Equipment
Tech Talk: Callaway Apex irons
Since the validation of “distance irons” by PGA Tour players in the late 1980s, golfers have had two choices when choosing irons.
Did they want to play forged irons that offered more consistency and feel, or did they want to play oversized cast irons that hit the ball higher and farther, but didn’t feel quite as good at impact.
Callaway’s new Apex irons are a serious contender in both categories, combining a forged framework with the company’s extremely hot 455 Carpenter forged steel faces to deliver explosive distance and a solid forged feel.
Click here to read about Callaway’s more compact Apex Pro irons.
The Apex isn’t Callaway’s first attempt to blur the line between distance and forged irons. In 2010, the company released its Diablo Forged irons, which featured a similar construction. And Callaway isn’t the only company that’s claiming to have bridged the gap between distance irons and forged irons, either.
Titleist has had tremendous success on the PGA Tour with its version of a forged distance iron, the AP2, which uses high-density tungsten weighting and a 1025-forged construction to create an iron that offers increased distance, feel and forgiveness. Ping has attempted the same feat with its Ping Anser Forged irons, as has Nike, with its VR_S Forged irons.
But Callaway Manager of Performance Analysis Evan Gibbs said that Callaway has a leg up on its competitors because of its experience with its specially processed and treated 455 Carpenter steel faces.
Above: Callaway’s 455 Carpenter Steel faces were the focal point of the company’s award-winning X Hot fairway woods.
Gibbs said that since the release of Callaway’s Diablo Forged irons, which received rave reviews from consumers and are played by several members of Callaway’s Tour Staff, the company has gained a new level of expertise on how to get the most from 455 Carpenter Steel.
“We’ve treated the material to get the most ball speed possible,” Gibbs said. “And the geometry of the forged cavity that holds the face was designed with ball speed in mind as well.”
Above: Apex irons have a deep undercut that improves forgiveness and ball speed.
To create the Apex irons, Callaway welded 455 Carpenter steel faces to the irons’ 1020 carbon steel frames. Each iron goes through a 40-minute milling process to position weight low and deep in the iron head, as well as around the perimeter. Rubber material was also added in the cavity, along with the Apex’s badging to further reduce vibrations, which helps replicate the one-piece forged iron feel that many golfers prefer.
Above: The Apex irons have a “rolled leading edge” sole grind, which helps improve turf interaction from tight lies.
According to Gibbs, the long irons, which also feature tungsten weights in their soles to further lower the CG of the irons and help golfers launch them higher, offer 2-to-3 mph more ball speed than the Diablo Forged irons, which equates to about 4 to 6 yards of extra distance.
Despite the improved performance of the irons, which Gibbs said will have the lowest center of gravity of any 2014 Callaway iron model, he doesn’t expect that all of Callaway’s Staff Players will flock to them.
He said that several tour players might switch to the Apex irons to replace a hybrid or their one-piece forged long irons. That would be similar to the trend set by many Nike Staff players, who have switched to the company’s VR_S Forged irons for their 2, 3 and 4 irons but have been hesitant to switch in their mid and short irons.
Gibbs also confirmed the existence of a smaller iron slated for release by Callaway in early 2014, the Apex Pro, which he said many tour players would feel comfortable using throughout the set. He would not reveal any more specifics about the Apex Pro irons, however.
The Apex irons have a head size that is between the company’s current X Hot and X Hot Pro irons. They also have progressive face thicknesses through the set to help with distance control and lofts similar to the company’s 2013 X Hot Pro irons: the 3 iron is 19 degrees, the 6 iron is 27 degrees and the pitching wedge is 45 degrees.
The iron’s medium blade lengths and top lines, as well as their moderate amount of offset gives them a look and set composition that is much different than the Ben Hogan Apex irons for which they are named. But they are “the ultimate in forged performance” according to Gibbs, which he said makes them worthy of carrying the legendary Apex name.
“I think this iron, more than any iron in our [2014 lineup] is going to appeal to the broadest consumer base,” Gibbs said.
The Apex irons have Callaway’s wide-spaced 30-degree grooves, which Gibbs said maximizes spin for golfers from the rough.
They’ll be available in stores on Dec. 6 and cost $1099 with True Temper’s XP95 steel shafts (R and S flexes), and $1299 with UST Mamiya’s Recoil graphite shafts, which are available in UST’s 660 (regular flex) and 680 (stiff flex) models.
Click here to see what GolfWRX members are saying about the irons in the forums.
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In our effort to assemble the 2024 best irons, we have again compiled an expert panel of fitters to help you find out which of the 2024 irons is best for your game.
Ultimately the best way to find your personal best iron set is to work with a professional fitter using a launch monitor. The difficult part is a lot of people don’t have easy access to fitters, launch monitors, and club builders — so at GolfWRX, we have done a lot of the work for you.
We are in the era of not just maximizing distance but also minimizing the penalty of common misses for each player — this applies to irons just as much as it does with any other club in the bag. And of course, proper set makeup and gapping is essential. This is why, now more than ever, custom fitting is essential to help you see results on every swing you make.
We want to give you the tools and information to go out and find what works best for you by offering recommendations for your individual iron set wants and needs with insight and feedback from the people who work every single day to help golfers get peak performance out of their equipment.
Best irons of 2024: The process
The best fitters in the world see all the options available in the marketplace, analyze their performance traits, and pull from that internal database of knowledge and experience like a supercomputer when they are working with a golfer.
It’s essentially a huge decision tree derived from experience and boiled down to a starting point of options—and it has nothing to do with a handicap!
Modern iron sets are designed into player categories that overlap the outdated “what’s your handicap?” model, and at GolfWRX we believe it was important to go beyond handicap and ask specific questions about the most crucial performance elements fitters are looking at.
These are the best iron categories we have developed to help you determine which category is most important for your swing and game.
Best irons of 2024: The categories
- Overall performance
- Easiest to launch/Slower swing speed
- Pure enjoyment
- Shotmakers
- Most technology-packed
- Best blade
2024 Best irons: Easy to launch/Slower swing speed
These are the irons for golfers who need height. With today’s modern golf ball, creating proper flight widows and spin can be difficult for some players — especially those at lower speeds — and this is where technology can really help. All of these irons do everything they can to create shot-stopping trajectories and a steeper angle of descent.
Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal HL
Their story: With the JPX923 Hot Metal, Mizuno introduced “4355 nickel chromoly,” which is 35 percent stronger than the original Hot Metal material and allows for an eight-percent thinner clubface. Cup face construction works in tandem with a deep center of gravity for high launch with stopping power. Mizuno developed Hot Metal Pro, Hot Metal and Hot Metal HL (High Launch) from 175,000 real golf swings recorded via Mizuno’s Swing DNA system. JPX923 Hot Metal HL is a high launch speed cavity delivering a higher launching option for players with moderate swing speeds or aggressive shaft lean, it’s suitable for mid to high-handicap golfers.
Fitter comments:
- “We’re talking about… people who need forgiveness, but they don’t spin it enough. They don’t get it in the air. The HL is a little little weaker-lofted, but they have the size and the forgiveness they need. It’s one of the go-tos for us.”
- “We’ve been getting a lot of guys where it’s like, you know, the way you deliver it, you really need the loft of a, of a blade, but you’re not good enough to hit a blade. So, you know, we need to get some height. Like the slower swing speed player, aging golfer, like they don’t have 130 MPH ball speed with a seven that they can launch it at 15 degrees and still get it in the air. They gotta get that thing off the ground and up to get some distance out of it. And this thing is just, it’s so easy to get up in the air…even if we do bend other things weaker, we can’t get it as high lofted as that thing, and it just goes straight up in the air.”
- “It’s super forgiving and it feels pretty good that. We sell more HL’s than we do standard Hot Metals. It’s such a popular golf club.”
- “It’s a spectacular club and really is probably the best club in that high-launch category. If you take the high launch QI, you take the [Callaway Paradym] Ai Smoke HL, [Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal] HL, that’s the best one.”
For more photos/info, read our launch piece.
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke HL
Their story: At the core of Callaway’s new Ai Paradym Smoke irons is the Ai Smart Face. With the Ai Smart Face, these irons are designed to promote exceptional distance, tight dispersion into the green, and optimal launch in a modern construction. The new shape consists of longer blade lengths, thinner toplines, and optimized sole widths in a bid to create a forgiving, yet streamlined look at address. In addition, an all-new Dynamic Sole Design features a pre-worn leading edge with variable bounce that cuts through the turf with efficiency.
Fitter comments:
- “Compared to the standard Ai Smoke, it’s definitely launching a little bit higher. I would say blade length is a little bit longer. So, you know, it’s a little bit more forgiving a little bit easier to hit than that traditional AI Smoke. It’s gonna launch higher than Ai Smoke and spin a little bit more for that player that needs that help.”
- “Amazing when it comes to getting the ball airborne and retaining spin. Very easy to hit and very stable through impact. Second place to Mizuno, for me.”
- “The HL version allows for a player to play a strong lofted iron in a lightweight package that helps achieve great distance. This iron is long! The ball speeds are crazy high. This iron is great for a player who flips at it.”
- “Even though not as light as the others, the HL gets the ball in air faster and slower speed needs that for distance”
- “Powerful but still helps get the ball to launch at a playable angle. Generates height well with lots of speed across the face.”
For more photos/info, read our launch piece.
TaylorMade Qi HL
Their story: With a blend of minimalistic aesthetics and advanced multi-material technology, TaylorMade’s new Qi irons aim to deliver the optimal combination of distance, accuracy and solid feel in an inviting game-improvement package. At the heart of the Qi iron is individual head optimization, organic face designs, and FLTD CG, all working in unison to help golfers minimize the right miss. With their latest irons, TaylorMade has designed the all-new Qi irons to have significantly less right bias for straighter and more accurate shots.
Fitter comments:
- “That’s a big ass iron. But you also have a much better look than the [Stealth] HD last year. That [iron] was really shallow in the face that got the ball up great. But it just didn’t look the way some people wanted, right? They didn’t want a small face. So it’s a really good option for people.”
- “You’re seeing some of these companies…I think they’re seeing that sometimes…a little bit of loft can be, be good, you know, but they’re combing it with heads now that are super tight off the face. You get some of those guys catching it all on the face, the thing still getting up in the air, still producing ball speed.”
- “I would say the Qi HL, it’s like kind of top charts when it comes to…if someone’s hitting it, that thing wants to go. And I think they definitely did a good job…with the redesign of it compared to Stealth HD.”
- “The previous generation was a little bit off-putting, you know, some, most people don’t wanna play kind of, you know, a hybrid-iron. It’s a little bit easier to hit a little bit better package…compared to the HD, the packaging is 1,000,000 bucks.”
- “I mean…[Stealth] HD worked really good but it was very hard to…get someone to accept that they had to use it. Now at the [Qi10] HL you put that in someone’s hands, it looks good. It feels good. And they feel like, ‘I’m using a, a golfer golf club,’ you know. It’s a real battle sometimes with people…our job is performance, but they also want something that’s gonna look good in their bag.”
- “The fact that it looks like a regular golf club is helpful. I think in that modern-day iron, it’s just lofts are getting so strong, and the ball is spinning so little off of these things that if you don’t naturally hit it super high, irons like that are just perfect for guys, they’re able to hold greens, stop it quicker. For a lot of guys, that height means more distance. So they’re actually hitting it farther with more loft and, and be able to hold a green better. And guys that maybe had a five hybrid are now getting a five iron back in their bag and it’s great.”
For more photos/info, read our launch piece.
Ping G430 HL
Their story: Billed as Ping’s “longest iron ever”, the G430 irons combine a lower CG with stronger, custom- engineered lofts and a thinner face that delivers up to 2 more mph of ball speed, per the company. At the heart of the new addition is the PurFlex cavity badge, an innovation which features seven flex zones that allow more free bending in design to increase ball speed across the face. In combination with a lower CG, the badge aims to contribute to the solid feel and pleasing impact sound. The stronger lofts across the set resulted in the addition of a 41 degree PW to ensure proper gapping options and allowed for standard lofts in the traditional scoring wedges (45.5, 50, 54 and 58 degrees).
From the fitters:
- “With that Alta Quick shaft, I mean, it’s just, it’s super easy to kick that thing up in the air. And what I really like about it is they don’t put flex on the shaft. We’ve had, you know, I mean, you explain to the customer like, hey, you know, you might, you know, you’re gonna need that 35-gram Alta Quick. It’s not gonna say, you know, ladies flex or whatever and no one knows.”
