Callaway Apex Utility Iron review

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CLASS yourself a better player, open to not playing a hybrid, and crave ideal distance gapping between your most lofted wood and longest iron?

If so, I’d recommend looking closely at the new Callaway Apex Utility Iron.

Ideally suited for single-digit golfers and currently trusted by Callaway staff players Gary Woodland, Ryo Ishikawa and Thomas Bjorn, the new Apex Utility Iron is the perfect alternative to playing a hybrid because it’s just as forgiving but much more versatile.

I particularly like how you can use this club for some nice ‘stinger’ shots off the tee that run for miles, perfect for links golf.

First Look: Callaway Apex Utility Iron

Better players will love the traditional long iron shape because it provides better consistency of ball speed, and it features a much lower centre of gravity than previous Callaway utility irons with a tungsten screw in the bottom of the head for ideal high launch.

The Apex UI I tested in 21-degree (fitting nicely between my 24-degree 4-iron and 18-degree 5-wood) presented the distance I was after with a mid-high ball flight from the fairway and intermediate. I was also able to dig the ball out cleanly from the first cut of rough.

In terms of distance, Apex UI proved longer than several 18-degree hybrids I tested in our recent 10 of the Best Hybrids Test.

With this 21-degree offering in my favoured, easy-to-control KBS Tour-V shaft, I was carrying the ball on average 203 yards and receiving 224 yards of distance, fitting perfectly in between my 4-iron and 5-wood yardages.

Verdict

A premium golf hybrid is an easier club for the majority of golfers to strike cleanly than the Apex UI, but if you’re a decent ball striker then you will receive greater workability with this one in the bag.

Apex UI is ideal for links golf given it allows you to play the ball much lower off the tee than with a hybrid and get the ball running like a scalded cat. Play it off the back foot and enjoy some of those ‘stinger’ type shots with a low, piercing trajectory.  

RRP: £169
Lofts: 18-, 21-, 24-degree (KBS Tour-V shaft; Lamkin Crossline grip)