Irons

We Tried It: Taylormade Burner Superfast 2.0 & Burner 2.0 Irons

TaylorMade’s new lineup of Burner SuperFast 2.0 woods and 2.0 irons are longer and lighter than your typical clubs. Of course, that’s the big story for 2011, as most of you know by now: longer, lighter clubs that manufacturers claim increase swing speed and distance.

For this month’s We Tried It, I put four TaylorMade clubs to the test, including one TP version of the Burner SuperFast 2.0 driver (which doesn’t have a longer shaft). What was it like to test out these sticks? Read on to find out.

Burner SuperFast 2.0 TP Driver

First Impression: A lot of ink has been spilled over the white crowns of the Burner SuperFast 2.0 and its R11 cousin. Of course it’s a brilliant marketing move to paint the crowns white, but TaylorMade claims that there’s an alignment benefit, too. When the white crown is contrasted with the club’s black face, they say it’s easier to align your shots.

Still some golfers and commentators have wondered if the shock of white is distracting. I was expecting to feel that way, but didn’t. Its nonglare finish was in no way “blinding”; in fact, it was pretty easy to look at. If anything stands out as being “different,” it’s the head’s triangular shape, which lowers the CG and improves launch and spin conditions. Looking at its profile, you’ll notice that it slopes severely from top to bottom, which helps reduce drag so you can swing it faster than previous models.

Performance: This being the TP version, it was made for better players (Jim Furyk, Camilo Villegas and Rory Sabbatini have put it in play), and, unlike the regular Burner SuperFast 2.0 model, which measures 46.5 inches, it measures a more standard 45.5 inches. Its muted sound at impact provided the kind of auditory feedback that better players like, and the ball flew on a penetrating trajectory. It really felt like I was swinging a club built for a Tour pro. Higher-handicappers will want to test the regular Burner SuperFast 2.0.

Specs: Specs: 9.5_¡, 460cc clubhead, 45.5" Matrix Ozik stiff shaft, $400

Burner SuperFast 2.0 3-Wood

First Impression: Where’d all the weight go? Fairway metal and rescues tend to place more weight in their clubheads so it’s easier to make a descending blow, but this featherweight of a 3-wood subtracts weight wherever it can (including swapping out a standard weight grip for a WinnLite one). As TaylorMade subtracted weight, they added length. Consider that the 15_¡ model measures a good half an inch longer than the 14_¡ 3-wood currently in my bag.

Not only did it feel light and long, the clubhead has what TaylorMade calls a “large address footprint,” meaning that it’s longer from front to back. Even though it measured 200cc, the clubhead looks to be about another 50cc in size. That made me feel very confident hitting it off the deck and the tee.

Performance: I hit it off the deck, on a tee and even on a mat at the local driving range. There’s no denying that it’s a distance boost, given its extra length. I bet some golfers will even want to hit it off the tee when they can’t control their driver. My suggestion is to test it out yourself to see how the lighter, longer club impacts your distance and accuracy.

Specs: 15_¡, 200cc head, 43.75", X-Con 4.8 stiff shaft, $200

Burner SuperFast 2.0 Rescue

First Impression: Like the driver and 3-wood I tested, the Burner SuperFast 2.0 Rescue features a nonglare white crown and black face. It’s longer in length than a normal hybrid, albeit by only a half inch or so. Also like the 3-wood and drivers, its head is triangular in shape, but less so than its two bigger siblings. (With a volume of only 115cc, there’s not a lot of room to make it too geometric.) Maybe that’s why I really liked the looks of it at address–nothing too different, just a solid-looking clubhead.

Performance: The Rescue is incredibly forgiving, something I normally wouldn’t expect from such a lightweight utility club. It’s a bold choice to make a hybrid this light, but it works. That said, if you’re a better player, you might generate more spin, but then again, these are TaylorMade’s game-improvement clubs, so better players might be better off hitting TM’s Rescue 11 TP.

Specs: 18_¡, RE*AX 60-gram stiff shaft, $160

Burner 2.0 Irons

First Impression: Sleek, black finish, handsome design”.wait a minute. Is this my 5-iron? When I first addressed the ball with the Burner 2.0 6-iron, it felt so long, I could swear it was my 5-iron. Then I compared it to my current 5-iron. It measured the exact same length.

TaylorMade has claimed that the introduction of these Burner irons marked the biggest technological breakthrough in the category since the PING Eye 2s were introduced in 1982. These clubs are long, lightweight (the steel shaft weighs 90 grams) and feature oversized, stronger-lofted clubheads that claim to make contact much more forgiving. Consider that the 6-iron loft is 27_¡, which is 1-3_¡ stronger than a typical 6-iron.

