Callaway Apex MB Irons Review

July 15, 2023 Clems Chieve

If you are looking for a set of irons that offer the purest and most classic feel and performance of Callaway blades, you may want to check out the Callaway Apex MB irons. These irons are designed to appeal to elite and tour players who demand the highest level of precision, control, and feedback from their irons.

In this review, we will take a closer look at the features, specifications, performance, pros and cons, and comparisons of the Callaway Apex MB irons.

About Callaway Apex MB Irons

The Callaway Apex MB irons are part of the Apex family of irons that Callaway released in 2020. The Apex family consists of four models: the Apex MB (muscle back), the Apex Pro (players’ cavity back), the Apex 21 (game improvement), and the Apex DCB (super game improvement).

The Apex MB irons are the simplest and most classic of the four models, as they are forged from a single piece of carbon steel with a chrome finish for enhanced feel and durability.

The Apex MB irons are influenced by Callaway blades of the past, such as the X-Forged 18 model. They have a thin top line, minimal offset, and a compact head shape that is preferred by better players.

They have a crisp and solid feel at impact, and a high level of feedback and control. They are also very workable and allow you to shape your shots with ease.

The Apex MB irons are aimed at tour players and elite golfers who want the ultimate in feel and performance from their irons. They are also suitable for low handicappers who have a consistent and solid ball striking ability and want to challenge themselves with a set of irons that require precision and skill.

Looks/Impression

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The first thing that strikes you about the Apex MB irons is how beautiful they look. They have a classic Callaway style that blends elegance and simplicity. They have minimal branding and graphics on the back of the club, which gives them a clean appearance. The chrome finish adds a touch of shine and durability to the club.

At address, the Apex MB irons look like true blades, but with a touch of refinement. They have a thin top line that is not too sharp or rounded, and a minimal offset that is not too noticeable. The head shape is compact but not too small, and you can see the entire blade behind the ball. The chrome finish is also very attractive and reduces glare.

Overall, the Apex MB irons are very pleasing to the eye and inspire confidence at address. They look like they belong in the hands of skilled players who appreciate quality and craftsmanship.

Key Features/Technologies

The Apex MB irons have few features and technologies that make them stand out from other irons in their category. Here are some of them:

Forged 1025 Carbon Steel

The Apex MB irons are forged from a single billet of 1025 carbon steel using Callaway’s Triple Net Forging process. This process ensures that the grain structure of the steel is aligned along the club face for optimal strength and consistency. It also enhances the feel and feedback at impact by reducing vibrations.

Precision 20V Grooves

The Apex MB irons have precision 20V grooves on the face that are designed to promote a high level of control with consistent spin rates for predictable results. They particularly aim to reduce fliers from the rough, where spin rates can drop due to extra grass and moisture between the ball and the club face.

Center Weighting

The Apex MB irons have a visible weight in the center of the club head that allows club fitters to adjust the swing weight of each iron without affecting the location of the center of gravity. The weight can be changed by professionals to suit different preferences or needs.

Standard Stocks/Specs

The Apex MB irons come in a standard set of 3 to PW, with optional 2 iron available. The standard shaft options are the True Temper Elevate ETS 115 steel shaft or the Project X Catalyst 80 graphite shaft. The standard grip is the Golf Pride Z-Grip.

The Apex MB irons have standard lofts that are slightly weaker than some other modern irons. They also have standard lengths and swing weights that are slightly heavier than some other modern irons. Here are the standard specs for the Apex MB irons:

Club	Loft	Lie	Length	Swing Weight
2	18°	59.5°	39.5″	D3
3	21°	60°	39″	D3
4	24°	60.5°	38.5″	D3
5	27°	61°	38″	D3
6	31°	61.5°	37.5″	D3
7	35°	62°	37″	D3
8	39°	62.5°	36.5″	D3
9	43°	63°	36″	D3
PW	47°	63.5°	35.75″	D4

Performance

The Apex MB irons deliver on their promise of providing the purest and most classic feel and performance of Callaway blades. They are precise, consistent, and responsive, but they also require a high level of skill and consistency to hit well.

Forgiveness

The Apex MB irons are the least forgiving of the Apex family, as they are pure muscle backs with no cavity or perimeter weighting. They can handle slight mishits without losing much distance or accuracy, but they will punish you for major mishits or poor swings.

You will feel every nuance of your impact on the club face, which can be rewarding or frustrating depending on your ball striking ability.

The Apex MB irons also have a narrow and cambered sole that is designed for better turf interaction and versatility, but it can also cause digging or fat shots if you are not careful. You will need to have a good angle of attack and a clean contact to get the most out of these irons.

Speed and Distance

The Apex MB irons are not designed for speed and distance, but rather for precision and control. They have standard lofts that are slightly weaker than some other modern irons, which means they will not produce as high ball speeds or distances as some other modern irons.

They also have standard lengths and swing weights that are slightly heavier than some other modern irons, which means they will not be as easy to swing fast or far as some other modern irons.

However, the Apex MB irons are not overly short or slow, and they still maintain a reasonable amount of spin and stopping power on the greens. They also have consistent distance gaps between each club, which makes them easy to dial in your yardages.

Feel and Sound

The Apex MB irons have an excellent feel and sound at impact, thanks to their forged carbon steel construction and chrome finish. They have a crisp and solid feel that is not too mushy or clicky, and they produce a satisfying and crisp sound that is not too loud or harsh.

They also have a high level of feedback on where you hit the ball on the face, which helps you adjust your swing accordingly. They may not feel as soft or buttery as some other forged irons, but they are very pleasing to the senses.

