Lee Trevino once said that God himself couldn’t hit a 1-iron.
He probably hasnt tried the Titleist U505 irons. This Titleist U505 Driving Iron Review will show you why these clubs are so great for everyday golfers.
If you hate your long irons and don’t love hybrids either, this is a great alternative. This club is a great option for most golfers due to its graphite shafts and design.
Review Titleist U505 Driving Iron
Let’s face it, long irons are hard to hit – even for great players. Which means they’re 10x harder to hit for weekend warriors.
Luckily, Titleist didn’t forget about the everyday golfer and makes some of the best long iron replacements available. Their newest driving iron, the U505, can make a huge difference in your game and confidence when you are hitting long shots. The new U505 is our favorite driving iron on the market, and its not surprising.
These are the Key Takeaways
- Titleist offers one of the largest ranges of utility and hybrid irons among all golf manufacturers.
- The U505 driving iron is a great replacement for hard to hit long irons as they’re much more forgiving and high launching.
- The U505 comes standard with a hybrid graphite shaft, which makes it easier for you to swing faster and launches the ball higher.
- Better golfers will likely benefit more from the T200 Utility Build as it’s smaller and more compact than the U505.
Continue reading to find out why we love this driving rod and how it can transform your long-game.
A true utility club
The clubs first advantage is its ability to do it all. As Titleist said, “Drawing on input from Tour Pros, it provides the high, explosive launch of a utility but with a refined design that offers a more iron-like look, feel and sound.”
This iron is bigger than the T200 (more details coming up), but smaller that a hybrid. It is extremely versatile, has a high launch, feels great, and can be used from almost any lie.
It looks like something a Tour player could use, despite it being a utility iron. Here’s what Titleist said about the design, “Based on player input, we designed U•505 with a shorter blade, shallow face and a wide sole to maintain maximum versatility while moving towards a look that feels more in line with the rest of the clubs in your bag.”
Long irons are more effective at launching than long irons
The biggest problem with traditional long irons is that most golfers don’t have the speed to launch them high enough. If the ball is hit well, this can lead to a lack confidence and a lower flight.
This is because long irons come with standard shafts that match your other irons. Titleist changed the shaft and forged the face to make them easier to launch high off the deck.
Hybrid Shafts
Not to mention, you don’t just get a normal steel shaft either. Instead, they offer a Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX shaft. This hybrid shaft is 80 grams and has a low launch, low spin, and is much more flexible than standard steel shafts.
These custom shafts are also available for those who want to spend a lot and pay a premium fee.
- Graphite Design Tour AD DI-85 gram (mid-launch – available in S or X flex)
- Graphite Design Tour AD IZ-95 gram (low-mid launch – available in S or X flex)
I’ve actually tried all the shafts and think the stock shaft will work best for most players. The Tour AD DI is best suited for single-digit golfers or those who drive a driver at over 100 mph. The AD IZ-95 gram can only be used by the strongest and fastest golfers.
All shafts come with the Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 White Flat Cap.
Four Loft Options
Another reason this driving iron is so great is that it’s offered in four loft options; 1i (16 degrees), 2i (18 degrees), 3i (20 degrees), and 4i (22 degrees). This makes it easy for you to replace a fairway or hybrid wood so that you have the right club(s), whatever the situation, for every shot.
Plus, with a 1 iron you can ditch 3-wood if you’d like and use a driver, 1-iron, and a 3 or 4-iron instead. All lofts can be ordered in either right- or left-hand versions.
Alternative: Titleist T200 Utility Builder
The T200 Utility Build is an alternative to the Titleist U505. Titleist offers four sets of T200 irons – the T100, 200, 300, and 400. The T100 is the least forgiving, while the T400 is the most forgiving and are considered a game-improvement iron.
But the T200 also makes a “Utility Build” which is a smaller version of the U505. While it’s still much more forgiving than normal irons, it’s less forgiving than the U505. It’s designed for more consistent golfers who want more workability than just forgiveness.
The Titleist T200 can be purchased in 2, 3, or 4 irons
Click here for our complete review on the Titleist T200 irons.
FAQs About Titleist Golf Clubs
Are you looking for the best long irons, hybrids or fairway woods to enhance your long game? Keep reading to find out more.
Is the Titleist U505 tolerant?
Yes, it’s the largest, most forgiving utility iron offered by Titleist. It has a larger clubhead which makes it easier to launch high but isn’t too bulky looking at address.
How far does the Titleist U505 travel?
The distance these clubs can travel depends on how fast the clubhead is moving, how lofted it is, and how fast it spins. For example, some golfers might hit the 1 Iron 250 yards or more. Others might hit it 200 yards. Overall, they’re a great alternative to long irons and will go longer than a normal iron of the same loft.
When did the Titleist U505 debut?
These clubs were released in 2021 and continue being some of the easiest-to-hit utility irons.
Who uses the Titleist U505?
Both professionals and amateurs can enjoy this club. These clubs are popular with players because they can be used off the tee. They also have a high launch and easy to hit from the fairway.
Can you bend Titleist U505 irons?
You can bend it technically because the club is a cast club. However, it’s best to let Titleist do any bending of the head with a custom order as they have a custom hydraulic machine.
You might have to take it to a local club fitter, who might not do it. Others might warn you that hosel marks almost guarantee your success. It’s best to leave it in the stock loft or do a custom order through Titleist.
My Experience
After years of playing the U505 over the years, I can confidently say that these are the best clubs on the market. Even for the most skilled golfers, it can be difficult to consistently hit long irons well. The U505 will give confidence to hit shots that would normally scare most players.
One of my friends calls this club the “cheat code” because anytime I pull it out of the bag, a good shot almost always ensues. This is something I wouldnt say with a traditional, hard to hit long iron.
This club is a great choice if you need to improve your long approach shots into the greens. This club is one of the best additions you can make to your bag.
Final Thoughts
After recently testing a lot of hybrids and utility irons I’m confident in saying Titleist has the two best driving irons available. Callaway, TaylorMade and Ping have nothing comparable to these clubs and truly control the market.
If you’re tired of getting frustrated with long irons, these clubs are a no-brainer decision. These clubs are a great addition for your game because of their loft choices, improved shaft design, and design. These clubs allow me to hit par 5s in two, and navigate difficult par 3s/4s with ease.
The T200 is for better players with single-digit handicaps. The U505 is for everyday golfers. A 1-iron loft is available so you could hit it better that God!
Click here to purchase now