Performance: After I adjusted to the extra length, these clubs really flew, especially the mid- to long irons. And that’s exactly what TaylorMade wants. The big question for potential buyers is how much extra distance do you want with your irons?

Specs: The longer irons have bigger, more forgiving heads, while the shorter clubs have a more compact head. The face thickness varies with each club. Look for stronger lofts and more offset on longer irons. $700

Showcase: Hot New Sticks

When it comes to golf equipment innovations, PING has left an indelible mark during the last 40 years or so. From the dawn of the cast cavity-back, to the advent of the heel-toe weighted putter, many of the equipment innovations that exist today are only because the folks at PING Golf thought them up. And while many of their designs have been tinkered with, tweaked and morphed into different iterations by different companies, PING’s own brand has seen its fair share of advances, too. In fact, the latest batch of new irons from the company is, in our opinion, the best we’ve ever seen.

K15 IRONS
The standout feature of the new K15 irons is the titanium-face insert, which increases ball speed for longer hits both on and off the sweet spot. Furthermore, the K15 set comes equipped with at least two hybrid iron replacements (3H and 4H), but can also include a 5H and even a 6H mixed into the set. A smart move, considering most golfers these days would rather hit a streamlined hybrid than a clunky, oversized iron.

Bottom Line: This iron/hybrid combo set will cater to higher-handicappers who need an extra boost of forgiveness, trajectory and distance with all their shots.

G15 IRONS
More perimeter weighting equals more distance and forgiveness, two things that the G15 has over the previous G10 models. Now, that’s not as though the G10s weren’t forgiving. If anything, we can only deduct that G15s must be extraordinarily playable. We also dig the no-nonsense, classic shaping and size, which will no doubt appeal to the type of player who wants to maneuver the ball in the air from time to time.

Bottom Line: The G15 Irons are ideal for the player who wants a lot of forgiveness in an iron that has some shotmaking capabilities, as well. Mid- to high-handicappers are the target market here, and PING has hit the bull’s-eye.

i15 IRONS
Dubbed as a set for golfers who want control in their short irons and more forgiveness in the longer irons, the i15 represents the best in PING’s cast irons. The short irons have a higher center of grav-ity for more trajectory and distance control, as well as greater shotmaking capabilities. That said, they’re still uber-forgiving, a testament to the irons’ perimeter weighting. As for the mid to long irons, they’re also extremely forgiving, with a lower CG for more distance and accuracy.

Bottom Line: The i15s represent what PING has become famous for: a superb iron that’s durable and forgiving, and has just the right amount of forgiveness and control for the good player. The i15 finally proves that a forgiving iron and a shotmaking iron can in fact be the same club.

S56 IRONS
Whoa. Just when we thought blade-style irons were officially behind us, PING reinvents the category with the new S56 irons. Each club in the set features a Stabilizing Bar and a tungsten toe insert that are sized and positioned to maximize trajectory control and shotmaking capabilities. A draw, fade, high or low shot can be achieved with ease through the set. And yes, in case you’re wondering, these blade irons are in fact PING irons, meaning no matter how hard the company tries, they’ll always be forgiving and easy to hit.

Bottom Line: Total control. Better players will love the feel and performance of PING’s best blade-style iron to date.

ANSER IRONS
A forged iron from PING! It’s been more than 40 years, and judging by the looks, feel and performance of the new ANSER irons, it seems as though they’ve spent all of those 40 years refining what’s arguably the best-looking iron PING has ever made. In addition to being forged, they’re also a mixed-metal design that uses a steel body and face with a tungsten sole. This means a lower CG for more forgiveness and higher-launching shots. Speaking of shots, these irons have the smoothest, most buttery feel from any PING iron we’ve seen to date, making them a top choice for golfers who want great feel, forgiveness and shotmaking capabilities, in that order.

Bottom Line: A favorite among new forged designs, the ANSER irons have the makings of a set that will be around for a long, long time. They feel and perform as good as they look.

As usual, all PING irons can be custom fit to your exact specifications. This includes a wide array of length and lie options, as well as shafts and grips to choose from. For more information on PING’s clubfitting process, visit ping.com/fitting.

We Tried It 2010

FT-IZ DRIVER
Featuring a radical triangular design (buh-bye square), this driver is dubbed by Callaway as the company’s longest and straightest driver ever.

Looks and Feel: It has fighter-jet good looks–aerodynamic, sleek, mean. It’s also a cinch to align. The face angle seemed to sit shut rather than square at address even though we tested a 10-degree model with a square face angle, but that’s likely a function of the shape as it rests on the turf. As for feel, it’s the first carbon-crowned driver that doesn’t feel like one at all. It has a tremendous pop at impact.

