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Posted: November 18, 2009
Titleist Brand Ambassador Zach Johnson closed out his 2009 PGA Tour season with a T9 finish at the Children's Miracle Network Classic in Florida. The finish was his ninth top ten of the season, including wins at the Sony Open in Hawaii and the Valero Texas Open. The Disney event was Zach's first with a new set of Titleist irons that includes the new AP1 4-iron as well as new AP2 5 through 9-irons.
Prior to the Disney event, Chris Tuten from the Titleist Leadership Team met with Zach and other members of Zach's team to review his 2009 performance. One area of Zach's game they felt could improve is his ball-striking from 175-200 yards. Zach's average ball speed (for PGA Tour standards) and shallow attack angle produce a 4-iron trajectory that is too low for accurate shots to firm greens. Chris suggested that Zach try the new AP1 4-iron to create a trajectory that better matches his 909F2 fairways, 909H hybrid, and new AP2 mid and short irons. The thin face, dual cavity design of the AP1 combines with a tungsten nickel sole bar to push the CG low and promote a high and lively ball flight. The new AP1 4-iron allows Zach to hit the "trajectory window" he prefers and produces the high ball flight required to hit it closer on long shots to firm greens. Importantly, he can still control the ball flight with this club for shots requiring a lower trajectory.
Zach commented, "I felt that 2009 was a very good season for me. But there is always room for improvement, and the changes I've made with my Titleist AP irons have me really excited to get going in 2010."
Watch for Zach during the Challenge Season at the Chevron World Challenge (December 3-6) and The Shark Shootout (December 11-13). New Titleist AP irons are now available in golf shops. Sets can be mixed (combination of different models) when ordering through Titleist Custom. Please see your preferred Titleist Golf Shop for more details.
What's in Zach's Bag: Driver: 909D2 (8.5°) - Mitsubishi Diamana Blue 73 Fairways: 909F2 (13.5°) - Mitsubishi Diamana White 73; 909F2 (18.5°) - Fujikura ZCOM Pro95 Hybrid: 909H (21°) - Fujikura Speeder 904HB Irons: AP1 (4), AP2 (5-9) - Dynamic Gold X100 (soft-stepped) Wedges: Vokey Design Spin Milled C-C (48-06, 54-12), Spin Milled 60-V - Dynamic Gold
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Yeah zach!
JET wrote on November 19, 2009 at 11:11PM
Hey Zach,
I noticed you use a 48 degree wedge. The standard AP2 9 iron has a 47 degree loft. Do you have your irons bent strong and if so how many degrees and why?
JET wrote on November 26, 2009 at 7:11PM
Patrick-
The standard AP2 9-iron loft is actually 43° - the AP2 PW has the 47° loft. Zach's irons are standard spec in terms of loft.
JET wrote on December 2, 2009 at 6:12PM
Hello Zach !!
I wonder how you fit your iron's lie angle and length?
JET wrote on January 21, 2010 at 7:01AM
Kyu-yeon-
Zach's irons are standard length, and his lie angles vary: 4-5 iron are 3° flat, 6-9 irons are 2.5° flat, and the wedges are 2° flat.
JET wrote on January 22, 2010 at 6:01PM
I have often thought of combining the AP1 in the longer irons and the AP2 irons in the shorter irons. My question is what kind of distance gap change did you experience when changing to an AP1 4-iron relative to your AP2 5-iron, compared to the distance gap between a straight AP2 4-iron to 5-iron? Or was the change more in just ball flight?
JET wrote on February 10, 2010 at 8:02PM
Neal-
The switch to the AP1 4-iron for Zach was about creating a playable trajectory while also meeting his yardage gap needs between his 21° 909H hybrid and AP2 5-iron. If you are thinking about a new set of Titleist irons, we recommend that you also work with a fitter to help you determine the appropriate model, specs and set composition.
JET wrote on February 11, 2010 at 12:02AM