Equipment
2021 Callaway Apex Launch Day Report: Everything you need to know about the new equipment from Callaway
Today was the official launch day of the all-new Callaway Apex line of irons along with the newest Apex hybrids. To summarize the newest releases, Callaway is packing their Apex line full of technology and premium materials, with the irons using large amounts of tungsten to boost MOI and the hybrids using a new form of Jailbreak called “Velocity Blades” to stiffen the frame and create faster ballspeeds.
If are looking for in-depth information, on the ins and outs of the new designs and the technology that makes them possible, check out our full launch pieces below.
New Callaway 2021 Apex, Apex Pro, and Apex DCB irons: Could this be the best Apex launch ever?
The new 2021 Callaway Apex Forged irons were created with one goal in mind: optimization, not only across the set, but into each specific iron. For the first time, Callaway used A.I to design its patented Flash Face Cup, which in previous applications created a face that was not only fast but extremely forgiving.
In this update, the focus was on control and “spin robustness,” which is an awesome way to say spin optimization. Callaway was able to not only increase ball speeds and forgiveness across the face, but with a new weighting configuration, also able to control and optimize spin.
Each iron face is tuned to complement the loft (i.e. long irons = high launch/low spin, mid irons = mid launch/mid spin, short irons = lower launch/higher spin).
New for 2021: Callaway Apex and Apex Pro hybrids
The Apex hybrids from Callaway (like the woods) feature Jailbreak A.I. Velocity Blades that are engineered to increase vertical stiffness near the club’s sole in design to create more speed low on the face where players often mishit their hybrids.
The A.I. Blades aim to allow the face cup to flex on the crown to promote better spin rate consistency and contain bars spread to encourage torsional stiffness and create added forgiveness across the clubface.
Perspectives from the GolfWRX forums
- rsh0308 said: “I love the Pros. Not sure if this was covered, but how would someone blend the Apex and Pro from 6-7?…The Apex has like 3 degree steps with a 26.5* 6-iron and then a 33* 7-iron in the Pro?…The WRX story says split is between the 7/8 but it’s still a 6.5* gap….That’s like 2 clubs?”
- BogeyTime13 replied: “I am wondering this as well. But if you look at the spec sheet it appears that there is no change in the loft (or length) for the Apex Pros or the Apex 21s in the combo set. Does that mean they should be around the same distance ? If so, can you break it anywhere you want in the set?”…”I hit both heads today at the store and they were amazing. Barely lost any distance on thin shots (which is my miss) and was shocked at how good the dispersion was. Really want to break the set at the 6 or 7. Here’s hoping you can!”
- Imp says: “I’ve always had some kind of nit on the older Callaway iron offerings (and even after hitting them)… yet this one appeals to me a bit more. I’ll have to see how they feel.”
- Homerun2Birdie writes: “I’m gonna have to see some awful first impressions of the Pro’s to not buy a set of those sight unseen. Ya’ll can wait out the TCB if you like, but I might just buy two sets of the Pro’s because not really sure what more you could ask for in an iron, and who knows when we’ll see one like this again haha.”
More from the GolfWRX forums
GolfWRX’s resident equipment tester, Brian Knudson of the Club Junkie podcast, had this to say
Apex iron (standard): Soft feel with almost no click at impact. Ball flies flatter than I expected but still goes a long way. Very straight with misses having less curvature and staying online very well. Off-center shots carry decently but slightly more drop off. Seems to be pretty low spin—even shots flared right had a flatter trajectory.
Apex Pro hybrid: Nice metallic sound at impact and face is responsive. Ball had higher trajectory—not as flat as previous Apex hybrids. Misses were good, slightly better than expected for a pro hybrid. Thin shots still got up and carried well.
Here’s what the biggest YouTube testers and reviews have to say on the newest Callaway Apex line
And on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
From the Twitterverse
Apex is synonymous with legendary forged performance. ?? Introducing our new line of Apex irons. Available of pre-order 1.26. pic.twitter.com/h9MIRFhjA6
— Callaway Golf (@CallawayGolf) January 12, 2021
Another week and more exciting news from Callaway. This week in the form of new Apex irons and hybrids ?
They’ve always been great looking clubs and this year’s offering look to be their best yet ?
More details ?? https://t.co/n1hvcAd9nu pic.twitter.com/b0KtAdhBKl
— Hannah Holden (@HannahHoldenNCG) January 12, 2021
Game improvement Apex DCB most intriguing. Callaway design team vision was a forged look, feel, performance product with deep cavity back, Tungsten Energy Core promoting high launch and forgiveness on off-center shots, and an A.I.-designed Flash Face Cup. pic.twitter.com/QkiDeclcu8
— Rick Young (@YoungerGolf) January 12, 2021
Have you had a chance to hit anything in the Callaway Apex line yet? What are your initial impressions? Let us know in the comments!
Cameron Young’s WITB from his win at the 2025 Wyndham Championship. Cameron is a Titleist staff player but his bag is definitely filled with some unique clubs. Here are the clubs he used to secure his first PGA Tour win!
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus HB Black VeloCore+ 10 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (4), Titleist T100 (5), Titleist 631.CY Prototype (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7 (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-14F @57), WedgeWorks (60-K* @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Prototype
- Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist GT3 (10 degrees, C2 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X Denali Blue 60 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 7 X
7-wood: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 X
Irons: Titleist T150 (4, 5), Titleist T100 (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper AMT Tour White X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 52-12F, 56-08M @57, 60-04T @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron Studio Style Fastback 1.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Yellow
We’re proud to once again partner with 2nd Swing Golf to bring you GolfWRX Members Choice 2025! 2nd Swing has more than 150,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.
