Callaway Apex Ai200 and Ai300 Irons - 2024 Forum Review

GolfSpy_APH · August 27

We’re are bringing another newly launch product by way of the latest additions to Callaway's renowned Apex line of irons—the Apex Ai200 and Ai300 to member testing.

The Apex line has a rich history, originally stemming from the legendary Ben Hogan brand, and has been a go-to for serious golfers since Callaway adopted it. Known for combining the feel of a forged iron with cutting-edge performance, the Apex irons have continually evolved to meet the needs of today’s players.

These new models claim to represent a significant leap forward in golf club technology, blending Callaway's advanced artificial intelligence design with premium forged construction. The Ai200 is designed for players seeking a balance of distance and precision, featuring a sleek, fully forged hollow-body construction. On the other hand, the Ai300 caters to those needing a more forgiving, game-improvement iron without sacrificing the feel and control that better players demand. Both models are designed to deliver superior consistency, performance, and a modernized look and feel, which is where you come in.

Please welcome and congratulate our testers!

@JohnSmalls

@bbreezy716

@Wib081

@GolfSpy_BNG *special*

JohnSmalls · August 27

Callaway Apex Ai200 Irons – Official MGS Forum Review by JohnSmalls

Before we get started, big thanks to the staff (Jamie, Mark, Bryan, and the rest of the mod crew) for all of the hard work that you put in everyday to provide these amazing tests for us to participate in as well as fostering an environment that facilitates conversation with the members of this community. Big thanks to Callaway for the many testing opportunities provided this year. It is an honor to be chosen for this test. There are huge shoes to fill to meet the quality of reviews that MGS has been known to produce and I owe all of you guys as much information as I can discover over these next 6 weeks or so.

Intro:

Now, lets get stuck in. My name is John, some of you know me as JP. I am a lefty.

I am from the beautiful state of SC. While I have been fortunate to travel to the edges of four continents, SC is where my heart is. Growing up, I spent a number of years chasing the outdoors in the Boy Scouts making it all the way to Eagle; but baseball was my life. Now I work in the financial industry to help fund my golf addiction, and thoroughly enjoy working side by side with my clients. Outside of golf I am active in my church, catching a good movie or TV series (looking @ you, Ted Lasso) and watching a number of sports (Clemson Tigers, Man Utd and F1).

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I started golf later in life after the golf bug found me in 2017 after a college buddy dragged me out to the course for 9 holes. My baseball past did help at first in my quest to learn how to hit a golf ball, with power generation and balance. But I needed help, and I needed it fast. I found MGS in my quest for knowledge and to help overcome the many years I ignored golf. What I’ve ended up with is a group of awesome friends ( @cksurfdude below) and an insatiable search for new equipment.

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I am 33 now, and I play most of my golf at Spring Lake Country Club in York, SC;

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In a normal year I try to play 40-50ish rounds (9 or 18 holes) a year, but I am way behind that this year. I am currently playing to an 18hcp. I lose a good 5ish strokes/round from struggles off the tee and a hot/cold short game. giphy.gif?cid=790b7611qfu36puba97u8fynuj

This leads me to the Callaway Apex Ai200. Iron striking is typically the strong suit of my game. I LOVE hitting irons. I now play a high draw as my stock shot (88-92 mph 7 iron), and I do take pride in hitting low runners to get out of trouble. My current irons excel with consistent front to back dispersion. Hitting the ball both high and low, and rarely catching a flier. The piece de resistance is the look, feel, and turf interaction of the Wilson CB. But you have to be swinging the club well to get the most out of the Wilson CBs and I have struggled this year with a low toe'y miss and catching the ball a few grooves high out of the rough. Could it be time for a little more help across the face of my irons?

Callaway claims:

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1: More speed and consistency across an Ai designed face. 2: Great turf interaction. 3: An iron that looks like a premium players iron.

To earn a spot in my bag, Callaway Apex Ai200 has to be more forgiving than my gamers. According to marketing, I think they will. But how is the front to back dispersion? Being hollow-body, are they prone to fliers? Can I hit the ball both high and low with ease? How are they with touch shots? Finally, can they come close to the look, feel, and turf interaction of my Wilsons?

Callaway claims to have made the first fully forged hollow-body iron to do all the above. And we’re gonna test that.

Hang on folks, it’s going to be a fun 6 weeks!

Callaway Apex Ai200 Fitting Post

Edited September 4 by JohnSmalls

bbreezy716 · August 27

Callaway Apex Ai300 Irons – Official MGS Forum Review by bbreezy716

Introduction

Hello everyone, my name is Brandon, and I would first like to thank MGS and Callaway for the opportunity to test these new Ai300 irons! This will be my first MGS review and I am excited to be able to see how well these irons perform for a more casual golfer looking to improve their game. I live in the metro Detroit area and golf once or twice a month, while also going to the range in between tee times.

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I have been golfing off and on for almost 10 years, but had a 4 year hiatus while I was employed as a chef, but after a career change two and a half years ago, I now have a lot more time and energy to get out more. My new career is managing the packaging department for a meat and sausage company here in Michigan. My girlfriend and I bought a house together almost 2 years ago and have been updating and improving different parts of the house during our free time. My current handicap is 25, but has been slowly coming down this year, which I hope to keep improving on this number before the golf season is over in Michigan and I have to switch purely to simulators to get my swings in.

