Equipment
GolfWRX Spotted: Prototype Callaway Apex MB
“Its the most wonderful time fo the year” I’m talking testing and prototype season on the PGA Tour as we head into the winter break. At the RSM Classic, we spotted what looks to be some early Callaway prototype irons in the bag of Aaron Wise.
We’ve seen a few different Callaway Prototype MBs in players’ bags this year including a “special Japanese forged” version made for a few players, including Open Championship winner Francesco Molinari, and more recently, Maverick McNealy.
The new Prototype MB/Blade has all the telltale signs of a traditional Callaway-shaped blade including the thinner hosel-to-top transition—also known as the crotch of the iron—rounded lines, high toe, and short heel-to-toe length. What makes it a unique Callaway iron, of course, is the noticeable screw in the back of the head behind the center of gravity.
This design feature is not new, and for many gear junkies probably brings back memories of the original Adams Pro Black MB irons or the 2011 TaylorMade MBs.
By using a weight screw instead of traditional tip weights to get the club to spec, there is zero chance of moving the center of gravity horizontally towards the heel of the club. It helps add mass to improve feel. In most cases, a blade/MB iron from any OEM is built as a showpiece in a classic design. If we are looking at the new Apex MB from Callaway as a potential release in 2020, sticking to a classic style can be a great thing.
Neal Shipley was the first to admit that he enjoyed his food while in college. But since his days at Ohio State, he’s slimmed down and earned a PGA Tour Card.
That hasn’t stopped him from having fun with his wedge stampings, though it’s led to some misunderstandings.
On the 54 (degree), we have ‘Big Fudge,'” Shipley told GolfWRX. “It was supposed to be ‘Big Fridge,’ so this happened a little while ago. ‘Big Fridge’ was a nickname between my college teammates and I, with ‘fridge’ meaning stomach, a big stomach.
“We told the Ping guys to put … ‘Big Fridge’ on it, and I think maybe some bad cell service or something, and they thought I said ‘fudge,’ so they put fudge on it.”
On Shipley’s 50-degree he also continues the food theme, this time with his go-to order at the “Golden Arches,” and his stamping “DONS 7.”
“The number 7 meal, the two cheeseburger meal, that was my McDonald’s order, back when I would have McDonald’s frequently,” Shipley shared.
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @raw10628 has a L.A.B. DF3 putter and Masters putter cover up for grabs.
From the listing: “Some great items here today, time to thin out and make room for next set of gear. All prices include shipping.
LAB DF3 Purple 33.5” 68° lie with TPT – $725. LAB Masters release DF3 cover – $150.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4
3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4
5-wood: Ping G440 Max (19 degrees @18)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4
Hybrid: Ping G440 (23 degrees)
Shaft: Oban Isawa Red Hybrid Shaft 04 Flex 70 Gms
Irons: Srixon ZXi7 (5-P)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i80
Wedges: Cleveland RTZ (50-MID, 54-FULL, 58-MID)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i105
Putter: L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i
Shaft: ACCRA Putter Shaft
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
Russell Henley’s winning WITB: 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge
Photos from the 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
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Charles Schwab Challenge Tour Report: MacIntyre, Åberg and Spaun all switch putters, TaylorMade launches new Spider
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Photos from the 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge
PGA Championship Tour Report: Fitzpatrick, Koepka among big-name putter switches for Aronimink
Photos from the ShopRite LPGA
Maria Torres WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees) Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4 3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees) Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4 5-wood: Ping G440...
Eric Cole WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: PXG Lightning Tour Max (9 degrees) Shaft: Project X Titan Yellow 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (15 degrees) Shaft:...
Si Woo Kim WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond (8.5 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X Mini driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Mini...
Wyndham Clark’s winning WITB: 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (10.5 degrees) Shaft: Project X Titan Yellow 60 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D Tour (15 degrees) Shaft: Project...
NGC-non-Pro-Shop-dude
Nov 21, 2019 at 10:08 pm
Is this hosel to top-line transition really known as the “crotch”? I was searching for a term for this came up with “heel-pit”.
jgolf
Nov 20, 2019 at 7:41 pm
Could be some Chip Brewer influence from his days with Adams. First the Super Hybrid and now these potentially. Possibly some Chip & Doc Hock collaboration.
JD
Nov 20, 2019 at 2:26 pm
There is just something about the straight lines of these, the MP18s, and P730s that I just love.
Mike Cleland
Nov 20, 2019 at 12:23 pm
It’s about time the golf industry is realizing not every one wants D-1 or D-2 irons. The time for adjustable swingweight irons has “finally” come.