As a refresher, the brand new Titleist T-series irons are the third technology of irons constructed on what Titleist labels its 3D philosophy. Some reference to Dodge Ball: A True Underdog Story is nearly compulsory (dip, duck, dive … For those who can dodge a Titleist iron, you’ll be able to dodge a ball) however, enjoyable apart, Titleist’s 3Ds are Distance (Management), Dispersion and Descent angle.
These first two are carefully associated.
Whereas lots of its rivals are jacking lofts to squeeze out just a few extra yards, Titleist’s first D is about making the advertising clear. It’s not Distance, it’s distance management that’s the factor right here.
The thought, if it isn’t apparent sufficient, is to offer golfers the instruments to attain constant distance from shot to shot.
When that works, the second D (Dispersion) virtually takes care of itself, although the pondering inside Titleist is that left and proper is totally on the golfer whereas lengthy and quick is on the fitter.
The ultimate D (Descent) is about ensuring touchdown angles are steep sufficient to create stopping energy on the inexperienced.
The final piece of Titleist’s iron-fitting philosophy, which doesn’t match properly in our 3D story, is Titleist’s method to gapping.
In fittings, the corporate needs to see five-mph gaps between golf equipment and, virtually invariably, there’s a degree at which velocity breaks down and the 3Ds are not achievable.
Curiously, it’s the descent angle that sometimes fails first.
Made for Combo Units
I’m guessing that any of us who’ve blended our irons have causes for doing so. In my case, I sometimes want a bit of additional forgiveness within the lengthy finish and like a smaller head on the quick finish.
And, yeah, generally it’s simply enjoyable to have a mixture of stuff.
By means of its five-mph philosophy, Titleist has come to consider that combo units are a necessity.
The five-mph factor is the rationale why Justin Thomas carries a T100 as an alternative of MB 4-iron. It’s why Max Homa swapped his MB 5-iron for a T100 and his MB 4-iron for a T100S (and now a T150).
It holds true for amateurs as effectively. Because of our fittings, Chris Nickel dropped a T100 4-iron for a T200 and I swapped a T350 lengthy iron for a TSR2 hybrid.
By the numbers, 80 % of PGA TOUR execs carry what quantities to a mixture set. It stands to cause that the proportion of the remainder of us that do this ought to be even increased.
T-Collection provides an F
Even when it’s new to you, the entire above has been true for the reason that first iteration of T-series however, as we roll into new the brand new fashions, Titleist is including an “F.”
For these of you retaining monitor, that’s 3Ds and an F which sounds quite a bit like my ninth-grade report card.
I’m kidding.
It wasn’t that good.
Large image: Titleist feels it was already principally good with efficiency however the brand new technology of T-Collection supplies a chance to tighten issues up a bit.
Earlier than we transfer into specifics of 4 new Titleist T-series fashions, I ought to make clear the brand new F is for “really feel” and it’s a serious level of emphasis and enchancment all through the T-series lineup.
Titleist T100 Irons
Titleist T100 is the most-played iron on the PGA TOUR and, whereas that’s nice for bragging rights, it creates some significantly tough challenges relating to making it higher.
Mandates from Titleist’s Tour gamers embrace “don’t change the form” and “don’t make it quicker.”
What are we even doing right here?
Given these limitations, it’s no shock that the Titleist T100 stays a completely solid dual-cavity design.
Whereas Titleist (fortunately) didn’t hassle to annotate it wherever on the clubhead, the decrease heel and toe sections are nonetheless filled with dense D18 tungsten. That’s roughly 80 grams’ price, relying on the particular loft we’re speaking about.
Within the up to date T100 design, Titleist was in a position to steal a little bit of weight from the help bar that sits behind the center of the face. As you’d count on, the mass was reallocated decrease within the head to create a bit bit increased launch in lengthy irons.
Improved Really feel
Like a very good little bit of the trade, Titleist is leveraging predictive software program instruments to tune sound and really feel. That’s what led to the reengineering of the help bar, which accounts for the majority of the sound and really feel enhancements.
Tighter Distance Management
In response to Titleist, one other enhancement of the T100 is improved distance management. It’s the results of extra constant spin that was achieved by way of a refined face-milling course of.
As a part of its T-Collection manufacturing course of, Titleist mills faces completely flat. The earlier course of left deep mill marks that wanted to be polished away. The up to date course of doesn’t go away deep milling marks which eliminates the necessity for that last polish.
