Equipment
Spotted: Titleist 718 T-MB Irons
The two photos of what appear be Titleist’s yet-to-be-announced 718 T-MB irons landed in our forum after being posted on Instagram by TourSpecGolf, an online retailer that specializes in Japanese golf equipment. The photos are the first indication that Titleist might release an updated version of its 716 T-MB irons, which were launched in October 2015.
The 716 T-MB irons are a first-of-its-kind set from Titleist, using a three-piece, hollow-body construction that merges a high-strength steel face with an average of 80 grams of tungsten in each cast iron head. We gave the 716 T-MB irons 5 Stars in our review, saying golfers will be “wowed by the distance and forgiveness they get from their stunning, compact design.”
Full sets of the 716 T-MB irons are sold through Titleist’s Made-Only-To-Order (MOTO) program for $1599 per set, with 2-5 irons being sold at retail for $199 (steel) and $229 (graphite). The irons have been used by several PGA Tour players, both as full sets and as long-iron replacements.
The 718 T-MB photos show a look that’s highly similar to the 716 T-MB irons with a few noticeable differences. For one, 718 is engraved on the hosel of the irons. More interestingly, the anodized bronze finish on the sole and back of the irons has been slimmed, giving the irons a more streamlined aesthetic.
Discussion: See what GolfWRX Members are saying about the photos in our forum.
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Equipment
A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic
Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.
Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.
We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.
Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).
See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here
Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge
Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.
View this post on Instagram
A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.
See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here
Turning Back the clock
Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.
But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.
For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.
Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.
The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.
The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.
Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter
Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.
Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.
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It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.
If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.
Brilliant.
See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here
Stricker’s unrecognizable putter
Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.
Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.
View this post on Instagram
Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates
Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.
Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.
It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.
Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines
Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.
Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.
FitzMagic teams back up
Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.
See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here
And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.
We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!
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Whats in the Bag
Alejandro Tosti WITB 2024 (April)
- Alejandro Tosti what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.
Driver: Srixon ZX5 Mk II LS (9.5 degrees @10.5)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS T1100 75 6.5
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Black 80 TX
Hybrid: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour Rescue (22 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX 6.5 100
Irons: Srixon ZX7 Mk II (4-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Cleveland RTX6 ZipCore Tour Rack (50-10 MID, 54-10 MID, 58-10 MID, 60-06 LOW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid Tour Issue X100, S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron
Grips: Golf Pride MCC Plus4
Check out more in-hand photos of Alejandro Tosti’s WITB in the forums.
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Whats in the Bag
Drew Brees WITB 2024 (April)
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Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (10.5 degrees)
Mini driver: TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper (13.5 degrees)
5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (19 degrees)
Irons: TaylorMade P790 (4-8, PW), TaylorMade P760 (9)
Wedges: TaylorMade MG Hi-Toe (52-09, 56-10, 60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 Prototype
Check out more in-hand photos of Drew Brees’ clubs here.
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Duke
Apr 3, 2022 at 6:56 am
You guys sure don’t know much about these amazing irons .the heel and toe is an average of 93.9g of high density tungsten, up from 80g in the 716 T-MB model, to increase the MOI and give the 718 T-MB its forgiveness. That’s what makes them so expensive. Easier to hit these tourlook irons.
Dave R
Feb 8, 2017 at 6:21 pm
Wow another new iron . Who knew
Rich
Feb 8, 2017 at 3:09 am
The first sign of this was when TSG reduced the 716 model to $800USD, not the pics from TSG.
Michael
Feb 7, 2017 at 5:03 am
“…with a few noticeable differences. For one, 718 is engraved on the hosel of the irons….”
hahahahahaha
Jim
Feb 16, 2017 at 9:53 am
Substantial improvement in aerodynamics – no doubt 😉
….I got a kick out of that too
S Hitter
Feb 7, 2017 at 1:28 am
Back to back years of the same excrement colored irons that feel and perform like the color
Beef
Feb 7, 2017 at 4:12 am
Looks black to me?
Beef
Feb 8, 2017 at 6:05 am
Must be the Guinness
Jack
Feb 6, 2017 at 9:27 pm
I didn’t notice this before, but this is basically the same tech (hollow head) has the Parsons irons?
S Hitter
Feb 7, 2017 at 1:26 am
Facetious runt
David Montgomery
Feb 6, 2017 at 8:28 pm
Agreed on the 718 irons line! I cannot wait for them to come out!
Brian
Feb 6, 2017 at 8:18 pm
I’m sure they’ll be overpriced like everything Titleist makes.
LD
Feb 7, 2017 at 6:01 am
Price is listed in the article, and yes they are overpriced.
Scott
Feb 6, 2017 at 8:15 pm
Say what u want. Titleist is just a bunch of Jedis. Period.
S Hitter
Feb 7, 2017 at 1:26 am
Not even close
MetalWood
Feb 7, 2017 at 11:35 am
^^Troll. Loser.
chris
Feb 6, 2017 at 5:47 pm
Looks like the tungsten might have a darker tint? Would be great to see a black or darker grey option in 2018.
golfraven
Feb 6, 2017 at 2:25 pm
Bring on the 718 irons line!