Callaway Apex Ai200 and Ai300 Irons - 2024 Forum Review

[GolfSpy_BNG]

Good intros so far guys.  Mine is coming soon!

 

Since my fitting was postponed, I’d love to hear your thoughts on how yours went. @JohnSmalls @bbreezy716 @Wib081

[bbreezy716]

2 hours ago, GolfSpy_BNG said:

Good intros so far guys.  Mine is coming soon!

 

Since my fitting was postponed, I’d love to hear your thoughts on how yours went. @JohnSmalls @bbreezy716 @Wib081

This was my fist time ever getting fitted for anything and I can't recommend it enough. I got fitted at my local Golf Galaxy and it was very easy and professional. Started swinging my own 7 iron for about 15 swings, then we started working through the ai300s. Started with regular flex steel shaft, then the stiff steel shaft, then we tried the regular and stiff Graphite shafts. He also played around with my lie angle as when I set up I had a tendency to lift the toe up slightly, but the different lie angle made me start fading the ball, so he assumed I fixed this lift in my swing. He also tried 1/2" longer shafts but I only made it four swings of bottoming out early and he went back to standard. I ended up with regular flex Graphite shafts as I'm swinging 75-83 mph and averaging around 78 mph. He said that I'm probably going to need to upgrade to stiff in a couple years when my swing is 80+ mph consistently, but my best balls came from the regular flex. I had great distance and accuracy as compared to my current set of irons, most of my last hit is had nice walls and we're going 10-20 yards further than my average distance. 

 

The biggest thing I liked was seeing all the different changes and tweaks translate to better or worse hits. It's amazing how one small tweak can throw your whole game and swing off. If you struggle with irons consistently, I would highly recommend having a fitting done to see if you need to adjust your club.

[Wib081]

10 hours ago, GolfSpy_BNG said:

Good intros so far guys.  Mine is coming soon!

 

Since my fitting was postponed, I’d love to hear your thoughts on how yours went. @JohnSmalls @bbreezy716 @Wib081

So this was my 2nd fitting first at club champion for a driver and that was in depth and very very fun and informative. I enjoyed my fitting at Golf Galaxy for the Ai300’s but it felt half hearted compare the CC fitting. Granted I did try 6 drivers there and was only going for the 300’s at GG but I had to ask to try some other shafts of similar weight to the stock True Temper. The guy fitting me was great though he helped me work through a small swing issue I was having and I started hitting good after that. When it came down to it the True Temper DG Mid 90 and the Nippon NS950gh Neo were very similar for me. Feel wise I just like the NS950 a bit more. All and all going in and getting fit for one specific iron it was a good fitting not much the fitter can do but try shafts and he did agree in his opinion the NS950 was a touch better. I enjoyed the session and like @bbreezy716 I can’t recommend getting fitted enough! Know the right weight and flex for the irons that fits my swing is killer! If you’re going to spend the money on a set like this definitely get fitted!

[bbreezy716]

3 minutes ago, Wib081 said:

So this was my 2nd fitting first at club champion for a driver and that was in depth and very very fun and informative. I enjoyed my fitting at Golf Galaxy for the Ai300’s but it felt half hearted compare the CC fitting. Granted I did try 6 drivers there and was only going for the 300’s at GG but I had to ask to try some other shafts of similar weight to the stock True Temper. The guy fitting me was great though he helped me work through a small swing issue I was having and I started hitting good after that. When it came down to it the True Temper DG Mid 90 and the Nippon NS950gh Neo were very similar for me. Feel wise I just like the NS950 a bit more. All and all going in and getting fit for one specific iron it was a good fitting not much the fitter can do but try shafts and he did agree in his opinion the NS950 was a touch better. I enjoyed the session and like @bbreezy716 I can’t recommend getting fitted enough! Know the right weight and flex for the irons that fits my swing is killer! If you’re going to spend the money on a set like this definitely get fitted!

I will say if I was purchasing these, I would probably get fitted at Club Champion or Carl's Golfland. They are more expensive, but you get money off your purchase if you buy your clubs from them. Since I was only getting fitted and was short on time, I went with Golf Galaxy. My fitter was good, he did have me slow down my backswing and it helped my hits be more consistent and accurate. 

[Wib081]

1 hour ago, bbreezy716 said:

I will say if I was purchasing these, I would probably get fitted at Club Champion or Carl's Golfland. They are more expensive, but you get money off your purchase if you buy your clubs from them. Since I was only getting fitted and was short on time, I went with Golf Galaxy. My fitter was good, he did have me slow down my backswing and it helped my hits be more consistent and accurate. 