Eradicating the sharpening step yields extra constant groove geometries.
With that, spin is extra constant and so is distance.
Up to date Variable Bounce Sole
Lastly, Titleist added a variable-bounce sole. Earlier iterations of T-Collection irons had a blunt trailing edge. With the brand new technology of T-Collection irons, Titleist added a little bit of chamfer which the corporate believes will get by way of turf a bit simpler.
Cosmetically, and that is true for the entire new T-Collection, the target was to maintain the aesthetic clear and constant from one mannequin to the following. The clear traces carry throughout all T-Collection fashions to permit for seamless mixing.
Titleist T100 Irons – Inventory Specs
The inventory featured shafts for the Titleist T100 are the True Mood AMT Tour White (metal) and the MCA Tensei White AM2 (graphite)
The inventory grip is a brand new Titleist Common 360. It is best to discover it just like a Tour Velvet or Crossline.
Titleist T150 Irons
The T150 is a substitute for the T100S. Glossing over a number of the finer factors within the curiosity of simplicity, T100S was principally a stronger-lofted model of T100.
With the brand new T-Collection, there’s a bit extra between the 2 fashions which is maybe why Titleist gave it the plus-50 bump and why it’s billed as The Sooner Tour Iron.
Digging in a bit extra, I wish to begin by mentioning that throughout T100, T150 and T200, blade lengths and offset are equivalent.
Relative to the T100, the T150 has a barely thicker topline and barely wider sole (head geometry is in any other case the identical). The previous was pushed by AP2 gamers who felt the topline on T100 was a bit too slim. The latter (that wider sole) drives a bit of additional mass low within the membership which helps to offset the center-of-gravity implications of that thicker topline.
Up to date Muscle Channel
The key refinement right here is an replace to the speed-boosting muscle channel that sits behind the T150 face. In comparison with T100S, the muscle channel has been pushed a bit nearer to the face. It’s a change that allowed Titleist to retain the launch and velocity traits of the earlier mannequin whereas enhancing really feel.
Additional enhancing really feel is a little bit of molded silicone that fills the in any other case hole channel.
Whereas Titleist will get some velocity from T150’s stronger lofts, it’s price mentioning that there’s a actual velocity contribution from the muscle channel. Examined at equal lofts, the T150 is a bit quicker than the T100.
Titleist T150 Irons – Inventory Specs
The inventory featured shafts for the Titleist T150 are the True Mood Mission X LZ (Metal) and the graphite MCA Tensei White AM2 (Ascending Mass).
The inventory grip is the Titleist Common 360.
Titleist T200 Irons
For me, the T200 has at all times been the black sheep of the T-Collection iron household. From the seen Max Affect Expertise of the unique to the cosmetics of the prior technology, it at all times appeared misplaced subsequent to T100 and what was T100S (now T150).
Worse, maybe, regardless of a blade size and offset that matched the T100, it’s an iron that at all times regarded greater than it was. That’s the other of what most higher gamers search for in an iron.
On the most elementary degree, the scale and form of T200 haven’t modified however Titleist has put a number of work into making an iron that appears and feels considerably higher.
Talking as a man who wasn’t bought on T200 the primary two instances round, I feel Titleist bought it proper this time.
Other than primary cosmetics, essentially the most important exterior change is to the topline. I’d wager it was a very good little bit of the rationale why the earlier mannequin regarded a lot greater than it really was. With the brand new T200, Titleist has beveled and polished the topline. The result’s an iron that, regardless of equivalent dimension, seems to be fairly a bit smaller than its predecessor.
Below the hood, the bar that helps the speed-boosting Max Affect Core has been pushed in direction of the heel and nearer to the face. The core itself is a bit thinner.
The entire above works with the flange that holds the backpiece in place to particularly tune sound frequencies for considerably improved really feel.
As a associated apart, the rear flange incorporates a sequence of ribs and different geometric patterns. The format is a bit totally different between the lengthy and quick irons within the set and from T200 to T350.
What concerning the backplate?
Titleist acquired some pushback for utilizing a plastic backplate on the earlier technology. If that was an issue for you, what I’m about to say received’t make you’re feeling any higher.
The brand new T200 (and T350) nonetheless function plastic backplates. To be clear, using plastic isn’t about reducing prices. Frankly, it might be a very odd place to try this.
