50 Words or Less
The Titleist 718 T-MB irons are a niche club that are designed to have Tour looks and feel with greater distance.
Introduction
A quick browse through the Titleist website shows that they currently offer seven different iron models between the 718 series and the C16. Yes, this does seem like a lot of different options, but each iron model caters to a different player’s requirements. Some focus on forgiveness while others key in on shot control and precision feel. The Titleist 718 T-MB is unique in that it combines game improvement elements like a hollow body and tungsten weighting while still appearing to be a player’s iron. For players looking for the magic space between extra yards and player’s characteristics, the T-MB is worth diving into.
Looks
At address, the Titleist 718 T-MB looks a lot like the 718 CB. The head is more compact with minimal offset and a crisp leading edge. Kudos to Titleist in blending that topline into the back of the club. The topline really isn’t all that thin but Titleist did a great job of making it look as if it is.
If you take a look at the back of the club, you may get the impression the T-MB is more of a forgiving, game improvement iron. This is for good reason. The body is hollow and the face is unsupported so the back of the club has a touch more bulge than you’d expect from a player’s iron.
Sound & Feel
Coming into this review, I had some assumptions about what to expect. I thought that given the design of the Titleist 718 T-MB, they would sound and feel a little hollow and slappy. Was I wrong. The sound is very solid like you would expect from a pure forged iron. A poorly struck shot sounds like a rock, while a center hit gives you a good click.
Players familiar with the feel of the 718 CB will find the T-MB to be similar in the longer irons. The T-MB short irons have a little less firmness than the CB but still provide plenty of feedback. If you are expecting the T-MB to feel lively and forgiving, you will be disappointed. The feel is very responsive and precise like a player’s iron should be.
Performance
When considering performance, it’s important to remember what the Titleist T-MB was designed for. I’ve seen a lot of players put the T-MB in the bag for their longer irons with the idea that they provide more forgiveness. The reality is that the T-MB was designed to give you more distance, not more forgiveness. A player that’s comfortable with a forged cavity back long iron but wants more yardage would be a perfect fit.
My testing delivered these exact results. When comparing “apples to apples” shots between 718 CB and T-MB irons, I was getting about ten more yards with the T-MB in the long irons. With the short irons, I was getting about five more yards. Additionally, I was also able to shape and control my shots with the T-MB very similar to the CB. I felt like I was able to feel and manipulate the ball a bit better with the CB, but that’s likely just my preference.
Conclusion
I think the Titleist 718 T-MB is an interesting club, but I would strongly emphasize getting a proper fitting. In my case, there are definite distance gains in the longer irons. My gains with the short irons were less significant. Other players will certainly benefit from the extra yards through the whole set. I feel the T-MB is going to thrive the most in a combo set for good ball strikers looking to pick a few extra yards up in the 2-4 iron slot. If you don’t believe me, take a look at where you see the T-MB in the bags on Tour. These guys can appreciate the extra yards without sacrificing playability in their long games.
Buy Titleist 718 T-MB Irons HERE
Titleist 718 T-MB Irons Spec & Price
Bill Bush
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I have been playing the t-mb irons since Jan 2018 absolutely the best irons for me personally. Have been playing Titleist since 1996. Thank you they are remarkable.
I’m 3 months off my 70th birthday and find that my clubhead speed has degenerated accordingly probably by two clubs.Playing off a handicap of 1 this is a problem.Recently I purchased a tmb 4 iron with 5.5 flex project x 115 gram shaft and this has given me an extra 10 yards on titleist AP2 4 iron.Am considering replacing both my AP2 3 and 5 irons even though this will mess up my existing gaping do you think that I should bite the bullet and purchase the whole set.With my present AP2 7 iron l achieve 150 yards and with the rest of the set there is ten yards differential.Advice please.
Graham,
If retaining distance is a priority, my advice would be to take your current irons and the T-MB to a high quality fitter and get fit. The T-MB is a fine iron, but there are a world of options out there worth considering.
Best,
Matt
I have the 3 and 4 iron in a combo set of 5/wedge ap2 original and vokey gap and 56deg.sand iron.
Normally I leave out the 3 iron as I can hit the 4 iron around 200 yards which for gapping purposes fits in with my gapping needs and also as I carry means less clubs in the bag.
Hi I’ve now got the full set of tmb 718 irons 3 through to 10 and have fitted Nippon 950 GB regular shafts I find that the softer lighter shafts give a higher ball flight and the mis hits are far less destructive.
I purchased my TMB’S Irons in 2018, love the feel and look.
I turned 60 Years Old this Year and i found that my Irons were a little heavy in weight and not striking the ball well + loosing distance.
2 Months ago i had my shafts changed from the Project X LZ 55/115g to Graphite Shafts done Professionally in a fitment Golf Centre, what a difference………My Irons are lighter in weight and i am now striking the Golf Ball well. Titleist Golf Equipment is just the best……….