Titleist Forged AP2 Irons Review
Posted April 25th, 2008 by Erik J. Barzeski
Titleist takes a bold step in a new direction with the AP2. Adam Scott has switched. Should you?
There have been few reviews as eagerly anticipated by Sand Trap forum members and readers as this one and our upcoming review of the Titleist AP1s. Our Bag Drop article announcing these clubs has well over 50 comments and my follow-up field test will likely reach 50 before this review is published. In the forum, people are being fitted for, buying, and asking questions about the AP2s and AP1s left and right. Titleist VP of Golf Clubs Chris McGinley feels that this is "the most technically advanced forging ever made" and adds that "demand for this iron is unprecedented in the forged category. Not since the Hogan edge has there been this much buzz and demand for a forged iron."
Titleist, always at or near the top in the "player's irons" category, has in 2008 simultaneously simplified its product lineup and broadened its target market. Though their ZB and ZM models are still available for those who like player's cavity and musclebacks, the AP1 and AP2 are intended to cover pretty much everyone from the PGA Tour golfer to the "aspiring" golfer.
This review takes a look at the Titleist Forged AP2s - the irons intended for the "skilled" player in Titleist's parlance. The "skilled" golfer is anyone with a single-digit handicap right on through to PGA Tour stars like Adam Scott. Like Scott, I've been playing musclebacks for several years due to their superior feel, tremendous workability, and stringent demands that kept my swing in check. Read on to find out what I think of Titleist's fairly radical departure from even their recent past.
Design and Technology
The AP1 and AP2 were designed by Titleist veteran Peter Gilbert, designer of almost every notable DCI iron of the past, with the guidance of Dan Stone, new head of Golf Club Research and Development. Gilbert started with a fresh slate, casting aside the well received 775s and 755s and the technology that had brought them to their current state. He looked at new materials, new shapes, and new processes and created a revolutionary pair of irons - the AP irons.
The elastomer cushion sits behind the clubface and tweaks the feel and sound. As seen here, it appears to be much wider than it is in reality.
Titleist describes the Forged AP2 as "advanced performance, multi-material, dual cavity, technical forged irons providing traditional solid feel, looks, and shot control for the skilled player." Uhm, yeah. Let's crack the marketing mumbo-jumbo to see what we've really got here.
The acronym "AP" stands for "Advaned Performance," and the AP2 is constructed with several materials, hence "multi-material." The AP2s are formed with a 1025 carbon steel body. Laser welded to the back and sole, a tungsten nickel box lowers the center of gravity, creating an optimal CG location low and deep in the clubhead. The lower, deeper CG results in improved launch conditions with consistent ball speed for distance control and optimal launch and spin for trajectory control. Titleist calls this a "process break through" and, in the words of Chris McGinley, says "never has a back piece with that kind of function or complicated geometry been welded to a forged body." The breakthrough is on the order of the undercut cavities employed by the likes of TaylorMade and Callaway.
An elastomer cushion and a metallic cavity plate complete the list of materials. Both of these materials soften the feel at impact, tune the sound for optimal pitch, and generally make everything feel just a bit sweeter.
The minimal offset and varying hosel lengths are apparent in this shot, as is the line between the carbon steel and the tungsten nickel box.
Titleist considers the AP2 a "dual cavity design." The first cavity is obvious: it's the top portion of the club, above the elastomer cushion and below the topline of the club. The second cavity is hidden by the tungsten nickel box. Both cavities push the weight to the perimeter, improving forgiveness on off-center shots. The lower cavity is "capped" with what Titleist bills the "central cross member." It's a metal shelf that connects the back of the cavity to the clubface, right behind the impact area, and it improves the rigidity of the rather thin clubface while acting in cooperation with the elastomer cushion to reduce face vibration.
Finally, the sole itself is optimized for better players. Though the sole is a bit wider than most good players are accustomed to, it features a relieved trailing edge and optimized bounce that seek to achieve the delicate blend between forgiveness and playability for the better golfer.
Esthetics
Better players care a good bit about a club's esthetics, and to say the look of the AP2 has been the topic of many discussions would be an understatement of sizable proportions.
Whether it's the metallic insert on the back with the venetian blind look, the "silver "AP2" logo lodged in the toe of the tungsten nickel box, or simply the shock of seeing a Titleist iron with some graphical "stuff" on it, I do not know. After all, the 775 and 755 weren't exactly austere and simple in appearance, either, what with their colorful backs and aluminum bars and things.
Personally, I grew to like the looks of the AP irons, and find that they look a fair bit more handsome in person than in JPEGs on the Internet. Not that it matters much - you don't see any of the cavity back inserts or the toe decals at address. It's simply there for "bag appeal," and whether you like it or not, the AP2 is undeniably recognizable.
