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2021 Callaway Apex Launch Day Report: Everything you need to know about the new equipment from Callaway

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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?

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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

From the Twitterverse

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!

We share your golf passion. You can follow GolfWRX on Twitter @GolfWRX, Facebook and Instagram.

7 Comments

7 Comments

  1. Pingback: From the GolfWRX archives: The best irons of 2021 – GolfWRX

  2. Pingback: 2024 Callaway Apex Ai200, Ai300 irons – GolfWRX Launch Report – GolfWRX

  3. Pingback: Best irons in golf of 2021: Top overall performers – GolfWRX

  4. 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…….

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Equipment

L.A.B. Golf launches new VZN.1i putter

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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.

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2026 Edition: Most comfortable walking shoe? – GolfWRXers discuss

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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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Equipment

AVL gets fit for a KBS TGBlack driver shaft

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AVL says: When it comes to the equipment you play, you have countless options. It is dizzying and exciting at the same time. What is best for my game? With a recent trip Carlsbad, California, and with that I had the pleasure to visit the KBS Golf Experience.

KBS has been a household name when it comes to steel shafts. Kim Braly is the author of countless wins in tour golf when it comes to shaft design. Now with the graphite TG Black the lineup expands. Specifically, I visited KBS with getting fit for a new driver shaft in mind, it was time to get this locked in with the new KBS Tour TG Black driver shaft.

I was met by Andrew in the shop and got to see some great merchandise, custom colors for putter shafts and snuck in a few putts before we went to the fitting bay to hit this TG Black. We based the driver off my current gamer. Plenty of options and more when it comes to getting a driver to match your gamer and beyond. Hit a few balls to warm up and we were off and running.

When I’m on the course, I like to see a little left to right ball flight with driver. Andrew and I talked about some of the things were seeing during warm ups and then started to dial in with TG Black. I was hitting a TG Black 70X. After a few swings I knew this shaft was very stable and responsive. The ball sounded really good off the club face as well. As we worked through the fitting I was talking with Andrew on some scenarios you would have on course.

I went through with hitting a lower drive with changing the tee height and trying some swings as if I was on a par 5 where you could let it rip. The shaft was feeling really solid on both kind of swings. Need to have the shaft be able to be there for you with a stock with and when you get in situational scenarios like hitting it low in the wind or letting one go downwind. The TG Black was right there. 

I’m no robot and I liked how the shaft performed on strikes outside of the sweet spot: It didn’t climb too much with spin on mishits. The dispersion stayed very consistent. The first shaft was a pretty good fit, but we tested further to see what else we could capture with the data. I found with a lighter shaft, along with my tempo changing, the mishits were exaggerated but it was amazing how the club felt. Very solid.

I tried a heavier TG Black as well and it just didn’t sync up as well with my swing. I think it was one of the most important parts of the fitting was trying shafts that I normally wouldn’t hit. It was confirming to see why you play what you play. It is truly individual when it comes to fitting, and that’s the main thing I really liked being at KBS, they have seen it all when it comes to shafts.

From the fitting, we found the TG Black 70 X was the best fit for me. We went over to the workshop and Mitch built the shaft to spec. Tipped the shaft a half inch, got the grip on there, logo down of course, and soon enough it was ready to hit. I know the TG Black is going to be one to be swung with confidence when it comes to tournament time! 

More on KBS TGBlack driver shafts

Most golfers know KBS Golf shafts but not many know about their graphite wood shafts. KBS is one of the leaders is golf shaft design but their reach goes much further than just iron shafts. Your whole bag can get the same high performance that your irons have whether it is a driver, fairway, wedge, or even putter. Earlier this year KBS launched brand new driver shafts; the PGW and the TGBlack to fit a wide range of golfers depending on their needs.

The team at KBS went to work on a new driver shaft and sought out feedback from some of the best players in the world on multiple professional tours. What they came up with is the new TGBlack wood shaft for those players who put control and stability first. We have seen quite a few players out on tour with the new TGBlack already like Jason Day who has the TGBlack in all of his woods.

TGBlack is a shaft designed to produce a more penetrating flight with lower spin. KBS uses high modulus carbon fiber throughout the shaft to create a stable tip section to optimize launch and lower spin. To hold all of that high-modulus material together KBS designed a special resin system to increase the feel of the shaft so even stronger, faster players can get a smooth feel from a stable shaft. Usually those two things do not always compliment each other. The EI profile of the TGBlack is smooth in order to use stored energy better to help keep ball speeds up across all weights and flexes.

KBS made sure that the TGBlack can fit a wide range of golfers with their weight and flex offerings. You can get the shaft in a 40g regular all the way to an 80g TXX stiff flex. This range will allow your fitter to test out a few options in order to find the best performing shaft for your swing!

 

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