Callaway Apex Ai200 Irons Review
GolfMagic tests out the new Callaway Apex Ai200 Irons.
Callaway Apex Ai200 Irons Key Features:
- Strategically positioned MIM weighting: ensures optimal CG for ideal launch windows
- Forged face and body: deliver Tour-level sound and feel
- Forged 445 face cup: provides improved ball speeds from across the face
Callaway's Apex family has increased considerably in size this week with the additions of the brand-new Ai200, Ai300 and Apex TI Fusion irons.
The new arrivals bolster the lineup and cater to the player's distance category, arguably one of the most in-demand tranches of the golf market, which has exploded in recent years with the popularity of the TaylorMade P790 line, amongst notable others.
In this review, we will discuss the Ai200 irons, which are designed to offer the same forged feel you would expect from a player's iron but with the power and forgiveness of something with a little more oomph.
In terms of tech, the Ai200s feature a fully forged body with a forged 455 face and strategically positioned MIM weighting.
To see if the Ai200s could knock TaylorMade off the top spot in the category, we tested them at Mannings Heath Golf and Wine Estate with our Foresight GC3 launch monitor.
Let's get into it.
Player Level
The Ai200 irons are ideally suited for low to mid handicap golfers who're looking for player's distance irons that deliver exceptional feel, performance and aesthetics.
Callaway Apex Ai200 Irons Looks and Feel
From a purely aesthetic point of view, the Ai200s get full marks from us. We loved the introduction of the black badge on the back of the head that was introduced with the Apex Pro irons in 2023, and we're delighted Callaway has remained consistent with that design choice throughout the lineup.
The back of the head also features a small Callaway logo and forged type detailing which round out the design nicely.
The finish Callaway has gone for looks like a brushed chrome, which is certainly shinier that a classic matte satin, but not quite as glaring as some of the pure chrome finishes we've seen this year from the likes of Wilson.
Sat at address, the heads possess a compact heel to toe length, and the topline is as refined as the offset is minimal.
We've mentioned TaylorMade's P790 irons a few times in this review, as they are somewhat the benchmark in the category, and when sat side by side, the Ai200s have definitely got more of players iron look at address.
As you can see from the photo above, the Ai200s possess a more refined profile, with a slightly less pronounced toe, and shorter blade length.
In terms of feel, we once again have to hand it to Callaway, the Ai200s feel superb.
While these irons are hollow body, thanks to the forged head and forged face, you get that deep impact feel from the middle of the clubface, typically reserved for a pure players iron.
One of our criticisms of hollow body irons in the past has been that they can sometimes be slightly clicky, however we're delighted to confirm the Ai200s don't suffer from that same issue.
Much like the Apex Pros which we tested last year, the Ai200s deliver premium feel, which was in turn matched by the irons' performance.
Callaway Apex Ai200 Irons Performance and Forgiveness:
We can't remember the last time the performance of a Callaway iron let us down, and we're delighted to confirm that streak hasn't been broken with the Ai200s.
We hit countless shots both on the range and the course, and the data and on course performance was equally as pleasing.
From the middle of the face, the Ai200s are punchy, easy to control and produce very consistent distance and spin numbers.
It's fair to say there are probably players distance irons out in 2024 that produce more power and speed, however, with regards to control, consistency and workability, we think Callaway has secured the top spot in the category.
When it comes to iron play, knowing your yardages and being able to hit them is absolutely paramount, and as far as we're concerned, the Ai200s are the pick of the bunch for that exact discipline.
We did also try and really lean on a few during testing to see how high we could push our ball speed with these irons, and it's fair to say you can jack up the speed if you want, however what we really loved about these irons was the confidence in control.
Eagle eyed readers who have followed the Apex iron journey will understandably be questioning how close the Ai200s are to the Apex Pros, and that is a good question.
From an aesthetics point of view, at a glance it's hard to tell them apart and with regards to performance, there is also a lot of similarities, however forgiveness is probably the one key factor that separates them.
From high on the toe or low on the heel, the Ai200s offer much more assistance. We found that from across the face, the Ai200s did a fantastic job of maintaining ball speed, and as a result that lead to straighter and more consistent shots.
It's this key differential, which separates the two models, and what makes the Ai200s in our eyes a more suitable choice for golfers who play off a high single figure to teen handicap, where hitting the middle of the clubface is far from a guarantee on every iron shot.
All in all we've been hugely impressed by the Ai200 irons. The performance is top tier, the looks are gorgeous and the feel is right up there with the best in the category for 2024.
Should you buy a set of Callaway Apex Ai200 Irons?
If you've been toying with the idea of purchasing a set of players distance irons, then the Callaway Apex Ai200s should be right at the top of your list to try.
Offering outstanding control, workability, feel and aesthetics, these irons tick a whole host of boxes, and they're without a doubt one of the standout options in the category in 2024.
