Callaway Apex Ai200 and Ai300 Irons - 2024 Forum Review

[Indy_Oz]

On 9/12/2024 at 7:59 PM, Wib081 said:

So my 921 forged on trackman I can get 190 if I step on my 7 iron. Normal carry on good contact 175 carry consistently. I will say these feel a club to a club and a half longer and I don’t have to step on them. I swing driver fast but my irons I don’t like to and never have tbh. So the fact I can get distance out of them like today is great. I’m 42 and I don’t know how much longer I can swing like o do now with my driver so having these in the bag is quite nice! The thing that shocked me was how quick the stopped! They landed great and with minimal rollout 

Only 42? You can keep that swing speed a good while longer if you look after yourself. My driver CHS is around 110mph right now if I go hard but controlled. I turned 50 earlier this month and I'm slowly returning to the physical condition I was in a year ago (before a couple of niggle injuries early this season). I have no intention of slowing my swing speed down for a while longer. I know the day will come, but my ego enjoys hitting the ball past my younger golfing buddies. Ha ha.

[JohnSmalls]

Managed to sneak an hour at our new indoor hitting facility today with the new Full Swing overhead launch monitor.  I forgot to charge my phone before I left for my lunch break and ended up with a paper weight for a phone so unfortunately no photos.  The Full Swing system wouldn't send an email today either so I am going off of mental notes.

My focus and goal today was get a better idea of the yardage gap through out the Ai200 set. Also played a quick virtual 9 holes to work on hitting some golf shots.

Main observations today:

• 10-12yds between every club from PW-6i
• 20 yard gap from AW-PW
• 5-7 yard gap at very best from 6i to 5i
• Low toe strikes offered noticable forgiveness

I expected a little more seperation but I am very happy with very consistent 10-12 yards through the bag.  AW-PW gap may have been from getting warmed up, no worry there yet. More testing needed with 5 iron.  Decent strikes were struggling to get to/past 200 yards with the best topping out around 205-207 today.  That number should be much closer to 215 for optimum yardage gaps.

Bonus thoughts/observations:

• Ai200s feel a little bit heavy compared to my Wilson CB w/ DG 120 S300.  
  • Wonder if swing weight or overall weight is different?
• Wilson 7 iron (34*) vs Callaway Ai200 7 iron (30*) is about a 1 club difference in distance
• Wilson 7 iron (34*) vs Callaway Ai200 8 iron (34*), Wilson was a couple of yards longer than Callaway
• Callaway AW does perform nicely when opening the face on tight artificial turf lie
• Ai200's performance (subjective & quantitative) improves when tee'd up

Overall fun day, with some decent data collected.  I won't quite say trends are developing just yet, but some ideas are forming.  

[Shrek74]

12 hours ago, JohnSmalls said:

Managed to sneak an hour at our new indoor hitting facility today with the new Full Swing overhead launch monitor.  I forgot to charge my phone before I left for my lunch break and ended up with a paper weight for a phone so unfortunately no photos.  The Full Swing system wouldn't send an email today either so I am going off of mental notes.

My focus and goal today was get a better idea of the yardage gap through out the Ai200 set. Also played a quick virtual 9 holes to work on hitting some golf shots.

Main observations today:

• 10-12yds between every club from PW-6i
• 20 yard gap from AW-PW
• 5-7 yard gap at very best from 6i to 5i
• Low toe strikes offered noticable forgiveness

I expected a little more seperation but I am very happy with very consistent 10-12 yards through the bag.  AW-PW gap may have been from getting warmed up, no worry there yet. More testing needed with 5 iron.  Decent strikes were struggling to get to/past 200 yards with the best topping out around 205-207 today.  That number should be much closer to 215 for optimum yardage gaps.

Bonus thoughts/observations:

• Ai200s feel a little bit heavy compared to my Wilson CB w/ DG 120 S300.  
  • Wonder if swing weight or overall weight is different?
• Wilson 7 iron (34*) vs Callaway Ai200 7 iron (30*) is about a 1 club difference in distance
• Wilson 7 iron (34*) vs Callaway Ai200 8 iron (34*), Wilson was a couple of yards longer than Callaway
• Callaway AW does perform nicely when opening the face on tight artificial turf lie
• Ai200's performance (subjective & quantitative) improves when tee'd up

Overall fun day, with some decent data collected.  I won't quite say trends are developing just yet, but some ideas are forming.  

