Are you gaining confidence with your irons? This could be the perfect driving iron for you!

Utility irons have become an increasingly popular option for golfers who want a more penetrating ball flight than a hybrid and more forgiveness than a traditional long iron. Callaway has developed the new Apex Utility Iron, which looks to combine classic looks with modern technology, giving players confidence both off the tee and into long par fives. I took the club to Prince’s Golf Club, the perfect links setting, to see if it could deliver on those promises. Check out our full Callaway 2025 Apex Utility iron review below…

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NCG Summary

NCG SUMMARY

The Callaway 2025 Apex UT delivers the look and feel of a traditional driving iron with the forgiveness and technology of a modern utility club. It is consistent, confidence-inspiring, and perfectly suited for tee shots or long approaches.

The Apex UT is ideal for better players who want a driving iron that offers traditional looks with modern forgiveness. It is also a strong option for mid-handicap golfers who prefer the feel of an iron over a hybrid and want something reliable off the tee or into long par fives.

PROS

• Looks fantastic behind the ball
• Consistent spin and ball speeds
• Offer strong forgiveness without loosing the feel of a forged iron

CONS

• More likely to appeal to confident iron players

First Impressions

As far as first impressions go, I thought the Apex UT makes an excellent first impression. At address it looks like a classic long iron, with a compact head shape and a thin top line that I think will favour the eye of better players. Although there is additional mass at the back of the head to add forgiveness and launch, you cannot see this from behind the ball. This is a big plus for me. That clever design detail means it retains the look of a traditional iron while still offering modern playability.

NCG Review

Performance was very impressive. The consistency of the strikes was something that impressed me most. During testing, my spin rates across seven shots varied by only around 300 rpm, even when my strikes were not perfect. That is an outstanding level of reliability for a driving iron and from one that inspires plenty of confidence out on the course.

Additionally, ball speed averaged 138 mph, with the highest readings reaching 140mph. Launch stayed consistently around 11 degrees, while peak height was flat enough to let the ball chase out, but still playable enough for approach shots. It was clear from this data that this is a useful club both from the tee and for reaching long par fives.

Despite its power, I was pleased to find that the Apex UT did not feel harsh off the face. The forged construction ensured it felt stable, solid, and easy to control. Forgiveness levels were also very good, I found it was much easier to use than other traditional three irons I have tested.

In terms of technology, Callaway has packed a great deal of technology into the Apex UT. The new Flex Core technology uses a multi-material construction with four separate layers between the face and the back of the club. This allows the face to be thinner and more flexible, which produces faster ball speeds and more distance.

The face itself has been designed using artificial intelligence, a feature that Callaway first introduced in its drivers. The result is a variable thickness face that expands the sweet spot and delivers much more consistent spin, even from off-centre strikes.

The hollow body construction is paired with a forged head, so the club feels like a players’ iron rather than a hollow rocket. This balance between distance, forgiveness, and feel makes the Apex UT stand out in a crowded market.

NCG Verdict

Overall, the Callaway Apex Utility Iron is an outstanding option for golfers who want a traditional-looking long iron with the forgiveness and consistency of modern design. It offers excellent ball speed, consistent spin, and a flight that is perfectly suited to links golf or long approach play.

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Callaway 2025 Apex Utility Iron Review: The Details

Available: Now

RRP: £249.00 / $319

More information: Scottsdale Website / Callaway US

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