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The following is a comprehensive review of the Callaway Apex Pro irons, a forged better-player offering that earned a gold medal on the Golf Digest 2014 and 2015 Hot Lists.
As the “players” brother to the Callaway Apex iron, the Apex Pro is designed to offer a more compact look, premium feel and superb workability.
Is it worth the buy? What are its weaknesses? Read on to find out what you need to know about the iron to make an informed purchase.
Quick Verdict
Rating: 4.8/5 (Excellent)
Classification: Better-Player
Pros
- super high quality construction
- wonderfully accurate/consistent/reliable
- very workable and controllable
- versatile out of a variety of lies
- has a premium look and feel
Cons
- quite expensive
- satin finish doesn’t seem to be very durable and wears quickly even with careful handling
- higher handicappers will likely have trouble getting the most out of this club
Best Suited For
The Apex Pro irons are ideal for professionals and low to mid handicaps looking for premium feel, reliability and control in their iron game.
The Apex Pro irons are also great for high handicaps who want to challenge themselves to get better.
Best Places To Buy Online
There are a couple of really good options, and because these irons have been out for many, you can get some pretty amazing discounts (under $400).
If you’re looking to buy a used set, I highly recommend checking out this page on CGPO. They have a fairly large selection with a 90-day buy-back policy, 12-month warranty, and condition guarantee.
Aside from that, the best place to find new and used Apex Pro irons is eBay. You can find some pretty terrific deals there.
Want a high-resolution look at the Apex Pro irons? Click on the composite image at the top of the page and navigate the photos on the left-hand side of the screen.
What are the reviews like?
The Apex Pro irons have a very high average rating on CGPO (4.9/5, 95% recommended) and Global Golf (4.9/5), among other places.
What People Like
- excellent control/workability/consistency
- top-quality construction and feel
- awesome traditional look
- great distance (a definite gain over many other irons)
What People Don’t Like
- some have expressed displeasure with the relatively steep price tag (now reduced)
- some have found that the finish of the irons tends to wear quickly
What are the features?
The features and technologies of the Apex Pro iron can be summarized as follows:
Premium Forged Construction
The Apex Pro iron has a 1025 Carbon Steel head that provides the type of soft and responsive feel demanded by skilled golfers.
Tungsten Weighted Inserts
Tungsten weighted inserts, found in the soles of the long irons (2-5), make the irons easier to hit, improve forgiveness, and produce “Tour-type” launch conditions by lowering the center of gravity (CG).
Wide Grooves
High-performance wide grooves reduce spin, heighten launch, and improve spin control and consistency from all types of lies.
A thin, ultra-hot face delivers faster ball speeds and hence distance.
Stock Info
The KBS Tour V steel stock shaft is “built to maximize energy transfer”; it offers smooth feel and a penetrating ball flight with faster ball speeds.
Specifications for the Apex Pro iron and the KBS Tour V shaft can be found below:
| Name | Loft | Length | Lie | Offset | Steel Swing Weight (R / S X) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 18° | 39.5" | 59.5° | 0.135 | D1 / D2 |
| 3 | 20.5° | 39" | 60° | 0.135 | D1 / D2 |
| 4 | 23° | 38.5" | 60.5° | 0.125 | D1 / D2 |
| 5 | 26° | 38" | 61° | 0.115 | D1 / D2 |
| 6 | 29° | 37.5" | 61.5° | 0.105 | D1 / D2 |
| 7 | 33° | 37" | 62° | 0.100 | D1 / D2 |
| 8 | 37° | 36.5" | 62.5° | 0.095 | D1 / D2 |
| 9 | 41.5° | 36° | 63° | 0.090 | D1 / D2 |
| PW | 46° | 35.75" | 63.5° | 0.085 | D1 / D2 |
| AW | 51° | 35.5" | 63.5° | 0.080 | D1 / D2 |
| Flex | Torque | Shaft Weight (g) | Kickpoint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | Low | 100 | Progressive |
| Stiff | Low | 110 | Progressive |
| X-Stiff | Low | 120 | Progressive |
How do these irons perform?
Forgiveness
Countless golfers have remarked that the Apex Pro irons are quite forgiving for players irons, and this is what I found during my testing as well.
In particular, mild to moderate mis-hits will maintain a reasonable line and distance. Shots struck low on the face (thin) will produce an impressive carry.
Keep in mind, though, that these irons probably won’t be a game changer for the high-handicapper; they are designed for golfers who can strike the ball solidly with consistency.
Distance
Distance results with the Apex Pro irons are very good, with many people realizing large gains (10-20 yards and upwards) over their previous irons.
Of course, results will vary from person to person, but those who could benefit from a mid-high trajectory with a lower spin rate will likely see the best results.
Reliability
One of the most valuable attributes of the Apex Pro irons are their exceptional consistency, accuracy, realiability and distance control.
Expect similar shots to yield very similar if not almost identical results from just about every lie.
Playability/Trajectory
Typical of a players iron but perhaps even better than you might expect, the Apex Pro irons allow you a ton of control over your ball flight — shape, height and spin can be engineered with relative ease.
Whether you want to hit a runner up the green or land the ball high and soft, it can certainly be done with the Apex Pro irons.
