Sneak Peek at Titleist’s Fall 2009 Irons: 710 AP1, AP2, CB, and MB
Posted July 30th, 2009 by Erik J. Barzeski
If you're a Titleist fan - or think you could be one - then you'll enjoy getting a sneak peek at these: the 710 Series AP1, AP2, CB, and MB irons.
Titleist emailed us some images from the Buick Open, where they've rolled out their fall 2009 iron lineup to their tour staff. The 2009 lineup is essentially a tweaked 2008 lineup, with four models: AP1, AP2, CB, and MB. Those will be the model names. They've come to be known by their series name - the "710" series - but word is the official names are AP1, AP2, CB, and MB.
Titleist plans to begin selling the irons later this fall, though again this marks the first week that they're rolling them out to their entire PGA Tour staff.
Titleist says that the new AP1 irons offer better feel, more forgiveness, and an improved shape with a thinner topline throughout the set and a shorter blade length in the short irons. The new feel is hotter and more lively.
AP2 improvements are similar, and Titleist feels they've taken a great iron and made it better. Similar to AP1, they've improved the feel, shot control, and ground contact - particularly in the short irons by reducing bounce by one degree. The great performance, shot workability, playability, and looks have been retained, while the feel has been improved by making the new feel a bit more solid.
A big part of that feel in both sets is likely due to the thermoplastic urethane (TPU) "arms" that stick up a bit in the 710 series of the AP irons (both models).
The new CB and MB irons are traditional 1025 carbon steel forgings, available in full cavity back (CB) and muscle back (MB) models. Word on the street is that mixed sets of the CB and MB will be readily available.
Complete details, including specifications, the typical tech callouts, features and benefits, and all that jazz should be available at Titleist.com early this fall. If you'd rather not wait that long, some additional shots are available on two posts at Titleistblog.com: here and here.
Titleist 710 Series AP1 and AP2
The first thing you'll notice in looking at the AP1 is that the back is now notched, with a bit more weight spread to the heel and toe. The tungsten weight no longer shows through the back. The red/black/silver scheme remains, but this is the first shot in which you'll notice the new "TPU arms." The TPU actually goes all the way around the perimeter of the club in the AP1.
(Click any of the images for a larger image.)
Believe it or not, several of Titleist's PGA Tour staff play the AP1 irons.
It's tough to see in this image (below), but the shape of the short irons - traditionally the 8I, 9I, and PW - has been improved. The notching remains fairly consistent throughout the set, but you'll notice the difference between the top two irons with their curvier toplines and the remaining four.
The AP1 at address. There's only so much you can do to thin up the topline of a "game improvement" iron. Titleist won't call it that - they tend to leave that market for Cobra - but of all Titleist's clubs, the AP1 is the easiest to hit.
A few shots of the 710 Series AP1 and AP2 in the bags. Titleist uses the six iron for demo, and their fitting carts are loaded with six-irons as well.
The AP2 also gains the "TPU arms" and the full TPU ring, as seen here:
The AP2 at address:
710 Series CB and MB
Here are two shots as a tease: one of the CB in Greg Chalmers' bag and another of the MB about to smack a practice ball. Below, the address shots and what we call the "hero" shots.
Two looks at the 710 series MB:
And two looks at the 710 series CB:
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Expressed opinions are not necessarily the opinions shared by others on The Sand Trap or The Sand Trap itself.
Posted 30 Jul 2009 at 3:33pm #
Titliest gave up on the whole Z thing it seems... Will the price of the 08 AP2 model be going down, now? I wouldnt mind having a back up set.
Posted 30 Jul 2009 at 3:42pm #
DFB said on July 30, 2009:
They should go down right before the realease of the new APs.
those 710.MB's look sharp.
Posted 30 Jul 2009 at 3:48pm #
I'm excited about the CB's and MB's, especially the classic look of the new MB's. The MB looks very short heel to toe in the picture, I wonder if it is a smaller and shorter head than the current ZB.
Posted 30 Jul 2009 at 3:58pm #
Eric said on July 30, 2009:
Back to the style of their older model irons, it looks. But im not falling for it. My AP2's suit me fine and im sticking with them.
Posted 30 Jul 2009 at 4:26pm #
thank god they ditched the z! The new mb's look great, reminicent of the old 690.mb
Posted 30 Jul 2009 at 8:10pm #
kind disappointed with the current AP1.
If you miss the gray area on the clubs, it leaves a mark,
perminately. 2 months old, they look like crap.
I customed ordered them with a 2 degree ^, they bent & also left scratches in the finish.
Not really happy.
Posted 30 Jul 2009 at 9:50pm #
Future irons. 710 CB's.
Posted 30 Jul 2009 at 11:02pm #
a combo set of the CB & MB's would be sweet for sure
not diggin the AP series at all...kinda ugly if you ask me
never been a realy Titleist Iron fan, but as mentioned above a combo set would be cool
Posted 31 Jul 2009 at 11:28am #
The MB and CB look great although pretty darn close to the 690's from a few years back.
I really like my AP2's right now, I almost don't want to hit the news ones since I'll probably end up spending lots of $$$$.........
Posted 31 Jul 2009 at 2:06pm #
Added the back and address shots of the CB and MB just now. I agree they look a lot like the 690s, and that's a good thing.
Posted 01 Aug 2009 at 12:34am #
Great Looking CB and MB irons, but I like the look of my older AP2's in comparison to the new ones.