I'm digging those gaps from 6i down. I have noticed that many of us, when we get to the top of our irons have a gapping issue. I'm not even sure I'll keep a 5i in the bag going forward next year due to it being almost the same as my 6i at this point (similarly to you). Plus, I'm far more consistent with my hybrids than my 5i on strike, direction, and distance. Maybe it's just me, but it's something I've noticed on the forum and read in articles - mid/high handicap gap issues with long irons. *shrug*

[GolfSpy_BOS]

27 minutes ago, Shrek74 said:

I'm digging those gaps from 6i down. I have noticed that many of us, when we get to the top of our irons have a gapping issue. I'm not even sure I'll keep a 5i in the bag going forward next year due to it being almost the same as my 6i at this point (similarly to you). Plus, I'm far more consistent with my hybrids than my 5i on strike, direction, and distance. Maybe it's just me, but it's something I've noticed on the forum and read in articles - mid/high handicap gap issues with long irons. *shrug*

Yes, it is fairly common, and I don't think it's the 3* loft difference either.  I think on a "good" strike, the yardages are there, us mere mortals just are not as good a striking it as the club gets longer. 

6 iron seems to be a good spot for a lot of golfers to consider the switch to a hybrid, depending on how you use that slot in the bag.

[Blue76]

1 hour ago, GolfSpy_BOS said:

Yes, it is fairly common, and I don't think it's the 3* loft difference either.  I think on a "good" strike, the yardages are there, us mere mortals just are not as good a striking it as the club gets longer. 

6 iron seems to be a good spot for a lot of golfers to consider the switch to a hybrid, depending on how you use that slot in the bag.

This is why I bought the ai200 up to 7iron. 5 and 6 are ai300. Love the combo. 5iron is a 195 carry for me. 210ish total. 

[Wib081]

29 minutes ago, Blue76 said:

This is why I bought the ai200 up to 7iron. 5 and 6 are ai300. Love the combo. 5iron is a 195 carry for me. 210ish total. 

See that’s what I’m loving about the 5 and 6 in the 300’s as well I’m getting 204 from the 6 and 213 from the 5 on my last trackman range session. And the 6 iron I hit on Sunday carry all of 200 per the gps. I’m happily in a full 300 set but the 5 & 6 are really nice 

 

[JohnSmalls]

4 hours ago, Shrek74 said:

I'm digging those gaps from 6i down. I have noticed that many of us, when we get to the top of our irons have a gapping issue. I'm not even sure I'll keep a 5i in the bag going forward next year due to it being almost the same as my 6i at this point (similarly to you). Plus, I'm far more consistent with my hybrids than my 5i on strike, direction, and distance. Maybe it's just me, but it's something I've noticed on the forum and read in articles - mid/high handicap gap issues with long irons. *shrug*

 

3 hours ago, GolfSpy_BOS said:

Yes, it is fairly common, and I don't think it's the 3* loft difference either.  I think on a "good" strike, the yardages are there, us mere mortals just are not as good a striking it as the club gets longer. 

6 iron seems to be a good spot for a lot of golfers to consider the switch to a hybrid, depending on how you use that slot in the bag.

I hear you there @Shrek74   this is the first time in 3 sets of irons I've had this problem.  I carry a 21° driving iron and it's 225ish like I would expect.  I fully expect bad strikes to not make it, but when I stripe it this 5 iron just doesn't seem to have legs. 

Hoping something kicks into gear by the end of the test.  

Edited Thursday at 07:43 PM by JohnSmalls

[Blue76]

26 minutes ago, JohnSmalls said:

 

I hear you there @Shrek74   this is the first time in 3 sets of irons I've had this problem.  I carry a 21° driving iron and it's 225ish like I would expect.  I fully expect bad strikes to not make it, but when I stripe it this 5 iron just doesn't seem to have legs. 

Hoping something kicks into gear by the end of the test.  

When I ordered the 5iron ai300 I got the recoil dart graphite shafts. If I really get after it I can hit the 5iron 225 plus. 

[Blue76]

26 minutes ago, JohnSmalls said:

 

I hear you there @Shrek74   this is the first time in 3 sets of irons I've had this problem.  I carry a 21° driving iron and it's 225ish like I would expect.  I fully expect bad strikes to not make it, but when I stripe it this 5 iron just doesn't seem to have legs. 

