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Back By Popular Demand: Titleist C16 Irons

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Last April, Titleist did something out of character. It released a line of golf clubs called C16 without the extensive testing and validation process that’s typical for the company’s products. Like concept cars in the auto industry, these were “concept clubs” created for the purpose of experimenting with new technologies, materials and manufacturing processes in an effort to push existing boundaries.

“We weren’t really sure how it would go and how the products would do,” said Josh Talge, Vice President of Marketing for Titleist.

Titleist did no marketing for the clubs, and as you might imagine, they were expensive: $1,000 for a driver and about $3,000 for a set of irons. They were also available in a very limited supply — about 1,500 drivers and 1,000 set of irons — and restricted to buyers willing to be fit for the clubs at Titleist-authorized locations. Despite those hurdles, the clubs sold quickly. And due to popular demand, Titleist is releasing an additional 1000 sets of the C16 irons.

“So many people who hit the C16 irons would say things like, ‘I’ve never done that before or I didn’t think I could do this.'” Talge says. “Golfers were getting a club more distance … all in a package that looks like a players club.”

C16_Group

As with the original launch, fittings are available at the company’s TPI Oceanside and Manchester Lane test facilities, as well as Titleist Fitting Days and Titleist Thursdays trial and fitting events. With the relaunch, Titleist has also added 50 select fitting partners around the country who can now fit C16 irons. The reason Titleist is requiring golfers to be fit for the C16 irons is two-fold, Talge says. The company wants to make sure C16 iron buyers are confident they’re getting something limited and special. Just as importantly, Titleist wants to continue to learn from the C16 irons.

Much has been learned already. When Titleist originally launched the C16 irons it did so with the option of a special “SureFit Grip,” an adjustable counter-weighting feature that gave fitters the option of positioning a 20-gram weight at the bottom or top of the grip to change the way a golfer’s hands rotated at impact for improved performance. It proved beneficial for some C16 buyers, but Talge called it “complex.” He pointed to Titleist’s inability to offer it as an option in more than one grip model and the complications of re-gripping clubs with SureFit grips as the reason it will not be included in the re-launch.

“You could only get [SureFit Grip technology] in a grip that was basically a Tour Velvet,” Talge says. “And when it came time to change your grips, it had to be done by Titleist … We’re still working out some of those kinks.”

nullTitleist’s C16 driver, on the other hand, proved to be a product with technologies that were immediately ready for mass production. It introduced a moveable-weight technology called SureFit CG that was added to the company’s 917D2 and 917D3 drivers, which were released in the fall of 2016.

Talge emphasized, as Titleist did with the announcement of its C16 clubs in April 2016, that there is no set launch schedule for its concept clubs. New concept clubs will only be released when the company feels it has created a ground-breaking design… or in this case, when golfers can’t get enough of a previous design.

Titleist’s C16 irons ($375-$415 per club) will be available April 15 in the U.S. and in select global markets for right- and left-handed golfers. All of Titleist’s custom shafts and grips are available at no additional cost with one exception: AeroTech’s Steelfiber (+$56 per shaft). Learn More about the C16 irons from Titleist. 

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44 Comments

44 Comments

  1. TheRealDeal

    Apr 18, 2017 at 1:02 pm

    I’m bagging these sweet sticks!!! Breaking 90’s here I come.

  2. #1HoganFan

    Apr 16, 2017 at 11:44 am

    To quote a vender a the PGA merchandise show on Orlando a couple if years back. “There is nothing new in golf just new ways to sell it.”

  3. KK

    Apr 15, 2017 at 9:40 am

    I understand the T-MB because it’s small and very forgiving. This is big and chunky and marginally better than the $800 AP1.

  4. Dan

    Apr 15, 2017 at 12:11 am

    I’m beginning to think that the golf companies are pandering to the .1% or .10% of Americans that can afford clubs like PXG, Honma and these current clubs. The everyday working class golfer who gets out every other Saturday is getting lower on the totem pole. Even $500 drivers are getting to be too much. I guess class discrimination knows no bounds. As I’ve said before, I’m still playing my Cleveland 588 MT’s and shooting in the 80’s. 🙂

  5. Dave R

    Apr 14, 2017 at 10:22 pm

    Right on Brad T you can’t buy a golf game. Well think about that awhile.

  6. BigSean

    Apr 14, 2017 at 12:11 pm

    These are some sweet sticks, know why mean. My mom said she will buy me some when I move out of her basement. She’s just went to get me a 50 and a pack of cigs. Later fellas…..

  7. Smiller

    Apr 14, 2017 at 12:01 pm

    Now I can buy a backup set of clubs to use when my PXG’s are in the shop. My buddy Jim Grundy has these and they are friggin’ incredible! He hits them long and straight on every shot. From an engineering standpoint they are second to none, and none left town!

  8. Tyler

    Apr 14, 2017 at 11:57 am

    I’ve hit the C16 Driver. It’s ugly and doesn’t compare to Titleist’s regular line of woods.