Performance: It’s definitely long, just like Callaway says. But, in our test, we found it was a lot easier to turn this over and hit a hook than it was to hit a slice. That is, a lot of our misses were pull hooks. We suspect that’s not a mistake, since the configuration of the head shape and internal weighting, in fact, combine to make this club easier to square up at impact than, say, a traditionally shaped head. That took some getting used to, but once we did, we fell in love. As for forgiveness on off-center hits, the FT-iZ demonstrated a lot of give. We rarely missed big, and when we did, it was our fault, not the driver’s.

Bottom Line: If you want a driver that has a new-age shape, awesome forgiveness and is an inherent slice-killer, the FT-iZ is a solid choice. We didn’t test a Tour version (with a one-degree open face), but we suspect that one would have cured our hooks in a jiffy. That said, the FT-iZ remains a top contender for a 2010 GT Tech Award.

DIABLO EDGE DRIVER
The new Diablo Edge is a four-piece, all-titanium design that, like the FT-iZ, is hell-bent on adding more distance to everyone’s drives.

Looks and Feel: Callaway is really making strides in bucking against traditional driver shapes and trying something different. The Diablo Edge is aerodynamic and aesthetically pleasing, and both solid and missed hits feel pretty good. Our only criticism is of the S2H2 hosel configuration on the Standard model. We understand the point: Weight is removed from the hosel and redistributed in the clubhead. Then why affix a cheapish-looking ferrule on the short hosel? It takes away from the sexiness of the sleek titanium design. However, the Tour model, well, that has got to be one of the best-looking shapes (it has a traditional hosel) we’ve ever seen from Callaway. Booyah.

Performance: We only tested the Standard model, but our findings were impressive. The Diablo Edge produces a surprisingly penetrating ballflight, thanks to both a nine-degree loft and a square face angle (models above 10 degrees have one-degree closed faces). We saw a limited dispersion on our misses, and our solid bombs flew a long way, usually in the direction we wanted. In fact, we took a couple swats and tried to mis-hit and had trouble doing so–let that give you an idea of how forgiving this driver is. You may not always hit it straight (that’s up to your swing, not necessarily the driver), but you’ll definitely hit a lot of long drives with this club.

Bottom Line: A forgiving power-hitter. The shaft felt a little whippy, so if you opt for one, be sure you get fitted for the proper weight and flex.

DIABLO EDGE IRONS
Using a 360-degree, undercut-cavity design and a low center of gravity, the Diablo Edge irons are both long and very forgiving.

Looks and Feel: The Diablo Edge has two things going for it: a wide sole and an undercut channel, which basically means weight is pushed to the perimeter of the face. These attributes offer serious forgiveness and, when combined with a low CG, mean big distance, too. We were taken aback by the weird modified Tru-Bore hosel, though. Was it necessary to cut it out like that? We couldn’t help but wonder if that would cause some added friction in deep rough. Nevertheless, having the option to integrate a couple hybrids into the set mitigates any minor dislikes in the iron’s design.

Performance: We hit them high and straight, which for the higher handicapper/slower swinger will translate into bigger distance. Better players, and/or those who swing faster, might see a lot of ballooning shots, but that’s to be expected from an iron in this category. The white groove markings, as well as the vertical white stripes on the sides of the grooves make aligning the clubhead behind the ball very easy. So easy, that we didn’t even have to think about it.

Bottom Line: These irons are long and forgiving, especially in shots hit more toward the toe. Better players who want a more boring trajectory will prefer the Diablo Forged irons.

X SERIES JAWS
Designed by Roger Cleveland with input from Phil Mickelson, the Jaws wedges represent the latest in new wedge tech from Callaway Golf.

Looks and Feel: Can someone please pass the butter? These wedges are sharp and smooth–two traits of great wedge design. With many wedges using a cast design, we can’t help but feel the love for forged carbon steel. It has a soft feel that helps make you feel more relaxed over your chips. The MACK Daddy grooves are as aggressive as can be under the new rules, and the C-Grind sole
basically reduces turf contact to a small area on the center-bottom of the sole. As for the two finish options, we liked the Milky Chrome finish, but we loved the Dark Vintage finish.

Performance: We don’t try to fake it. How a wedge performs is highly contingent on the skill of the golfer using it. That said, we took our limited skills and found these wedges to perform beautifully. We liked the compact shape–it seemed to make hitting pitches and chips from the rough easier. We also liked the open-face capabilities. That is, when we open the face, the leading edge doesn’t come way up off the ground.

