Equipment
Titleist to offer limited-edition AP1 irons with “Smoke” finish
In today’s market, wedges are becoming a pallet for creative expression as more and more companies offer different finishes and custom stamping options. Titleist, for example, offers a Jet Black finish that’s popular on Tour; Jimmy Walker recently switched to the finish on his Vokey SM6 wedges.
But what about irons? Will golfers begin gravitating toward unique finishes on their irons as they do with wedges?
That’s the question Titleist is looking to answer by experimenting with a new iron finish on its 716 AP1 irons called “Limited Edition Smoke.” They will have a dark, PVD coating instead of the polished stainless steel look of the standard offering.
“We’re introducing the Smoke finish as a test run because golfers have been asking for it,” said Josh Talge, Vice President of Marketing at Titleist. “We’ve seen a trend in players gravitating toward the darker finishes in our Vokey SM6 wedges and many of them have asked if we’ll ever bring those types of finishes to our iron line. Smoke is our first experiment.”
As the most forgiving irons in the Titleist stable, the AP1 irons have the largest profile and thickest toplines of any Titleist 716 iron. The Smoke finish, along with reducing glare, may actually help make the AP1’s chassis look sleeker, according to Titleist.
AP1 Smoke finish (left), standard AP1
“Not only does it have a great look, but for many golfers it will also make the club appear smaller at address,” Talge said. “It’s really a great option for those players who want all the benefits of a game improvement iron but want to look down and see something more slim and compact.”
Related: Titleist answers questions about the 716 AP1 irons.
Only 500 sets of the limited-edition 716 AP1 irons will be available from authorized Titleist dealers starting on March 24. They will sell for $112.50 per club in steel ($899 per set of 8) and $137.50 per club in graphite ($1,099 per set of 8).
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/18/24): TaylorMade BRNR mini driver head
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a TaylorMade BRNR mini driver head
From the seller: (@lasallen): “For sale is a BRNR mini 11.5 deg head only in brand new condition. $325 shipped.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: TaylorMade BRNR mini driver head
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/18/24): Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made.
From the seller: (@DLong72): “Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made. ?: $1150. ?? 100% milled collectors item from the limited releases commemorating when Ping putters won every major in 1988 (88 putters made). This was the model Seve Ballesteros used to win the 1988 Open Championship. Condition is brand new, never gamed, everything is in the original packaging as it came. Putter features the iconic sound slot.
Specs/ Additional Details
-100% Milled, Aluminum/Bronze Alloy (310g)
-Original Anser Design
-PING PP58 Grip
-Putter is built to standard specs.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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As you probably know by now, Collin Morikawa switched putters after the first round of The Masters, and he ultimately went on to finish T3.
The putter was far from the only change he made last week, however, and his bag is continuing to change this week at the 2024 RBC Heritage.
On the range of The Masters, Morikawa worked closely with Adrian Reitveld, TaylorMade’s Senior Manager of Tour at TaylorMade, to find the perfect driver and 3-wood setups.
Morikawa started off 2024 by switching into TaylorMade’s Qi10 Max driver, but since went back to his faithful TaylorMade SIM – yes, the original SIM from 2020. Somehow, some way, it seems Morikawa always ends up back in that driver, which he used to win the 2020 PGA Championship, and the 2021 Open Championship.
At The Masters, however, Rietveld said the duo found the driver head that allowed “zero compromise” on Morikawa’s preferred fade flight and spin. To match his preferences, they landed on a TaylorMade Qi10 LS 9-degree head, and the lie angle is a touch flatter than his former SIM.
“It’s faster than his gamer, and I think what we found is it fits his desired shot shape, with zero compromise” Rietveld told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday at the RBC Heritage.
Then, to replace his former SIM rocket 3-wood, Morikawa decided to switch into the TaylorMade Qi10 core model 13.5-degree rocket head, with an adjustable hosel.
“He likes the spin characteristics of that head,” Rietveld said. “Now he’s interesting because with Collin, you can turn up at a tournament, and you look at his 3-wood, and he’s changed the setting. One day there’s more loft on it, one day there’s less loft on it. He’s that type of guy. He’s not scared to use the adjustability of the club.
“And I think he felt our titanium head didn’t spin as low as his original SIM. So we did some work with the other head, just because he liked the feel of it. It was a little high launching, so we fit him into something with less loft. It’s a naughty little piece of equipment.”
In addition to the driver and fairway wood changes, Morikawa also debuted his new “MySymbol” jersey No. 5 TP5x golf ball at The Masters. Morikawa’s choice of symbols is likely tied to his love of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.
Not enough changes for you? There’s one more.
On Wednesday at the 2024 RBC Heritage, Morikawa was spotted with a new TaylorMade “Proto” 4-iron in the bag. If you recall, it’s the same model that Rory McIlroy debuted at the 2024 Valero Texas Open.
According to Morikawa, the new Proto 4-iron will replace his old P-770 hollow-bodied 4-iron.
“I used to hit my P-770 on a string, but sometimes the distance would be a little unpredictable,” Morikawa told GolfWRX.com. “This one launches a touch higher, and I feel I can predict the distance better. I know Rory replaced his P-760 with it. I’m liking it so far.”
See Morikawa’s full WITB from the 2024 RBC Heritage here.
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D
Mar 25, 2017 at 7:31 pm
The upcoming 718 irons (release fall 2017)will include a new model that is positioned between the AP1 and AP2.
rymail00
Mar 26, 2017 at 8:54 pm
Wha really?