Hoping something kicks into gear by the end of the test.  

When I ordered the 5iron ai300 I got the recoil dart graphite shafts. If I really get after it I can hit the 5iron 225 plus. 

[JohnSmalls]

5 hours ago, Blue76 said:

When I ordered the 5iron ai300 I got the recoil dart graphite shafts. If I really get after it I can hit the 5iron 225 plus. 

That is solid!  Great call on the shaft as well.  I think shaft might be my issue with the 5 iron at the moment.  

[GolfSpy_BOS]

16 hours ago, JohnSmalls said:

That is solid!  Great call on the shaft as well.  I think shaft might be my issue with the 5 iron at the moment.  

Are we thinking we should have gone modus?! 

 

[GolfSpy_BNG]

Alright finally got the screen up in the garage. It’s very crude for now as I want it moveable to insulate and drywall before winter but works for data. I feel like I’m letting the review down at the moment with not much to report lately. Hoping to grab a quick 18 this afternoon as well.
 

Did some quick 4/5/6 work before having to do the Sunday family stuff. Distance is slightly low but only a couple yards which is better than the full club I was getting last winter.  Full swing needs to improve their range feature(currently in beta) but I’m going GSPro and a gaming pc anyways so now worries. 

Now for the numbers. I’m thrilled that the FSK picked up every shot I took.  I’m also fairly happy with the numbers.  Don’t mind the right side of center as I struggle to line up into a screen without a picture there.   If these numbers can continue I’ll be one happy camper.  

 

The feel even indoors where sound can reverberate and change feel due to a different sound was a non issue. It’s still just as unique and awesome as outdoors.  The Hzrdus shafts are awesome when I time my transition however if I don’t they do tend to feel harsh. 
 

A little video so you can see the crude setup  

 

[Wib081]

20 minutes ago, GolfSpy_BNG said:

Alright finally got the screen up in the garage. It’s very crude for now as I want it moveable to insulate and drywall before winter but works for data. I feel like I’m letting the review down at the moment with not much to report lately. Hoping to grab a quick 18 this afternoon as well.
 

Did some quick 4/5/6 work before having to do the Sunday family stuff. Distance is slightly low but only a couple yards which is better than the full club I was getting last winter.  Full swing needs to improve their range feature(currently in beta) but I’m going GSPro and a gaming pc anyways so now worries. 

Now for the numbers. I’m thrilled that the FSK picked up every shot I took.  I’m also fairly happy with the numbers.  Don’t mind the right side of center as I struggle to line up into a screen without a picture there.   If these numbers can continue I’ll be one happy camper.  

 

The feel even indoors where sound can reverberate and change feel due to a different sound was a non issue. It’s still just as unique and awesome as outdoors.  The Hzrdus shafts are awesome when I time my transition however if I don’t they do tend to feel harsh. 
 

A little video so you can see the crude setup  

 

That is some killer dispersion and solid distances there sir!

[JohnSmalls]

On 9/20/2024 at 7:14 PM, GolfSpy_BOS said:

Are we thinking we should have gone modus?! 

 

It's possible. A few thoughts:

• Iron fitting realllly needs to incorporate more than just 7 iron.  These DG 115s are on the money in the short/mid irons.
• I think I've mentioned it before, but something about these Ai200's feels heavier than the DG 120's in my Wilson Staff CBs.  While the shaft should be 5 grams lighter in the Callaways.  I hope to be able to obtain a total weight and a swing weight of the irons.  To give insight to my on course feels.
• Modus felt great,  and I could feel the load much easier than the DG Mid 115.  But I was having a good day in the fitting booth and easier loading shafts typically give me problems over the long haul.  So I think DG ultimately is the right call based on fitting options.

Edited Sunday at 04:42 PM by JohnSmalls

[bbreezy716]

I wasn't able to get a bay on the trackman, so I had to improvise and went to X-Golf instead. I setup a Google sheet to track my distances and spin rate of both my Callaway Strata irons and the Ai300 irons. Took 5 of my distances and their corresponding spin rate and plugged it into the sheet. Then I had those numbers averaged and charted on the second page for a clean look for you guys.

First thing I noticed is my set of Strata's generated much better spin, but the Ai300 produced much better distance if you compared the irons straight up. The difference in the lofts of the corresponding irons definitely shows the difference. Most of the Strata irons had a loft similar to the next iron below it in the Ai300 set. The lengths of the clubs also followed a similar pattern.

