Equipment
Callaway’s new high-end Epic, Epic Pro irons and hybrids
How does Callaway follow up the most popular new drivers on the market? It introduces a set of players irons built like game-improvement irons with never-before-seen technology, of course.
With its new Epic and Epic Pro irons, Callaway is introducing a new weighting system that starts with tungsten-powder pellets to dial in the performance and feel of each iron. It’s also bringing more distance and forgiveness into Pro-style irons (re: smaller frames, toplines and sole widths), helping the Epic Pro irons create more ball speed than the company’s popular Apex CF ’16 irons.
It’s no accident that irons called “Epic” are introducing new technology to the world of golf clubs. With its GBB Epic and GBB Epic Sub Zero drivers, Callaway gave the golfing world “Jailbreak,” or two titanium rods that connected the crown and the sole to produce more ball speed and overall distance.
Discussion: See what GolfWRX members are saying about Callaway’s Epic irons
Discussion: See Callaway’s Epic iron in hand photos and comparison pics with other irons
Like Callaway’s Big Bertha irons, the Epic and Epic Pro irons use Callaway’s Exo-Cage design.
For the irons also bearing the Epic name, Hocknell and a team of 70 or more engineers had no boundaries or budget to create game-changing irons. Hocknell’s goal was to create a Pro iron with distance-enhancing technologies. As such, “Doc’s Irons,” as the Pro irons were referred to internally at Callaway, were given Face Cups and an “Exo Cage” steel structure (pictured above) to support the Face Cups. While Callaway has used Face Cups to increase ball speeds in its metal woods and game-improvement irons, it has never before added the technology to a set of players irons like the Epic Pro.
Epic Pro Irons Gallery
The Epic Pro irons also employ a tungsten-steel weighting system that yields greater control over where center of gravity is placed inside each iron. The weights start as tungsten and steel powders, which are then cooked for 51 hours at 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit before they’re injection molded into the center of the irons. The long irons use the intricately-shaped weights that are positioned low and toe-ward in the heads to influence a higher ball flight, while the shorter irons have the weights placed higher in the heads to encourage more spin, control and workability. This means each individual iron has a specialized center of gravity that plays to the needs of that iron.
This weighting system also allows Callaway to control the weight of the heads. The company can make the club heads up to 5 grams heavier or lighter depending on a golfer’s needs, which gives consumers the same head-weight options as Callaway’s Tour players, the company says.
The two-piece structured irons also have a hosel that weighs nearly 30 grams less than the Apex 2016 irons. Eliminating weight from the hosel allowed Callaway to use that weight more efficiently, and helped to build up a stronger Exo Cage backbone.
The result of the new design is 0.5 mph of added ball speed compared to the Callaway Apex irons, according to Callaway, which are widely considered one of the longest-flying game-improvement irons available. As a reminder, the Epic Pro irons are more of a players irons, making those ball speeds quite impressive.
Epic Irons Gallery
Although the original intent of Hocknell’s design was for a Pro-style iron, he asked himself “What would happen if you enlarged the size?” Thus, the Epic game-improvement irons were birthed. The Epic irons have the same Exo Cage and tungsten-infused weight system that the Epic Pro irons utilize, except they have more offset, wide soles, larger club faces and slightly stronger lofts. Golfers can expect these irons to be a half-club longer than Callaway’s Apex irons, according to Callaway. They will suit the fancy of golfers who need a bit more forgiveness and distance than the Epic Pro offering.
The Epic and Epic Pro irons will sell for $250 apiece with steel shafts and $280 each with graphite shafts. If those price tags shock you — and we don’t blame you if they do — welcome to the current state of the market where high-end irons are more common than ever.
Epic Hybrid Gallery
To round out the line of Epic clubs, Callaway is also introducing Epic hybrids that use the same technologies as Epic fairway woods. That’s to say they have lightweight, carbon crowns and the company’s Face Cup technology to produce distance and forgiveness. They’re available for $279.99 each in 2, 3, 4 and 5 hybrid options.
Epic, Epic Pro and Epic hybrids will be available in stores and through Callaway’s website June 16.
Discussion: See what GolfWRX members are saying about Callaway’s Epic irons
Discussion: See Callaway’s Epic iron in hand photos and comparison pics with other irons
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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Rick Ford
Mar 31, 2020 at 10:22 am
Got them, love them. Didn’t pay anywhere near the starting retail. If you evaluate without taking $$ into consideration they are fantastic irons. Long, high and accurate. I’m in the minority I guess but I like the looks!