- “It’s super easy to hit, super easy to launch, especially for someone who needs…that help and forgiveness.”
- “What I like about what Ping does, they don’t just like, shove a lighter-weight shaft in the same club head. They put a lighter grip on it, they put a lighter shaft in it. So like they kind of do it the right way. It’s just an overall lighter package version of the best game improvement iron out there. So it’s you get all the forgiveness and everything else that you get with G430, but now in a total balanced package for a slower swing speed player, it’s, it’s great.”
- “What I like about it too is with the Alta Quick 35 [shaft]. It’s essentially like a ladies golf club that doesn’t say ladies on it. So like you get that guy that swings super slow or you get like that junior boy or something like that that just, you know, I’m not, you know, especially like the kids like, I mean, he’s not playing a club that says ladies on it or it’s purple or something you can get than this and it looks just like his dad’s G430s, but it just gets up in the air and goes and it’s awesome.”
- “The best iron in the game improvement category. High launch and packed with forgiveness on those off-center hits. It’s one of the easiest irons to hit. The HL version allows players who need a lighter package and need help with higher launch are able to achieve that with this iron.”
For more photos/info, read our launch piece.
Titleist T350
Their story: The new T350 irons are still built for maximum distance and forgiveness, but they were redesigned with a hollow-body construction that’s inspired by the T200. Like the T200, the T350 also uses Max Impact Technology behind the face to maximize speed and forgiveness, and dual-tungsten weights in the back cavity. The T350 irons are noticeably larger, and with thicker toplines, than the T200 irons for golfers who need the additional surface area and stability.
Fitter comments:
- “The T350 is super good. They definitely cleaned it up, cleaned up that topline a little bit and made it…a little bit more compact, a little bit smaller for sure.”
- “You know, I think is one of those irons that maybe sometimes can get overlooked. I don’t know…some guys, they think ‘Titleist,’ they can’t hit it. If someone’s in this category, it’s always a club you’re gonna have.”
- “So like this is the first one in that model that’s had like a forged face and, and, and, and I think that just improved the feel of it. Topline to me looks a little bit cleaner and, they do a nice job of hiding the offset doesn’t look quite obnoxious when you look down at it. I don’t know if it’s like the chrome that they put or whatever, but it looks a lot cleaner at address. The iron’s always been super easy to get up in here.”
- “That type of customer, I know they all want to do is just hit it nice and far. But we’re seeing so many guys come in that just need help getting it airborne in that moderate kind of clubhead speed category. And this thing is probably, if not the easiest, one of the easiest irons in this category to launch. And I think that’s what makes it so great.”
- “High launch is a key component to this iron. Clean look, with reduced offset and a better look for a players game improvement iron. Players are surprised that this is a game improvement iron based on the looks and package size.”
For more photos/info, read our launch piece.
Best irons of 2024: Meet the fitters
- Adam Rathe: Club Champion
- Adam Scotto: Club Champion
- Adam Seitz: Club Champion
- Aidan Mena: Club Champion
- Alex Dice: Carl’s Golfland
- Alex Praeger: Club Champion
- Ben Giunta: The Tour Van
- Blake Smith, PGA: True Spec
- Bo Gorman: True Spec
- Brad Coffield: Carl’s Golfland
- Brett Ott: Club Champion
- Brian Riley: Club Champion
- Cameron Scudder: Club Champion
- Carmen Corvino: True Spec
- Christian Sandler: Club Champion
- Clare Cornelius: Cool Clubs
- Dan Palmisano: Club Champion
- Dane Byers: Club Champion
- Darren Joubert: Club Champion
- Dennis Huggins: Club Champion
- Drew Koch: Club Champion
- Eric Touchet: Touchet Performance Golf
- Erik Gonzales: Club Champion
- Evan Morrison: Club Champion
- Gus Alzate: True Spec
- Jake Medlen: Stripe Show Club Fitters
- Jake Woolston: Club Champion
- Jake Wynd: Club Champion
- Jay Marino: Club Champion
- Jeremy Olsen: Club Champion
- Jim Yenser: Club Champion
- Joe Stefan: Club Champion
- Joey Simon, PGA: Club Champion
- Jonathan Kaye: Club Champion
- Jordan Patrick: True Spec
- Jordan Rollins: Club Champion
- Kevin Arabejo: Club Champion
- Kevin Downey: Club Champion
- Kirk Oguri: Pete’s Golf
- Kyle Lane: Club Champion
- Kyle Murao: Club Champion
- Marc Roybal: True Spec
- Mark Hymerling: Club Champion
- Mark Knapp: Carl’s Golfland
- Matt Miller: Club Champion
- Matt Rish: Club Champion
- Matthew Gandolfi: Club Champion
- Mike Martysiewicz: Club Champion
- Mike Weis: Club Champion
- Mitch Schneider: Club Champion
- Nicholas Barone: Club Champion
- Nick Sherburne: Club Champion
- Nick Waterworth: Haggin Oaks
- Preston Vanderfinch: Club Champion
- Rick Lane: Club Champion
- Rob Anderson, PGA: Club Champion
- Russell Hubby: Club Champion
- Ryan Fisher: Grips Golf
- Ryan Grimes: Club Champion
- Ryan Johnson: Carl’s Golfland Bloomfield Hills
- Sam Kim: True Spec
- Scott Sikorski: Club Champion
- Scott Felix: Felix Club Works
- Scott Trent: Club Champion
- Sean Pfeil: Club Champion
- Shaun Fagan: True Spec
- Steve Harrow: Club Champion
- Tad Artrip: Club Champion
- Thomas Mattaini: Pull the Pin
- Tony Rhode: True Clubs
- William Buse: Club Champion
- William Cho: NovoGolf
- William Fields: Club Champion
RELATED: Best driver 2024
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At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver.
From the seller: (@cg2g): “BRNR Mini Driver 13.5* with HZRDUS Gen 4 Black 70g X-Flex, Club has hit 5 balls on simulator, save some money on ordering new. $385 Shipped CONUS.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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- Denny McCarthy what’s in the bag accurate as of the Valero Texas Open.
