Alex Etches
Custom fitter, gear deep-dives
“These are superb, much better than I thought they would be.”
Despite the clickbait title (the 'disaster' was forgetting to film an outro), Alex's only gripes are the visible offset and near-identical looks to the previous generation; performance-wise he calls these superb, with player-like flighting, forgiveness and shockingly grabby wedges.
+ the facts · 4 pros · 2 cons− the facts
- +Powerful hollow-body feel with real forgiveness protection on mishits
- +Flights like a cavity-back blade: consistent, controllable launch windows that don't balloon
- +Wedges zipped hard even on firm greens, surprisingly grabby
- −Quite obvious offset in the long irons, too much in the 4-iron for his eye
- −Visually barely changed from the previous Apex generation; lacks freshness
For: Players distance iron buyers who want forgiveness and speed with a compact look, and don't mind some offset
James Robinson Golf
Mid-handicap everyman reviews
“they are absolutely stunning and gorgeous and do everything that you want”
Number three of his top five, and James says the stunning limited-edition copper version alone would have been number one; a gorgeous, tech-packed hollow body he'd shortlist if buying.
+ the facts · 3 pros · 1 cons− the facts
- +Absolutely stunning looks, especially the copper limited edition
- +Ai smart face and hollow-body tech deliver strong performance with stopping power
- +Converted guest pro Gaz from cavity backs to shopping in this category
- −Doesn't feel amazingly soft compared with the irons ranked above it
For: Mid handicappers (the bigger Ai300 covers higher handicaps); get fitted for specs, then hunt the copper heads
Michael Newton Golf
On-course, season-long club tests
“that's a good shot beautiful ball flight great feel”
The pick of the Apex lineup for most golfers, a players distance iron with the same tech as the Ai300 but a much neater look and less offset.
+ the facts · 5 pros · 2 cons− the facts
- +Much less offset and a medium top line, far neater in the playing position
- +Hollow construction with forged face and forged back gives great feel and sound
- +Beautiful ball flight and great feel through the strike
- −Around £1,200 for a steel 4-PW set
- −The two visible screws in the badge divide opinion
For: Players distance iron buyers cross-shopping something like a TaylorMade P790.
Club Champion (TXG)
Tour-level fitting studio
“standard deviation on spin is really really tight”
A fully forged, adjustable players-distance iron that launches unusually high with exceptionally tight spin and ball-speed consistency.
+ the facts · 7 pros · 2 cons− the facts
- +Standard deviation on spin was as tight as they say they have ever seen
- +Very high launch and steep descent from strong lofts (7-iron launching ~22 degrees)
- +Pitching wedge holds a lot of spin despite a strong 43-degree loft
- −The 21-degree 4-iron comes down flatter than the mid irons and loses some height
- −4-iron sounds clickier than the 7-iron and wedge
For: Players who want a distance iron but still need extra height and spin, with the 4-iron doubling as a driving iron.
2nd Swing Golf
Master fitters, Trackman-heavy testing
“They just for some players are honestly a little too hot”
Referenced as a great but hotter, lower-spin sibling that the Ai150 slots under and can be blended with in split sets.
+ the facts · 1 pros · 1 cons− the facts
- +Strong ball speed and distance
- −Hard to get spinning over 5,500 rpm; too hot and low-spin for some players
For: Players who want maximum ball speed, or as long-iron blend partners above the Ai150
Dan Hendriksen
Straight-talking UK club reviews
“absolutely beautiful looking iron”
His number five, a stunning hollow-body iron that spins a touch low for his control preference.
+ the facts · 3 pros · 2 cons− the facts
- +stunning shop appeal
- +hollow body construction
- +good value around 170 per club
- −more offset
- −spin a little low at ~5700 for control
For: Players distance golfers wanting a good-looking Callaway.
Golfalot
Independent UK equipment reviews
“the AI 200 was a great run runner up”
A great runner-up that out-distanced the P770 through the longer irons and felt more forgiving, but the chunkier look and lesser feel kept it out of the bag.
+ the facts · 4 pros · 3 cons− the facts
- +Longer than the P770, 6-8 yards more carry in the 5 and 7 irons
- +More forgiving on off-center strikes
- +Confidence-inspiring thicker look at address
- −Feel not on the same level as the P770
- −Less spin and stopping power into greens, more roll-out
- −Too chunky at address for his eye
For: Golfers who want extra distance, forgiveness and a chunkier confidence-inspiring iron
