Equipment

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

Published

3 years ago

Jan 12, 2021

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.”

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

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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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Equipment

A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic

Published

1 hour ago

Apr 25, 2024

Andrew Tursky

Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.

Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.

We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.

Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).

See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here

Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge

Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.

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A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.

See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here

Turning Back the clock

Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.

But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.

For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.

Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.

The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.

The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.

Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter

Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.

Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.

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It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.

If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.

Brilliant.

See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here

Stricker’s unrecognizable putter

Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.

Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.

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Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates

Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.

Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.

It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.

Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines

Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.

Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.

FitzMagic teams back up

Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.

See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here

And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.

We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!

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