Equipment
Callaway (finally) launches new Apex MB and X Forged irons
It’s been a long time coming for the release of Callaway’s new Apex Muscleback (MB) irons to the public. It was all the way back in January of this year when we first spotted Apex MB irons. Patrick Reed was testing the irons, and Rory McIlroy — before he joined TaylorMade’s staff — was testing a raw, prototype version of the clubs. Since then, the new Apex MB irons have popped up in the bags of other tour players, most notably Danny Lee (full set) and Phil Mickelson (8-PW).
Finally, Callaway has officially launched the Apex MB irons.
Along with the Apex MB irons, Callaway has also announced that it’s releasing another highly anticipated set of irons that are made for better players: the new X Forged, which we’ve only recently spotted in the bags of Phil Mickelson (3, 5-7) and Sang-Moon Bae (full set).
Callaway 2013 X Forged (left) vs. 2018 X Forged
Callaway’s X Forged irons — first released in 2007, then in 2009, and not again until 2013 — are on a lengthy release rotation, far from the company’s Apex line that gets a new model at least every two years. The X Forged name, possibly due to that few-and-far-between release schedule, has garnered a cult-like appreciation from better players over the years, so this new release of X Forged irons will certainly be significant for those long-time fans.
Find out below what’s new and improved about the Apex MB and the X Forged irons compared to their predecessors, and see what GolfWRX members are saying here.
Callaway Apex MB ($1,299.99)
Callaway’s Apex MB irons are the product of direct feedback from the company’s Tour staffers, according to Luke Williams, Director of Product and Brand Management at Callaway. Forged from 1025 Carbon Steel, the irons are unapologetically made for the best players in the world, and they’re designed with the needs and wishes of Tour players in mind.
These blade irons have the shortest blade lengths, the thinnest soles and the smallest overall heads in the vast line of Callaway irons. They’re designed for maximum workability, for tour-desired turf interaction, and to cut through the thick rough that tour players face week-in and week-out.
With what Williams calls “classic lofts,” the irons are designed for players who know their distances and place more importance on consistent distances than hitting the ball farther. That means the clubs have weaker lofts than any of the other irons in Callaway’s lineup, and the single-piece forgings are not juiced with distance-enhancing technologies.
These irons, which are made with “20V” grooves and “optimized CG (center of gravity),” are for players who strike the center of the club consistently, and who want complete control over spin and trajectory.
Callaway’s Apex MB irons (2-PW, AW), with a Chrome finish, will sell for $1,299.99 starting on November 3 in both right- and left-handed options.
See what GolfWRX members are saying about the irons in our forums.
Callaway X Forged ($1,299.99)
While the new X Forged irons are also designed for Tour players and better amateurs, these irons aren’t “as intimidating” as the Apex Muscleback irons, according to Williams. That’s because, although they’re also single-piece forgings, the blade lengths are slightly longer, the overall head shapes are slightly larger, and they are cavity-back irons made for a bit more forgiveness.
Like the Apex MB irons, the soles of the X Forged irons are built for the turf interaction that’s desired by Tour players, and the head profiles are tour-inspired. The lofts are slightly stronger throughout the set than the Apex MB, but are still weaker than the game-improvement style irons in Callaway’s stable. That means better players will see the ball launch in the “desired window,” according to Williams.
Callaway 2017 X Forged (left) vs. 2017 Apex MB
The X Forged irons are “triple net forged,” according to Callaway, and they have progressive CGs with 20V grooves on the face.
Sets of X Forged irons (3-PW) will hit stores on November 3 in both right- and left-handed options, and they will also sell for $1,299.99.
See what GolfWRX members are saying about the irons in our forums.
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Equipment
Why Rory McIlroy will likely use the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper at the RBC Heritage
Although we spotted Rory McIlroy testing the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper last week during practice rounds at the Masters, he ultimately didn’t decide to use the club in competition.
It seems that will change this week at the 2024 RBC Heritage, played at the short-and-tight Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head.
When asked on Wednesday following his morning Pro-Am if he’d be using the new, nostalgic BRNR Copper this week, McIlroy said, “I think so.”
“I like it,” McIlroy told GolfWRX.com on Tuesday regarding the BRNR. “This would be a good week for it.”
View this post on Instagram
According to Adrian Rietveld, the Senior Manager of Tour at TaylorMade, the BRNR Mini Driver can help McIlroy position himself properly off the tee at the tight layout.
Here’s what Rietveld told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday:
“For someone like Rory, who’s that long at the top end of the bag, and then you put him on a course like Harbour Town, it’s tough off the tee. It’s tight into the greens, and you have to put yourself in position off the tee to have a shot into the green. It kind of reminds me of Valderrama in Spain, where you can be in the fairway and have no shot into the green.