At address, the AP2 does have a noticeably thicker topline than the musclebacks I've been playing in prior years. The thickness is on par with other skilled player cavity backs, like the Cleveland CG Red, the TaylorMade r7 TP, and is barely thicker than even Titleist's 695.CB or their new ZB models. Additionally, the slightly thicker topline hides the back of the club, presenting a clean look at address.
The AP2s have what Titleist bills a "confidence inspiring appearance." They're contemporary, with a satin groove area framed by polished steel on the toe and heel. They feature a traditional profile and a blade/hosel junction that flows smoothly and with little offset. The hosels themself vary in length throughout the set: they're shorter in long irons to help promote launch, and longer in the short irons to help control trajectory.
The simple ferrule continues the clean look at address and matches the simple, un-stepped look of the stock Project X shafts right on through to the stock Tour Velvet grip.
Performance
Again, I've always played musclebacks for the feedback they provide. If I play a cavity back iron - even the "good golfer" cavity backs like the TaylorMade r7 TP or the Cleveland CG Red - my game and swing quickly suffer from their lack of feedback. Poor swings are rewarded with decent shots and a generic "feel," and my ballstriking suffers. I can't play the variety of shots I like to play around the golf course. After a short, subtle scoring drop, my swing suffers and my scores rise.
The backs of the clubs feature an aluminum medallion that helps fine-tune the sound and feel.
In other words, I've learned to stay away from the "good golfer" cavity backs. I need all the feedback I can get and find it critical to keeping my swing in tune.
So it was with some trepidation that I first hit the AP2s. To be honest, Titleist's ZM and ZB models seemed more up my alley. But long-time muscleback players and traditionalists like Adam Scott had made the switch to the AP2, so who was I to argue?
Nobody, that's who. Though my initial impressions were quite positive, I only came to like and appreciate the AP2 more the longer I used them.
With other clubs in this class (r7 TP, CG Red), only the worst shots transmitted enough feedback to let me know where I'd struck the ball. Contact near the center of the face (but not necessarily on the sweet spot) all tend to feel about the same and a bit dull. I needn't have worried about the AP2s, as they provide nearly all the feedback I've come to expect from my muscleback irons. Every bit of feedback is transmitted, albeit in a muted form. If you pay attention, you can discern the differences between a well-struck shot and one that just missed. I've found that virtually impossible with the others, but the AP2s excel in this area and I cannot commend them highly enough.
For those times when you find the sweet spot, contact cannot be described as buttery smooth as with a muscleback, but it's awfully close. I'm also not sure I've ever heard an iron "crack" with as much clarity and power as these do when you catch one on the sweet spot, either, but it's music to my ears. Miss it a little and, again, a muted tone of a slightly different pitch lets you know.
The 3-, 6-, and 9-irons. Look at the 3-iron topline. When I say "thicker" topline, I mean "barely."
Feedback on mis-hits is great, but it was also nice to discover that the AP2 does not punish you severely for small mis-hits. If contact ½" towards the toe would result in your golf ball landing short and right in a bunker with, say, the Titleist 695.MB, the same strike with the AP2 will put the ball on the fringe or the front right portion of the putting green. This seems true of contact all over the face: the AP2 consistently outperforms all the musclebacks I've played and a fair number of the "good player" cavity-back irons as well.
If you're accustomed to working the ball, the AP2s will not disappoint. Though I was skeptical at first of the amount of control and workability these irons would provide, I've found that I've had to make few to no adjustments when playing shots that curve left or right or go higher in the air. These clubs do hamper my ability to hit the super-low shot, such as when playing out of trees, but this is mitigated somewhat by the Project X shaft. It's a low-spin shaft, so shots played into the wind don't need to be knocked down quite as much, limiting the number of times you'll be forced to flight the ball really low.
I had but one final concern: the wider sole. In reality, the sole plays thinner than it looks due to the trailing edge relief. Having played in wet conditions, dry conditions, from bent/poa fairways and Bermuda fairways, and from all sorts of other lies (that I'd rather not talk about), I found my concerns to be unwarranted. I can still pick the ball off of hardpan or other difficult lies. I can get down to the ball when it's nestled in the rough. I can even hit the ball just a tiny bit heavy with no real detriment. Whether I'm opening or closing the face or moving the ball up or back in my stance, I never felt that the sole was getting in the way or hampering my ability to pull off a shot, and in the case of the ever-so-slightly heavy shots, felt as though the sole provided just enough glide to move into the back of the ball without losing much clubhead speed.