I’m not sure if your joking or not? Can’t imagine Titleist adding a 6th iron set to the mix (AP1/AP2/T-MB/CB/MB). Wouldn’t the T-MB fit between the AP1 and AP2?
Miuralovechild
Mar 25, 2017 at 12:54 am
I’ll take a Miura with a black boron over these all day long and twice on Sunday.
S Hitter
Mar 25, 2017 at 1:38 am
I gotta lotta floors in my house that need scrubbing on hands and knees, you’d better get started to help you pay for them Miuras lmao
KCCO
Mar 24, 2017 at 10:57 pm
My thought on black is they look great in the bag on first day, and OTR, they just no matter the type of finish of black they wear, and look old quick. I saw a guy with a new set on black nikes, blue check; looked beatiful. I asked “how the finish is holding up?, response was this is first round” Chrome is horrible, i.e. MP64 look so beautiful, a couple rounds riding in a cart and chatter shows everywhere. So I would have to say satin, as most Ping irons, some new Mizzy’s and PXG seem to look freshest longest. Some don’t care, I do. They are also easy to refinish or freshen up. So I think I’ll stick with black wedges, black shafts, as satin is the winner for me in iron sets. Don’t get me wrong, black 945’s with black onyx x100’s may be my favorite looking iron, I would play them to cautiously to not want to destroy them.
I also think that why driver faces are black, they wear quicker and make you feel a new driver is due. Just my opinion.
** but I do play black wedges with black shafts as I like the contrast and no glare in sand.
rymail00
Mar 24, 2017 at 8:29 pm
I’d like to see a AP2 done in PVD. I hope the they offer it the 718 line. Personally I think the AP2 black and grey color scheme would fit the PVD better than the AP1 and the red
And yes every PVD finish will wear over time, but it’s only the sole and sweet spot (well sweet spot area). I wish they’d do a black PVD like the old Adams A4 Tour irons which actually held up really well and was a true black matte PVD finish with the color of likea Golf Pride Tour Velvet grip.
Fat Perez
Mar 24, 2017 at 6:28 pm
They must be bored to death over there. What’s next, the illustrious pewter finish. It’s ok Titleist, we know you guys have a 2 year windows between products, we won’t forget you.
Tom Duckworth
Mar 24, 2017 at 4:11 pm
If they could come up with a dark finish that would hold up I would be all for it.
S Hitter
Mar 25, 2017 at 1:39 am
Who let this clown back in here
rebfan73
Mar 26, 2017 at 11:33 am
The irons look sick……and welcome back big homie. You HAVE been missed!!!!
JimmyJam
Mar 24, 2017 at 12:11 pm
Callaway did this years ago with the Razr X Black. I owned a set and the finish wears off making them look worse. The reduced glare does help, just wish there was a way to make the finish last, doesn’t seem to happen with the PVD though.
Ian
Mar 24, 2017 at 12:35 pm
+1. had a set of X24 hot irons with the black pvd – look disgusting in no time and hit one dirty ball and the mark is permanent.
Scott R
Mar 24, 2017 at 11:33 am
It seems Titleist is uncomfortable with this offering … limited production and the VP of marketing calling it an “experiment” … hmmm
S Hitter
Mar 24, 2017 at 10:56 am
Gotta keep up with Callaway somehow
Jim
Mar 30, 2017 at 10:31 am
….they should make better stuff….period.
Head Weights NEVER matched
Hosel Insert Depths inconsistent
Loft & Lie ALMOST never correct thru an entire set…
More failed / reground / DC’d iron models in last 30 years than even TM.
Terry (TMAC)
Mar 24, 2017 at 10:40 am
Looks cool when they are new. Look like crap after they start to wear though.
At least they aren’t charging more, unlike most other companies that offer black/smoked irons.
Skip
Mar 24, 2017 at 5:20 pm
Agree. $100 premium for a finish than wears off in no time is ludicrous.
Alex
Mar 24, 2017 at 9:57 am
PVD looks horrible. Why OEMs keep using it is beyond me. Matte Black is the only way to go for irons and wedges. The Apex Black is far superior in aesthetics.
Someone
Mar 24, 2017 at 12:26 pm
note: “aesthetics”
Mr Muira
Mar 24, 2017 at 9:35 am
Ugly as a dogs breakfast.
Jim
Mar 30, 2017 at 10:35 am
No joke! Eerily similar ugly as Razr X irons were…..just as cheap casting too…
Bullhead
Mar 24, 2017 at 8:59 am
To. Expensive
Brian
Mar 24, 2017 at 9:26 am
Same price as the standard AP1, if I’m not mistaken. I’m very rarely a Titleist apologist, but at least they didn’t jack up the prices like Callaway (CF16 black) and PXG on their dark finish irons.
Brian
Mar 24, 2017 at 8:59 am
I always forget just how ugly the 716 AP1 and AP2 are, until I’m reminded by pictures.
gwillis7
Mar 24, 2017 at 8:38 am
I like it, will be even better if down the road they add the AP1 forged iron to the mix.
David W.
Mar 24, 2017 at 8:29 am
Will these PVD finishes wear off with time? It is expected that an iron set will have a longer usable lifetime than a set of wedges. Same questions for the Callaway Steelhead Pros.
cgasucks
Mar 24, 2017 at 9:20 am
Yes..they will wear off in time.