Callaway Apex 19 Irons Review - Playability & Reliable Distance (2023)

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Callaway Apex 19 Irons Review - Playability & Reliable Distance (1)

In this review, I’ll take a good look at the Callaway Apex 19 irons.

Not to be confused with the Tour-calibre Apex Pro 19, the Apex 19 is described as “the ultimate forged players distance iron”. It’s designed for solid and reliable distance, playability, control, optimum ball flight, and very soft feel.

These are the claims. But does the Apex 19 iron deliver at the end of the day? Is it the ideal option for mid-handicaps? What are its weaknesses?

Read on to find out what you need to know before putting these in your bag.

Quick Verdict

Rating: 9.3/10

Pros & Cons: See review box at bottom of review

Classification: Players iron (with game-improvement characteristics)

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.

Best Places To Buy Online

Because the Apex 19 irons are more than a couple seasons old, you can no longer order a custom set on the official Callaway website.

The best you can do now is look at Callaway Golf Pre-Owned or pick up a steeply discounted set (new or used) on eBay.

CGPO has a fairly large selection of used sets with a 12-month warranty, 90-day buy-back policy, and condition guarantee.

You can optionally look at what’s available on Global Golf or another golf store.

Get Apex 19 irons at low prices on eBay

What are the reviews like?

The Apex 19 irons have been received extremely well by critics and consumers alike. In fact, they’re the only irons awarded 20/20 stars in the 2019 Golf Digest Hot List.

They have scores of 5/5 on Global Golf, 4.9/5 and 99% recommended on the Callaway Golf Pre-Owned website (wow!), and generally very high ratings by professional critics.

(Video) ARE THESE MY NEW IRONS?

What People Like

  • looks great at address, with sizes, offsets, and top lines not too extreme.
  • plenty of distance for a player’s iron, while still being workable.
  • feel is amazing.
  • great forgiveness.

What People Don’t Like

  • unaffordable for many players.

What are the features?

Callaway made these irons for low to mid handicappers who don’t want a pure game-improvement iron nor a blade meant for Tour pros.

The main selling points are:

Consistent & Long Distance With Playability

Callaway’s 360 Face Cup makes a return here.

Around the perimeter of the face is a flexible, shallow rim which flexes and releases at impact, producing high ball speeds across the entire face. This means that distance loss on off-center hits is minimal.

The short irons have a new Variable Face Thickness (VFT) face that is designed to maximize spin control and accuracy around the greens.

Very Soft Feel

The forged 1025 mild carbon steel body contributes to fantastic sound and feel.

This is the first time that Callaway has incorporated their proprietary urethane microspheres into a forged iron. These microspheres consist of over one million tiny air pockets that absorb mis-hit vibrations without any slowing of the face.

Optimum Control & Ball Flight

The Apex 19 irons have a multi-material, tungsten-infused construction (through metal injection moulding) that allows for the best placement of the center of gravity (CG) in each iron, while maintaining Face Cup flexibility.

This results in more distance and forgiveness in the long irons and more spin and control with the short irons.

Premium Craftsmanship & Components

The Apex 19 iron has a high-quality chrome finish and a players shape, with a new stock shaft and grips.

Stock Info

There are many different set configurations that you can get, from the 3-iron to the sand wedge and everything in between. A common choice is the 5-PW set.

The stock steel shaft is the True Temper Elevate 95, and the stock graphite shaft is the Project X Catalyst 60.

The stock grip is the Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360, but there are many different grips you can choose from.

If you’re interested, full information on shafts, grips and their specs can be found on the Callaway website.

Below are the specs of the mens Apex 19 irons. Click or zoom to enlarge.

Also available are the Apex 19 Smoke irons. These are basically the same as the regular Apex 19 irons except for the appearance: they have a new smoke PVD finish, Apex Smoke Medallion, and a smoke version of the Elevate shaft.

How do these irons perform?

It can be quite difficult for manufacturers to up the ante with each new release of a golf club. Callaway has managed to do that yet again.

