SPY VIP GolfSpy_X 895 Posted August 15, 2014 SPY VIP Share Posted August 15, 2014 Over the past couple of weeks Callaway has released a couple of new products to their lineup. One being the Callaway Big Bertha V Series Driver and today they released the Callaway Apex MB Irons. But as quickly as they released them readers began suggesting the fact that they closely resemble previous model version released by the brand. So, we put the two products side-by-side with the versions the readers were referring to. That being said...we'll let you decide. QUESTION: Do the products below truly resemble the previous models released by Callaway YES or NO? Quote #TruthDigestFollow @MyGolfSpy Link to post Share on other sites
markb 243 Posted August 15, 2014 Share Posted August 15, 2014 Yes, of course they do. Strangely, I find myself praising the Apex MB's, which I view as a natural progression of a very respected and successful blade design after quite a bit of time since the last release. Forged blades wear out and they've done a good job of presenting a replacement product that their loyal blade customers will want to purchase. On the other hand, I tend to laugh at the V series as a shark-jumping rebadge of a japanese product that comes late to a pool party already stuffed with drowning swimmers. I don't see innovation in either product, but since I don't expect innovation with a forged blade, maybe that's why I go easier on the Apex. Quote bag - SunMountain Synch with Ogio Synergy X4 cartdriver - Optiforce 440, Paderson Kevlar Green stiff 46.5"fwoods - Jetspeed, 3HL regularirons - Speedblades 3-8, 85g stiff steel, 2 upwedges - Scor 40, 45, 50, 54, 58putter - Ketsch 35" slight arc, SuperStroke 2.0 mid-slimball - ProV1x Link to post Share on other sites
GolfSpy WD 13 Posted August 15, 2014 Share Posted August 15, 2014 In fairness the Japanese version wasn't released in the states. Kinda like TM did with the Gloire. As for the blades, how much technology really goes into a blade? Does that particular market segment want some innovative technology or are they content with things as is? One difference I see is the weight on the Apex appears a bit higher. That might affect the sweet spot depending on how the rest of the mass is spread. Quote @GolfSpy_WD Link to post Share on other sites
hckymeyer 6,247 Posted August 15, 2014 Share Posted August 15, 2014 Similar feelings here. The Apex MB might looks similar, but it's a forged blade. It's supposed to. There seems to be enough difference from a visual inspection that I have no issues with the irons. The driver is another story. It certainly looks like they just added in an adjustable hosel and slapped some new badges on it. I don't really care for that type of innovation. Quote Driver: Epic SZ w/ VA Composites Raijin 65 04 3w: '16 M2 hl w/ Diamana D+ 82 5w: Launcher HB w/ HZRDUS Yellow Hybrid: 22 deg. Launcher HB w/ HZRDUS Black Irons: 5i-UW G700 w/ X100 soft stepped once Wedges: 54 & 58 CBX w/ Nippon Modus 3 125 Putter: Red 7s Link to post Share on other sites
whiskey golf 61 Posted August 15, 2014 Share Posted August 15, 2014 The irons are very similar and the driver does have the adjustable hosel added. I don't see this being any different than Titleist though, the CB and MB irons have stayed pretty similar and so have the drivers in some ways. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RookieBlue7 1,690 Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 Looks more like the RAC MB's to me Quote In The BagDriver: TaylorMade M2 (2017) w/ Project X T1100 HZRDUS Handcrafted 65x Strong 3 wood: Taylormade M1 15* w/ ProjectX T1100 HZRDUS handcrafted 75x3 Hybrid: Adams PRO 18* w/ KBS Tour Hybrid S flex tipped 1/2"4 Hybrid: Adams PRO 20* (bent to 21*) w/ KBS Tour Hybrid S flex tipped 1/2"4-AW: TaylorMade P770 w/ Dynamic Gold Tour Issue Black Onyx S400 SW: 56* Scratch Tour Dept(CC grooves) w/ Dynamic Gold SpinnerLW: 60* Scratch Tour Department (CC grooves) w/ Dynamic Gold SpinnerXW: 64* Cally XForged Vintage w/ DG X100 8 iron tiger steppedPutter: Nike Method Prototype 006 at 34"Have a ton of back-ups in all categories, but there are always 14 clubs in the bag that differ depending on the course and set-up. Bomb and gouge. Yes, I'm a club gigolo. Link to post Share on other sites
markb 243 Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 Not a bad club to aspire to, since those Rac's were forged by Miura and are still played by many. Quote bag - SunMountain Synch with Ogio Synergy X4 cartdriver - Optiforce 440, Paderson Kevlar Green stiff 46.5"fwoods - Jetspeed, 3HL regularirons - Speedblades 3-8, 85g stiff steel, 2 upwedges - Scor 40, 45, 50, 54, 58putter - Ketsch 35" slight arc, SuperStroke 2.0 mid-slimball - ProV1x Link to post Share on other sites
papichulosteve 0 Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 two points... will we see similar posts talking about the titleist recycling program with their AP1/2 lines? a Ping recycling series with their G and I lines of woods? Companies are always trying to add new products, even when true technology changes can't really be found. and secondly, the legacy line was Japan only, there's not difference in that release than what Bridgestone does in releasing stateside what been out for a product cycle or two in Japan under the tourstage name. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SPY VIP GolfSpy_X 895 Posted August 17, 2014 Author SPY VIP Share Posted August 17, 2014 If readers in large numbers have that perception then yes we will post that same question. Here is the difference so far it seems from the consumers perspective. You mentioned Titleist and Ping, these companies are simply claiming evolution with their products therefore perception from consumers is just that. Callaway is saying something entirely different but reality is telling something else to consumers. And consumers seem to be seeing straight through their revoultionary innovation claims. Which is why even on their own social media they have gotten as much push back as they have. In today's times you have to be transparent which is not what consumers think of Callaway of late. And lastly, you didn't answer the question. No matter the brand name behind it, do you see this as recycling ideas or true innovation. Try and take the brand bias out of your answer if possible. two points... will we see similar posts talking about the titleist recycling program with their AP1/2 lines? a Ping recycling series with their G and I lines of woods? Companies are always trying to add new products, even when true technology changes can't really be found. and secondly, the legacy line was Japan only, there's not difference in that release than what Bridgestone does in releasing stateside what been out for a product cycle or two in Japan under the tourstage name. Quote #TruthDigestFollow @MyGolfSpy Link to post Share on other sites
