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Are these the next, new Titleist irons?

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Since 2011, Titleist has unveiled new models of its AP1, AP2, CB and MB irons every two years in the U.S. — and more specifically every other July.

The lone curveball? In the fall of 2012, Titleist debuted its 712U, a hollow-cavity, fast-faced iron that’s been extremely popular with tour pros and amateurs as both a driving iron and a long iron replacement.

The 712U has been such a good performer, in fact, that many golfers have wondered why Titleist has not yet created a full set of hollow-cavity irons. Well, it appears that the company has, at least for the Japanese market.

Screen Shot 2015-02-08 at 17.17.42

Photo from GolfWRX Member yUmaRouS

The 716 T MB irons use a multi-material construction to lower the center of gravity (CG) of the fast-faced irons. It can be expected that they will be more forgiving than the 712U, and fly a little farther, too.

A Titleist representative told GolfWRX that the 716 T MB is a Japan-only product. No word if something like them will be available when the Titleist unveils its next line of irons, which are expected in July.

Click here to visit our forum, where the photo originally leaked. 

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32 Comments

32 Comments

  1. As much as some can't stand him....

    Jul 2, 2015 at 9:51 am

    I know someone who has them, says they were the worst feeling Irons he has played in a long time….maybe because they are hollow? I don’t know

  2. Tom Wishon

    Jun 26, 2015 at 5:49 pm

    BTW, these irons which are made exclusively for the Japan market are manufactured by Virage Tech Industrial of Chengdu, China and not by any of the Japanese forging companies. And on top of that Charles Su, owner of Virage Tech, owns the utility patent pending for this iron design as well – Pub. No. US 2014/0123471 A1; Pub. Date – May 8, 2014. Not Titleist. These irons really are as close to a work of art as can be made presently in the golf industry. And BTW #2, Virage Tech is also the manufacturer of the new this year Hogan forged irons.

    • christian

      Aug 8, 2015 at 9:04 am

      They are cast, so why any of the japanese forging houses would be involved beats me.

  3. denny b.

    Jun 20, 2015 at 3:20 pm

    Speaking of Asian Markets. I have a set of Ping eye 2 becu 1 thru sw and Ping ISI becu 1 thru sw. the former in very good and latter in excellent condition. I heard selling these in Japan will bring a very good price. Just asking as I have no idea if true or how to accomplish selling them. Thanks for any input.

  4. Jim

    Mar 7, 2015 at 12:04 pm

    These clubs look a lot like a set of taylormade irons I bought back in the late 80’s. the Taylor’s were not as polished as these but looks like the same concept.

  5. BOBBY D

    Feb 25, 2015 at 3:38 pm

    TITLEIST…# 1…THE BEST

  6. Waqar

    Feb 18, 2015 at 6:58 am

    Japanese made or made for Japan only clubs are always of higher quality as the Japanese have a very low tolerance for lack of quality. No one can match them in metal working.

    Titliest is Korean owned, tmag is German owned, Honma is Chinese owned, cleveland is srixion or Japanese owned, XXIO is Dunlop owned. Honma makes golf sets which are sold for USD 50,000 per set. Rich Asians (Japanese, Chinese, Thai, and others) which there are plenty of, buy these clubs. This is the future of golf merchandise market.

    When major companies spend millions on R&D of a product, they recover this cost from their Asian clients, and once this is done they bring the technology to Europe and America. Plus there is so much innovation by very small Japanese companies that it makes worthwhile for major companies to have a strong presence in this market.

  7. SUMO

    Feb 12, 2015 at 5:35 am

    Here’s a translation:
    A revolution born to keep on attacking aggressively.
    All for hitting your best shot.
    Hybrid Muscleback iron.

