Followers of Titleist will be used to the biennial release pattern it follows for both woods and irons. Keen to only introduce something that is a true improvement on the previous generation and aware their fans are loyal to the existing shape and feel, new Titleist hardware always feels like evolution rather than revolution.
The 716 range of irons fits this pattern precisely with the latest versions of the well known AP1, AP2, MB and CB irons being instantly recognisable, with new technology integrated to bring better performance.
One surprise this year is the shift of their hybrid range to sit with the launch of the irons rather than the woods, a move that, as explained to us by Titleist General Manager Steve Pelisek, was thought to be a more natural fit by Titleist's custom fitting team as hybrids are usually fitted with irons rather than woods.
As well as the 816 hybrids, the 716 range also gives the option of filling the longer end of your bag with the Titleist 716 T-MB Utility Irons.
We've been lucky enough to have our hands on all the new Titleist equipment and put it through its paces on the range so here is a summary of each of the clubs with links to read our detailed reviews complete with in hand pictures and video.
Titleist 716 AP1 Irons
Titleist say the 716 AP1 irons are their longest and most forgiving iron ever. They're a high MOI and high ball speed club aimed at the game improvement category.
An average of 42.5 grams of high density tungsten per head, up 50% from the 714 AP1, has allowed the engineers to create a low, centred, Centre of Gravity (CG) position, meaning they have been able to incorporate strengthened lofts for more distance whilst maintaining the correct iron trajectory that means control approaching the green.
The positioning of the Tungsten also gives maximum heel and toe stability without increasing blade length and combines with a 360° undercut and a stronger steel to increase the unsupported area of the face for a higher launch and ball speed.
Read the Golfalot review of the Titleist 716 AP1 Irons
Titleist 716 AP2 Irons
The 716 AP2 irons maintain their position as Titleist's most advanced players' iron and they've also taken on board extra heavy duty tungsten to increase MOI and ball speeds across the face.
The AP2's have a multi-material, dual-cavity construction with the Forged 1025 Carbon steel body being bolstered with tungsten heel and toe weighting in the the 3-7 irons. Using 25% more tungsten than in the 714 AP2's, the 716 version uses 56.2 grams making up 22% of the total head mass.
This lowers the CG and increases the MOI which is up 8.5% in the 3-5 irons and up 5.5% over the full set. All of this equates to faster ball speeds from the centre of the face and crucially faster ball speeds on off centre strikes without impacting launch angle or spin.
Read the Golfalot review of the Titleist 716 AP2 Irons
Titleist 716 CB Irons
The 716 CB irons are a modern cavity blade designed for shot making, with improvements bringing more forgiveness.
Once again it's the introduction of more Tungsten in the heel and the toe of the club during the advanced co-forging process that has moved the weight lower and out towards the perimeter of the iron, whilst maintaining the CB's solid forged feel and shot control.
This results in an MOI that is on average 12.3% greater than the 714 CB and at a level similar to that found in the AP2 714. As a result the 716 CB generates faster ball speeds on both centre and off centre strikes giving a more consistent speed across the whole face.
Read the Golfalot review of the Titleist 716 CB Irons
Titleist 716 MB Irons
The 716 MB continues in the tradition of a pure muscle back blade inspired by the world's best shot makers.
A traditional high-muscle design delivers a solid muscle back feel from the Forged 1025 Carbon steel and Titleist has incorporated a new pre-worn leading edge in the 716 MB as well as a sharper toe angle and thinner top line to complement a look inspired by the look of their modern classic 680 forged irons.
Read the Golfalot review of the Titleist MB 716 Irons
Titleist 716 T-MB Utility Irons
The story moves back to tungsten in the long and forgiving 716 T-MB Utility Irons.
Extreme tungsten weighting in the heel and toe has been coupled with a hollow head and a high strength, thin, fast steel face insert for increased ball speed, resulting in a high MOI that is 6.8% greater than in the 712U.
The T-MB shares the 716 AP2 profile and blade length meaning they can easily be incorporated into a combo set and turf interaction has been improved with a pre-worn leading edge and a trailing edge chamfer and the structure of the club and CG location results in a high-launch and low spin combination for longer carry.
Read the Golfalot review of the Titleist 716 T-MB Utility Iron
Titleist 816 H1 & H2 Hybrids
The 816 hybrids comprise the H1, a higher launching hybrid designed to fly further and land softly, and the more compact H2 hybrid built for iron-like control with more distance.
The hybrids have been moved into Titleist's iron development cycle and the technology involved of the active recoil channel, ultra thin face and high MOI will be familiar to fans of the 915 hybrids.
Titleist say they 816 H1 and H2 have the same high speed and low speed characteristics of the 915H, but with a higher launch, improved head shapes and improved playability, through features like the beveled ARC front and aft pre worn edges that improves turf interaction.
The two models cover more lofts and with the adjustable SureFit Tour hosel moving to 1° increments you will be able to improve distance gapping..
Read the Golfalot review of the Titleist 816 H1 & H2 Hybrids