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees, C1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 7 X
5-wood: Titleist TS2 (18 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD DI 8 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (4), Titleist 620 CB (5-9)
Shafts: True Temper AMT Tour White X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-08M), WedgeWorks Proto (60-L)
Shafts: True Temper AMT Tour White X100 (48), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron GoLo N5
Grip: Scotty Cameron
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
Check out more in-hand photos of Denny McCarthy’s WITB here.
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killerbgolfer
Feb 24, 2015 at 10:57 pm
I just got these to replace my 714 AP2s. I’m feeling good after one range session. First round on them will be at this year’s US Open site, so here goes the trial by fire! I”ll update with comparisons after the round.
killerbgolfer
Mar 16, 2015 at 2:51 pm
Super impressed so far; so much so that I sold my AP2s. I’m still getting used to different shafts, but I love the look and set up of the Apex irons. I’m about 5ish yards longer, with much higher ball flight. I wasn’t really looking for higher flight, but the ball isn’t ballooning so it’s not bothering me. I’m confident that these will cover my bad days better and still let the good days excel.
Heist
May 3, 2014 at 10:29 pm
I just tested the Apex against the AP2 and nike covert. I found the Apex had a more solid feel which most likely come from the rubber dampeners on the backside of the club. I tested the Apex with the graphite shafts and the AP2’s with the Ameritech 110 shafts. I have a three handicap do I would like to work the ball from time to time. All three if these clubs still allow for this.
Ultimately I like the added yards and feel of the Apex irons. I can picture the added confidence with a shorter 4 iron in my hands hitting it 215 on the fly compared to my current hybrid.
I carried the wedge 132 yards and I could hit it high or low with ease similar to my Mizuno forged irons. The difference from my Mizuno irons was drastic. My current 6 iron flies 165 and the Apex 6 iron flies 185.
Only thing I’m not looking forward to is the invoice when the arrive.
Have a great year on the links!
Hieronymus
Jun 3, 2014 at 9:48 am
“I carried the wedge 132 yards and I could hit it high or low with ease similar to my Mizuno forged irons. The difference from my Mizuno irons was drastic. My current 6 iron flies 165 and the Apex 6 iron flies 185.”
That’s because the clubs are lofted very strong.
Comparing the spec’s of these with my Cleveland 588 CBs the Apex 7 iron is 31 degree’s which is the exact loft of my 6 iron.
Callaway 4 me
Sep 26, 2014 at 2:57 pm
I just recently purchased a set of the Apex forged irons. Prior to, I had purchased a set of AP2s. After a few rounds and time on the range, I realized the AP2s were not the right fit for me. My cap varied from 9 to 12 this year due to the equip changes. I am back on track after only a few rounds with my Apex irons. I have played irons from many manufactures, cast vs forged, and can say that the Apex are the real deal!! They are workable, long and have an incredible soft feel. I strongly encourage any one shopping for new irons to try these, from a low to mid capper. You will not be disappointed.
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Henny Bogan
Jan 11, 2014 at 12:47 am
Extra distance is great, but with extra distance comes inconsistency and wider shot dispersion. No technology will ever solve that problem. If you are short knocker with your irons then the extra distance may be worth the loss of accuracy, but longer players will look for consistancy in direction and carry distance. Big complaint tour players have with these “hot” iron faces is that they struggle with consistent yardages.
Only club in the bag that you want to hit as far as you can is your driver, the WOW factor on these “Apex” irons is ‘Meh’ at best
Mike in FL
Jan 13, 2014 at 2:19 pm
you couldn’t be more inaccurate about your comments on tour players. these are forged irons and can be shaped as well as every tour players lofts are higher than the standards on both models of the apex. It is all relevant to the individual, their skill level and ability!!!
Brandel Stumblee
Feb 12, 2014 at 10:30 am
I have thoroughly tested the big three this year being theAPEX, AP2 and the new TM CB tour preferred. They all produce a a similar sound and feel but the Apex feels slightly softer I’m guessing due to its vibration dampening. What I have discovered is that the apex blows away the competition if you are looking for max ball speed. I was able to get 5 mph more out of the apex 6 iron. The problem was that the difference between a small mishit and a perfect strike had a ballspeed difference that was twice as much as the other two irons. The Taylormade was the most consistent maybe because of the slot I don’t know and the Ap2 wasn’t far behind. Both 6 irons were between 190 and 200 yds but the Apex was 185 to 220 yards. I’m still intrigued by the apex and will continue to test them I need to try different shafts.
Zachary Yaz
Oct 23, 2013 at 1:35 pm
Want to try this! Might be a close competitor with the AP2.
Ian
Oct 31, 2013 at 2:35 pm
Just returned from an event where Cally had its web.com tour van as well as their staff present. players were able to hit both the Apex and apex pro iron. My take??? Great products. Look.feel,launch, vibration, turf interaction all fantastic.
Gary Lewis
Nov 7, 2013 at 11:53 am
Really like the irons and will probably get a 6 through pitching wedge. What I don’t like are the loft gaps. From the 5 through the 3 irons you only have 2.5 degree gaps, a 3 degree gap between the 5 and 6 irons, and you get 5 degree gaps from the 9 iron on up, pretty ridiculous imho. I wish they would put the actual lofts below the numbers or instead of the numbers so to give golfers a better idea of what they are doing out there, instead of making of making the lofts stronger and making the lower lofted clubs much harder to hit. I would just as soon see the actual lofts on the clubs.
Tad
Oct 18, 2013 at 2:06 pm
I belive that these are the perfect iron ever made I have had first hand experence with these irons and i can honestly tell you that it is the best iron ever made.
davePet
Oct 15, 2013 at 6:09 pm
Its funny that most people out here complaining about Callaway using the apex name appearently dont know much about hogan irons.
The apex name was on a entire line or irons from blades to mixed to forgiving cavity backs… and that goes back a long way. If this club performs I am glad to seem the apex name back.