Even comparing the Ai300 iron to the Strata iron above it with similar loft and shaft length, the Ai300 still outperformed the Strata irons. My other observation is both irons had me pushing a lot of hits. The Strata irons had some push slices as well, while the Ai300 irons did have some nice fades in my hits. The testing today definitely showed a pattern of the Ai300 irons outperforming the Strata irons.

[Wib081]

So I got out for 9 today and it was a really good day my 16 y/o rode along and it was fun just talking with him and not worrying about every shot. That said I did get to test the forgiveness in a new way this week from 163 to the center of the green on my nemesis hole dog leg left par 4. I played a 4 hybrid off the tee leaving the above 163 to center. I put a good swing on it but picked my head up slightly and hit behind the ball. Divot wasn’t deep or terrible just a bit behind but the way the 9 iron cut through it and got to the ball was exceptional. It hit on the apron at the edge of the green and hoped back a yard. On a hole where a good score for me had been a 7 I walked away with a 5 and was thrilled. On the par 5 7th I needed to lay up again as the line hit my 5 iron wasn’t the most comfortable so I opted for a different layup with the 6 iron. Same thing a bit behind but again the iron cut through the turf perfectly and it was a bit fatter than the 9 iron and it was a layup leaving me 97 in to the green. Ended up with a bogey but the forgiveness and the club helping fat shots stay on target albeit shorter is insane! My last 2 rounds have benefitted from this! The 300’s are finally a set of irons that feel like weapons in my bag and that feeling has been missing for almost 3 seasons now! Gonna get some more trackman data this week! 

[Wib081]

So I had to find an editor for this one but by the 8th hole I remembered I’d brought a camera man lol. Like I said in last post he was talking about anything and everything and I was just enjoying it forgot to have him record but we got this one in. Par 3 8th, I’ve parred it a handful of time usually it’s a bogey/dbl hole for me. 
 

Camera man provides some pre swing sound effects for you guys

1st birdie on this hole in 2 years of playing it almost weekly, well to be fair some weeks we get the back 9. But it is one of my usual problem hole and the swing mechanics I have been working on paired with the 300’s have let me get back that little fade I used to play with my irons that has been missing for the last 3 sets I’ve tried. I’m really seeing glimpses of my old game coming back!

[GolfSpy_BNG]

Well it’s no 163 yard 9-iron but I hit 10 shots with the 7 and 8 irons after work and threw out the best and worst for a good average.  I’d like to see a little better from back dispersion on the 8 but that’s a me issue.  Again these averages were just a touch short but really close. I hit a couple with my gamer and noticed 3,000 spin with my 7 so I restarted and used the RCT ball. Immediately noticed a difference. Spin went up to 6,000 and above. Which means I may redo the 4/5/6 irons to see how much difference. 
 

As you see in the dispersion chart I did hit a 5-iron to see and saw 180 carry. That’s a big 5-iron for me.   
 

I also need to grab a picture but even hitting off the matzilla mat the finish is holding up well. 
 

 

[Wib081]

16 minutes ago, GolfSpy_BNG said:

Well it’s no 163 yard 9-iron but I hit 10 shots with the 7 and 8 irons after work and threw out the best and worst for a good average.  I’d like to see a little better from back dispersion on the 8 but that’s a me issue.  Again these averages were just a touch short but really close. I hit a couple with my gamer and noticed 3,000 spin with my 7 so I restarted and used the RCT ball. Immediately noticed a difference. Spin went up to 6,000 and above. Which means I may redo the 4/5/6 irons to see how much difference. 
 

As you see in the dispersion chart I did hit a 5-iron to see and saw 180 carry. That’s a big 5-iron for me.   
 

I also need to grab a picture but even hitting off the matzilla mat the finish is holding up well. 
 

 

To be fair my game and swing are nowhere near being ready for the fusions and I don’t think the 200’s are on my menu yet. I’m definitely benefiting from the stronger lofts. Also while trying to do swing work at the same time. That’s where the 300’s are really helping trying to figure that out and missing the center of the face, getting fat, and thin shots. The feel is really good and the sound is so good. The shot in the video I posted I wasn’t even thinking when I said, “That’s it!” It just felt and sounded pured! Maybe I’lleventually get to a point where I can move up the Apex chart, but right now these 3Hundos are a perfect fit. Also I’d trade some distance for your consistent dispersion lol. 

