My Titleist Forged AP2 Review

***iacas*** · April 22, 2008

It will be available Friday morning. Here's the conclusion:

Source: AP2 Review (upcoming)

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.

Feel free to ask some questions here, and I'll try to answer them.

**atrapasuenos** · April 22, 2008

I recently bought the 585.H and what an awesome club. Now I want to buy this AP2 jeje. I hope that this summer that I go to Vegas I can try them... maybe buy them hehe.

The only thing I would like to see is, a comparison with pictures of the sole and topline between the AP2 and a muscleback iron. Erik, can you make this comparison?

Congratulations for your AP2!

Regards.

***iacas*** · April 22, 2008

The only thing I would like to see is, a comparison with pictures of the sole and topline between the AP2 and a muscleback iron. Erik, can you make this comparison?

I can. I'm not going to take pictures, though... they'd just emphasize the difference and it's really what amounts to a small difference. You can adjust. They're thicker, but not super-thick.

I think you can kind of compare them using some of the shots we have, though, if you're really keen on doing so: Address (or address upside down):

From the toe side:

The musclebacks in those are the 695.MBs, of course.

**atrapasuenos** · April 22, 2008

Thanks Erik, they look awesome. I was wondering, if the sole is more or less similar to the X-20 Tour irons?

Ahhh I can't wait until friday for the review hehe!

Thnaks for your answers.

Regards.

***iacas*** · April 22, 2008

Thanks Erik, they look awesome. I was wondering, if the sole is more or less similar to the X-20 Tour irons?

I have no idea. Callaway's current treatment of new media is poor. They've previously been very good, but cleaned house lately and a lot of people quit or were let go, and now they're very bad about communicating with us.

So, no idea.

**nykfan4life** · April 22, 2008

What's the dampening elastomer effect like with the AP2? Similar to the 'gelback' in the CG reds?

**immts007** · April 22, 2008

What's the dampening elastomer effect like with the AP2?

That question makes me feel like Boo Weekley when McCord asked him about MOI last week

***iacas*** · April 22, 2008

What's the dampening elastomer effect like with the AP2? Similar to the 'gelback' in the CG reds?

The Gelbacks kind of felt "dead" really, and reacted very poorly to shots struck high on the face.

The elastomer in the AP2 just seems to help soften al shots. It doesn't make them feel "dead," or "the same no matter where you strike them" like the CG Red. Just a bit softer and a bit more solid, but still with enough feedback so you know where you hit the ball on the clubface.

test123123 · April 23, 2008

Which one looks better AP2 or ZM or MP67?

***iacas*** · April 23, 2008

Which one looks better AP2 or ZM or MP67?

Let's keep it to serious questions, mmmmkay?

**steve8820** · April 23, 2008

Erik,

I am really struggling with my decision between the AP1 and AP2. I am playing to a 14 right now, but the majority of my lost strokes are due to the short game. Surprise, surprise......the part of my game that gets little practice time. I've hit the AP1's and they felt great, but I don't want to buy them and regret the decision in a year or two. I've been playing right at a year, but my ball striking is solid. I work on my game during the week and get a lesson every 2 weeks. I feel that I am only going to get better and hope to be a single digit next year. That being said, would the AP2's be too far a stretch for me at this point? Thanks for your help.

Sickman · April 23, 2008

Are the AP2s too much club for a mid-handicapper (like 12)? I don't want to torture myself with clubs I can't hit consistently and I could certainly use some game improvement. At the same time, I don't like the look or feel of silly, gimmecky, chunky beginner irons.

I've been playing TaylorMade Burner Oversize irons for 14 years. I'm planning to demo the AP1/2, the R7s and the X20s.

Thanks.

**Clubchucker** · April 23, 2008

Are the AP2s too much club for a mid-handicapper (like 12)? I don't want to torture myself with clubs I can't hit consistently and I could certainly use

Don't mean to hijack Erik's thread but I thought I could help a little here, since I'm much closer to your handicap than Erik is. I'm right at a 12 myself, and most of my strokes are lost 50 yards and in. When I got fitted for my AP1's, the fitter (who was recommended by the Titleist rep in my area) told me I'd be fine hitting the AP2's. It was my choice to stay with the AP1 because of the extra forgiveness. And, I'm not a big worker of the ball. As I like to say, "working the ball to me is hitting the damn thing straight". I'm almost 42; I'm not going out on tour to fire at pins. I just want to improve, and I don't mind having my equipment help me in that aspect.

