Callaway Apex Ai200, Ai300, Ti Fusion irons: What you need to know
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Callaway Golf
Realizing that everyone doesn’t have time to consume endless content on club launch day, we’re offering a fresh version of our detailed tech write-up that focuses on the high points. Here’s what you need to know about Callaway’s newest Apex iron series: Ai200, Ai300 (both priced at $200 per club) and Apex Ti Fusion (priced at $300 per club), all available through Fairway Jockey on 8/15.
Apex Ai200 and Ai300
Callaway’s Apex series irons have been a leader in technology and performance since it was first unveiled in 2014 and helped to pioneer the players’ distance category. Now with another decade of design and materials knowledge under their belts, plus Artificial Intelligence and expanded player feedback, Callaway is introducing the player-focused Apex Ai200 and game-improvement Apex Ai300 models.
What’s inside
The Apex Ai200 and Ai300 share the same technology platform with a forged 455 face cup and a forged 1020 body to produce tour-level feedback and distance on shots hit around the entire face.
Callaway Apex Ai200 Custom Irons
$200
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“From the early days, we knew we wanted to come out and be fully forged to give players the best feel, but not make any sacrifices on distance or performance”, said Brian Williams, Callaway’s VP of R&D.
But construction is just the start because it’s what engineers do with those materials and the processes that go into producing the components of the head that make the Ai200 and Ai300 stand out — the most important (as the name suggests) being Artificial Intelligence.
Just like the Paradym Ai Smoke series, Apex Ai200 and Ai300 utilize an AI Smart Face to produce fast and consistent ball speeds, launch angles and spin rates on shots hit around the face. One of the biggest improvement areas for Ai200 and Ai300 includes shots hit towards the lower heel and toe sections thanks to the expansion of the 455 face cup more into the heel and toe to allow for more flex.
“We were relentless in our pursuit of healthy ball flights,” said Williams. “We wanted increased launch with high spin and steeper descent angles into green — we wanted a product that was going to hit to a number with consistency.”
Behind that face, and hidden in the body, are precision MIM (metal injection molding) weights to precisely locate the center of gravity through the set to tune each iron for exceptional performance on approach shots. Both irons also feature a newly engineered dynamic sole design to ensure proper turf interaction.
Callaway Apex Ai300 Custom Irons
$200
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Specs
Callaway Apex Ai200
Callaway Apex Ai300
Apex Ti Fusion
If Callaway’s Apex Ai200 and Ai300 irons are considered technology-packed, then Apex Ti Fusion is Callaway’s supercar concept, created with advanced materials science and groundbreaking manufacturing techniques to put game improvement consistency into a player-preferred shape.
“This is a concept iron, a signal of innovation, trying new technologies that deliver high performance,” said Zack Oakley, Callaway’s senior product manager. “It’s for performance enthusiasts who want all the bells and whistles, the fancy components. We’ve also given it a cool finish.”
At the heart of Ti Fusion is a thin and fast titanium face that has been brazed to a forged steel body. It should be noted that brazing isn’t a new technology and has been used in fairway woods and some driving irons before, but it’s the total construction of the head including the internal urethane microspheres that allows the iron to be fast, while still offering a premium solid feel.
Callaway Apex Ti Fusion Custom Irons
$300
View Product
Like Ai200 and Ai300, the Ti Fusion utilizes Ai Smart face mapping to create more consistent launch and spin on shots hit over a larger area of the face. The result is more consistent distance control. The other advantage of titanium being stronger and lighter compared to a steel face is that more mass can be placed low and around the club’s perimeter to increase overall forgiveness and performance.
“This project has been ongoing for several years at Callaway, where we identified limitations in other constructions we discussed,” said Williams. “We knew we had to come up with something proprietary. It’s now a patented process for us — a new joint construction that allows high deflection across the face for high ball speeds.”
To distinguish the ultra-premium Ti Fusion from others in the marketplace, Callaway finished the head in a black DLC (Diamond-Like Coating) which offers greater durability than PVD and creates a deeper and richer aesthetic.
Want to overhaul your bag for 2024? Find a fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.
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Golf.com Editor
Ryan Barath is GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com’s senior editor for equipment. He has an extensive club-fitting and -building background with more than 20 years of experience working with golfers of all skill levels, including PGA Tour players. Before joining the staff, he was the lead content strategist for Tour Experience Golf, in Toronto, Canada.