One thing you may not be aware of is that the grooves on the Titleist AP1s and Forged AP2s conform to the proposed revised specifications. While I applaud Titleist for treating their customers well (you can buy these irons reasonably comfortable in the knowledge that they should meet revised rules), it did take me a little while to get used to having to deal with fliers again. Knowing how to judge a flier lie isn't a skill a lot of golfers have ever learned, but it's a skill that's fairly easy to pick up and may very well be something all golfers will be dealing with very soon.
In the end, the AP2s have what I consider to be just about the perfect blend of forgiveness, feedback, and playability. Before, my choices were muscleback clubs with lots of the feedback I craved but virtually no forgiveness or cavity-back clubs that transmitted little to no feedback to me on slight mis-hits but which rewarded those mis-hits with good results. The AP2 offers me the best of both and doesn't take away my ability to hit creative shots against the wind or to access tucked pins.
Specifications
The AP2s come with Project X shafts stock, Tour Velvet grips, and in a set of eight irons (3-PW) with the lofts and lies below. Retail pricing is about $999. They're available for both righties and lefties.
They're Titleist irons, though, so custom options abound. Righties can customize the length from +2 inches to -1 inch (lefties from +1" to -½"). Lofts can be adjusted +/- 1°, and righties can adjust the lie angle from +4° to -2° (+/- 2° for lefties).
I'm a fan of the New Decade Multicompound grips, so mine came with those. You may also opt to replace the standard Tour Velvets with Golf Pride grips like Dual Durometer, Tour Velvet Ribbed, Tour Velvet Cord, and Tour Wrap or Lamkin grips like the Crossline and Crossline Cord, or Winn grips like the Black RF or V17 AVS.
Shaft options include several in both graphite (Aldila VS Proto-T in various weights, Graphite Design YS-IRON+ w/GAT) and steel (Project X, Project X Flighted, Rifle, Nippon NS Pro, Tri-Spec, Dynalite Gold, Dynalite Gold with Sensicore, Dynamic Gold, Dynamic Gold HL, and more).
A 51° "W" Wedge is available, and eight-iron "4-W" sets are available for those who would rather not carry a 3-iron.
Loft Lie Length Swingweight Offset
---- --- ------ ------------ ------
3-iron 21° 60° 39" D2 0.160"
6-iron 31° 62.5° 37.5" D2 0.120"
9-iron 43° 64° 36" D2 0.090"
Lofts of the clubs are fairly traditional. you may balk at what appears to be one degree less loft than normal on some irons, but I can assure you the tungsten nickel box lowers the CG and raises the ball flight to make up for the slightly stronger loft. Your distances should remain consistent unless your current irons "cheat" with super-strong lofts.
Overall
Though Titleist has long been in an "evolutionary" phase (see the 690MB -> 695.MB -> ZM lineage), making subtle tweaks to proven designs, the AP1 and AP2 represent a revolutionary break from the old and a bold new direction for Titleist.
Revolutions do not come without risk, but this risk has paid off for Titleist. The AP2s are some of the best "skilled player" non-muscleback irons I've ever played. They offer the perfect blend of forgiveness and feedback that good golfers need. If you can get past the slightly thicker topline and you don't often need to hit a super-low shot, these clubs may very well find their way into your bag. If they do, your scores should drop, your consistency should rise, and your satisfaction could very well hit an all-time high. I know mine has.
Feedback
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Posted 25 Apr 2008 at 10:30am #
Excellent review iacas! I am planning on purchasing these irons within the next few weeks regardless of your review however you answered the few remaining questions I had about them. Keep up the good work
Posted 25 Apr 2008 at 11:15am #
Thanks for the review. I'd agree that they look much better in person than on the internet. I thought they were fugly when I first saw pictures, but after looking at them at the shop, they are nice looking.
Posted 25 Apr 2008 at 11:24am #
Erik,
Love reading your comprehensive reviews. Keep up the great work!
I recently hit with the AP2's and absolutely agree with you on all of your points. Being a long time fan of Titleist, I'm curious to know what you think about their move to the use Project X 5.5 shafts as opposed to the popular Dynamic Gold(S300). On the Titleist website, it lists Adam Scott using the DG shafts with his AP2's.
Posted 25 Apr 2008 at 1:17pm #
as always, an awesome review.
Posted 25 Apr 2008 at 4:17pm #
Your review is right on, the Ap2's are clean and have a great feedback on all types of shots, i recently hit the new Bridgestone J36 Cavity and Blades and while they were very sweet and responsive, they do not compare favorably with the Ap2's.....I will order my set next week...thanks again for a great and comprehensive review
Posted 25 Apr 2008 at 4:28pm #
Excellent review. Well written and informative. I am looking forward to the AP1 review. Kudos to the Sand Trap for providing superb user reviews and kudos, as well, to Titleist for stepping a bit outside their box to design and manufacture the AP1s and the AP2s. Jon
Posted 25 Apr 2008 at 7:04pm #
Great review. These are definitely on my short list to demo when I replace my W/S PI5's.
