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Titleist ZB/ZM Irons Preview

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GolfWRX.com recently had the opportunity to take a look at the upcoming 2008 lineup of Titlieist Advanced Performance irons, the AP1, AP2, ZB, and ZM irons.

It was a rare peek into the technology, design, and fitting factors which are driving the next generation of Titleist irons.  Today we will cover the ZB and ZM irons. Straight looks, performance, and feel.

 

For the past few years, people have been asking for a mixed set from Titleist targed to better players. Titleist introduced the 735.CM to fill this void and many players took the plunge but some still yearned for a 695CB and 695MB combo set. The ZB now fills that void and modernizes the look, a move which should please many Titleist fans. The compact headed ZB is a blended Cavity set forged from 1025 carbon steel. The 2-4 irons are full cavity back, 5-7 partial cavity back, and 8-P muscle back. The main difference between the irons will center on the 2-7 clubs as the 8-P are identical in each set, only the logo changes. Common to both sets is the “Z” shape, which is not just for looks buts reflects the weighting that’s been moved from heel to toe in each club.

 

The major differences between the two sets lies in the 2-7 irons. The first thing to note is the hosel lengths on the ZB are shorter on the 2-7 irons to lower the center of gravity compared to the ZM. Next, a slightly wider sole on the 2-7 irons give them a moderate bounce compared to the ZM. Finally, there is also slightly more offset with the ZB 2-5 irons and 1* less bounce compared to the ZM. These factors combined, give the ZB a slightly higher ball flight than the ZM. The ZM and ZB 8-P irons are the same on both sets, only the logos differ.  

 

The ZB and ZM have standard Tour loft specs beginning with a 47 degree pitching wedge. Dynamic Gold is the stock shaft and an optional 2 iron will be available. The ZM will be orderable with any custom combination of ZB long irons.  Release is scheduled in the first quarter of 2008, pricing to be determined.

ZB Specifications

Iron No.

2
     3
4
5
6
7
8
9
PW
LOFT( ° )
18
21
24
27
31
35
39
43
47
LIE ( ° )
60
60
61
62
62.5
63
63.5
64
64
BOUNCE ( ° )
0
    1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Offset
.0150"   
0.140"
0.130"
0.120"
0.110"
0.100"
0.090"
0.080"
0.075"

 

ZM Specifications

Iron No.

2
     3
4
5
6
7
8
9
PW
LOFT( ° )
 
21
24
27
31
35
39
43
47
LIE ( ° )
 
60
61
62
62.5
63
63.5
64
64
BOUNCE ( ° )
 
    2     3
4
4.5
5
6
7
8
Offset  
0.125"
0.120"
0.115"
0.110"
0.100"
0.090"
0.080"
0.075"

 
I didn’t get much time to hit the ZB and ZM in depth but, from the few shots that I did take, they did deliver on the traditional Titleist look, feel, and performance. They have the thinner top lines, maximum workability and the feel of a forged iron. For those wanting a traditional combo set these should definetly be on the list for 2008 to try. To see more high resolution pictures and what is being said in the GolfWRX.com Forums, please check out the discussion thread by clicking  >>>Here<<<.

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7 Comments

7 Comments

  1. Pingback: Titleist Zb Forged Irons Specs | Golf Fanatics

  2. Glenn

    Feb 2, 2014 at 8:14 am

    I purchased these irons second hand as my second set with 3-5 cavity, 6 & 7 partial and 8-PW blade and I am incredibly happy I found them. I would advocate that any caliber of player would benefit and improve their distance and accuracy with these irons.

  3. Grant Horsfall

    Feb 23, 2012 at 6:12 am

    bought a SET of the ZM which are 3-5 cavity
    6-7 semi blade
    8-pw blade

    what an awesome set of clubs. and they go miles!

