Callaway X Forged & X Forged Max Irons! In-Hand Pics!

[halfsumo]

I was able to hit the 5, 7, 8 and 9 irons of the Max today at the store. The whole set was marked "demo" so I just went nuts. I love these irons. The feel is super soft and punchy. The proportions are great, they look very "player's' at address, but the topline and thicker sole really inspire confidence. I thought these were some of the easiest to hit irons I've tried in a while. The spin was a little low and they were about a club longer in the 7, 8 and 9 irons for me and about the same as my 5 iron (of which I currently have a zxi5 5 iron). So....look great, feel great, easy to hit....I will be tempted to try these with a weaker loft. I went into the store today wanting to look at the new Titleist irons and the i240's and I ended up liking these the best although everything out these days is really good. 

[Pnwpingi210]

10 minutes ago, BirdieBob said:

 

Mat or grass...I have a set and hit off close cropped and somewhat dry grass and they were hot knife thru butter.  Soles are terrific!

 

My Ai150 and Fusion irons are now on a ups truck back to Callaway for credit...to be used for the XFM set for use in softer turf.

 

Mat.  But I could tell they felt fantastic.

 

i just got my t100s today and committed to play a them as they are more forgiving.  I might have to get a set of the x forged as my “players” set.  Much more confidence inspiring than the s3

[BirdieBob]

Gabby Golf Girl approves of the X Forged

 

 

[bardezart]

5 hours ago, Pnwpingi210 said:

Okay after getting to hit these I think they might be the best single piece forged iron released in a long time.

 

the look like a smaller zx7, with cleaner lines, way less offset, and a sole that probably going to fit more players.  They feel just a good.  They spin a little more at stock lofts and launch about the same.  My only nit is the pw sole is wide.  

I moved out of the X Forged into a Cobra CB/MB combo set. The X Forged were quite nice but if you’re looking for less offset and cleaner lines, you’d be remiss to not look at/try the Cobras. They’re a bit crisper feeling than the X Forged but not in a bad way (IMO). Also the sole on the Cobra MBs reminds me a bit of the 2018 Apex MBs (my absolute favorite Cally iron). 

[Pnwpingi210]

6 minutes ago, bardezart said:

I moved out of the X Forged into a Cobra CB/MB combo set. The X Forged were quite nice but if you’re looking for less offset and cleaner lines, you’d be remiss to not look at/try the Cobras. They’re a bit crisper feeling than the X Forged but not in a bad way (IMO). Also the sole on the Cobra MBs reminds me a bit of the 2018 Apex MBs (my absolute favorite Cally iron). 

I had a full set of cobra MBs.  Not bad but small than the x forged. 
 

id hope the x forged would be a smidge more forgiving than the cobra MBs.  I also found the cobra MBs to spin pretty low relative to their peers

[iamthebeard]

On 7/25/2025 at 9:12 AM, swing33 said:

For those playing or planning on playing the X Forged, what will you be doing for the A/G wedge spot at or around 50*?  I like that club to be part of the set but doesn't appear that is an option unfortunately....Tried the Opus wedges and didn't get along with them. My 54* is still Vokey SM7, would like the 50* to be a little more forgiving on full shots. Seems like a miss that they didn't decide to to a 50* wedge in the X Forged.

I play an og tcb a wedge and its the perfect gap wedge. was playing the 18 xforged so why I experimented with it. 

 

Have had the jdm 24 xforged since Feb and they are perfect. closest thing to the 18 xforged ive found. 

[PingMan2015]

On 7/25/2025 at 6:48 PM, Pnwpingi210 said:

Okay after getting to hit these I think they might be the best single piece forged iron released in a long time.

 

the look like a smaller zx7, with cleaner lines, way less offset, and a sole that probably going to fit more players.  They feel just a good.  They spin a little more at stock lofts and launch about the same.  My only nit is the pw sole is wide.  