Posted 25 Apr 2008 at 7:09pm #
Danzo said on April 25, 2008:
I asked this same question to a Titleist fitter as we were testing these at a recent demo day. His "salesman" answer was that these irons are a tech breakthrough for Titleist and research says the average golfer believes that Project X is higher tech/newer tech than Dynamic Gold, so they went in. He added that most of their Tour staff will play the ultra-consistant DG Gold, as many do now.
Excellent review Erik - finally a club that will replace my Mizunos! Thanks!
Posted 25 Apr 2008 at 11:33pm #
J.P. said on April 25, 2008:
I think a lot of the pros on the PGA Tour play Project X shafts, and have for quite some time. I think you got an answer from someone who wanted to sound like they perhaps knew a bit more than they truly do.
Posted 26 Apr 2008 at 12:31pm #
These AP2's are THE BEST irons I have ever played, and I have tried them all. Got fitted at hotstix for my correct shaft. The combination of correct shaft and this iron head are unbeatable for me. I am one club longer, much more accurate and my long irons are as straight and easy to hit as ANY ever. I feel completely confident. I can work the ball, hit it high, low whatever. FUN!! Thanks Titliest, I really appreciate the CEO of Fortune brands being a good golfer and pushing the company to the 21st century with this iron. I just ordered the W (gap) wedge. I have made enough money with these, that they have paid for themselves. Get ready to not be able to find these very easily, there will be a lot of demand for them. The buzz is incredible... W.
Posted 26 Apr 2008 at 9:11pm #
Erik,
Great review as always.
What is your opinion on which iron is the most forgiving between the AP2, CGRed and R7TP?
Posted 27 Apr 2008 at 11:24am #
Josh,
I am coming from the R7 TP and I can say that they are nearly identical in forgiveness, but in feel these AP2's are the REAL DEAL. They feel great. Very much a forged Titleist. Not overly soft like a Mizuno (played the MP-57's for a few weeks and the ap2's are superior).
Looking down on these heads there is no doubt you will be hitting a good golf shot.
There is a reason many of the titleist staffers on the PGA are moving to this club. THey don't HAVE to, but they are. Look at Adam Scott and a few others who carry the 905R driver in the 907 headcover. They won't switch because it isn't working. These irons work.
My wife got the AP1's based on the success of the AP2 irons. Same technology with a little offset.
Eric
Posted 28 Apr 2008 at 12:07am #
The look and makeup of these irons sound very similar to the Nike Forged CCI irons... Did anyone else pick up on that?
Posted 28 Apr 2008 at 12:56am #
I am, like the author, a die-hard muscleback player, afraid of letting my swing be corrupted by anything but. I hit these at the local store and liked the feel on good hits, and could definately feel the feedback difference on the not so hot shots. The sole and topline bother me, probably only due to residual "old school die hardness". If I was smart, and nobody has ever accused me of being so, I would put these in play. Still deciding, but very impressed. As usual, kudos to Titleist... p.s.; Adam Scott won the Nelson today with these, and i'm quite sure he can beat me!
Posted 28 Apr 2008 at 11:04am #
Great review. I ordered mine (4-9 iron) a couple of weeks ago as a trial replacement for my Hogan Apex FTX irons. I hit them with the Project X shafts in them, but stuck with what I know and ordered them with the Dynamic Gold S300s (the Vokey wedges I ordered have the DGs in them and I noticed that the ZBs and ZMs all have the DGs standard) and the New Decade MultiCompound grips. Can't wait to get them out on the course to see how they perform for me under real conditions. I ordered them D2 swing weight (my Hogans are D3 and the AP2s that I hit were D0).
Posted 29 Apr 2008 at 8:57am #
I hit the AP2s on saturday and ordered a set almost before I putted out on the 18th. The one qualm I would have with them is the height they hit the ball with teh project X shafts but that is just because I came from a very flexibile shaft that hit it too low.
I can't wait to get them in the bag and then I will work out the wedge combination that works best. Any suggestions? I am thinking 54* and 60* SM vokeys...
Posted 29 Apr 2008 at 1:15pm #
I have a 48º Vokey PW in my set along with a 54º and 58º. I never got used to my previous 60º and my 56º SW wasn't strong enough for me.