BadgerGolfer 765 Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 Total recycling. Callaway hasnt had any original ideas in years though. Quote Whats in my Sun Mountain 2.5+ stand bag? Woods: Tommy Armour Atomic 10.5* Irons: Mizuno MP Fli-Hi 21* and Mizuno T-Zoid True 5, 7 and 9-irons Wedge: Mizuno S18 Blue Ion 54* Putter: Mizuno Bettinardi A-02 Ball: Maxfli Tour X Link to post Share on other sites
OUZO Power 0 Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 Total recycling. Callaway hasnt had any original ideas in years though. The Alpha isn't original? Versa? Multi-structured forged irons in the Apex line? These aren't original? They might not be your cup of tea or work for you. But you can't doubt these didn't bring something new to the game and are original. At the same time I see nothing wrong with "Recycling" If it isn't broke don't fix it. Or improve on it. Have they improved on it? I personally cant say. I haven't tried them and I don't have the consistent game to support an opinion on their effectiveness or improvements on past models. But many OEM's have done this in the past and not within their own original designs. Speed pocket was invented years ago. Do we argue just because they are not original they aren't effective or yield better results then their original releases by other OEM's? Quote Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 9.0° Driver with Mitsubishi Rayon Fubuki ZTCallaway Big Bertha 3W with Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 6.2Callaway Big Bertha 5W with Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 6.2Callaway APEX 4-PW & AW & SW with Royal Precision Project X PX95 FlightedCallaway Mack Daddy 2 Chrome 60° Wedge with Royal Precision Project X PX95 FlightedOdyssey Metal X Milled #9HT with custom black shaft (Gamer 1) or Odyssey Metal X Milled Versa #9HT with custom black shaft (Gamer 2) Link to post Share on other sites
fozcycle 11,839 Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 Actually, the 2014 blades look a bit cleaner than the 2011 issues. So, No they are not just rebadging the irons. As for the Driver, so what if they took the JPN model and introduced it to the U.S.? There is no rebadging here, as it had never been available in the U.S. Quote Driver: Tour Edge Exotics EXS w/Mitsubishi ck Blue regular shaft BACKUP DRIVER: Cobra F8 w/Mitsubishi ck Blue regular shaft Fairways: Cobra King F8 3W(14.5*) & 5W(18.5*) w/Mitsubishi ck Blue regular shaft Hybrids: Tour Edge CBX 119 4H(22*) with Project X Evenflo regular shaft Irons: Wilson Staff D7 5 - PW w/Recoil 460 regular shafts Wedges: Wilson D7 GW(50*) & SW(54*) w/Recoil 460 regular shafts; Cleveland RTX Zipcore(58*) w/True Temper Spinner Wedge steel shaft Putter: 33" Slotline SSi 693 mid mallet Bag: Cobra Ultralite Cart Bag(Peacoat Blue). Link to post Share on other sites
Kenny B 24,001 Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 I wouldn't say that Callaway is recycling, but there is no innovation here. The Apex irons are sweet and seem a logical change to achieve a slightly different look with the possibility of a lower ball flight (don't know but it looks like that). Wish I was good enough to play these! As for the driver... again not innovative. However, it is not all that much different that previous updates of models from most all manufacturers. I actually think it looks better and more like the original Big Bertha of the 1990's. Quote “We don’t stop playing the game because we get old; we get old because we stop playing the game.” Link to post Share on other sites
SPY VIP GolfSpy_X 895 Posted August 27, 2014 Author SPY VIP Share Posted August 27, 2014 Great to have you on MGS Ouzo. Look forward to what you have to say. How was the trip to Callaway? Would love to hear your experience. The Alpha isn't original? Versa? Multi-structured forged irons in the Apex line? These aren't original? They might not be your cup of tea or work for you. But you can't doubt these didn't bring something new to the game and are original. At the same time I see nothing wrong with "Recycling" If it isn't broke don't fix it. Or improve on it. Have they improved on it? I personally cant say. I haven't tried them and I don't have the consistent game to support an opinion on their effectiveness or improvements on past models. But many OEM's have done this in the past and not within their own original designs. Speed pocket was invented years ago. Do we argue just because they are not original they aren't effective or yield better results then their original releases by other OEM's? Quote #TruthDigestFollow @MyGolfSpy Link to post Share on other sites
OUZO Power 0 Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 Thanks for the welcome. Trip was so long ago I forgot about it. Quote Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 9.0° Driver with Mitsubishi Rayon Fubuki ZTCallaway Big Bertha 3W with Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 6.2Callaway Big Bertha 5W with Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 6.2Callaway APEX 4-PW & AW & SW with Royal Precision Project X PX95 FlightedCallaway Mack Daddy 2 Chrome 60° Wedge with Royal Precision Project X PX95 FlightedOdyssey Metal X Milled #9HT with custom black shaft (Gamer 1) or Odyssey Metal X Milled Versa #9HT with custom black shaft (Gamer 2) Link to post Share on other sites
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