John
Oct 11, 2013 at 8:46 pm
Hi Ian we played this years Canadien Senior Am together the 1st two rounds and you made a believer out of me with your irons. I am still looking for the right combination of shaft and club head . It is all about your confidence level in golf and if you can hit something farther it does not make a difference what it says on the bottom of the club head.The newer clubs are far superior to the old ones.i would love to see some of these guys play with the top senior amatuers in the USA they would truly be amazed
Ian
Oct 11, 2013 at 10:16 am
Here’s my take.. 60yrs old +2 avid tournament player. Been playing Forged cavity backs with traditional lofts for several years. At the urging of a friend and excellent playing professional I tried Cleveland’s TT irons which are very similar to what Callaway it’s about to produce. Played in the British senior amateur using my Forged cavity backs through the five iron and three and four TT. The three and four irons outperformed my other clubs so dramatically that as soon as I return I filled out the rest of the set. They are a game changer. The height combined with the extra distance and just the right amount of spin made for a vastly superior iron. My eight iron covers 162 yards in the air comfortably. I understand that’s what a 7i used to do. But my 8iron is covering that distance with ease. perfect height,perfect spin, wonderful feel and the confidence I have looking down at an 8i does make a difference. So my take would be try it and see if this type of iron is appropriate for you. Technology is always changing. Today’s golfers are better than yesterday year’s.just like today’s basketball players,tennis players football players, hockey players are better than yesteryears players. Its the way of the world. And today’s equipment is , for the most part, better than yesterday’s equipment
Christopher Kee
Oct 4, 2013 at 10:06 am
I actually just write the loft on the bottom of my clubs. It’s just easier to remember 24 degree goes 215.
As far as the distance gaps in wedges I have been playing 5-6 degree gaps for a while since I play half, 3/4, chock down, and open face shots to get the yardage gaps I need with the same clubs.
JackBlack
Oct 7, 2013 at 6:06 am
I agree with the guys who say that the number stamped on the club is irrelevant. If you know your own game then the club number is merely a guide for how far a well-struck shot on level ground with no wind assistance or against will travel. The problem with the majority of amateurs is the obsession with trying to match/emulate the pros we all see on TV. I play off +1 at age 55 (180cm tall and 175lbs) and have a 7 year old set of Titleist 755s where the 7-iron has a loft of 35 degrees and it travels 150 yards absolutely max. My daughter is 13 years old, weighs 105lbs, is 160 cm tall (9 handicap)and her 8 iron goes the same distance. So what does that tell you? Nothing at all other than her TaylorMade Rocketballz have stronger lofts (off the shelf, not custom-made) for a start. Also I have a high ball flight whereas her ball flight is a bit lower (remember her 8i and my 7i have the exact same 35 deg loft). She knows how to play her 8 iron; the distance through the air, the roll-out etc etc because she’s been taught properly to understand these things but I don’t compare my game to hers and worry that I must be losing distance to a 13 yo: no, I know what works for me and we both ignore the club-manufacturer hype about all-out-win-or-bust-distance-is-everything mantra and we stick to what we know and understand about our own swings and our game – but I’m guessing that puts us in some sort of weird minority. All I’d say is know your own game and ignore the macho guy in your Saturday 4-ball who brags he hits his 9i the distance you hit you 6i..he is the mug who has been suckered in by the marketing hype that is hidden away in all the talk about lofts.
AvidGolfer
Oct 8, 2013 at 5:14 am
I totally agree with you, I think people forget that all the major OEMs are in the business of making money and pleasing their share holders with profits. Does anyone actually believe they produce something revolutionary every 6 months…..c’mon! But if it’s on TV or online it must be true lol! Save your money, get fit by a true fitter(not a store clerk from Golfsmith) and have him build you a set from scratch for your swing that will last for years….or not whatever, to each his own.
LRUM
Oct 28, 2013 at 5:19 am
Mug? Bit strong…
I’m 28, 6ft 4, 194lbs and play off 2 (Playing for 3 years). I use Tmag R9 TP’s with C-Tapers and without thrashing at it I hit my 9-Iron an average of 162yd carry. My lofts are hardly jacked up.
I guess the fact that I bother to go to the gym working on strength and flexibility means I’m some sort of macho mug! So I guess when I upgrade to 714 AP2’s in the coming weeks then I’ll become a complete moron.
Well done on being completely uninformed.
Frank Garrett
Dec 14, 2013 at 6:35 pm
Tara the dumbest thing I ever read
Frank Garrett
Dec 14, 2013 at 6:36 pm
Thats the dumbest thing I ever read
golfinator57
Sep 30, 2013 at 10:39 pm
seems most reviews of callaway apex irons have been, to date, unfavorable. the price, most definitely, isn’t nice. the look, however, at least in my opinion, inspires confidence that they could be a solid performer (distance) & possess that intangible quality that all golfers love(feel)& have forgiveness, like a cast club, all rolled into 1 neat package. with regards to lower lofts, hey, let’s skip ahead to the 21st century. balls are vastly improved, as well as clubs, so in turn, courses were lengthened to counter balance. stands to reason that companies are going to test boundaries & lower lofts on traditional clubs like irons to remain cutting edge. myself, i’ll be 56 in november. not exactly a spring chicken for a golfer. i’m embracing the new technology to increase distance, because, i’ll need all the help i can get in my “golden years.” for a younger golfer it will be an adjustment getting used to non traditional numbers. so don’t condemn until you hit it. i, like a previous writer here, am going to wait to pass judgement on them until the pro version is released, probably january. i, also, have a lot of interest in giving ust recoil shaft a try. thanks for the time.
Jack
Sep 30, 2013 at 2:46 am
Before you get into the lofts being lower, make sure to compare the actual launch angle. These new clubs through science etc actually are lofted lower but launch higher with less spin. Although it seems to be harder for people to understand when it’s lofted lower but launches higher, so they just simply say “it goes farther!”.
Frank Garrett
Dec 14, 2013 at 6:37 pm
I right the launch angle on the bottom of my clubs. That way I know 14 degree launch goes 275 yds
Paul
Dec 28, 2013 at 5:25 pm
I just spent nearly 2 hours at Golfsmith going through a club fitting. I play to an 8-9 handicap with old creaky Ping G2’s. I hit 6 and 7 irons of all the different clubs I looked at. Obviously a hitting mat and simulator are not the real world, but I thought the club was the best.
Jack’s comment on launch angle is absolutely spot on. In comparing 6 and 7 irons for the Apex and the old Ping’s, the Apex loft is certainly lower than the old Pings, but the launch angle on all but the thinnest of shots was higher than the old set.
I hit the AP2’s, i20’s, Diablo’s and 2 or 3 other irons the staffer put in my hand. The Apex irons were the hottest off the face, had the most consistent carry distance, most consistent flight and look absolutely terrific. Blade players will think the top line is a bit thick, but coming from a game improvement type iron, I think they look great.
