely fall back to the Black Ai Smokes I have through the fall/winter or until something catches my eye. The Ai200's are very intriguing though. Will likely schedule some time with my fitter to check them and a few others out.

Now I need to discuss with my wife about returning the couch we bought. 💀
 
Made the difficult decision to send back the TiF's today. Played a few more rounds and the finish is getting progressively worse. Truly wonderful clubs. Wish I could get past the chatter marks/finish issues. But alas, it was diminishing the amount of enjoyment I got from an activity that exists to be my escape. All in all, very sad about it.
Happen to have any pics of what they turned into after that many rounds? Thanks.
 
I saw this on the fitting heads. Also thought it was pretty cool to see the fusion part of the Ti Fusion.
Yeah, the brazing is an interesting part. Know what they do for MedGas but curious how it’s applied here.
 
One round in a carry bag riding. Faces look great and have a nice look still. The large mark on the PW is a photo glare, but the 7i was off a tee.
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Love the feel and hit the 6i a bunch today as I used it as my 2nd shot on par 5’s. Feel on these is really great as it’s a soft yet powerful feel off the face. Very controllable shot shape, and big fan of how the offset is progressive as the wedges look fantastic. Hit some really great iron shots today. Below is a PW from 137 yds into the green that was a easy birdie.
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Can tell the heads have more spin than my i530’s which is huge for myself as I’m spin deficient through the bag. Overall very pleased with the performance of the irons but as has been mentioned the finish is a worry more beyond the typical black finish wear.
 
I'm convinced that the 200s are the right fit for me but man y'all are making me want to try the TIFs.
 
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