Posted 29 Apr 2008 at 6:18pm #
Local instructor, Chicago area loves the AP2's and can get them for me at a discount....Titleist staff. Play TM Racs right now, 5-6 years old. Solid single digit handicapp so I think it's time to move to a better feedback stick. Will take the E21 Eagle One shafts I have in my TM Racs now and put them in the AP2's. Curious to see the trajectory with AP2's and E21 shafts.
Posted 04 May 2008 at 4:12pm #
just spent about 2 hours on the range with a 755 and a AP2, both 6.0 project x. windy day, so it's a little hard to judge pure flight (i.e. cuts were cutting a lot, draws were staying more or less straight), but the AP2 blew the pants off the 755. feel, control, workability.... i haven't carried a handicap in a long time--young kids and only playing at conferences will do that--but probably strike the ball like a 10 or so. i actually felt the AP2 was more forgiving than the 755 (which seems contrary to the marketing i've read). maybe i just paid better attention with the AP2?
i noticed the high trajectory with the rifle shafts; they didn't have a DGs300 to demo, so when i order, i'll be guessing a bit. in any event, the AP2 makes it pretty easy to keep the ball low if you want to. great iron. does everything i want it to and lets me know when i screwed up, but in a "now son, pay a little closer attention next time" kind of way instead of a knuckle-wrapping school marm kind of way. just glad i can't see that fugly cavity at address! (i kid i kid. it actually grew on me as the session went on).
Posted 04 May 2008 at 4:13pm #
one more thing... the guy at the shop said orders wouldn't arrive until late june due to demand. anyone else heard that?
Posted 05 May 2008 at 5:42pm #
Paul said on May 4, 2008:
yulp. late june it is. i ordered mine last week and they told me late june as well. the ap2's are amazing. i'm playing at a 6 right now which is a little higher than usual and these irons give me the confidence i need to lower the cap' .
Posted 06 May 2008 at 5:19am #
I ordered a 3-PW set of these last week with a vokey 56 degree wedge. They seem to be readily available in the UK as a number of shops have them in stock over here.
I tried out many clubs over the last few months to replace my old mizuno TPZ irons. I tried Mizzie MP60, MP57, MP67, Callaway X Tour, Pings, TaylorMades. I also tried the new ZM and ZB but the AP2 somehow manages to feel like its got the best of both worlds...
...The feel really is blade-like but it just offers enough help for slight mishits. I play of a 6 handicap and I think they fit my game perfectly. As much as I liked the idea of playing blades, I think my ego was coming before practicality.
Posted 06 May 2008 at 10:48pm #
Well I have to say I have just bought a set of the new ap2s. I love them, being an average golfer, a 10-15 handicap and i find the ap2s to have better ball flight, more consistent spin, and able to shot shape easier, something i have never really had the chance to play. but after getting fitted and ordered i have a waiting time of 4 weeks so its a thats a downer but i would recommend these clubs any day.
thanks for the great review
Quinn
Posted 09 May 2008 at 10:14am #
Bought these clubs on trip to the US a few weeks ago. Shot a one under 71 on a windy day in the second round of the year, a score I haven't been close to in years and years.
To anyone worried about this not being a "player's club": The AP2's are in my view phenomenally forgiving (compared to the DCI 990s I played before) while still maintaining an attractive feel and ball flight. Also, they do indeed look very different, i.e. more "classic", once set up over the ball IRL, as compared to images online.
Finally, the importance of getting the correct shaft cannot be overestimated. Have just realized I've wasted 9 years of my golfing life by playing the wrong shaft flex (regular).
Posted 11 May 2008 at 10:07am #
GET FITTED. The new fitting system is good. if you can afford Hotstix or something like that, do it. its worth it. As for the AP2's, they are back ordered 6 weeks! The Titliest guy told me, they were not prepared for the success of the iron. They truly are the best. They will end up as the "eye 2's" of this century. By the way, the Gap wedge is AWESOME!! ONE Thing to watch very carefully... Please have the lofts and lies checked... Unfortunately, all my clubs were several degrees off in lies and loft. We had them all moved to specs and now perfect. Weird for Titliest, but remember, the Chinese are the ones making these...so... Small issue to deal with. Have fun. w.
Posted 16 May 2008 at 4:47am #
Took a 6 iron demo out on course today to accompany my 690 CB's. It is a pure club - long, great flight and an amazing feel off the club face. Can't wait to get them when they arrive in Australia (even at a price of $1500!)
Posted 16 May 2008 at 6:35pm #
I spent an hour & half yesterday hitting the AP2 irons using the new SureFit system under the watchful eye of our local pro.
It was really interesting hitting clubs with different shafts, lie angles and shaft lengths. Two shafts worked best for me, namely: the Dynamic Golds and the Project X 5.5 (the latter being slightly more penetrating).
Towards the end we settled on the Project X 5.5 shafts with a +2 deg upright lie angle.
