IP·UDI can easily replace the P790 long iron, if needed.
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Tommy Fleetwood likes to keep his options open when it comes to teams other than the TaylorMade BRNR Mini in his bag. Over the past few years, the 33-year-old has bridged the gap between the Mini and 4-iron with a 5-wood, 7-wood, 9-wood, 3-iron and UDI.
The 9-wood got the call during the RBC Heritage, but things could change later this summer when he starts preparing for the Open Championship and needs a UDI or long iron with a deep flight. In Fleetwood's eyes, there is no such thing as the right club for every situation. It's good to have options.
Weekend golfers don't have to go Fleetwood lengths to find the best club for their setup, but there's something to be said for taking a closer look at the hole in the bag to determine whether a long iron, hybrid, fairway wood or utility iron is the best option.
“I think it's one of the most talked about areas of the bag,” Matt Bovee, TaylorMade's director of iron and wedge product development, told GOLF.com. “Many golfers default to hybrid [near the top]. We've seen a resurgence in high altitude forests, too. At that point in the bag, it comes down to what trajectory you want to see and the number you're trying to hit. That's the conversation golfers need to have or a fitter. There are many options out there. “
One of those options is TaylorMade's new P·UDI and P·DHY that now fit under the company's popular P-Series line of irons. For weekend golfers, utility irons are often a distant second to hybrids when it comes to selecting a long iron position. Hybrids boast a larger profile, are more forgiving and are generally easier to launch than irons – two features that are often needed by intermediate and higher handicappers.
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On the other hand, the irons used have mixed characters on Tour and remain a popular choice for better players who still want to play a traditional profile but need more oomph.
To better understand who can benefit from P·UDI and P·DHY, TaylorMade's engineering and product creation teams captured data to find out who was buying utility irons on the company's website. Research revealed that UDI was being purchased by P-Series iron users in the 6-16 handicap range, while DHY ranged from 6 to 18 handicaps.
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“If most golfers already use P-Series irons, it makes sense for UDI and DHY to live under the same list,” said Bovee. “He wants to combine it with their remaining fund. If I'm a P790 player, I'm probably not looking at the Qi10 UDI. That doesn't make a lot of sense. Make it flow together.”
For better players who want a traditional address look, a medium presentation IP·UDI it's an obvious choice. Compared to previous versions, the latest iteration is more compact and features a thinner sole. The goal of the smaller footprint was to make it a realistic option for golfers currently in the P790 who need something a little more forgiving at the top of the iron set.
Jonathan Wall/GOLF
Inside, the hollow hole is hidden by the 4140 face and filled with SpeedFoam Air, and 26 grams of tungsten for a more forgiving off-center blast. The feel and flight are further improved in each area with the help of a thin rear wall construction, sound reinforcement bar and weight that has been deliberately distributed to achieve specific performance goals. Golfers will also see less offset in the UDI than they have seen before.
“No matter where you are in the players, you're going to see a little bit of meat behind the ball,” Bovee said. “But what you will see is that the bulk is not visible in UDI, and it is still visible in DHY in a way that inspires the confidence of other players who like it.”
Jonathan Wall/GOLF
Of course, not everyone wants a useful instrument like a bell from their set. Golfers who need more mass behind the hitting area and a launch helper will find it P·DHY checks a lot of function boxes. Boasting the same technology as the P·UDI, the DHY features a longer blade length and a lower center of gravity. The result is a superior launch for those who can't find the right fairway or hybrid wood.
“We put all the little pieces together during the design process, so you don't get a one-size-fits-all P·UDI or P·DHY,” says Bovee. “The goal is to pay attention to the performance of each product in the line. We did that with both of these donations.”
TaylorMade's P·UDI (17, 20, 22 degrees) and P·DHY (18, 20, 22 degrees) retail for $249.99 (RH and LH offerings) and come standard with UST's Mamiya's Recoil Dart shaft (75R, 90S and 105X) and Golf Pride Grips. Additional shaft and grip options are available by custom ordering.
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