Equipment

Spotted: Titleist 718 MB, CB, AP2, T-MB, AP3 and AP1 Irons

Published

7 years ago

Jun 26, 2017

We spotted Titleist’s new 718 irons at the Quicken Loans National, where the clubs were officially released to PGA Tour players for testing. We photographed the company’s new AP1, AP2, T-MB, CB and MB irons, as well as its all-new AP3 model. The irons have also been released to players at the European Tour’s HNA Open de France.

“Product seeding and player validation is a critical step in the go-to-market process for all Titleist equipment,” Titleist said in a press release. “Earning the validation of the game’s best players, as well as dedicated golfers at every level of the game, ensures that new products are faithful to the Titleist brand promise of innovation, performance and quality excellence.”

The 718 Lineup

From Left: Titleist’s AP1, AP3, AP2, T-MB, CB and MB Irons (Photo from Titleist).

Titleist isn’t sharing any details of the new irons at this time, nor do we expect any details from the company any time soon (those will likely come closer to the retail launch, which is expected this fall). The most anticipated details are about the company’s new AP3 irons. We can make some educated guesses about the AP3 based on our photos, as well as a photo Titleist released of the clubs.

Titleist_718_Irons_Soles

The new AP3 irons seems to fill a gap between the company’s AP1 and AP2 irons. It appears to be larger in size than the AP2, which is one of the most popular iron models on the PGA Tour. It looks smaller than the AP1, however, Titleist’s longest-flying iron model that targets higher-handicap golfers.

On Friday, Ian Poulter shared photos of the new 718 irons in his bag on Instagram. He appeared to be testing a mix of AP3 and T-MB irons as his long and mid irons, along with a mix of AP2 and MB irons for his short irons. The arrangement indicates that the AP3 irons, or at least the AP3 long irons, will have hot faces like Titleist’s 716 AP1 and T-MB irons to create additional height and distance.

718 MB

More Photos of the 718 MB and CB Irons

718 CB

More Photos of the 718 MB and CB Irons

718 T-MB

More Photos of the 718 T-MB and AP1 Irons

718 AP2

Titleist_718_AP2_Cavity

More Photos of the 718 AP2 and AP3 Irons

718 AP3

More Photos of the 718 AP2 and AP3 Irons

718 AP1

More Photos of the 718 T-MB and AP1 Irons

More Photos

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21 Comments

ooffa

Jul 10, 2017 at 5:12 pm

Grumpy much!

Reply Report comment
JD

Jun 28, 2017 at 8:32 pm

So do the 718 AP2’s have tungsten in 4-7 and no tungsten in 8-P just like the 716’s?

Reply Report comment
DrRob1963

Jun 27, 2017 at 3:00 am

Any idea about the specs???

Reply Report comment
Twalkrz

Jun 26, 2017 at 10:22 pm

Titleist and callaway work together? The new drivers look similar and these look like Apex irons.

Reply Report comment
H8R

Jun 26, 2017 at 8:13 pm

AP3 will do well

Reply Report comment
D

Jun 26, 2017 at 7:53 pm

It’s great that Titleist does not add clutter to the AP3 by etching the word “forged”. They should remove the word “forged” from the AP2 as well. Best to avoid as much badging as possible.

Reply Report comment
- Beefhouse
  
  Jun 27, 2017 at 6:42 am
  
  If it’s forged they’ll you about it. Fairly strong guess that the AP3s are not forged…
  
  Reply Report comment
golfraven

Jun 26, 2017 at 6:05 pm

The more I look at the CBs the more I can see the subtle changes Titleist made. I like the fact the head is partly chrome (back, sole) and brushed (face) which gives it a nice style and should reflect less. I don’t think this was as dominent oin the 716 line. Same for MBs from what I can see. The topline of the MBs is like a toothpick – rather sick. Fans of the 690 might love it.
718 line looks OK but does not excite me as much as the Bridgestone Tour B CB and MB. Will need to compare both in fall.

Reply Report comment
Sef

Jun 26, 2017 at 3:30 pm

Other than dropping the word tungsten the CB is very similar to the 716. The line above the muscle in the cavity changed slightly, but not much going on there.

Reply Report comment
- golfraven
  
  Jun 26, 2017 at 5:36 pm
  
  Fully agree. That was my first impression too. You as well may but a set of 716 CBs on ebay or new for couple 100 less. Not sure this line is going to fly of the shelf.
  
  Reply Report comment
- izzlist of izzles
  
  Jul 4, 2017 at 1:07 am
  
  Subtle difference, true but I think it’s the bullocks.
  Wish I could hit it.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Jball
  
  Jul 31, 2017 at 5:56 pm
  
  Hopefully the gap the CB’s loft a bit closer to the AP2’s. I would love a blended set, but if its a 2-3 degree change, then I’m guessing bounce starts getting out of line.
  
  Reply Report comment
Juice

Jun 26, 2017 at 11:18 am

They look boring but that’s what Titleist does…make boring looking clubs. They do perform and that’s the most important thing. I like the idea of the AP3. Do something new to offset the boring look.

Reply Report comment
- Tom1
  
  Jun 26, 2017 at 12:14 pm
  
  Huh… Titleist pretty much ran these gamut with these models
  
  Reply Report comment
- TR1PTIK
  
  Jun 26, 2017 at 12:18 pm
  
  Some call it boring, others call it classic. No need for orange, blue, or “volt” colors that fade and wear off over time making your clubs look even more dated than they actually are. I even say that with a bag full of Nike Vapors. I’d much rather play Titleist or Mizuno irons, but I wanted (needed) fresh grooves and new tech (at a reasonable price) more than I wanted to keep playing my 735 CM’s which I still think look better. Like you said, it’s all about performance.
  
  Reply Report comment
Tom1

Jun 26, 2017 at 10:51 am

which one did Jordan use to win yesterday?

Reply Report comment
- Dat
  
  Jun 26, 2017 at 11:02 am
  
  716 AP2. I can see him switching easily to the 718 since they look very similar to the 714s in a certain way. Can’t wait to try them all myself though. Classy looks.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Jack Nash
  
  Jun 26, 2017 at 3:59 pm
  
  Jordan used the “Horeshoe” model. Specifically made for him.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Robert Parsons
    
    Jun 26, 2017 at 6:32 pm
    
    What is the horseshoe model? I’m assuming that was the word you tried to type. How is it different from the AP2 off the shelf?
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Joe
      
      Jun 27, 2017 at 7:25 am
      
      Mr Parsons are you trying to steal plans from Titleist for your next PXG irons!?
      
      Reply Report comment

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Equipment

A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic

Published

12 hours ago

Apr 25, 2024

Andrew Tursky

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.

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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.

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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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