We then spent the last 15 minutes comparing them to my Ping I-10's (blue dot). The AP2's had a much tighter dispersion pattern with every shot either dead straight or with a very slight draw. But the biggest difference for me was the much better feel of the AP2's.
Isn't it strange though that I can end up +2 deg upright with the Titleists whereas the Ping's were only +.75 deg upright!? I guess we've all heard similar stories about how manufacturers standard specs differ.
Anyway, the set is ordered but unfortunately I'll have to wait four to five weeks as demand has outstripped supply!!!
Posted 26 May 2008 at 10:10pm #
Just got myself a set today and am in love. I haven't upgraded my clubs since the Ping I3+, so the feel and feedback I am experiencing from the AP2 is amazing..like night and day. I feel I can take my swing to the next level with the feedback I am receiving.
Posted 28 May 2008 at 9:43pm #
Tried the Ap2's last week. I was comparing Callaway X Forged, Ping S-58's or Titleist AP2's. I am currently using nike NDS Irons with Uniflex shafts. I cant wait to replace them.
Does anyone know what a uniflex shaft is?
I am 15 years old, hitting my driver 230-240 metres and playing off a handicap of 12. I have been playing for three years
I have just ordered AP2 irons (3-PW) and soon to buy vokey Tin Can finish wedges (52,56 and 60 degree lofts)
It sounds like AP2's are extremely popular but I can't wait to get my hands on a set.
Posted 29 May 2008 at 10:58am #
I've been a Mizuno fan for years and have used MP-33s as my competition set for about 6 years. I was sceptical when I first saw the AP2 on golfwrx, and didn't really like the look too much. However, I have to say these irons are the best I've ever hit and fill me with the same kind of excitement as when I originally purchased my MP-33s. I got mine with TT Dynamic Gold S300s set up 1 degree flat with Titleist's standard Tour Velvet grips. They are super solid and I hit everything with just a slight draw. They are workable, forgiving yet let you know whn you've hit it on the button. I can undertsand why the orders are backing up at Titleist, but if you've ordered a set they'll be well worth the wait. My set complement is finished of with a Sonartec MD 19 degree hybrid and a couple of Vokey Oil Cans at 52 and 58 degree. I've also stuck with the 905R. It's a pity they don't do an AP2 2 iron, or I'd have that in the bag as well. As for Project X being the standard shaft offering, well I think Rifles are OK but S300s work really well for me with this AP2 head. A magic purchase in every respect.
Posted 30 May 2008 at 7:06am #
Bought em....love em....best of both worlds and nice top line...reminds me of when I was playing Titleist Tours
Posted 03 Jun 2008 at 8:38pm #
Has somebody tried the AP2 with graphite shafts? I'm trying to upgrade from my old trusty Taylor Made 200 irons (factory regular graphite shafts). Actually playing 9. Thanks.
Posted 03 Jun 2008 at 8:51pm #
I bought the AP2 irons (also 6 week wait) and decided to go with the Titleist NS Pro 970 Shaft by Nippon based on the weight and feel. It was a tough decision but it seemed to work very well for me. Anyone else used these shafts?
I had just purchased Taylormade irons when i got fitted with my golf pro and he let me hit his AP2's...i walked back in absolutely amazed at how much feedback I got on each hit. I ordered them that day and put my brand new R7's on ebay.
Posted 04 Jun 2008 at 10:18am #
Brett said on June 3, 2008:
Yes, my daughter plays the AP2 with the (r) Nippon NS970 Pro shafts. GREAT combo. SUPER light. She was coming from the Microlite 80 in her TM RAC LT's.
The Nippon is a great shaft in a variety of flexes. She is a 6.8hc, don't let the girl thing throw you.
Posted 04 Jun 2008 at 2:05pm #
Got fitted today by my pro at Scotscraig golf club tried both AP1 & AP2 went for the AP2 with the Dynamic Gold HL shaft thay blew away my Ping i10s by 15 yards with a 6 iron , pity about delivery times , totally awesome clubs
Posted 04 Jun 2008 at 2:36pm #
Eric said on June 4, 2008:
---------------------------
Thanks, I cant wait to get them. I got the X-Stiff fo there a bit heavier, i think it was 107 grams but I think it will work well together. Your daughter would beat me for sure im at a 11.9 now but with these clubs hope to shave a few off.
Posted 05 Jun 2008 at 1:55pm #
I currently play Callaway x-14s and don't like the offset and I'm going to purchase a new set soon. I like the looks of the AP2's but sounds like might be better if I go with the AP1's. I just got the 907D1, 906F4, abd the 585H in 19 and 21 deg so the set I get would be 5 thru PW. I also have Vokey 52, 56, 60deg(Love'em). My HCP is 12 but could be lower if I practiced and played more. Feedback please.
