Callaway's Apex range has been one of the most popular iron models for good golfers for a number of years now, and their latest offering is employing the use of AI even further to improve performance.
There are two new models in the range: the Apex Ai200 and the Ai300, and today I'm looking at the Ai200 which Callaway say is their most complete player's distance iron with a combination of feel, power and consistency.
Who Are They Aimed At?
These are players distance irons which are designed for good golfers who can generate decent club head speeds and are relatively different ball strikers. They are smaller and more compact than the Apex Ai300 and provide a combination of distance and forgiveness without giving up too much in terms of looks and feel – best for 5-15 handicappers.
The Tech
The irons boast a forged cavity-back design paired with a forged 455 face, which Callaway claims delivers a Tour-level sound and feel. This forged construction is complemented by a refined design, featuring a full hollow body and a sleeker back of the head, offering a cleaner appearance compared to the badge or cavity found in previous models.
These irons incorporate the same weight plates as the Apex Pro 24 series, with a thinner topline and a shorter blade length.
The Forged 455 Face Cup is engineered to provide consistent power across the face, while the Ai Smart Face leverages real golfer data and AI to enhance speed and spin consistency, leading to tighter dispersion on approach shots.
MIM weighting is strategically placed inside the head to ensure optimal CG positioning, improving launch conditions, while the Dynamic Sole Design enhances turf interaction, offering increased forgiveness.
Callaway Apex Ai200 Irons Review
Looks
There's a slight update in the appearance compared to previous Apex generations—the "A" in the Apex logo now features "Ai" to highlight how much Callaway is relying on AI in the development of their irons.
The irons still retain the signature Apex look and align well with the rest of the range, but with a slightly refreshed design.
These irons offer a bit more complexity compared to other 'players distance' irons, though if you're familiar with Callaway irons, this won't be surprising.
Another feature is the option of customisable MIM weighting, which is something I found quite interesting. This is often seen in wedges but pretty rarely in irons, but there's no reason why this couldn't catch on!
At address, the irons are a bit thicker than the TaylorMade P770 for example, which I also tested on the same day, but I think the nice neutral shape and appearance could help some golfers to boost their confidence.
Feel
The Apex Ai200 irons feel good – I tested these up against the TaylorMade P770 and whilst they weren’t quite as buttery soft as those, I did enjoy the feeling provided by the forged face and body.
At impact there was a slightly firmer feel which felt very stable, and it felt like I was getting good forgiveness levels across the face.
Callaway has done a good job with the sound of both these irons and the Apex Ai300 as they have kept things pretty simple. If you notice the sound of an iron it’s usually not a good thing, because it usually means it sounds loud and hollow, but the Ai200 felt powerful without being overbearing.
Performance
I was impressed with the distances I saw out on the course. Callaway have focused on not getting the lofts too low (a 7 iron is 30 degrees) but I still saw good levels of distance and easy launch without having to put too much work in.
Testing at the stunning Fairmont St Andrews the performance was really solid, it felt hard to hit a bad shot as there was plenty of stability and forgiveness even on my poorer strikes.
I did notice that the spin rates were slightly lower than I’d want to see on some approach shots, as the ball tended to run out towards the back of the green a little more often, which is probably the compromise that you make to get a little extra distance.
Whilst I was impressed by how reliable the irons were in terms of forgiveness and stability, I felt that they could have been a bit more precise. Testing on the same day as the P770 irons I found that the Ai200 were a little longer and a touch more forgiving, but I was probably hitting the approach shots closer with the P770.
The Numbers
Callaway Apex Ai200 Irons Verdict
The Apex Ai200 Irons feel really forgiving and are impressive for distance without using silly lofts and getting too hot. Callaway claim it's a huge step forward for the Apex range although I felt it was just more of a steady progression compared to previous models.
The irons probably sit more towards the distance end of players-distance, which could be really helpful for golfers with handicaps into double figures who want a bit more help with the consistency of their strikes.
These irons come with an RRP of £1199 for a seven iron set. This does seem pretty pricey, but there is a lot of technology packed into the head and good forgiveness levels, which probably makes this a fair price within the market these days,
Would I Use Them?
I tested these alongside the P770 irons because I wanted to see whether I’d prefer the extra feel and control of the P770, or the distance and stability of the Ai200. Whilst I enjoyed using the Ai200 and they definitely did offer good distances, the P770 just offered slightly more consistency and feel.
If you’re a decent golfer who is looking for a bit more distance and forgiveness though, these could be perfect for you.
Callaway Apex Ai200 Irons Pros and Cons
STAR RATING: 5
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