Needless to say, I am about $1,300 lighter after adding a Sand Wedge, sales tax, etc.
thefullsp
Sep 29, 2013 at 5:18 am
If we are gonna get into the Hogan thing and someone wants a real set to compare to this new travesty, I have a used set of Hogan Apex 50th Anniversary, stamped with the limited edition set number. Will probably play 30 yards shorter per iron, but the feeling of ecstasy can never be matched.
Frank Garrett
Dec 14, 2013 at 6:40 pm
I right how much farther the ball goes with my new irons than my old ones on the bottom of the club. That way I know which one to pick
Loud Mouth Red
Sep 28, 2013 at 11:49 am
In 1988 I bought a full set, 1-SW, Hogan Forged Edge Irons with Apex 4 shafts ($899), as I had been playing with a set of Wilson Staff Tour Blades with regular shafts ($300) since purchasing them new in 1977 at the age of 14. The Hogan Edge were the greatest game improvement distance sticks of the time with 10 more yards of distance from the advanced perimeter weighting and low center of gravity on a forged platform. Alas, that set was stolen from my garage when the cleaning lady left the garage open in 2003.
So heartbroken, I left the game till this summer when I got the itch to play due to the excitement of watching Phil win the British Open and Jason the PGA.
I went online and found a used set of Callaway Diablo Forged Irons with Graphite Regular Flex Shafts for this 50 year old former single digit handicap hacker. I’ve practiced a bit and played five rounds so far. I’m improving every round and I have to say the irons help me on mishits by keeping it straighter. My timing is not what it once was and my distance suffers as compared to others I have played with. I’m still happy with what the irons deliver in distance and accuracy.
If these new Apex irons are what they say, I may get a set. For any reason just to see the distance improvement. However, before that happens, I’ll seek some professional help, just in case. $1,299 is a ton for irons!!!
Frank Garrett
Dec 14, 2013 at 7:04 pm
I write how old I am on the bottom of my clubs
Pingback: Callaway Golf X Hot 7 Iron
cjb
Sep 28, 2013 at 2:39 am
Do not quite understand why people are hung up on what degrees a club have?
For me, the club’s number is a way to know what club I should use at a particular distance.
If it says 7, 8 or 9, so What?
You still need to learn again when you change clubs since not only the loft is affecting the distance
(Do not blame me for the bad English, blame Google translate)
Jeffrey Trigger
Sep 26, 2013 at 9:52 pm
I would much prefer the irons to be a quarter inch shorter, and a degree weaker in loft. These jacked lengths and lofts are great for distance, but is that really the point of irons? I want to hit the ball closer to the hole.
Frank Garrett
Dec 14, 2013 at 6:43 pm
All I play is 9 irons….if the shot is long I pull the newest one and the closer I get to the green the older the 9 iron gets
Bahahaha LMBO
Feb 5, 2014 at 3:01 pm
I have been reading the comments from top down until I came to this one. This is the most ridiculously sarcastic well placed comment EVER.
JRockman
Sep 26, 2013 at 3:24 pm
How do you guys think this set improves over the Callaway RAZR XF irons that were current as of this year @$1400?
http://www.callawaygolf.com/global/en-au/golf-equipment/golf-clubs/irons/razr-xf-irons.html
The sales pitch seems to be very similar.
Ola Scholander
Sep 26, 2013 at 1:09 pm
hi, i am surprised about the all the loft-rants. its all about trajectory, right? if i get same trajectory but 10 yards more distance, i am very happy, and this is what happens when i compare rocketbladez with my current g25:s. I am a very seasoned gearhead (a costly hobby, but way cheaper compared to when i used to have a sailing boat, that was a money crusher!) and a golfer focused on result, not flare, so i would not be fooled by simply adding a number 7 to a 6 iron
Reg
Sep 26, 2013 at 5:00 am
The name APEX is for marketing, today just like it was when the original APEX irons came out. Why do so many complain about the loft and length of all these clubs? Why not complain about the drivers you use as well…..titanium, 460cc, graphite shafts…..heck a 5W from today will hit the ball further than a driver from yesteryear, why doesn’t that bother you?
The Infidel
Sep 26, 2013 at 8:31 am
Reg – you’ve got a fundamental mis-understanding of a few things, 1) the heritage that stacks up behind brand/model names, 2) the physics behind continually reducing lofts to fool you into thinking you hit it further and 3) technological advances versus the improvement in overall athletic ability, Hogan never went to the gym or avoided carbs.
Frank Garrett
Dec 14, 2013 at 6:45 pm
When did yesteryear replace olden times
JS
Sep 25, 2013 at 2:53 pm
Last time I say it, won’t buy any callaway product for disrespecting the Hogan name by putting Apex on that monstrosity!
The Infidel
Sep 25, 2013 at 8:59 am
Apart from some very valid points already raised in this comment section, and holding myself back from a short novel on why a PW shouldn’t have the same loft as your 5W, has anyone considered the underlying issues that drive this product offering?
Great marketing comes from seeing “Winners” using your stuff on the big stage, majors etc… So Dufner won the last major with a 910D2 (not their new gear) and shortly thereafter there is a 913 proto in the pipeline to get similar launch conditions for him. The goal – so that JD is using the new stuff and the 913 range is more appealing.
Similarly or possibly coincidently Henrik Stenson who’s had a great run of form, uses a rather obscure (for the average golf consumer) set of Asia release Legacy Black irons, to win numerous times and get a lot of media coverage. Will he in time phase over to the new iron, if it was designed with him in mind and to capitalise on his success and the success of other Pros who agree with his equipment choice. There are a wealth of players who use the Anser hybrid, whether contracted with Ping or not, so is the fact that it’s in Phil’s bag a factor? Not that he could hit a fairway with his fist……
Just food for thought.
donald davis
Sep 25, 2013 at 7:27 am
Hogan apex wow. A blast from the past. We use to wait about three years for new apex irons to come out . A players club. I also remember the apex shafts that were number coded. You never wanted to break one because they were hard to get. Great for Calloway. Might give them a look next season.
Frank Garrett
Dec 14, 2013 at 6:47 pm
I actually write the word apex on the bottom of my clubs
Chris
Sep 25, 2013 at 6:36 am
These irons look great. I almost bought the Legacy Blacks. Now I am glad I waited. Happy with the name as well. I think Hogan would be proud that Callaway is keeping it going.