The AP1 irons are definitely not chunky and gimmicky. Not at all, or at least in my opinion. They're not like the wide bodied soles of the Fusions/etc. I know exactly what you're talking about. They're definitely thicker than a forged club, but I don't think they're "out there" so to speak. Like you, I had my decision down to the same exact three clubs you mentioned (AP's/X-20/R7). After seeing the clubs, I immediately ruled out the R7 and I'll tell you why. Now this may sound stupid or anal or whatever, but it's me: I'm a clean freak when it comes to my clubs. I keep them nice and it good condition and always have. The R7, if you look at the back of the club, has like a "channel" in the back. I looked at that and could only imagine how many grass clippings or mud or whatever would get down in there...and it's so tight, you couldn't get anything down there to clean it....or dry it when you gave them a bath. Couldn't get a towel, a Q Tip...nothing. Immediate turn off because I'd go nuts. May sound stupid, but that's why I removed them from my short list.

**Fletch09** · April 23, 2008

I hit the demo AP2 6 iron at my club this weekend and these clubs felt almost identical to my X-Tour 2006 irons. They look remarkably similar at address, also. I'd say the ball flight was slightly higher with the AP2, but that was likely because my irons have 6.0 shafts and the demo club had a 5.5.

***iacas*** · April 24, 2008

I am really struggling with my decision between the AP1 and AP2. I am playing to a 14 right now, but the majority of my lost strokes are due to the short game. Surprise, surprise......the part of my game that gets little practice time. I've hit the AP1's and they felt great, but I don't want to buy them and regret the decision in a year or two. I've been playing right at a year, but my ball striking is solid. I work on my game during the week and get a lesson every 2 weeks. I feel that I am only going to get better and hope to be a single digit next year. That being said, would the AP2's be too far a stretch for me at this point? Thanks for your help.

I learned - from the get-go - on musclebacks. I was grateful for the experience because I KNEW I wanted to improve at golf and the "better" clubs MADE me. They had to be hit perfectly, so I had to learn how to hit the ball perfectly. No margin for error.

That's how I'm built. I'm not sure if you're built the same way. If you can handle a little less forgiveness for the sake of improvement, the AP2s may be the clubs for you. If you just want to enjoy golf now and aren't as dead-set on "improving" as I was, you may find the AP1 to be a better fit. Or you may have your own various reasons for going one way or the other. Best advice I can give you is to hit both and see what you think. The difference in stock shafts alone may be enough to push you towards one or the other.

Are the AP2s too much club for a mid-handicapper (like 12)? I don't want to torture myself with clubs I can't hit consistently and I could certainly use

The AP1s I don't think look "silly, gimmicky, or chunky." They're for the "aspiring" golfer, which in Titleist's dictionary means the guy who's about a 7 to about a 15 (with "skilled golfer" being pro to about a 9 - there's some overlap).

See my advice above - I think it might apply to you too.

**golf_junkie27** · April 24, 2008

Erik

It sounds like you really like these clubs. Is there a club out there that intrigues you enough where you might think about making a switch? I ask only because I've seen where you've sold many clubs, you were playing the TM MBs and you had the MP 67s but never hit them.

Just curious because I realize you have a lot of access to items that many of us don't. Or, at the very least, the ability to this access.

***iacas*** · April 24, 2008

It sounds like you really like these clubs. Is there a club out there that intrigues you enough where you might think about making a switch? I ask only because I've seen where you've sold many clubs, you were playing the TM MBs and you had the MP 67s but never hit them.

I still have the TMs. I still have the MP-67s. I might not hit either of them this year...

**Jack_2251** · April 24, 2008

I have a question:
Which is more forgiving in DISTANCE for shots off the toe/heel/high on the face (out of rough, not fat)? 695.CB, AP2?
And which is more workable for high and low shots? (if you have even hit the 695.cb's)
Thanks

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