Utilizing plastic saves about 10 grams over different supplies which within the membership design world is a severe quantity of weight financial savings.
The underside line is that plastic helps enhance efficiency.
What has modified this time round is that, as an alternative of utilizing an industrial tape, the backplate is affixed to the flange with high-strength adhesive.
I’m undecided how a lot it counts outdoors of a convention room however, whenever you drop a golf ball on the brand new model, the sound is significantly higher.
The earlier mannequin feels like plastic. The brand new model rings way more metallic and that ought to come by way of within the really feel.
One last notable change: the 7-iron has been de-lofted by half a level (to 30.5). Titleist feels it has sufficient peak to generate correct descent angles and the slight discount in loft helps T200 compete in becoming bay. Nonetheless, I ought to reiterate that simply as with driver, dialing in loft ought to be part of each iron becoming.
Working example: It’s been a very long time since I used to be fitted into anyone’s inventory lofts.
Titleist T200 Irons – Inventory Specs
The inventory featured shafts for the Titleist T200 are the True Mood AMT Black and the MCA Tensei Blue AM2 (graphite)
The inventory grip is the Titleist Common 360.
The T200 can be accessible in a Utility Iron construct (2i/3i/4i) by way of Titleist’s {custom} program. Of Titleist’s two utility choices, the T200 has the extra compact profile.
Titleist T350 Irons
Throughout the brand new Titleist T-series lineup, the largest generational change inarguably is within the bounce from the earlier T300 to the brand new T350.
A wholesome little bit of that boils all the way down to cosmetics, the place the T350, regardless of its bigger dimension, doesn’t look misplaced (principally) alongside the remainder of the T-Collection lineup.
The replace quantities to a major overhaul that began with an acknowledgment that Titleist had reached the boundaries of what T300 may do. Making it higher meant rethinking the design, virtually from the bottom up.
To an extent, it additionally meant simplifying a bit.
Whereas the T300 was distinctly totally different than the remainder of the T-Collection, conceptually you’ll be able to consider T350 as a much bigger model of T200. I suppose that’s why Titleist payments it as The Final Sport Enchancment Iron.
From my finish of issues, that makes the story straightforward to inform.
With T350, you’re getting a taller span, finally a much bigger blade, however all of the design and technical components of T200 carry over.
On the surface, you get an iron that appears (roughly) like the remainder of the T-Collection. On the within, you get a Max Affect Core (and the help bar) and, for the primary time in a T3-anything, twin (heel/toe) tungsten weights (the earlier fashions had tungsten within the toe solely).
The rib buildings within the rear flange are just like what you’d discover in T200 however they’re designed and optimized particularly for the T350.
And whereas all of that ought to yield higher efficiency, essentially the most important distinction is in really feel. To say the 350 is an enchancment over the 300 is an understatement.
As we have been dialing in lie angles throughout my becoming, I ended up hitting a T300 and, frankly, I didn’t take pleasure in it. Lifeless … clunky … No matter the correct phrase is, it didn’t really feel as delicate or as energetic because the T350. It’s a type of issues that in isolation you might not discover however facet by facet there’s a world of distinction.
I believe the expertise of shifting from the outdated T200 to the brand new T200 is analogous.
Merely put, when you’re intrigued by the T200 however need a greater footprint or one thing with extra forgiveness, the T350 is the easy reply.
Titleist T350 Irons – Inventory Specs
The inventory featured shafts for the Titleist T350 are the True Mood AMT Pink and the MCA Tensei Pink AM2 (graphite)
The inventory grip is the Titleist Common 360.
Titleist U505 Utility
The bigger of its two utility choices, Titleist describes the U505 as providing hybrid-like efficiency. Consider it as a utility iron for the man who ought to most likely have a hybrid within the bag however doesn’t (as a result of he hates hybrids).
There are a number of these guys.
With that, a bit additional dimension is predicted, although Titleist has labored to slim down the U505 only a bit.
What which means is that relative to the now prior-gen U505 the brand new model has a shorter blade size and a shallower face. Merely put, it’s much less clunky that its predecessor although it’s not like that earlier mannequin was the clunkiest utility in the marketplace.
As with the brand new T-Collection lineup, Titleist put a higher emphasis on U505’s really feel this time round. Just like the irons, a very good little bit of that comes from a redesigned help bar and the rib buildings on the again plate.
