Titleist T Series Irons - 2023 Forum Review

[GolfSpy AFG]

Man, I have to admit, these things are looking and sounding nice.  Almost as nice as another iron test we had on the forum this year… 

[ole gray]

That sound is so soothing, I could take a nap listening to that. Nice strike, btw!

Thank you partner ! ️


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[chisag]

28 minutes ago, ole gray said:

I can tell ya right now that the T350 irons are helping my handicap to go down quicker than a a cricket in a hungry bream's mouth!

For all you T350-interested folks I'll be happier than a crocodile in a turtle egg-eating contest to answer your questions. For now, I'm hauling my big arse back to the bed for my afternoon nap! 

 

... Other than being in clubs that don;t fit their game at all, I don't believe I have ever seen a bigger change in a player than my 81 yr old pard that switched to the last version of the T300's. He had some Pings that fit him OK but his ball striking and his confidence has soared since switching. He was really trying to shoot his age and kept coming short but since the switch he has several round in the 70's. It has been limited playing time here due to the record heat, but I expect him to shoot in the 70's as much as a coon dog sniffin' out a possum after dark. 

[ole gray]

Yea it’s truly amazing what a proper fitting an clubs that suit ya fancy can do for your game!

I’ll have to remember that opossum saying LOL


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[sirchunksalot]

1 hour ago, bens197 said:

I was heckled a little today by my wife and her friend at work about "all the golf I've been playing this summer" so I made this for them...fun day on the course today...

 

IMG_8096.MOV 28.39 MB · 3 downloads

 

 

That was such a good 4 iron shot and it sounded pure! As @Ben Joest said, that club twirl was on point.

@ole gray, that hybrid sounds just like a hybrid should...in my mind. Also, congratulations on 3 straight rounds in the 70's!

Great stuff everyone, keep it coming.

[GolfSpy_BEN]

As promised, I made it to the range for lunch today. My focus for this session was the yardage gap between the 5 iron and the 4 utility iron. Here are the graphics:

Dispersion looked pretty good, the 4 utility was wider than I wanted

but overall the number against similar handicaps were in line more or less

shot shape for both clubs continue to be reliable

and what we’ve all been waiting for, the yardage numbers:

5 iron - 24 degrees

4 utility iron - 23 degrees

Averaging a 12 yard delta in carry distance is acceptable. 

[chisag]

On 9/9/2023 at 5:02 PM, Ben Joest said:

The difference between the clubs is easier to differentiate with the soles. From the top line, I have a hard time telling them apart. The T200 is the top club in the photo above.

 

... I shouldn't even be looking but if I were gonna play some Players Distance Irons that I shouldn't even be looking at, it would be the T200's. While I shouldn't even be looking, setting them down in the address position in the store, imo they are by far the best looking PDI's I have seen. No combo for me, just straight T200's. I shouldn't even be looking at them as an addition to my King Tours in say the 5 and 4 irons. I haven't hit them because I shouldn't even be looking but might have to go to a demo day just for fun since I shouldn't even be looking at them. Not serious about them at all but you know:

[GolfSpy_BEN]

4 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

... I shouldn't even be looking but if I were gonna play some Players distance Irons that I shouldn't even be looking at, it would be the T200's. While I shouldn't even be looking, setting them down in the address position in the store, imo they are by far the best looking PDI's I have seen. No combo for me, just straight T200's. I shouldn't even be looking anthem as an addition to my King Tours in say the 5 and 4 irons. I haven't hit them because I shouldn't even be looking but might have to go to a demo day just for fun since I shouldn't even be looking at them. Not serious about them at all but you know:

There’s a lot of negativity in this post. 
instead, embrace your inner DeVito

[Shrek74]

24 minutes ago, Ben Joest said:

5 iron - 24 degrees

4 utility iron - 23 degrees

Averaging a 12 yard delta in carry distance is acceptable. 

Those dispersions are no joke! Damn that's pretty!

[chisag]

1 hour ago, Ben Joest said:

There’s a lot of negativity in this post. 
instead, embrace your inner DeVito

 

... but ... But ... BUT:

[GolfSpy_BEN]

6 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

... but ... But ... BUT:

[ole gray]

3 hours ago, bens197 said:

I was heckled a little today by my wife and her friend at work about "all the golf I've been playing this summer" so I made this for them...fun day on the course today...

 

IMG_8096.MOV 28.39 MB · 5 downloads

 

 

 

Oh wow dude what a beautiful swing! 

[ole gray]

1 hour ago, chisag said:

 

... I shouldn't even be looking but if I were gonna play some Players Distance Irons that I shouldn't even be looking at, it would be the T200's. While I shouldn't even be looking, setting them down in the address position in the store, imo they are by far the best looking PDI's I have seen. No combo for me, just straight T200's. I shouldn't even be looking at them as an addition to my King Tours in say the 5 and 4 irons. I haven't hit them because I shouldn't even be looking but might have to go to a demo day just for fun since I shouldn't even be looking at them. Not serious about them at all but you know:

 

I had the chance to hit those T200s during my fitting and OMG those irons hunt like a blue tic hound! 

