Titleist U-Series ramps up utility performance

Utility irons certainly aren’t new to the game of golf, but in recent years they have become more relevant. And the reason for that is technology.

Until recently, utility irons, or driving irons as they were often referred to, were primarily sought after only by better players or those looking for a specialty club that could be hit low and straight in windy or firm conditions.

But with the significant advancements that have been made in golf club construction and the availability of new materials, golf manufacturers are now creating utility irons that are viable alternatives to hybrids and more lofted fairway woods for golfers of all ability levels when it comes to replacing the traditional long irons that very few golfers have in their bags these days.

Among the companies that have invested significant resources in the utility club market is Titleist, and its new U-500 and U-510 utility offerings are providing impressive performance attributes and ample playability, while also fitting a wide array of golfers.

“The utility category is growing, and it’s primarily growing because people are able to hit these products now,” said Josh Talge, Vice President of Marketing for Titleist Golf Clubs. “We have technology that we’re able to pack into these products that allows regular golfers to really be able to expand their game.”

Added Talge: “There are a lot of golfers out there who don’t want to play a hybrid but are searching for that type of performance. They want to be able to launch it higher and farther, shape shots, (and) land it close to the hole. They just want to do it with an iron. Everything that went into U-500 and U-510 was geared toward giving these golfers the performance, look, and feel they’ve always hoped for in a long iron and maybe didn’t think was possible.”

Highlighting the performance of the new U-Series utility irons are some shared technologies.

Both the U-500 and the U-510 feature more than 90 grams of tungsten weight that has been positioned low and deep in the clubhead to create high MOI and effortless launch.

Additionally both models feature a thin, forged SUP10 face insert, which is creating exceptional ball speed from across the clubface.

Beyond those commonalities, however, the U-500 and U-510 are very different animals, most notably in terms of their profiles and shaping.

“U-500 is the incredibly versatile utility iron that tour players have been asking for,” said Marni Ines, Titleist Director of Iron Development. “It shares a similar size and shape to our prior generation T-MB iron but has been completely reimagined to give players specialized long iron performance. It’s faster, launches higher, lands softer, and feels better. From what we’re seeing on Tour, it’s a club that can be hit almost as high as you want or as low as you want.”

As for the U-510, Ines offered this description: “U-510 is the launch king. The larger shape and wide sole allowed us to place the tungsten so that the CG is lower and further back than any iron we’ve developed. It’s a very stable and forgiving golf club. During consumer testing, golfers couldn’t believe the shots they were hitting with a 1-iron or 2-iron; they would just turn around and smile.”

Players can also expect to see a bit more offset in the U-510 when compared to the U-500, making it easier to turn over, while the U-500 will typically produce a more muted sound and feel at impact that is more reminiscent of a traditional forged iron.

Both the U-500 and U-510 also come stock with the True Temper HZRDUS Smoke Black, a graphite shaft that was chosen to further promote speed and launch. That said, there are other shafts available for players to choose from based on their specific needs.

There are also a number of different loft options to choose from with each model. The U-500 is available in lofts of 17, 20, and 23 degrees, while the U-510 is offered in 16, 18, 20, and 22 degrees.

So how should golfers, especially those who might not have the opportunity to get professionally fit for either of the new U-Series utility options, go about making a decision between the two?

“We would typically say if you’ve got a little bit more speed and you really like a traditional iron, let’s look at U-500 first,” Talge said. “If you’re someone who sweeps it a little bit, if you’re a little bit more shallow and you do need some help getting the ball up in the air, U-510 is a great option.”

Titleist U-500 and U-510 utility irons are available for order and shipping now.