Jon P
Dec 8, 2019 at 3:41 am
Got these for $550 4-aw project x LZ 105, they are AMAZING.
John Krug
Aug 30, 2017 at 10:25 am
Why does the 2 hybrid have a loft of 18 degrees instead of 16 degrees?
Mikee
Jun 9, 2017 at 9:37 am
I hit the new Epic CF17 last night. I was impressed. They don’t look great but………numbers don’t lie!
TeeBone
Jun 8, 2017 at 2:58 am
Congratulations…your first post that made sense!
TeeBone
Jun 8, 2017 at 2:56 am
“No boundaries or budget”? Ahh, the “PXG Effect”. $250 – 280 per iron? Ahh, the “PXG effect”. If the herd didn’t still think they can buy a game, these ridiculous prices wouldn’t fly.
cray
May 25, 2017 at 10:37 am
Guys like you are boring. Hate to hate. First tee baby. My 250 3 iron down the center with high flight will be nice as you bang your 200 straight down the center.
Lob Wedge
May 25, 2017 at 3:53 am
Dear Callaway,
Congrats on picking up the Taylormade Marketing department.
KK
May 24, 2017 at 10:06 pm
So all of these golf pioneers were just lying crooks cheating uninformed golfers: Ping with their Eye2 irons, Callaway with their Big Bertha drivers, TaylorMade with their R drivers, Vokey with his wedges. Right. I see your brilliance. I really do.
Dave R
May 24, 2017 at 5:32 pm
Tom you are right on well said. Hope some one in the golf market understands and starts to listen. Seems the billionaire is the one calling the shots with his screws in the clubs, the other companies just jumping on board . What’s the limit the market will bear? Only time will tell. I’ll continue to hack with my cheap 5 year discounted mizuno. They still work sometimes.
Tom54
May 24, 2017 at 3:45 pm
$250 a club? What are they thinking when they plop this price on ? A nice set of irons might be worth $1200-1400 Even at that price it’s up there. Good irons last several years with proper care and grip changes. Only problem nowadays is if you’ve got a nice set for couple of years it is now 3-4 models old and no longer relevant. Let’s face it all clubs are maxed out technology wise so all they are doing is a cosmetic change here and there but you’ve just got to have it. Best way to go is wait 6 months and get today’s hot item for a fraction of the cost. I believe they have not found the holy grail club if it has to be changed twice a year.
dcorun
May 24, 2017 at 1:36 pm
I’m not a hater of any golf company but, I just don’t understand what’s going on. They say the game is going in the tank and then can’t understand why. People may think the economy is getting better but, $2000 for a set of irons better? As a previous member posted, practice and getting some lessons will help more than any club you buy. They have a driverless car but, haven’t invented the golf club that swings for you. What they need is another category for clubs.
Players Clubs
Game Improvement Clubs
Super Game Improvement Clubs
I HAVE MONEY TO BURN CLUBs.
King of Carlsbad
May 24, 2017 at 1:01 pm
Seem fantastic. Same haters had Callaway going out of business years ago.
Me
May 24, 2017 at 3:21 pm
It wasn’t haters, Callaway was practically a penny stock a few years ago. Poor distribution, 100s laid off, way over inventoried, low demand, marketing was awful, and retail prices were falling. Speculation was Nike was ready to pounce and probably should have. Nothing to do with hatred, just a grim reality of business.
Dave R
May 24, 2017 at 12:28 pm
Really $250.00 a club COM ON BOYS ? ONLY THE RICH PLAY GOLF IN THE FURTURE!!!!!!!! . Thought we were trying to promote the game not get rid of it.
Joro
May 24, 2017 at 10:36 am
They are for people with way more money than a game. They are just continuing on their quest to buy a better game. Find a good teacher instead. You will not see very many real players with these, at least after a month. Part of their contract may require playing them for a while, but then back to the Gamers. Just another marketing scam for a production Club.
MySlice
May 24, 2017 at 7:26 am
I guess in keeping with tradition, they HAD to release them but they are definitely ugly. Someone will like them im sure.
Matt
May 24, 2017 at 3:14 am
Wow, those irons are really fugly. 70 engineers but obviously none with a good eye.
