Apex golf clubs have a long-standing tradition of excellence dating back to the time when Ben Hogan first produced Apex golf clubs before Callaway bought the company in 2003. Callaway then released the first set of Apex irons in 2014. Finally, they improved the irons for the 2016 range before waiting 3 years to release the Apex 19 irons.
Callaway Apex 19 irons are some of the best-forged players irons with a look and feel that advanced players will enjoy. They also offer sufficient forgiveness for golfers that require a distance iron.
This Callaway Apex 19 irons review will look at these clubs’ look, feel, and performance. Callaway does offer Apex 19 Pro irons, but this Callaway Apex 19 review will only cover the standard models.
Overview of Our Callaway Apex 19 Irons Review
Callaway Apex 19 Forged Irons Review Score
| Total Score | 94.9 |
| Star Rating | 4.8 stars |
| Distance | 97 |
| Forgiveness | 92 |
| Feel | 96 |
| Workability | 96 |
| Aesthetics | 93 |
| Price | 90 |
Pros
- Looks will be admired by golfers without being intimidating
- Workability to draw, fade, and create penetrating ball flight
- VFT technology creates more ball speed
- Extremely forgiving for a players iron
- Generates great distance
- Precision placed center of gravity
- Multi-material construction
Cons
- Expensive
- Strong lofts can be a little misleading in creating extra distance
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 Stars
When Callaway released their Apex range of irons in 2016, it quickly became popular due to its good looks and excellent performance. The 2016 range was one of the first irons to combine the look of a players iron with the forgiveness of game improvement irons without sacrificing distance.
Unlike most new clubs being released, it took Callaway 3 years to release a successor to the impressive 2016 Apex golf irons — the Callaway Apex 19 Irons.
Callaway Apex 19 irons are a tungsten-infused, multi-material construction enabling the clubs to accurately position the center of gravity for the best possible ball flight and control.
The precision placed center of gravity combined with the flexible Face Cup helps to create the optimal launch angle and ball flight.
Combining all the technologies enables you to add backspin to shots that otherwise produce inadequate spin.
Callaway Apex 19 Irons Features
Key product details:
- Dexterity: Available in left- and right-hand
- Color: Satin Chrome / Smoked PVD black
- Shaft: Steel and graphite
- Shaft flex: Stiff, regular, light
- Year released: 2019
Key features that distinguish the Callaway Apex 9 irons from its predecessor include:
Looks
The Apex 19 Irons are available in the standard brush chrome finish and in a smoke black PVD finish that is much darker than the brushed chrome.
Apex 19 irons have a slightly larger footprint than its competitors in the players market but not as big as game improvement irons. This aids lesser experienced golfers. The top line and sole are thin without being so thin as to intimidate golfers.
There is a slight offset, thicker top line, and a thicker sole when compared to the Apex 19 Pro irons. However, the top line is not so thick as to bother experienced golfers.
The offset increases as the clubs get longer, whichwill suit the eye of most golfers.
Feel
The use of more than one million tiny air pockets called microspheres are located behind the face of the club to absorb vibrations. When the face rebounds, the microspheres collapse on themselves to produce maximum ball speed while reducing vibrations, especially on thinned shots that would normally send a shock back into your hands.
This combined with a 1025 mild carbon steel body, produces a heavy yet solid feel on a purely struck iron. You will notice the difference when there is a slight mishit.
Apex 19 Forged irons offer the softness of a cast metal head and the performance of a players iron.
Overall, the feel is what you expect from a Callaway premium iron. Most players will appreciate it.
Performance
Following the Callaway Apex 2016 irons tradition, the Apex 19 range offers considerable distance.
Callaway’s 360 Face Cup technology enhances the ball speeds providing consistency in distance. VFT technology enables spin control in the short irons that promote shot-making.
In terms of forgiveness, they can compete with game improvement irons. Read more about the best game improvement irons on the markettoday.
You may find that a substantial mishit may lose as little as 10 yards of carry distance.
Callaway’s 360 Face Cup technology enhances the ball speeds providing consistency in distance. VFT technology enables spin control in the short irons that promote shot-making.
Even though the Apex irons are extremely forgiving, you have considerable control over your ball flight whether you want to draw, fade, or hit a penetrating shot that keeps low into the wind.
Callaway Apex 19 irons are amongst the best in the player irons category while facing some stiff competition from TaylorMade and Titleist. Its performance makes Apex 19 irons a serious contender to go into the bag of low to mid-handicap golfers.
