Equipment
Update: Callaway to release Apex Black irons (again)
Note: If you missed out on the initial launch, Callaway is re-releasing the Apex Black irons, available on August 18th, due to popular demand.
Tired of the same satin or chrome finish on what seems like every set of irons on the market? These new all-black (a.k.a murdered-out) irons may be your answer.
Callaway is set to release its Apex CF ’16 irons with a Satin Black PVD finish. The irons will have all of the same technologies as the original retail offerings: A progressive design with 360 Face Cups in the long irons (3-7) for forgiveness and distance, face plates in the short irons (8-AW) for feel and distance control, and a multi-piece construction throughout the set.
Read here for more tech talk on the Apex Forged irons.
The Apex Black irons, which are forged from 1025 mild carbon steel, will be available for $1,299 with steel shafts, and $1,499 in graphite. The stock shaft will be a stepless True Temper XP 95 shaft with a Satin Black finish that matches nicely with the all-black club heads, but other shafts will be available at no upcharge, as well.
Pre-sale date is set for May 20, while the official launch is on June 3.
See what GolfWRX members are saying about the irons in the forums.
- LIKE298
- LEGIT26
- WOW41
- LOL8
- IDHT4
- FLOP7
- OB7
- SHANK46
- Daniel Berger what’s in the bag accurate as of the Farmers Insurance Open. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X
6-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 8 X
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (3), TaylorMade Tour Preferred MC 2011 (4-PW)
Shafts: Project X Denali Blue 105 TX (3), Project X 6.5 (4-PW)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (50-12F), Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (56-14F), Callaway Jaws Raw (60-08C)
Shafts: Project X 6.5 (50), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (56, 60)
Putter: Odyssey Ai-One Jailbird Mini DB
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy PistolLock 1.0
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Wrap
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
Check out more in-hand photos of Daniel Berger’s clubs in the forums.
- LIKE3
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL1
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB1
- SHANK0
What are the driver and shaft combinations of the best golfers in the world? For gearheads, it’s an endlessly interesting question — even if we can only ever aspire to play LS heads and 7 TX shafts.
At this week’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans, GolfWRX got in-hand looks at the driver setups of a wealth of players.
Check out some of the most interesting combos below, then head to the GolfWRX forums for the rest, as well as the rest of our galleries from New Orleans.
Rory McIlroy
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @8.25)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
Grip: Golf Pride MCC
Alex Fitzpatrick
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
Grip: Golf Pride MCC
Daniel Berger
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees @9)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
Grip: Golf Pride Tour Wrap
Rasmus Hojgaard
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Blue 60 TX
Grip: Golf Pride MCC
Alejandro Tosti
Driver: Srixon ZX5 Mk II LS (9.5 degrees @10.5)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS T1100 75 6.5
Grip: Golf Pride MCC Plus4
James Nicholas
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (8 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 7 X
Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Kevin Streelman
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Black 6 X
Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Sang-moon Bae
Driver: Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond (9+ @8)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 X
Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Russ Cochran
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke (9 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD TP 6 X
Grip: Golf pride MCC Align 
MJ Daffue
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max (10.5 degrees @9.5)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Green RDX 65 TX
Grip: Golf Pride ZGrip Cord Align
Check our more photos from the Zurich Classic here.
- LIKE1
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK1
- Rasmus Højgaard what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.
Driver: Callaway Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Blue 60 TX
3-wood: Callaway Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Prototype (16.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX
Utility: Callaway Apex UW (21 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw White 85 TX
Irons: Callaway Apex Pro (3), Callaway X Forged (4-PW)
Shafts: KBS $-Taper 130
Wedges: Callaway Jaws Raw (52-10S, 56-10S, 60-06C)
Shafts: KBS Tour 130 X
Putter: Odyssey Ai One Milled Eight T DB
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Check out more in-hand photos of Hojgaard in the forums.
- LIKE3
- LEGIT1
- WOW1
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
John Daly stuns fans into silence with brutal opening tee shot on PGA Tour Champions
Things got heated at the Houston Open between Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti. Here’s why
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
Report: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
Daniel Berger WITB 2024 (April)
Daniel Berger what’s in the bag accurate as of the Farmers Insurance Open. More photos from the event here. Driver:...
