Equipment
Spotted: New Callaway Apex MB Irons
GolfWRX spotted a new set of Callaway Apex MB irons at the CareerBuilder Challenge on Tuesday, where they were being tested by Callaway Staffer Patrick Reed.
Callaway currently sells a set of Apex MB (muscleback) irons, released in late 2014, but the new irons are noticeably different. They have a chrome finish and a streamlined muscle pad, which gives them a more traditional look than the original Apex MB irons.
Old vs. New
Callaway’s new Apex MB irons (left).
According to our boots on the ground, Reed tested the new irons only briefly, hitting the 6 iron and pitching wedge on the range. It’s not clear if he plans further testing of the irons.
See Photos from the Tour of the Apex MB in raw finish
At Address
In last week’s BMW South Africa Open Championship on the European Tour, Rory McIlroy used a set of Callaway Apex MB irons that looked similar to the new irons.
Rory’s Callaway Apex MB irons
It’s unclear if Rory’s irons are an initial prototype of the new model, or customized to his specific needs.
See MORE PHOTOS and what GolfWRX Members are saying about the new irons in our forum.
Tour Edge Golf has today introduced the all-new Exotics mini driver, engineered to deliver a powerful combination of speed, control, and versatility in the long game.
The Exotics Mini combines a titanium face with a stainless-steel body in design to balance ball speed with stability and control, creating a versatile option at the top end of the bag.
At the core of the design is Tour Edge’s proprietary Combo Brazing technology, a high-precision thermal bonding process that seamlessly fuses a titanium cup face to a stainless-steel body into a single, continuous structure. By eliminating energy loss found in traditional multi-piece constructions, Combo Brazing is designed to deliver faster face response, more efficient energy transfer, and a uniquely powerful yet controlled feel.
The multi-material construction also allows mass to be positioned lower and deeper in the head in a bid to increase stability, while the thin titanium face is engineered to maintain ball speed across a wider impact area.
“While the initial goal was to enhance control and versatility in the long game, Combo Brazing ultimately drove measurable gains in ball speed and distance within the mini driver category. In robot testing, we’ve documented higher ball speeds, higher launch, reduced spin, and increased carry and total distance compared to leading models.” – Vice President of R&D Matt Neeley
In addition to distance performance, the Exotics mini emphasizes forgiveness through a heavier stainless-steel body that shifts mass toward the perimeter. This configuration increases MOI relative to traditional all-titanium mini drivers, helping preserve ball speed and directional stability on off-center strikes. Paired with Pyramid Face Technology from the Exotics metalwood line, the design is intended to support consistent speed across the face.
To further enhance MOI, a lightweight carbon fiber crown frees additional mass that is strategically repositioned low and deep in the head in design to improve stability and promote optimal launch with controlled spin.
“We designed the Mini to be about five millimeters shallower than other mini drivers on the market. That change improves playability off the deck. From a clean fairway lie, it can function as a strong 3-wood alternative while still providing control off the tee.” – Tour Edge CEO David Glod
An adjustable hosel system allows for loft and lie tuning to dial in trajectory and shot shape, while a fixed 13-gram rear weight helps stabilize the head through impact to improve dispersion consistency. The Exotics Mini Driver is available in 11.5 and 13.5-degree lofts in right-handed models.
Pricing & Availability
The Exotics Mini Driver is available for pre-order beginning today for $399.99 USD at touredge.com, and will be available for purchase at retail outlets worldwide on May 22, 2026.
In our forums, our members have been pitting a Srixon ZXi combo against a TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo. WRXer ‘edutch22’ is on the hunt for a new set of irons and kicks off the thread saying:
“Looking at picking up a new set of irons and think I’ve narrowed it down to Srixon ZXi combo or Taylormade P7CB/770 combo. I am currently a 5 cap and allbeit I feel irons are my weakness. My miss is a little to the toe side. I am decently steep at 4-5 down. Always thought I am high spin but recently on trackman my 7 was spinning at 5800 roughly.
My question or looking for thoughts on which one would benefit me more from a forgiveness standpoint? Or is there another iron is should be looking at entirely? I only get to play about once or twice a week, if I am not playing a 2-3 day event. Thanks in advance.”
And our members have been sharing their thoughts and suggestions in response.
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.
- manima1: “You just can’t go wrong with Srixon ZXi7.”
