Callaway Apex Ai150 Irons Review: The Perfect Middle Ground for Better Players
9/2/2025 | by Kyle Rector of AmateurGolf.com
see also: Equipment Reviews
A competitive golfer’s test of Callaway’s new forged hollow-body design that promises more launch, distance, and forgiveness
I've been a longtime Apex Pro player. I love them for their classic, one-piece forged feel, precise shaping, and the confidence they give me to work the ball both ways. But at 43, playing competitively as a 0.4 handicap, I’m always looking for that little edge.
That edge? More height and carry in the long irons, extra distance without losing spin, and most importantly—consistency off the face. The new Callaway Apex Ai150 claims to offer all that without losing the feel that makes Apex Pro special. I set out to see if that claim holds up.
What is the Apex Ai150?
Callaway’s Apex family for 2024/25 has something for every better player:
- Apex Pro: Traditional forged player’s iron with precision shaping and feel.
- Ai200: Modern hollow-body with full Face Cup tech for distance and forgiveness.
- Ai300: Even more forgiving, game-improvement shaping.
The Ai150 sits in the middle. It’s designed for players like me who want modern forgiveness and launch without giving up classic Apex shaping or feel. It’s a forged hollow-body with selective face tech: 455 Face Cup in the long/mid irons, precision faces in scoring irons, and Ai Smart Face technology for consistency across the face.
Construction and Technology Details
This isn’t just marketing fluff—Callaway genuinely built this set with a blended design strategy:
- Forged 1025 carbon steel hollow body for premium feel.
- 455 Face Cup in 3–7 irons for faster ball speed and higher launch.
- 17-4 stainless forged face in 8–W for precision and control.
- Ai Smart Face Technology designed using thousands of impact simulations for consistent launch/spin.
- Urethane microspheres for feel without harsh vibration.
Loft and Offset Comparison
Lofts are slightly stronger than my Apex Pro '21 set—but not extreme:
| Iron | Apex Pro '21 Loft | Ai150 Loft |
|---|---|---|
| 7i | ~33–34° | 31° |
Offset remains minimal and very close to Apex Pro:
| Iron | Apex Pro '21 Offset | Ai150 Offset |
|---|---|---|
| 7i | ~2.5 mm | 2.36 mm |
Looks and Feel at Address
Honestly, this was one of my biggest worries. The Ai150 didn’t disappoint:
- Thin topline that better players want.
- Minimal offset that inspires confidence.
- Compact, classic shape at address.
- Premium satin finish for a modern, clean look.
It looks like an Apex Pro should—just with modern hidden tech inside.
My Fitting Goals
As a 43-year-old 0.4 handicap, my goals are simple:
- Gain launch in the long/mid irons to hold greens better.
- Add a bit of carry distance without losing spin control.
- Maintain a forged feel and workability.
- Get more forgiveness on small misses without sacrificing shape.
My Launch Monitor Results: 7-Iron Testing
I tested both irons using my gamer shaft: Dynamic Gold MID S300 Stiff, same ball, same session. Here’s what I got:
| Metric | Apex Pro '21 7i | Ai150 7i |
|---|---|---|
| Carry Distance | 165 yds | 170–172 yds |
| Launch Angle | 15° | 17–18° |
| Ball Speed | 115 mph | 118 mph |
| Spin Rate | ~6000 rpm | 5800–6000 rpm |
| Peak Height | 80 ft | 90 ft |
My take: The Ai150 gave me 5–7 extra yards of carry, higher launch, and higher peak height—all while maintaining consistent spin for green-holding control.
Testing Beyond the 7-Iron: 8-Iron Comparison
Callaway designed the Ai150 set to be blended—long and mid irons (3–7) have Face Cup tech, while the 8–W are forged 17-4 faces for precision. I wanted to see if the scoring irons stayed true to that promise.
| Metric | Apex Pro '21 8i | Ai150 8i |
|---|---|---|
| Carry Distance | 150 yds | 152–154 yds |
| Launch Angle | 19° | 20–21° |
| Spin Rate | ~7000 rpm | 6800–7100 rpm |
Takeaway: Even without Face Cup, Ai150’s 8-iron gave me 1–2° higher launch and a slight distance bump, while spin stayed in the critical 6800–7100 range for control. Feel remained solid and forged—exactly what you want in scoring irons.
Verdict: Who Should Consider the Ai150?
If you’re a better player gaming Apex Pro or something like T100, i230, or P7MC and want:
- More launch and carry in long and mid irons
- Consistent spin and stopping power
- Classic Apex shaping and feel
- Modern forgiveness without going full game-improvement
The Ai150 is literally built for you.
Apex Family Comparison Chart
Here’s how the entire 2024 Apex family stacks up in construction, technology, and performance. Swipe on mobile to see all columns!
| Feature | Ai300 | Ai200 | Ti Fusion | Ai150 | Apex Pro | Apex CB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | Forged Cavity Back / Forged Face | Forged Hollow-Body / Forged Face | Forged Hollow-Body / Forged Titanium Face | Forged Hollow-Body / Forged Face (Selective Face Cup) | Forged Hollow-Body / Forged Face | Single-Piece Forged |
| Face Cup | Yes | Yes | Yes | 3–7 Irons | 3–5 Irons | No |
| Ai Smart Face™ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Urethane Microspheres | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| MIM Weight System | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dynamic Sole Design | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Distance | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★ |
| Forgiveness | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★ |
| Workability | ★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Takeaway: The Ai150 sits squarely between the high-tech distance of Ai200/Ai300 and the traditional precision of Apex Pro and CB. It's designed to give you launch, speed, and forgiveness where you need it—without losing the forged player's feel.
Apex Family Positioning: Where Ai150 Sits
This simple bar shows exactly where the Ai150 fits: the modern middle ground for better players who want more help without losing classic control and shaping.
Final Thoughts
For me, it’s the perfect evolution from Apex Pro ‘21. I get to keep the look, shaping, and workability I want while adding launch, distance, and forgiveness where I need it most.
If you’re on the fence, get fit, bring your gamer shaft, and see for yourself. That’s what sold me.
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