  9. Obumma

    Apr 14, 2017 at 11:53 am

    I can do things with these irons I have never been able to do:
    1. Hit the ball
    2. Get some height
    3. Look the part
    4. Be really cool
    5. Hang with Scotty

  10. Thomas Murphy

    Apr 14, 2017 at 11:41 am

    Next gen T-MB for PXG price that is fashion forward for people with cash and strong brand affinity.

  11. Mark

    Apr 14, 2017 at 6:41 am

    Silly money for clubs.

  12. JS

    Apr 14, 2017 at 2:57 am

    Does anyone know why PGA pros don’t play these? Spieth is staffed by titleist…. why aren’t any of their staffers playing these?

  13. a

    Apr 14, 2017 at 12:17 am

    Lower lofts on irons are necessary with the new club technology. Titleist sold the initial run of irons………..so obviously they had the need to produce more.

    Golf is a sport but also an industry….

  14. Chuck

    Apr 13, 2017 at 10:35 pm

    I know I’d like to try them. Are they hollow, like T-MB’s? I’m guessing not, since there’s no hole in the toe which I think is sort of required in the manufacturing process.

    So; is there a single tour player, on a single tour (U.S., Euro, AustralAsian, etc.) who has a single one of these clubs in play?

    I remember when some of the Japan-only stuff notably made it into tour bags. Ernie Els’ cherished 690.CH 3-iron comes to mind. If these were so magic, you’d think that there’d be some of that.

    • Eric

      Apr 14, 2017 at 1:53 pm

      Nope they’re hollow.

      • Chuck

        Apr 14, 2017 at 7:12 pm

        Thanks Eric I appreciate that info. With the T-MB already in their line, it really makes for a curious offering.

  15. Mat

    Apr 13, 2017 at 8:33 pm

    C16 Mar-o-lago edition.

  16. Mike

    Apr 13, 2017 at 7:48 pm

    With the weight moved low in the head they launch high, therefore the need to strengthen the lofts. These are some awesome irons, forgiving yet workable. I have them with the KBS Tour X. I have a Trackman and an E6 simulator and everyone that’s hit them likes them. They are in a league of their own.

  17. Mr Muira

    Apr 13, 2017 at 6:22 pm

    SHANK!!!!!

  18. matt_bear

    Apr 13, 2017 at 2:00 pm

    it plays a club longer because they basically labeled the clubs wrong. Comparing the lofts of the C16 to a set of CB’s it’s literally a club difference. lol

  19. Fat Perez

    Apr 13, 2017 at 12:22 pm

    Well, at least we won’t hear from the whining “lefties” about being left out! Step right up and get gouged ya bunch ‘o wrong siders! PXTitleist to the rescue!!!!

  20. Double Mocha Man 4 President

    Apr 13, 2017 at 11:56 am

    You are da man

  21. Tyler

    Apr 13, 2017 at 11:07 am

    These clubs are most no better than any other club in it’s category. If you have the swing you can pretty much play whatever you want and there is no need to pay 3k for a set of irons.

  22. Hoselshot82

    Apr 13, 2017 at 11:02 am

    I’ve had a mint condition set on the classifieds that I can’t even sell for 1750.00

  23. 3PuttTerritory

    Apr 13, 2017 at 10:03 am

    The shaft upcharge @ full retail+installation in a $3000 set of irons is my favorite, most Titleist thing ever.

  24. Bogeypro

    Apr 13, 2017 at 9:55 am

    I hate to say I told you so, but this is what PXG is doing to the market. For every club that PXG sells for $350, the others will do the same. Its about to get really stupid in the equipment business….

    • Tom

      Apr 13, 2017 at 10:29 am

      as long as there is a demand and there’s money to be made.

      • Tom

        Apr 13, 2017 at 10:34 am

        ya know after thinkin some more I’m wrong. Costco “signature” balls are popular and the price has been kept low.

    • Tyler

      Apr 13, 2017 at 11:06 am

      I was thinking the same thing.

      • Player

        Apr 13, 2017 at 12:03 pm

        I can’t wait for the Kirkland Signature forged irons to come out. Same performance as the C16 for $600 a set

  25. david

    Apr 13, 2017 at 9:33 am

    guys these irons are magical. crazy ball speeds and feel and sound awesome. sold a bunch of sets to all skill levels. guys just hit them better. if you haven’t tried them you don’t know!

    • Dj

      Apr 13, 2017 at 10:51 am

      Hard pass. All marketing. These are no better than their retail offerings. Nothing but a quick money grab

    • Stan

      Apr 13, 2017 at 12:09 pm

      Thanks Lyle Lanley.

    • Joey5Picks

      Apr 13, 2017 at 1:44 pm

      I’m sure they all dropped their handicaps by half.

    • Brian

      Apr 13, 2017 at 3:23 pm

      I’ll stick with my Mizunos and save $2k in the process. Plus I can customize shafts with no upcharge unlike Titeli$t

  26. Brad T

    Apr 13, 2017 at 8:53 am

    perfect for the people who think they can buy a better game.

    • Joe

      Apr 13, 2017 at 9:07 am

      what’s the difference between buying a new driver every year or buying an expensive set of irons? I honestly do not know 1 person with the ability to afford these irons doing so because they think it will make their game better….

