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Callaway and TaylorMade are two top golf brands on the market today. In this guide, I’ll compare all Callaway vs TaylorMade irons, showing you the equivalent golf clubs for each brand available today.
Look up what kind of golfer you are below, and you’ll have two perfect iron sets to pick from and buy!
No matter what kind of golfer you are, each golf manufacturer has a set of irons designed for you.
Key Callaway vs TaylorMade Iron Sets
- Callaway Paradym vs TaylorMade P790 (Best for Mid Handicappers)
- Callaway Rogue ST vs TaylorMade Stealth (Most Forgiving Irons)
- Callaway Big Bertha B21 vs TaylorMade M4 (Best for Beginners)
- Callaway Apex 21 vs TaylorMade P770 (Best for Low Handicappers)
- Callaway Apex DCB vs TaylorMade SIM2 (Best Game Improvement Irons)
- Callaway Mavrik vs TaylorMade SIM (Best Budget Irons)
Callaway Paradym vs. TaylorMade P790: Best For Mid Handicappers & The Average Golfer

The Paradym irons are a 2023 release and these Callaway irons appeal to ordinary golfers everywhere. They are really easy to hit, but don’t feel too chunky.
Taylormade has updated to P790 for 2023 with some smart design changes to make them more appealing to average golfers. These irons look more like player’s irons, but with a good sweet spot to make them easy to hit.
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Key Features
Both the Callaway Paradym and TaylorMade P790 irons are designed for players who want distance and forgiveness in a compact, players’ iron shape. The Paradym irons feature a hollow body construction with a face wrap design, which provides maximum ball speed and distance.
The P790 irons also have a hollow body construction with TaylorMade’s speedfoam technology, which enhances ball speed and distance. The sweet spot is bigger than the last version of this golf club, appealing to more people.
What Type Of Golfer Are These For?
These irons are best suited for mid-handicap golfers who value distance and forgiveness but also want a compact iron shape and design. They are designed for players who prioritize feel and control in their iron shots and want to have more confidence in approach shots.
Key Differences
One of the main differences between these irons is the technology used to enhance ball speed and distance.
The Callaway Paradym irons feature a face wrap design that creates more ball speed across the face for maximum distance. The Taylormade P790 irons, on the other hand, use a speedfoam technology that enhances ball speed and distance.
Additionally, the Paradym irons have a slightly larger clubhead and thicker topline, which can provide a little more forgiveness and confidence. The P790 irons, on the other hand, have a more compact head design and thinner topline, allowing for more precision and control.
Finally, the Paradym irons have a blue and yellow design, which stands out. The P790 irons are a bit more unassuming, with a basic chrome finish.
Overall, both of these irons offer distance and forgiveness benefits with a compact, players’ iron shape. Try them out to see which golf iron suits your needs and preferences better.
TaylorMade P790 KBS Shaft 4-P/Rh R
- Newly engineered SpeedFoam Air is 69% lighter than its predecessor. It provides up to 3.5g of weight savings that has been redistributed to further optimize mass properties for better launch conditions. The new formulation delivers a sweet sound and solid feel while delivering a fast, flexible face.
- A new 8620 carbon steel construction makes the head thinner by up to 37.5% in strategic locations, allowing for a significantly lower CG placement. This new thin-walled design pairs with a responsive 1.5mm forged 4140 steel L-Face to promote supreme flexibility, fast ball speeds and distance while upholding a premium forged feel.
- The Thru-Slot Speed Pocket provides increased face flexibility while preserving ball speed and distance on low face strikes.
- The sweet spot size has been increased by up to 60% compared to the original P790. Using data analytics, we have repositioned the sweet spot lower on the face to naturally capture more shots and provide performance where golfers need it most.
- Engineers developed new construction methods to thin out the body, allowing for up to 31g of tungsten to be placed in the toe. It creates a massive amount of stability and forgiveness wrapped in a players package.