Agree. Played with mine for the first time yesterday. Was really impressed with the irons. Feel (subjective) was exceptional to me, great turf interaction, great flight. These will be in a bag for a long time. 

[dmeeksDC]

On 7/26/2025 at 12:31 AM, Pnwpingi210 said:

I had a full set of cobra MBs.  Not bad but small than the x forged. 
 

id hope the x forged would be a smidge more forgiving than the cobra MBs.  I also found the cobra MBs to spin pretty low relative to their peers

There’s no doubt the X Forged will be more forgiving than the Cobra MB for the vast majority of players. A little more room to miss, a little more help with the sole design. 

[bardezart]

On 7/25/2025 at 10:31 PM, Pnwpingi210 said:

I had a full set of cobra MBs.  Not bad but small than the x forged. 
 

id hope the x forged would be a smidge more forgiving than the cobra MBs.  I also found the cobra MBs to spin pretty low relative to their peers

Oh for sure more forgiving. I really enjoyed the X Forged - think Callaway knocked it out of the park with them. I was just looking to move to something shorter heel to toe and with less offset. Cobras really surprised me with how nice they look and play. 
 

But if Callaway releases those prototype blades next year with an updated one piece Apex CB to combo with…. 

[Pnwpingi210]

Does anyone know if the us release is a heavier head?  The Japan spec is pretty light and I despise using 8 grams of tips weights to get swingweight right

[TiScape]

On 7/25/2025 at 5:22 PM, BirdieBob said:

Gabby Golf Girl approves of the X Forged

 

 

That feels a lot more like an ad than a review to me… 🤷🏼‍♂️

[TWGator]

On 7/21/2025 at 3:48 PM, QuigleyDU said:

I get you and I am sorry. But I also understand the economics of it and why they didn't. I wonder if the japan version comes in lefty? 

They won’t, in Japan they cut your hand off if you are born left handed.

 

 

 

That may not be true 

[QuigleyDU]

8 minutes ago, TWGator said:

They won’t, in Japan they cut your hand off if you are born left handed.

 

 

 

That may not be true 

True story. I was born left handed but had an old school teacher that made me right handed. 

[TWGator]

1 minute ago, QuigleyDU said:

True story. I was born left handed but had an old school teacher that made me right handed. 

I believe it, that used to happen a lot.  And it’s actually pretty good if your lead arm is your strong arm.  

[dmeeksDC]

On 7/23/2025 at 9:58 PM, Turbulators said:

I have the xforged max.   To my eye they are quite a lot smaller than the APEX DCB and MUCH less offset.  I cannot agree with a comparison to the DCB in any way.  The DCB rings shades of G440 in my head.  That is nothing at all like this max iron.    In fact, the Max looks surprisingly tight behind the ball.  Really like it.  

Well, I got to see the X Forged Max irons and you sir are correct. Beautiful irons. They’re a lot more like a player’s iron than the DCB. The X Forged Max do have deep cavities but they also look pretty compact. Larger than the X Forged but not a lot larger, clearly smaller than the ai200. 

 

I bet the X Forged Max get some play on pro tours, they look much closer to the Srixon Zxi7 in proportions than I realized. I would say they are also like a Bridgestone J15CB or Tour B CB, and that is high praise IMO. It’s quite an interesting model for Callaway to come out with. Be sure to post updates on how they play. 

[rekoj69]

These (the X forged) look quite a lot like Tourstage 705 type M irons (great muscle cavity) from 15 years ago lol the 5i bent to 25* is often in my bag still

Edited July 27 by rekoj69

[Braddles]

9 hours ago, TiScape said:

That feels a lot more like an ad than a review to me… 🤷🏼‍♂️

 

She also went with a different model (Ai 150) as the X-Forged weren't going far enough.

[Spederman]

The X forged Max remind me of the 2019 Apex Pro. Loved those irons back in the day. Any ideas on size comparison of the max vs apex pro? 