[GolfSpy_BNG]

2 minutes ago, Wib081 said:

To be fair my game and swing are nowhere near being ready for the fusions and I don’t think the 200’s are on my menu yet. I’m definitely benefiting from the stronger lofts. Also while trying to do swing work at the same time. That’s where the 300’s are really helping trying to figure that out and missing the center of the face, getting fat, and thin shots. The feel is really good and the sound is so good. The shot in the video I posted I wasn’t even thinking when I said, “That’s it!” It just felt and sounded pured! Maybe I’lleventually get to a point where I can move up the Apex chart, but right now these 3Hundos are a perfect fit. Also I’d trade some distance for your consistent dispersion lol. 

lol all good.  I just can’t wrap my head around hitting a 9-iron that far.
 

 While I can swing driver up to 120 if I’m loose and really go after it, I take the swing easy and make good contact approach with my irons. It’s probably why my carry with a 7-iron is only 150 when others in my driver speed category are 180. 

[Wib081]

17 minutes ago, GolfSpy_BNG said:

lol all good.  I just can’t wrap my head around hitting a 9-iron that far.
 

 While I can swing driver up to 120 if I’m loose and really go after it, I take the swing easy and make good contact approach with my irons. It’s probably why my carry with a 7-iron is only 150 when others in my driver speed category are 180. 

Well it got me on the other par 3 I took my 7 for a 176 middle of the green swing however with the 300’s that’s the 8 and it sailed and I paid for it with a 5. It is hard at the moment to not go back to my default club. I will say I have been trying that same swing thought with my irons. Slowing down and working on keeping my left arm straight and not over-swinging. In the past I used to swing as fast as I could and when I hit it good it went real far. In trying to fix my driver accuracy I have been able to keep speed around 113-115 and get a good flight an accuracy. It didn’t hit me until I got the 300’s to apply it. In that video it doesn’t look like it but in my head I’m swinging mechanically and the swing feels like 3 part move back (pause in my mind) lift, and transition down. The clubs are helping with the weighting I can feel the club head now at the top. This far I will say that they are in fact helping to improve my game.

[GolfSpy_BNG]

9 minutes ago, Wib081 said:

This far I will say that they are in fact helping to improve my game.

That’s the main goal and awesome to hear. 

[GolfSpy_BOS]

15 hours ago, GolfSpy_BNG said:

lol all good.  I just can’t wrap my head around hitting a 9-iron that far.
 

 While I can swing driver up to 120 if I’m loose and really go after it, I take the swing easy and make good contact approach with my irons. It’s probably why my carry with a 7-iron is only 150 when others in my driver speed category are 180. 

sounds like it's time  to grip'it-n-rip'it then! 

Test the forgiveness out in those Ti Fusions! 

[GolfSpy_BNG]

34 minutes ago, GolfSpy_BOS said:

sounds like it's time  to grip'it-n-rip'it then! 

Test the forgiveness out in those Ti Fusions! 

Maybe when I get outside. I’d hate to see what I’d break in the garage hitting into the screen lol

[IndyBonzo]

How is that finish holding up @GolfSpy_BNG?  Very curious to hear about the fusions all around, including the finish.  Hope they are excellent for you.

[GolfSpy_BNG]

3 hours ago, IndyBonzo said:

How is that finish holding up @GolfSpy_BNG?  Very curious to hear about the fusions all around, including the finish.  Hope they are excellent for you.

I have some time set aside tonight after work to hit the 9/PW and will be sure to get a picture of the 7-iron sole. That club has probably taken 40 swings on the matzilla trying to get everything sorted and working.  I think everyone will be surprised 

[GolfSpy_BNG]

Ok as promised I hit a bunch of shots with the 9/PW.  Won’t lie the feel of the Hzrdus shaft in the short irons kinda bugs me. They feel very stiff which isn’t a bad thing but not one I’m particularly fond of. Tough to complain too much though with these number and dispersion. 

 

I swing out of my shoes for 2 shots and no I don’t have a 160ish 9-iron in me lol. 

 

And for all those interested here is the 7-iron. This has hit the most shots on the mat due to figuring everything out as well as getting numbers. I’d say easily 40 shots but probably quite a bit more over the last few days.