Let’s get into the performance:

(Video) Callaway Apex 19 Forged Irons Review

Distance/Distance Control

The Apex 19 irons aren’t meant to be pure distance irons. In practice, this pans out, since there are longer irons out there. But that shouldn’t be what you want in an iron anyway.

I find the distance to be comparable to the previous Apex CF16 irons, but I do find the distance consistency to be just a touch better. By this I mean that there’s less variance in distance across the face, which I’m sure is due to the latest technologies.

Overall, distance control in these irons is some of the best that I’ve seen thus far. And raw distance is still up there among the longest, which is a really nice bonus.

Forgiveness

MOI is a big part of what makes an iron forgiving, and you’ll be hard pressed to find a better MOI rating on an iron. As a consequence, mishits do a great job of staying on line and going a good distance.

In terms of numbers, during my tests, most of my mishits lost no more than 10-15 yards of carry as compared to a solid strike in the center of the face. This is excellent, especially for something classified as a players iron.

Playability & Workability

As a players iron, you’re going to expect the Apex 19 to be workable to some degree. It is, of course.

You should be able to hit draws and fades, punches, high bombs, and other shots that you have in your arsenal with little to no problem. I personally had no trouble shaping my shots.

In terms of performance, I can’t think of anything that the Apex 19 does worse than its predecessor.

What about look, sound & feel?

The Look

First off, I think the Apex 19 iron looks terrific (especially the badge), as do most of Callaway’s offerings. Callaway really does make some of the best-looking clubs in the industry.

Having said that, the Apex 19 does look like a hybrid between a players iron and game-improvement iron, as you would expect. There’s a decent amount of offset, and the top line has a similar thickness to the CF16.

It’s certainly not the slimmest profile I’ve seen — that’s reserved for the Tour variant Apex Pro 19.

In any case, I like how these irons look in the bag better than at address.

The Sound & Feel

This is an area where the Apex 19 iron really shines.

As you recall from the features section above, the Apex 19 irons contain urethane microspheres designed to make mis-hits feel more solid. And I have certainly found this to be the case.

In contrast with many other irons that feel hollow and clickier at impact, the Apex 19 iron feels very solid at impact.

While mishits don’t have the crisp feel that sweet spot strikes have, strikes feel solid and heavy almost anywhere you hit it on the face.

You really get the sense that you’re swinging a well-made, premium iron (and you should, given the price tag!).

Summary & Conclusion

Callaway has been creating Apex irons for many years, and all things considered, they deliver top performance. This model is the best of them all, no doubt.

(Video) HONEST REVIEW: Callaway Apex 19 Iron (2019)

The Apex 19 irons does indeed deliver. It delivers top distance and distance control, it’s workable, forgiving, looks great, and has some of the best sound and feel I’ve tested in an iron.

With that said, the steep price can be an obstacle for many people.

These irons are best suited for low and mid-handicappers, but golfers of any skill level can succeed with them.

Get Apex 19 irons at low prices on eBay

Thanks for reading this review. Have you played the Apex 19 irons yet? What do you think about them? Feel free to leave a comment below with your thoughts and experiences.

Callaway Apex 19 Iron

9.3

Distance/Distance Control

9.6/10

Forgiveness

9.0/10

Playability/Workability

9.3/10

Look

9.5/10

Sound & Feel

10.0/10

Value For Money

8.5/10

(Video) CALLAWAY APEX FORGED 2019 IRONS

Pros

  • Looks awesome
  • Delivers the perfect blend of GI and players performance
  • Premium, solid feel
  • Excellent distance control
  • Excellent forgiveness

Cons

  • Pricey, especially when ordering a custom set

CLICK HERE TO BUY CALLAWAY APEX 19 IRONS ON EBAY

FAQs

Is Callaway Apex 19 for high handicappers? ›

The Callaway Apex 19 irons are more forgiving and meant for higher handicap golfers. The Apex Pro model is for lower handicap players who are looking for more playability. As Callaway Golf said, “Apex Pro 19 is a forged Tour Performance Iron with advanced distance technologies.

Are Apex 19 irons any good? ›

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.