Callaway Apex 19 Specs
Callaway Apex 19 iron specs indicate that the lofts are slightly stronger than the standard.
Callaway Apex 19 lofts and shaft lengths are:
- 3-iron comes at 19-degrees of loft and a 39-inch shaft
- 4-iron comes at 21-degrees of loft and a 38.5-inch shaft
- 5-iron comes at 23.5-degrees of loft and a 38-inch shaft
- 6-iron comes at 26.5-degrees of loft and a 37.5-inch shaft
- 7-iron comes at 30.5-degrees of loft and a 37-inch shaft
- 8-iron comes at 34.5-degrees of loft and a 36.5-inch shaft
- 9-iron comes at 38.5-degrees of loft and a 36-inch shaft
- Pitching Wedge comes at 43-degrees of loft and a 35.75-inch shaft
- Gap Wedge comes at 48-degrees of loft and a 35.5-inch shaft
- Sand Wedge comes at 54-degrees of loft and a 35.25-inch shaft
The standard shaft on the Apex 19 irons is a True Temper Elevate 95-gram shaft, and it comes with a Golf PrideTour Velvet 360 Grip.
Alternatives To The Callaway Apex 19 Irons
TaylorMade P790 Iron Set
TaylorMade P790 irons are a hollow body construction filled with SpeedFoam creating an exceptional feel and distance. These clubs have made waves since their launch in 2017 and are known as some of the best-looking irons available.
The 8620 Carbon Steel forged head with a thin wall in certain areas of the face enabled TaylorMade to position the center of gravity lower in the head thus creating excellent launch characteristics.
Its L-Face promotes flexibility, fast ball speeds, and distance without sacrificing feel. Tungsten weight in the clubface of the 3-iron to 7-iron provides for excellent control and workability.
The P790 irons offer incredible distance, forgiveness, and a players look that is ideal for shot shaping.
TaylorMade is a popular premium brand that competes in the upper echelons of golfing supplying excellent players irons that look exceptional
Control is provided Tungsten through weighting in the 3-iron to 7-iron.[1] [2]
There is little to choose between the Callaway Apex 19 and TaylorMade P790 irons. Both offer excellent distance, forgiveness, and workability.
TaylorMade P790 irons are competitively priced and are approximately 4-5 percent less expensive than the Callaway Apex 19 irons.
Cobra Golf 2019 King Forged CB/MB Iron Set
Cobra Golf offers the 2019 King Forged CB/MB iron set with a foam-infused hollow-core offering a large sweet spot compared to the Callaway Apex 19 irons.
This allowed Cobra to position the center of gravity low, enabling you to get maximum distance while retaining the workability required from players irons. To further enhance the center of gravity, Cobra added tungsten weight to the toe of the iron offers increased accuracy.
The foam microspheres injected into the hollow core reduce the vibrations for a soft feel while it enabled Cobra to tweak the acoustics off the clubface.
As a first for Cobra players irons, they added their PowerShell forged Face technology to create a larger sweet zone for higher launch and increased ball speed.
Its muscle back looks, which is the preferred style for better golfers, combined with the technology provides players with distance and workability.
The technology is similar to what you get in the Callaway Apex 19 irons but at a more affordable price.
FAQs
Are Callaway Apex 19 forgiving?
Callaway Apex 19 irons are not as forgiving as game improvement ironsbut offer great forgiveness for the category of players irons.
Is the Callaway Apex a game-improvement iron?
Apex 19 irons are designed with experienced golfers in mind and are less forgiving than game improvement irons. They compete with other players irons that target low handicap golfers. We compared all the players distance irons on the market todayfor more options.
Are Callaway Apex irons good for seniors?
Senior golfers will be better advised to use Callaway ApexDCBIronsunless they are exceptional golfers with high swing speed.
Related Articles
- Best Forged Irons
- Most Forgiving Callaway Irons
Conclusion
This Callaway Apex 19 irons review looks at these clubs which are great for advanced players looking for players distance irons.
The Face Cup, VFT (Variable Face Technology), is precisely positioned center of gravity, and the microspheres allow for maximum performance. The VFT enables you to control the spin for aggressive shot-making in your scoring clubs.
A penetrating ball flight combined with stronger lofts ensures that these clubs produce tremendous distance, even on mishits.
Apex 19 irons are the ultimate forged players distance iron manufacturers with premium craftsmanship to produce an amazing feel. They offer distance, control, and the superior feel that you expect from player irons while still offering a certain amount of forgiveness for those odd mishits from better players.
