Callaway Apex DCB vs Callaway Apex Pro 21
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | Apex DCB loft | Apex Pro 21 loft | Apex DCB lie | Apex Pro 21 lie | Apex DCB length | Apex Pro 21 length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 20 | 23 | 60.5 | 60.5 | 38.75 | 38.5 |
| 3 | — | 20.5 | — | 60 | — | 39 |
| 5 | 23 | 26 | 61.25 | 61 | 38.125 | 38 |
| 6 | 26 | 29 | 62 | 61.5 | 37.5 | 37.5 |
| 7 | 30 | 33 | 62.5 | 62 | 37 | 37 |
| 8 | 34 | 37 | 63 | 62.5 | 36.5 | 36.5 |
| 9 | 38 | 41 | 63.5 | 63 | 36 | 36 |
| PW | 43 | 45 | 64 | 63.5 | 35.75 | 35.75 |
| AW | 48 | 50 | 64 | 63.5 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- Apex DCB
- Apex Pro 21
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the Apex DCB is 30° and the Apex Pro 21 is 33°, a 3° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the Apex DCB should carry roughly 9 to 12 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the Apex Pro 21. Across the 8 clubs both sets share, the Apex Pro 21 averages 2.8° weaker, with the largest gap at the 4-iron (20° vs 23°). The pitching wedges are 43° and 45°; the stronger one leaves a 7° jump to a 50° gap wedge, which matters when planning wedge gapping. Beyond loft, the Apex Pro 21 7-iron sits 0.5° flatter (62.5° vs 62°), which nudges start direction slightly right for a right-hander.
The sets are built differently: the Apex DCB runs 4-iron to AW (8 clubs), the Apex Pro 21 3-iron to AW (9 clubs).
The Apex DCB is a game improvement iron and the Apex Pro 21 a players iron, so they sit 2 steps apart on the forgiveness scale. The Apex DCB is the more forgiving design, with a wider sole, more offset and more perimeter weighting for roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. The Apex Pro 21 trades some of that for a more compact head, thinner topline and more control over flight and shape, which suits roughly scratch to 10 handicaps.
The Apex DCB is listed as forged, multi-material and the Apex Pro 21 as forged body with a hollow long-iron construction and urethane microspheres. The Apex Pro 21's hollow body lets the face flex more and moves mass low and outward, usually giving higher launch and more ball speed on off-centre strikes than the Apex DCB, at some cost in feel. Both use tungsten weighting to lower the centre of gravity and steady the head on off-centre strikes.
Both sets were introduced in 2021, so this is a choice between two models from the same lineup rather than an upgrade: Callaway designed them to sit side by side for different players.
Which should you choose?
The Apex Pro 21 is the weaker-lofted set — up to 3° weaker than the Apex DCB. That trades raw distance for a steeper landing angle and more predictable stopping power into greens.
Both charts are reproduced in full on their own pages: Callaway Apex DCB specs and Callaway Apex Pro 21 specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Callaway Apex DCB stronger lofted than the Apex Pro 21?
Yes. The Callaway Apex DCB 7-iron is 30° against 33° for the Apex Pro 21, 3° stronger, which is worth roughly 9 to 12 yards of extra carry with the same swing.
What is the loft difference between the Callaway Apex DCB and Apex Pro 21?
At the 7-iron the difference is 3° (30° vs 33°). The largest gap on a shared club is 3° at the 4-iron, and all 8 shared clubs differ.
Which is better for higher handicap golfers, the Callaway Apex DCB or the Apex Pro 21?
The Callaway Apex DCB. As a game improvement iron it is the more forgiving design, suited to roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. The Apex Pro 21 is a players iron, better suited to roughly scratch to 10 handicaps.
Do the Callaway Apex DCB and Apex Pro 21 have the same lie and length?
Not exactly. At the 7-iron the Callaway Apex DCB is 62.5° lie and 37 inches, the Apex Pro 21 62° and 37 inches. Both can be bent or built to your own fit.
Shop both models
Compare prices for new and used sets on eBay:
We may earn a commission from purchases made through links on this page at no extra cost to you.