Gear: Callaway Apex 2023 Price: $299 each with Mitsubishi MMT graphite and Golf Pride Z Grip
Specifications: Face and hosel are made of stainless steel. Options include 17-,19- and 21 degree options
Available: August 18, pre-sale, Sept. 8, in-store
Who it’s for: Advanced golfers looking to get the launch and distance from a high-flanked fairway wood, but in a smaller club.
The skinny: The Apex UT combines technologies of fairway woods for additional distance with a compact design that is pleasing to low handicap players. Better players will be able shape their shots with a neutral bias.
The Deep Dive: In the last three-year period, high-lofted woods have become increasingly popular on the PGA Tour as well as amongst accomplished golfers. They are a good option for golfers that don’t want to carry a hybrid because of their low and back center of gravity.
Callaway offers a unique option for players looking to get the same distance as a fairway wood, but with the versatility of a hybrid: The Apex UW.
The Apex UW is a hybrid that was designed to replace long irons. This second generation UW is available in lofts of 19, 21 and 17, the same as the lofts on most 3-irons, 2-irons, or hybrids. The Apex UWs are equipped with shafts longer than those of a hybrid, to increase speed, and shorter than those of a fairway, which helps players make better contact.
In the address position, it looks like a smaller fairway wood. The C300 maraging face cup is designed to flex better at impact than a standard flat face. This helps widen the sweet spot, and creates more ball speed. Callaway has added the Batwing structure in the toe and heel areas of the head. They join the sole and crown, stiffening the chassis so that more energy can be transferred to the shot.
Callaway was concerned about turf interaction because the Apex UW is used off the tee by many players on long par 3. However, for the better players, the majority of their shots will be taken off the ground onto long par 4s or par 5. Designers gave the Apex UW a sole that has a seam from the leading edge of the club to the back and two scalloped areas. This will help it slide more easily through grass and sand. Callaway calls this a Cutwave Pro Sole and it is designed to improve turf interaction.
Callaway also designed the Apex with a neutral-weight bias so that the club does not have a pre-set draw or fade. Many hybrids are made for golfers with a mid- or higher handicap to reduce the effect of a slice. However, many good players want to move the ball in other directions. Weighting on the Apex UW makes it easier to work in different directions.
Custom fitters can adjust the swing weight of the club based on the length of the club or the player’s preference.