Callaway Rogue ST vs. Taylormade Stealth: Most Forgiving Irons


The Callaway Rogue ST lineup (drivers, woods, and irons) are som of the easiest golf clubs I’ve ever hit. A heavy perimeter and unashamed used of tungsten weighting makes them easy to get launch and distance.
The Stealth irons by Taylormade are very similar. They don’t have carbon in them like the Stealth drivers do, but all of the golf technology in these irons is made for forgiveness. The thru slot speed pocket helps you get ball speed fast.
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Key Features
Both the Callaway Rogue ST and Taylormade Stealth irons are designed with game improvement features to help golfers farther and straighter shots with the golf ball. They both feature a cavity back design with perimeter weighting, providing more forgiveness on off-center hits.
The Rogue ST irons also have a tungsten-infused weighting system that lowers the center of gravity, allowing for higher launch and increased ball speed.
The Taylormade Stealth irons, on the other hand, have a speed bridge technology that provides increased distance and more consistent ball speeds across the face.
What Type Of Golfer Are These For?
These irons are best suited for mid-to-high handicap golfers who want to improve their game and hit the ball farther and straighter. They are designed for players who need more forgiveness on their off-center hits and want to have more consistency in their ball flight.
Fast swing speed players may not be able to stick any greens with these irons. Newer golfers simply won’t care about that and will enjoy the extra distance.
Key Differences
One of the main differences between these irons is the weighting system. The Callaway Rogue ST irons have a tungsten-infused weighting system that lowers the center of gravity and provides higher launch and increased ball speed, while the Taylormade Stealth irons have a speed bridge technology that enhances ball speed and improves consistency across the face.
Another key difference is the appearance of the irons, with the Rogue ST irons having a more traditional look with a chrome finish, while the Taylormade Stealth irons have a black finish and more modern look.
Overall, these distance irons offer different performance benefits and visual aesthetics, so try them out to see which set suits your needs and preferences better.
Callaway Golf Rogue ST Max Iron Set (Right Hand, Steel Shaft, Regular Flex, 5 Iron – PW, Set of 6 Clubs)
- Rogue ST MAX are Callaway’s longest iron ever, with refined game-improvement shaping for golfers who want incredible speed, forgiveness, and all-around iron performance.
- For the first time in the industry, they’ve combined high strength 450 steel with our A.I. designed Flash Face Cup. This delivers more ball speed and better ball speed consistency.
- They’ve applied our new A.I. Face Optimization for Rogue ST MAX. It’s unique for each model and loft to create spin rate consistency across the face. It creates high launch and COR plus a more controlled landing angle to help hold greens.
- New precision tungsten weighting features up to 62g of high-density tungsten, a 260% increase over MAVRIK. This provides improved launch conditions and maximizes speed across the face.
- Their patented urethane microspheres are now pushed further up the face in Rogue ST irons (up to the 6th groove) to enhance sound and deliver pure feel while maintaining fast ball speeds.
TaylorMade Golf Stealth Iron Set Mens Righthanded
- The New Feel of Game Improvement – The original Cap Back Design allowed TaylorMade irons to eclipse the performance of traditional cavity backs, using multi-material construction to promote better forgiveness, distance and feel. Adding the all-new toe wrap construction takes performance to yet another level, driving weight even lower so you can take your game to new heights.
- Fast and Forgiving – Powered by the all-new Cap Back Design with toe wrap construction, Stealth irons feature an intelligently positioned sweet spot that spans the most common impact points, delivering explosive ball speeds and consistency where golfers need it the most.
- High Launching – Taking mass from the toe and placing it in the sole lowers CG by close to 1mm in some irons. The result? Increased launch angle and peak height for a towering ball flight, long carry distances and heavy stopping power.
- Forged Iron Feel - A soft ECHO Damping System, fully enclosed by the Cap Back Design, stretches from heel to toe and absorbs unwanted vibrations, improving feel and maximizing face flexibility. In addition, the ultra-strong carbon material used within the toe wrap maintains structural integrity and upholds exceptional sound at impact.