Oh yeah I totally agree if it were an iron fitting and I had no idea what I was looking for those would be the choices for me as well! Like you though seeing subtle changes in the upright flat and neutral heads was really cool! 

[JohnSmalls]

Fitting Day (Pt. 1)

I was loosely fit back in 2019 for the Wilson D7 test.  I've self fit over the years and gotten a decent idea what shaft profiles I like.  Normally I tend to fall into a low launch/spin profile; and do not get along with a soft mid-section.  The Dynamic Gold family generally ends up being my happy place.  And it is rare when I get along with a KBS shaft.

Showtime:
Even though I have an idea of what shaft profile I like, I wanted to go into this fitting with an open mind.  I got warmed up, hit a few wedges, moved up to my 7 iron (Wilson Staff Model CB, Dynamic Gold 120 S300).  Being MGS I used my gamer ball (Left dash ProV1x) for my baseline 7 iron and the fitting.  

I am a pretty solid 88-92mph swing speed with my 7 iron.  Full dislosure, I am fighting a snaphook this year, and it is BAD.  But, I got in a zone put some good shots in, especially with my gamers.

This being my first big fitting, I just got up and hit ball after ball, which I should have taken a little bit more time in between shots.  By the time I got through $-taper and into DG 115 Mid, I was getting fatigued and put in some really lazy swings. 

I only hit PX in the Ai300, I did like the profile but my fitter moved on.  Having not fit well with KBS previously, I was surprised that $-taper did feel very good, but it was a draw and hook machine for me.  Next up DG Gold Mid 115.  I was getting very fatigued by this point, DG profiles just feel like home.  Put in a few swings and told the fitter that DG just worked; in which he agreed greatly. 

Fitter had me hit Modus 120; guys there's something special about Modus.  It was so easy to swing and I really had to fight against ordering Modus, but dispersion was just better with DG.  I reallllllllly wanted to order Modus.  (ask @GolfSpy BOS)

Fitter's SuggestedBuild: Callaway Apex Ai200 5-AW DG Mid 115 S STD Loft and Lie and length MCC Plus 4 standard grip  ** reduced taper to help fight against over rotation of my bottom hand

Edited September 4 by JohnSmalls

[GolfSpy_BOS]

2 minutes ago, JohnSmalls said:

Fitting Day (Pt. 1)

I was loosely fit back in 2019 for the Wilson D7 test.  I've self fit over the years and gotten a decent idea what shaft profiles I like.  Normally I tend to fall into a low launch/spin profile; and do not get along with a soft mid-section.  The Dynamic Gold family generally ends up being my happy place.  And it is rare when I get along with a KBS shaft.

Showtime:
Even though I have an idea of what shaft profile I like, I wanted to go into this fitting with an open mind.  I got warmed up, hit a few wedges, moved up to my 7 iron (Wilson Staff Model CB, Dynamic Gold 120 S300).  Being MGS I used my gamer ball (Left dash ProV1x) for my baseline 7 iron and the fitting.  

I am a pretty solid 88-92mph swing speed with my 7 iron.  Full dislosure, I am fighting a snaphook this year, and it is BAD.  But, I got in a zone put some good shots in, especially with my gamers.

First club was a round with Ai300 with Project X 6.0.  Then I hit Ai200 with KBS $-Taper Stiff, followed by DG Gold 115 Mid-S300, finished with Nippon Modus 120 Stiff. 

This being my first big fitting, I just got up and hit ball after ball, which I should have taken a little bit more time in between shots.  By the time I got through $-taper and into DG 115 Mid, I was getting fatigued and put in some really lazy swings. 

I only hit PX in the Ai300, I did like the profile but my fitter moved on.  Having not fit well with KBS previously, I was surprised that $-taper did feel very good, but it was a draw and hook machine for me.  Next up DG Gold Mid 115.  Even though I was getting very fatigued by this point, DG profiles just feel like home.  Put in a few swings and told the fitter that DG just worked; in which he agreed greatly. 