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For the ai300 irons I plan on trying them out in multiple settings, using a trackman, and on the course to see if the performance on the trackman translates to the course. I will compare these numbers to my current numbers I am getting with my current set of Callaway Strata irons. The main performance aspects I am going to be looking for is forgiveness, accuracy, and distance, as these are the aspects I would be looking for in game improvement irons if I was shopping for some. I can’t wait to see the statistics of my current irons and the ai300’s to see whether they do improve my distance and accuracy. I was looking to upgrade my irons possibly as early as next summer, so I have a feeling these will be staying in my bag, but in order for them to stay in my bag and not get replaced next year, I will want to see improvements in the metrics I said above.

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Callaway is one of, if not the most recognizable name with golf clubs and accessories. I bought a Callaway Strata Plus set as my starter set of clubs and still have the irons, hybrids, and 3 wood in my bag. After getting fitted for these irons on my own accord, I think I will see much improvement in my game, and will be more accurate and get more distance with these clubs. I have high expectations for these clubs and hope they are able to meet or exceed these expectations.

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Unboxing

The clubs arrived very quickly and were packed extremely well. Each clubhead was double wrapped in bubble wrap and there was no damage to the clubs. They were separated into 2 levels and had minimal chance to damage each other. They included the packing slip, and two Callaway cards describing the clubs enclosed and all necessary info. 20240908_1755241.jpg.1a82d801b51f8fa66be417f1c1a62e91.jpg

Looking at these irons out of the box, they look magnificent. Every clubhead matches perfectly and they appear perfectly assembled. The finish on the clubheads is nice including the black numbering. I couldn't find any imperfections outside random spots of dirt that wiped away easily.

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Callaway took care putting these clubs together and shipping them. They exceeded all the expectations I had after seeing them first in person at a fitting.

Edited September 9 by bbreezy716

Wib081 · August 27

Callaway Apex Ai300 Irons – Official MGS Forum Review by Wib081

Intro

Allow me to Ai-ntroduce myself

My name is Ian, and I live in Northeast Ohio. I am a husband, a father to four boys 3 of which golf with me weekly, a Star Wars nerd, and a guy that tries to hit it straight. I have had ups and downs with my game, and currently I’m fighting to keep around a 15 HCP. The clubs currently in the bag are great when I’m on, but lately that has been less and less. The Callaway Ai300’s are a bit of a homecoming for me in a sense. The first nice set of clubs I had that weren’t handed down were X-20 tours and why I ever traded those in I couldn’t tell you. The appeal of shiny and new I guess if I had to put a finger on it

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Playing in Ohio provides for some great golf, especially in the Northeast quadrant! We have the fantastic Metro parks course around Cleveland, Firestone in Akron, and loads of amazing public courses. I have witnessed three seasons in one round those being summer, fall, and winter! I wouldn’t have it any other way I love the game in the fall here, okay maybe not when the ball finds a pile of leaves but most of the time. These days I play mostly on the weekend as my local course has kids play free after 3 PM, and I have three boys that love going out and hacking it up with dad. I’m not ashamed to say I have used a shot from my 15-year-old more than once when we play best ball!

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I’m really looking forward to testing the irons in every way possible! Bad lies in the rough from more than 150 yards out. I want to see how they spin and stop! I’m not the best worker of the ball, but every once and a while I can get a draw or fade when I want one, and that is another test can these game improvement irons move the ball a bit for me. Staying in the bag is an easy test if it goes straight and far without the odd rocket shot, I experienced with a set of P790’s then they will live out a happy life in my bag for a long, long time! What has me pumped up about these irons is the Ai designed smart face! After a driver fitting in June that put me in the Ai Smoke Triple Diamond, I am a believer in the increased forgiveness and better ball speed on off center strikes! Knowing the irons are a forged cup face on a forged hollow body head is one of the coolest things about the irons. My P790’s had a forged face but not head. I had a chance to hit these a during the launch week at Golf Galaxy, as they usually offer free fittings when a new product launches, and they felt as good to me as my 921 forged irons do when I flush one! Overall, I’m expecting to see increased distance and forgiveness over my current gamers, and the potential to maybe get my HCP below 15. I’m 42 and I don’t care so much what the club looks like if it helps me score better!

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Unboxing

Opening the box was so exciting know what was hiding under the cardboard lid! I was was happy to see the amount of bubble wrap used, 2 bags on each head! The cardboard insert keeping the two layers of clubs apart also was a solid touch to keep the clubs from jostling around

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The finish is so great in the shade it is nice and you really notice the brushed satin aesthetic. In the sun the finish definitely mutes the glare the sun try’s to throw on it and reflect back up at the eye. These clubs are stunning!

Edited September 10 by Wib081

GolfSpy_BNG · August 27

Callaway Ti Fusion iron review

Ok spies doing a little something different here. Going with a video for a quick intro/unboxing/first impressions. I will get some regular pics up and some worded thoughts in a separate post but for now here ya go. Don’t be too critical as I’m terrible when the camera comes on. No problem with crowds but man that little red light gets me lol