FIELDREPORT


Temple. “However, we have a chart showing the optimal trajectories of a wedge, a 5 and a 3-iron: the apex for all three is the same, though obviously further down the flight as the club gets longer. The changes we have made move the AP models towards this ideal.” AP1 loſts are two degrees stronger than AP2.


However, the 714 models see short-iron loſts strengthened by a degree to help bring that flight down – that’s from 7-iron to wedge in the AP1 and 6-iron to wedge in AP2. This has created space for a new 52–degree gap wedge in the AP1 range. “But probably the main difference golfers


would see in the 714 AP1 and 2 from the 712 versions is trajectory,” Temple confirms. “The long irons will launch the ball higher, the short irons probably a little lower, more penetrating. This should expand the reach of these clubs, one of our goals with the product. “Titleist has been perceived as too good for


anyone other than single-figure golfers, but we believe any golfer, up to around an 18-handicap, would find the AP1 competitive with other


“Titleist has been perceived as too good for anyone other than single-figure golfers, but we believe any golfer, up to around an 18- handicap, would find the AP1 competitive with other game- improver clubs


smoothed out to aid shallower divots and so- called ‘turf release’. Armed with a stock Dynamic Gold shaſt, CB and MB feature a pre-worn leading edge – as do the AP models. “It’s just a rounding-off of the front


At a glance: Titleist 714 iron range


All four irons are available from November 8 in the UK:


MB and CB Tech: Forged 1025 carbon steel muscle-back and cavity-back featuring a straighter leading edge, reduced visual offset and new sole camber to improve turf interaction. Satin finish dulls glare. Price: £114(s)


AP1 Tech: A new undercut below the top line works with more progressive weighting to optimise flight for long and short irons. High density tungsten weighting boosts forgiveness. Price: £93(s), £107(g)


game-improver clubs; it’s traditional looking, but the technology gives it that extra forgiveness and performance.” Meanwhile, tour pro canvassing on the elite-


player MB and CB models revealed general contentment with the 712 versions – a true double-edged sword for a company looking to bring upgraded kit to market. Consequently, the changes to the 714 models are fairly subtle. “We didn’t want to mess around with flight or


feel,” Temple confirms. “But we felt we could make some improvements to ground interaction, the way the club cuts through the turf – and also some slight advances to the appearance.” Indeed all four irons feature newly cambered


soles, designed to help the club glide through the ground and further reduce any chance of digging. But it’s most noticeable on the shorter CB irons, where sole width progression has been


edge a little, again to cut down any chances of the iron trying to dig,” Temple reveals. “Some players with prior generation products have tended to get the tour truck to grind out that leading edge. It’s just eliminating that step.” That leading edge is also slightly straighter in


the 714 MB and CB – a blade-squaring trait borrowed from the AP models – while a clever tweak minimizes the appearance of offset. “You need to have the front of the club in front of the leading edge to square the blade,” says Temple. “Even the best in the world need some offset, especially in the longer irons. They just don’t like to see it. There is offset in the 714 CB and MB – just higher up in the hosel itself, which visually aids the blend from the club’s leading edge to the hosel itself. “But when the player looks down, offset


appears minimal – and that gives them more confidence in the product.”


SGBGOLF 19


AP2 Tech: Tungsten is worked into the hosel of this forged cavity-back to increase MOI without making the head bigger. Increased sole camber helps the club glide through impact. Price: £114(s), £130(g)


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