Bottom Line: The best-looking wedge we’ve seen from Callaway. Better players will like it more than amateurs, mainly because they’re able to do more with it.

Showcase: Ping G15 and i15

PING G15 & i15
This year, PING celebrated 50 years of delivering groundbreaking golf equipment. Recently, they unveiled their most comprehensive product offering in company history. Their headlining G15 and i15 Series drivers and irons incorporate attributes for two distinct types of players.

G15 DRIVER
The new G15 driver is a 460cc titanium powerhouse, constructed with PING’s ultrathin crown technology and external weighting for a higher trajectory with lower spin. As for the stick, the new PING TFC 149D shaft has a high balance point that enabled designers to add an extra five grams of head mass without beefing up the swing weight.

The clubface is a tad bigger than the previous G10 driver for even greater forgiveness and more power behind the ball for great distance. Oh, and the new red/black combo offers the best-looking cosmetics we’ve ever seen from PING. Fairway woods and hybrids also available (not shown).

SPEC CHECK
-All-titanium 460cc design
-Made for all skill levels, with emphasis on high-launch, low-spin drives; draw version also available
-PING TFC 149D or Aldila Serrano 60
-$350 MSRP
BOTTOM LINE: The G15 takes all that was great about the G10 and adds improved performance, aesthetics and a killer sound.

G15 IRONS
Game improvement has never looked better, as the new G15 irons are built to promote an aggressive, high launch for maximum distance and accuracy. Made of stainless steel with a Custom Tuning Port (CTP), the G15 irons have wide soles to prevent digging and also aid in promoting a higher ballflight. Cool looking and with awesome forgiveness, the G15 irons are sure to be a bona fide hit (2010 USGA-conforming grooves).

SPEC CHECK
-Available 3-PW in steel or graphite shafts
-MSRP $115/club steel; $142/club graphite
BOTTOM LINE: In a nutshell, the G15s have better looks and mid/long irons that are crazy easy to hit.

i15 DRIVER
Made with a “fade-bias,” the i15 is designed for players who need shot shaping capabilities from a driver. Its 460cc’s are masked nicely by a traditional pear shape and deep face, both of which help promote a better energy transfer into the ball. Also, internal weights away from the face knock spin rates down for a more Tour-like trajectory and control. Needless to say, despite its effort at being a better player’s driver, the i15 still retains a measurable level of distance and forgiveness that many other Tour-inspired drivers simply don’t have. Fairway woods and hybrids also available (not shown).

SPEC CHECK
-All-titanium 460cc design
-Designed for players who want to maneuver the ball and hook less often
-PING TFC 700D or UST AXIVCore Tour Red shafts
-MSRP $405
BOTTOM LINE: Smooth carbon finish is awesome, and the club is wickedly responsive to ballflight commands. Fades and draws have never been easier with a 460cc driver.

i15 IRONS
Designed to progressively get more forgiving as the irons get longer, the new i15 Irons are midsized irons with the ideal blend of shotmaking capabilities and forgiveness. How do they do it? One way is by making the longer irons larger, and the shorter irons smaller. Also included is a titanium toe weight and a Custom Tuning Port located in the cavity that not only dampens vibration, but enhances sound and feel, too (2010 USGA-conforming grooves).

SPEC CHECK
-Available in 3-PW in steel or graphite shafts
-MSRP $115/club steel; $142/club graphite
BOTTOM LINE: The titanium plug really gives these irons a balanced feel. Although not a true “Tour-inspired” iron when compared to PING’s S57s, the i15s have the best blend of both shotmaking capabilities and forgiveness we’ve seen in a long time.

Showcase: Ping Irons

Ping Rapture V2

One For All
If you started playing golf any time between ’82 and ’91, chances are you cut your teeth on PING’s iconic EYE2 irons. EYE2 was the first game-improvement design that all types of players could embrace, including better amateurs and touring professionals. Because of this, as well as its unique look and feel, the EYE2 became what’s generally considered the best-selling iron of all time.

Over the years, PING engineers have continued to push the envelope and produce a wide range of iron designs, all of which feature game-improvement features of one type or another.

However, unlike the old days, PING now offers a wide array of models that can satisfy just about any golfer’s budget and taste. And, of course, every PING iron is fully customizable for lie angle, shaft type and length, grip style and size, swing weight, etc.

While perusing these four impressive models, keep in mind the fact that this year’s Masters winner Angel Cabrera used the S57s to claim his first green jacket. If that doesn’t prove that PING makes players’ irons, nothing will.