Rasmus Højgaard WITB 2024 (April)
Rasmus Højgaard what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic. Driver: Callaway Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (10.5 degrees)...
Rory McIlroy WITB 2024 (April)
Rory McIlroy what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic. Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus...
Sam Burns WITB 2024 (April)
Sam Burns’ what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. Driver: Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond S (9 degrees...
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoDave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
-
19th Hole3 days agoJustin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoTiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
-
19th Hole3 days ago‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
-
19th Hole3 weeks agoReport: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
-
19th Hole1 week agoTwo star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
-
19th Hole1 week agoReport: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
-
19th Hole1 week agoNeal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
Dave
Jun 15, 2016 at 2:46 pm
Can I get a set in red no make that blood red as I’m having issues with my game lately. They will probably play better.
Dave
May 18, 2016 at 4:51 pm
Ya Tom your right like all the rest of the companies ,one year old Taylor made drivers last years first new model out of many they released.On line for $125.00 original price $395.00
Dave
May 18, 2016 at 1:48 pm
Nice clubs but the price is well the price is absolutely out of reach for us retired guys . I understand it costs for r@d but they are painted black how much was the paint? Oh ya and most of us long time golfers know the mark up on clubs , I don’t mine someone making a living but come on now guys they are just clubs. More does not mean better …………
Tom
May 18, 2016 at 3:32 pm
wait a year 70% less.
joro
May 18, 2016 at 11:53 am
I have been playing Wilson Blk Irons for a couple of years now and together with the blk. Aldila RIP iron shaft they are really stealthy, and the C100s are really great and understated Irons.
Alan Medina
May 18, 2016 at 11:29 am
Are those plasti dipped? Black versions look kind of cheap. I like the brushed silver though!
Tom
May 18, 2016 at 3:40 pm
Comparison to other deposition techniques[edit]
“Advantages[edit]
PVD coatings are sometimes harder and more corrosion resistant than coatings applied by the electroplating process. Most coatings have high temperature and good impact strength, excellent abrasion resistance and are so durable that protective topcoats are almost never necessary.
Ability to utilize virtually any type of inorganic and some organic coating materials on an equally diverse group of substrates and surfaces using a wide variety of finishes.
More environmentally friendly than traditional coating processes such as electroplating and painting.
More than one technique can be used to deposit a given film.”…..
Dave
May 18, 2016 at 7:02 am
Funny. I don’t have a problem spinning the ball with mine. These do look nice.
tish
May 18, 2016 at 12:36 am
Don’t forget the Nike Vapor Pro Irons too…they came out before the PXGs…and the Adams were out before anyone
James
May 17, 2016 at 11:48 pm
Hope the black last longer then my Cleveland wedge, bottom and half way up back of wedge is now just a stainless steel color…..did Cleveland just paint the wedges??
Brian
May 17, 2016 at 2:59 pm
$1,300….Titleist, Callaway, and Taylormade iron prices are getting ridiculous. A part of the reason I stick with Mizuno
OH
May 17, 2016 at 2:55 pm
Pulling a page from the PXG playbook. Very original there Cally.
Cleveland....
May 17, 2016 at 4:24 pm
and possibly cobra might take issue w/ your statement. Looking back over time a lot of manufactures have had options for black finishes on irons.
just glad more options for finishes are becoming available from the larger more accessible manufacturers.
lsf_21
May 18, 2016 at 11:44 pm
You must be new to golf equipment. Adam’s made black irons years ago. Callaway made black irons with the razr black. This has been done before pxg even existed.
OH
May 25, 2016 at 10:34 am
No, I’m not new to golf equipment and am well aware of prior model irons coming in black from other OEMs. PXG was the most recent, though, and this move by Callaway plus their markup on them versus the satin finish seems to follow suit to exactly what PXG has done.
golfraven
May 17, 2016 at 2:34 pm
I would consider those if I was looking for new irons, even if I am not a big Cally fan.
Chuck D
May 17, 2016 at 2:19 pm
Eldrick could have used a pitching wedge!
Adam
May 17, 2016 at 1:39 pm
Well shoot just got some APEX! But I am LH, these are RH only anyhow 🙁 That shaft is nice though, wonder if it performs identical to the stepped version?