 |
 |
 |
|
Over the past few seasons, Titleist has taken definitive strides to broaden its metalwood and iron offerings in order to accommodate a wider range of players. Long known as a clubmaker for highly skilled players, the feeling was that the company was limited in its selections for avid golfers needing greater game improvement.
|
|
| Titleist AP1 irons |
This spring, the focus is on irons. Within the past few weeks, Titleist, a division of Acushnet Golf, has come out with four new models of irons targeted at an array of golfers based on playing preferences and characteristics.
"The Titleist iron audience ranges from world-class tour players to aspiring golfers who demand performance with great feel," said Jeff Harmet, president of Cobra and Titleist clubs. "Each of our new irons is clearly positioned ... for its intended target golfer."
According to Titleist execs, company research segmented golfers into distinct groups based on average ball speed gaps between tour players, club pros and amateurs with low single-digit handicaps, high single-digits and low double-digits.
"As a result of our research, we have designed four distinct irons that will focus on performance and feel, and optimize launch conditions and ball flight based on the targeted players' ball-speed range," said Harmet.
Two of the new models, AP1 and AP2, are undercut cavitybacks, a dramatic move in iron design for venerable Titleist. The other two models, ZB and ZM, are forged irons, with ZB a blend of muscle and cavityback and ZM a muscleback all the way.
Many of Titleist's staff players on tour are already using the new irons. The roster includes Adam Scott, Zach Johnson, Arron Oberholser, Davis Love III, Billy Mayfair, Ben Curtis, Jay Haas, Brett Quigley, Robert Gamez, Mark O'Meara, Steve Stricker and Peter Jacobsen.
A note to better golfers who may think the new cavitybacks are for mid-level amateurs only: That might be true for the AP1 models, but Stricker is playing with the AP2 irons and used them to post the low score of 63 in the final round of the PGA Tour's recent WGC-CA Championships.
In test sessions among a range of golfers assembled by CBSSports.com, reviews were highly positive for all the new Titleist irons. They were judged "must consider" for serious, competitive players with skill levels ranging from professional to low double-digit amateurs. Testers particularly praised the company for expanding its range of offerings to the more average handicap player.
A closer look at the new irons, along with Titleist's revamped DT ball series.
AP1, AP2 irons
The AP1 model represents the most forgiving iron set Titleist has produced, yet testers said it still offers exceptional performance and playability. On tour, even Mayfair is playing the new AP1.