- Thru-Slot Speed Pocket – This patented and proven TaylorMade technology is engineered to maximize face flexibility for increased ball speed and forgiveness on mis-hits low on the face.
Callaway Big Bertha B21 vs. Taylormade M4: Best For Beginners & High Handicappers


If you are new to golf, the Big Betha and M4 lineups are for you. Simpler in design, you will also save a couple hundreds dollars on each club. This is a plus, since new clubs have been steadily rising in price.
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Key Features
Both the Callaway Big Bertha B21and Taylormade M4 irons are designed for game improvement. Both sets of irons feature a large clubhead with perimeter weighting to provide maximum forgiveness on off-center hits.
The Big Bertha irons feature Callaway’s 360 Face Cup technology, which increases ball speed across the face. The Taylormade M4 irons have a Speed Bridge design that enhances ball speed and distance.
What Type Of Golfer Are These For?
These irons are best suited for mid-to-high handicap golfers who want to improve their game and hit the ball farther and straighter. They are designed for players who struggle with consistency on off-center hits and want to have more confidence and forgiveness in their iron shots.
Unlike the Rogue ST and Stealth, these iron sets are cheaper in price and less flashy.
Key Differences
One of the main differences between these irons is the technology used to enhance ball speed. The Callaway Big Bertha irons use 360 Face Cup technology, which creates a flexible face that increases ball speed across the entire face of the club.
The Taylormade M4 irons use a Speed Bridge design, which connects the top and bottom of the iron to create a more rigid structure that enhances ball speed and distance. The M4 irons have a slightly larger clubhead, which can provide a little more forgiveness on off-center hits.
The Big Bertha irons, on the other hand, have a more traditional look with a chrome finish, while the M4 irons have a more modern look with a dark finish.
Callaway Big Bertha B21 Iron Set (Set of 7 Clubs: 5IR – PW, AW, Right, Graphite, Regular) , Silver
- Big Bertha B-21 is the first Big Bertha Iron with our A.I.-designed Flash Face Cup.
- This industry-leading Flash Face Cup is in each club. We’ve created high ball speeds and increased spin robustness with a sophisticated face architecture that’s unique to every loft.
- This club profile is engineered to give you more confidence over the ball with noticeably wider soles. For easy launch, lower spin and straighter shots, we’ve added more offset.
- We’ve added a significant amount of custom tungsten weighting. So we can deepen the CG in each iron with extraordinary precision, while still maintaining ball speed in the Flash Face Cup.
- Our patented urethane microspheres comprehensively absorb unwanted vibration for exceptional feel, while also maintaining fast ball speeds.
Callaway Apex 21 Pro vs. Taylormade P770: Best For Low Handicappers


If you are comfortable with your game and want a set of golf clubs that are high quality and able to hit any shot, consider the Apex vs P700 lineups.
Callaway Apex irons are used by LIVE and PGA tour pros like Phil Mickelson, John Rahm, and others. The P770s are used by Tiger Woods, Collin Morikawa, Dustin Johnson and more.
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Key Features
Both the Callaway Apex 21 and Taylormade P770 irons are designed for advanced players who prioritize feel, control, and workability.
The Apex 21 irons feature a forged construction with a tungsten-infused insert in the sole to lower the center of gravity and increase forgiveness. The P770 irons also have a forged construction with a compact head design and thin topline for precision shot-making.
The club head on these is more compact, but the forged design is high quality for every shot.
What Type Of Golfer Are These For?
These irons are best suited for low-to-mid handicap golfers who have consistent ball-striking ability and value feel and control in their irons. They are designed for players who are comfortable shaping their shots and want to have maximum control over their ball flight.
