Callaway APEX CF 16 brings Cup Face Technology to a Forged Iron

Oh look. It’s a new Callaway iron. Not that one…not that one…either. There ya go, that one. It’s a new one of those.

Announced today, the Apex CF 16 and Apex Pro 16 irons will replace their current namesake models after a year (my bad) two years or so of serviceable life. I suppose that’s reasonable.

It’s absolutely possible that we’ll have a mind-blowing experience when we test the new Apex line, but current Apex owners should take solace in the fact that, on paper anyway, the ’16 incarnation of Callaway’s top of the line iron offering is the kind of thing that should keep current Apex users content, while being different-enough to motivate fence straddlers to fall to the Callaway side.

Callaway bills Apex CF 16 as a for just about everyone kind of iron, and while the design speaks to that, it also speaks to a specific type of player. More so than Callaway’s other offerings, Apex appeals to a guy who, although he may want a little extra distance, considers himself above any explicit declarations.

Apex is a high-tech, high-end iron, with half the nonsense (rough estimate) of a standard offering. Whatever Apex CF 16’s speed, it’s probably not outrageous.

Cup Face Technology

The Apex CF 16 Performance story stems from the addition of Callaway’s Cup 360 technology. That Cup Face literally puts the CF in Apex CF.

For those who need a refresher, Callaway basically took the same face technology it uses in its fairway woods and built into its Big Bertha irons, and then its XR irons, and now, for the first time, Callaway has built Cup 360 into a forged iron.

That cup face, along with some more aggressive undercutting of the iron cavity itself, allows for a larger unsupported face, which, as you should all know by now, creates faster ball speeds across more of that face (cupped or otherwise).

If you’re looking for a frame of reference, Callaway says last year’s Apex had a COR number of about .80, while the CF 16 steps that up to .82. Callaway believes that makes Apex the fastest (longest) forged iron on the market today.

There is definitely a speed story here…it’s just not the only story.

To help maintain the desired forged (soft) feel, Callaway uses a TPU insert (which it’s R&D team affectionately calls the snubber) to help control unwanted vibrations.

The total package offers speed with outstanding feel, or what Callaway calls Distance with Playbility.

Progressive Performance

As you might expect, Apex CF 16’s offset, sole width, CG height, along with other things that generally progress within most progressive iron designs…do in fact, progress as you move from one club to the next, but only to a point.

The Cup 360 tech and the aggressive undercutting is found only in the long irons (3-7). As you transition to the 8 iron (and beyond), loft plays a more significant role in the performance equation, which is why most of the tech in these types of tech-driven set largely disappears by the time you reach for your 8 iron.

At the higher lofts gapping becomes more of a priority and so Callaway’s focus shifts from what I suppose you might call raw power to distance consistency.

What Callaway seeks to achieve with the Apex is a forged iron than most anyone can play. The prevailing design idea is that distance can be had without sacrificing feel or playability. If nothing else, Apex CF 16 should help overcome that misguided notion still held by some that hammering steel – in this case quadruple net forging 1025 mild carbon – somehow makes for an inherently less forgiving iron than one created by pouring metal into a mould (casting).

Callaway Apex CF 16 Specifications

Pricing and Availability

Callaway Apex CF 16 launches on 10/30 with presales beginning on 10/16. Availability includes 3-SW with a street price of 1199.99 (steel – True Temper XP 95)/ 1399.99 (graphite – UST Recoil 760/780) for an eight club set.