Posted 05 Jun 2008 at 6:24pm #
Dana said on June 5, 2008:
---------------------
I have the same handicap and based upon that alone my golf pro said the AP2's would be the way to go. I also got the 907D2 and the 17 and 21 degree 585H which i also love. I was told the AP1's were more for the average golfer and are a bit larger in size. With your handicap and where your only getting better I would say AP2 is the way to go....??? After he let me hit his AP2 set i didnt really care about anything else i just ordered them.
Posted 17 Jun 2008 at 8:24pm #
I ordered a new set of irons this year, to replace my 735-CM's that I have been playing since they came out. I really fell in love with the mixed set, so I made my own mixed set. I got 3-7 AP2's and 8-P ZB's. All clubs with ProjectX 6.0's, 3/4" long and 2 deg up. I ordered without grips because I had my own Golf Pride mid-size Player's Softies. I'm 6'4 with a pretty upright swing.
I can not say enough good things about the AP2's or the ZB's. If you like the mixed set concept, you can still have your cake and eat it too. I have a great deal more forgiveness with the new clubs over the 735's, but still the same great Titleist look and feel. Not sure I am hitting much further, but more consistent for sure. Shaping is a little easier, and I find the feedback to even be a little better - feel is incredible. The 8-P ZB (same as the 8-P ZM) are incredible musclebacks - with wonderful feel and deadly accuracy.
This is by far the best set of irons I have ever owned. Technology to enhance flight and add a some forgiveness, but the traditional set-up look and feel I have grown accustomed to over the years. Thank you Titleist, and thank you Eric for the great review (and preview)!
I would recommend these clubs to anyone, anytime!
Posted 18 Jun 2008 at 5:41am #
Derek said on May 16, 2008:
Update: Got my set last week (after another session with the local pro decided to change the lie angle from 2 to 1 degree upright prior to delivery).
I've now played a couple of rounds with them. The second time was in a competitive match which I won 4 and 3 - hit more greens in regulation then I normally do!
The look and feel is just fantastic. I'd heard mixed comments about the Project X Shaft but it feels really good with the AP2 head and I'm a definite convert.
The only small concern I have is that it's a little harder to hit a controlled fade whereas its really, really easy to hit a controlled draw or straight shot!
I echo the last post and would recommend these very highly although probably best if your handicap is 12 or below.
Posted 25 Jun 2008 at 4:10pm #
I am trying to get back into casual golf after a long layoff. Used to be a pretty good single handicap player. I was thinking about getting a new set of clubs. I was looking at the 775 or the 775 CB or 695 CB. I have tried them in some demo tests. How would you compare the AP2 or AP1 to them ?
Posted 29 Jun 2008 at 1:23pm #
Hey all - i posted here previously with respect to the 906F4 and thanks for all your recommendations. What a great club. $$$ off the tee and i am finally learning and gaining confidence again in hitting it off the deck. So thanks again for the help. Now onto my new issues....
I am stuck in a circle of hell with these AP2s and their unforeseen success and resulting delivery delays. In May, after reading the article above and getting fitted (three times with different recs each time), I decided to pull the trigger on these irons. I ordered them through a colleague's husband, a golf pro. He was told they would be a June 15th ship. I said okay and was looking forward to them. Clubs still aren't here and now I have heard rumblings about August 1st ship date. I am not very happy about all this, as this date (if even true) won't give me enough time to get used to them for a Labor Day team golf competition. But rather than cancel the order, maybe somebody has any feedback on how to circumvent this delivery delay (perhaps by custom ordering)? Or maybe I stick with the later delivery date and in the interim this gives me more time to tweak the already suspect fitting they gave me.
After three different fitting sessions (from 2 degrees flat to standard to 1 degree flat), I settled on standard lie and the project x rifle 5.0. What I can't figure out is that while not a huge guy, i am a 9.3 hdcp that takes a decent swipe at it and i think my swing speed is around 90mph? Perhaps a tick lower? And i currently play with old Titleist DCI 981s with a PROJECT X RIFLE 6.0!!! They have seen my bag composition and yet two people recommended the 5.0. I don't think I am totally sold on this. And the other reason I am leaning toward the 5.5 is that the thing I loved about my old irons was the ability to control trajectory (and my swing) and flight the ball down. I am assuming that is due to the effect of the rifle and the 6.0?
Anyway, this fitting system is one that i am not familiar with and one that is frustrating since it is not universal. Thanks for reading this long diatribe. Any feedback is much appreciated.
Posted 05 Jul 2008 at 10:04pm #
Great review. Thank you.
