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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.
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| 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.
AP stands for advance performance, and both AP sets have multimaterial heads comprising steel bodies with tungsten nickel alloy weighting, an aluminum cavity plate and elastomer cushion. The head of the AP1 set is cast and uses stainless steel while the AP2 set is forged and features mild carbon steel.
Both sets have dual cavityback design, optimal center of gravity location in the face and dual hosel lengths. Shorter hosels in the long irons help place weight low for enhanced launch.
The AP1 irons have notably stronger lofts, two degrees stronger than AP2 models. For example, the pitching wedge in the AP1 set has a very strong loft of 45 degrees to 47 degrees for AP2. The idea with the stronger lofts is to enhance distance in combination with higher launch angles.
Amateur testers praised the AP1 and AP2 models as "good looking," "easy to swing and hit," and "very solid." Better players praised the clubs for their "workability."
The AP1 irons are available in Nos. 3-PW, plus a 50-degree gap wedge. Suggested retail price is $100 per club with steel shafts, $125 with graphite.
The AP2 irons are available in Nos. 3-PW, plus a 51-degree gap wedge. Suggested retail price is $142 per club with steel shaft, $167 with graphite.
ZB, ZM iron
Skilled players in our test groups provided "very satisfactory" reviews for Titleist's forged blades. Several reviewers called the ZB models "outstanding." One tester commented: "They provide a higher launch with more distance, which is really good for precise approach shots."
Both models have heads forged with carbon steel for enhanced feel and control. The profiles are traditional and blade like. The ZB iron has a slightly more progressive offset and a progressive blade length through the set. The ZB sole also is slightly wider but still would be considered narrow in comparison to game improvement clubs.
The ZB irons are available in Nos. 2-PW; the ZM irons in 3-PW.
Standard offering with either set is True Temper's Dynamic Gold steel shaft, but graphite is available. Suggested retail price for either model is $125 per club with steel shaft, $150 with graphite.
DT Carry and Roll balls
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| Titleist DT Carry ball |
In engineering the new DT balls, "a common thread throughout the research was that average and recreational golfers wanted the products to speak to their needs, with distance optimization serving as the most apparent, while still providing exceptional feel," said Titleist VP George Sine.
The DT Carry model has the larger core and a dimple pattern geared for a higher ball flight and enhanced carry. The DT Roll model has a slightly smaller core and dimple configuration geared for a lower ball flight and increased roll.
There's an AIM sidestamp, which stands for alignment integrated marking, on both balls to help provide a consistent focal point.
Suggested retail price for either of the new DT models is $28 per dozen.
Pitch Shot: Running now through June 30, as a promotion tied to Mother's Day and Father's Day, Titleist is waiving personalization charges for its Pro V1, Pro V1x, NXT Tour, NXT Extreme, DT Carry and DT Roll balls. Minimum order is a dozen balls and up to three lines of block text may be personalized in black, blue, red or green ink colors. Orders need to be placed at authorized Titleist golf ball retailers or shops.
Click Here for new Titleist iron and ball specs