50 Words or Less
The Titleist C16 irons are good irons but they don’t merit the giant price tag.
Introduction
For better or worse, PXG dramatically changed the way golf clubs are priced. By finding success with clubs that cost double what other OEMs charge, they showed the rest of the industry that there’s a market for sticks with massive price tags. Thus was born the Titleist C16 iron – a Titleist iron with a PXG price tag.
Looks
In terms of size, the Titleist C16 irons fall between the AP1 and AP2. Titleist, of course, focuses on the comparison with the AP1 so that they can emphasize the “slightly narrower sole, thinner topline, and shorter blade length.” None of those statements are inaccurate, but they shouldn’t be taken to mean that the C16 is a tiny iron – it’s firmly in the middle of the pack.
One clever visual element of the C16 is that the top line is partially matte (like the face) and partially chrome (like the back). This has the effect of making the top line look much thinner than it is.
Sound & Feel
After hitting the Titleist C16 for a while, my conclusion was that every shot felt ok. Hitting it really flush isn’t that rewarding, but misses are barely punished. Mishits still feel soft, not stinging. You’re not going to confuse a toe shot with a centered one, but the feedback is far from precise.
Performance
If you read Titleist’s description of the C16 irons, you’d think that they had reinvented the wheel. It’s buzzword bingo: “multi-material hollow construction,” “maximum carry distance,” “increased ball speed,” “greater consistency,” and I’ve barely scratched the surface.
I’m going to skip the technical bits and marketing jargon to give it to you plainly: this is a fine iron, but it’s not special. Is it forgiving? Sure, but no more so than a half dozen other irons that look just as good. Is it long? Absolutely, but no longer than other irons with similar specs. This is not a top secret, USGA-defying prototype, it’s a solid iron with a new marketing pitch.
Conclusion
The Titleist C16 irons are a fine set of clubs, but there’s nothing here that merits the $3000 price tag. What’s being sold here is exclusivity, or at least the appearance thereof. If you want to pay for performance, you’re much better off getting a proper club fitting for the shaft and head that are best for you.
Titleist C16 Irons Price & Specs
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
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Not sure whether you hate PXG or just expensive golf clubs. A review should be about what’s good and what’s bad about the clubs, not about the worth or value of the clubs. Everyones’ price point is different so why make it sound so negative?
Just a thought.
Erik,
I don’t hate anything – it’s just golf. What I dislike are products that deliver poor value: huge prices without matching performance benefits.
-Matt
Matt, couldn’t agree more with your take on this issue! At least PXG put a lot of their own R&D and innovation into their clubs! Looks like Titlest just decided to do a modified knockoff! Hope this isn’t the future of golf products!!!
As always PIG call it how they see it rather than the “oohs and aaahs” of many other reviewers who often regurgitate the marketing information. Without a doubt the reviewers I trust the most! Cheers Lads! I continue to look forward to your reviews.
Already a bunch of C16 stuff on eBay…when’s the last time Titleist has put out something with something new universal buzz/approval besides Vokey? AP1/2 I suppose?
Mitch,
Interesting question. Titleist has some of the most loyal fans, so all their releases generate buzz among that group. Outside of their base? Original AP1/AP2 and/or 910 metalwoods sounds about right.
Best,
Matt
Great review Matt. Sometimes it hurts, but sometimes it’s refreshing to see a review that tells it like it is. No fluff just the facts!
Hello
I have played titleist AP2 (both 714& currently 716 model) and last week tested AP2 with a different shaft option against c16. I am age 52 for reference and play off a handicap of 3. I improved my stats with the new shaft on the AP2 but I got 10% improvement with the C16 which I think is significant. I loved the looks of the c16 and to me the feel was good.
What other irons would give me the same length, foregiveness and looks as the C16. Seriously considering them, just need to cancel the family holiday to cover the cost!!!
Harry,
If distance is at a premium, I would consider the Callaway Apex irons, the Srixon Z 765, and the PING i200 w/Power Specs.