[bens197]

I'd say we're halfway done...well, besides Jamie @GolfSpy_APH and I am satisfied with my setup.  The performance during each round and practice session has been remarkably consistent.  Today I had a couple misses with the shorter irons however they found their target. 

My only criticism is that they are slightly shorter in yardage than what I have been playing.  I am not seeking a players distance iron so this is not an urgent concern, rather an observation.  

[Jim Shaw]

6 hours ago, Ben Joest said:

There’s a lot of negativity in this post. 
instead, embrace your inner DeVito

"I shouldn't even be looking at them" lol

[GolfSpy_BEN]

Getting out for round 4 with the irons tomorrow. Stay tuned…

[GolfSpy_APH]

Took nearly 80 balls, but found a swing and found confidence on the range. 

I think I was very much just tired and trying to setup Rapsodo and all these other things that the swing just wasn't there. Packed up Rapsodo, walked to the other side of the range thought why not try 20 more and with one small change it all came together. 

I was hitting toe on everything (seems to always happen with new sets for me) however the 6 iron I was stripping. 

I am a left and right hand dominant so when I start my transition it can be a pull which while I can still draw makes the toe stroke very common. 

My fix that I found was a simple feel of starting the swing with my left hand and letting it guide my backswing. This also keeps me from getting too long at the top. So with this and a good smooth swing and turn through everything came in line and I just have to say the feel of these are are truly superb. 

So powerful, but soft and the flights are high with some penetration. Forgiveness is also really good. 

Titleist has done an excellent job with these irons and I will be very hard to find many if any faults with them.

[Shrek74]

11 hours ago, bens197 said:

I'd say we're halfway done...well, besides Jamie @GolfSpy_APH and I am satisfied with my setup.  The performance during each round and practice session has been remarkably consistent.  Today I had a couple misses with the shorter irons however they found their target. 

My only criticism is that they are slightly shorter in yardage than what I have been playing.  I am not seeking a players distance iron so this is not an urgent concern, rather an observation.  

Do you think this could be from the loft difference between the T100 and Pro 223? The T100 is 2* weaker in most irons until the 9 (1* weaker) & P (equal). The T150 is more inline with the lofts of the 223.

[bens197]

28 minutes ago, Shrek74 said:

Do you think this could be from the loft difference between the T100 and Pro 223? The T100 is 2* weaker in most irons until the 9 (1* weaker) & P (equal). The T150 is more inline with the lofts of the 223.

I do.  I also believe the face technology in the 223 has spoiled me.  The 223 set was a blend between JPX (hotter face) & MP (compact head) which means they will be a little bit hotter than a traditional forged players' iron.

So while the lofts are close, the combination of wider sole (more forgiveness on bad swings) and the JPX tech will likely be a factor.  Maybe someone around here is smarter and can verify this theory?

[GolfSpy_BEN]

3 minutes ago, bens197 said:

I do.  I also believe the face technology in the 223 has spoiled me.  The 223 set was a blend between JPX (hotter face) & MP (compact head) which means they will be a little bit hotter than a traditional forged players' iron.

So while the lofts are close, the combination of wider sole (more forgiveness on bad swings) and the JPX tech will likely be a factor.  Maybe someone around here is smarter and can verify this theory?

While I’m no expert and definitely not smarter (just ask my wife ), I believe you are on the right track here. I’ve played 2 different Mizuno sets over the past year, the JPX 923 HMP and more recently the Pro 221 ( I have a well documented blade fetish) With JPX they were hot off the face and I was seeing significant gains in distance, but my dispersion was all over the place. I really liked the 221s, and their distance was slightly longer than the Callaway Apex MBs that I have with similar lofts, but I didn’t want to have to be perfect with every swing, so I traded them for the T100s set I was going to game prior to being selected for this test.

Ultimately, with where my game is at and where I want to take it, distance isn’t the most important characteristic I’m looking for. I’m much more interested in tight dispersions and reliable carry distances. If those two boxes are checked, I can adjust to less distance gladly, because it is no longer a guessing game as to how far any given club will go.

[bens197]

33 minutes ago, Ben Joest said:

 

Ultimately, with where my game is at and where I want to take it, distance isn’t the most important characteristic I’m looking for. I’m much more interested in tight dispersions and reliable carry distances. If those two boxes are checked, I can adjust to less distance gladly, because it is no longer a guessing game as to how far any given club will go.

This summed up my choice to pursue T100 rather than 150 / 200 and it has been validated through practice and course time. 