Judge mental
May 24, 2017 at 3:06 am
Golf clubs for rich kids
Mat
May 24, 2017 at 1:44 am
Even
Phil
Is
Cringing
Mat
May 24, 2017 at 1:43 am
Embodied
PXG
In
China
Mat
May 24, 2017 at 1:41 am
Engineering
Poor;
Insane
Cost
tlmcik
May 23, 2017 at 9:05 pm
Rube Goldberg would be proud.
TWShoot67
May 23, 2017 at 7:58 pm
I just find it hilarious that they are trying to sell us on SEVENTY I mean over SEVENTY engineers have worked on this aeronautical design. to get 0.5 mph increased ball speeds. And will that mean that crazy ECO Cage frame be Casted or forged? CNC’d? All this cost must be paying for those over 70 engineers. lol. I guess you really can’t blame them because if you listen to PXG they are killing it with a one of a kind tech, that’s why I see at least 1-2 sets being sold every week in the BST ( because the owners are so happy with this product). I see the same thing happening here with this Callaway product. They’re betting on those individuals that have that big bank account who still thinks its better to spend thousands of dollars on high end clubs then to buy lessons. As hard work and dedication is just that hard. It’s easier to try a hopefully buy a game. Have fun boys. all of this wonderful tech and still amateur golfers scores are no better then when they went out and picked up 200.00 sets of irons. Now they pay 2,000.00 a set and still can’t break a 100. I think maybe Callaway has too many engineers at one company to design a set of clubs.
Mark
May 23, 2017 at 7:58 pm
Are those the new RBZ irons?
MrPoopoo
May 23, 2017 at 7:49 pm
hmm… Epic Ugly from a decal/graphics side, but at least they look pretty good from address… which is more important anyway.
Better players don’t care about ball speed on irons. Distance control, consistency and workability are more important. Trajectory is important, but that can be adjusted with shaft fittings.
Eric B
May 23, 2017 at 7:46 pm
Lol cast clubs at Japanese forged prices. FoH Callaway.
Duk Koo Kim
May 23, 2017 at 7:13 pm
He said “Nickent!” Great call!!
Sam
May 23, 2017 at 6:58 pm
These irons are just compact hybrids. With Callaway’s reputation for quality, you’re going to get some real heaters that fly 20 yards past the green
John
May 23, 2017 at 5:13 pm
Yes, golfers are looking for GI irons that look like players irons. Like Ping I200. Now those are some nice looking irons.
AceW7Iron
May 23, 2017 at 4:05 pm
Yep..Im die-hard in the prime of my buying life but these are outside the boundary. I did reach for the Epic driver used off the Bay but $280 for just 1 iron? Off the hizzy…
Im out… Enjoy them Gates & Company
brian
May 23, 2017 at 3:57 pm
haha, I wouldn’t bag those ugly sticks for $800 a set, let alone $2k. Good luck with that, Callaway.
Joey5Picks
May 23, 2017 at 3:28 pm
Their target market: people with more money than sense.
Bob Jacobs
May 23, 2017 at 3:14 pm
I guess their figuring that PXG irons go for a ton of money, so what they heck, let’s go for it!! Silly
I just dont get why these manufacturers dont go for a cleaner look all around. Also who came up with this incredibly gross green color theme?? I own an Epic and love it, but certainly not from an aesthetics standpoint.
C’mon guys, give us less marketing, labels and phony tech looking stuff on the outside of the club!!
Minnesota golfer
May 23, 2017 at 2:06 pm
It’s ridiculous the lofts of the Epic Irons are even stronger (lower number) than Apex cf16 irons. Definitely game improvement irons. PASS.
alexdub
May 23, 2017 at 12:42 pm
Lolz. $2k for face cups. I bet these are no different than the XR Pros. Callaway is doing is their own litmus market test for a higher price point — something akin to what Titleist did with the C16 line.
LH
May 23, 2017 at 8:31 pm
You mean no different to the original Fusions.
Steve
May 23, 2017 at 11:11 am
Titleist sold their full stock of C16 irons so Callaway jumps on the bandwagon.
In 2 years the “standard” set of irons will cost $1500.
Prut
May 23, 2017 at 11:00 am
They have Nickent look to them.
Dat
May 23, 2017 at 10:25 am
“If those price tags shock you — and we don’t blame you if they do — welcome to the current state of the market where high-end irons are more common than ever.”