PING Rapture V2
The most technologically advanced PING iron model, the Rapture V2 sports dense tungsten sole weights and a lightweight titanium face. This combination of metals creates a CG location that’s low and deep, raising trajectory while minimizing spin. For players who are hungry for more distance with their irons, the customizable V2s are worth a serious look. {mospagebreak}

PING G10
The G10s feature extreme low toe weighting that significantly increases the MOI of the club for enhanced forgiveness and improved trajectory. In addition, a wider sole and CG that’s positioned low and deep in the clubhead make the G10s extremely easy to hit for just about any type of player. An elastomer CTP insert also helps dampen unwanted vibrations at impact for improved feel.

PING i10
In recent years, PING engineers have developed a number of irons that fall into the “players” category. The nickel ISI iron and the i3 blade were successful tries, but the i10 might be the most versatile club PING has ever produced. Featuring additional weight in the low toe area, the i10 combines the look and feel of a blade-type design with the forgiveness of a cavity-back. Other features include a thin topline, midsized sole and reduced offset. If you’re looking for the total package, the i10s might be for you.

PING S57
Some golfers who consider themselves “players” will occasionally raise their noses at irons that feature game-improvement features. But since this year’s Masters champion Angel Cabrera won his first green jacket using the S57 irons, it’s safe to say these sticks are good enough for just about any golfer in the world. Features of the S57s include a stainless-steel clubhead, dense tungsten toe weight and small cavity. A higher MOI than traditional blades make the S57s easier to hit, but they’re still made to provide the ultimate in shotshaping control.

Showcase: The Anti-Irons

_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê Cleveland CG7

The Anti-Iron IRONS
Irons today are nothing like they were just a few years ago. That’s a good thing because iron technology hasn’t exactly had such an easy time keeping up with the meteoric rise in driver, wood and putter designs. However, the latest leaps in iron technology have been huge, with numerous models featuring more game improving technology than we’ve ever seen.

To get started, be aware that blade-style irons are basically on the way out. Even most touring professionals have ditched them. What about cavity-backs? They’re still here, although they’re so heavily modified that it’s hard to call any new cavity-back iron a cavity-back anymore.

How irons are designed to perform also has changed. Shotmaking and ball control have given way to power and forgiveness as a result of the popular “bomb and gouge” style of play, which encourages players to hit the ball as long and straight as possible.

That style of play along with some advances in iron technology have brought us a heaping of new, powerful and just plain mean irons that are designed to hit the ball higher, farther and straighter than ever. Among the pack for 2009 are these four top contenders, each of which will take a meaty bite out of your handicap, provided you find the one that fits your swing.

Cleveland CG7
Built with a 360-degree Gelback insert and sports-car good looks, the CG7 is Cleveland’s most attractive, not to mention best iron to date. Not nearly as bulky as many game- improvement irons, the CG7 still has a ton of horsepower under its shiny hood—meaning these sticks are both long and straight. A Tour version, the CG7 Tour, also is available—it’s slightly smaller and features less offset. Par-3s, beware. The CG7s are coming.

PING Rapture V2
The Rapture V2 irons have an oversized stainless-steel body, a titanium clubface, tungsten sole weights and a soft elastomer medallion. In plain English, that means these irons are incredibly easy to hit, exceptionally long, promote a higher ballflight and have a soft, vibration-free feel. Bottom line—it might be time to replace your Eye2s.

TaylorMade Burner ’09
The new Burner irons have TM’s Inverted Cone and SuperFast technologies for consistently better distance and enhanced overall playability. Other cool features include a versatile sole that can cut through a variety of lies and a big multi-material badge for vibration absorption. Just be ready to hit these irons at least a club farther and a lot straighter than your current set, and you’ll be ready to go.

Callaway X-22
The perimeter weighting of the X-22s has been maximized to beef up the MOI by more than 10 percent of previous models. That means big-time forgiveness and more straight shots. Other notable features include a modified Tru-Bore design that greatly reduces vibration and a 360-degree Undercut Channel that, you guessed it, makes this iron even more forgiving. With all this technology, one might expect the X-22s to be chunky and too big to handle. Quite the contrary, as these irons are smooth, streamlined and very easy on the eyes.

Hot Sticks ’09

Pro Irons
Designed to provide a combination of ultra-high performance with traditional looks and feel, the Tour Preferred irons from TaylorMade are a great choice for the demanding player. Features include a Tour-configured sole, a shallow, undercut cavity, vibration -management sound badge and TM’s Inverted Cone Technology for enhanced distance and forgiveness.

