Callaway Apex MB (2018) vs Callaway X Forged (2018)
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | Apex MB (2018) loft | X Forged (2018) loft | Apex MB (2018) lie | X Forged (2018) lie | Apex MB (2018) length | X Forged (2018) length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 18 | — | 59.5 | — | 39.5 | — |
| 3 | 20.5 | — | 60 | — | 39 | — |
| 4 | 23 | 23 | 60.5 | 60.5 | 38.5 | 38.5 |
| 5 | 26 | 26 | 61 | 61 | 38 | 38 |
| 6 | 30 | 29 | 61.5 | 61.5 | 37.5 | 37.5 |
| 7 | 34 | 33 | 62 | 62 | 37 | 37 |
| 8 | 38 | 37 | 62.5 | 62.5 | 36.5 | 36.5 |
| 9 | 42 | 41 | 63 | 63 | 36 | 36 |
| PW | 47 | 46 | 63.5 | 63.25 | 35.75 | 35.75 |
| AW | 51 | — | 63.5 | — | 35.5 | — |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- Apex MB (2018)
- X Forged (2018)
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the Apex MB (2018) is 34° and the X Forged (2018) is 33°, a 1° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the X Forged (2018) should carry roughly 3 to 4 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the Apex MB (2018). Across the 7 clubs both sets share, the X Forged (2018) averages 0.7° stronger, with the largest gap at the 6-iron (30° vs 29°). The pitching wedges are 47° and 46°; the stronger one leaves a 4° jump to a 50° gap wedge, which matters when planning wedge gapping.
The sets are built differently: the Apex MB (2018) runs 2-iron to AW (10 clubs), the X Forged (2018) 4-iron to PW (7 clubs).
The Apex MB (2018) is a blade iron and the X Forged (2018) a players iron, so they sit one step apart on the forgiveness scale. The X Forged (2018) is the more forgiving design, with a wider sole, more offset and more perimeter weighting for roughly scratch to 10 handicaps. The Apex MB (2018) trades some of that for a more compact head, thinner topline and more control over flight and shape, which suits low single-digit handicaps who strike the ball consistently.
The Apex MB (2018) is listed as forged muscle back and the X Forged (2018) as triple-net forged. The Apex MB (2018)'s muscle-back shape keeps mass directly behind the strike for feedback and control, where a cavity spreads it to the perimeter for forgiveness.
The X Forged (2018) came out 1 year after the Apex MB (2018), but it is a different line rather than a direct replacement, so the two were designed for different golfers as well as different seasons.
Which should you choose?
The X Forged (2018) is the stronger-lofted set — up to 1° stronger than the Apex MB (2018) on matching clubs. Expect longer carry per numbered iron but a flatter descent angle; gapping at the wedge end is where that shows up.
Both charts are reproduced in full on their own pages: Callaway Apex MB (2018) specs and Callaway X Forged (2018) specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Callaway Apex MB (2018) stronger lofted than the X Forged (2018)?
No. The X Forged (2018) is the stronger-lofted set: its 7-iron is 33° against 34° for the Callaway Apex MB (2018), 1° stronger and worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of extra carry.
What is the loft difference between the Callaway Apex MB (2018) and X Forged (2018)?
At the 7-iron the difference is 1° (34° vs 33°). The largest gap on a shared club is 1° at the 6-iron, and 5 of the 7 shared clubs differ.
Which is better for higher handicap golfers, the Callaway Apex MB (2018) or the X Forged (2018)?
The X Forged (2018). As a players iron it is the more forgiving design, suited to roughly scratch to 10 handicaps. The Callaway Apex MB (2018) is a blade iron, better suited to low single-digit handicaps who strike the ball consistently.
Do the Callaway Apex MB (2018) and X Forged (2018) have the same lie and length?
At the 7-iron, yes: both are 62° lie and 37 inches long.
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.