Lofts have become stronger over the last several years. Basically, for most models, irons are 1/2 to a full club stronger than they were 10 years ago. Traditional #6 irons used to be 31 deg. and now they are 28 degrees. Basically 1 club stronger. Some have gone stronger on the “game improvement” clubs. Distance sells and reducing the lofts in irons is the easiest and most effective way to give players the illusion that they are hitting it farther. They are hitting them farther for the number stamped on the sole, but we all know they did not all of sudden get stronger with faster swing speed. Combine the stronger lofts with lighter shafts and longer lengths (in some cases) and players should hit them farther. As far as your comparison, once you get above the 851 MPF mark, placing the design in the Ultra Game Improvement category, it is difficult to notice differences in performance between designs. Ralph states in his writings that noticeable differences are difficult to identify in 100 to 150 point differences in MPF ratings. That being said, there are technologies that may make a model feel better than another model that has higher MPF rating. Features like polymer injections, tungsten, or even medallions with rubber backings can absorb shock and make irons feel softer and more forgiving, even if the mass and dimensional characteristics don’t indicate as high an MPF. Obviously the ultimate is to marry features like this with the best mass and dimensional characteristics you can to produce Ultra High Playability. The S2H2 was innovative for its design and use of weight distribution by basically eliminating the hosel. The Titleist is innovative for it’s use of multi-materials and construction. The difference in their Playability ratings really comes down to the C-dimension, with the S2H2 having quite a bit longer c-dimension (distance from the hosel centerline at ground level to the horizontal location of the center of gravity) than the Titleist. Both are considered longer blade lengths, but the S2H2 is longer by enough to get the 1029 MPF vs the 851 for the Titleist.
Britt Lindsey