Equipment
Callaway Apex and Apex Pro 16 combo set now available
Most golfers search for trajectory control and consistency in their short irons, and forgiveness and distance in their long irons, right? Sometimes, however, that’s only attainable by combining technologies from different sets of clubs.
That was the case with Callaway’s new Apex and Apex Pro 16 irons. Golfers wanted a seamless way to create a combo set to take advantage of the strengths of each of the iron designs — 360 Cup Face in the long irons (3-7) and a progressive center of gravity (CG) in the short irons (8-PW, AW). The difference in lofts, however, created inconsistent yardage gapping, and different finishes — Satin Chrome (Apex) and Chrome (Apex Pro) — meant the set didn’t match.
Callaway solved those issues with its new Apex 16 Combo Set, now available on its website.
Related: What you need to know about the Apex and Apex Pro 16 irons.
Callaway’s Apex 16 Combo Set aligns lofts between the two different types of irons, and the irons have a uniform Satin Chrome finish throughout the set.
Specs
The longer irons promise higher ball speeds from the Apex’s 360 Cup Face, while the shorter irons offer the more compact head shape of the Apex Pro irons. See what the irons looks like below.
The Apex 16 Combo Sets (3-PW or 4-PW, AW) are available in Steel ($1,199.99) and Graphite ($1,399.99). There’s no stock shaft; consumers/fitters pick from a list of shafts that come with no up-charge.
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Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 8 X
Hybrid: Titleist TSR3 (19 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue HB 9 x
Irons: Titleist T200 (4, 5), Titleist 620 CB (6-9)
Shafts: Project X 6.0
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46-10F, 50-12F, 54-12D, 60)
Shafts: Project X 6.0
Putter: Scotty Cameron P5 prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
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- Kris Kim what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (15 degrees @13.5)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 73 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (2, 4), TaylorMade P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 X
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-09SB, 56-12SB, 60-11TW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 WV 125
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Kris Kim’s equipment here.
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TaylorMade is continuing its UDI/DHY series with the successor to the Stealth UDI and DHY utility irons: PUDI and PDHY (which the company styles as P·UDI and P·DHY). TaylorMade is folding the designs in with its P Series of irons.
TaylorMade outlined the process of developing its new utilities this way. The company started with the data on utility iron usage. Not surprisingly, better players — i.e. those who generate more clubhead speed and strike the ball more precisely — were found to gravitate toward the UDI model. DHY usage, however, covered a wider swath than the company might have expected with six-to-18 handicappers found to be bagging the club.
TaylorMade also found that the majority of golfers playing UDI or DHY utilities were playing P Series irons at the top of their iron configurations.
Can you see where this is going?
Matt Bovee, Director of Product Creation, Iron and Wedge at TaylorMade: “As we look to the future, beyond the tech and the design language, we are excited about repositioning our utility irons into the P·Series family. P·UDI is an easy pair for players that currently play P·Series product and P·DHY is an extremely forgiving option for players of all skill levels. It is a natural fit to give these players the performance in this category that they are looking for.”
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TaylorMade PUDI
TaylorMade PUDI technology cutaway (via TaylorMade)
Crafted with tour player input, TaylorMade sought to develop a confidence-inspiring utility iron that blends with the rest of the P Series irons. Also of note: Interestingly, the PUDI has a more compact head than the P790.
In comparison to past UDI products, the PUDI has a more traditional iron shape, slimmer toplines, and less offset with a little of the backbar visible at address.
TaylorMade PDHY
TaylorMade PDHY tech cutaway (via TaylorMade).
Larger in profile than the PUDI, the PDHY seeks to position center of gravity (CG) lower in the club for ease of launch. The toe height is larger and the profile is larger at address — roughly five millimeters longer than PUDI — the sole of the club is wider for improved forgiveness.
Club Junkie’s take
Golfers who feel like they are missing something at the top of the bag could find the PUDI or PDHY a great option. The look of the PUDI should fit the most discerning eye with a more compact look, less offset, and a thinner topline. If you want a little more confidence looking down the P-DHY will be slightly larger while still being a good-looking utility iron.
For being small packages both models pack a pretty good punch with fast ball speeds, even off-center. The feel is soft and you get a solid feel of the ball compressing off the face when you strike it well. Your ears are greeted with a nice heavy thud as the ball and club come together. The PDHY will launch a little higher for players who need it while the PUDI offers a more penetrating ball flight. Both utility irons could be the cure for an open spot in the top end of the bag.
PUDI, PDHY, or Rescue?
TaylorMade offers the following notes to assist golfers in filling out their bags:
- PUDI has mid-CG right behind the center face to create a more penetrating mid-to-low ball flight
- PDHY has a lower center of gravity to produce an easier-to-launch mid-to-high ball flight.
- Both PUDI and PDHY are lower-flying than the company’s hybrid/Rescue clubs.
- PUDI is more forgiving than P790.
- PDHY is the most forgiving iron in the entire TaylorMade iron family
Pricing, specs, and availability
Price: $249.99
At retail: Now
Stock shafts: UST Mamiya’s Recoil DART (105 X, 90 S and 75 R – only in PDHY)
Stock grip: Golf Pride’s ZGrip (black/grey)
PUDI lofts: 2-17°, 3-20°, 4-22° in both left and right-handed
PDHY lofts: 2-18°, 3-20° and 4-22° in both left and right-handed
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Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees, D1 SureFit setting) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 X 3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (15 degrees)...