Geo
Sep 25, 2013 at 6:13 am
Yep I am going to buy new irons so I can get 5% distance improvement for my $1100.00 to maybe help me win skins that might net me about $65.00 for the 2014 golf season.
Frank Garrett
Dec 14, 2013 at 6:47 pm
I write how much money I’ve won on the bottom of my clubs
Mike
Sep 24, 2013 at 8:03 pm
Its a joke that you guys are getting into such a fuss over the name of these irons. I have only been playing golf for 2 years and dont have a clue what the hogan irons look like let alone what they were called, nor do I care what callaway calls their clubs. If they work ,they work!
Jack
Sep 25, 2013 at 5:14 am
There’s a reason why they kept the name. Might not mean anything to you, but seeing the reaction it’s generating, it’s definitely worth something that is not applicable to you.
Frank Garrett
Dec 14, 2013 at 6:48 pm
I write how long I’ve played golf on the bottom of my clubs
Mad-Mex
Sep 24, 2013 at 8:02 pm
mmmmmmm oversized forged irons,,,, wow,,,, if only someone could have thought of say a club named “Gooseneck” by Wilsn or “The Edge by Hogan” both attempts at bridging the gap between forged and forgiveness,,,
stephenf
Sep 24, 2013 at 2:33 pm
Oh no no no NOOOOOO they don’t. Huh-uh. No sir. Cannot do it. CanNOT name a club after the most premium of premium lines from Hogan. I hope the man haunts them every single night until they rethink this really, really, REALLY wrongheaded decision.
Also, can somebody tell me why pure distance is such a big deal with irons? Why does it matter whether I hit the iron with a 6 on the bottom of it 180 yards or 200 yards, as long as I hit it consistently one distance or the other? I’m asking. Seriously. It’s not a rhetorical question.
And in answer to Baby Bull’s question: I guess the “informed” consumer knows it, but the much larger set of gullible, casual, or apathetic consumers doesn’t know or doesn’t care, and that’s where the money is. I hit a driver 35-40 yards longer now at 52 than I did at 25, when I was playing and winning a lot of tournaments at a plus-2 level. At least 35-40, sometimes 50, sometimes 70, under the right conditions. It’s ludicrous. And that’s without ever having been fit for a driver, even. With irons, I’m hitting them at least a club and a half longer than 30 years ago (but not really, of course if — as you imply — you go by lofts rather than stamped numbers). If people don’t know something is going on with both balls _and_ clubs, I don’t know what they’re looking at.
Lee
Sep 24, 2013 at 3:04 pm
Totally agree Stephen, I’m also in my 50’s and hitting it longer and most importantly more accurately than ever (sure would like to see some of these young wannabees hitting a balata with a persimmon head the size of a pea of a cold morning). Lofts have got so stupid that I now find a 5 iron equivalent to my old 3/4 iron and G/A or U the same as my W at 50 degrees. So happy days 5-G, wedges, hybrids, frying pan sized drivers and playing off 4 into our 60’s! Assuming of course the flat stick doesn’t get yippy.
JHM
Sep 24, 2013 at 5:48 pm
DOnt think you guys are saying anyhting new – Snead said he hit the ball farther in his 60’s than in his 30’s. Guess Bobby Jones threw a fit when they went away from hickory shafts
david
Oct 22, 2013 at 12:10 pm
That’s why they made Super Stroke putter grips…for the yippers!!
Matt
Sep 24, 2013 at 11:46 pm
Don’t know about you guys but I would say I haven’t seen a substantial change in how far I hit the ball in about 10 years or more accurately about the same time the PROV1 was introduced. If you look at PGA tour driving distance stats over the last 15 years they seem to back up my impressions on this too. Pretty much all the so called new innovations are more hype than anything else. As far as jacked up lofts on irons go, new golfers are who the manufactures target this sales strategy. They are the ones who tend to fall for the gimmicks.
Hieronymus
Jun 3, 2014 at 10:02 am
Talk to Nicklaus about the ball obsoleting all the old treasured golf courses….
JHM
Sep 24, 2013 at 2:07 pm
Any word on a LH version?? In this or the Pro??
John
Sep 24, 2013 at 12:32 pm
Yeah I’m a big fan of callaway but I don’t see these competing with the 714 ap2s…I am by no means saying they are the same class of iron, just saying similar materials and similar price…on a side note though, those who think ap2s are forged distance irons should get hit over the head with a pitching wedge
Zak Kozuchowski
Sep 24, 2013 at 1:29 pm
Before I hit myself over the head, answer this: If the AP2’s aren’t Titleist’s version of a forged distance iron, what are they?
stephenf
Sep 24, 2013 at 2:34 pm
Was wondering that myself.
Jack
Sep 25, 2013 at 5:11 am
Seems to be latest trend. I’m enjoying the forged distance thank you very much.
t120
Sep 27, 2013 at 11:07 pm
Maybe he thought the AP1 was forged???
Seems like a dumb comment though, but that’s cool. I’ll grab a pitching wedge.
Joel
Sep 24, 2013 at 12:27 pm
I’m intrigued by them offering recoils as the stock graphite offering, I’ve wanted to try them out since them came out. Perhaps I may give the pro a shot with the recoils? I’m still waiting on word of the other new callaway that we saw shots of at the same time as these, they looked a little more player oriented.
Edmond
Sep 24, 2013 at 12:21 pm
Sure wish you guys would sell the Legacy Black irons to the US customers. As for the Apex I will wait on the Pro
Tim
Sep 24, 2013 at 12:14 pm
Diablo forged came out in 2009 I thought not 2012.
David
Sep 24, 2013 at 11:45 am
Wake up consumers!!!
Andrew
Sep 24, 2013 at 11:28 am
$1099 a set? Good luck with that….
Carolina Golfer
Sep 24, 2013 at 8:36 am
Great write up Zak, some really good info. I’m looking forward to trying these when they are released.
Baby Bull
Sep 24, 2013 at 6:07 am
A remake of the X-tours from about 10 years ago. Nothing new here only better materials! With most everyone putting more hybrids in the bag, why produce clubs with only 7* loft difference between the the 3 & 6 irons? A 45* Pw is just a strong 9 iron from years past. Does not the informed golfer realize this?