What is the best driver in 2025? At GolfWRX, we take great pride in our online community and the cumulative knowledge and experience of our members. When it comes to the best driver of 2025, we want to know what our forum faithful think.
Since our founding in 2005, the bedrock of GolfWRX.com has been the community of passionate and knowledgeable golfers in our forums, and we put endless trust in the opinions of our GolfWRX members — the most knowledgeable community of golfers on the internet. No other group of golfers in the world tests golf clubs as frequently or as extensively, nor is armed with such in-depth information about the latest technology.
Below are the results of GolfWRX member voting for the 2025 best driver, along with the vote percentage for each club.
Best driver of 2025: The top 5
5. Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond: 6.02%
Callaway’s pitch: “For golfers looking for a fast, forgiving, yet workable driver, the Elyte Triple Diamond features a tour-inspired shape and is the preferred model by most Callaway tour players.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond here.
4. Ping G440 Max: 6.86%
Ping’s pitch: “The most forgiving G440 model, MAX has a hotter face to generate speed and distance, and a lighter overall system weight with a longer shaft (46″) for faster clubhead speed, higher launch and longer carries. The Free Hosel and Carbonfly Wrap crown save weight to create our lowest CG ever and increase forgiveness while contributing to a more muted, pleasing sound.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 Max here.
3. Ping G440 LST: 9.53%
Ping’s pitch: “LST is an especially good fit for faster swings, offering less spin and more control with a penetrating trajectory. A hotter face, lighter overall system weight and longer shaft (46″) deliver more speed and distance while maintaining tight dispersion.”
@phizzy30: “Not a fan of Ping drivers in general, but 440 LST takes the cake. It’s super forgiving across the face for a low spin head, looks and sounds good and the ability to make it play neutral or slightly fade biased through the hosel settings is very appealing.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 LST here.
2. Titleist GT3: 16.55%
Titleist’s pitch: “The GT3 Driver offers Titleist’s boldest combination of power and personalization through adjustable performance. Dial in the CG Track to your frequent contact location to make your biggest drives even bigger while taking total control over flight and shaping.”
@mrmikeac: “I’ve been Anti-Titleist for years and years and years (outside of Vokey, of course). With that being said, HOLY BEGEEZUS the GT3 driver is an absolute NUCLEAR MONSTER! This thing blew my G430 10K Max out of the water in every single category. Forgiveness is the biggest thing that stands out of me, the 3 model has always been one of the less forgiving models in the past but this GT3 can take bad shot after bad shot and still end up in the fairway, I think a ton of that has to do with the adjustability, it’s actually effective. Feel and sound is perfect, that solid crack is so addicting to hear and when you hit it out the screws this thing can absolutely bomb it. Titleist, I’m sorry for doubting you. You have converted me.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT3 here.
1. Titleist GT2: 22.91%
Titleist’s pitch: “Delivering impressive distance from any impact point, the Titleist GT2 Driver extracts maximum performance through a forgiving design. Get the stability and added confidence of a high-MOI driver without sacrificing speed.”
@DTorres: “The Titleist GT2 has proven to be the best driver of the year. Packaged in a classic profile, GT2 perfectly balances performance and forgiveness while consistently being a high performer across all categories.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT2 here.
Other drivers receiving >2% of the vote
| Driver | Vote percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| Cobra DS Adapt Max K | 4.85% |
| Ping G430 Max 10K | 3.85% |
| Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond | 3.68% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 | 3.51% |
| Callaway Elyte | 3.18% |
| Cobra DS Adapt X | 2.34% |
| Cobra DS Adapt LS | 2.17% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 LS | 2.17% |
View this post on Instagram
‘Why would anybody want to change that swing?’ – Brandel Chamblee says PGA Tour star was wrong to change his swing
‘The stupidest freaking thing I’ve ever heard’ – Billy Horschel slams Open idea suggested by Padraig Harrington
WITB Time Machine: Brandt Snedeker’s winning WITB, 2018 Wyndham Championship
Golfer proudly posts photo of ball mark on iron, receives immediate roasting
WITB Time Machine: Matthew Wolff’s winning WITB, 2019 3M Open
Oakmont Country Club bans Wyndham Clark over locker incident; Reveals specific conditions to earn reinstatement
Adam Scott puts Callaway blades in the bag at Wyndham Championship
Report: LIV star fires caddie and coach in shock shake up
Rickie Fowler makes equipment change to ‘something that’s a little easier on the body’
The championship formula: How 3 key stats separate winners from the field
Peter Malnati WITB 2025 (August)
Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver: Titleist...
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2025 Wyndham Championship
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting) Buy here. Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX 3-wood: Titleist...
Camilo Villegas WITB 2025 (July)
Camilo Villegas WITB accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. Villegas was undecided on a 3-wood when we shot his bag. ...
WITB Time Machine: Brandt Snedeker’s winning WITB, 2018 Wyndham Championship
Brandt Snedeker fired a final-round 65 at the 2018 Wyndham Championship to outlast Webb Simpson and C.T. Pan. His 5-under...
Pingback: 2024 Callaway Apex Ai200, Ai300 irons – GolfWRX Launch Report – GolfWRX
Pingback: Best irons in golf of 2021: Top overall performers – GolfWRX
jgpl001
Jan 13, 2021 at 8:18 am
The Apex Pro looks really good
A lot of very good irons out there for 2021, now if only we had Covid gone to go out and enjoy them……
Jon
Jan 13, 2021 at 9:26 am
Why can’t you go out and enjoy them in the outdoors?
Roy
Jan 13, 2021 at 2:19 pm
because some states still have golf courses shut down
jgpl001
Jan 14, 2021 at 6:27 am
Indeed…..very depressing, we are under level 5 lockdown, probably until mid March…….