I am a 15 handicap playing the Titleist 704's. I hit them alright and love the "feel" I get with these clubs, although I am not great in the slightest about shaping shots. I was on the golf team in high school and played my whole life. Fatherhood took me out of the game for a good 5 years. I am now playing quite a bit and feel my game is slowly returning. I have been looking at both the AP1's and AP2's.
I am "an aspiring" golfer in many respects. But I am very interested in the AP2's. I love the feel of a forged iron and am leaning towards getting these. However, I am concerned that they might be too much club for me and that maybe I would be better suited for the AP1's. Yet I still "want" the AP2's.
Given my handicap, would this be a mistake? Or should I opt for the AP1's?
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Posted 11 Jul 2008 at 9:29pm #
I've got a set of AP2 on order and they tell me that with the Project X 5.0 it will not ship until mid-August. I've read elsewhere that due to some manufacturing problems at TT Precision they are out of shafts other than 5.5. With 5.5 they can deliver in about 3 weeks according to the Titleist rep I talked with today.
Concerning your flex choice I have the same decision to make. I am 61 with a 5 iron swing speed of a little over 75 and an index of 6.8. I played 18 holes today with a demo set of AP2's with Project X 5.5. My current clubs are Titleist 690.CB's with Project X 5.0. I hit two balls with each set for each iron shot on the round. The AP2's were clearly longer on the 4,5 and 6 irons with the 5.5's. On the other clubs they were roughly equal. The AP2's are D2 swingweight while my other clubs are D0 to D1 with the Project X. I think I am right between the 5.5 and 5.0 flexes so if your swing speed is greater you might be fine with the 5.5's. I now have 5.5's on order but I also have an extra set of 5.0's I can put in if those turn out to be too stiff. Good luck with your decision.
Posted 16 Jul 2008 at 7:18pm #
Great review. I never considered Titleist irons because I alsways found them harder for me to hit. When I saw the AP2's at Edwin Watts I fell in love with the look. Fortunately a friend of mine had a set and I was able to hit his 7 iron and immediately knew these were the clubs for me. I now own a set and they are really the best performing set of irons I have ever owned. I carry a 8 handicap and shot a 75 with them my third day out. This included two double bogeys that were the result of two poorly hit drives. I am now in the process of lowering that 8 I have carried for the last year.
Posted 19 Jul 2008 at 9:45pm #
does anyone know if it costs extra to get the dynamic gold shafts instead of the project x's?
Posted 29 Jul 2008 at 3:12am #
Can anyone help me out? I was a college golfer, and have been playing the old DCI B's forever. I bought some Mizuno blades but didnt like them as I've always liked the cavity back. I'm a +2 handicap, and hit my driver about 270 yrds but have a pretty slow transition on top. My old DCI B's have 6.5 Rifle CM shafts in them and I've never really hit them far, but always been fairly accurate although if I miss it it's right. But with my driver i play a firm taylor made standard shaft which fits me well, and i usually draw the ball with this club. When i bought mizuno's last i got the S300 shafts so I'm guessing I need the project x 5.5?? That's what i've been told anyway.. if anyone can help please email me at : nagelmotox@hotmail.com. I appreciate it.
Posted 30 Jul 2008 at 3:40pm #
If your a single handicap player with a good swing, these clubs are for you. They are very solid and accurate as hell. Buy them if you want to hit it close.
Posted 01 Aug 2008 at 10:46pm #
Got my AP2's in late June. 1* flat with Project X 6.0's. Absolutely love them. Replaced a 10 year old set of Taylor Made Burners so it was about time. These clubs will not disappoint.
Posted 08 Aug 2008 (5 weeks ago) at 10:53pm #
So with the new groove rules officially out, do these clubs meet the standards as suggested in the review?
Posted 09 Aug 2008 (4 weeks ago) at 7:13pm #
Matt said on August 8, 2008:
Yes.
Posted 15 Aug 2008 (4 weeks ago) at 12:47pm #
Currently, I have a fairly high handicap (about 18), but all the talk about these irons being more for the "skilled" didn't deter me one bit. My handicap was about 22 when I first got the AP2's and now my handicap has dropped in the last few months. I'm confident that it's only going to get lower.
The AP2's are not just great for the skilled golfer but also an aspiring golfer. I'm an aspiring competitive golfer and the AP2's are really helping me get there. Keep in mind that there will be a slight learning curve to hit these, but the feedback you get from these irons will help you straighten things out. Good luck!
Posted 19 Aug 2008 (3 weeks ago) at 4:20pm #
[...] the spring release of the AP2 and AP1 irons (along with the ZB and ZM) and new putters, and the impending release of new drivers, [...]