Dear Abby, thanks for the opportunity for asking some questions. 

I'am currently shopping for some new irons. And i have hit a ton, also the 714's. I like the 714 AP2's the most especially with the KBS Tour shaft, in R+ (brings down the ball flight a bit without being as low and "heavy" as the true temper shafts).

For the 714 AP2's the KBS Tour is a stock shaft, but for the 716's i don't see them as being offered stock/standard. Will Titleist offer the KBS Tour shaft on the 716's with no extra charge? Or will that be a custom setup with extra costs?

Looking forward to the answer.

Regards, JW

What are the non-upcharge shafts offered for the new 716 MBs?  For me, optimal seems to be a TT XP 105 shaft in terms of feel, weight and performance. 

I am in the market for the new AP1's.  I currently game the 714 AP2's but was looking for the forgiveness of the AP1 and was hoping that the new design of the 716 was not a clunky looking with a thinner topline.  That was the main reason why I never went with the 714 AP1's last year.  

I was wondering how the Titleist R&D goes through the shaft selection process.  How do they decide which shafts best fit the iron?  Which shaft is going to be stock and which will be an upgrade?  Why do they push certain shafts and not others?  Some competitors do not offer "upgraded costs" for their entire line of shaft options.  Why does Titleist?  We all know that not one shaft plays best for all players, so why not give the "average hacker" out there better options without having to pay more for it?  One year certain shafts are "stock" and the next they are not.  I understand the head weight may change (especially with the addition of tungsten).  Most of the fitters I have been to do not have the entire line of shafts to chose from.  Even the more popular one's (Project X, DG, etc) are never in the fitting cart at Golfsmith.  

Have you thought of designing a "fitting iron" that has an adjustment screw so that shafts can be interchanged right there on the spot at a fitting center?  

I am just looking for an easier way to make sure that the irons have the correct shaft in them before I drop down the cash on a new set.  Not all of us are fortunate enough to live in California or Massachusetts ... or have the Tour Van follow us around every week.

Thanks for the insight.  Go Team Titleist! 

Can the 716 irons be purchased open stock - i.e. can you make up your own set ?

Thanks