    Technology:
    -high technology multi-compound hollow muscleback iron
    -blade look preferred by tour pros
    -thin face designed for faster ballspeed off face
    -tungsten weight on toe and heel for high MOI hollow design
    – lower deeper center of gravity means higher trajectory even with strong lofts

    forged, shafts DG, NS950 NS Modus
    5-P costs 1620 dollars, 234irons cost 270 dollars extra

    Japan’s probably a cash cow for golf companies, some golfers here play golf to show off fancy clothes and bags and clubs instead of fancy swings, which isn’t good or bad.

  8. LindyLoulie

    Feb 11, 2015 at 1:52 pm

    These look great! My only question is… why do U.S. golf gear companies, e.g. Titles, TMAG, Callaway, and others, offer the Asian markets certain models of clubs, putters, etc. that we in America don’t have access to??? They are AMERICAN companies, so they should allow AMERICAN customers access to ALL their products! I have no doubt that the Asian markets have access to products sold to the U.S. market.

    I collect putters, and I have seen many Asian-market-only TaylorMade putters which I would have loved to be able to purchase. I can — if I order from Japanese golf shops for outrageous prices + pay duty taxes! I have a Scotty Cameron 34″ Circa 62 #3 with the leather “steering wheel” grip (putter) that was made only for the Asian market. The Circa 62 line was only available in 35″ length here in the U.S. — except for the Holiday and My Girl special editions which were 34″ and 33″ respectively. I was able to get that 34″ Asian putter on eBay in like-new condition.

    Anyone have some insight into this policy of “export only” clubs made by American companies? Would love to hear the rationale behind it.

    • Ren

      Feb 11, 2015 at 5:36 pm

      Well, for what it’s worth, Titleist is now owned by Fila, a Korean company. And Taylormade is under the Adidas umbrella, a German company. We live in a time when it may not be accurate to say any one multi-national company belongs to any one nation.

      As to why they offer certain products in Asian markets only, I believe that the market for new clubs in many Asian countries is still relatively small with a lot of concentrated wealth. That is not representative of Asia at large, but the market for new clubs within Asia. This is contrasted with an American golf club market which I would guess has a lower avg income among purchasers of new clubs, as well as a lower tolerance for what they’d find acceptable. So these companies probably do a little cost/benefit analysis and realize that they’d never sell enough super-high-end clubs in the US to make it worth it. Which is the adverse reason they probably don’t offer low-tolerance OTR clubs in Asia.

      They probably suspect that the very small group of people in the US who would have spent big bucks for clubs will find ways of getting them anyways, and then the big manufacturers don’t have to dilute the brand equity of the JDM clubs etc., or worry about moving high-cost/lower-margin goods in the US.

      Hope that finds you well and leads you to ponder just how interconnected this world has become.

      • LindyLoulie

        Feb 12, 2015 at 12:05 pm

        Ren, thanks for enlightening me. I am quite surprised that Titleist is owned by a Korean company! I thought the American company, Titleist owned Fila! Just like I thought TaylorMade owned Adidas.k Boy, I sure got that backwards. Explains a lot.

        I am aware that in Japan golf is primarily a sport for the elite with country club memberships being next to impossible to obtain by anyone, much less the common man/woman. That said, however I understand that the Japanese and Koreans are “Golf Fanatics.” I have read that because Japan is so small there are few courses, and to obtain a membership in one a person must pay huge amounts of $$$$$$$ just to get on a waiting list until a member dies. I understand that most folks have to be happy “playing” at a local multi-tiered driving range. This being the case, it is understandable that what you say is true. The elite are willing to pay big bucks for the premium equipment. It is a huge status symbol. Look at the XXIO, Honma, OnOff, and Maruman brands. VERY expensive clubs.

        I guess when seeing things from this perspective we are fortunate to be able to purchase good clubs here in the good ol’ U.S. for what are pretty reasonable prices compared to what the Asians and Europeans have available to them.

        I recently had the opportunity to try XXIO and Honma clubs. BEAUTIFUL sticks! BIG $$$$$!! Would have paid the price, however they were too head-heavy for me which caused problems for my arthritic hands. But I do have to say that the quality was there!

