Callaway

What it does: A mainstay of Callaway’s iron line, the Apex remains a dependable choice for many golfers. The forged 1025-carbon-steel body has a cupface that wraps around part of the topline and sole to maximise flex and ball speed on the 4 through 9-iron. The company continues to use tungsten weighting (ranging from 14 to 64 grams or five times the amount of tungsten in the previous Apex version) encased in microsphere-filled urethane to better control the centre of gravity. A major benefit of this design is improved ball speed on off-centre strikes, particularly on shots hit on the lower part of the face. Speaking of the face, it’s the first time artificial intelligence has been used to design the face architecture for each iron.

Why we like it: We’ve been fans of the Apex since the first iteration debuted in 2014, and in some ways it helped bring the concept of the players-distance iron into focus. Over the years Callaway has improved the Apex’s shaping – more pleasing-to-the-eye short irons and a power boost at impact that makes you feel like the iron downed an energy drink. Not badass enough for you? The Apex also comes in an all-black version.

7-iron loft 30.5 degrees; pw loft 43 degrees