      I do, however, know many people who cannot afford the $500 new driver that think it’ll help them lose their slice.

    • Jack

      Apr 13, 2017 at 10:37 am

      I became a pro after I got fitted for these irons. It was that easy. Boom

      • chinchbugs

        Apr 13, 2017 at 12:13 pm

        I was actually selected to the all-universe team after switching to these

  27. Ian

    Apr 13, 2017 at 8:22 am

    Alright, hands up. Who demanded the C16 irons?

    • Tazz2293

      Apr 13, 2017 at 9:24 am

      Averting eyes, whistling softly to self while slowly walking away

    • gdb99

      Apr 13, 2017 at 8:42 pm

      I didn’t, but I hope to hit them in a couple weeks during my Titleist Thursday fitting.

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Whats in the Bag

Chesson Hadley WITB 2024 (March)

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Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 70 TX

3-wood: Titleist TSR2+ (14.5 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 80 TX

Irons: Titleist T200 (3), Titleist 620 CB (4, 5), Titleist 620 MB (6-PW)
Shafts: Graphite Design Tour AD DI 105 X (3), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (4-PW)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (52-12F, 56-14F), WedgeWorks (60-K)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG 2-Ball
Grip: Odyssey

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

Check out more in-hand photos Chesson Hadley’s clubs here.

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Whats in the Bag

Gary Woodland WITB 2024 (March)

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Driver: Cobra Darkspeed X (8 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TZ5 70 M5

  • The white circle that appears at the top of the face a removable sticker that’s used for launch monitor tracking, and Woodland removes it for competition!

3-wood: Cobra Darkspeed X (14 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TZ5 GW100 Prototype

7-wood: Cobra LTDx LS prototype (20 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TZ5 GW100 Prototype

Irons: Wilson Staff (18 degrees), Cobra King MB (4-PW)
Shafts: KBS Tour C-Taper Limited X

Wedges: Cobra SB (48), Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (52-08F, 56-14F), Cobra King (60)
Shafts: KBS Tour C-Taper Limited X (48 degrees), KBS Tour V-Ten 125

Putter: Scotty Cameron T-5 Proto
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Tour 3.0P

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord

See more in-hand photos of Gary Woodland’s WITB in the forums.

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Equipment

Q&A: Martin Trainer on his Bobby Grace “Greg Chalmers” putter, 6.5-degree driver, and “butter knife” 2-iron

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As unbiasedly as I can put it, Martin Trainer has one of the coolest club setups in professional golf. (At some point soon, I’ll put together a top-10 list of “coolest club setups on Tour,” but I know that Trainer will be in the top-10)

What a lineup. He plays a 6.5-degree Wilson prototype driver, a 13-degree Wilson prototype 3-wood, a true blade Wilson Staff Model 2-iron, and a Bobby Grace “Greg Chalmers Commemorative” putter!

 

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I mean, look at this 2-iron from address…

To quote the great author R.L. Stine: “Goosebumps.”

On Wednesday at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open, I caught up with Trainer to learn more about his bag setup.

Here’s what he had to say:

You have the Internet going crazy over your bag setup, and your putter. Where’d you pick the Bobby Grace-Greg Chalmers putter up? How long have you had it?

MT: This was from when Bobby Grace came to my course in California: Cal Club. And for whatever reason, they just started having them in the shop. So then I took my buddy’s, started using it, and made, like, a million putts in a row, which is how every putter story begins, I guess.

And then, I bought a couple of my own, used it for years, got to the Tour with it, won on Tour with it (the 2019 Puerto Rico Open). Then, about a year later, started using another putter, did that for a couple years, but now it’s back in the bag.

When did it come back in the bag?

MT: December of this past year. So a few months ago.

What year would you say was the first time you threw that in the bag, or, like, when you bought it?

MT: God…Probably, 2016, maybe? 2018?

Do you remember how much you paid for it?

MT: I don’t know, actually. Maybe $100-150 bucks or something. I think that’s the only golf club I’ve bought between high school and now. Well, two, since I bought two of them.

The driver is interesting, too. What went into the prototyping process?

MT: That was a version of the current driver, but it was the prototype that they first came out with for Tour guys to try. And for whatever reason, I just never switched out to the new one.

It’s just 6.5 degrees, right?

MT: Yeah. Very low loft, yeah.

What kind of ball speed do you have with that these days?

MT: Like high 170’s.

Yeah, that’ll work. And then a 2-iron blade? We’re seeing fewer and fewer of those out here.

MT: Yeah. The butter knife.

Very cool thing to have in the bag. Have you done any testing with driving irons? 

MT: Yeah, I used to have a thicker one, but it was a little offset, and I never hit it that well. And then finally, I started messing around with the butter knife. And I remember the first time I looked down at it, I was terrified. And then I ended up getting used to it, putting it in play, and it’s been in place since. It’s a pretty good club for me.

How far do you carry that? 

MT: Like 235.

A good little wind club, I’m sure.

MTL Yeah, exactly. I can hit it very low. It’s great.

I love it. You have people shook looking at that. Thanks for the time, man. 

MT: Absolutely.

To see more photos and discussion of Trainer’s bag, click here.

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