Out of curiosity, he had me hit Modus 120; guys there's something special about Modus.  It was so easy to swing and I really had to fight against ordering Modus, but dispersion was just better with DG.  I reallllllllly wanted to order Modus.  (ask @GolfSpy BOS)

Both the Ai300 and Ai200 look and feel GREAT.  They aren't quite as soft as my Wilson CB, but they're not far off, almost like a little brother.  Sound was slightly higher pitched, but again it is a very slight difference compared to my gamers. I preferred the look of Ai200, and the performance.  Despite being slightly weaker in loft, Ai200 was toe to toe with 300 and was surprisingly longer than Ai300. 

Fitter's SuggestedBuild: Callaway Apex Ai200 5-AW DG Mid 115 S STD Loft and Lie and length MCC Plus 4 standard grip  ** reduced taper to help fight against over rotation of my bottom hand

I will always be tempted by my beloved modus 120... But I might be a graphite or bust player now.  Modus shafts do feel incredible to me, but I think I'm getting some benefits from the Steelfiber, and want to swing some other graphite options too.

That's pretty cool to hear sound and feel weren't too far off from your CBs, that's a compliment to what OEM's have been able to do lately with non-blade and player's CB irons.  

Looking forward to seeing you all get these in hand!  My cousin peeled the wrappers off a set of Ai200's for a tournament, and while I didn't get to hit them he said they were good... and his team shot -17 so it couldn't have been bad. haha

[GolfSpy_BNG]

Just now, GolfSpy BOS said:

I will always be tempted by my beloved modus 120... But I might be a graphite or bust player now.  Modus shafts do feel incredible to me, but I think I'm getting some benefits from the Steelfiber, and want to swing some other graphite options too.

That's pretty cool to hear sound and feel weren't too far off from your CBs, that's a compliment to what OEM's have been able to do lately with non-blade and player's CB irons.  

Looking forward to seeing you all get these in hand!  My cousin peeled the wrappers off a set of Ai200's for a tournament, and while I didn't get to hit them he said they were good... and his team shot -17 so it couldn't have been bad. haha

Yeah I can’t wait either. Assuming you weren’t serious about having them forwarded to you haha

[JohnSmalls]

10 minutes ago, GolfSpy BOS said:

I will always be tempted by my beloved modus 120... But I might be a graphite or bust player now.  Modus shafts do feel incredible to me, but I think I'm getting some benefits from the Steelfiber, and want to swing some other graphite options too.

That's pretty cool to hear sound and feel weren't too far off from your CBs, that's a compliment to what OEM's have been able to do lately with non-blade and player's CB irons.  

Looking forward to seeing you all get these in hand!  My cousin peeled the wrappers off a set of Ai200's for a tournament, and while I didn't get to hit them he said they were good... and his team shot -17 so it couldn't have been bad. haha

Full disclosure I did edit the feel part out to make the post shorter .  For those in question here it is:

Both the Ai300 and Ai200 look and feel GREAT.  They aren't quite as soft as my Wilson CB, but they're not far off, almost like a little brother.  Sound was slightly higher pitched, but again it is a very slight difference compared to my gamers. I preferred the look of Ai200, and the performance.  Despite being slightly weaker in loft, Ai200 was toe to toe with 300 and was surprisingly longer than Ai300. 

My first swing with the Ai200, I looked down said wow and just stared at the club.  I couldn't believe how soft the iron was.  Even right after the CB.  Big tip of the cap to Callaway engineers.  The forging and urethane microspheres are doing their job to bring some feel-y goodness to these irons.

Edited September 4 by JohnSmalls

[GolfSpy_BOS]

2 minutes ago, GolfSpy_BNG said:

Yeah I can’t wait either. Assuming you weren’t serious about having them forwarded to you haha

I guess we'll find out eventually.

[JohnSmalls]

5 minutes ago, GolfSpy BOS said:

I will always be tempted by my beloved modus 120... But I might be a graphite or bust player now.  Modus shafts do feel incredible to me, but I think I'm getting some benefits from the Steelfiber, and want to swing some other graphite options too.

I meant to ask the fitter to throw some graphite shafts in, but I needed a break.  I'd already sweat through 3 gloves and was getting really lazy with some swings.

[JohnSmalls]

Live look at @GolfSpy_BNG and @GolfSpy BOS if those Apex TI's end up in Boston.

[Wib081]

15 minutes ago, JohnSmalls said:

Live look at @GolfSpy_BNG and @GolfSpy BOS if those Apex TI's end up in Boston.

Maybe they can work out a custody arrangement one of them gets the clubs every Monday, Tuesday, and every other Friday and weekend. They could also go with an evens and odds split that would make for some interesting testing right there!