Key Differences
One of the main differences between these irons is the weighting system. The Callaway Apex 21 irons have a tungsten-infused insert in the sole, which lowers the center of gravity and increases forgiveness. The Taylormade P770 irons feature strategically positioned tungsten weights, offering a more controlled center of gravity and enhancing workability and shot-shaping ability.
Additionally, the Apex 21 irons have a slightly larger clubhead, which can provide a little more forgiveness on off-center hits. The P770 irons have a thinner topline and minimal offset, allowing for more precision and control.
Finally, the Apex 21 irons have a chrome finish, while the P770 irons have a brushed satin finish for a more modern look. Overall, both of these irons offer advanced performance benefits and visual aesthetics.
Callaway Apex Pro 21 Iron Set (Set of 6 Clubs: 5-PW, Right-Handed, Steel, Stiff)
- Apex Pro 21 Irons are redesigned from the ground up, with an innovative A.I. face architecture and all new forged hollow body construction for scratch or single digit handicappers.
- Our unique A.I. designed Flash Face Cup architecture in each iron creates high COR’s for fast ball speeds, and improved spin robustness for every club.
- This is what extremely soft feel is all about. The all-new forged 1025 hollow body construction and our patented urethane microspheres provide a remarkable blend of sound and feel at impact that players expect.
- The hollow body construction includes up to 90 grams of tungsten per iron, the most ever in an Apex Iron. This Tungsten Energy Core improves launch characteristics while simultaneously improving forgiveness.
Taylormade P770 4 – P Right-Hand, Stiff Flex Iron Set,Silver
- FLTD CG strategically positions the center of gravity (CG) the lowest in the long irons and progressively shifts higher throughout the set. Using up to 46g of tungsten, FLTD CG is designed to provide players with improved launch and playability in long irons and increase spin in the scoring irons.
- FLTD CG strategically positions the center of gravity (CG) the lowest in the long irons and progressively shifts higher throughout the set. Using up to 46g of tungsten, FLTD CG is designed to provide players with improved launch and playability in long irons and increase spin in the scoring irons.
- Featuring elegant refinements, including less offset in the long irons, the new P770 is designed to fit the eye of a more discerning player with visual cues including a thin topline, less offset, and shorter blade length when compared to the P790.
- The Thru-Slot Speed Pocket provides increased face flexibility while preserving ball speed and distance on low face strikes.
Callaway Apex DCB vs. Taylormade SIM2: Best Game Improvement Irons


If you are ready for some more advanced technology, but aren’t quite ready to jump to the Apex 21 or P770s, these are the golf irons to check out.
Unlike the Apex 21’s, Callaway has made the DCB model easier to hit and more appealing to average golfers.
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Key Features
Both the Callaway Apex DCB and TaylorMade SIM2 irons are designed for game improvement, featuring a larger clubhead with perimeter weighting to provide maximum forgiveness on off-center hits.
The Apex DCB irons also feature a forged construction with a deep cavity back design, which provides more forgiveness and a higher launch. The SIM2 irons feature a forged construction with a cap back design, which enhances ball speed and distance.
What Type Of Golfer Are These For?
These irons are best suited for mid-to-high handicap golfers who want to improve their game and hit the ball farther and straighter. They are designed for players who struggle with consistency on off-center hits and want to have more confidence and forgiveness in their iron shots.
If the TaylorMades interest you but you are nervous, they also offer SIM MAX irons which are even more game improvement.
Key Differences
One of the main differences between these irons is the weighting system. The Callaway Apex DCB irons have a deep cavity back design that provides more forgiveness and a higher launch, while the TaylorMade SIM2 irons have a cap back design that enhances ball speed and distance.
Additionally, the Apex DCB irons have a slightly larger clubhead and thicker topline, which can provide a little more forgiveness and confidence at address. The SIM2 irons, on the other hand, have a more compact head design and thinner topline, allowing for more precision and control.
Finally, the Apex DCB irons have a chrome finish, while the SIM2 irons have a dark finish for a more modern look.
