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My favorite irons of all time: Titleist 962B

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They were, and still are, my favorite irons of all time. I played the best golf of my life with them, and every “best iron shot” I ever hit was with these irons.

It was a multi-faceted love affair: look, feel, turf interaction, ball flight, curb appeal, David Duval played them, and on and on.

It was the only set that I had two of, for a gear junkie like me, that is huge. And BTW, this set has the best looking 7-iron ever.

Once again, I went to my Titleist R&D resource, Larry Bobka, to find out the backstory of what I think is the greatest cast players iron ever made.

JW:  What was the goal of developing this iron? Was it to please a certain player and find a “tour” 962 iron?

LB: Well it was fairly simple actually. We had just signed David to be the face of the DCI line if irons and had to make him an iron that he would put into play. Marching orders came in and we went off and made it. So essentially it is the David Duval iron.

JW: The was a previous DCI B black that was produced, but there really wasn’t a market for it. Why do you think the 962B did so well?
LB: There are two main reasons for the success of the 962B 1) Was David Duval 2) was the design of the satisfied a broad range of good players. Whether you were a blade, cavity back, cast, or forged player, this iron seemed to satisfy all of them. It was very special that way.
JW: What design features stood out to you?
LB: It’s a “forged iron” in a 431 stainless casting. So essentially we took the design and playability characteristics of a forged players iron and were able to incorporate that into a cast club. The sole, top line, etc all look and perform like a true forging. I’ve seen anything quite like it.
JW: What is it about the sole of that iron that was so unique?
LB: Based on his swing characteristics and ball flight preferences..he needed a sole with a very little heel. David liked to play closed to open hitting a drop fade, he wanted/needed minimal heel to turn the ball left at impact.
JW: What former Titleist irons influenced the 962B?
LB: Really none. We needed to make the best “players” cast iron! Typically they are forged, we had to start from a new place to get this done.
JW: How many different iterations did it take on before the final?
LB: Peter Gilbert was head of Iron Design at Titleist back then. We sat down, laid out the specs, and did it on the first iteration.
JW: Was a forged set ever made?
LB: Never but that would be an awesome setup.
JW: Would that design still hold water today?
LB: Absolutely. Great iron designs have been cast or forged. I’m sure some modern tweaks could be made but as a stand-alone club, it could still perform quite well today.
JW: What other Titleist staffers besides DD used it?
LB: To be honest, not a ton of our staff used it with the exception of Faxon and Curtis Strange on occasion. It was very much a DD iron that wasn’t really intended to satisfy a huge bucket of players…but regardless everyone loved it.
If I had the dough and could have Don White or Mike Taylor grind me up a set of irons, I’d replicate the 962B…all day, no question. Titleist has always made great irons, but this one was a unicorn.
Specs:
13 Comments

13 Comments

  1. Rich Douglas

    May 9, 2020 at 5:21 pm

    If your favorite irons are some old set, play them. If you don’t have them, find them. But my question is, if they were so great, why aren’t you still playing them?

    While I’ve made a couple of mistakes along the way, for the most part by best irons are the ones in the bag. The rest is just waxing nostalgic and convenient forgetfulness.

  2. Benny

    May 9, 2020 at 3:40 pm

    Great article and while I always thought DCI’s were the ugliest kid on the block. Fun read JW!

    • George Stevenson

      May 10, 2020 at 1:01 pm

      Probably the ugliest iron ever made!

  3. BRADLEY

    May 9, 2020 at 8:03 am

    I am playing my favorit iron of all time right now the DCI 990 3-pw. I have kicked around getting a set of the 762 or even the 762b. Now after reading this I might have to buy a set.

  4. Sam

    May 9, 2020 at 5:39 am

    Do you guys even edit these articles before you post them?

  5. stanley

    May 8, 2020 at 11:00 pm

    we need titleist to make a forged version of this iron.. o man!!!!

    • Shallowface

      May 9, 2020 at 11:19 am

      Why? The cast version is as soft as forged and more durable. If the molds still exist, I would think they could produce these immediately, as long as people would accept the old school lofts (a big if I’ll grant you).

  6. Stump

    May 8, 2020 at 10:01 pm

    Does anyone know if the 962B came in lefty? I had a set of lefty 962 2-SW and gave them away. I really wish I had them back. I’ve been trying to find another set without much luck.
    My buddy gave me a 962 1 iron for my birthday so I’ve got the start of a new set!

    • Chris G

      May 8, 2020 at 11:44 pm

      Nope sorry bud, the 962 (and 990 which came later) were only available in the regular version. Little thicker top line, and a little more cavity. We got them Righties back two years later when Phil gave us the 731PM. Yes!!

  7. Peter

    May 8, 2020 at 9:43 pm

    I had the normal 962 irons but I remember looking at the B version each time I went in the pro shop and wanting those instead. I would probably give up my mizuno blades for a new set of these.

