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What’s new? How much does it cost? And how does it perform? Jack Backhouse brings you the low down on the new Callaway X Forged Utility Iron
The 2023 Titleist U505 utility iron is Titleist’s oversized utility driving iron, designed to launch slightly higher and a touch more forgiving than the T200 iron version. So, how does it perform? Find out in our Titleist U505 utility iron review.
This is the most playable driving iron you can buy. It’s a big call, but I’m fairly certain about it. The Titleist engineers have taken some input from tour pros and improved the club I wasn’t sure could be improved.
If you want to put a driving iron in the bag but maybe have always struggled with consistency of strike, you absolutely must get out and try the new Titleist U505. It is big behind the ball, but the results are too good to ignore.
PROS
CONS
I’m quite open about that, despite the ridiculously impressive performance of the old U505 utility iron, I was not in love with the way it looks. Now I could happily ignore that part of my brain because the ball flight and carry distance were so impressive, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t prefer clubs that have some kind of sex appeal.
The new Titleist 2023 U505 utility iron has been redesigned and now ticks all the right boxes for me. The back of the club is now much cleaner and the head has been made shorter from heel to toe after some tour player feedback. This is a club you want in your bag and would be proud to show it off.
If you would have told the 15-year-old version of myself that one day I would be travelling down to Titleist’s European Performance Centre at Woburn to test out their new T-Series irons and driving irons, I probably would have asked you how you could possibly have known what I dream about at night.
But on a hot June summer’s day that dream came true, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the new driving irons. At the end of a burnt, dry June there’s no club in my bag that’s seen more action than the driving iron. I use it for tee shots and second shots as it they undoubtedly boost my long iron game.
I was sold on the new Titleist 2023 U505 utility iron after my first shot. Not only are the looks vastly improved, but the performance is right up there, as you’d expect. The ball has a high, explosive launch thanks to its re-engineered chassis with a new lower centre of gravity. This also boosts speed on mishits to keep performance high on poor swings.
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The second shot I hit was a carbon copy of the first one, and I couldn’t believe how good contact felt. The boffins in the lab at Titleist have refined Max Impact Technology (polymer button behind the clubface) with added dampening in the muscle badge to guide the frequencies created at impact into the ideal range. It’s nice that a club as powerful as this still feels like the forged Titleist iron feel you expect.
The U505 has a much wider sole than the T200 utility iron, but this year Titleist have refined the ‘Variable Bounce Sole’ by softening the trailing edge to allow the club to flow faster through the turf, even after contact. This just gives you more of a chance out of the semi and rough, which is a great benefit.
Just look at my Trackman data! Average ball speed of 150mph, which is 3pmh more than the old model, 237 yards carry and 257 yards total distance on average. During summer, I genuinely could use this club from the tee and not carry any woods. The peak height and spin are the pièce de résistance of this club as I always struggle with low spin with these clubs, but not with this.
This golf club comes with 3 shaft options, 2 of Titleist’s premium graphite shafts are Graphite Design and will cost you a bit more, and the standard shaft is a Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX is a great option at a lower price.
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There are also a number of lofts available, coming in 1,2,3,4 long iron replacement heads. These clubs are not just for fast swingers looking for a driving iron to use from the tee either, they are really easy to hit and launch golfers who want rid of their standard long irons should give these a go as well.
This is the easiest-to-hit, high-launching driving iron out on the market right now, and you should go buy one.
Available: Now
RRP: £249
Right-handed lofts: 16°, 18°, 20°, 22°
Shafts: Regular, stiff, extra stiff
More information: Titleist website
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