Equipment
Titleist ZB/ZM Irons Preview
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.
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.
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"
|
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Whats in the Bag
Xander Schauffele WITB 2024 (May)
- Xander Schauffele what’s in the bag accurate as of the PGA Championship.
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (10.5 degrees @10.1)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana PD 70 TX (45.5 inches)
3-wood: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana PD 80 TX
Hybrid: Callaway Apex UW (21 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 90 TX
Irons: Mizuno MP-20 (3), Callaway Apex TCB ’24 (4-10)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue Mid X100 (3), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (4-10)
Wedges: Callaway Jaws Raw (52-10S), Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (56-10S @57), Titleist Vokey Design WedgeWorks Proto (60-K @61)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Putter: Odyssey Toulon Design Las Vegas Prototype 7CH
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Tour 2.0
Grips: Golf Pride MCC Align
Ball: Callaway Chrome Tour
Check out more in-hand photos of Xander Schauffele’s clubs in the forums.
More Xander Schauffele WITBs
- Xander Schauffele WITB 2023 (August)
- Xander Schauffele WITB 2022 (July)
- Xander Schauffele’s winning WITB: 2022 Scottish Open
- Xander Schauffele’s winning WITB: 2022 Travelers Championship
- Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele’s winning WITBs: 2022 Zurich Classic
- Xander Schauffele WITB 2022 (January)
- Xander Schauffele WITB 2021 (October)
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- Xander Schauffele WITB 2021 Masters
- Xander Schauffele WITB 2020 (October)
- Xander Schauffele WITB: 2020 Tour Championship
- Xander Schauffele’s winning WITB: 2020 Olympics
- Xander Schauffele WITB 2020
- Xander Schauffele WITB: 2020 Sentry Tournament of Champions
- Xander Schauffele’s winning WITB: Sentry Tournament of Champions
- Xander Schauffele’s winning WITB: 2018 WGC-HSBC Champions
- Xander Schauffele WITB 2018
- Xander Schauffele’s winning WITB: 2017 Tour Championship
- Xander Schauffele WITB 2017
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Whats in the Bag
Cam Smith WITB 2024 (May)
- Cam Smith what’s in the bag accurate as of the PGA Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees, D4 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 6 X
3-wood: Ping Max G430 Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Red 7 X
7-wood: Titleist TS2 (21 degrees, D4 SureFit setting)
Shaft: UST Mamiya Elements Proto 8F5
Irons: Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi (2, 3), Titleist T100 (5-9)
Shafts: KBS Tour 130 X Custom Series
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (46-10F, 52-08F, 56-08M, 60-04T)
Shafts: KBS Tour 130X (46, 52, 56, 60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron 009M
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Tack
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Check out more in-hand photos of Cam Smith’s gear here.
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Whats in the Bag
Patrick Reed WITB 2024 (May)
- Patrick Reed what’s in the bag accurate as of the PGA Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Ping G400 (8.5 degrees)
Shaft: Aldila Rogue Silver 125 MSI 70 Tour X
3-wood: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (15 degrees)
Shaft: Aldila Rogue Silver 125MSI 80 Tour X
Hybrid: Callaway Apex Pro (18 degrees)
Shaft: Aldila RIP Phenom Hybrid 100 TX
Irons: Titleist 716 TMB (2), Grindworks PR-202 (4), Grindworks PR-101A (5-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore (50-10 Mid), Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (56-08M @55), SM10 (60-04T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Odyssey White Hot RX Pt Customs No. 2
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
More photos of Patrick Reed’s WITB in the forums.
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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.
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!
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
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..
Josh
Mar 16, 2008 at 10:12 pm
i got em and i love em
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