Callaway 2025 Apex UT Utility Iron Review

The utility iron market has never been more competitive, with manufacturers offering a wide variety of options for players seeking a long iron replacement.

In my testing experience, these clubs tend to fall into two camps: those that feel more like a mini-fairway wood, and those that retain the solid feel and playability of an iron. With the new Apex UT, Callaway has a strong contender, promising a tour-inspired shape with incredible versatility. I was eager to get this in hand to see how it performs and if it can stand out in a crowded field and establish itself as one of the best utility irons.

The technology package is pretty extensive, with the Apex UT Utility Iron featuring a multi-material Flexcore Technology, designed to promote more face flexure and faster ball speeds across the face, even on off-center hits. An Ai Face Design has been engineered specifically for utility irons, focusing on superior distance control and spin consistency, while the forged hollow-body construction aims to provide a solid, responsive feel with enhanced vibration dampening.

In terms of looks, I really like this latest Apex UT at address. It's clean, and even though it is relatively compact, it still looks perfectly playable, inspiring a fair amount of confidence.

I've heard a few comments here and there about the back section of the club looking like it has just been 'bolted on' and not a cohesive part of the design, which is a fair critique, but honestly, it's not something that bothers me in any way. Assuming the club can deliver the requisite level of performance, I'm happy to overlook any minor aesthetic point. For the record, I do actually like the techy, deconstructed look Callaway has opted for here with the back section and visible screws.

I was particularly pleased to see a slightly higher toe section in this version compared to the previous generation. No matter how upright I bent the old model, I just couldn't get it looking quite right to my eye; it always appeared a little too flat at address.

This new version is certainly better, and I know, having spoken to a number of tour players, that this was certainly implemented with feedback from the tour, with many of them opting for older models in their utility irons because the previous version just looked too flat at address.

I really enjoyed the feel of this utility iron; it feels like it is just that, an iron. A number of other models on the market are a little too jumpy or wood-like in their feel for me. The 2025 Apex UT delivers a solid, muted thud at impact that gives you the feedback you want without being harsh.

The Apex UT delivered a top-tier performance for me across the board in terms of data, which I gathered with my Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor. The launch and spin windows were exactly where I would want them to be—not too aggressive and piercing, and certainly not floaty or weak.

The ball flight was a strong, mid-launch that was easily controllable, even in some particularly windy test conditions. The ability to flight the ball down or hit a little fade or draw also felt relatively intuitive, which was nice and is exactly what a better player looks for in a utility iron.

Furthermore, I also found the spin to be incredibly consistent across the face, suggesting that the 'Flexcore' technology is working as designed. This consistency is a massive confidence booster, as it removes the guesswork that can sometimes plague utility irons, particularly on off-center strikes.

The forgiveness on offer, particularly in that spin retention area, is also excellent for a club of this type. My off-center hits maintained a good degree of ball speed and stayed remarkably close to my intended target, making this a highly playable tool.

In my opinion, the Apex UT is a nice upgrade on the previous iteration. The visual improvements at address, combined with the performance characteristics and consistency, make it a strong contender for anyone looking to fill the gap at the top of their bag. While the 'in the bag' appeal may not be to everyone's taste (although I really like it), this is a club built for function and performance.

The new Callaway Apex UT will be available at an RRP of $299/£279.