        Yes, the world truly IS interconnected. Too bad we all can’t just get along despite our cultural differences!! 😉

        • christian

          Aug 9, 2015 at 9:43 pm

          They have access to all the USDM stuff PLUS the JDM lines.
          Otherwise the logic (simplified) goes something like this: US customers sre looking for a bargain and brands compete mainly on price, Japanese customers are obsessive about tolerances, quality, fit and finish. Not price

      • rer4136

        Jun 11, 2015 at 1:29 pm

        All of this also explains why there are virtually no jobs for Americans. Bravo Bridgestone for at least making golf balls in the U.S.

  9. Golfraven

    Feb 11, 2015 at 8:10 am

    Uhh, nice. Where is the rest of the 916 line?

  10. Fnar

    Feb 11, 2015 at 3:16 am

    Titty is losing to both TM and Callaway in overall sales in clubs. Balls they sell well but not clubs. So now it’s time to join the band wagon. After all, Titty is owned by an Asian company, so it might as well do what it needs to do to keep up with Asia and the rest of the world and not just club sales in America. I mean this club looks exactly like the Nike Vapor Speed, which is a fantastic club for the amateurs. So why not?

    And I hear Titty has a D4 and a D5 driver ready…….. so it’s turning into another TM or Callaway!

    • Designs Clubs

      Feb 11, 2015 at 11:29 am

      Wow! Might want to research that data before making that claim. While their overall club sales MAY be higher (I’m not even positive that is true at current typing), their market share has been declining (I am positive of that). Titleist has be one of the main companies picking up the lost market share from TM and Callaway.

  11. slider

    Feb 10, 2015 at 6:43 pm

    I would play these

  12. Donnie

    Feb 10, 2015 at 5:39 pm

    Those just *look* JDM…. (i.e. cool stuff that we’ll never get)

  13. Fsubaseball21

    Feb 10, 2015 at 4:48 pm

    Driving iron? RSI – UDI. Taylormades new one. Just did a product test. It’s the best ever made in this category. Hands down!

    • slider

      Feb 10, 2015 at 6:07 pm

      taylormade definitely has a market in the golf world but when it comes to producing good quality products they are definitely far behind titleist

      • NN

        Feb 11, 2015 at 12:50 am

        They’re both made in China ; )

      • HackerDad31

        Feb 11, 2015 at 10:37 am

        Can you elaborate? just curious as to where this opinion comes from.

      • Regis

        Feb 11, 2015 at 3:57 pm

        Which product innovations has Titleist introduced to golf: Metal woods; Rescue clubs(hybrids); Adjustable Shafts; Speed Slots (also known as Active Recoil Channels) ?

  14. Kees

    Feb 10, 2015 at 3:58 pm

    Titleist trying to compete with the Mizuno H5.
    Never really understood these utility clubs. Never deliver the distance and ease of use of a hybrid, nor the feel and accuracy of an iron.

    • Chris

      Feb 10, 2015 at 6:03 pm

      Hybrids are hook machines for better players

      • Chris

        Feb 10, 2015 at 6:54 pm

        Like the PGA tour players that use them? What a ridiculous statement.

      • theo

        Feb 10, 2015 at 10:21 pm

        Christopher – You’ll learn how to hit a hybrid soon. Keep practicing. In the meantime we’ll let Zach Johnson and Jordan Spieth know your thoughts on hybrids.

        • Teaj

          Feb 11, 2015 at 8:28 am

          Both are played on tour, I am going to the Utility Iron so I can flight the ball how I want high into a green and low off the tee, hybrids tend to fly high no matter what. at least that is my experience unless I thin the crap out of a hybrid.

  15. Kees

    Feb 10, 2015 at 3:54 pm

    Japan only release: probably to compete with the Mizuno H5.
    Have to admit that I never really like these utility clubs. Never seem to deliver the distance and ease of use of a hybrid, nor the feel and accuracy of an iron.
    To each his own I guess.

  16. paul

    Feb 10, 2015 at 3:41 pm

    i have a 712u 3 iron and its money in the bank. can’t wait ’till these drop.

