Equipment
2021 Callaway Apex Launch Day Report: Everything you need to know about the new equipment from Callaway
Today was the official launch day of the all-new Callaway Apex line of irons along with the newest Apex hybrids. To summarize the newest releases, Callaway is packing their Apex line full of technology and premium materials, with the irons using large amounts of tungsten to boost MOI and the hybrids using a new form of Jailbreak called “Velocity Blades” to stiffen the frame and create faster ballspeeds.
If are looking for in-depth information, on the ins and outs of the new designs and the technology that makes them possible, check out our full launch pieces below.
New Callaway 2021 Apex, Apex Pro, and Apex DCB irons: Could this be the best Apex launch ever?
The new 2021 Callaway Apex Forged irons were created with one goal in mind: optimization, not only across the set, but into each specific iron. For the first time, Callaway used A.I to design its patented Flash Face Cup, which in previous applications created a face that was not only fast but extremely forgiving.
In this update, the focus was on control and “spin robustness,” which is an awesome way to say spin optimization. Callaway was able to not only increase ball speeds and forgiveness across the face, but with a new weighting configuration, also able to control and optimize spin.
Each iron face is tuned to complement the loft (i.e. long irons = high launch/low spin, mid irons = mid launch/mid spin, short irons = lower launch/higher spin).
New for 2021: Callaway Apex and Apex Pro hybrids
The Apex hybrids from Callaway (like the woods) feature Jailbreak A.I. Velocity Blades that are engineered to increase vertical stiffness near the club’s sole in design to create more speed low on the face where players often mishit their hybrids.
The A.I. Blades aim to allow the face cup to flex on the crown to promote better spin rate consistency and contain bars spread to encourage torsional stiffness and create added forgiveness across the clubface.
Perspectives from the GolfWRX forums
- rsh0308 said: “I love the Pros. Not sure if this was covered, but how would someone blend the Apex and Pro from 6-7?…The Apex has like 3 degree steps with a 26.5* 6-iron and then a 33* 7-iron in the Pro?…The WRX story says split is between the 7/8 but it’s still a 6.5* gap….That’s like 2 clubs?”
- BogeyTime13 replied: “I am wondering this as well. But if you look at the spec sheet it appears that there is no change in the loft (or length) for the Apex Pros or the Apex 21s in the combo set. Does that mean they should be around the same distance ? If so, can you break it anywhere you want in the set?”…”I hit both heads today at the store and they were amazing. Barely lost any distance on thin shots (which is my miss) and was shocked at how good the dispersion was. Really want to break the set at the 6 or 7. Here’s hoping you can!”
- Imp says: “I’ve always had some kind of nit on the older Callaway iron offerings (and even after hitting them)… yet this one appeals to me a bit more. I’ll have to see how they feel.”
- Homerun2Birdie writes: “I’m gonna have to see some awful first impressions of the Pro’s to not buy a set of those sight unseen. Ya’ll can wait out the TCB if you like, but I might just buy two sets of the Pro’s because not really sure what more you could ask for in an iron, and who knows when we’ll see one like this again haha.”
More from the GolfWRX forums
GolfWRX’s resident equipment tester, Brian Knudson of the Club Junkie podcast, had this to say
Apex iron (standard): Soft feel with almost no click at impact. Ball flies flatter than I expected but still goes a long way. Very straight with misses having less curvature and staying online very well. Off-center shots carry decently but slightly more drop off. Seems to be pretty low spin—even shots flared right had a flatter trajectory.
Apex Pro hybrid: Nice metallic sound at impact and face is responsive. Ball had higher trajectory—not as flat as previous Apex hybrids. Misses were good, slightly better than expected for a pro hybrid. Thin shots still got up and carried well.
