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UPDATE: Apex ’21 Experiment by the Numbers

To be honest I truly believe I’ve cracked a code.

I’ve had a few days with my “Wunder Style” Apex ’21 Irons and I must say, the experiment has paid off in spades. My Callaway box was at my doorstep when I arrived home from Muirfield Village and I took them out right away. First impression? WOWZA. I’ve played three rounds with them so far and these are my takeaways

  1. I’m 8 yards further with each club (On Avg)
  2. I typically hit about 10 greens per round and I’ve hit AT LEAST 13 with Apex ’21
  3. My gapping got better before I had a large gap between the 4 iron/4 utility/4 hybrid and my 5-wood. Now I don’t. See new numbers below.
  4. My miss hits are of the same quality as my solid shots with my X-Forged CB.
  5. I’m better. My iron game has been an eyesore but with the Apex ’21 done my way, im a good iron player again.

To see how and why I started this rabbit hole, read this article:

Let’s get into the numbers, shall we? I had a chance to do a gapping session so I have hard data to back up the performance. Keep in mind that my miss with any iron is center thin and it happens about 30% of the time.

Old Set: X-Forged CB ’21/Apex MB Combo w/ True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (Soft Stepped), Std Length, Std Lie, D3

X-Forged CB (4-7)
Apex MB (8-PW)

Loft/Carry Distance

XF 4-iron: 22.5, 210
XF 5-Iron: 26, 195
XF 6-iron: 29, 180
XF 7 Iron: 33, 165
Apex MB 8 Iron: 37, 150
Apex MB 9 Iron: 41, 135
Apex MB PW: 46, 125

New Set: Apex 21 (Wunder Spec) w/ True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (Soft Stepped), Std Length, Std Lie, D3

Loft/Carry Distance

Apex 4-iron: 22.5, 220
Apex 5-iron: 25.5, 205
Apex 6-iron: 28.5, 190
Apex 7-iron: 32.5, 175
Apex 8-iron: 36.5, 160
Apex 9-iron: 40.5, 145
Apex PW: 45, 130

This new setup helped my gapping tremendously, my entire bag has been a weird puzzle lately but now it all kind of makes sense. The problem was from 4-iron thru 6-iron I just wasn’t getting the ball speed and performance to do anything but guess. It’s hard to play well that way. Not anymore.

Here is how the whole bag gaps out now: 

Carry Distance in normal conditions: 

Driver: 280
3-wood: 255
5-wood: 235
Apex 4-iron: 22.5, 220
Apex 5-iron: 25.5, 205
Apex 6-iron: 28.5, 190
Apex 7-iron: 32.5, 175
Apex 8-iron: 36.5, 160
Apex 9-iron: 40.5, 145
Apex PW: 45, 130
Jaws 50/10S: 115
Jaws 54/8C: 105
PM Grind 60: Who Cares

The point is, for better players that struggle with the irons or are finding deficiencies in their setups, going into something like this and bending/tweaking the set to match what you need is a no-brainer.

I’m a gear head to the core and as much as I want to strut around with Raw TCB’s, that path won’t help my golf game. I want to play well far more than I want a bag full of players’ irons. To be honest I truly believe I’ve cracked a code. I offset the extra loft and launch by going into a heavy low spin shaft, I combat the lack of spin by playing a spinny golf ball (CSX) and BOOM. I’m having a blast. Try it. I dare you. You won’t go back I promise you.

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8 Comments

8 Comments

  1. Ryan

    June 8, 2021 at 1:29 pm

    Johnny,

    First off this is my new favorite website. I love all of the insight into the equipment etc. I’ve got x forged cb in 4-P, struggling with consistency with the 4i so I ordered an apex pro 4i. If that doesn’t work you’ve inspired me to give the wunder spec apex a try. I asked you previously but the “thicker” soles haven’t bothered you compared to the thinner cb and pro?

    • Johnny Wunder

      June 9, 2021 at 2:01 am

      No so far so good on the sole but still more testing needed.

  2. Eric Dutcher

    June 8, 2021 at 8:22 pm

    Johnny,
    Been a fan for a while, I take your advice to heart as your just a junkie and are not trying to sell clubs. Anyway testing the 21 pro and regular Apex, just wondering if you have caught any of those flier shots from somewhat of a distance iron? My biggest worry before I order a set. Thanks

  3. Kelly

    June 9, 2021 at 2:04 am

    Awesome info! I’m on my 4th year with MP-18SC’s. I need to hit more greens and wouldn’t mind a little more pop. We have similar handicaps, strengths & weaknesses and I believe same age. I have a Callaway fitter that works part time at my club, I’m going to get with him so I can start with my favorite shaft (C-Taper Lite). I hit it high already and would like to cut some spin and so far you aren’t having an issue.

  4. Scott

    June 9, 2021 at 6:55 am

    Why did you choose to soft step? Is it for spin, feel, flight? Can you please elaborate as I might be looking to buy a set like this.

    • Johnny Wunder

      June 11, 2021 at 5:09 pm

      Spin.

      • Scott

        June 11, 2021 at 5:51 pm

        Does it add or decrease the spin?

  5. Jed

    July 3, 2021 at 1:11 pm

    Would a TI S400 shaft do well instead of soft stepped x100? I have it on all of my Ping irons and wedges.

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