  17. Chris

    Feb 10, 2015 at 2:44 pm

    a set will be on the BST in 3…2…1…

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Whats in the Bag

Kevin Tway WITB 2024 (May)

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Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X

3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 80 TX

5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (18 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 90 TX

Irons: Wilson Staff Utility (2), Titleist T100 (4-9)
Shafts: Mitsubishi MMT 100 TX (2), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (4-9)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 52-12F @51, 56-14F), SM7 (60-10S)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (48-56), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (60)

Putter: Scotty Cameron T-5 Proto
Grip: Scotty Cameron Black Baby T

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Plus4

More photos of Kevin Tway’s WITB in the forums.

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Did Rory McIlroy inspire Shane Lowry’s putter switch?

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Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from a piece our Andrew Tursky originally wrote for PGATour.com’s Equipment Report. Head over there for the full article.

The timing of Lowry’s putter changeup was curious: Was he just using a Spider putter because he was paired with McIlroy, who’s been using a Spider Tour X head throughout 2024? Was Lowry just being festive because it’s the Zurich Classic, and he wanted to match his teammate? Did McIlroy let Lowry try his putter, and he liked it so much he actually switched into it?

Well, as it turns out, McIlroy’s only influence was inspiring Lowry to make more putts.

When asked if McIlroy had an influence on the putter switch, Lowry had this to say: “No, it’s actually a different putter than what he uses. Maybe there was more pressure there because I needed to hole some more putts if we wanted to win,” he said with a laugh.

To Lowry’s point, McIlroy plays the Tour X model, whereas Lowry switched into the Tour Z model, which has a sleeker shape in comparison, and the two sole weights of the club are more towards the face.

Lowry’s Spider Tour Z has a white True Path Alignment channel on the crown of his putter, which is reminiscent of Lowry’s former 2-ball designs, thus helping to provide a comfort factor despite the departure from his norm. Instead of a double-bend hosel, which Lowry used in his 2-ball putters, his new Spider Tour Z is designed with a short slant neck.

“I’ve been struggling on the greens, and I just needed something with a fresh look,” Lowry told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship. “It has a different neck on it, as well, so it moves a bit differently, but it’s similar. It has a white line on the back of it [like my 2-ball], and it’s a mallet style. So it’s not too drastic of a change.

“I just picked it up on the putting green and I liked the look of it, so I was like, ‘Let’s give it a go.’”

Read the rest of the piece over at PGATour.com.

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Webb Simpson equipment Q&A: Titleist’s new 2-wood, 680 blade irons, and switching to a broomstick Jailbird

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With seven career wins on the PGA Tour, including a U.S. Open victory, Webb Simpson is a certified veteran on the course. But he’s also a certified veteran in the equipment world, too. He’s a gearhead who truly knows his stuff, and he’s even worked closely with Titleist on making his own custom 682.WS irons.

On Wednesday at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship, I caught up with Simpson to hear about his experience with Titleist’s new prototype 2-wood, how Titleist’s 680 Forged irons from 2003 ended up back in his bag, and why he’s switching into an Odyssey Ai-One Jailbird Cruiser broomstick putter this week for the first time.

Click here to read our full story about Simpson’s putter switch on PGATOUR.com’s Equipment Report, or continue reading below for my full Q&A with Simpson at Quail Hollow Club on Wednesday.

See Webb Simpson’s full WITB from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship here

GolfWRX: It seems like you’ve been a little all over the place with your irons in the past six months or so, and now going back to the 680’s. Is that just a comfort thing? What’s been going on with the irons?

Webb Simpson: Titleist has been so great at working with me, and R&D, on trying to get an iron that kind of modernizes the 680. And so the 682.WS took the T100 grooves, but kinda took the look and the bulk and the build of the 680’s into one club. They’re beautiful, and awesome looking. I just never hit them that well for a consistent period of time. It was probably me, but then I went to T100’s and loved them. I loved the spin, the trajectory, the yardage, but again, I never went on good runs. Going through the ground, I couldn’t feel the club as well as with the blade. So last week, I’m like, ‘Alright. I’m gonna go back more for…comfort, and see if I can get on a nice little run of ball striking.’