“I’m caddying for Tommy [Fleetwood] this week, so I was walking the course last night and looking at a few things. There’s just such a small margin for error. You can be standing in the fairway at 300 yards and have a shot, but at 320 you don’t. So if you don’t hit a perfect shot, you could be stuck behind a tree. And then if you’re back at 280, it might be a really tough shot into the small greens.
“So for Rory [with the BRNR], it’s a nice course-specific golf club for him. He’s got both shots with it; he can move it right-to-left or left-to-right. And the main thing about this club has been the accuracy and the dispersion with it. I mean, it’s been amazing for Tommy.
“This was the first event Tommy used a BRNR last year, and I remember talking to him about it, and he said he couldn’t wait to play it at Augusta next year. And he just never took it out of the bag because he’s so comfortable with it, and hitting it off the deck.
“So you look at Rory, and you want to have the tools working to your advantage out here, and the driver could hand-cuff him a bit with all of the shots you’d have to manufacture.”
So, although McIlroy might not be making a permanent switch into the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper, he’s likely to switch into it this week.
His version is lofted at 13.5 degrees, and equipped with a Fujikura Ventus Black 7X shaft.
See more photos of Rory testing the BRNR Mini here
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It seems like the RBC Heritage is full of new gear to be spotted, and you can add TaylorMade’s P-UDI utility irons to that list.
We spotted a 17-degree P-UDI 2-iron in Nick Dunlap’s bag yesterday, and now have some photos of both the 3- and 4-irons. Nick has his P-UDI 2-iron setup with a Project X HZRDUS Black 4th Gen 105g TX shaft.
From what we can tell, this new P-UDI utility iron looks to have some of the usual TaylorMade technology as we can see the Speed Slot on the sole of the club for additional face flexibility. A toe screw is usually used to close off the hollow body design that will probably be filled with a version of TaylorMade’s Speed Foam that is present in the current iron lineup. This hollow body, foam-filled design should offer additional ball speed, soft feel, and sound, as well as an optimized CG for ball flight.
“Forged” is etched into the hosel, so we can assume that either the face, body, or both are forged for a soft and responsive feel. The club looks good from behind and at address, where we can see just a little offset and a topline that I would consider medium thickness. We don’t have the full details on what is under the hood or how many loft options will be available yet.
TaylorMade P-UDI 3-iron – 20°
TaylorMade P-UDI 4-iron – 22°
- Check out the rest of our photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage
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- Collin Morikawa what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. More photos from the event here.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 LS (9 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 60 TX (45 inches)
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (13.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 80 TX
5-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (18 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 80 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (4), P7MC (5-6), P730 (7-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue Mid 115 X100 (4-6), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (7-PW)
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-SB09, 56-LB08), TaylorMade MG4 TW (60-TW11)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: TaylorMade TP Soto
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Tour 2.0
Grips: Golf Pride Z-Grip Cord
Ball: TaylorMade TP5x
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Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
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Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
Scottie Scheffler WITB 2024 (March)
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Joaquin Niemann names 3 PGA Tour events he’d love to play each year ‘in a perfect world’
Spotted: Bettinardi irons at the Arnold Palmer Invitational
Collin Morikawa WITB 2024 (April)
Collin Morikawa what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. More photos from the event here. Driver: TaylorMade...
WITB Time Machine: Jordan Spieth’s winning WITB, 2022 RBC Heritage
At the 2022 RBC Heritage Jordan Spieth defeated Patrick Cantlay on the first playoff hole after nearly holing his greenside...
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Jason Day what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. Driver: Ping G430 LST (9 degrees @10) Shaft: TPT...
Ludvig Åberg WITB 2024 (April)
Ludvig Åberg what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. Driver: Titleist TSR2 (9 degrees, D4 SureFit setting)...
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Stephen Finley
Nov 7, 2017 at 11:12 pm
MB: just friggin’ _woof_.
Mat
Nov 7, 2017 at 3:05 pm
Looks like OEMs are starting to settle into 33/37/41/45 for the long haul on 7/8/9/P.
Scott
Oct 23, 2017 at 10:05 pm
Wonder how the X Forged will compare against mizzen jpx 900 forged? I really like the feel I have with my mizzies but I’ve always loved Callaway
Tom Duckworth
Oct 20, 2017 at 6:03 am
The new X Forged clubs look way better than the older ones much more put together on the back side. First set of Callaways I have like the looks of in some time. The blades are OK a blade is a blade I guess. I think I like the MP-18s better but I would think they would play just the same as any other blade iron.