  4. Michael

    Jun 17, 2009 at 4:36 pm

    I upgraded from the 735.CM to ZB irons. I say upgraded, but I still have the735’s and play them. I learned to play on forged irons, so the feel of these is great. I had the PW upped to 48-deg and the clubs are +1/4″. If you have a good, smooth rhythm, with no wonky action in your wrist or in the backswing, and you stay out of the shade 90% of the time, you will like these clubs. You can undeniably control your shots with these irons. A salesman at the local store suggested the AP irons, but the feeling wasn’t there. He kept harping about distance is the key. Well, that is true. We would all like to play long, get to the green sooner, and finish. But, if you can control your shot, and all the elements are there, with these clubs, your greens in regulation will increase, subsequently boosting your confidence (positive feedback) and your putting focus will be improved because you are not disturbed from already being at 4 on a par 4 and just putting because you bombed the ball off the tee and overshot.

    If you are looking to improve your game, these clubs will not be the answer without a serious commitment to proper practice several (+4) times a week plus playing a couple of times per week. The feel from mats to grass on the practice range, to the fairways is very much a different feel. I think you should give these a try. NOT IN THE NETTED AREA OF A LOCAL STORE. GO TO A golf course with a GRASS practice area and try these out. In most cases, you can call the pro shop and ask when Titleist demos will be available.

    I’ll end on this note. The clubs swing play themselves so well, that I carry the 2-iron and 3-irons instead of the brand new 2 and 3-hybrids. They are simply that nice.

    good luck

  5. Dave

    Apr 1, 2008 at 8:20 pm

    Great irons with exceptional feel. Just my opinion but I would only get these if you are better than a 7 handicap. No question good ball strikers will enjoy these clubs. Very happy I got them..

  6. Josh

    Mar 16, 2008 at 10:12 pm

    i got em and i love em

  7. Pingback: Bag Chatter » GolfWRX.com First Looks at 2008 Titleist AP Irons!

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Whats in the Bag

Russell Henley WITB 2024 (March)

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  • Russell Henley WITB accurate as of the Cognizant Classic.

Driver: Titleist TSi3 (10 degrees, B1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70 6.5 TX

3-wood: Titleist TS3 (16.5 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX

Hybrid: Titleist TSi2 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT Hybrid 100 TX

Irons: Titleist T100 (4-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold AMT (4-6), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (7-9)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 50-08F @51, 54-10S, @55, 60-04T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400

Putter: Scotty Cameron T5 Prototype

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

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Whats in the Bag

Vince Carter WITB 2024 (March)

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  • The NBA legend was teeing it up in the Arnold Palmer Invitational Pro-Am.

Driver: Ping G430 Max 10K (9 degrees)

3-wood: Ping G430 Max (15 degrees)

7-wood: Ping G430 Max (21 degrees)

Irons: Ping i230 (4-PW)

Wedges: Ping Glide 4.0 (50, 54, 58)

Putter: Ping

Ball: Renegade Mbu

Check out more photos of Vince Carter’s WITB here.

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From the Forums: I need more forgiveness in my irons – Looking for recommendations

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In our forums, our members have been discussing the most forgiving irons currently on the market. WRXer ‘TheShark1’ is on the hunt for a new set of irons, saying:

“Currently gaming the Mizuno Pro 225’s but think I need more forgiveness in my irons. My well struck shots are real nice, but my mishits are not performing as good as I had hoped anymore. I really like hollow body irons so if I could find something more forgiving in a hollow body iron that would be great.

Open to any and all recommendations other than Ping. Can’t hit Ping irons at all.”

And our members have been sharing their best suggestions in our forum.

Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

  • AvidSwampThing66: “Another vote for the super forgiving and fast Paradym irons.   They look really good for being a GI iron.”
  • bobfoster: “I just went from MP20 MMCs to the new 245s in my scoring irons (just played my first round with them today). If you have a chance to try them, you might find them worth a serious look.”
  • vman: “Shoot me down, but spend the money on lessons.”
  • J_Tizzle: “i525s are great off the heel in my opinion.”

Entire Thread: “From the Forums: I need more forgiveness in my irons – Looking for recommendations”

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