Callaway brings back X Forged irons with new models for purists and players seeking feel

Gear: Callaway X Forged, X Forged Max irons

Price: $220 per club with True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid 115 shafts and Lamkin Crossline grips

Specs: One-piece forged 1020 carbon steel construction, muscle cavity and Tri Sole design

Available: July 7 (Pre-Sale), July 25 (In Stores)

Who it’s for: X Forged is made for elite ball-strikers and lower-handicap players who prioritize precision and traditional shaping. X Forged Max is designed for low- to mid-handicap golfers who want the feel of a forged iron with higher launch and added playability.

What you should know: Callaway is reviving the X Forged name with two new irons forged from 1020 carbon steel. The compact X Forged suits better players, while the X Forged Max delivers a slightly larger, higher-launching option with similar shaping and feel.

The Deep Dive: The X Forged name has always stood for a specific type of player—the kind who values a compact profile, clean lines, and a dense, forged feel over distance or game-improvement enhancements. With the last major U.S. release of X Forged irons arriving back in 2018, Callaway feels the time is right to bring the franchise back in 2025 with two distinct new models: X Forged and X Forged Max.

This time, the story starts in Japan, where Callaway’s R&D team and designers created a better-feeling forged iron that would perform in firm turf conditions and meet the aesthetic demands of a discerning audience.

X Forged: Compact, Clean and Crafted for Control

The new X Forged is a true players' iron, shaped with Japanese influence and Tour player feedback. It features a slightly higher toe, sharper edges, and a compact muscle cavity profile. Forged from a single piece of 1020 carbon steel, with added mass positioned directly behind the impact zone, it delivers a buttery, dense sensation on solid strikes.

Looking down from the address position, accomplished players will see clean lines, along with a narrow topline and minimal offset.

Designed to glide quickly through turf without excessive digging, the Tri Sole on the bottom of the club gives players added versatility in a range of conditions. While it was originally tailored for the tight, grainy turf that perches the ball up in Japan and parts of Asia, it has proven just as effective on firmer American fairways. The iron’s overall shaping and turf performance make it a serious option for players with plus handicaps, scratch players, and Tour-level golfers seeking a precise, feedback-rich iron.

X Forged Max: Players-Distance Meets Traditional Feel

For golfers who love the look and feel of forged irons but need a touch more help, Callaway created the X Forged Max. The shape is closely related to the standard X Forged, but the Max version is larger and slightly more forgiving.

Strategically milled heel and toe pockets allow Callaway engineers to shift weight lower in the head. Combined with a wider sole, this lowers the center of gravity and encourages a higher launch angle, which is especially helpful for players who need more height on their long irons.

Despite the added help, the Max stays true to the X Forged identity with a one-piece 1020 carbon steel construction and a focus on sound and feel rather than high-tech face inserts or ball-speed-enhancing designs.

The result is a rare offering: a players-distance iron that retains the pure forged experience, giving more golfers access to traditional craftsmanship without requiring elite ball-striking.

Where They Fit in the Callaway Lineup

The X Forged fits golfers who want a no-frills, Tour-level cavity back. While the hollow-bodied Apex Pro released in 2023 is designed to create more ball speed and soften feel with internal urethane microspheres, the X Forged is more closely aligned with the Apex CB released that same year—though with lofts that are 1 degree stronger.

The X Forged Max extends that performance to a broader group—players who have the swing speed and ball control to benefit from forged construction but still need forgiveness and a little extra launch. However, unlike the Apex Ai200, which features a forged body paired with an AI-designed faceplate, the X Forged Max is crafted from a single piece of 1020 carbon steel. It does not have a cup face or urethane microspheres. It’s aimed at purists who simply want more forgiveness.

So, for golfers who grew up admiring forged blades or who remember the feel of previous X Forged models, this return marks a meaningful addition to Callaway’s iron family—one rooted in tradition but refined for today’s shotmakers.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Callaway X Forged X Forged Max irons return for better players