OB
Oct 20, 2017 at 9:54 am
If they “look way better” then they must be better because the look of your WITB is half the game.
AB
Oct 19, 2017 at 10:59 pm
TM came out with their fake ‘forged’ P790s…. and now Cally with their mystery forgings. What’s happening?
jgpl001
Oct 18, 2017 at 5:02 pm
Both look really good
MB’s so like the mp69’s, unreal..
2putttom
Oct 23, 2017 at 1:57 pm
ya ya ya Mizuno has a lock on look a likes.
Kool Aid
Oct 18, 2017 at 12:05 am
No cup face?
finish it
Oct 18, 2017 at 12:04 am
Andrew Tursky is the Assistant Editor at GolfWRX. He played on the Hawaii Pacific University Men’s Golf team while earning a Masters degree in Communications. He also played college golf at Rutgers University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
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….. and he forgot to ask where the forging is done ….lol
Thomas A
Oct 18, 2017 at 2:11 pm
Lol. Like any company is going to admit where their club heads are made.
OB
Oct 20, 2017 at 9:55 am
Then we must assume the forging was done in Bangladesh for ¢¢¢¢¢¢ ….
AB
Oct 19, 2017 at 10:57 pm
If the clubs are expensive forgings by Endo as has been suggested ,without proof, then Cally should proudly declare it.
If not, and the clubs are forged in Bangladesh for a couple of dollare each then I can understand why they would want to keep it secret.
All the forum gearheads are so proud of their Japanese-made clubs and know all about the forging factory in which they are made.
If Cally keeps it a secret then we must suspect the worst… and they are overcharging for inferior forging with their name on the clubs to exploit the gullible golfers.
2putttom
Oct 23, 2017 at 2:00 pm
Virage Tech in western China
OB
Oct 23, 2017 at 4:44 pm
Proof?
Miz
Oct 17, 2017 at 11:26 pm
Who stole my MP-69 designs
MB
Oct 17, 2017 at 9:27 pm
“Classic” lofts they say, yet the 9 iron is at 42, then the PW at 47, and then an AW at 51????? NOT classic at all. lol
Milo
Oct 17, 2017 at 3:17 pm
Meh, no reason to upgrade my 13s, actually been thinking about getting some Maltbys to try out.
etc.
Oct 17, 2017 at 5:50 pm
But the Maltby forged clubs will not feeeel the same as the Cally MBs or X-Forged…. and then there is the staaaatus. Do you really want to bag Maltbys when they have never won a tournament? After all, you are what you own.
Milo
Oct 17, 2017 at 6:50 pm
I probably would of bought the maltby DBM forged if i knew about them when i purchased by 13s. I like the look of the DBM forged. If i needed status i would get PXG irons, haha.
2putttom
Oct 17, 2017 at 10:25 pm
say’s a guy gettin round town on a skate board
Milo
Oct 17, 2017 at 10:56 pm
I don’t get it lol
finish it
Oct 18, 2017 at 12:02 am
says tricycle tom
2putttom
Oct 20, 2017 at 10:25 pm
I do have a Can am
Luke
Oct 17, 2017 at 2:26 pm
Was confirmed that these are forged at the Endo Forging House. The creme de la creme of forging.
LenG
Oct 17, 2017 at 2:52 pm
Anti-MAGA Callaway clubs. No wonder they are so expensive and useless.
Jim T
Oct 17, 2017 at 9:06 pm
I want Tursky to tell us where the clubs were forged and finished. You say “confirmed” but by who? It’s Tursky’s job to be open and transparent in his reporting on a most important question.
2putttom
Oct 17, 2017 at 10:27 pm
ya stepped in what?
finish it
Oct 18, 2017 at 12:00 am
creme de la creme …. slurp
Jerry
Oct 17, 2017 at 12:32 pm
Bounce on both sets?
Jim T
Oct 17, 2017 at 11:32 am
“Forged from 1025 Carbon Steel” ….. “triple net forged” …. “Forged 18” …..
Okay, Tursky, now tell us where were they manufactured, where were they forged?
No mention here or on the WRX main forum. Seems like nobody knows.
Jerry
Oct 17, 2017 at 12:32 pm
Well, odds are it’s got to be China in terms of manufacturing/forging.
LenG
Oct 17, 2017 at 2:49 pm
No MAGA here!
2putttom
Oct 17, 2017 at 10:35 pm
@ Virage Tech a step ahead, a step above.
etc.
Oct 18, 2017 at 10:34 pm
Zinc die cast clubheads?!!
Dat
Oct 17, 2017 at 11:19 am
Take $300 off those prices and MAYBE they will sell.
etc.
