Min Woo Lee is probably the most exciting player in golf right now. He’s got the social media following, the "Let Him Cook" catchphrase, and ball speeds that make most scratch players want to quit the game. But if you look closely at his bag, specifically his iron setup, things get a little weird. He isn't just playing the standard off-the-shelf stuff you see in your local pro shop.
Honestly, the min woo lee irons setup is a masterclass in how a modern power player blends traditional feel with some very specific Japanese engineering.
For most of the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Min Woo has been haunting the leaderboards with a set of Callaway irons that aren't technically "real" products for the public. He’s leaning on a combo set that bridges the gap between the X Forged and the Apex lines.
The Current Bag: What’s Actually Down There?
If you peeked into his bag at the start of the 2026 season—most recently seen at the BMW Australian PGA Championship—you’d see a very deliberate split.
He carries the Callaway X Forged Star (Japan version) in the 4 and 5-iron. These are unique. They have a slightly larger profile than a standard blade, which gives him that extra bit of launch and forgiveness he needs when he’s hitting a 5-iron from 230 yards out.
The rest of the set, from the 6-iron down to the 10-iron (yes, he uses a "10" instead of a PW), is where it gets spicy. He’s playing the Callaway Apex MB Proto. These are raw, unbranded muscle-backs that look like they were forged in a secret lab. They have a distinct "muscle" on the back that sits lower and more toward the toe than a standard MB.
Why? Because when you swing as fast as Min Woo, you need the center of gravity (CG) to be perfectly stable. If the CG is too close to the heel, he’d be hooking the ball into the next zip code.
The Specs Nobody Mentions
The shafts are just as important as the heads. Most guys on tour are using True Temper Dynamic Gold X100s. It’s the industry standard. Min Woo? He’s been seen swapping between the Nippon N.S. Pro Modus³ Tour 125 X and the True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100.
Lately, he’s been leaning into the Nippon 125s. They offer a slightly different "kick" point that helps him control that piercing flight he’s famous for.
- 4-5 Irons: Callaway X Forged Star (Japan Edition)
- 6-10 Irons: Callaway Apex MB '24 Prototypes
- Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus³ Tour 125 X-Flex
- Grips: Grip Master "Roo" Signature (He uses leather grips, which is a total throwback move).
Why Doesn't He Use "Standard" Blades?
You’ve probably seen the "Chef" hitting that low, stinging 2-iron. That’s usually his Callaway X Forged UT. But for his scoring clubs, he needs precision.
The "MB '24" prototypes he uses feature a Dynamic Sole Design. This basically means the leading edge is a bit blunter and there’s more relief on the trailing edge. For a guy who strikes the ball as aggressively as Min Woo, this prevents the club from digging too deep into the turf. He likes shallow divots. If the iron digs, the speed drops. And Min Woo is all about speed.
The "10-Iron" Confusion
People always ask why his pitching wedge says "10." It’s a Callaway thing for their Japanese and specialized Tour sets. In most of the world, we call it a Pitching Wedge (PW). In the specialized Apex sets he plays, it’s stamped with a 10. It’s got 44 degrees of loft. It’s basically just a branding choice, but it adds to the "if you know, you know" vibe of his equipment.
Can You Actually Buy These?
This is the frustrating part. You can buy the Callaway Apex MB '24 irons, and they are phenomenal clubs. They are forged from 1025 carbon steel and feel like butter when you flush them.
However, Min Woo’s specific "Proto" version has different weight ports and a slightly different muscle shape. You can get 95% of the way there with the retail Apex MBs. But unless you have a "Lee" surname and 125mph driver clubhead speed, Callaway probably isn't sending you the raw prototypes.
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Actionable Insights for Your Game
You don't need to be a pro to learn from his setup. Here is how you can apply the "Min Woo logic" to your own bag:
- Don't Fear the Combo Set: Min Woo uses more forgiving heads (X Forged Star) in his long irons. If a top-20 player in the world uses "help" in his 4-iron, you should too.
- Look at the Sole: If you struggle with fat shots, look for irons with "trailing edge relief" or a "pre-worn leading edge." It makes a massive difference in how the club exits the grass.
- Grip Material Matters: He uses leather Gripmaster grips. They are tacky even in the rain. If you play in humid conditions, moving away from standard rubber can save your game.
- The Shaft is the Engine: Don't just play what comes in the box. Min Woo's switch to the Nippon 125s shows that even the smallest change in weight and bend profile can tighten up your dispersion.
If you’re looking to replicate the min woo lee irons feel, start by testing the Callaway Apex CB or MB '24 series. They are the closest retail equivalents to the "Chef's" tools. Just remember: the clubs help, but the 180mph ball speed is sold separately.