With the launch of the new 716 irons, the success stories are already starting to roll in. And here’s a great one from Titleist Staff member Pete Dunham.
Pete is the Director of Golf at Snee Farm CC and Rivertowne CC in Mt. Pleasant, SC. Pete’s new 716 AP2 irons showed up on his doorstep this week and the first trip to the course with his new setup in the bag was certainly a memorable one… here’s what Pete had to say:
Receiving my new 716 AP2 irons last week was bitter sweet … I was excited to be getting the new clubs, but tendonitis in my elbow had been keeping mostly away from the course, and definitely off the driving range.
While getting fit, Billy Forbes set me up with the new 716 AP2 irons with Aerotech SteelFiber Shafts. My control seemed equal to my old Dynamic Gold S300, but I was pleased that the shots seemed less jarring to my elbow.
Just after the clubs arrived I got an invite to play Yeaman's Hall Club in Charleston, SC, one of the classic courses in the country, and no doubt my favorite course to play in the Low Country. Fantastic, but I woke up Tuesday morning feel terrible. Sore throat, fever, etc. I went into work to try and get as much completed as possible before my trek out to Yeaman's. If I were playing most any other course, no doubt I would have canceled due to illness.
Beware of the sick golfer, right? Well it was a pretty classic case. Sick golfer, away from work, at his favorite course in the area, beautiful day and two good friends to tee it up with!
I was hitting the ball well when we stepped up to No. 6. I was happy to see the tees were up, because I've struggled with this hole in the past. It's called the 'redan hole', and the green is wicked. It has a massive false front, and an even larger bank that slings the ball either towards or away from the hole, depending on talent (or luck?).
Usually, I overthink the shot, and struggle to make a 3. Today, the pin was in a perfect place for me. It was back left, on a flat area, but more importantly, in an area where I felt like I did not have to mess with the false front or the huge slope in the middle-back of the green. As I teed up my Pro V1x, I decided to hit a small fade, hitting it high over the front bunker and letting it get pin high, left of the hole.
It was 167 yards with my shiny new 716 AP2 6-iron. Never-been-hit 6-iron. Plenty of club, I hit it flush...and straight. I immediately thought of 'shot tracker'. It was high with maybe a yard or two of fade...maybe. It was one of those shots that you know is good, on the green, and pretty close. Good enough where you just pick up your tee and start walking.
The ball hit about 3 yards short of the pin. Paul Lyons and I were fist-bumping the nice shot and Scott Davis was saying 'great shot' and more importantly, he was still watching.
"That went in!" He shouted. "That's in!"
Paul and I turned to look, and it was definitely clear that we could not see the ball any more. Still not convinced, I grabbed my range finder and scanned the area. Nothing. Now my heart was racing. We were pumped, but have all played the game long enough to know that you don’t celebrate until you have confirmation.
By the time we walked up on the green, we knew. No sign of my #4 Pro V1x anywhere around. Hole-In-One! Awesome.
I was still feeling ill so part of me wanted to walk to the clubhouse, which was now just across the street, and sit down and soak it in, but I knew I needed to keep playing. Now nervous, I hit a great drive on #7, and finished the round hitting every green on the back nine. I shot a 68 for the day. Hole-In-One validated in style!
I've been playing AP2's for four years. My new 716 AP2s look and feel great. They have a great soft feel with the new shafts and I have tremendous confidence in my shot shaping. Playing Yeaman's, making a hole-in-one, and hitting all greens on the back nine is a great way to start and I can't wait to continue playing these irons.
- Pete Dunham, Director of Golf at Snee Farm CC and Rivertowne CC