Equipment
Spotted: New Callaway Apex MB Irons
GolfWRX spotted a new set of Callaway Apex MB irons at the CareerBuilder Challenge on Tuesday, where they were being tested by Callaway Staffer Patrick Reed.
Callaway currently sells a set of Apex MB (muscleback) irons, released in late 2014, but the new irons are noticeably different. They have a chrome finish and a streamlined muscle pad, which gives them a more traditional look than the original Apex MB irons.
Old vs. New
Callaway’s new Apex MB irons (left).
According to our boots on the ground, Reed tested the new irons only briefly, hitting the 6 iron and pitching wedge on the range. It’s not clear if he plans further testing of the irons.
See Photos from the Tour of the Apex MB in raw finish
At Address
In last week’s BMW South Africa Open Championship on the European Tour, Rory McIlroy used a set of Callaway Apex MB irons that looked similar to the new irons.
Rory’s Callaway Apex MB irons
It’s unclear if Rory’s irons are an initial prototype of the new model, or customized to his specific needs.
See MORE PHOTOS and what GolfWRX Members are saying about the new irons in our forum.
Odyssey Golf announced Tuesday that the already popular Damascus Milled putter lineup is getting more options.
Initially launched back in April, only in a Damascus Milled #7 head (in plumbers or double bend configurations), the family grows to four with a One Wide, Two and Rossie S shape, all available in the second limited-edition drop at retail on June 6th.
“Damascus Steel is a beautiful material, and the patterns tell the story, because every one is different” said Odyssey General Manager, Jacob Davidson. “But what stands out is that as beautiful as these putters are, the feedback from Tour has been the exceptional feel of these putters. We wanted to deliver the most premium performance-driven putter we’ve ever done at Odyssey. When you look at this product, we have so much confidence because there is not one thing we’d do different. On this one we really took our time over the last couple years to try to perfect the design.”
Created from a layered construction of multiple steel alloys, this Damascus Steel insert is forged, folded and pressed to create a unique, striking pattern in every piece. Think of it like a fingerprint. Each Damascus construction comes with its own 1-of-1 style pattern. No offerings will ever look the same.
The layered structure, combined with a specialized heat treatment, delivers a finely tuned, highly responsive feel different from other insert materials. The Damascus steel is audibly different compared to other inserts, potentially with slightly more feedback. Odyssey also uses AI-designed back contours to maintain consistent ball speed across the face, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern tech.
Each head in the line is precision-milled from stainless steel and features a blasted silver finish to complement the Damascus insert and sole plates.
With Tour feedback, Odyssey has also developed, in collaboration with Golf Pride, a grip featuring meticulously crafted edges, pistol shaping and a classic modern tour feel.
L.A.B. Golf has been the pioneer when it comes to Lie Angle Balanced putters for years now. When you talk to another golfer and zero torque putters comes up, as it will since it is the hottest thing in golf, the first brand out of their mouthes is L.A.B. Golf. Currently their putter line up has something for every golfer, wether your like blades or mallets. But the company has a new creation for golfers that we saw out on tour just a few weeks ago and is now available to us, the VZN.1i putter.
One of the big stories with the new VZN.1i putter is alignment in the form of the shape. L.A.B. has always given us plenty of alignment options in their putters with different line formations and shapes that can be laser etched onto the top of the putter. With this new design they used the shape of the head and the open cavity in the middle to help enhance the alignment for players. These shapes help players lock into their intended line to improve accuracy and concistency.
“VZN.1i was approached formulaically by combining everything we’ve learned from the success of previous L.A.B. Golf models into a familiar mallet shape that’s easy on the eyes and even easier to putt with,” said Cameron Day, Senior Vice President of Product at L.A.B. Golf. “Every L.A.B. putter is engineered to roll the ball on its intended line through Lie Angle Balance technology. With VZN.1i, we took things a step further by simplifying another critical aspect of putting: alignment.”
Like most of the other L.A.B. mallet putters the VZN.1i is machined from a solid block of aluminum and features a 303 stainless steel face insert. Steel face inserts on all L.A.B. putters not only enhance the sound and feel but they improve ball speed for better distance control. The new shaping also offers two ways of picking up your ball, using the sole or the rear flange can scoop up the ball. The company is offering the VZN.1i with a 1.5 degree forward shaft lean or a vertical shaft option in order to fit more golfers. Each VZN.1i is hand balanced and 10 other stages before it is complete and ready to ship. L.A.B. has its custom program where the golfer can select their length and lie but also head color, shaft upgrades, and grips to make their VZN.1i fit them perfectly.