Here’s what the biggest YouTube testers and reviews have to say on the newest Callaway Apex line
And on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
From the Twitterverse
Apex is synonymous with legendary forged performance. ?? Introducing our new line of Apex irons. Available of pre-order 1.26. pic.twitter.com/h9MIRFhjA6
— Callaway Golf (@CallawayGolf) January 12, 2021
Another week and more exciting news from Callaway. This week in the form of new Apex irons and hybrids ?
They’ve always been great looking clubs and this year’s offering look to be their best yet ?
More details ?? https://t.co/n1hvcAd9nu pic.twitter.com/b0KtAdhBKl
— Hannah Holden (@HannahHoldenNCG) January 12, 2021
Game improvement Apex DCB most intriguing. Callaway design team vision was a forged look, feel, performance product with deep cavity back, Tungsten Energy Core promoting high launch and forgiveness on off-center shots, and an A.I.-designed Flash Face Cup. pic.twitter.com/QkiDeclcu8
— Rick Young (@YoungerGolf) January 12, 2021
Have you had a chance to hit anything in the Callaway Apex line yet? What are your initial impressions? Let us know in the comments!
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Brendan Steele’s what’s in the bag accurate as of The American Express.
Driver: TaylorMade SIM2 (9 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X
5-wood: TaylorMade M6 (18 degrees)
Shaft: Aldila Rogue White 130 MSI 80 TX
7-wood: TaylorMade SIM Max (21 degrees)
Shaft: Aldila Rogue White 130 MSI 80 TX
Irons: Wilson Staff Utility (4, 24) Wilson Staff (5-PW)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber 110CW X (24), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (5-PW)
Wedges: Wilson FG Tour Raw PMP (50), Titleist Vokey Design SM8 (58-08M, 62-08M)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Grips: Lamkin Full Cord
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom X
Ball: Bridgestone Tour B XS
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Billy Horschel what’s in the bag accurate as of The American Express.
Driver: Titleist TSi3 (9 degrees)
Shaft: Project X EvenFlow Riptide 65 6.5 TX
3-wood: Titleist TSi2 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZURDUS Smoke 70 6.5
5-wood: Titleist TSi2 (18 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZURDUS Smoke 80 6.5
Irons: Ping Blueprint (3, 5-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM8 (52-12F, 56-10S, 60-08V @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Ping Sigma 2 Tyne
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
Grips: Golf Pride BCT
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Driver: TaylorMade SIM2 Max (10.5 degrees @9)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD TP 7 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade SIM2 Titanium (15 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD XC 8 X
Irons: TaylorMade P7MC (3-PW)
Shafts: Project X 6.5
Wedges: TaylorMade MG2 (50-09SB, 56-12SB, 60-09LB)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Putter: TaylorMade Spider X Proto (33 inches, lie at 70, 3.5 loft, D4)
Grip: TaylorMade Red/Black
Ball: TaylorMade TP5 ’21 Pix
Grips: Golf Pride ZGrip Cord (+3 double-sided tape)
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Brendan Steele’s what’s in the bag accurate as of The American Express. Driver: TaylorMade SIM2 (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black...
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Billy Horschel what’s in the bag accurate as of The American Express. Driver: Titleist TSi3 (9 degrees) Shaft: Project X EvenFlow...
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Driver: TaylorMade SIM2 Max (10.5 degrees @9) Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD TP 7 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade SIM2 Titanium (15 degrees) Shaft:...
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Driver: Titleist TS4 Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 S 3-wood: Titleist TS2 (15 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 7 S...
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jgpl001
Jan 13, 2021 at 8:18 am
The Apex Pro looks really good
A lot of very good irons out there for 2021, now if only we had Covid gone to go out and enjoy them……
Jon
Jan 13, 2021 at 9:26 am
Why can’t you go out and enjoy them in the outdoors?
Roy
Jan 13, 2021 at 2:19 pm
because some states still have golf courses shut down
jgpl001
Jan 14, 2021 at 6:27 am
Indeed…..very depressing, we are under level 5 lockdown, probably until mid March…….