At the moment, I want precision and margins and that is what I have.

[GolfSpy_BEN]

Just now, bens197 said:

This summed up my choice to pursue T100 rather than 150 / 200 and it has been validated through practice and course time. 

At the moment, I want precision and margins and that is what I have.

That is awesome! And all we can really ask for. Selfishly, I am glad you opted for the 100’s because it allowed me to pursue the 150/200s. Keep striping them, it has been a pleasure following along.

[bens197]

37 minutes ago, Ben Joest said:

That is awesome! And all we can really ask for. Selfishly, I am glad you opted for the 100’s because it allowed me to pursue the 150/200s. Keep striping them, it has been a pleasure following along.

Likewise

 

[ole gray]

Well after three consecutive rounds in the 70s, I shot an 86 today however I can assure you the T350s were not at fault. My putter was colder than a duck hunter on a frozen pond. My course management was off today regarding my distances as I kept trying to push my PW further than I should have.  The approach shots were accurate but I need to concede to the fact I'm not gonna carry the ball 125 - 130 with this wedge.  I'm too damn old but it feels sooooooo good when you flush a shot with these irons you feel as though you've grown a pair of steel balls and turned into  Superman.  The T350s are long, really long with a beautiful ball flight. They're easier to game than my Callaway Apex DCBs or my TaylorMade Stealths and that is saying a lot! Both of those irons are solid winners and for the 350s to outshine them well it's huge. 

[GolfSpy_BEN]

Todays round was solid. Off the tee, I was in the fairway or just off on every hole, the Driver and the 4 utility put in a shift. Ball striking ranged from okay to spectacular. I left myself with realistic birdie chances on a number of holes, including an 8 iron from 152 out that left me a 6 foot putt for birdie on the 9th. Rather quickly, I’ve found myself in a place of total confidence with any shot I’m presented with, whether I execute or not isn’t on the irons, but lately the way I feel when addressing the ball, it feels like a forgone conclusion.

As Steve alluded to in an earlier post, we’re about halfway there with this test, but barring something catastrophic, these irons aren’t going anywhere.

[Jim Shaw]

16 minutes ago, Ben Joest said:

Todays round was solid. Off the tee, I was in the fairway or just off on every hole, the Driver and the 4 utility put in a shift. Ball striking ranged from okay to spectacular. I left myself with realistic birdie chances on a number of holes, including an 8 iron from 152 out that left me a 6 foot putt for birdie on the 9th. Rather quickly, I’ve found myself in a place of total confidence with any shot I’m presented with, whether I execute or not isn’t on the irons, but lately the way I feel when addressing the ball, it feels like a forgone conclusion.

As Steve alluded to in an earlier post, we’re about halfway there with this test, but barring something catastrophic, these irons aren’t going anywhere.

wow, sounds really good, way to go

[GolfSpy_BEN]

2 minutes ago, Jim Shaw said:

wow, sounds really good, way to go

Thanks!

 

[rkj427]

On 9/12/2023 at 9:41 PM, bens197 said:

I'd say we're halfway done...well, besides Jamie @GolfSpy_APH and I am satisfied with my setup.  The performance during each round and practice session has been remarkably consistent.  Today I had a couple misses with the shorter irons however they found their target. 

My only criticism is that they are slightly shorter in yardage than what I have been playing.  I am not seeking a players distance iron so this is not an urgent concern, rather an observation.  

@bens197 what about the feel of the faces between the 100's and the 223's? Similar soft feel on both, or is there a difference that is noticeable?

You were right on track with the design differences of the two heads and the distance disparity because of the loft differences as well.

And I agree 100%, irons should be for accuracy and consistent distance, not necessarily needing to be the longest distance.

[bens197]

1 hour ago, rkj427 said:

@bens197 what about the feel of the faces between the 100's and the 223's? Similar soft feel on both, or is there a difference that is noticeable?

I would say that nothing feels like a Mizuno and that will remain true.  Mizuno forgings are elite and if this were tiered, I would put Mizuno at a 10 and these T100’s at a 9.2

Yes…they are super close.  I was incredibly surprised and really appreciate how much better these irons feel.  Sound is feel right?  I’ve tried to convey through videos how they sound and if that is translatable, you can get a basic understanding of where I am coming from.

No joke…T100 forged heads are smooooooth…Even poor strikes feel similar to the 223’s.

 

[bens197]

Week wrap up for me…

My index has dropped from 5.1 since starting this test to a 3.7  

I think that speaks volumes to the accuracy and consistency of these clubs.

I am writing from the Finger Lakes on a weekend trip with my family for my wife’s birthday. I am going to be offline until Monday but I’ll occasionally stalk the forum
 

I hope everyone has a good weekend. Plan to be back on the course and range this week for more. 
 

Is there anything else you folks wish to see or hear before final reviews?