I'm glad they are still similar looking, the last thing I wanted was to be jealous of the new looking AP's.
Posted 01 Aug 2009 at 7:18pm #
Those new AP1's are the cats meow...or as my Dad would say....... the cats a##.
Can't wait to try them...any word on the date to retail??
Posted 04 Aug 2009 at 1:40am #
Posted 04 Aug 2009 at 4:55pm #
When i saw the new cb's... I actually got that look on my face like when i was 14 and I discovered that there was more to girls than I had originally known. The same thought ran through my mind... I'm gonna have to try that once.
IF THEY HAVE THE SAME OUTCOME I'LL BE HOOKED FOR LIFE.
Posted 04 Aug 2009 at 8:54pm #
Anyone know what the projected price tag will be for the 710's?
Posted 05 Aug 2009 at 5:04pm #
The 710 MBs look sweet, bravo Titleist, but those CBs are an afterthought on style.
I'll miss the Z-design, but not the recent one. The subtle "Z" of the 695 series had the look right and they didn't need to market the "Z" into the name.
Posted 06 Aug 2009 at 8:46am #
Will I be able to order custom fitted current generation AP2s when the price drops after new AP2s are released?
Posted 06 Aug 2009 at 9:52pm #
Posted 07 Aug 2009 at 4:23pm #
wow. I'm blown away with the new designs, and can't be happy enough that Titleist has returned to their classic approach with forged blades. "Serious clubs for serious golfers". Man those 710CB's looks almost as incredible as the MB's. Those clubs are begging to do some serious ballstriking
I expect to these all three MB, CB and AP2 is a lot of players bags at the club. What an impressive line perfect for a Christmas gift for dad...
Thanks for the sneak-peak pictures. good work.
Posted 10 Aug 2009 at 8:12pm #
These look great. Anybody know about the loft and offset compared to the orignal AP1's or the 775's? Thanks for the pics, article and hard work.
Posted 10 Aug 2009 at 10:32pm #
What shaft options will there be? The one thing I really dont like about my current AP2's is the ProjectX Shaft - have been wanting to pull them for DGS300's. Have been playing my old 690CB's whilst contemplating the shaft switch.
Now looking - the 710 CB's look like my Christmas present......
Posted 11 Aug 2009 at 12:10am #
Are the new Cbs as hard to hit as the old ones were? Because the new ones look more like a cavity back than a blade. Also if I buy the old ap2s cheaper you could get the bounce reduced by a degree, then there goes half the problem and reason that they created the new ones. My point is why pay over 1000$ for the new ones when u can get the old ones which are more of a players iron.
Posted 11 Aug 2009 at 2:31am #
long time user of these classic irons and they only get better. was looking at buying cobra pro mb but think ill stick to the best . wow
Posted 11 Aug 2009 at 5:30pm #
Sam said on August 11, 2009:
Probably pretty much the same…
Sam said on August 11, 2009:
There's a lot more to it than just that. And I don't know what you mean by "more of a players iron" - the 710 AP2 targets exactly the same segment of golfers as the 2008 AP2.
Posted 12 Aug 2009 at 1:03am #
If it is true they MBs and CBs will be available in mixed sets, I'm sold. I left Titleist a few years ago because they had a policy that you could not order a few CBs to make your own mixed set, unless you were replacing some from a full set and had serial numbers. I went to Callaway, I know, its shameful, but they let you buy what you want. Anyway, sign me up for a mixed set of CBs and MBs! I'm in.
Posted 24 Aug 2009 at 4:52pm #
love the cbs. i still have the 704.cbs with rifles, and love them.
can't wait for the 710's
Posted 07 Sep 2009 at 9:16pm #
Hit the new AP2s today, loved them (I currently play AP2s in the original style). Seems like Titleist may be getting away from the Project X as stock shafts. Hit S300s and was pleased with the distance and feel. Titleist claims they should have a little better feel and based on what I experienced, I believe it.
Hit the new CBs also, when you hit them well, they go. Just not a club I believe is good for me on a day to day basis, but they are sharp looking and good performing clubs.
Posted 20 Sep 2009 at 1:57pm #
Will you be able to order a combo set say 3,4,5,6 iron AP1's and 7,8,9,PW in AP2's in the 710 series? I play the 2008 AP2's 3-PW Project-X 5.5's.
Posted 30 Sep 2009 at 3:43am #
getting a fitting on the 22nd Oct for the MB's, cant wait till they are in the bag, they look the dogs bollocks!!!
Posted 07 Oct 2009 at 12:48pm #
WOW! The MB710 looks so sweet! Wonder how it will performs...
Love to have them in my bag soon.
Posted 23 Oct 2009 (4 weeks ago) at 1:13am #
Neil Harvey said on September 30, 2009:
Havn't heard that one in awhile!
dogs bollocks indeed!
Debating on the CB's (3,4,5,6) and MB's (7,8,9,PW). Currently play the 08 AP2's. Used to play Mizuno 33's. Just a different feel in the AP's. Dull almost.
Posted 26 Oct 2009 (4 weeks ago) at 7:43pm #
pcsmith said on August 10, 2009:
Wow, I bought the AP2's in June had the 690 CB's. Same thing, do not like the project x shaft went to sell them only getting $450 to $500. Now I'm thinking taking a look at the 710CB but this time I will try them out at the range FIRST. DGS 300 is the best shaft for me so if they have that one I will look and hit. Project x shaft is nice but I lost 5 to 10 yards on my irons 4 thru gap.