I just picked up a set of 716 CBs (5-9) at a handicap just under 20. I've kept my RSi 2s as a backup that I keep in the second Jeep.

I wanted a smaller club head to help force be to become a better ball striker. I was originally toying with a CB/MB mix or an AP2/CB mix, but I just fell in love with the CBs. My accuracy and distance on pure and mis-hits were all higher with the CBs. I expected this from the MBs, but I was really shocked at how comparable the CBs were to the AP2s and even AP1s.

I'm not sure if T-CBs would fit a demographic that AP1s, AP2s or T-MBs don't already fill.

"This widens your CB market to higher handicap players like me who are not perfect ball strikers but want to play prettier clubs."

Are AP2s not considered 'prettier'? If not, then are the T-MBs not considered 'prettier'? If not, then I could see requesting that T-MBs to not have a second color on the sole.

The T-MBs are pretty nice and launch a lot higher than I expected. I was really missing a 4 iron since my 5-9 CB purchase, I was playing a 22 hybrid with too stiff of a shaft. I took the leap and picked up a T-MB 4 iron. I was hitting it with a max height of 13 yard on a simulator. I got on the course and was hitting moon shots with this thing. A perfect gap between my 19/20 degree hybrid and my 26 degree 5 iron. This is great off the tee for the two longish par 3s at my home course which range between 160 (shortest white) to 210 (longest blue).

I actually think you're creating another niche market in and of itself. I play CB's and if they add a micron of offset to those, I'm off to another iron. The AP1 fits the higher handicapper nicely and is a good looking iron. If all you're concerned about is the perception of a GI iron vs. a players iron, I think you need to re-arange your priorities. In 5 different iron offerings, Titleist has pretty much covered the entire spectrum of ability levels and if you want to move into a "CB looking" iron, improve your ball striking and you'll really start to appreciate why the CB line is built exactly the way it is. Cheers.

LB, at what point would you consider this idea to be over-saturating the market with too many products? There's already an evenly distributed product line that's already being put out by Titleist to appeal to all of the major market segments. The introduction of yet another iron, would be more confusing to the entire consumer group than appealing to the "big market" you describe.

Question: Why don't you consider the AP2 to fill this void that you believe to be there? The AP2 provides the look and feel preferred by better players, with added forgiveness needed by others w/ an offset and tungsten weighting.

I believe there isn't tungsten in the lower irons b/c R&D found that there was less need in these irons for the forgiveness on off-center strikes like there is in the longer irons. If there was an need for it, I'm sure they would have implemented it in at least one of the CB, AP2, or AP1 lines in the shorter irons... don't you think?

Suggestion: If you like the looks of the CB line, why not get fit to mix up your bag with AP1/2s in the longer irons, and to fulfill your want... see if CBs in the 8-PW are recommended by the fitter for your shorter irons.

You can always MOTO the T-MB for a full set, which again, is another option to fill the void you believe to be present in their product line.

I would have to disagree w/ this idea, but that's just my opinion.

One novel idea from another OEM is they released 2 new forged models in their GI/SGI line of the 15-35 handicap irons. I might have just dismissed your concept except I'm guilty of what you say. When it came down to all else equal getting fit for my first set of real irons, it was between the AP1 and G15. I picked the Titleist primarily because the sole didn't look like a pontoon boat. Turns out it was a right decision for many reasons, but that was the biggest factor.

CBs have very little forgiveness compared to AP1. They are somewhat of a specialized club, just as the MBs are, neither of which is targeted at mid-high cappers. People who can handle CBs do not want to be playing offset irons. They want accuracy when they hit it perfect, and are typically capable of hitting it on the sweetspot most of the time. They want a nice small compact head for workable control, both left and right. CBs are night and day away from AP1s in look, design and feel.

People who play AP2s typically are looking for a little more forgiveness than the CB can offer, but still with a small sleeker head so workability is still an option. Better players like these for the same reasons they like CBs, but can take advantage of the added forgiveness. Most of the Titleist Tour players game these, though there are still many who use CBs and MBs as well.

The new AP1s are very forgiving, more so than ever before, yet look much less chunky than they used to and are the right club for most mid-high handicappers. I am a 9-10 hdcp. I use the new AP2 716s (after playing AP2 712s for 4 years) which I hit well. However, since I am not as consistent as a scratch golfer might be with my longer irons, I play an AP1 5i for the added help on slight mishits, of which an AP2 might rob me of 20 yards. Though I too like the look of CBs, I know it's best to stick with what I have proven works well for me. I still look down at the AP2 and see a nice small blade with thin topline, just like the CB. In fact, at address, you can't see any difference between the AP2 and CB. At least none to speak of.

I can assure you Titleist has no interest in "dumbing down" their successful CBs, nor would it likely even be possible due to the blade-style, players-type design. The CBs were never intended for the mass market. The AP2s and AP1s fill that role.

If you want something less bulky, consider an AP2, but as a higher handicapper, expect to lose lots of yardage except on that rare perfect swing and center contact. At least you won't lose quite as much as with a CB.