The backplate design additionally contributes to an improved tackle view. Primarily based on suggestions from the Tour, Titleist reshaped the backplate to make much less of the membership seen at tackle. It’s not that Titleist has traded away any efficiency advantages, it’s extra about tucking issues in and hiding as a lot as doable.
It’s like SPANX to your utility iron.
Titleist U505 Efficiency
Enhancements to the U505 are about greater than seems to be and really feel.
The redesigned chassis pushes the middle of gravity a bit decrease, contributing to increased launch. You additionally get improved off-center efficiency, most notably in direction of the heel.
In what ought to be a well-known story with this launch, the Titleist U505 Utility options an up to date variable bounce sole to assist the membership transfer a bit extra easily by way of the turf.
U505 Utility – Inventory Specs
The inventory featured shaft for the Titleist U505 is the Mission X HZRDUS Black 4G.
Featured Premium upgrades are the Graphite Design Tour AD-DI (85g) and the Tour AD-IZ (95g)
The inventory grip is the Titleist Common 360.
Hey, However What About …?
For those who’ve adopted Titleist at everywhere in the final a number of iron releases, you recognize that the everyday cadence is to launch the flagship iron (AP, now T-series) alongside a brand new cavity-back and muscle-back. That invariably occurs in late summer season or early fall with the super-ish game-improvement iron (T400) launching the next 12 months.
None of that’s going to occur this time round.
Whereas it’s doubtless there will likely be a T400 (or possibly a T450) in some unspecified time in the future, it’s going to be a very reimagined providing and it’s most likely not coming in early 2024.
Titleist seems to be onboard with a philosophy extra in tune with issues like COBRA’s FMAX or Mizuno’s Sizzling Steel HL lineups.
No matter replaces T400 will virtually actually be particularly designed for reasonable swing velocity golfers who want extra launch and spin.
It’s going to occur nevertheless it’s nonetheless very a lot a piece in progress with no particular timeline.
So far as the CB is worried, the pondering inside Titleist is that the CB has largely been cannibalized by T100 and with the brand new T100, the corporate predicts there will likely be even fewer gamers clinging to their CBs.
There’s a reliable problem in defining who a CB is for.
Is it the T100 man in search of a extra traditional design that doesn’t carry out fairly as effectively? What’s the necessity and, extra to the purpose, does it have any actual scale?
Each iron within the Titleist lineup has a particular job and presently there aren’t any open assignments {that a} CB may legitimately fill.
That doesn’t imply Titleist is closing the guide on CB totally nevertheless it’s not excessive on the record of priorities.
A New MB?
So far as the MB goes, it’s form of attention-grabbing.
On one hand, Titleist believes it may make a greater MB however, finally, that simply turns into the T100.
In that respect, very like the CB, a brand new MB isn’t essential.
With that mentioned, there are nonetheless some guys on Tour who love their MBs. With that, the class has change into an unlikely sandbox for what Titleist calls Mission Really feel.
Take, for instance, Justin Thomas’s one-off totally CNC-milled MBs.
As an alternative of attempting to design an MB for the plenty, Titleist has used the class as a chance to experiment with totally different supplies, sole designs, blade lengths and topline widths. Working with and for the very best gamers on the planet, Titleist is starting to know easy methods to pull and mix a number of design components to create what quantities to one thing nearer to a one-of-one custom-fitting possibility.
The parallel right here is maybe the Vokey wedge lineup.
As you’re doubtless conscious, Vokey provides you many selections for a 56-degree sand wedge with design components like bounce, grind, topline, and so forth., that work for the particular efficiency wants of the person.
Functionally, there’s no cause why the identical can’t and shouldn’t be true within the iron class.
We’re wanting far forward right here nevertheless it’s the form of factor that would finally trickle down into client choices.
That’s all coming later.
For now, Titleist is providing 4 new T-Collection choices. The up to date catalog ought to serve a variety of golfers, particularly when correctly fitted, and, I suppose, blended.
Titleist T-Collection Availability and Pricing
Pre-sale and becoming for Titleist T-Collection irons begins at this time. Full retail availability begins Aug. 25.
Retail value for all Titleist T-Collection irons is $1,399 (metal) and $1,499 (graphite).
For extra info, go to Titleist.com.