Playability and Workability

The Apex MB irons have a high level of playability and workability for players who like to shape their shots or hit different trajectories. They have a minimal amount of offset that helps you square up the club face at impact, but they can also be opened or closed to hit draws or fades as desired.

They have a thin top line and a compact head shape that allow you to see the entire blade behind the ball, which gives you more confidence and control over your shots.

They also have a standard loft that helps you hit high and soft shots that land softly on the greens, but they can also be manipulated to hit lower or higher shots as needed. They are very easy to work and allow you to hit any shot you can imagine with ease.

Pros & Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of the Apex MB irons:

Pros

Beautiful look and feel of Callaway blades
Precise performance and control of Callaway blades
Crisp and solid feel and sound at impact
High level of feedback and consistency across the set
High level of playability and workability for shot shaping and trajectory control

Cons

Low level of forgiveness and distance compared to some other modern irons
Require a high level of skill and consistency to hit well
May not suit players who prefer stronger lofts or lighter swing weights
May be pricey for some budgets

Who Should Play the Callaway Apex MB Irons?

The Callaway Apex MB irons are ideal for golfers who want the ultimate in feel and performance from their irons. They are suitable for tour players and elite golfers who demand the highest level of precision, control, and feedback from their irons.

They are also suitable for low handicappers who have a consistent and solid ball striking ability and want to challenge themselves with a set of irons that require precision and skill.

Some golfers may also find other models from different brands or categories that suit their preferences or needs better.

However, if you are looking for a set of irons that offer the purest and most classic feel and performance of Callaway blades, you should definitely give the Apex MB irons a try. You may be amazed by how well they perform on the course.

Comparison with Other Models in the Same Lineup

The Apex MB irons are part of the Apex family of irons that Callaway released in 2020. The Apex family consists of four models: the Apex MB (muscle back), the Apex Pro (players’ cavity back), the Apex 21 (game improvement), and the Apex DCB (super game improvement). Here is a brief comparison of the four models:

Apex MB

The Apex MB irons are the simplest and most classic of the four models. They are forged from a single piece of carbon steel with a chrome finish for enhanced feel and durability. They have a thin top line, minimal offset, and a compact head shape that is preferred by better players.

They have a crisp and solid feel at impact, and a high level of feedback and control. They are also very workable and allow you to shape your shots with ease. However, they are also the least forgiving and longest of the four models, and they require a high level of skill and consistency to hit well.

Apex Pro

The Apex Pro irons are the players’ cavity back option of the four models. They are forged from carbon steel with a chrome finish for enhanced feel and durability. They have a thin top line, minimal offset, and a compact head shape that is preferred by better players.

They have a soft and solid feel at impact, and a good balance of feedback and forgiveness. They are also moderately workable and allow you to hit different shots with confidence. However, they are not as precise or controllable as the MB irons, nor as forgiving or long as the Apex 21 or DCB irons.

Apex 21

The Apex 21 irons are the game improvement option of the four models. They are forged from carbon steel with a chrome finish for enhanced feel and durability. They have a medium top line, minimal offset, and a mid-sized head shape that is suitable for most players.

They have a fast and firm feel at impact, and a high level of forgiveness and distance. They are also fairly workable and allow you to hit different trajectories with ease. However, they are not as soft or solid as the MB or Pro irons, nor as elegant or consistent as the MB irons.

Apex DCB

The Apex DCB irons are the super game improvement option of the four models. They are forged from carbon steel with a chrome finish for enhanced feel and durability. They have a thick top line, moderate offset, and a large head shape that is designed for maximum forgiveness and launch.

They have a fast and explosive feel at impact, and a high level of forgiveness and distance. They are also easy to launch and stop on the greens. However, they are not as crisp or responsive as the MB or Pro irons, nor as sleek or workable as the MB irons.

Comparison with Other Models

The Apex MB irons are not only comparable to the other models in the same lineup, but also to some other models from different brands or categories. Here are some of them:

Mizuno MP-20 MB

The Mizuno MP-20 MB irons are another set of classic muscle back irons that were released in 2019. They are forged from carbon steel with a copper underlay for enhanced feel. They have a thin top line, minimal offset, and a compact head shape that is preferred by better players.

They have a soft and buttery feel at impact, and a high level of feedback and control. They are also very workable and allow you to shape your shots with ease. However, they are also very unforgiving and demanding of your ball striking ability.

TaylorMade P7MB

The TaylorMade P7MB irons are another set of modern muscle back irons that were released in 2020. They are forged from carbon steel with a chrome finish for enhanced feel and durability. They have a thin top line, minimal offset, and a compact head shape that is preferred by better players.

They have a smooth and responsive feel at impact, and a high level of feedback and control. They are also very workable and allow you to shape your shots with ease. However, they are also very unforgiving and demanding of your ball striking ability.

Titleist 620 MB

The Titleist 620 MB irons are another set of classic muscle back irons that were released in 2019. They are forged from carbon steel with a chrome finish for enhanced feel and durability. They have a thin top line, minimal offset, and a compact head shape that is preferred by better players.

They have a crisp and solid feel at impact, and a high level of feedback and control. They are also very workable and allow you to shape your shots with ease. However, they are also very unforgiving and demanding of your ball striking ability.

Conclusion

The Callaway Apex MB irons are a great set of irons for golfers who want the ultimate in feel and performance from their irons. They are precise, consistent, and responsive, but they also require a high level of skill and consistency to hit well.

The Apex MB irons may not be for everyone, though. Some golfers may prefer the more forgiving and longer performance of the Apex DCB irons, or the more balanced performance and forgiveness of the Apex 21 or Apex Pro irons. Some golfers may also find other models from different brands or categories that suit their preferences or needs better.