Which Callaway irons are best for your game? This is your guide to each iron in Callaway’s line-up, who they are aimed at, and how they performed when tested by a pro.
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Callaway, like most of the biggest manufacturers, have multiple irons in their line-up. But which Callaway iron is best for your game?
Some Callaway irons are aimed squarely at tour pros and truly elite golfers, while other models are some of the the best most forgiving golf irons in 2023, with high-handicap golfers or slow swing speeds in mind.
Callaway Apex 21 MB
The Apex MB is one of the best blade golf clubs, with beautiful looks and a changeable weight that makes it possible to adapt the set for different models and lengths, without shifting the centre of gravity location.
With minimal forgiveness, you need to be a very consistent ball-striker to use these; even many of Callaway’s tour staff choose to use the friendlier Apex TCB irons.
Callaway Apex TCB
The ‘TCB’ in Callaway Apex 21 TCB stands for Tour Cavity Back. Make no mistake, this is a tour-level iron for elite players only. We say that because the TCB has very little offset, which is a look tour players tend to love, but it also means the centre of gravity is further forward. This keeps shots lower and more controlled, but also makes them tougher to launch at anything but above-average swing speeds, especially in the mid and long irons.
Callaway Apex 21 Pro
Compared to the Apex MB and TCB, the Apex Pro will be a more friendly and easy-to-use set for the majority of club golfers.
It launches and flights shots higher and with a steeper descent angle than the other two, while also providing more ball speed and distance.
But what really impresses most is the very small carry distance drop-off on mishits, as well as the tight dispersion area, making it incredibly accurate for an iron that delivers on distance.
Callaway Paradym
Think of the Paradym as Callaway’s equivalent of the TaylorMade P790; it’s aimed at reasonably consistent club golfers who want a good-looking iron that gives them extra distance. With strong lofts, the Paradym delivers fast ball speeds and plenty of distance, alongside decent impact sound and feel.
Callaway Apex 21
The Callaway Apex 21 hovers brilliantly between the players’ distance and mid-handicap iron categories, meaning it will appeal to a wide range of golfers.
They don’t offer as much ball speed or distance as some, but they are a brilliant all-rounder with no real weaknesses.
Callaway Paradym X
The Paradym X delivers distance and forgiveness in abundance, but be aware that it does so with low spin, relatively low height and a shallow descent angle, so it won’t suit everyone; at slower clubhead speeds it may be hard to flight and stop shots on the green successfully.
Callaway Rogue ST Max
The Rogue ST Max might not win any awards for looks, with a chunky head, thick top-line and a tendency to sit closed at address, but those are the exact traits that boost forgiveness on off-centre hits and help golfers eliminate weak shots that drift off to the right (for right-handed golfers).
Testing saw the Rogue ST Max produce the joint-longest carry distance of any Callaway iron, which shouldn’t be a surprise given the very strong loft, but also proved almost as accurate as the Apex MB and Paradym, which is very impressive for an easy-to-hit distance iron.
Callaway Apex 21 DCB
Ideal for average and slow swing speeds, the Apex 21 DCB feature lightweight shafts to boost speed and distance.
DCB stands for “deep cavity back” and it offers lots of forgiveness for average golfers who don’t always pure their irons.
