Callaway Irons: Model By Model

Callaway is continually striving to make advancements and push technological limits. This applies not only to their drivers and fairways but also their irons. Callaway has several families of irons that suit a vast array of golfers. In this model-by-model series, we will showcase the current Callaway offerings, whom they are for, their various options and their technology story.

Callaway Release Cycle:

Callaway continues a trend of having separate release cycles for their different iron families. By this, we mean Callaway has a yearly launch that coincides with its driver and fairway release. The name of this iron is usually the same and is aimed more towards the game-improvement category. Callaway also has secondary families that usually release every 24 months. These releases sit on either side of the game-improvement category, being the Tour-inspired Apex series or the super game-improvement Big Bertha series. 

Callaway often continues to keep their previous yearly model as a current model within their lineup. In this case, the Paradym is still considered a current model, even though the new Paradym Ai-Smoke has been released.

Key Technologies for Callaway:

It is difficult to discuss Callaway golf irons and offerings without the inclusion of AI technology. Of all the brands, it could be argued that Callaway has leaned the most heavily into this technology. While the main story is often focused on their drivers, their AI technology is highly integrated into their irons as well.

• Urethane Microspheres: A material used inside hollow-bodied irons to help reduce vibrations and improve sound and feel. This technology is used extensively within the Callaway lineup of irons.
• Face Cup Technology: This has been used in various iterations over the years by Callaway and is a core feature to improve ball speed and help golfers gain more distance.

 Callaway Irons: Model-by-Model Overview

Callaway Apex MB Irons

Release Date: Aug. 18, 2023

Meant For: The elite ball striker and low digit handicap golfer. A pure blade for the best of the best.

Combo Set Available: Yes

Available Irons: 3-AW

Urethane Microspheres: No

Shafts: Steel

About the Callaway Apex MB Irons: 

The new Callaway Apex line is built for combo sets. That doesn’t mean a golfer cannot choose to go with a full blade set. The Apex MB is a single-piece forged iron made from 1025 carbon steel through a five-step forging process. They are built for feel and workability with progressive CG design that aims to allow the long irons to have higher launch with softer landings. It also allows the short irons to have a lower trajectory and added spin control for those scoring opportunities. Finally, Callaway has updated the sole for enhanced turf interaction with their Dynamic Sole Design. This introduces relief in different areas to promote more consistent contact, all while maintaining speed through the turf.

Callaway Apex CB Irons

Release Date: Aug. 18, 2023

Meant For: Consistent ball strikers and better golfers valuing precision performance over forgiveness. Also, golfers looking for further blending possibilities.

Combo Set Available: Yes

Available Irons: 3-AW

Urethane Microspheres: No

Shafts: Steel

About the Callaway Apex CB Irons:

The Apex CB is still considered a “Tour iron” and, much like the MB, is built for elite ball strikers. Made with the same 1025 carbon steel with a five-step forging process, the Apex CB introduces a multi-material design with their MIM weights placed in the toe along with other weighting structures for added customization. They also share the same Dynamic Sole Design and progressive CG design as the Apex MB irons.

Callaway Apex Pro Irons

Release Date: Aug. 18, 2023

Meant For: Low and potentially mid handicaps looking for a little added distance within precision Tour-style irons. Golfers searching in the player’s distance category of irons.

Combo Set Available: Yes

Available Irons: 3-AW

Urethane Microspheres: Yes

Shafts: Steel/Graphite

About the Callaway Apex Pro Irons: 

The Callaway Apex Pro Irons are where the Apex family starts to separate a little bit. The Pro irons are a forged hollow-body design packed with further technology. The 3-5 irons include a 455 Forged Face Cup for additional ball speed while the 6-iron to AW have a forged 1025 carbon steel face. This is what Callaway calls their “progressive face design”, allowing long irons to gain added distance and forgiveness, while keeping the shorter irons with optimal control and feel. Once again, the Dynamic Sole Design is built into the model as well as the ability to combine with the Apex CB and Apex MB for those looking to fully customize their sets.

Callaway Paradym and Paradym X Irons

Release Date: Jan. 13, 2023

Meant For: Lower to mid handicaps looking for a little added distance. Golfers searching in the player’s distance and game-improvement category.

Available Irons: 4-AW

Urethane Microspheres: Yes

Shafts: Steel/Graphite

About the Callaway Paradym and Paradym X Irons:

Released last year, these continue to be current irons within the Callaway lineup. The Paradym is recognized as their player’s distance iron. Both the Paradym and Paradym X feature the same technologies. These include:

• A.I -designed Flash Forged 455 Face Cup
• Dual tungsten weighting
• Hollow body with Speed Frame construction

While the Paradym and Paradym X have slightly different shaping and fit slightly different golfers, both are packed with technology for added distance and forgiveness. The core differences between the two are a slightly more compact shape and less offset in the Paradym versus the Paradym X.

Callaway Paradym Ai-Smoke Irons

Release Date: Jan. 12, 2024

Meant For: Mid to high handicaps searching for game-improvement irons with added technology, forgiveness and distance.

Available Irons: 4-SW

Urethane Microspheres: Yes

Shafts: Steel/Graphite

About the Callaway Paradym Ai-Smoke Irons: 

The newest irons in the Callaway lineup, the Paradym Ai-Smoke irons, introduce their first Ai Smart Face for irons. This new face works to maximize distance and tighten dispersion. This iron is described as a modern hollow-body design with a slightly longer blade length, thinner topline and improved sole width for a better-looking and better-performing iron. As with other models, Callaway has included the new Dynamic Sole Design with pre-worn leading edges and variable bounce for improved turf interaction. The Paradym Ai-Smoke irons are a slightly larger, but more forgiving, iron than the previous Paradym iron.

Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke HL and Max Fast Irons

Release Date: Jan. 12, 2024

Meant For: High handicap golfers or slower swingers looking for the most forgiveness and distance out of their irons.

Available Irons: 4-SW

Urethane Microspheres: Yes

Shafts: Steel/Graphite

About The Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke HL and Max Fast Irons: 

We place these two together as they are similarly built with much of the same technology as their sibling, the Paradym Ai Smoke, with the core difference being the construction design. The HL and Max Fast options are a deep-cavity design that are larger and meant to be more forgiving than the standard model. As for the key differences between the two, that lies within their components. The Max Fast irons include lighter components to assist in maintaining swing speed for those looking to recover every last mph whereas the HL irons have slightly stronger lofts.

As with the Paradym Ai Smoke, the HL and Max Fast irons include the Ai Smart Face, slightly longer shaft length in the mid and long irons as well as Dynamic Sole Design.

Callaway Big Bertha Irons

Release Date: July 6, 2023

Meant For: Higher handicappers in search of distance and forgiving irons. Also for those that do not mind more offset and a larger profile iron.

Available Irons: 4-SW

Urethane Microspheres: Yes

Shafts: Graphite

About The Callaway Big Bertha Irons:

The Big Bertha irons somewhat awkwardly occupy a very similar category as the Paradym Ai Smoke HL and Max Fast Irons. Although a slightly older model, the Big Bertha irons still include an AI-designed Face Cup and tungsten weighting for faster ball speeds and added forgiveness. This series also utilizes lightweight components to make them easier to swing. Finally, it comes in a different color scheme, Smoke Black. While these cross over with other models in the Callaway lineup, their look and size allow them to target a different golfer with slower swing speeds.