The prices don’t shock me at all. Especially from a cheesy marketing company like Callaway Golf – which is exactly that. Their clubs, aside from the Rory MB protos, are purely built on technology that is over a decade old in new skin and fancy graphics. The market will only bear this for so long; so take advantage while you can, Callaway. Ride is about to end. Golf is in for a rude awakening when these clubs fizzle at retail. Everyone saying, “I told you so” is going to be correct here. Most players want a set of irons at $1000 or less, not $2000 or more.
Vanessa Carlysle
May 23, 2017 at 2:59 pm
+1000
The last two announcements on WRX from Callaway/Odyssey have been embarrassing.
1. The red putters – copied exact color from TM – Pathetic
2. High Price, Ugly look Irons – copied idea from PXG – Pathetic
Would like to see more imagination, innovation and origination from this company, but not going to hold my breath
setter02
May 23, 2017 at 4:46 pm
Just makes them seem like a bargain when they are 50% off in 6-8 months and they are still making money off of them. Retailers not to much, but the OEM’s don’t care about them as the ‘cost’ pricing keeps going up and up and up for no real reason.
Feel the Bern
May 23, 2017 at 7:47 pm
I agree with you, but I would add that the Rory MB’s are built on technology over 4 decades old!
Me
May 24, 2017 at 3:30 pm
Rory no longer plays with Callaway blades….he now plays Taylormade. Just sayin
C
May 23, 2017 at 10:05 am
That’s a lot of offset.
SoCalSlicer
May 23, 2017 at 10:02 am
How many levels of approval do these go through, before they are given a green light? Those have to be some of the worst, and I mean the most hideous irons I’ve ever seen. Ever. Good god.
BB
May 23, 2017 at 9:52 am
$250 an iron? Overpriced junk.
Leon
May 23, 2017 at 9:22 am
Callaway will be the next Taylormade, that’s it.
LH
May 23, 2017 at 8:30 pm
Callaway will be the next PXG, that’s it.
Golferguy
May 23, 2017 at 9:21 am
I would’ve loved to see these clubs dressed up in plain steel, a la Srixon, Mizuno, etc. Going forward, I’m considering a set of Miura clubs if I choose to go high-end, though my Mizuno sticks are working for me really well.
Tyson Rochambeau
May 23, 2017 at 9:17 am
High end? They look like a set from Wal-Mart.
J C
May 23, 2017 at 9:14 am
Those of you who are saying these are ugly you need to seem them in person. The pro’s look great. I would like to know what shafts are available for the hybrids.
DJ
May 23, 2017 at 8:32 am
My goodness those are hideous. Callaway making it very hard to become a fan
Teaj
May 23, 2017 at 8:24 am
A players iron that looks like a GI iron, I’m not sure the market for players irons wants a busy looking club head, I have been wrong before though. I am sure people will bring up the fact that you do not see the back of the club when at address but there is something to be said about looking at your bag from a far and seeing a nice clean looking set of clubs (my opinion)
Steve
May 23, 2017 at 11:15 am
The funny thing is I think the market wants the EXACT opposite – GI irons that look like players irons.
Greg V
May 23, 2017 at 8:24 am
They look cheap.
LH
May 23, 2017 at 8:22 am
Gorgeous. Count me in for Epic Pro
Nath
May 23, 2017 at 7:51 am
I really like the shape of the hybrid
Corey
May 23, 2017 at 7:49 am
I like Cally, but not gonna sell a whole lot at that price. If your gonna be expensive, you better be pretty.
Desmond
May 23, 2017 at 7:35 am
Assume the pics at address and that overly thick topline (reminiscent of the Big Bertha OS) are of the normal Epic, not the Epic Pro.
Duk Koo Kim
May 23, 2017 at 7:35 am
+2……..and at 2 grand a set? As the kids used to say, REALLY? Callaway needs to get tossed away!
And what may I ask is “high end?” What a riot!
Powder skier
May 23, 2017 at 6:46 am
Hope they work better then they look uugh
rebfan73
May 23, 2017 at 7:25 am
Agreed….
Mr Muira
May 23, 2017 at 6:32 am
Fugly.
rebfan73
May 23, 2017 at 7:26 am
+1
Boobsy McKiss
May 23, 2017 at 9:40 am
+2
Anthony
May 23, 2017 at 5:41 pm
+10,000,000