So that’s why I went back.

 

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OK, that makes sense. I know you had done some 2-wood testing recently. Is that in the bag right now?

It’s like day-by-day. I used it at Hilton Head every day. Valero, I used it one round. And this week, me and my caddie will do the book every morning, and if it’s a day where we think we need it, we’ll just put it in and take the 3-wood out. I love it because it’s a super simple swap. Like, it doesn’t really change much.

Yeah, can you tell me about that club? I mean, we don’t really know anything about it yet. You know? I haven’t hit it or anything, obviously.

It has grooves like a 3-wood. Spin is perfect. And it’s honestly, like, everything is in the middle of a 3-wood and driver number. Trajectory, spin, carry, all of it. So, a Hilton Head golf course is almost too easy to talk about because, you know, there, so many holes are driver 3-wood.

Valero, our thinking was we had two par-5’s into the wind, and we knew that it would take two great shots to get there in two. So instead of hitting driver-driver, we just put it in. And I used it on those holes.

Hilton was a little easier because it was off-the-tee kind of questions. But Colonial will be a golf course where, you know, there’s a lot of driver or 3-woods. It’s kind of like a backup putter or driver for me now. I’ll bring it to every tournament.

So it’s, like, in your locker right now, probably?

Well, it would be. It’s in my house [because Webb lives near by Quail Hollow Club, and is a member at the course.] It’s in the garage.

Oh, yeah, that’s right. Do you know what holes you might use it out here if it goes in play? 

Potentially 15, depending on the wind. Second shot on 10. Could be 14 off the tee. The chances here are pretty low (that he’ll use the 2-wood). But, like, Greensboro would be an awesome club all day. I’m trying to think of any other golf courses.

There’s plenty that it’ll be a nice weapon to have.

It’s interesting, the wave of 2-woods and mini drivers. Like, it’s just really taken off on Tour, and all the companies have seemed to embrace it.

Yeah. The thing I had to learn, it took me, like, at least a week to learn about it is you gotta tee it up lower than you think. I kept teeing it up too high. You need it low, like barely higher than a 3-wood. And that was where I got optimal spin and carry. If you tee it up too high, you just don’t get as much spin and lose distance, I don’t know if that’s just a mini driver thing.

And you obviously have a Jailbird putter this week. What spurred that on?

Inconsistent putting. I’m stubborn in a lot of ways when it comes to my equipment, but I have to be open minded – I just hadn’t putted consistently well in a while. And I’m like, ‘Man, I feel my ball-striking coming along. Like I feel better; for real, better.’

If I can just get something in my hands that I’m consistent with. Being on Tour, you see it every year, guys get on little runs. I can put together four to five tournaments where I’m all the sudden back in the majors, or in the FedExCup Playoffs. You can turn things around quick out here. I’m like, ‘Man, whatever’s going to get me there, great.’

My caddie, David Cook, caddied for Akshay at the Houston Open and he putted beautifully. Then, I watched Akshay on TV at Valero, and he putted beautifully. And, I’m like, ‘I’m just going to try it.’

I’ve never tried it for more than a putt or two, and I just ordered what Akshay uses. It was pretty awkward at first, but the more I used it, the more I’m like, ‘Man, it’s pretty easy.’ And a buddy of mine who’s a rep out here, John Tyler Griffin, he helped me with some setup stuff. And he said at Hilton Head, he wasn’t putting well, then tried it, and now he makes everything. He was very confident. So I’m like, ‘Alright, I’ll try it.’”

And you’re going with it this week?

Hundred percent.

Alright, I love it. Thank you, I always love talking gear with you. Play well this week. 

Thanks, man.

See Webb Simpson’s full WITB from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship here

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