Zak Kozuchowski
Sep 24, 2013 at 1:32 pm
Correction: The 6 iron will measure 27 degrees, not 26 degrees as the story originally stated.
Tdiggitydawg
Sep 24, 2013 at 6:00 pm
Zak 6 iron is actually 27 degrees according to the callaway website (not the 5)……4 degrees stronger than my current 6!
Zak Kozuchowski
Sep 24, 2013 at 8:05 pm
Can’t get anything by you guys, can we (and that’s the way it should be)?
Thanks for noticing the typo.
– Zak
J
Sep 24, 2013 at 6:05 am
19* 3 iron… Stupid.
That’s a 2 iron.
I really hope this isn’t their only new iron for fall release as the lofts and offset are a fail.
stephenf
Sep 24, 2013 at 2:36 pm
I happen to manufacture pitching wedges that any decent amateur can hit 175 yards. Says “PW” right there on the bottom of the club, I swear.
goodoldrebel
Sep 24, 2013 at 4:01 pm
The masses have inundated the sport and are only focused on distance. Golf is about ‘flight pattern’. I’m not impressed with PW letters on a club that claims extreme distance.
Dolph Lundgrenade
Oct 10, 2013 at 12:37 pm
+1
Hand me my 3-wedge!
david
Sep 29, 2013 at 5:17 pm
taylormade is crushing them in sales putting out longer shafted lower lofted stuff and yelling distance to everyone who listens. Everyone is rushing to catch up, do the same, or be left in the dust
Frank Garrett
Dec 14, 2013 at 7:11 pm
Everybody cries about the jacked lofts but only want to play blades with the matching 2 iron…..
If you wanna argue that’s fine but be logical
BigBoy
Sep 24, 2013 at 3:37 am
Callaway would not have a clue why Hogan named his irons Apex….and this so called Apex design is confirmation of that.
Painter33
Sep 24, 2013 at 1:23 pm
That’s the first thing I thought of, too. Next, Callaway will introduce another new iron – “Eye 2s”. Seriously, heel-toe weighting with a cutout between has been around for decades. The traditional Callaway thick top line won’t induce better players to sign on. The Tours might make more of an impact – especially at that price point.
davePet
Oct 15, 2013 at 5:58 pm
Well that would make sence if they owned ping like they do the Hogan brand from their purchase of spalding.
with Ben hogans they was alsothe apex and apex pro and looks like that is exactly the line Callaway is taking. Good for them they look to be some great irons.
Joe Golfer
Sep 24, 2013 at 12:15 am
With a 3 iron at 19* loft and a 6 iron at 26* loft, it seems like players are going to have very little distance gaps between their long irons, and big gaps in their shorter irons.
JerryGpro
Sep 24, 2013 at 8:45 pm
As a club builder on tour for 20 years, these lofts are not unusual. tour players are looking for ball flights that do not relate to the average player. The ability to manipulate ball flight on shots give them the ability to go up or down.I could name several players with these lofts. But I won’t. It is unreal how great players can create several shots with one club. The average player will benefit thru weight distribution in the head and max out distance . Great players will have all distances covered with such sets.
t120
Sep 27, 2013 at 11:01 pm
About time we get a realistic response on here. Everyone just seems to harp on distance. Duuuude, it’s distance WITH trajectory. You have to keep both in mind. Tour players (nor should anyone else) be looking for just “distance”, the club has to give you options – and many of the players clubs with increased lofts do just that.
However, I will give you credit Joe for bringing up gaps in short irons. That’s just the reality, but let me offer this. If a 19* 3 iron cuts down 1 hybrid…why not add the 4th wedge. Something like (PW)45* 50* 55* 60*?
Bottom line. When an iron set gives you options, they usually give you options to sub too.
medic230
Oct 8, 2013 at 10:14 am
I bought the Rocketbladz irons last year and have done exactly as you suggested. I put and additional wedge in by bag to account for a gap between my 120yd gap and my 100yd sand. I realize that the jacked up loft debate will rage on in perpetuity. Here is what I have to say: Go hit one of these iron sets. When I hit them I was amazed to find the same trajectory with ten additional yards. When I am making an approach to a green from 175 and I can pull a seven iron and see a 7 iron trajectory, my confidence increases. Trajectory is at least half of the equation.
I used to play forged blades but switched to these as my playing frequency decreased with my children’s sports activities. Forgiving is an understatement. Try them. You will see what all the buzz is about.
Dolph Lundgrenade
Oct 10, 2013 at 4:47 am
@JerryGpro, T120 and medic230
Your past and present is noted. Calm your jets. Everyone reading your posts knows that all you have done is changed the number on the sole of the club. Its not about trajectory if you are adding a fourth wedge. There used to be a usable “Gap” wedge in all sets of clubs. It was called a Pitching Wedge and had the same loft as the Gap wedge you, literally, had to add so that you could cover the DISTANCES needed and NOT the TRAJECTORY (which if it goes 15 yards past the desired distance is just a very pretty looking miss.
As far as what the Tour players are doing… I’m not on tour. Are you? Is anyone on here? Okay then. It doesn’t matter what they are doing. Apparently some are using strong-lofted clubs. Tiger uses weaker lofted clubs. He’s the greatest golfer (arguably and according to Butch Harmon) in the world. Doesn’t matter. I need clubs that go a certain distance and it would be a benefit to me and 90% of the users on this website if we didn’t have to spend extra $$$ to buy a newly-named gap wedge and put the 3-iron in the set in the garage.
Its about the ‘right’ distance, not the right trajectory nor the longest distance.
marionmg
Jan 6, 2014 at 12:58 pm
DLIII was quoted last year as saying that nobody should even carry a 3 or 4 iron.
Most mid to high handicaps would benefit from only carrying 6-PW, maybe a 52* and 56*, 4 hybrid, 1 favorite fairway wood, Driver, and putter. That’s 11 clubs max.
I know irons like these seem expensive but there is no reason to buy 3-PW for most. That’s a wasted $400 that could be spent on a nice hybrid, driver, and/or whatever.
The Apex irons seem pretty similar to legacy and diablo forged irons which Stenson and Freddie Jac still play. So I think all handicap levels can benefit from the Apex “non-pro” version, but I’m sure the Pros will be nice too.