Gear: Callaway Apex UW utility wood
Price: $299.99 each with Project X Smoke RDX graphite shaft and Lamkin UTX grip
Specs: Stainless steel head with forged C300 maraging-steel face. 17-, 19- and 21-degree versions
Available: Oct. 14
Equipment makers are clever, designing new clubs all the time to solve problems that golfers face on the course.
Hybrids hit the scene in a big way in the early 2000s, allowing recreational golfers to replace their hard-to-hit long irons with clubs that are more forgiving and versatile. Eventually, elite golfers on the PGA, LPGA and other professional tours starting adding hybrids, too.
Over the last two seasons, several well-known players have added high-lofted fairway woods to their bags because companies can now deliver more ball speed, and clubs such as a 7-wood can create shots that stop more quickly on firm greens.
With the new Apex UW, Callaway is offering accomplished players a club that fits into the gap between hybrids and fairway woods, trying to offer better players the best of both worlds in a new utility wood.