Titleist 712U Utility Iron Review

In 2013, Titleist added a new option in long game performance with the introduction of 712U, a forged utility iron that provides high speed, traditional blade iron players with improved playability and shot control. It's been a popular item in the bag of Tour players in better amateurs -- especially those that still prefer long irons over hybrids.

Engineered with a deep center of gravity (CG) position for a higher moment of inertia (MOI), Titleist 712U delivers increased stability and playability versus a traditional long iron while providing enhanced trajectory and spin control versus a hybrid.

A result of extensive research and tour player testing conducted by the Titleist Golf Club R&D team, 712U features a wider, camber sole design that promotes clean turf interaction and is effective for a variety of attack angles, making the club more versatile when trying to hit high or low shots. 712U also uses a tapered-tip iron shaft for additional trajectory control.

712U utilizes a forged, hollow body 1025 steel construction with a high-speed 455 steel face insert to provide the performance, looks and feel that have made Titleist irons the No. 1 choice of players across the worldwide professional tours.

Offered in 2-iron (18º), 3-iron (21º) and 4-iron (24º) lofts, 712U utility irons are available by custom order beginning May 15.

First introduced on the PGA Tour late last year, 712U is already the most played utility iron model on the PGA Tour through the first 14 events of the 2013 season. 712U models can currently be found in the bags of tour pros like Adam Scott (2-iron), Tim Clark (4-iron) and Geoff Ogilvy (2-iron) – players who prefer a utility iron over a hybrid as an alternative to traditional long irons.

“I don’t like the look of hybrids, but the 712U (2-iron) looks great at address,” said Ogilvy. “It is a bit stronger than a 2- iron, it goes farther than a 2-iron and it’s easy to hit. It feels great, performs how I need it to, and I like having it in my bag.”

TITLEIST 712U SPECS: 712U 2-iron: • Loft: 18º • Lie: 59.5º • Offset: 0.170" • Bounce: 0º • Stnd Length: 39.50" • Swingweight: D3 712U 3-iron: • Loft: 21º • Lie: 60.5º • Offset: 0.160" • Bounce: 0º • Stnd Length: 39.00" • Swingweight: D3 712U 4-iron: • Loft: 24º • Lie: 61.5º • Offset: 0.150" • Bounce: 0º • Stnd Length: 38.50" • Swingweight: D3

“During the development of 712U, we worked closely with our tour players to design a utility iron that delivers a great combination of consistency and control,” said Steve Pelisek, General Manager, Titleist Golf Clubs. “The deeper CG results in a higher MOI that increases stability at impact, helping players achieve more consistent distance and trajectory control, whether hitting shots high or low.

“With the 712U being so well received out on tour, we decided to make the club available through custom order for those players that need or prefer this type of long game yardage and trajectory solution,” Pelisek said.

The 712U has a traditional profile with a rounded back design that is preferred in the address position over cavity back long irons with more offset. Players will gain added confidence at address from a club head that is slightly larger than the 2-iron, 3-iron and 4-iron Titleist MB and CB (712 Series) models.

The club is chrome plated and features a satin finish.

The new Titleist 712U is available by custom order only beginning May 15 with a suggested base retail price of $235 (MAP: $209) with a steel shaft and $259 (MAP: $229) with a graphite shaft.