Callaway Apex Pro Irons Review: A Love Story (With a Few Complications)

Callaway Apex Pro Irons Review

Quick Takeaway

If you’re short on time or just can’t wait to get back to the driving range, here’s the quick and dirty on the Callaway Apex Pro Irons:

These irons are a more focused family of irons than last year’s range, offering a sleek and elegant design that’ll make your golf buddies green with envy. They launch well with good distance and just enough forgiveness on minor mishits. The Callaway Apex Pro Irons provide more power in the long irons, strong ball speeds, and high levels of forgiveness. They sound and feel fantastic – absolutely love them! These are an all-round good iron set for mid-handicappers looking to up their game.

Now, onto the full review for those of you who love a good golf story (or just need an excuse to avoid practicing your putting).

Why Listen to Me? (Besides My Sparkling Personality, of Course)

Hey there, golf nuts and iron enthusiasts! Linda Parker here, coming at you from the sun-soaked (and occasionally fog-drenched) fairways of San Diego. Before we dive into this Callaway Apex Pro Irons review, let me give you a little background on why I’m qualified to review these bad boys.

My mom was an LPGA pro before she met my dad (talk about a power couple), and I’ve been around golf since before I could walk. Heck, I’m pretty sure my first words were “fore right!” I’ve spent more time on golf courses than I have in my own home, and I’ve swung more clubs than a caveman in a bad mood.

So when it comes to golf clubs, especially irons, I’ve seen it all. The good, the bad, and the “oh dear god, why did I buy these?” I’ve tested more irons than I can count, from budget-friendly options to “I might need to sell my car to afford these” pro-level sets. And let me tell you, the Callaway Apex Pro Irons… well, they’re something special.

The Callaway Apex Pro Irons: First Impressions

When I first got my hands on these Callaway Apex Pro irons, I’ll admit, I was skeptical. I mean, they’re designed by A.I.? What’s next, robots taking over the PGA Tour? (Actually, that might improve my chances of making the cut…)

But let me tell you, these Callaway irons are prettier than a perfect drive on a sunny day at Torrey Pines. The compact head shape? chef’s kiss It’s like they were designed specifically for my mid-handicap dreams. The Callaway Apex Pro irons have a sleek and elegant design that’ll make your golf buddies green with envy.

As soon as I took them out of the bag, I knew this Callaway Apex Pro Irons review was going to be interesting. The Apex Pros have a look that screams “I’m serious about golf” (even if your scorecard tells a different story).

Features That’ll Make You Go “Ooh” (And Maybe “Aah”)

1. Flash Face Cup Designed With A.I.

Apparently, Callaway decided that humans weren’t good enough to design these irons, so they brought in the robots. The result? A flash face architecture that promises greater control, speed, and improved spin robustness for every club in the Callaway Apex Pro irons set.

Now, I’m not entirely sure what “spin robustness” means, but it sounds impressive, and that’s half the battle in golf, right? All I know is that these Apex irons seem to know where I want the ball to go better than I do.

2. Forged Feel (AKA The “Buttah” Effect)

These Callaway Apex Pro irons are forged with a 1025 hollow body construction and some fancy-schmancy urethane microspheres. In normal people speak? They feel smoother than my excuses for that quadruple bogey on the 18th. The Apex Pros sound and feel fantastic – I absolutely love them!

3. Player’s Performance Model Category

This is where things get a bit “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” These Callaway Apex irons are not too distance-focused, not too forgiving, but juuuust right. They’re like the Switzerland of golf clubs – neutral and appealing to everyone (except maybe my bank account).

4. Compact Head Shape

The Callaway Apex Pro irons boast a compact head shape that’s perfect for us mid-handicappers who like to pretend we’re better than we actually are. It’s all about the aesthetic, people! These irons look like they mean business, even if your swing says “I’m just here for the beer cart.”

5. Wide Set Makeup

With the Callaway Apex Pro irons, you get the whole shebang: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, PW, AW. It’s like the Von Trapp family of iron sets. From long irons to short irons, this Callaway Apex iron set has got you covered.

6. High Overall Forgiveness

Because let’s face it, we all need a little forgiveness in our lives (and our golf games). The Callaway Apex Pro irons offer just enough forgiveness on minor mishits to keep you from throwing your club into the nearest water hazard.

Taking the Callaway Apex Pro Irons for a Spin

I took these bad boys out to the beautiful Farms Golf Club here in San Diego. Why? Because if I’m going to embarrass myself during this Callaway Apex Pro Irons review, I might as well do it on a gorgeous course.

The Good, The Bad, and The “Oh, That’s Where My Ball Went”

The Design: A Hole-in-One

Let me tell you, these Callaway Apex Pro irons are smoother than my attempts to sneak an extra mulligan. The A.I.-provided architecture and forged construction? chef’s kiss It’s like they knew exactly what I needed (besides a miracle for my short game).

I noticed that these Apex irons absorbed unwanted vibration like my golf pants absorb sweat on a hot day. Even when I mishit (which, let’s be honest, happens more often than I’d like to admit), the feel was still smoother than my excuses for that quadruple bogey on the 18th.

The Distance: A Pleasant Surprise

Now, here’s where things get interesting. The Callaway Apex Pro irons provide more power in the long irons than I expected. They offer strong ball speeds across the board, which translated to some impressive distances on the course.

Don’t get me wrong, these aren’t magical distance irons that’ll suddenly have you outdriving Bryson DeChambeau. But for a set of player’s irons, the Callaway Apex Pros pack a surprising punch. They launch well with good distance, making them an all-round good iron for players looking to balance performance and forgiveness.