Tour Edge Bazooka GeoMax2
The face of the new Bazooka GeoMax2 from Tour Edge is 20-percent larger than before, and the crown slopes steeper toward the back, meaning the club has a lower and deeper CG and higher MOI. Great for getting the ball airborne with plenty of height.

De la Cruz putters
The new De La Cruz Golf Designs putters (B-2 model shown) feature an innovative “sweet slot” behind the putterface that not only enhances feel, but also provides auditory feedback. Milled from stainless steel with micro-groove faces, DGD putters are available in blade or cavity-back models with black or satin finishes.

Shaft Science
Built with Mitsubishi Rayon’s new Modulus Differential Technology (MDT), the Fubuki is designed to provide the ultimate in consistency when it comes to launch and spin. UST’s new Proforce AXIVCore Series features AXIV Technology, which utilizes a unique carbon-fiber weave that’s aimed at creating superior stability, accuracy and a consistent feel.

Par-5 Killer
If you’re still holding on to your long irons, it’s probably time to make a change. PING’s
new Rapture V2 hybrids are a great option, as they feature a sloped crown design and dense tungsten soleplate (for a deep and low CG)—these babies are easy to hit from just about any lie. As with all PING clubs, full custom options are available.

V for Victory
The Victory Red irons from Nike come in three distinct designs, allowing a wide variety of players to find one that’s right for their swing. A full cavity for enhanced game-improvement qualities, a split cavity design for a mixture of shotshaping ability and forgiveness, and a traditional blade should be enough to satisfy the needs of just about any player.

Get Synergized
FootJoy, the most storied name in golf shoes, has a new model that’s focused on providing a new level of stability. It’s called SYNR_â”G and it utilizes a G-Force outsole and Tri-lateral Stability Frame, as well as a number of other technologies to secure the entire foot inside the shoe. Expect better balance and power as a result.

The new “X”
Like all Callaway irons, the new X-22 is packed with game-improvement features that help to maximize your game. First and foremost is a precision notch weighting design that provides greater forgiveness and stability. A new Tru-Bore design, 360-degree undercut channel and VFT Technology also are featured.

Winn PCi TL grips
Winn always has designed and produced innovative golf grips that provide a unique feel and advanced performance, and the company’s newest model, the PCi TL, is no exception. It was designed specifically with Tour players in mind, and while the PCi TL can be enjoyed by players of all skill levels, it provides a relatively firm feel that better players. Featuring Winn’s Triple Line embossing pattern, the PCi TL is available in standard, midsize and oversize models.

_Ê

Foot Frenzy
Seemingly every piece of golf equipment has gone high-tech in recent years, and the golf shoe is no exception. The new Adidas Tour360 3.0 (top) is a great example of this trend, featuring THiNTech low-profile technology to bring your feet closer to the ground, as well as 360WRAP technology, a Powerband Chassis and 3D FitFOAM, all of which enhance both comfort and performance. Hi-Tec’s CDT Super Power Tour shoe also is packed with technology, including an H2OUT waterproof membrane and CDT Super Power TPU outsole with traction bars.

Showcase: Mizuno Irons

Becoming the number-one iron on the PGA Tour is no small feat, but Mizuno forgings earned that prestigious claim for a number of years, due to a combination of classic looks and soft feel. As a result, Mizuno irons built a strong reputation as players’ clubs that were meant only for more accomplished golfers. While it’s true that Mizuno still makes forged irons favored by better players, the company has been making top-notch game-improvement models for a number of years.

Today, Mizuno has four brand-new irons, two of which feature a combination of traditional forged performance with the added benefit of modern design features, and two that are chock-full of technology and game-enhancing characteristics. Take a good look at each and decide if one might be right for your golf game. www.mizunousa.com

Y-Tune Technology MIzuno’s engineers discovered that most misses by recreational golfers occur out toward the toe of the club and responded by modifying the shape of the sole and the depth of the cavity. The result is a sweeetspot that extends out toward the club’s toe.
Ultra-deep pocket cavity The MX-100 is designed with a variety of technologies that contribute to its extreme forgiveness on off-center hits. The long irons in the set are hybrids, while the mid-irons (seen here) feature an ultra-deep cavity to help produce an easy, high launch.

Forged Forgiveness
The one-piece forged design of the MX-200, in combination with Y-Tune technology, provides what Mizuno reps say is the “ultimate combination of forgiveness and feel.” A CNC-milled pocket cavity that lowers the CG has a lot to do with both.