  8. EJ

    May 8, 2020 at 8:49 pm

    Not the B, but just picked up a set of unstamped 962, 2-pw, x100 for the princely sum of $103… I’ll get a set of “B” eventually and blend them in. Went into those from a set of Titleist 660 and I’ve played all the usual, mp14, mp29, 681, 690, etc. These are up there with the best of them…

  9. brian

    May 8, 2020 at 7:49 pm

    I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I mean, some find the Ping Eye aesthetically pleasing, too…

    Personally, I find that 962 7 iron to be ugly as sin.

    • Duder

      May 8, 2020 at 8:13 pm

      My favorite irons of all time are the Mizuno MP 37 hands down! Wish I was young again, lol.

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Equipment

Tour Edge unveils all-new Exotics mini driver

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Tour Edge Golf has today introduced the all-new Exotics mini driver, engineered to deliver a powerful combination of speed, control, and versatility in the long game. 

The Exotics Mini combines a titanium face with a stainless-steel body in design to balance ball speed with stability and control, creating a versatile option at the top end of the bag. 

At the core of the design is Tour Edge’s proprietary Combo Brazing technology, a high-precision thermal bonding process that seamlessly fuses a titanium cup face to a stainless-steel body into a single, continuous structure. By eliminating energy loss found in traditional multi-piece constructions, Combo Brazing is designed to deliver faster face response, more efficient energy transfer, and a uniquely powerful yet controlled feel.

The multi-material construction also allows mass to be positioned lower and deeper in the head in a bid to increase stability, while the thin titanium face is engineered to maintain ball speed across a wider impact area.

“While the initial goal was to enhance control and versatility in the long game, Combo Brazing ultimately drove measurable gains in ball speed and distance within the mini driver category. In robot testing, we’ve documented higher ball speeds, higher launch, reduced spin, and increased carry and total distance compared to leading models.” – Vice President of R&D Matt Neeley

In addition to distance performance, the Exotics mini emphasizes forgiveness through a heavier stainless-steel body that shifts mass toward the perimeter. This configuration increases MOI relative to traditional all-titanium mini drivers, helping preserve ball speed and directional stability on off-center strikes. Paired with Pyramid Face Technology from the Exotics metalwood line, the design is intended to support consistent speed across the face.

To further enhance MOI, a lightweight carbon fiber crown frees additional mass that is strategically repositioned low and deep in the head in design to improve stability and promote optimal launch with controlled spin.

“We designed the Mini to be about five millimeters shallower than other mini drivers on the market. That change improves playability off the deck. From a clean fairway lie, it can function as a strong 3-wood alternative while still providing control off the tee.” – Tour Edge CEO David Glod

An adjustable hosel system allows for loft and lie tuning to dial in trajectory and shot shape, while a fixed 13-gram rear weight helps stabilize the head through impact to improve dispersion consistency. The Exotics Mini Driver is available in 11.5 and 13.5-degree lofts in right-handed models.

Pricing & Availability

The Exotics Mini Driver is available for pre-order beginning today for $399.99 USD at touredge.com, and will be available for purchase at retail outlets worldwide on May 22, 2026. 

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Equipment

Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss

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In our forums, our members have been pitting a Srixon ZXi combo against a TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo. WRXer ‘edutch22’ is on the hunt for a new set of irons and kicks off the thread saying:

“Looking at picking up a new set of irons and think I’ve narrowed it down to Srixon ZXi combo or Taylormade P7CB/770 combo. I am currently a 5 cap and allbeit I feel irons are my weakness. My miss is a little to the toe side. I am decently steep at 4-5 down. Always thought I am high spin but recently on trackman my 7 was spinning at 5800 roughly. 

My question or looking for thoughts on which one would benefit me more from a forgiveness standpoint? Or is there another iron is should be looking at entirely? I only get to play about once or twice a week, if I am not playing a 2-3 day event. Thanks in advance.”

And our members have been sharing their thoughts and suggestions in response.

Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

  • manima1: “You just can’t go wrong with Srixon ZXi7.”
  • MattM97: “You have to hit them to know, the V-Sole on the Srixon can be make or break for many.”
  • dmeeksDC: “P7CB is more forgiving for me than ZXi7 because my main miss is low middle and the P7CB still flies and spins great on that miss. These are both really nice irons but I like the P7CB more than the Zxi7 and the P770 (or P790) more than the Zxi5. The Srixons are larger so if that gives you confidence that is the way to go. I don’t feel like I get any benefit from the V-sole and the P7CBs live up to their high Maltby forgiveness rating so the TaylorMades have been great for me.”

Entire Thread: “Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”

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Equipment

From the GolfWRX Classifieds: 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo

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At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.

It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.

Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @pianoman0123 has a 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo up for grabs.

From the listing: “2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade Combo.  4-8 irons are CB’s and the 9,PW are Blades.  5-PW have Project X 6.0 Shafts and the 4 Iron has a Steelfiber CW110 Stiff Shaft.   Standard Length, Lie and Lofts.  These are in very good condition the shafts just don’t work for me.  Like new Lamkin Grips on the 5-PW and a stock Golf Pride on the 4 Iron. $525 OBO.”

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules

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