- MattM97: “You have to hit them to know, the V-Sole on the Srixon can be make or break for many.”
- dmeeksDC: “P7CB is more forgiving for me than ZXi7 because my main miss is low middle and the P7CB still flies and spins great on that miss. These are both really nice irons but I like the P7CB more than the Zxi7 and the P770 (or P790) more than the Zxi5. The Srixons are larger so if that gives you confidence that is the way to go. I don’t feel like I get any benefit from the V-sole and the P7CBs live up to their high Maltby forgiveness rating so the TaylorMades have been great for me.”
Entire Thread: “Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @pianoman0123 has a 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo up for grabs.
From the listing: “2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade Combo. 4-8 irons are CB’s and the 9,PW are Blades. 5-PW have Project X 6.0 Shafts and the 4 Iron has a Steelfiber CW110 Stiff Shaft. Standard Length, Lie and Lofts. These are in very good condition the shafts just don’t work for me. Like new Lamkin Grips on the 5-PW and a stock Golf Pride on the 4 Iron. $525 OBO.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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Chuckle Barkley
Mar 23, 2019 at 6:52 pm
*Travis…….Dude, that observation is priceless. On the floor crackin’ up!! Great stuff!!
Sheen
Mar 24, 2018 at 11:14 am
It is exactly same look of MP 69 except 4D concept.
Travis
Jun 13, 2017 at 3:24 pm
HEY!!! That’s a design ripoff of that one company who ripped off that other company who took their design from that one company who copied that other person who’s club looked really similar to that other one!! Unbelievable Callaway…
BWild
Mar 21, 2017 at 2:08 pm
They are the same design as the titelist 660’s take look…
Barry
Jan 23, 2017 at 10:01 am
Agreed. Does the groove spacing have any impact on spin rate?
Mr Poopoo
Jan 21, 2017 at 1:25 pm
The Mizuno MP-14/29 muscle design never gets old…
Joey
Feb 4, 2017 at 10:56 am
As if they’re the first ones to have that design.
Henny Bogan
Feb 16, 2017 at 12:24 pm
I believe the Hogan Precision (1953 or 1955) were the first to have the “Mizuno MP 14 or 29” muscle design.
CarlLIKESitintheASS
May 15, 2017 at 4:24 am
It’s all about the Ping Eye 2.
westphi
Jan 19, 2017 at 12:11 pm
Simple and clean is always sexy. If they have good turf interaction and a soft buttery feel, I would game them!
Mark
Jan 19, 2017 at 2:52 am
It’s a blade. T
MP-4
Jan 18, 2017 at 11:21 pm
The satin finish looks much better.
MP-29
Jan 19, 2017 at 2:33 am
No, it does not.
Bob Pegram
Jan 21, 2017 at 2:34 pm
It does when you put your club down behind the ball and the angle causes you to get a face full of reflected sunlight. The satin finish doesn’t do that.
Satin is Better
Jan 25, 2017 at 1:50 pm
Yes, it does.
golfraven
Jan 18, 2017 at 4:20 pm
What Rory played in SA was likely a proto set of MBs he got as a farewell present from Titleist before jumping to Nike. They probably said he can stamp it with whatever he likes even their compeitors name. Three years later here we are. Why else are Callys new Epic woods so similar in looks to Titleist’s 915 line – probably also protos from them.
Progolfer
Jan 18, 2017 at 8:28 pm
Sounds like you have it all figured out…
mhendon
Jan 18, 2017 at 11:48 pm
You don’t seriously believe that?
Ryan
Jan 19, 2017 at 5:55 am
And titlest would do this because….
Scott
Jan 18, 2017 at 4:02 pm
I would try them compared to titleist mb which they now look exactly alike. That was one of the nice things about the “old” apex mb. The look. These do. Itching for me but I’ll wait, see, compare numbers
Max
Jan 19, 2017 at 12:17 pm
They are blades buddy, your strike will be the only thing changing the numbers by a noticeable amount.
Mr. Callaway..
Jan 18, 2017 at 2:13 pm
we have Titleist 916 MB on line 1 for you
Brian
Jan 18, 2017 at 7:17 pm
And the Mizuno MP 69 on line 2.
tlmck
Jan 19, 2017 at 5:23 am
And 80’s Wilson Staff
chinchbugs
Jan 18, 2017 at 2:00 pm
dems purty