Titleist AP1
View Larger Image
As you can see, I am very much into Titleist equipment now but the road to getting here was not all Titleist. For the last several years, I went through various Taylor Made Drivers, Callaway Fairway woods and Cleveland wedges. The irons were almost always Callaway until one day, I was dead set on getting Mizuno irons. I was fortunate to have a club fitting experience in a facility that had both an indoor and an outdoor experience where I could try all the latest clubs available. The fitting started indoors where I hit into a simulator. I enjoyed playing Pebble Beach in Dallas, TX. The only positive compared to playing the actual course was that I didn't have to battle a 3 club ocean wind.
The irons I experienced were Taylor Made, Mizuno, Callaway and Titleist. The indoor portion of the fitting collected performance data by using high-tech launch monitors and diagnostic equipment. Based on the readings from various club head and shaft configurations, we were able to compare ball flight, club performance, landing data and other variables to come to the conclusion of what club was best suited for me.
Lets step back for a moment and realize that if it were just a beauty contest with technology aside, Titleist and Mizuno irons would be battling for first place. The sleek and classic look is much like the designs of Chanel in the fashion world. A refined look with unforgettable and timeless touches are what gives these irons that added sex appeal. Callaway would make the top ten with it's modern pizazz but Taylor Made just doesn't do it for me. It's a little too gimmicky with accessories that scream out…"look at me, I am powerful and strong!" I wouldn't be surprised if they add flames on the club heads in their next design. Don't get me wrong, I love technology but that quiet elegance on a golf club gets my full attention.
Now back to performance since looks alone won't do it for me in the long run. When we took the clubs outside at the driving range, I was disappointed that the Mizuno irons were just average when it came to ball flight accuracy and distance. The Callaway irons were much the same but I wasn't disappointed since I didn't want them in the first place. Ironically the visually unattractive Taylor Made performed well and came very close to Titleist irons. The indoor technological data as well as the outdoor analysis proved that Titleist AP1 Irons with Titleist Tour AD 65i Stiff Graphite Shafts were best suited for my game.