Edited September 4 by Wib081

[JohnSmalls]

2 minutes ago, Wib081 said:

Maybe they can work out a custody arrangement one of them gets the clubs every Monday, Tuesday, and every other Friday and weekend. They could also go with an evens and odds split that would make for some interesting testing right there!

Luckily for them both, I might just so happen to know a guy to sort that agreement.   

[Wib081]

I think in my excitement I have watched 95% of the YouTube content on these 3 iron sets! The performance out all 3 is really solid and I can't wait to confirm this for myself. I may have the Callaway bug bad enough that I was swinging my sons old X-20's in the yard. 

[JohnSmalls]

13 minutes ago, Wib081 said:

I think in my excitement I have watched 95% of the YouTube content on these 3 iron sets! The performance out all 3 is really solid and I can't wait to confirm this for myself. I may have the Callaway bug bad enough that I was swinging my sons old X-20's in the yard. 

I've done the same thing.  I check every morning to see if any new Ai200 videos have been posted 

[bbreezy716]

15 minutes ago, Wib081 said:

I think in my excitement I have watched 95% of the YouTube content on these 3 iron sets! The performance out all 3 is really solid and I can't wait to confirm this for myself. I may have the Callaway bug bad enough that I was swinging my sons old X-20's in the yard. 

I've been trying to avoid reading and watching other reviews, and with how hard Callaway has targeted me it's been hard. The targeted ads are real.

[Wib081]

@JohnSmalls Right? I saw the James Robinson video last night in the 200’s  but fell asleep watching it so I’ll have to watch it after this meeting! He does a great job imo and his Fusion video was fantastic

Edited September 5 by Wib081

[Wib081]

Just now, bbreezy716 said:

I've been trying to avoid reading and watching other reviews, and with how hard Callaway has targeted me it's been hard. The targeted ads are real.

I gave up real early on lol! I’m in no way forming opinions but just looking at the content some of the bigger channels. Mainly I’ve been watching smaller channels like golf stores and people around my skill level looking at their swings and speeds and comparing it in my head to my numbers at my fitting. 

[JohnSmalls]

5 minutes ago, Wib081 said:

I gave up real early on lol! I’m in no way forming opinions but just looking at the content some of the bigger channels. Mainly I’ve been watching smaller channels like golf stores and people around my skill level looking at their swings and speeds and comparing it in my head to my numbers at my fitting. 

I am liking what I am seeing from the dispersion side in the videos (Cool Clubs excluded).  It is seemingly better than what I saw in my fitting

Edited September 5 by JohnSmalls

[GolfSpy_BNG]

Oh boy. It’s getting real now. I wonder what it could be!?!

 

[bbreezy716]

13 minutes ago, GolfSpy_BNG said:

Oh boy. It’s getting real now. I wonder what it could be!?!

Just checked and mine is in my UPS app too, now this will be me everyday I get home from work!

[Wib081]

52 minutes ago, bbreezy716 said:

Just checked and mine is in my UPS app too, now this will be me everyday I get home from work!

 

1 hour ago, GolfSpy_BNG said:

Oh boy. It’s getting real now. I wonder what it could be!?!

 

Well now I feel left out. lol nothing here yet

Edited September 6 by Wib081

[bbreezy716]

7 minutes ago, Wib081 said:

 

Well now I feel left out. lol nothing here yet

I'm assuming yours will be shipping the same time as ours. Mine auto-populated into my UPS app. I never got a tracking info, just saw it popped up when I checked the app. 

[Wib081]

2 minutes ago, bbreezy716 said:

I'm assuming yours will be shipping the same time as ours. Mine auto-populated into my UPS app. I never got a tracking info, just saw it popped up when I checked the app. 

I’m hoping so but I have been checking the app all day. I’m not worried I know they’ll get here soon. I’ll just go watch YouTube some more I guess.

[JohnSmalls]

i can't get the photo to load for some reason. But label printed and in the UPS system from Callaway.   Annnnd the impatience grows

[Wib081]

Last man standing in the musical chairs game I guess is me

[JohnSmalls]

1 hour ago, GolfSpy_BNG said:

Oh boy. It’s getting real now. I wonder what it could be!?!

 

Are those the irons going to Boston?!

[GolfSpy_BNG]

8 hours ago, JohnSmalls said:

Are those the irons going to Boston?!

It appears he was just trying to play with my emotions. 

[bbreezy716]

Clubs already touched down in Michigan! That might be some of the fastest shipping I've ever seen.