[clemsondds]

Was able to hit both the x forged max and the ai150 at the pga superstore today. First, that store is amazing! First time I had ever been in one.  
according to the numbers, I hit the AI150 about 10 yards further which surprised me since they are the same loft (31*).  I also preferred the top line of the ai150…a little thinner and more blade looking. Hit the ai150 a doubt 5 yards higher as well.  Feel wise, they both felt really nice on center hits. But the ai150 felt a little less harsh of slight toe mishits.  I went ahead and ordered a set of ai150s. Hope I made the right move! 

[Tampajoe3]

Here’s the the two pitching wedges side by side.  The silverish “p” is the x forged and the other is the max.  
I had the x forged weakened 2 degrees to be my gap wedge. 

[Ambion]

These look really nice

[BlkNGld]

On 7/27/2025 at 9:04 AM, QuigleyDU said:

True story. I was born left handed but had an old school teacher that made me right handed. 

 

Yeah, I think I got in just as that thinking was fading.   Some Catholic nuns held onto that for a while longer.

[Turbulators]

On 7/24/2025 at 9:06 AM, clemsondds said:

Great to hear!  How do they play?   Pretty forgiving?   Trying to decide between these and the ai150. thanks

I would steer you toward the AI150 if that club suits you.   I think the X Max is just wrong.  A clunky blade style cavity  back.   Or put it this way, all of the size and offset of a technology club, without the technology.   My favorite clubs are straight up blades.  I have the P7MB and the BPT.  Preference to the P7MB.  But I also play AI200.  Ping G440.   I think the AI200 is a criminally under rated iron.   So easy to hit.  Goes so far.  So much fun.  I love it. But the precision of the blades is just not an option with the bigger heads.  edited to add -  the X Max are smallish for a technology head, so maybe that will suit you.  But they are pretty close to the ai150 and I think for both being up-sized vs blade , give me some technology or i will just stay blade.  

Edited July 28 by Turbulators
Left off an item

[peterjthom11]

Now that Srixon is taking over the iron market, everyone wants a version of the V sole... lol 

[Tugu]

Apologies if it's already been asked elsewhere, but for those who have seen the irons, are they able to be combo'd without too much fuss? Or are the lofts and distances just a bridge too far?

 

Thanks in advance.

[Ambion]

These look great.  Would love to test them out soon.  Thanks for the info.

[Wardonation]

I hit them both Xforged look, fell great just like the old ones IMO. The Max felt fine but IMO gawd ugly like top 10 single forged ugliest iron ever type deal. I could be crazy but there is no way a tour player is going to put one of those in their bag and play it. As good as the X was the MAX was that bad IMO.. Way too round, huge top line, a huge I am men huge sole for a forged club. 

Edited July 30 by Wardonation

[QuigleyDU]

On 7/27/2025 at 4:09 PM, rekoj69 said:

These (the X forged) look quite a lot like Tourstage 705 type M irons (great muscle cavity) from 15 years ago lol the 5i bent to 25* is often in my bag still

Those were great irons! Bridgestone before they became Bridgestone. 

 

EDIT.. 

Edited July 29 by QuigleyDU

[halfsumo]

Hit the Max again today. I brought my own more spinny ball in the Callaway Chrome Tour X. These really suit my eye at address and the feel is very good. With my ball, the spin was actually where I normally am with my ZXi7's. Hit them again side by side with i240 and T150 and liked the Max better in pretty much every regard. The cavity itself looks a little funky, but I think the address proportions look great. I think they look and feel better than my Srixons. I can see the chunky back on the 5 iron, but I like that. 

[DoubleEagle08]

I ordered a set today. No one is really talking about this but it looks like the PW in both XF and XFM are very similiar in size and sole width. However, the XFM gradually gets a thicker sole as you get to the 5 iron. To me, this set changed from the top to the bottom. If I were to describe it in other manufactuere terms, It starts as a ZX7 in the PW and morphs into a ZX5 by the 5 iron. So those people that like to "combo" may not need to in the XFM.