With the announcement of the Apex Pro, I’m getting closer. Apex Pro is the Same. But Different. As with most any “Pro” version, the newest member of the newest Callaway iron family has a lot in common with Apex regular. It’s forged for 1020 Carbon steel.
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Callaway Apex Pro 16 Irons
Callaway Golf introduced three new golf clubs in late 2015 that make up part of its high-end Apex line: two sets of forged Apex irons plus Apex hybrids. Here, and on the following two pages, we'll take a snapshot look at each.
Callaway calls the new Apex Pro 16 irons 'a forged performance set built specifically for skilled players.' If you're a low-handicapper who loves the feel of a soft forging, you're the target audience.
It's a premium-priced set, too, with retail introductory pricing of $1,199 with steel shafts and $1,399 with graphite shafts. Retail availability began on Oct. 30, 2015.
The Apex Pro 16 irons are designed with Tour preferences in mind and have a classic, clean look at address.
They come with 'progressive flow weighting,' which optimizes the center of gravity location through the set. In the long irons (3-iron through 5-iron), a tungsten insert lowers the center of gravity to help create a higher launch angle. The shorter irons (6-iron through gap wedge) have higher CG positions. That helps keep trajectory controlled and penetrating, matching the preferences of most highly skilled golfers.
There is also more offset in the long irons compared to the shorter irons.
Lofts start at 21 degrees for the 3-iron and include a 30-degree 6-iron and 46-degree pitching wedge. The graphite and steel swingweights are the same, D2, except for D3 9-iron and wedges with graphite shafts.
True Temper Project X is the stock steel shaft and UST Mamiya Recoil 95/110 the stock graphite shaft. Multiple steel shaft options are available with no upcharge.
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Callaway Apex CF16 Irons
The Callaway Apex CF16 irons are forged players irons that include, for the first time by Callaway, the company's face cup technology on a forged iron.
Face-cup technology has been a featured part of Callaway's fairway woods and other iron sets, but the Apex CF16 irons are its first forged irons with it. That face is forged separately from the body, then the two pieces are laser-fused. That multi-piece construction helps create ball speeds that are consistent across the face for less loss of speed (and distance) on off-center strikes.
The offset, sole widths, and center-of-gravity heights are progressive through the set, along with notch weight. The effect is more forgiveness in the long irons (more offset, lower CG) and more control in the short irons (more compact clubheads, less offset).
The cup face appears in the 3-iron through 7-iron; the shorter irons (8-iron through gap wedge) have a face plate designed to provide enhanced feel and distance control.
The 3-iron loft is 19 degrees, 6-iron 27 degrees and pitching wedge 45 degrees (stronger lofts compared to the Apex Pro 16 irons). Swingweight is D0 with graphite shafts and D2 with steel shafts. The stock steel shaft is the True Temper XP 95; the stock graphite shaft the UST Mamiya Recoil 760/780. Many other shaft options are available with no upcharge.
The Callaway CF16 irons hit retail on Oct. 30, 2015. The pricing with steel shafts is $1,199.99; with graphite shafts, $1,399.99.
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Callaway Apex Hybrids
A little more than a month after the new Apex irons arrive, Callaway's Apex Hybrids follow - the first hybrids in the Apex family.
The Apex Hybrid also, like the CF16 irons, boasts Callaways' forged face cup construction, which combines with Callaway's Internal Standing Wave construction inside the clubhead. The clubface is longer heel-to-toe, a more iron-like blade length.
The center-of-gravity positioning also mimics that of the long irons these hybrids replace, and has a neutral draw/fade positioning (no draw or fade bias).
These design features help boost ball speed for well-struck shots and protect it on off-center strikes; and they help produce a more controlled ball flight with more workability, as preferred by better golfers.
The Callaway Apex Hybrids come in 2H through 5H, with lofts of 18, 20, 23 and 26 degrees. The stock shaft is the Mitsubishi Kuro Kage Black Hybrid graphite shaft.
When they hit retail on Dec. 4, 2015, the Apex hybrids will be priced at $219.99 each. You can find more information about these clubs at callawaygolf.com.