The Shafts: Reliable as Your Favorite Golf Partner

The True Temper Elevate 95 shafts in these Callaway Apex Pro irons are like that reliable friend who’s always there for you, whether you’re celebrating a birdie or drowning your sorrows after a triple bogey. They’re versatile enough to handle whatever you throw at them (or in my case, wherever I manage to hit the ball).

The Versatility: Jack of All Trades, Master of… Most?

With their “Player Performance” category, these Callaway Apex irons are trying to be everything to everyone. It’s like they’re the Swiss Army knife of golf clubs. Great if you’re an intermediate player looking for a dependable set, but if you’re expecting them to magically fix your slice and add 50 yards to your drive… well, I’ve got a bridge to sell you.

That being said, I found the Apex Pros to be surprisingly versatile. The long irons were easy to launch and provided good distance, while the short irons offered plenty of control for those delicate approach shots (you know, the ones where you’re trying to avoid the bunker, water hazard, and your own shadow all at once).

The Callaway Apex Pro Irons Handicap Range: Who Are These For?

According to the folks at Callaway (and my own humbling experiences), these Apex Pro irons are best suited for golfers with a handicap range of 5 to 15.

Now, if you’re anything like me, your handicap is more of a “choose your own adventure” situation, varying wildly depending on how many “breakfast balls” you allow yourself. But if you’re solidly in that 5-15 range, these Callaway irons might just be your new best friends.

The Apex Pros offer a nice balance of performance and forgiveness. They’re not as forgiving as some game-improvement irons, but they offer just enough help to keep your minor mishits from turning into major disasters. At the same time, they provide the kind of performance and control that lower handicappers are looking for.

Pros & Cons: The Good, The Bad, and The “Why Did I Spend So Much on These?”

Pros:

1. A.I. Design: Because who doesn’t want to feel like they’re living in the future?
2. Easy to Use: Even I can hit these somewhat straight, and that’s saying something.
3. Versatile Performance: Good balance of distance, control, and forgiveness.
4. Sleek Look: These Callaway Apex Pro irons will make you look good (even if your swing doesn’t).
5. Great Feel: The forged construction provides fantastic feedback.
6. Strong Ball Speeds: Especially impressive in the long irons.

Cons:

1. Price: You might not have to sell a kidney, but start saving those pennies.
2. Not for High Handicappers: Beginners might struggle with these.
3. Potentially Too Much Club: Low handicappers might prefer something with less forgiveness.

How Do They Stack Up? A Totally Unbiased Comparison Chart

The Final Verdict: To Buy or Not to Buy?

After spending more time with these Callaway Apex Pro irons than I do with my actual family (don’t tell them I said that), here’s my verdict:

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Why Did I Spend So Much on These?” Moments

The Callaway Apex Pro Irons are like that significant other who’s almost perfect. They’re attractive, reliable, and make you feel good about yourself. But just like any relationship, there are a few quirks you’ll have to learn to live with.

If you’re an intermediate player looking for a set of irons that’ll grow with you (and potentially make your golf buddies a little jealous), these could be your perfect match. They offer a great balance of forgiveness and performance, with a dash of A.I. coolness thrown in for good measure.

The Callaway Apex Pro irons provide more power in the long irons than you might expect, while still offering excellent control in the short irons. They launch well with good distance and just enough forgiveness on minor mishits to keep your round from turning into a complete disaster.

However, if you’re expecting these irons to magically transform you into the next Phil Mickelson, well… I’ve got some oceanfront property in Arizona to sell you.

In Conclusion: Golf Is Hard, But These Irons Make It a Little Easier

At the end of the day, golf is about having fun (and occasionally hitting the ball where you want it to go). The Callaway Apex Pro Irons won’t fix your slice, improve your putting, or stop you from buying that horrendous golf outfit you’ve been eyeing. But they will give you a solid, reliable set of irons that can handle whatever you throw at them (or wherever you happen to hit them).

These Callaway Apex irons are a more focused family of irons than last year’s range. They offer strong ball speeds and high levels of forgiveness, all wrapped up in a sleek and elegant design. The Apex Pros sound and feel fantastic – I absolutely love them!

So, if you’re in the market for new irons and have some cash burning a hole in your golf pants, give the Callaway Apex Pro Irons a swing. Who knows? They might just be the clubs that finally help you beat your personal best.

Or at the very least, they’ll give you something to blame other than your own lack of talent when you duff that shot in front of the cute beverage cart attendant.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to the driving range to work on my “spin robustness.” Whatever that means.

FAQs: Because You Know You Still Have Questions

Q: Are the Callaway Apex Pro irons good for beginners?
A: While these irons are fantastic, they might be a bit much for beginners. If you’re just starting out, you might want to look at more forgiving options like the Callaway Apex DCB irons.

Q: How do the Callaway Apex Pro irons compare to last year’s model?
A: The new Apex Pro irons are a more focused family of irons than last year’s range. They offer improved ball speeds and a bit more forgiveness, while maintaining the sleek look and great feel of their predecessors.

Q: Can high handicappers use the Callaway Apex Pro irons?
A: While high handicappers certainly can use these irons, they might find them a bit challenging. These are designed more for mid-handicappers looking to improve their game.

Q: Are the Callaway Apex Pro irons worth the price?
A: If you’re a mid-handicapper serious about improving your game, then yes, these irons are worth the investment. They offer a great balance of performance and forgiveness that can grow with your skills.

Q: How’s the feel of the Callaway Apex Pro irons?
A: In short: fantastic. The forged construction and urethane microspheres provide a soft, responsive feel that’ll have you looking forward to every shot (even if you’re in the bunker… again).

Remember, at the end of the day, the best irons are the ones that work for your game. So if possible, always try before you buy. And if all else fails, just remember: it’s not the arrow, it’s the Indian. (But a nice set of arrows sure doesn’t hurt!)