The VZN.1i is available now starting at $499 for stock models and $599 for custom.
In our forums, one user has asked a question sure to interest all sorts of golfers. What’s the most comfortable walking shoe of 2026?
@RobDMB posed the following question:
“Looking for suggestions/recommendations on the currently available most comfortable walking shoes – preferably waterproof. Essentially looking for something comfortable like a running shoe, but with some stability and waterproof for golf. Decent room in toe box as well. Any recommendations are appreciated. Thanks!”
Our members in the forum have been sharing their own recommendations on the best walking shoes that can also survive a number of golf rounds. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- SheriffBooth: “To check all your boxes I’d vote for whichever of the current Nike lineup fits your feet the best. Obviously the Victory Pro 4 and Victory Tour 4 are good enough for the two best players in the world, but the new Pegasus, Next% Tour 3, and Tempo all look really good too.”
- i*windows: “when I had issues with my feet I played in Asics running shoes they were a little bit like the hoka’s above, very comfortable, now I’m back to Ecco shoes which are great.”
- mshills: “Everyone’s feet are different so this will be a long list of lots of different shoes. For me, anything from Ecco’s Biom lineup. Nothing else comes close.”
Entire Thread: “2026 Edition: Most Comfortable Walking Shoe?”
If you aren’t a member, join us in the GolfWRX forums today!
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Chuckle Barkley
Mar 23, 2019 at 6:52 pm
*Travis…….Dude, that observation is priceless. On the floor crackin’ up!! Great stuff!!
Sheen
Mar 24, 2018 at 11:14 am
It is exactly same look of MP 69 except 4D concept.
Travis
Jun 13, 2017 at 3:24 pm
HEY!!! That’s a design ripoff of that one company who ripped off that other company who took their design from that one company who copied that other person who’s club looked really similar to that other one!! Unbelievable Callaway…
BWild
Mar 21, 2017 at 2:08 pm
They are the same design as the titelist 660’s take look…
Barry
Jan 23, 2017 at 10:01 am
Agreed. Does the groove spacing have any impact on spin rate?
Mr Poopoo
Jan 21, 2017 at 1:25 pm
The Mizuno MP-14/29 muscle design never gets old…
Joey
Feb 4, 2017 at 10:56 am
As if they’re the first ones to have that design.
Henny Bogan
Feb 16, 2017 at 12:24 pm
I believe the Hogan Precision (1953 or 1955) were the first to have the “Mizuno MP 14 or 29” muscle design.
CarlLIKESitintheASS
May 15, 2017 at 4:24 am
It’s all about the Ping Eye 2.
westphi
Jan 19, 2017 at 12:11 pm
Simple and clean is always sexy. If they have good turf interaction and a soft buttery feel, I would game them!
Mark
Jan 19, 2017 at 2:52 am
It’s a blade. T
MP-4
Jan 18, 2017 at 11:21 pm
The satin finish looks much better.
MP-29
Jan 19, 2017 at 2:33 am
No, it does not.
Bob Pegram
Jan 21, 2017 at 2:34 pm
It does when you put your club down behind the ball and the angle causes you to get a face full of reflected sunlight. The satin finish doesn’t do that.
Satin is Better
Jan 25, 2017 at 1:50 pm
Yes, it does.
golfraven
Jan 18, 2017 at 4:20 pm
What Rory played in SA was likely a proto set of MBs he got as a farewell present from Titleist before jumping to Nike. They probably said he can stamp it with whatever he likes even their compeitors name. Three years later here we are. Why else are Callys new Epic woods so similar in looks to Titleist’s 915 line – probably also protos from them.
Progolfer
Jan 18, 2017 at 8:28 pm
Sounds like you have it all figured out…
mhendon
Jan 18, 2017 at 11:48 pm
You don’t seriously believe that?
Ryan
Jan 19, 2017 at 5:55 am
And titlest would do this because….
Scott
Jan 18, 2017 at 4:02 pm
I would try them compared to titleist mb which they now look exactly alike. That was one of the nice things about the “old” apex mb. The look. These do. Itching for me but I’ll wait, see, compare numbers
Max
Jan 19, 2017 at 12:17 pm
They are blades buddy, your strike will be the only thing changing the numbers by a noticeable amount.
Mr. Callaway..
Jan 18, 2017 at 2:13 pm
we have Titleist 916 MB on line 1 for you
Brian
Jan 18, 2017 at 7:17 pm
And the Mizuno MP 69 on line 2.
tlmck
Jan 19, 2017 at 5:23 am
And 80’s Wilson Staff
chinchbugs
Jan 18, 2017 at 2:00 pm
dems purty