Out of the rough, good swings should get the ball up in the air with plenty of spin. The Apex Pro iron interacts smoothly with the turf.
Typical trajectories tend to be mid-high and penetrating, and therefore perform well in the wind.
What about look, sound & feel?
The Look
The Apex Pro irons have the clean, compact and elegant look characteristic of most players irons.
Offset is very minimal, the toe is rounded, and the top line is reasonably thin.
It’s a little disappointing that the soft satin finish, which looks beautiful, tends to show noticeable signs of wear after only a few rounds on the course. The back cavity has sticker inserts that also tend to wear over time.
The Sound & Feel
The feel at impact is hot and soft yet solid. Feel is balanced and stable at address and throughout the swing; it’s the quality you would expect from a forged players iron, and Callaway certainly doesn’t fail to deliver here.
Sweet spot strikes sound very crisp and solid.
Feedback is very good; mis-hits are not jarring, but you are definitely able to tell where contact is made on the face.
Where should you buy these irons online?
Click the button and the links in this article to be taken to the best buying destinations.
Conclusion
The Callaway Apex Pro irons remain some of the best players irons available today.
They will not disappoint the more skilled golfer — Tour level, low or mid handicap — looking for the premium feel, control and reliability, as well as some added distance and forgiveness, that they can count on to shoot low rounds.
Even high handicappers can have success with these clubs if they’re willing to really challenge themselves to become a better player.
Do you have any thoughts or questions about the 2014 Apex Pro irons? Let us know in the comment section below!
I used to hit Callaway irons back when I was playing a bit. Like I said in my other comment I am in need of some new clubs this season. What I’m wondering is if you think it a good idea to mix and match brands or should I stick to just one? These Apex Pro Irons look sick. If you can’t tell I am still pretty much a beginner in golf so the help is much obliged.
Thanks,
-Anthony
It is common for golfers, particularly the pickier/skilled ones, to mix and match different brands. People will often have a certain model of woods (driver, etc.), another model of irons, another model of wedges and another model of putter. A beginner can certainly do this as well. Those looking to spend as little as possible for a full set of clubs may also look at one-brand complete club sets (usually lower-tier, bags and accessories often included) that are often sold at a great value, like this for example. The Callaway Apex Pro irons can really whip up into shape the game of a beginner who is willing to take on the challenge of becoming a good ballstriker.
First of all, it’s very comprehensive indeed. I mean, from cost to technology to performance. You cover everything, great job.
While the Apex Pro irons stand out material wise and performance wise, it seems the price is the only thing which might make people think twice.
Personally, what other main competitor would you say can rival Callaway?
Thanks for the comment Tar. They are certainly on the expensive side for irons, but there’s no doubt that they’re top-quality — the glowing reviews from customers who have actually put down the money can attest to that. Personally, I know that when I think about them as an investment that will last me for many years (5+) to come, it doesn’t feel like the expenditure amounts to all that much in the long run. Of course, not everyone is in a position to feel that way, and that’s why there are plenty of cheaper options available. As for your question, there are numerous reputable manufacturers that compete with Callaway in the golf equipment market — TaylorMade, Cobra, PING, Nike, and Mizuno are examples. How these companies all rank in terms of being the “best” is completely subjective.
Hey thanks so much for the review. Very thorough and helpful. I definitely am interested in trying out these irons, but i have a couple questions: how would they benefit me as a beginner? Do the Apex Hybrids go well with these Apex Pro irons?
Thanks in advance for your reply.
Sarah
Glad you found the review helpful. As I’ve mentioned elsewhere in the review and in the comments section, the Apex Pro irons (or any other better-player irons for that matter) can really challenge a beginner to hit the ball consistently solid and become a good golfer. The Apex Hybrids do go well with the Apex Pro irons in the sense that they’re also players/Tour clubs; however, just like with the Apex Pro irons, you’ll have to take into account your individual swing, needs and preferences and evaluate whether or not they’d be a good fit for you.
I’ve been golfing for some time now. I’m not exactly a beginner but I’m not very skilled either. I tend to prefer players irons like these because, aside from liking the slimmer look, I figure that if I can “master” them in a sense, I’d be able to do well with any iron (game-improvement included).
I’m going to check out your website a little more. My golf game is really bad and needs some improving. Irons is where I need the most work and I know it’s a really big part of the game. Got any tips for me?
Thanks for the information.
There are certainly advantages to using players irons like the Apex Pro, and those you just mentioned are some of the main ones. I hope the content on Golfstead will be helpful to you in improving your game. One very popular page I would point you to is this, where I go over several key golf swing tips valuable to beginners, amateurs and even more experienced golfers. Good luck!
I just purchased a second hand set of these (4 to PW) for $195 USD with brand new grips. Stoked!
Nice, best of luck with them. Just out of curiosity, where did you buy them?
I have played these irons for over 2 years now. I’ve compared them to ping s55/ titleist 716 ap2/mizzy mp54/anser forged and Cally x forged 13s and 18s along with the apex pro16s. For me the apex pro 14 stands above all.(tested with same shafts)
Nice, Tim. You can’t really know how well an iron is going to perform for you until you make some swings and hit some balls with it.
Precisely, that is why trying different shafts also is, if not more important than the head. Find the head you like to look down on and fit it to the shaft that works for you