Equipment
Titleist ZB/ZM Irons Preview
GolfWRX.com recently had the opportunity to take a look at the upcoming 2008 lineup of Titlieist Advanced Performance irons, the AP1, AP2, ZB, and ZM irons.
It was a rare peek into the technology, design, and fitting factors which are driving the next generation of Titleist irons. Today we will cover the ZB and ZM irons.
For the past few years, people have been asking for a mixed set from Titleist targed to better players. Titleist introduced the 735.CM to fill this void and many players took the plunge but some still yearned for a 695CB and 695MB combo set. The ZB now fills that void and modernizes the look, a move which should please many Titleist fans. The compact headed ZB is a blended Cavity set forged from 1025 carbon steel. The 2-4 irons are full cavity back, 5-7 partial cavity back, and 8-P muscle back. The main difference between the irons will center on the 2-7 clubs as the 8-P are identical in each set, only the logo changes. Common to both sets is the “Z” shape, which is not just for looks buts reflects the weighting that’s been moved from heel to toe in each club.
The major differences between the two sets lies in the 2-7 irons. The first thing to note is the hosel lengths on the ZB are shorter on the 2-7 irons to lower the center of gravity compared to the ZM. Next, a slightly wider sole on the 2-7 irons give them a moderate bounce compared to the ZM. Finally, there is also slightly more offset with the ZB 2-5 irons and 1* less bounce compared to the ZM. These factors combined, give the ZB a slightly higher ball flight than the ZM. The ZM and ZB 8-P irons are the same on both sets, only the logos differ.
ZB Specifications
|
Iron No. |
2
|
3 |
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
PW
|
|
LOFT( ° )
|
18
|
21
|
24
|
27
|
31
|
35
|
39
|
43
|
47
|
|
LIE ( ° )
|
60
|
60
|
61
|
62
|
62.5
|
63
|
63.5
|
64
|
64
|
|
BOUNCE ( ° )
|
0
|
1 |
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
| Offset |
.0150"
|
0.140"
|
0.130"
|
0.120"
|
0.110"
|
0.100"
|
0.090"
|
0.080"
|
0.075"
|
ZM Specifications
|
Iron No. |
2
|
3 |
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
PW
|
|
LOFT( ° )
|
|
21
|
24
|
27
|
31
|
35
|
39
|
43
|
47
|
|
LIE ( ° )
|
|
60
|
61
|
62
|
62.5
|
63
|
63.5
|
64
|
64
|
|
BOUNCE ( ° )
|
|
2 | 3 |
4
|
4.5
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
| Offset |
0.125"
|
0.120"
|
0.115"
|
0.110"
|
0.100"
|
0.090"
|
0.080"
|
0.075"
|
Neal Shipley was the first to admit that he enjoyed his food while in college. But since his days at Ohio State, he’s slimmed down and earned a PGA Tour Card.
That hasn’t stopped him from having fun with his wedge stampings, though it’s led to some misunderstandings.
On the 54 (degree), we have ‘Big Fudge,'” Shipley told GolfWRX. “It was supposed to be ‘Big Fridge,’ so this happened a little while ago. ‘Big Fridge’ was a nickname between my college teammates and I, with ‘fridge’ meaning stomach, a big stomach.
“We told the Ping guys to put … ‘Big Fridge’ on it, and I think maybe some bad cell service or something, and they thought I said ‘fudge,’ so they put fudge on it.”
On Shipley’s 50-degree he also continues the food theme, this time with his go-to order at the “Golden Arches,” and his stamping “DONS 7.”
“The number 7 meal, the two cheeseburger meal, that was my McDonald’s order, back when I would have McDonald’s frequently,” Shipley shared.
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @raw10628 has a L.A.B. DF3 putter and Masters putter cover up for grabs.
From the listing: “Some great items here today, time to thin out and make room for next set of gear. All prices include shipping.
LAB DF3 Purple 33.5” 68° lie with TPT – $725. LAB Masters release DF3 cover – $150.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4
3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4
5-wood: Ping G440 Max (19 degrees @18)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4
Hybrid: Ping G440 (23 degrees)
Shaft: Oban Isawa Red Hybrid Shaft 04 Flex 70 Gms
Irons: Srixon ZXi7 (5-P)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i80
Wedges: Cleveland RTZ (50-MID, 54-FULL, 58-MID)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i105
Putter: L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i
Shaft: ACCRA Putter Shaft
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
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Maria Torres WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees) Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4 3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees) Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4 5-wood: Ping G440...
Eric Cole WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: PXG Lightning Tour Max (9 degrees) Shaft: Project X Titan Yellow 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (15 degrees) Shaft:...
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Driver: Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond (8.5 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X Mini driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Mini...
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Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (10.5 degrees) Shaft: Project X Titan Yellow 60 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D Tour (15 degrees) Shaft: Project...
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Glenn
Feb 2, 2014 at 8:14 am
I purchased these irons second hand as my second set with 3-5 cavity, 6 & 7 partial and 8-PW blade and I am incredibly happy I found them. I would advocate that any caliber of player would benefit and improve their distance and accuracy with these irons.
Grant Horsfall
Feb 23, 2012 at 6:12 am
bought a SET of the ZM which are 3-5 cavity
6-7 semi blade
8-pw blade
what an awesome set of clubs. and they go miles!
Michael
Jun 17, 2009 at 4:36 pm
I upgraded from the 735.CM to ZB irons. I say upgraded, but I still have the735’s and play them. I learned to play on forged irons, so the feel of these is great. I had the PW upped to 48-deg and the clubs are +1/4″. If you have a good, smooth rhythm, with no wonky action in your wrist or in the backswing, and you stay out of the shade 90% of the time, you will like these clubs. You can undeniably control your shots with these irons. A salesman at the local store suggested the AP irons, but the feeling wasn’t there. He kept harping about distance is the key. Well, that is true. We would all like to play long, get to the green sooner, and finish. But, if you can control your shot, and all the elements are there, with these clubs, your greens in regulation will increase, subsequently boosting your confidence (positive feedback) and your putting focus will be improved because you are not disturbed from already being at 4 on a par 4 and just putting because you bombed the ball off the tee and overshot.
If you are looking to improve your game, these clubs will not be the answer without a serious commitment to proper practice several (+4) times a week plus playing a couple of times per week. The feel from mats to grass on the practice range, to the fairways is very much a different feel. I think you should give these a try. NOT IN THE NETTED AREA OF A LOCAL STORE. GO TO A golf course with a GRASS practice area and try these out. In most cases, you can call the pro shop and ask when Titleist demos will be available.
I’ll end on this note. The clubs swing play themselves so well, that I carry the 2-iron and 3-irons instead of the brand new 2 and 3-hybrids. They are simply that nice.
good luck
Dave
Apr 1, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Great irons with exceptional feel. Just my opinion but I would only get these if you are better than a 7 handicap. No question good ball strikers will enjoy these clubs. Very happy I got them..
Josh
Mar 16, 2008 at 10:12 pm
i got em and i love em
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