Callaway · Irons · 2024
Apex CB 24
CaddyIndex™ breakdown — what the agentic research found across each of the six performance dimensions, with cited sources.
You're a 0-10 HCP at 90-120mph tour-aspirant ball-striker who wants the premium replacement for Apex TCB + buttery-soft 1025 forged feel + class-leading accuracy + minimal offset shape control.
You need distance (use Apex Pro 24 or Apex Ai 300/200), you're a higher-handicap player who needs more forgiveness, or you can't justify ~$1,720 for a 7-iron set premium.
Pros
- Top three most accurate player's irons of 2024 — highest-performing Callaway iron in 2024 Best Player's Iron Test
- Buttery-soft 1025 5-step forged construction — softer than even tour-popular TCB
- Responds to commands to work the ball laterally or flight it down — replaces tour-favorite Apex TCB
- MIM toe weights + cavity-back perimeter weighting deliver forgiveness closer to Apex Pro 24 than expected
Cons
- One of three shortest irons in 2024 Best Player's Iron Test — pure players iron trades distance for accuracy
- Losing distance the instant you venture away from the sweet spot — punishes mis-hits despite cavity back
- Premium pricing at ~$215 per club (~$1,720 for 8-club set) — among the costliest 2024 iron options
- Custom fit only (3-AW) + low-single-digit handicap target — not for the majority of golfers
By dimension
Forgiveness
Forgiveness of the Apex CB 24 is impressive and closer to the Apex Pro 24 than expected, with ball speed preservation across the face — even some moderate mis-hits may only lose a few yards of carry, which is exceptional for a players' iron. MIM weights placed strategically in the toe create a perfectly balanced design for enhanced workability and control. Weight inserted in the toe improves the MOI of the head. Reassuringly limited drop-off in distance on mishits with minimal curvature when missing the center. You're losing distance the instant you venture away from the sweet spot. Above-average forgiveness for a tour cavity back — MIM toe weights + cavity-back perimeter weighting deliver exceptional forgiveness for players-iron class.
Distance
Callaway Apex CB is one of the three shortest irons in the 2024 Best Player's Iron Test. Distance was good, not great. You're losing distance the instant you venture away from the sweet spot. 7-iron 34° loft (weaker than Apex Pro 24's 33°). Above-average ball speed, bang-on-average carry distance. Below-average to mid-tier distance — explicitly ranked as one of three shortest in 2024 players iron test, weaker loft (34° 7-iron) and tour-spec head trade distance for accuracy/control.
Workability
Will respond to commands to work the ball laterally or flight it down. Designed for the most discerning tour pros and elite ball-strikers — pure feel, precise shot-making, and workability. The Apex CB 24 is designed to replace the Apex TCB iron which has been extremely popular on the PGA Tour. Less offset, a thinner top line, narrower sole, and slightly more compact head than Apex Pro 24. A progressive CG throughout the set improves trajectory control. Top-tier workability — explicitly designed as tour cavity back replacing TCB + works ball both directions + flights down on command + minimal offset + progressive CG.
Feel
Forged in a 5-step process from 1025 carbon steel, creating the buttery-soft feel discerning players crave. CB is softer, TCB has more of a solid feel — CB is softer than even TCB. Soft, solid, and muted with good impact. No harshness on mishits or slight mishits. Feel at impact is wonderfully soft, just like you would expect from a traditional-style iron. Incredibly soft and responsive feel at impact — standout performer in terms of feel. Top-tier feel — 'buttery-soft' 1025 5-step forged + softer than even the popular TCB + 'standout performer in terms of feel' + no harshness on mishits.
Sound
Soft, swooshing sound at impact is consistent across every model. Acoustics weren't minimal but not unpleasant in any way. Soft, solid, and muted with good impact — no harshness on mishits. Forged 1025 in 5-step process delivers premium tonal character. Top-tier sound — soft, swooshing acoustic consistent across set + muted forged tonal character + no harshness on mishits.
Looks at address
Less offset, a thinner top line, narrower sole, and slightly more compact head than Apex Pro 24. Sole is wider on TCB, CB has a narrow sole. Compact head + thin topline for pure shotmaker visual. Chrome finish premium tour-shape aesthetic. Top-tier address — premium tour cavity back aesthetic + thin topline + narrow sole + minimal offset + compact head visual.
Sources
Some of the reviews, lab tests and head-to-head comparisons the agentic research read while grading this club.
- Callaway Apex CB 2024 Iron Review - Golf Monthly (responds to commands to work ball laterally or flight down, soft solid muted with good impact + no harshness on mishits, distance was good not great, forgiveness closer to Apex Pro 24 than expected, exceptional for players iron, 1025 carbon steel forged, dynamic sole design pre-worn leading edge + trailing edge relief)
- Top 3 Most Accurate Player's Irons - MyGolfSpy (Apex CB ranked 3rd most accurate after TaylorMade P-7MC and PING I230, highest-performing Callaway iron in 2024 Best Player's Iron Test, one of three shortest irons in the test)
- Launch Monitor Tested: Callaway Apex 24 irons - Today's Golfer (ball speeds between Apex Pro and MB 24 with lofts a degree weaker than Pro 24 + spin slightly higher, above-average ball speed + bang-on-average carry distance, smaller carry drop-off and shot area than majority of 2024 players irons, less offset + thinner topline + narrower sole + compact head vs Apex Pro 24, consistent distance and high launch angles)