Forged feel, great looks, and "under the hood" distance boosting technologies like the 360 Face Cup in the 3-7 irons are just a few of the reasons that golfers have been gravitating towards Callaway's Apex product line. To notch things up a level, Callaway will begin taking pre-orders for a custom-only version of Apex called "Apex Black" irons with an early ship date of June 3.

This isn't an attempt by the company to get all of their Apex iron customers to trade in their old irons for a new set, but I wouldn't be surprised if many of the hard core club junkies decide to do just that. In fact, beyond the aesthetic differences in head finish, shaft, and grip, there is a new quadruple net forging process and mild carbon steel that goes into the forging of the Apex Black irons that will effect the feel and feedback you get at that key moment of impact.

Apex Black irons will be offered as a custom- only option, in the set makeup of your choice at no additional charge. Choose 4-PW, 5-PW, 4-AW or 5- AW, depending on what you want in the bag.

Shaft options will both look really stealth; you can choose either the stepless True Temper XP 95 with a satin black finish (wow) or a new "blacked out" UST Recoil graphite shaft. Additional premium after market shaft options are offered with no upcharge. Rounding out the picture, these irons come standard with a custom, “blacked out” Lamkin UTX grip -- but again you can choose whatever grip you like.

– Apex Black irons will run $1,299.99 (steel) and $1,499.99 (graphite), and ship starting June 3.

SUMMARY:

The progressive offset, sole widths, CG height and notch weighting provide scoring performance from your long irons to your short irons. Callaway's multi-piece construction delivers an excellent combination of distance, feel and control. And they have applied an extremely precise quadruple net forging and mild carbon steel to Apex Black for extremely soft feel.

Did we say current Apex players don't need to upgrade? We may want to take that back.