Callaway Apex UW 21* vs AI Smoke 7W

AgentM21 · May 7

I am wanting to get a wood to fill the gap between my 3 wood and 4 iron. I carry a driving iron that I love for windy days off the tee, but as we get into the hard/dry greens of summer it has no hope of holding greens.

I play a Rogue 3W with Hzrdus Smoke Black 6.5 shaft that I carry ~275yds. I absolutely love it, but about once per round I do miss left with it. Then the gap drops all the way to ~220 for the 4i. I'm a 7hdcp that loses most of those strokes by never practicing putting.

Have any of you equipment tinkerers tried both the UW and a recent 7W that could compare them? My main concern is ballooning the 7W with spin. I tend to strike down on my woods a little bit giving it a slightly lower than average launch with higher spin.

Maybe the triple diamond would also be an option to keep spin under control, but I don't know much about it and I don't want to just throw away forgiveness in a club that I want to be a cheat code when I already have the driving iron for workability.

Rob_shields · May 8

I have a SS of 108-112 with driver and while I haven't played the UW, I do play the AI Smoke max 7 Wood. I haven't found it ballooning, it just goes high and far 230-240 carry for me but also easy to hit 200-220 if needed. The Max model I've found to have a bit of draw bias to it. I also play a 16 degree 3 wood, just to lessen the gap between the 2.

you could also look at the heavenwood for another option but I haven't tried it either.

POKeefe · May 8

FWIW, I went with the Apex UW and am having regrets about it. Wishing I had gone with the 7W. They do make a Triple Diamond 7W now, too. I play a Paradym TD 3W +1 and love it.

AgentM21 · May 8

31 minutes ago, POKeefe said:

FWIW, I went with the Apex UW and am having regrets about it. Wishing I had gone with the 7W. They do make a Triple Diamond 7W now, too. I play a Paradym TD 3W +1 and love it.

What's your thought on the TD vs MAX? I play a low spin driver and it plays great, but I worry about reducing forgiveness in a fairway wood. However, my biggest worry with a 7 wood is hitting spinny balloon shots and the TD may ensure that doesn't happen.

POKeefe · May 8

I had a Rogue ST Max in a Tensei Blue, and it felt balloon-like for me. The TD in the HZRDUS Black Gen 4 produces low-penetrating bullets that matches my preferred shot flight. It also refuses to go left unless I'm trying to do so, which I appreciate since my miss is a high pull/draw.

In theory, the Apex should also do that, but for whatever reason, I don't seem to get along with it like I do my benched Srixon Hybrids or 3W. It could be that I don't like the Denali shaft... I'm unsure.

Turmoil35x · May 8

Would love to see some reviews on the TD AI Smoke 5 or 7 woods.

Recently got the 19* UW, and it seems to be getting close to 3 wood numbers based on the few range sessions with it. Super easy to hit and the shape is great, but there is definitely a worry that it may be too hot to have a place in my bag. I am wondering if I should switch to the 21* head, or go with the 7 wood instead.

AgentM21 · May 8

4 minutes ago, Turmoil35x said:

Would love to see some reviews on the TD AI Smoke 5 or 7 woods.

Recently got the 19* UW, and it seems to be getting close to 3 wood numbers based on the few range sessions with it. Super easy to hit and the shape is great, but there is definitely a worry that it may be too hot to have a place in my bag. I am wondering if I should switch to the 21* head, or go with the 7 wood instead.

Yeah I was nearly sold on the 21* UW until I watched some video reviews on it that seemed to place it as being hot enough to resemble a club 2* lower. So with that I am sort of leaning away because a 5w comparable club would still leave a hefty gap in my bag down to the 4 iron.