Callaway Apex DCB 21 Iron Set (Set of 7 Clubs:4-PW, Right-Handed, Steel, Stiff)
- The new Apex DCB Iron allows more golfers to experience Apex than ever before. It delivers the look, feel and performance of a forged players club with the forgiveness of a deep cavity back.
- Apex DCB is the most forgiving Apex Iron we’ve ever made. The deep cavity back and enhanced sole width are engineered for easy launch and solid turf interaction out of a variety of lies.
- Apex DCB is the most forgiving Apex Iron we’ve ever made. The deep cavity back and enhanced sole width are engineered for easy launch and solid turf interaction out of a variety of lies.
- The forged 1025 mild carbon steel body and our patented urethane microspheres deliver exceptional sound and feel at impact, while the improved shaping helps enhance feel through the turf.
TaylorMade SIM 2 Max Combo Mens Right Hand Graphite Regular 6-PW, AW, Rescue 4 and 5
- Cap Back Design – The all-new multi-material Cap Back Design utilizes high-strength stainless steel and ultralight weight polymers. Designed to maximize distance, forgiveness and feel with an extremely low CG.
- Fast Forgiving Face – The all-new SIM2 Max irons use a fast and forgiving face to give golfers more performance exactly where they need it.
- New ECHO Damping System – The new ECHO Damping System uses a softer polymer blend and multiple contact points across the face to channel away harsh vibrations creating forged iron like feel.
- Thru-Slot Speed Pocket – Patented TaylorMade technology engineered to maximize face flexibility for increased ball speed and forgiveness for mishits low on the face.
- Progressive Inverted Cone Technology – Each face has been uniquely designed to position the Inverted Cone Technology (ICT) on each iron face to optimize forgiveness and minimize side spin to counteract the common right miss.
Callaway Mavrik vs. Taylormade SIM: Best Budget Irons


If you don’t need the latest and greatest, compare these Callaway vs TaylorMade irons from last generation.
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Key Features
Both the Callaway Mavrik and TaylorMade SIM irons are designed for players who want a blend of distance, forgiveness, and precision.
The Mavrik irons feature a face cup design with a tungsten energy core, which provides optimal launch and ball speed. The SIM irons feature a speed bridge technology that enhances ball speed and distance while maintaining feel and control.
What Type Of Golfer Are These For?
These irons are best suited for mid-to-low handicap golfers who want a balanced combination of distance, forgiveness, and precision. They are designed for players who prioritize ball speed and launch but also value feel and control in their iron shots.
These irons can be hit by anyone, but they can be found for a great price today.
Key Differences
One of the main differences between these irons is the technology used to enhance ball speed and launch. The Callaway Mavrik irons feature a face cup design with a tungsten energy core, which provides optimal launch and ball speed across the face. The Taylormade SIM irons, on the other hand, use a speed bridge technology that enhances ball speed and distance while maintaining feel and control.
Additionally, the Mavrik irons have a slightly larger clubhead and thicker topline, which can provide a little more forgiveness and confidence at address. The SIM irons, on the other hand, have a more compact head design and thinner topline, allowing for more precision and control.
Finally, the Mavrik irons have a chrome finish, while the SIM irons have a dark finish for a more modern look.
How to Pick What Clubs Are Right For You
Before you can choose between Callaway and TaylorMade irons, it is crucial to assess your skill level, playing style, and individual strengths and weaknesses. The model you choose should complement your abilities and help you improve your game over time.
Assessing your skill level
Your golf handicap is a valuable tool in determining your skill level. Golfers with lower handicaps generally have more control over their shots and may benefit from more specialized clubs that offer improved shot-shaping capabilities.
Golfers with higher handicaps may require more forgiveness and playability in their clubs to improve their consistency on the course.
Identifying your playing style
Your playing style encompasses various factors, including your swing speed, shot preferences, and typical course conditions. For example, if you have a fast swing speed, you may require stiffer shafts to maintain control and accuracy.