Lesser experienced golfers may find the thin topline rather intimidating.
Although at the top end of the pricing spectrum, I will highly recommend that you give the Callaway Apex 19 an opportunity to prove their worth.
Charl Jooste
Writer | Website | + posts
Charl is an avid golfer who studied marketing and advertising. He is fascinated by new technology in golf equipment and the mechanics of the perfect swing.
FAQs
Are Apex 19 irons for high handicappers? ›
Apex 19 irons are designed with experienced golfers in mind and are less forgiving than game improvement irons. They compete with other players irons that target low handicap golfers. We compared all the players distance irons on the market today for more options.
What is the difference between Callaway Apex 19 and 21? ›Yes, Apex 21 irons are better than Callaway Apex 19 irons because of the additional tungsten energy core. In the battle of Apex 19 vs. Apex 21, the Apex 21 provides massive help to improve your launch angle and get more from shots that you miss low on the face.
Are Callaway Apex irons good for high handicappers? ›Callaway Apex DCB 21 Irons
This is the perfect fit for a high handicapper who wants a very healthy dose of forgiveness and distance, but also with feel and looks that resemble a players iron. The Apex DCB 21 iron has a lot going for it.
Apex is the ultimate forged players distance iron. It's designed for extremely soft feel, long, consistent distance with playability, and optimum ball flight and control. You could earn up to 716 points with this purchase when you join Callaway Rewards!
What handicap is Apex 19 irons? ›Best suited for: Single digit handicappers all the way up to mid-handicappers. It's also great for high handicappers who want to improve quicker by playing more of a players iron.
What year did Callaway Apex 19 irons come out? ›| UK Launch | 25 January 2019 |
|---|---|
| USA Launch | 25 January 2019 |
| European Launch | 25 January 2019 |
| European Launch RRP | €1399 |
| Handicap Range | Low High |
| Offset | Standard | Minimal |
| Sole Width | Moderate | Narrow |
| Headshape | Moderate | Compact |
| Model Category | Players Distance | Players Performance |
| Recommended Handicap Range | 5 to 15 | +5 to 5 |
That's a great question, the Apex Pro Irons are Ideal For Those With Mid-Handicap Range.
Are Callaway apex good for beginners? ›The Apex 21 Pros are geared toward low single-digit handicappers looking for a little more forgiveness and more speed across the face. They've got all the good stuff: A.I designed forged 1025 soft steel head and Flash Face tech for high COR and optimum spin.
Who should use Callaway Apex irons? ›Callaway Apex TCB irons
It is a tour-inspired forged 1025 players' cavity back iron that has been specifically designed for tour and elite golfers with lofts, bounces, lengths and COR to suit the stronger player.
Do any pros play Callaway Apex irons? ›
The Callaway Apex TCB Iron is pretty popular among the top PGA Tour Players right now with 7 tour pros currently carrying it in their bag, including Jon Rahm, Sam Burns, and Min Woo Lee. According to the PGAClubTracker.com database, that puts the Callaway Apex TCB Iron at the #6 Most Popular Iron model on the PGA Tour.
Are Callaway Apex 19 irons cavity back? ›Top Questions About the Callaway Apex 19 Irons
They have a larger cavity back design which gives them perfect for mid-higher handicap golfers. The forgiving design also allows for longer distance but not quite as much workability.
There are forged or forged-milled clubs that are designed to benefit a 20+ handicapper. So, if you want to play a forged club, you can be sure there is one that will fit your swing. It should also be mentioned that many low handicap players play with cast irons.
Which is better Apex or mavrik irons? ›Choose the Apex irons if your golf game is improving and you want to lower your handicap. The Mavrik is a great option if you're happy with your ability to play golf at a mid-handicap level and are an average golfer.
Are forged irons less forgiving? ›One of the main cons of forged irons is their lack of forgiveness. Since forged irons are made from a solid piece of metal, most of their weight is concentrated in the middle and back, resulting in a smaller center of gravity (sweet spot).
How good is a 19 handicap in golf? ›High handicapper – (18 and above)
These players can make a bogey on all 18 holes and generally end up with a number right around 90 for their day on the course. This is considered to be about an average golfer or Bogey golfer.
Male PGA Tour Players have an average swing speed of 120 mph on their 7-iron swing speed and an average smash factor of 1.33. This results in an average of 185 yards for men and 160-yards for women professional golfers. This distance is based on the average apex of the 7-iron shot being approximately 32 yards.
