Titleist 695CB Lofts

[msm210]

Titleist Pro's - need your help!

I'm in the market for new irons this year, with my choices narrowed down to the Bridgestone J33CB, Mizuno MP33 or MP60, and the Titleist 695CB. In reviewing the 2006 Titleist brochure, I noticed the 695CB lofts were 2* stronger than last years 690CB irons.

I understand that CB irons have a higher trajectory than pure blades, but what differences has Titleist made in the 695CB irons that would cause them to be 2* stronger? How much lower ball flight is to be expected. For the record, my ball flight is normally high as my current irnons(TM Tour Burner) are 2* stronger than standard.

I've read previous threads that outline the differences between the 690 andn 695's, but I have not seen this issue addressed.

Thanks for your help,
Mike

[ac49801]

I would add that I'm in the same boat and have the same question. I am also thinking of the 695MB's. I was leaning towards the CB's but now I don't know what to do. I am looking at the same sets listed above. My handicap is a 2 and ball flight is higher (SS 122mph). Please give us some help. Thanks.

[wrayner]

The reason Titleist delofted the clubs was because all of the tour players were saying that they love the irons but would prefer them to have a lower, more penetrating ball flight. Titleist being Titleist and listening to their players did this. I have hit them and I have hit the 690s and the ball flight is not drastic but you can tell that it is a little lower. Anymore questions feel free to ask.

[Vandal]

Does the change in loft add distance?

[TRB151]

The change in loft definately adds distance. Look at it this way. A standard 2 iron used to be 19 Degrees. The 3 iron in the 695CB is 20 degrees. One degree difference from the old 2 iron. I used to have to choose between my 2 iron and a 4th wedge from course to course, but with the new lofts of the 695CB I can dump the 2 iron and put the 50, 55, and 60 degree back in and loose virtually nothing from my 690.CB set. So while I would still like to see the 48 degree pitching wedge I think the jump to 46 degree makes more sense then a 47 degree PW. That is why I am getting my new 735.CM lofted 1 degree strong.

 

My2Cents

 

Tim

[stokepoges]

Would it be reasonable to have the lofts weakened 2 degrees to more traditional Lofts?

 

I see that the bounce angles are different than the MB.

 

By weakening the lofts, you would add to the bounce, correct?

 

I am interested in these clubs and feel that I would get the slightly higher ball flight from a more standard loft arrangement.

I'll be really disappointed if the forgiveness is minimized due to the stronger lofts and that bending them wrecks the playability of a forged cavity back.

 

My sense is that a forged cavity back is geared to those that need a little more help than the balde player while still enjoying the feel benefits.

[pegleg]

I hit them last night, and IMO they're almost the same iron as the 690•CB. They appear to have just a little less offset, though the specs say they have a little more (in the short irons)...

 

The strong lofts are apparent (2° strong to 690•CB), which is allright trajectory-wise in the short irons. I couldn't tell distance since it was a dome. But hitting the 3 iron, I felt like I was hitting a 2 iron.

 

I would think that in time the 690•CB will be considered to have been a better design. If they wanted to lower ballflight, they should have put more weight high in the cavity...

 

The 695•MB, however, I found to be an improvement on the 690•MB, and I think will be a very popular blade. I think this is the special iron in their lineup. The 660s are nice, too, but my first set would be the 695•MB

[stokepoges]

But hitting the 3 iron, I felt like I was hitting a 2 iron.

 

That's what I'm talking about - I don't want that sensation or the probable results.

 

In the sense of altering the bounce and leading edge, the actual geometry of the club, I would really love to hear an educated scenario of the outcome of altering the lofts back to 690.cb specs.

 

If the effects would be minimal, I'm ordering mine with 22 degree 3iron, 28 degree 5iron, 48 degree PW, etc.

 

I would love to hear any additional input and thanks.

[Konklifer]

Pegleg,

 

I've never hit the 690's so can you give me some idea of forgiveness, playability of the 695 CB's? Thanks.

[pegleg]

I wouldn't think weakening the lofts by 2° would be recommended, the added bounce might be awkward, especially on the short irons (which is really where the problem is). If you want to go nuts, you could then have the soles ground, but it would be easier and cheaper to buy 690•CB instead. Honestly, I might guess that the 695s weakened might hit the ball higher than the standard 690•CBs.

 

Konklifer - Both CBs are pretty forgiving, given a 'player's cavity' design. I especially find them forgiving on thin hits, as they get good distance and spin (When I say 'thin', I'm thinking halfway between solid and bladed). I've actually hit a number of 'great' short irons that were actually really thin. The long irons are, to me, almost as forgiving as the 704s. Almost... (which would be like the TM 320s).

 

Personally I find them superior to the Cobra CBs that everyone was so crazy about (the original forged ones). Not as forgiving as most Pings, more forgiving than a lot of other forged 'player's' CBs.

 

Playability, they can work the ball left or right, but low is a little harder. The short irons especially, IMO, are high ball clubs. Not ballooning (which I found in the RAC LTs). I've been playing the 690•CB since 2003, and have gone from a 14 to an 8.8 with them. If they're not in the bag this year all the time, it's for a set of 735s...