Are Apex 19 irons hard to hit? ›

Incredibly easy to hit and play "player performance" irons. At a great price too. Pros: Exceptional Feel & Performance.

What year did Callaway Apex 19 irons come out? ›

Callaway Apex CF 19 Irons - Product Details
UK Launch25 January 2019
USA Launch25 January 2019
European Launch25 January 2019
European Launch RRP€1399
Handicap RangeLow ‌‌‌‌ High
15 more rows
Jan 4, 2019

Who should play 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.

How do Apex 19 compare to 21? ›

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 handicap for Apex irons? ›

What Handicap Is Apex 21 Irons Best For? The Apex 21 irons are best for mid-to-low handicappers. They offer players a decent amount of forgiveness while still providing excellent feel and feedback on all shots. Skilled players want to know where their ball made contact to improve upon that.

Are Apex irons good for high handicappers? ›

The Callaway Apex 21 irons range features five models targeting everyone from tour pros to high-handicappers.

Are Callaway Apex 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.

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.

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.

Are Apex 19 forged? ›

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! Please enable JavaScript to purchase Apex 19 Irons.

Which Callaway Apex irons are most forgiving? ›

Read Next: The Most Forgiving Irons of 2023
  • Our Top Pick: Callaway Mavrik Max Irons.
  • Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons.
  • Callaway Apex Iron.
  • Callaway Mavrik Irons.
Dec 30, 2022

Which irons are better mavrik or Apex? ›

Both the Mavrik and the Apex are very good sets that will be a wise investment. This is what? 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.

Can mid handicapper use Apex pro? ›

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.

Do any pros use 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.

What age range plays Apex? ›

To play Apex Legends, you have to have an active Electronic Arts account, which EA restricts to users 13 and older. But Common Sense Media recommends Apex Legends for teens 14 and up, due to the online chat and frantic violence.

What age group is Apex for? ›

Apex Legends is rated T (Teen 13+) with Content Descriptors for Blood and Violence and Interactive Elements that include Users Interact (meaning players can communicate online if they choose) and In-Game Purchases (meaning the game offers the ability to exchange real-world currency for in-game currency or items).

Does Apex have better aim? ›

Train holding and moving your mouse as swiftly and smoothly as possible for best crosshair placement on moving targets. Instead of running while you're shooting, practice sprinting, then standing still for a quick second to shoot.

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.

What is my golf handicap if I shoot 117? ›

For example, if you have a handicap index of 10.0 and a slope rating of 117, you would use the following equation: (10.0 x 117) / 113, which results in a course handicap of 10.3.

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!

What irons give the most forgiving distances? ›

Our test data has the Callaway Paradym down as our second longest Players' Distance iron of 2023, just a single yard behind the Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Pro.
...
  • PXG 0311 P GEN5 Irons.
  • Mizuno JPX923 Forged Irons.
  • Wilson D9 Forged Irons.
  • Mizuno Pro 225 Irons.
  • Titleist T200 Irons.
  • Ping i525 Irons.
7 days ago

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 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).

What handicap are Apex irons for? ›

What Handicap Is Apex 21 Irons Best For? The Apex 21 irons are best for mid-to-low handicappers. They offer players a decent amount of forgiveness while still providing excellent feel and feedback on all shots. Skilled players want to know where their ball made contact to improve upon that.

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 Apex better than mavrik? ›

Both the Mavrik and the Apex are very good sets that will be a wise investment. This is what? 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.

Do any PGA players use 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.

Videos

1. CALLAWAY APEX IRONS 19
(Mark Crossfield)
2. Callaway Apex Irons Review
(TGW - The Golf Warehouse)
3. Callaway Apex Irons 2019 review Average Golfer
(The Average Golfer)
4. Callaway Apex CF19 Pro & Forged Irons – Initial Testing
(Tour Experience Golf // A Club Champion Brand)
5. Callaway Apex 19 vs. Apex Pro 19 Trackman Testing
(2nd Swing Golf)
6. CALLAWAY APEX PRO 19 IRONS
(Mark Crossfield)

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