What Callaway iron is the most forgiving? ›The most forgiving Callaway Irons are the Mavrik Max OS, and they're also the easiest Callaway irons to hit. They are great for high handicappers who want to improve their accuracy and distance. The new technology incorporated is unique to Callaway and focuses on improving your off-center hits.
What Callaway clubs does Phil Mickelson use? ›Phil Mickelson uses Callaway X Forged UT, X21 UT Proto and Apex MB '21 irons.
What is the difference between Apex and Apex Pro irons? ›The key differences between the Apex 21 and the Apex Pro 21 are that the Pro model has fewer irons with a Tungsten Energy Core (3-7, not 3-A) and fewer irons with an AI Designed Flash Face Cup (3-7, not 3-9).
What is the ideal apex for a golf drive? ›
So here is what he found. The low loft of a golf driver is very surprising from the perspective of physics. Everyone in freshman physics learns that the optimal launch angle for a projectile - the angle that makes a ball fly the farthest - is 45 degrees.
What is the difference between Apex 19 and Apex 21 lofts? ›The Apex 21s have just as much stopping power as the Apex 19 irons (the lofts are identical through the set), but you are able to squeeze out a little bit more ball speed, particularly towards the perimeter of the face.
What is an impressive golf handicap? ›What is the golf handicap of an average golfer? Based on the primary services that maintain golf handicaps, the average male golf handicap is a 16 and the average female golfer is a 28 golf handicap. For perspective, the top players on the PGA tour have golf handicaps in the +6 to +8 range!
Is a 12.9 handicap good? ›If you are in the 10 to 15 handicap range, you are well above average and would be considered good by the average USGA handicap. That's a good golf handicap average.
Who has the best mobility in Apex? ›Octane. Octane is the epitome of aggressive play, and you'll always find a good Octane player recklessly charging ahead of his team during engagements. Both his Tactical and Ultimate give him incredible mobility, making him the fastest legend overall.
What does Apex stand for in golf? ›Height – The maximum height (apex) of the golf ball's trajectory measured relative to the height where the golf ball was launched from (resting point prior to impact).
How long do Callaway irons last? ›How Many Years do Golf Irons Last? Golf irons are estimated to last between eight and 12 years. This is a decent average, but if you play golf quite often, your irons will probably wear down a bit sooner. Over their lifespan, golf irons will likely allow you to play over 300 rounds.
What is the best set of Callaway irons? ›Any iron coming up against Callaway's super-strong Apex family is right up against it. The Apex are forged and recognized as the best irons Callaway make, yet the new Rogue ST Pro has its place because it's a cast hollow body design, which targets decent players who put less of a premium on playing forged irons.
Are apex irons good for seniors? ›If you are a great player ready to make the transition into the senior years and have some technology that makes the game more enjoyable, the Callaway Apex DCB is the way to go.
Are Ping or Callaway irons better? ›Feel/Sound. The Ping may edge the looks but it's the Callaway which we think has the better feel and sound. This is because the Apex Pro has notably softer acoustics, with the more dense sound and feel to it being preferred over the more 'clicky' sound in the Ping.
What irons does Tiger Woods play with? ›
The rest of Tiger Woods irons are in the TaylorMade P7TW range. He carries the 4-iron through to the pitching wedge, all of which contain the extra stiff True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100. These golf clubs are pure players' irons, with a muscle back and milled sole grind.
Why do pros not use cavity back irons? ›Due to the design, blades offer more control over the trajectory of your shots. While this metric may not seem important if you're an average golfer, it's something the pros obsess over to ensure they win. - Easier to Shape. You can shape or fade your shots with a blade iron much easier than a cavity back.
Do pros use blades or cavity back irons? ›Blade irons are generally reserved for lower handicap golfers and professional golfers. They are less forgiving but offer more control than cavity back irons. Cavity back irons have a larger “sweet spot” improving consistency on off center strikes.
Are cavity back irons more forgiving? ›Compared to muscle backs and classic blades, cavity backs have a larger sweet spot that may suit you better if you're new to the golf course. They're less precise than the muscle back and blade clubs, but they are much more forgiving.
Do forged irons lose distance over time? ›As grooves in irons slowly wear over time, different shortcomings arise. Theoretically, a shot hit with an iron that has worn grooves will have less spin. On some shots that produces a knuckleball that swerves off line. Other shots hit with the same club might launch higher, then fall short of the distance expected.