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Kris Kim what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here....
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Robert
Aug 29, 2016 at 11:38 pm
It’s true about getting the proper frequency slope by tip trimming a parallel shaft. You’d just cut the butt for length. I think it’s a great move by Callaway, but I just wished they planned ahead and offered single club orders. I realize that other manufactures make great irons, but for the weekend warrior (IMHO) you’d be hard pressed to fined a better set than Apex.
Dmarinace
Jun 14, 2016 at 7:18 pm
DO throughout the set seems a bit light.
Bill
Mar 3, 2016 at 6:32 am
Callaway REALLY got it right! This is the perfect set of clubs for a serious player that wants workability, forgiveness and distance in the longer irons— all in an absolutely beautiful forged club. I just ordered mine last week after 6 months of intensive research and testing. The shaft options are very good as well.
patrick
Feb 11, 2016 at 10:17 am
you cant be serious with that hosel size comment stanley. you sir are an idiot.
Jon
Feb 11, 2016 at 2:59 pm
There may be some validity to his comment. The old Apex were parallel and the Apex Pros were taper. Where this conglomeration fits in I can’t comment.
mlecuni
Feb 11, 2016 at 9:36 am
From what i saw on the configurator, there are some upcharges, at least on the steelfiber (+60$)
Ryan
Feb 11, 2016 at 2:50 pm
Steelfibre falls under the graphite option.
stan
Feb 11, 2016 at 8:50 am
Uh are you all dense?
You do realize that you can custom order your own combo set from any manufacturer?
Hell NIKE will let you do this, yet you buy in when Callaway does it?
Keep in mind ALL heads are .370″ means you will get zero real deal quality shafts….
Keep up the great work Callaway!
I will go ahead and order my Mizuno irons whatever head whatever shaft whatever grip combo I want, all real deal quality components, as they have been pushing custom sets and the importance of this for years….
paul
Feb 11, 2016 at 10:19 am
First, the lofts are modified to match up the different sets. Also, these have matching finishes, since the Apex Pro 16 has a chrome finish that wouldn’t match the Apex CF satin finish if you ordered them separately.
Jon
Feb 11, 2016 at 3:01 pm
Dense? I wouldn’t consider myself dense. I prefer obtuse.
Joshuaplaysgolf
Feb 11, 2016 at 6:10 pm
LOL, Jon. Stan is correct, most if not all manufacturers do this, you can hand pick whatever you want in your set. I’ve been blending Titleist sets for years, and it is encouraged.
Jon
Feb 12, 2016 at 10:21 am
Absolutely. A good buddy of mine did the same thing with Titleist. 7-9 MBs, 4-6 CBs, 3 712U. Some day when I blow the dust off of the old wallet I would like to put together a similar set. The problem is, I am having separation anxiety issues with my old Hogan Apex.
Clay
Feb 12, 2016 at 10:47 am
Why people feel the need to criticize the choices of others on the internet I do not know. I assume it is a lack of understanding and people fear what they do not understand so they lash out, or life has left you so full of misery and self loathing that your only release is to insult others and try to make yourself feel superior. I will assume it is the former and try to educate you on why some of us are excited about this release.
Yes you can do this with all manufacturers, I was weighing a mixed apex set against a T-MB/AP2 combo. Unfortunately the new AP2 is not an attractive golf club and with Callaway prior to this release there were two issues, you either had to bend CF16 strong, pro 16 weak, or some combination of the two. In doing so you change the effective bounce of the club and because of the large gap in lofts between the two you were looking at adding or losing between 6* and 9* of bounce assuming a change of 3* bounce per 1* of loft. The only way around this was to play two 6, 7, or 8 irons, one pro and one CF16. Because there is a 3* gap in these clubs you could in theory go 5 & 6 in CF16 and then 6-P in Pro 16, but the idea of carrying two 6, 7, or 8 irons is strange to me.
Also, if you combo the set you have some satin, some chrome, and some of us prefer sets to match, in my case ideally without chrome anywhere on the club head. I personally hate chrome or any form of reflective clubs, if all irons were satin and all woods were matte I would be very happy with that, so thanks Callaway, keep up the great work!
As for shafts you can get Project X which is my shaft of choice and with a parallel shaft an experienced fitter can trim them to frequency match your shafts through the set. KBS also makes the C-taper in .370 so depending on what you like in a shaft there are some solid options. For anyone else you can shim a .355 shaft into a .370 head and there will be no noticeable difference to the player.
So, enjoy your Mizuno’s, they make great sticks. So does Callaway, Nike, Titliest, Tmag, etc. It is personal choice, people spend their money on what they want. If you don’t like it, stfu. You don’t have to play it.
Nolanski
Feb 13, 2016 at 11:27 am
Well said.
tom
Feb 10, 2016 at 10:08 pm
Wish they thought of this a few months ago when I bought the Apex 16’s.
Clay
Feb 10, 2016 at 10:07 pm
Awesome!
Nolanski
Feb 10, 2016 at 6:36 pm
Brilliant!