Alternatively, if you tend to play on courses with tight fairways or challenging greens, you may need irons that prioritize control and workability.
Recognizing your strengths and weaknesses
Understanding your strengths and weaknesses on the golf course is essential when selecting the right golf club. For instance, if you struggle with distance control, you may want to choose clubs that offer improved distance consistency.
If you have difficulty with accuracy, clubs that prioritize forgiveness and control may be more suitable.
With this in mind, you can pick the right Callaway vs TaylorMade irons above!
Conclusion
In conclusion, the choice between Callaway and TaylorMade irons ultimately comes down to your skill level, playing style, and individual preferences. Both brands offer top-quality irons designed for various golfer types, whether you’re a beginner, mid-handicapper, or low-handicapper.
By understanding your strengths and weaknesses and evaluating your playing style, you can make an informed decision between the two brands. Our comprehensive comparison of Callaway and TaylorMade irons, including the Paradym vs P790, Rogue ST vs Stealth, Great Big Bertha vs M4, Apex 21 vs P770, Apex DCB vs SIM2, and Mavrik vs SIM, will help guide your decision-making process.
Don’t hesitate to try out different models to find the perfect fit for your own golf game too. Ultimately, the right set of irons will not only enhance your performance on the course but also contribute to your overall enjoyment of the game. Happy golfing!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which brand is better for mid-handicappers, Callaway or TaylorMade?
Both Callaway and TaylorMade offer great options for mid-handicappers. The Callaway Paradym and TaylorMade P790 irons are specifically designed for mid-handicap players seeking distance and forgiveness in a compact, players’ iron shape. Test both to see which suits your preferences better.
Are there forgiving iron sets available for beginners from Callaway and TaylorMade?
Yes, both brands offer forgiving iron sets for beginners. The Callaway Great Big Bertha and TaylorMade M4 iron sets are designed for game improvement and feature a large clubhead with perimeter weighting to provide maximum forgiveness on off-center hits.
Which brand offers better game improvement irons, Callaway or TaylorMade?
Both Callaway and TaylorMade have game improvement irons in their lineup. The Callaway Apex DCB and TaylorMade SIM2 irons are specifically designed for game improvement. Each brand uses different technologies to enhance forgiveness, launch, and distance, so trying both sets is recommended to find the one that suits your needs best.
Are there budget-friendly options available from Callaway and TaylorMade?
Yes, both Callaway and TaylorMade offer budget-friendly iron sets. The Callaway Mavrik and TaylorMade SIM irons are previous-generation models that can be found at a lower price point while still offering a blend of distance, forgiveness, and precision.
What is the difference between a cavity back and a forged iron?
A cavity back iron features a hollowed-out area on the back of the clubhead, which redistributes weight to the perimeter for added forgiveness. Forged irons are made from a single piece of metal and offer better feel and control, typically preferred by advanced players.
How do I determine the right shaft flex for my irons?
Your swing speed is the primary factor in determining the right shaft flex. Slower swing speeds typically require more flexible shafts, while faster swing speeds require stiffer shafts. A professional club fitting can help you find the best shaft flex for your swing.
Can I mix and match iron sets from Callaway and TaylorMade?
Yes, you can mix and match iron sets, but it’s essential to ensure that the clubs complement each other in terms of performance and feel. It is recommended to consult a professional club fitter to help create a mixed set tailored to your preferences and playing style.
How often should I replace my irons?
The frequency of replacing your irons depends on how often you play and the wear and tear on your clubs. On average, golfers replace their irons every 5-7 years. However, if your irons show significant wear or your game has significantly improved or changed, it may be time to upgrade sooner.
Can I test Callaway and TaylorMade irons before purchasing?
Yes, many golf retailers and pro shops offer demo days or trial programs for golf equipment where you can test various irons on the range or the course. This is an excellent way to determine which brand and model best suits your needs and preferences.
Last update on 2023-03-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API