Callaway Apex DCB Irons – An Honest Review After 2 Years

I have had the Callaway Apex DCB in my bag for around two years. I can tell you honestly that this set was not what I thought I would get, as I had been playing a Cobra Blade when I first discovered the DCB.

If you want to know the story behind how I ended up with the Callaway Apex DCB, what I think of them, and whether or not you should invest in these irons, I’ve got all the information you need.

 

Why I chose Callaway Apex DCB

So here’s how it all happened…

I had some credit I could use for custom Callaway irons. I tried the Callaway Apex DCB at the range.

I’m a scratch golfer who gets to play a few nine hole rounds a week with my husband and kids. I’m not currently competing in anything, so the time I spend on the range is not nearly what it was years ago (although I’ll be out there as soon as the kids get a little older).

I used the Trackman Launch Monitor to compare the performance of the Apex and my current irons. It was a no-brainer; I hit them all straight, high and long.

However, I wasn’t sold on the look of the iron. I went with them anyway, and I’ve had some ups and downs with these irons over the last few years (which I’ll detail below).

 

Callaway Apex Dcb Irons Features

Forged and forgiveness don’t usually go hand in hand.

That wasn’t the case with the Apex DCB, and that’s really what sets this iron apart from others on the market.

Deep Cavity Back

The DCB stands deep cavity back. Callaway admits that this is the most forgiving Apex Iron they have ever produced, with an impressive turf interaction and easy launch. I can tell you the irons are easy to launch and the wide sole makes them forgiving when they impact.

The most important thing to note is that you can use a forged iron regardless of your golf handicap.

Even though I am a scratch player, I would recommend these for players with a 10-20 handicap.

Wide Sole

The sole on the Callaway Apex DCB club is extremely wide. The sole of the Callaway Apex DCB is incredibly wide.

I don’t mind the wider sole in the longer irons, but I would be fine if some of the shorter irons had a narrower sole.

If you are looking for a narrower sole, I suggest mixing these with the regular Apex.

AI Designed Face Flash

Callaway created the AI-designed Flash Face Cup for the first time in the year that these DCB irons were released. The ball comes out of the face very hot, so you can get a lot more distance with these clubs.

After switching from irons that are much older and were not created using AI technology, you will notice a huge difference in how the ball comes out of the face. Distance won’t be your issue with these irons in your bag.

Forged 1025 Mild Carbon Steel body

Callaway’s patented urethane-microsphere was included in the Callaway Apex DCB. This improved the overall feeling. Each iron also has 50 grams tungsten which helps to position the center gravity in the right place.

The Callaway Apex DCB is a great option if you are prone to hitting shots that are off-center.

 

Callaway Apex DCB Performance

Now that you have a better idea of what these irons feature from a technology standpoint, here’s what to expect regarding performance.

Price

The Apex DCB can be a little pricey. All Apex products are more expensive than Mavrik.

The Paradym range is initially a little bit more expensive due to the improved technology and materials.

These irons are in the 5-PW which has helped me save some money. Hybrids, wedges and other clubs round out the rest of your set.

Overall, you can tell they’re made with high-quality materials. Feel is something that most people don’t mind paying for, and you are certainly paying for feel when purchasing these irons.

Feel & Sound

I don’t usually like Callaway irons because I’ve never found the feel was a match for my game. After playing the Callaway Apex DCB I have changed my mind. These irons have an excellent feel.

The only thing I can say is that the feel of the game is pretty good, even if you make a bad shot.

If you are really trying to hone in on your ball striking, the feedback from the DCB won’t be quite enough.

Spin

The spin on your golf iron shot is extremely important.

I had no problem creating high-lofted shot that stopped on the green at the exact spot I needed them.

This can be hard to find with a golf iron that has a thicker sole and a bit of a lower loft, but the DCBs present no issue when it comes to spin.

Pair them with a ball with a high spin rate, such as a Titleist Pro V1 (or Callaway Chrome Soft), and your control will improve.

Forgiveness

The Callaway Apex DCB Irons are forgiving.

The offset is quite significant, so you may feel that they are biased towards the right. If you’re a golfer who misses shots to the left, these may be a good match for you.

The wider sole also results in a more consistent interaction with the turf. You may notice that the Apex DCB Irons are more effective at hitting the center of the ball for golfers who occasionally hit thin or fat shots.

Distance

The Apex Dcb was the longest Apex iron that I tested. This is a game-improvement iron so the lofts and distance are good.

I like the combination of solid distance and an impressive feel. It can be difficult to find that combination.

 

Callaway Apex DCB Irons: What I like

I’ve been playing with the Callaway Apex DCB irons for two years now.

Some days I feel like I’m ready for a change, and then other days, they make the game so easy it’s really hard to give them up. The DCB irons are great for forgiveness and distance. They don’t sacrifice feel.

I’ve never really found a game improvement iron to have forgiveness but still be able to maintain the feel.

Apex DCB irons are perfect for long distances.

 

What I dislike about the Callaway Apex DCB Irons

The look is the thing that I struggle most with when using the Callaway Apex DCB Irons.

The top-down look is just too thick for me, which I don’t find it to be confidence-inducing. When I look at the top-down view, I don’t feel confident that I can place the golf ball where I want.

When I have a shot that is long, it could be from the first cut of rough, or to a pin tucked in, the thick topline and wide sole do give me a little extra confidence.

It’s a tough thing in golf trying to find that balance between what works and what feels and looks good.

I think that I’ll have to switch to something a little more streamlined in the near future. However, I do love the longer irons, and for golfers that want a great feel but easy performance, the Callaway Apex DCB can be a really great choice to consider.

 

Overall Ratings and Thoughts

I recommend the Callaway Apex DCB for players with a mid-handicap and even higher handicaps who are concerned about the feel. This iron rewards you for a good shot, and feels as pure as premium blade irons.

However, the top-down look and overall clunkiness of the club make me say that it’s best to look at a mixed set with these clubs.

Keep your long irons inside the DCB. Then, have a couple of short irons inside the Apex. The short irons may not have as much forgiveness or distance, but their overall accuracy will compensate for this.

Overall Rating: 7/10