What is replacing Callaway Mavrik? ›The Mavrik irons have been replaced by the Rogue ST range for 2022, and the Pro irons are the most workable of the new family. It's yet another entry into the players distance category which look like a blade in your bag, but are really a hollow headed iron that packs a real punch.
Is Mavrik better than epic? ›Because the Callaway MAVRIK driver is more consistent and very forgiving, mid to high handicappers will enjoy its perks more. If you're a low to mid handicapper looking for more distance through increased ball speed, the Epic Speed driver is for you.
What happened to the Callaway Mavrik irons? ›The Rogue ST MAX is now the core iron in the lineup, replacing the standard Mavrik. The Rogue ST Pro replaces the Mavrik Pro. Callaway is discontinuing the women-specific offerings but in name only. The Rogue ST MAX OS and MAX OS Lite are lightweight designs for slower swing-speed players, regardless of gender.
What handicap should use blades? ›When should you switch to blade irons? In general, you should only consider using blades if you have a handicap under 10.
Should I play cast or forged irons? ›Forged clubs are usually better for low handicap players. On the other hand, cast irons can use cavity backing and perimeter weighting to make them more forgiving, which makes them ideal for new players or those with a higher handicap.
Who should buy forged irons? ›
Golfers who are looking for control, shot-shaping ability, and maximum feedback will want to play forged irons. While many modern forged golf clubs are still forgiving, you can feel where you mis-hit a ball on the club face and off-center contact is punished a little bit more than with a cast iron.
Are Callaway Apex good for beginners? ›The Apex 21 Pros are geared toward low single-digit handicappers looking for a little more forgiveness and more speed across the face. They've got all the good stuff: A.I designed forged 1025 soft steel head and Flash Face tech for high COR and optimum spin.
Is Callaway Apex a game improvement iron? ›The First Apex Irons Designed With A.I.
designed Flash Face Cup is in a forged Apex game-improvement iron for the first time. The unique A.I. face architecture in each iron creates high ball speeds and increased spin robustness. They're engineered for impressive distance and more control than you've ever had.
What Is the callaway apex pro irons handicap range? That's a great question, the Apex Pro Irons are Ideal For Those With Mid-Handicap Range.
Are Callaway Apex clubs forgiving? ›Forged forgiveness through the set
Apex DCB is the most forgiving Apex Iron Callaway have ever made. The deep cavity back and enhanced sole width are engineered for easy launch and solid turf interaction out of a variety of lies. Now golfers of all abilities can play a forged iron with confidence.
Choose the Apex irons if your golf game is improving and you want to lower your handicap. The Mavrik is a great option if you're happy with your ability to play golf at a mid-handicap level and are an average golfer.
What are the most forgiving Callaway irons of all time? ›- Our Top Pick: Callaway Mavrik Max Irons.
- Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons.
- Callaway Apex Iron.
- Callaway Mavrik Irons.
Game-improvement irons are most commonly used by golfers with handicaps of more than 10, although many low-handicappers and even professionals play them as well.
Should a low handicapper use game improvement irons? ›Andrew Tursky, Senior Equipment Editor: Yes! I know that most low handicappers want to use blades or small-bodied cavity irons, but even some PGA Tour professionals have realized distance irons can have real benefit. Game-improvement irons are simply more forgiving and provide greater cushion on your mishits.
Why do pros not use game improvement irons? ›Two reasons for that. First, Blades spin more by design. So changing impact location can bring pretty big swings in both distance and control. Second, having anything between the ball and the club can change spin numbers quite a bit as well.
What is the difference between Apex Pro and Apex irons? ›
The key differences between the Apex 21 and the Apex Pro 21 are that the Pro model has fewer irons with a Tungsten Energy Core (3-7, not 3-A) and fewer irons with an AI Designed Flash Face Cup (3-7, not 3-9).
What is the difference between Apex and Apex Pro? ›The pro model has a forged hollow-body construction with a thinner sole and more compact profile compared to the standard Apex 21.
Who are Callaway Apex irons for? ›DCB. Callaway has released three variations of Apex 21 irons to help players of all abilities find the best fit for their game. The standard Apex 21 can be categorized as a players distance iron that's ideal for golfers in the low-to-mid handicap range. It features a standard offset with a moderate sole width.
What is the ideal Apex for a golf drive? ›So here is what he found. The low loft of a golf driver is very surprising from the perspective of physics. Everyone in freshman physics learns that the optimal launch angle for a projectile - the angle that makes a ball fly the farthest - is 45 degrees.