A playable muscle-back? Yes, due to a patented CNC-milled pocket cavity (hidden beneath the Mizuno logo), 14 grams of weight are redistributed in the club’s head to create a lower and deeper CG location. Significantly better forgiveness and improved feel are the direct result.
Grain flow goodness Like all Mizuno forged irons, the MP-52 features the company’s patented Grain Flow Forged construction for uncompromised feel. Other features include a rolled leading edge, cambered mid-sole, beveled trailing edge, and modified U-grooves.

Dual Muscle Power
Designed to take muscleback performance to “the next level,” Mizuno’s new Dual Muscle Technology features an outer muscle that optimizes CG location as well as an inner muscle that creates the feedback and workability that better players demand.

Showcase: Titleist Goes High Tech

Titleist Goes High Tech
If there’s any golf equipment manufacturer that’s normally associated with traditional designs and performance, it’s Titleist. Company engineers continue this trend with an impressive new multiple iron offering, but with a strong touch of technology. Evidence of this can be seen in the player-friendly AP1, which features a multi-material construction including the use of a tungsten nickel section, an elastomer insert and a thin stainless steel face. The slightly less forgiving AP2 combines the feel of a traditional forging with the high-performance attributes of multi-piece construction, a metallic cavity plate and dual hosel lengths for improved launch conditions. Two of the new offerings, the ZB Forged and the ZM Forged appear to be very traditional but both also feature a unique Z-Muscle design that provides a significantly enhanced feel.

Central Support Bar Contains an elastomer cushion for vibration dampening while also providing rigidity behind the impact area.
Dual-Cavity Design This area is hollow, creating an unusual, dual cavity design that optimizes both forgiveness and performance.
Thin Face This feature places additional weight low and deep in the clubhead to improve overall weight distribution.

	Consistent Length A consistent blade provides a solid look at address while progressive offset enhances playability and forgiveness.
	Launch Control The dual cavity, multi-material, thin face design optimizes the CG location to promote a higher launch.
	Feel Matters Despite it’s multi-piece design, the AP2 features a traditional, forged construction and expected soft feel.

Blended To Perfection Cavity-back long irons, partial cavity mid-irons and muscleback short irons cover every shot conceivable.
Material Matters Forged from 1025 carbon steel, the ZB irons feel the way a forged iron should and look good to boot.

	Bigger Isn’t Better A compact size and constant blade length, along with a Tour-preferred shape make the ZM an iron that the best in the world would prefer.
	The “Z” Is Key A contemporary Z-Muscle Design locates the CG in the center of the clubface, producing a traditional feel.

Where To Find It
As we all know, Titleist golf equipment is available at both green grass and off-course locations. The new irons can be custom fitted to match just about any swing, so don’t be afraid to order the model that’s right for you!

Iron Roundup

Design Trends For ’07
Long known as the golf bag’s unsung heroes, irons have come full circle. No longer are there just a few options between forged blades and cast cavity-backs. Instead, there are numerous new models that feature varying degrees of exciting new technologies designed to help virtually all kinds of golfers. Some irons have mixed-material compositions that combine steel, titanium and composites for enhanced forgiveness, trajectory and distance. Other irons feature new shapes and geometries that are already causing a stir. Whereas drivers have undergone dramatic improvements in recent years, irons have advanced more subtly. That’s partly because of their limited geometry—how much technology can be crafted into an inch-thick clubhead, anyway?—and partly because they’re already pretty good the way they are. But that’s not to say companies haven’t made concerted efforts to improve iron performance, nor that you shouldn’t consider buying a new set. No doubt, the latest iron designs will be an improvement over their counterparts from even a year ago.

Models such as the 3DX Hybrid shown here combine the benefits of a hybrid/wood with the look and playability of an iron. The result? A set of “irons” that are classified as “hybrid- irons” because of the stronger lofts and lower CGs._Ê

The primary reason for this fact is that the technologies used to produce irons have rapidly advanced, which, in turn, has improved the end product. Now most golfers get a more pleasing feel at impact, get the ball airborne more quickly and easily and, ultimately, achieve more distance.

“The prominent way to design irons now is through CAD (computer-aided) design,” says David Walker, Senior Product Manager of Golf Clubs at Bridgestone Golf. “We’re able to control the sound and feel more than ever and can pretty much tell how the iron will sound at impact, before we have an actual club. Another CAD benefit is the precise redistribution of weight: We now know our absolute limits on face thickness, so we can better redistribute the weight. We can design an iron’s clubface to be an exact thickness, whereas before we just made the heads with a general thickness.”

