The better player alternative to the Apex CF 16, Callaway is calling its Apex Pro 16 The Ultimate Forged Performance iron for Skilled Players.
Callaway’s not one to shy away from bold statements. There’s not a lot there that’s open to interpretation.
It’s Not Always About Distance
While I’m sure Callaway wouldn’t go so far as to tell you that Apex Pro 16 is short, it doesn’t have a cup face, and distance isn’t really supposed to be a significant part of this particular equation…at least not the sales equation.
With Apex Pro 16, we get a story of refinement. Callaway’s end goal was to create an iron with a footprint more similar to the 2013 X-Forged, and performance characteristics that don’t deviate much for last season’s Apex Pro.
I’m going to say Callaway is getting greedy here, but it’s certainly looking for the best of those particular worlds.
Tungsten, Steel, and Air
To overcome the self-imposed limits of geometry (that X-Forged footprint I mentioned), Callaway had to rely on some aggressive, and actually fairly interesting internal weighting techniques.
If you’ve seen the MD 3 or PM grind wedges, the idea of Callaway drilling holes in its products isn’t unfamiliar to you. Like those wedges, the Apex Pro 16 has 3 holes (internally places this time) that act as weight compartments of sorts.
In the long irons, 2 of the 3 holes are filled with tungsten. This pushes the weight down closer to the sole creating higher launch without compromising ball speed.
In the mid irons, 2 of the 3 holes are filled with stainless steel. This part of Callaway’s progressive CG design helps to raise the CG to what is, by comparison, the middle location within the set. I suppose you might call the result a neutral ball flight.
Finally, in the short irons, weights are removed from all 3 holes. This raises the CG even further, which results in a flatter trajectory with more spin. Basically they’re designed to hold greens.
Tour Influenced
Callaway is suggesting that Apex Pro 16 has a strong tour influence. That’s why the shape is refined. It’s why it has a high polish chrome finish, and it’s likely why the bullet points for this release are largely matter of fact.
Like the Apex CF 16, this year’s Apex Pro speaks to refinement, not total revolution. While some consumers may be expecting more radical, I can appreciate that Callaway appears to have evolved the product without invalidating what came before it.
While that kind of progression that doesn’t lend itself well to over-the-top marketing, or perhaps even the best stories, it is the sort of thing that builds consumer loyalty.
Buy Apex, play it for a few seasons, and when it’s time, buy the new Apex.
No pressure, no hard sell. It’ll be here when you’re ready.
Callaway Apex Pro 16 Specifications
Pricing and Availability
Callaway Apex CF 16 launches on 10/30 with presales beginning on 10/16. Availability includes 3-SW with a street price of 1199.99 (steel – Project X)/ 1399.99 (graphite – UST Recoil 95/110) for an eight club set.
Frank Cruz
8 years ago
I finally tested these side by side to my TC930 Fourteen. The veredict is in; Distance the same, with the exact same shaft (CTapper S). Callaway is a bit more consistent when hit on the heel, middle and toe are the same. Feel is not even close, Callaway feel like ROCKS compared. Even the Callaway rep agreed to pass on his product. Too bad because I really wanted to like the new irons. I guess it is Fourteens for 2 more years.