Callaway Apex CB - Any Initial Thoughts?

[UnderPar18]

Sorry, tried finding a thread but didn't see one. Anyone hit or have the new Apex CBs in the bag? Looking how they compare to Zx7's, T100, etc. I'm also curious on the shaping since I have heard they are less round which is something that has preventing me from playing the TCBs last year

[tmb guy]

hey underpar i have the cb's for a week now coming from zx7 both iterations.  I like you did not like the tcb roundness.  These are def cleaned up a bit in the toe section and topline.  Much better in my opinion.  its been a week so i havent hit them alot but so far they feel fantastic.  Verse the zx7 i would lean toward the srixon in forgiveness looks go to the cb smaller profile.  Feel ive always been partial to endo forgings but the cb feel great in a diff way if that makes sense

[UnderPar18]

48 minutes ago, tmb guy said:

hey underpar i have the cb's for a week now coming from zx7 both iterations.  I like you did not like the tcb roundness.  These are def cleaned up a bit in the toe section and topline.  Much better in my opinion.  its been a week so i havent hit them alot but so far they feel fantastic.  Verse the zx7 i would lean toward the srixon in forgiveness looks go to the cb smaller profile.  Feel ive always been partial to endo forgings but the cb feel great in a diff way if that makes sense

Could you post a couple pictures of the irons at address? Sounds like while testing is early you like both sets (zx7 and cbs) with subtle pros and cons to each

[Kale_m]

They look like butter knife blades compared to zx7

 

i am not sure how ppl keep comparing irons like this and T100 to zx7

 

zx7 is a large players iron, with a large top line and a large sole 

[Pnwpingi210]

35 minutes ago, Kale_m said:

They look like butter knife blades compared to zx7

 

i am not sure how ppl keep comparing irons like this and T100 to zx7

 

zx7 is a large players iron, with a large top line and a large sole 

People look at different things.
 

 I’m similarly perplexed at the king tour being considered a compact players iron on this site.  About the only club that looks bigger in the category to my eyes (and ive unfortunately owned and played a bit with most) is the ping i230.  

[Pnwpingi210]

3 hours ago, UnderPar18 said:

Sorry, tried finding a thread but didn't see one. Anyone hit or have the new Apex CBs in the bag? Looking how they compare to Zx7's, T100, etc. I'm also curious on the shaping since I have heard they are less round which is something that has preventing me from playing the TCBs last year

I have not hit them, but they look a bit larger and less round than the tcb.  Maybe a touch narrower sole?

[UnderPar18]

59 minutes ago, Kale_m said:

They look like butter knife blades compared to zx7

 

i am not sure how ppl keep comparing irons like this and T100 to zx7

 

zx7 is a large players iron, with a large top line and a large sole 

Irons can have variation to them in regards to sole width, topline thickness, shape, grind, etc. and can still be compared. Not sure why everything has to be the exact same to be compared. 

[Kale_m]

50 minutes ago, UnderPar18 said:

Irons can have variation to them in regards to sole width, topline thickness, shape, grind, etc. and can still be compared. Not sure why everything has to be the exact same to be compared. 

He is asking about a comparison and shaping.

 

zx7 - thick topline , thicker sole , stronger lofts , less spin , longer heel to toe

 

cb - thinner all around , more loft , more spin, more compact all around 

[BirdieBob]

 

[Prudacris]

I have been gaming zx7 last year and just got fit into apex cb. Both great irons but as said above, the cb is way thinner top line, smaller precision look. Zx7 have a nice deep thud on good strikes while cb is a softer muted buttery feeling. Both feel awesome, but different. The biggest difference is the sole design. More bounce on the zx7 while the cb has low bounce and pre worn leading edge. Even though cb looks considerably smaller I would say forgiveness is comparable with these two.

[gg38]

Can anyone compare these to the Blueprint S? I’ve hit the CBs but not in my shaft profile and was just fitted into the Blueprint S. Didn’t have CB fitting heads so curious if anyone has done apples to apples with same shaft.

[BCC1898]

These are the best irons I’ve ever played. Enough forgiveness, but the sole grind is perfect!

[bcflyguy1]

I did the Triple Play setup, so 7-9 are the CB. Best iron of this type that Callaway's put out since the '13 X Forged.

[Jim53]

I just put the CB 5-11 back in play and they are perfect. I hated the Pro but that's just on me.

[robbie91]

On 9/29/2023 at 12:04 PM, UnderPar18 said:

Sorry, tried finding a thread but didn't see one. Anyone hit or have the new Apex CBs in the bag? Looking how they compare to Zx7's, T100, etc. I'm also curious on the shaping since I have heard they are less round which is something that has preventing me from playing the TCBs last year

 

I hit the Apex CBs in testing and in a fitting and I thought they were nice irons. Being that they are a players CB, there isn't anything revolutionary to discuss -- classic Callaway shaping, nice finish, pretty middle of the pack in terms of distance and spin rate. In terms of shaping, they still looked rather rounded to me but I can't speak to a comparison to the TCB from 23'. I ended up opting for the Blueprint S as I preferred the shaping (less round, higher toe) and the bit of help from the pocket cavity in the long irons. Certainly could have easy gamed the Apex CBs and enjoyed them. 

 

Edit: Noticed you mentioned ZX7 and T100. ZX7 is more forgiving than the Apex CB. T100 and Apex CB are quite similar in all respects. 

Edited May 5, 2024 by robbie91

[gg38]

10 hours ago, robbie91 said:

 

I hit the Apex CBs in testing and in a fitting and I thought they were nice irons. Being that they are a players CB, there isn't anything revolutionary to discuss -- classic Callaway shaping, nice finish, pretty middle of the pack in terms of distance and spin rate. In terms of shaping, they still looked rather rounded to me but I can't speak to a comparison to the TCB from 23'. I ended up opting for the Blueprint S as I preferred the shaping (less round, higher toe) and the bit of help from the pocket cavity in the long irons. Certainly could have easy gamed the Apex CBs and enjoyed them. 

 

Edit: Noticed you mentioned ZX7 and T100. ZX7 is more forgiving than the Apex CB. T100 and Apex CB are quite similar in all respects. 

Do you feel in general, not just long irons, that Blueprint S is a bit more forgiving than Apex CB. Currently in a conundrum between the two!

[Need4spd]

I scoped out the Apex CB’s while at Golf Galaxy the other day. I’m still not crazy about the plate on the back, and I don’t love the finish, but holy smokes… They are gorgeous irons. The shaping from every angle is almost perfect to my eye, and the sole design looks very, very appealing. 
 

That said, I still kind of yearn for a one piece forged cavity back (can live with a little tungsten in the toe), but it seems like a dying segment. I know there’s still a few out there but none that check enough boxes. 620 CB is probably the closest.

[bcflyguy1]

12 hours ago, Need4spd said:

I scoped out the Apex CB’s while at Golf Galaxy the other day. I’m still not crazy about the plate on the back, and I don’t love the finish, but holy smokes… They are gorgeous irons. The shaping from every angle is almost perfect to my eye, and the sole design looks very, very appealing. 
 

That said, I still kind of yearn for a one piece forged cavity back (can live with a little tungsten in the toe), but it seems like a dying segment. I know there’s still a few out there but none that check enough boxes. 620 CB is probably the closest.

Core "player CB/MB" iron is a segment where less really is more from a technological bells and whistles perspective, and that's not something that jives very well with Callaway's over-arching mantra that came from Mr. Ely himself, "pleasingly different and demonstrably superior."