Best,
Matt
Just had a club fitting at the Titleist facility at Manchester lane June 27th. Tried all the clubs, irons/shaft combos as well as my current gamers and the best fit for me were the c16’s over the TMB’s and Ap2’s. I was surprised but the proof was in the numbers and I loved the look and feel of the c16’s. Moving out of TM RSI2’s, 36 yr old male, 4.5 handicap. Keeping my current driver and wedges, new irons, woods and hybrid. Money well spent in my mind.
Just needed to re-grip one club and it’s a mess. My C16s have a cap in the end and the current grip is unique with a hole in the end to fit over the cap without covering it (allows for counterweights apparently). The proper grip is no longer being manufactured (after less than a year?????). After getting both my club and the manufacturer’s rep involved I have to send the irons back to Titleist to have them remove the end cap (special tool) and re-grip with standard grips. Very poor service for clubs that cost this much. I have yet to hear whether Titleist is doing the work as warranty or I have to pay for all the grip work.
Don,
That’s crazy! I had not heard that before about the C16 irons, but I’m glad you shared it with it. That’s a definite negative to putting these irons in the bag.
Best,
Matt
I am an 11 handicap. I have a moderate swing speed 88-90. I played PXG 0311s for 2 years. They are good irons. They fly high, feel soft and offer good distance. I had no complaints about them. Then I tried the C16s at a demo day. For me they felt better, went further and had tighter dispersion. Both clubs have Steel Fiber i70 regular shafts. The real point here is that different clubs will work better for different swings. I could be very happy with either set but prefer the C16s.
BTW the set I have were purchased used on EBay ( and authenticated by Titleist) for a fraction of the original cost . When you are considering either C16 or PXG there is no value proposition at the original prices.
Played the 714 AP1s for two seasons, then went to AP3 irons. Came across a set of C16 irons in mint condition for a good price and after two rounds they became a permanent fixture in the bag. Great feel, very long and forgiving on off center hits. Knowing what I do now, I would not hesitate to pay full price
I find it somewhat amusing that all the negative comments are by folks that don’t game the irons. Other than Matt’s review that is. And I get his point about the cost. But all those here who actually play the irons all speak highly of their performance. I tend to value opinions of those who actually use a product. Just my two cents. I go have a set of these irons. Matt is correct that there is not a huge difference in feel on a tie or heel hit versus the sweet spot. But there is a difference once you play them for awhile. And again he is right that these clubs don’t sting your hands on a miss hit. Which I like.
I hit the PXG irons and for me I did not like the feel of them. But I’m sure for some folks it works well. That’s why there are so many types of clubs out there. Cheers
These are the best performing irons I’ve ever owned. And I’ve owned almost all of them. I have a Trackman and E6 simulator in my garage. I have 6 sets of these irons with different shafts, from DG X100 Tour Issue, KBS Tour X100’s to the stock Nippon’s. People that hit them can’t believe the feel, playability, spin, and distance. Four people have purchased them after hitting them.
Dad passed away and I inherited nearly a new set of C16’s w graphite shafts. Many told me to sell them and get a new set. I was fitted and Titleist installed new KBS shafts. Sure glad I did. The best irons I have ever played. Feel like dad is on the course with me too.
I am not a great golfer, at age 76, and with an index that bounces around in the mid teens. I bought a set of C 16 irons several years ago. They were fitted with graphite shafts for me. They are undoubtedly the best irons I have ever played, and I have had a number of sets. The feel is superb. They are just for giving enough to be ideal for my game. They look lovely. For some reason Titleist gave me somewhat of a discount, but given my experience with them I would not have regretted paying full price.
Hi Matt
I’ve gamed the C16’s when they first came out. Purchased them at the Demo day and got a nice discount on the set. Having them now going on 4 years thought I’d share my experience. I’ve been playing golf on and off for 60 years now. I’m 74 now and in decent shape still. I play to about a 12 handicap. The irons are very accurate. Although for me I don’t get quite the distance as some of the longer irons. But what I do get is an easy high launch where the ball lands softly on the green. I actually have to club up occasionally if I’m in between distances Everybody’s swing is different I know, but I’ve never had an iron that is so easy to get up in the air before and be as accurate as it has been. I’m very happy still with the set. Luckily I received a good discount originally on the purchase. I enjoy your reviews. Happy Holidays