Callaway’s Apex irons are well recognized for their feel and aesthetic. The company is making improvements to the line for 2021, including the new Apex DCB, which will open up forged irons to a wider group of golfers. The entire family of Apex 21 irons will be available for preorder on January 26 and available to purchase February 11.

Apex—it is understood to be one of the premier brands for the better golfers among us. The silky feel, the incredible sound, the remarkable look—that’s what Callaway has packaged into Apex in recent years. It is a standout line—and one Callaway continues to refine.

This year’s Apex line comes back with some tried and tested offerings—the Apex 21, with its great forged look and feel, the Apex Pro 21, with tour distance and performance, and the new  DCB, which offers the look, feel and performance of a forged players club with the forgiveness of a deep cavity back design. That’s a winning line.

What’s new

AI in irons

Callaway has trumpeted its use of artificial intelligence in its drivers and fairway woods in recent years. The tech is creeping into irons, and Callaway says it used it to help create a forged iron that produces faster ball speeds. AI increased forgiveness through the Tungsten Energy Core and enhanced shaping for improved turf interaction. This is a key to the Apex 21 line.

AI Flash Face Cup

The Apex Pro 21 irons use a Flash Face Cup generated through artificial intelligence, a first for the line. The unique Flash Face architecture helps generate high COR for fast ball speeds, and improved spin robustness for every club. The set offers a mix of great distance and feel, as well as the exacting control expected from forged irons. This is found in all of the versions of Apex 21.

Apex 21

An iron that features Flash Face Cup to generate high balls speeds and spin robustness across the clubface, a Tungsten Energy Core is incorporated to allow exact positioning of center of gravity. That means you’ll get the launch you expect from a player’s iron.

Is it for me?

Callaway bills these as a “players distance iron.” With a fully forged body created out of 1025 mild carbon steel, and the shaping and aesthetic one expects from a forged iron, this is a club that will appeal to low and mid-handicaps alike.

Apex Pro 21

Think tour, but with a hollow body construction. Hollow body irons have become increasingly popular by offering a great mix of distance and feel. You get most of the tech you’ll find throughout the line—Flash Face Cup in a forged iron for the first time, and the Tungsten Energy Core. But the hollow body construction is unique to Pro 21.

Is it for me?

Are you a strong player who wants to grab a few extra yards? Who among us doesn’t? Callaway is billing this iron as being aimed at those scratch and single-digit handicaps who want speed and forgiveness wrapped in an attractive package. The Apex Pro models are available through special order only.

Apex DCB

Callaway’s tag for these irons is “There’s nothing like our best.” But think of this as a cavity back iron for players who want the feel of a blade. The Apex DCB offers the aesthetic of a forged iron with the benefits of a cavity back design. You get Flash Face Cup and Tungsten Energy Core, but these are irons where distance and forgiveness are key. Longer irons utilize up to 50 grams of tungsten, ensuring you’ll be able to get the ball in the air readily, and offering a high level of forgiveness.

Is it for me?

Loved the look of Apex, but thought you weren’t good enough to play them? This is the most forgiving iron ever created in the Apex line, and the company is aiming it at a wide variety of players, with the sweet spot likely being mid-handicappers.