2024 was a huge year for Callaway in the forged and better-player iron category. After the Ai-Smoke Irons this time last year, they released the Apex Ai200, Apex Ai300, Apex Ti Fusion and a limited-edition set of Apex TCB irons that pay homage to two-time major winner Xander Schauffele.
For golfers looking for a game-improvement iron, Callaway is releasing three new Elyte irons into the family. Why three irons you may ask? So the Callaway Elyte, Elyte X and Elyte HL look nearly the same and share several technologies, but they were designed to offer something unique and appealing to different subsets of the game-improvement world.
Golfers who score in the mid-80s to 100 are usually looking for more distance and forgiveness, but some also want more height and stopping power on the greens, some are looking for enhanced stability on mis-hits and others want a lighter club to make it easier to swing. Delivering all that in one club would be a tall order.
All three Elyte irons were designed with Callaway’s updated Speed Frame construction that is similar to the construction used in the Paradym irons. The chassis is cast using 431 stainless steel and features an internal bar that links the topline to the body of the club. That stiffens the whole club at impact, like Callaway’s Jailbreak system did in drivers and woods in previous years, to help transfer energy back into the shot more efficiently.
Like the Elyte drivers, fairway woods and hybrids, the Elyte irons have been made with Callaway’s AI10X face. Callaway feed its supercomputers more “real player” data than last season, and because each of the Elyte irons is designed for different types of players, all four clubs have hitting areas that are slightly different in design, each optimized for the type of golfer who is most likely going to use it.
Each of the three models is designed to improve ball speed, forgiveness, acoustics and feel and with the new brushed chrome finish these look and feel super premium. Below are some key things you need to know about the new irons.
1. There is a model for every player type
Each Elyte iron offers a unique blend of forgiveness, distance and shot-shaping workability.
The standard Elyte iron promotes a mid-launch/low-spin ball flight for golfers with moderate to faster swing speeds. It’s built for distance, consistency and added control for shot-shaping.
The “HL” in Elyte HL stands for High Launch, and this model offers more loft and Ai tuning for an increased launch angle. It’s perfect for players with moderate swing speeds who need more carry distance and improved stopping power on the green
Elyte X has an oversized profile compared to the standard Elyte, with increased offset, sole width and a thicker topline for superior forgiveness.
2. Don’t overlook the tri-sole
When it comes to new iron technology, the focus often lands on the face and cavity, but Callaway has put significant thought into sole design. The Elyte line features a sharper leading edge and chamfered trailing edge for cleaner contact. At the same time, the mid-section bounce adds forgiveness, making it easier to strike the ball solidly.
3. More urethane means better feel
While distance and playability are key, feel plays a major role in the Elyte iron line. Callaway says it has incorporated up to 20 percent more urethane in the Speed Frame design, which results in a more buttery, forged-like feel — think less like a cast iron and more like a premium blade.
4. Finding the right iron/hybrid blend is easy with Elyte
With so many iron and hybrid options, it may seem daunting to choose the right combination, but Callaway makes it easy. Simply select models that complement one other within the same product line. For example, Elyte irons pair seamlessly with Elyte hybrids, as do Elyte X irons with Elyte X hybrids, and so on.
All models are available for pre-sale Friday, Jan. 17, and at retail on the 21st Feb. Elyte Irons will retail for an RRP of €200 for steel shafted options or €207 for graphite options.
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