Essentially, the designers are freeing up weight from the front and putting it in the back, just as they did with metalwoods. “As you thin up a clubface, you increase the iron’s COR (spring effect at impact) and the ball speed,” says Benoit Vincent, Chief Technical Officer at TaylorMade Golf. “The face has to be very flat, which is difficult to accomplish. The grooves need to work hand-in-hand with the face, too. Essentially, it’s driver technology that’s been extended into irons. Some of the playability that’s been discovered in hybrids—that easy-to-play trajectory with significant distance gains—seems to be the trend with irons, too. Manufacturers are finding ways to do that effectively. It’s difficult in irons because you don’t have a lot of area to extend the center of gravity back, where in some of the new drivers, you have four to five inches to move it back.”

Mixed-metals are finding their way into irons_â”â__Òliterally. The new Rapture irons from PING are some of the few irons today that feature face inserts (made in this case, of titanium). This helps to not only harden the hitting area, but redistribute weight to the perimeter (titanium is lighter than steel). In addition, a Tungsten weight is used for added stability near the toe, helping to prevent twisting on off-center hits. And yes, the center of the cavity also features a polymer material, designed to enhance feel and reduce unwanted vibration.

Because of weight redistribution, the three types of irons—blades, cavity-backs and game-improvement irons—have all advanced at independent rates, say experts. “Blades aren’t much different than they were 10 years ago,” says Bridgestone’s Walker, explaining that’s partly because less than 10 percent of golfers play blades, so manufacturers have less of a business interest in the segment. “Blade players always want feel and feedback. One interesting thing we’ve seen is manufacturers making some blades with game-improvement aspects. Part of the limitations of forgings is we can’t make lines as clean or add as many features as you can with a cast club. There’s not much we can do with a blade’s mass,” because each blade is forged from a block of steel.

And they can’t add other materials, either. While that’s generally prevented weight redistribution, manufacturers can alter the sole width to change the feel, as well as manipulate “features in the back of the products, such as some carve-outs and sculpturing of the back design,” says TaylorMade’s Vincent. “There’s been a significant effort to bring added forgiveness to the players’ clubs, too.”

Better players are also more readily accepting cavity-back products. That is, they’re attracted to cast clubs that look forged and offer some level of forgiveness, better ball speed and consistency throughout the face.

Blades are “a double-edge sword,” says John Hoeflich, Nickent Golf’s Senior Vice President. “You can make blade-looking clubs with super-thin faces, but you won’t get the same feel as you would with a true muscleback. And a muscleback design eliminates the advantages of a thin face.”

Titleist, however, is one of several companies remedying that situation—its designers thinned the clubface in the 755 irons through improved forging techniques, relocating the discretionary weight saved from the thin face to the low extremes and perimeter.

“We supported the thin face with a special forged aluminum insert that also acts as a vibration dampener,” says Chris McGinley, Titleist’s Vice President of Marketing, Clubs. “Not only was it our most successful iron in terms of PGA Tour wins in 2006, it’s also an iron that we successfully sold and fit to players from 0-12 handicaps.”

By adding carbon to the back of an iron, manufacturers are able to redistribute weight to key areas without compromising structural strength.

And that’s a prime example of how materials and construction have helped catapult cavity-back and game-improvement irons. Proper redistribution of weight can significantly increase the moment of inertia, which greatly enhances clubhead stability at impact and thus forgiveness. It also helps the ball fly high and straight. Moving weight can also exponentially improve the iron’s feel—even bad mis-hits won’t sting. And the sole can be designed to glide through turf, no matter how thick the grass. Game-improvement irons—typically categorized as oversized cavity-backs with some kind of weighting technology that provides accuracy enhancement—are played by 70 percent of golfers, while standard cavity-backs are found in 20 percent of golf bags.

And it’s that collective 90 percent of golfers who stand to see better iron games in the near future. In fact, these are the golfers mostly using the very hybrids that, interestingly enough, will largely impact irons.

“Over the next two years, the most prominent change in irons will be the set configuration and loft spacing,” predicts Nickent’s Hoeflich, who, like his competitors, claims that more golfers are now starting to buy sets of irons that are configured as 5-PW and then complement that with two hybrids that replace the 3- and 4-irons. “That trend hasn’t worked its way to better players yet, but it will drive what happens to performance and technology in irons. It will force us to rethink center of gravity and open up more opportunities for new materials. As a result of the reconfiguration, a lot of things will happen. But USGA standards will somewhat limit what we can do with thin-face technology.”

Also expect to see more complete sets of hybrid-irons, in which all included clubs will look somewhat like hybrids. Whichever irons you ultimately decide on in years to come, you’ll almost surely find them easier to hit than the ones currently residing in your bag. And remember, make sure you get them fitted for your swing. That way, you can make sure you’ll fully take advantage of all these new iron technologies.
_