Oct 17, 2017 at 5:52 pm
But that $300 is what Cally will pay Tiger for playing their clubs.
Scott
Oct 17, 2017 at 9:19 am
I’ve always liked Callaway. I’d try the x forged to compare against my miz jpx forged which I’m happy with.
2putttom
Oct 17, 2017 at 10:38 pm
+1
Lance
Oct 18, 2017 at 12:05 pm
2putttom + 1 = 3putttom
2putttom
Oct 18, 2017 at 9:40 pm
thnx
Lance
Oct 20, 2017 at 4:29 pm
yo bin ‘lanced’… wher da sun don shine …. (_*_)
2putttom
Oct 20, 2017 at 10:22 pm
it was a memorable moment
Tim
Oct 17, 2017 at 9:06 am
More Callaway product?!?!??
Ian
Oct 17, 2017 at 8:33 am
Blades have changed little in what the last 30 or 40 years?
So basically zero RnD and they still try sell them for $1300
2putttom
Oct 17, 2017 at 10:37 pm
oh ye of little faith. Google and research and get back to us.
Ian
Oct 18, 2017 at 3:45 am
Lol if you think these will do anything different
LD
Oct 18, 2017 at 9:38 am
Are you seriously stating that there is new “tech” in blades? SMH
Thomas A
Oct 18, 2017 at 2:14 pm
Forging processes have improved to allow for stricter tolerances. So yes, there is “tech” in new blades.
LD
Oct 18, 2017 at 3:20 pm
Forging processes have not improved dramatically in 40+ years. You bought that marketing trash hook, line, and sinker.
2putttom
Oct 18, 2017 at 9:44 pm
” Not only did this 5th forging step improve the density consistency of the raw forgings, which in turn tightened the +/- weight tolerance of the raw forgings, but this additional forging step further reduced the number of internal voids and improved the consistency of the grain structure of the carbon steel. “
etc.
Oct 18, 2017 at 10:14 pm
Tell them about that “soft buttery feel” after the 5th forging step…. which requires more ‘soaking’ in the furnace to keep the forging temperature up….. or do they only do the ‘custom’ forging for the pro’s who endorse the clubs?!!
2putttom
Oct 23, 2017 at 2:06 pm
etc checked in with Mr. Wishon.
Tom Wishon October 20, 2017
The 5th forging step is to hit the head after the flashing is removed one more time with a die that packs the steel more densely and reduces the final flashing to a very small and narrow line of material that is removed very easily from the outer edges of the head. So not only are there fewer and much smaller voids in the grain structure of the steel which makes the raw forgings MUCH more consistent for weight but it also reduces the amount of grinding to clean up the heads to prepare them for machining and plating. That results in more shape consistency of the heads.
LD
Oct 19, 2017 at 6:06 am
They added another die (5th) to the process. Nothing new under the sun. The rest of that statement is marketing gibberish.
2putttom
Oct 19, 2017 at 9:00 pm
etc good question and one to research I’ll ask Mr. Wishon. LD oh wow… do you have some info to share that will support your mood?
Dave
Oct 20, 2017 at 10:01 pm
You know what they could do? Make the chrome and nickel plating thicker so they never get wear spots. That’s about the only thing that could improve the mizunos/endos/etc.
Dj
Oct 17, 2017 at 8:32 am
$1300 for a set of blades? Hard pass
Lance
Oct 20, 2017 at 4:32 pm
But they shave ever so smooth …..lol
ibogeyalot
Oct 17, 2017 at 8:22 am
these companies want people in golf , yet are still charging over 1,000 for clubs! it is insane!
Thomas A
Oct 17, 2017 at 11:01 am
These clubs aren’t exactly aimed at people just being introduced to golf.
Grandpa Gord
Oct 20, 2017 at 4:37 pm
The only people playing golf nowadays is the “baby boomers” born between 1945 and 1966…. because they are retired or near retired and they have all the money and time to play. These expensive clubs are aimed for that market because the next generation, the X-generation, is too poor to play golf. They are squeezing the last $$$$ out of the dwindling golf club market before the Big Collapse takes full effect…. and you better believe it’s happening now.
Carmen Sandiego
Oct 17, 2017 at 8:03 am
I could have sworn they said they were going to release the MB’s in raw finish….Another chrome blade. Hrmph.
Matt Schulze
Oct 17, 2017 at 11:19 pm
There is a raw finish as well.
Sam
Oct 18, 2017 at 12:35 pm
Will they release a raw version? Will that be limited quantities? Where did you hear this? I’m interested in the raw finish set.
etc.
Oct 18, 2017 at 10:16 pm
Trusty rusty irons?