Equipment

2020 Titleist CNCPT irons (CP-02, CP-03, CP-04): Pushing iron technology to the limits

Published

4 years ago

Sep 24, 2020

Advanced engineering, advanced materials, and the endless pursuit of creating the most technology-packed irons in golf—these are the new 2020 Titleist CNCPT irons.

It wasn’t that long ago the perception of Titleist, along with its woods and irons, was of a company that stayed the course and delivered incremental advancements to product lines—solid performers, but by no means class-leading or innovative. Another way to say it is for a long time, the perception was, Titleist liked to play it safe and deliver what its core audience (generally better players) expected.

But Titleist now vs. Titleist then is a very different beast, and the CNCPT irons are part of that evolution.

Titleist’s technology evolution

Before we get into the details of the new CNCPT line, we have to take a look back at what the line represents. For Titleist and its team of engineers, it’s the ever-changing challenge to push manufacturing and material technologies in clubs without concern for cost—it’s the “if we build it, they will come” philosophy, and it’s proven to be a willing formula. It’s no different than car companies offering limited run concept or supercars for those most concerned with peak performance over trunk space and fuel efficiency.

It started with the C16, and has evolved to where it is today with the CNCPT CP-02, CP-03, and CP-04, clubs designed for any level of golfer looking for the absolute best performing irons possible.

This “new innovative Titleist” is no accident either. When talking about the evolution of their golf club R&D department, since 2008 they have gone from 13 engineers and designers to over 70—that’s a lot more brainpower to focus on individual projects and clubs which in turn results in more people time per product. You might also note the almost-7X expansion of R&D started in 2008, just before the release of the iconic AP series of irons, which went on to become a juggernaut brand for Titleist and has now evolved into the T-Series, the next evolution of Titleist players performance.

The CNCPT materials story

This line is built around the use of exotic high-performance materials, some of which can take up to eight months of lead time to source as per Titleist. Although Titleist continues to be hush-hush about the exact metal used in the construction of the CNCPT faces, they are willing to say the materials are sourced in the U.S. and sent to be manufactured overseas.

“The material is so strong and resilient that we’re able to forge iron faces thinner than we once thought possible. It’s difficult to obtain and extremely challenging to implement into the manufacturing process, but the benefits to the overall construction in terms of ball speed, launch, distance, and trajectory are just astounding.” -Marni Innes

Whatever the exact material is, I would be willing to bet ATI (Allegheny Technologies Incorporated) has something to do with it since the ATI logo and initials can be found on the new TSi drivers.

To add some additional background ATI is a massive specialty materials company with sales that surpassed $4 billion dollars in 2019. Materials they have designed are used in jet engines, nuclear submarines, wind turbines, deepsea mining, military aircraft bodies, and other defense applications.

Each part of the CNCPT irons have been forged, cast, and processed to the limits of manufacturing precision to create irons that generate supreme ball speeds with ideal launch alongside unmatched forgiveness.

The technology

Forged super metal L-face insert – This is the thinnest unsupported, constant-thickness face in golf. The “L” shape moves the weld line away from the leading edge for greater compliance (engineering term for flexing) at impact resulting in supreme ball speeds with increased launch.
Multi-material, hollow body design – The materials used for each part allows for optimized forgiveness and precise center of gravity placement in every club in every model.
High-density tungsten – This heavy rare earth metal makes up nearly 50 percent of the total head mass in the lower lofted irons in each model. A minimum of 100 grams of tungsten on average is used in the mid to long irons in each model to produce the most generous sweet spot possible.

2020 Titleist CNCPT irons: The models

The new CNCPT series expands on the previous two models by introducing three distinct irons to allow players to build their perfect blended combo set. The shapes, lofts, and profiles of each set transition seamlessly to make sure looks, feel, and performance match perfectly.

Titleist CP-02 irons

Maximum performance in a traditional blade sized head, with minimum offset, and a progress muscle design. The CP-02 mid-to-long irons (3-8) average 113g tungsten per head.

Titleist CP-03 irons

Designed to balance effortless power with control, and forgiveness. This is a blended head shape that will remind many golfers of the T100 or 718 AP2. It still offers minimal offset in a small to midsized muscle back design. With the slightly wider sole the CP-03 mid to long irons (3-7) average 104g tungsten per head.

Titleist CP-04 irons

These are the big bad ball speed monsters, built to provide maximum speed all over the face with enhanced forgiveness. They are the largest CNCPT model but do not look out of place in the “players distance” category. They are a midsized design with progressive and moderate offset. Since they have the widest soles of the three models they average of 100g tungsten, from the mid to longest iron (4-7).

CNCPT Specs, pricing, and availability

New Titleist CNCPT irons will be available for custom fitting beginning September 24, through Titleist fitting and Trial events being held nationwide.

The irons will be available with any shaft option, steel or graphite in Titleist’s custom shaft matrix and all 3 CNCPT irons ( CP-02, CP-03, and CP-04) are priced at $500 each, or $3500 for a 7 piece set. To find an event, or book a CNCPT fitting with a Titleist Product Specialist visit the website here.

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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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