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"
|
This week, we have our Tour Photographer, Greg Moore, on the ground at the OccuNet Classic at Tascosa Golf Club in Amarillo, Texas, for the 14th event of the 2026 Korn Ferry Tour season. With that, we see some great things in the Lead Tape Report as we roll into Amarillo.
Joel Thelen
Monday Qualifier, Joel Thelen is in the field this week. He has played on the Korn Ferry Tour for a full season in 2023, and he is back in action this week. A couple of clubs caught my eye this week in his bag.
First off: His trusted Titleist 816 H2 hybrid. This club came out in October of 2015, and it still remains strong in the bag. Also, take a look at this Odyssey White Hot OG 7, putting a capital S in the 7S model. This custom neck has some impressive lean for an arm-lock-style putter. The bottom of the putter is covered in tape for optimal weighting.
Mitchell Meissner
Taking a look at Mitchell Meissner’s bag this week, we have some great lead tape coverage. Top to bottom working from fairway metals, irons, and wedges. We can see on the short irons and wedges that there is tape at the base of the grip, adding a little counterbalance. Along with that, some tape on the short irons and wedges as well. Moving to his putter, he rolls the Odyssey 7 Bird putter. Meissner putts left-handed and strikes the ball right-handed.
Bud Cauley had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament.
Driver: Titleist GTS2 (8 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: Titleist GTS3 (15 degrees, B1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei 1K Pro Red 70 TX
7-wood: Titleist GTS3 (21 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei 1K Pro Red 80 TX
Irons: Titleist U505 (3), Titleist 620 MB (4-9)
Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 8 X, True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-14F), WedgeWorks (60-K*)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putters: Scotty Cameron Tour Prototype, Scotty Cameron GOLO 6.3 Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Align
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
In our forums, one user has offered up a prompt for the true sickos, inviting fellow forum members to share every set of irons they’ve ever owned. As to be expected, this is a lengthy forum topic.
@Lamosteve began:
Can you name every set of irons you’ve owned? Here’s mine
Spalding Dots
Spalding Eclipse
Ram Lazer FX
Lynx Parallax
Mizuno EZ Comp
Ben Hogans
Cleveland CG Red
Taylor Made R9s
PING i20
PING iE1
Taylor Made M6
Our members in the forum have been offering up their own collections. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- macedan: “Started with a hand-me-down Golden Bear set from my brother when I was in high school, never really played more than once a year or got into the game until about summer of 2017. First purchased a set of Cleveland CG4’s (I actually really miss this set sometimes, soft & not terribly large for a GI iron), moved into Nike Vapor Fly’s by the end of the year. Those lasted until spring of 18 when I decided I wanted new, so I traded them in for TM Rbladez. Honestly, although I liked the Rbladez, poor decision on my part, I think this was really about the only time so far that after a week or two I was kicking myself for not staying with what I had. Rbladez stayed with me until late last summer when I switched to P790’s and (knock on wood) I am hoping this will be my longest lasting set.”
- JimmyC59: “MacGregor Jack Nicklaus Triple Crown. Palmer The Standard. Still play these.”
- jgrzask: “Tommy Armour 845u
Mizuno MP-32
Mizuno MP-33 (2 sets)
Bridgestone J33cb – still own
Srixon i-302 (2 sets) – still own
Tourstage X-Blades – still own
Mizuno Hot Metal – still own
Nike Forged Blades – still own
Titleist 714 AP1 – still own
Cobra Forged SS – still own”
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Bud Cauley WITB 2026 (June)
Bud Cauley had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament. Driver: Titleist GTS2 (8 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura...
Hannah Green WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Titleist GTS3 (10 degrees, D4 SureFit setting) Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana RB 53 S 3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees,...
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Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 S 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (16.5 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue...
Brianna Do WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond (9 degrees) Shaft: KBS PGW 3-wood: Callaway Elyte Titanium (15 degrees) Shaft: KBS PGW 5-wood:...
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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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