My Titleist Forged AP2 Review

[iacas]

Which is more forgiving in DISTANCE for shots off the toe/heel/high on the face (out of rough, not fat)? 695.CB, AP2?

AP2. I don't think it's even close.

And which is more workable for high and low shots? (if you have even hit the 695.cb's)

The 695.CB by the slimmest of margins. The stock shaft in the AP2 eliminates the need to knock down a lot of shots into the wind, too, because the shots have a bit less spin and really bore through any wind. So you won't find yourself hitting the ball low as often as you might currently.

Working the ball (trajectory and left and right) is a big thing for me, and I don't feel as though I've given up much at all in going from musclebacks (even more workability than the 695.CBs) to the AP2s.

[Guest]

Firstly Hello all as Im new here.

Need some advice regarding new iron selection.I have been and still am playing DCI 990's for the last 7 years.My local pro at the time actually advised me against purchasing these and said the clubs I had (original black triangle DCI's)were fine for me. But when I demo'd the 990's I found I was hitting them much better.But in those days I was playing about 4 times per week.I got down to 9 handicap with these clubs but now I have gone out to 12 but hope to go back to 9 this year as I am playing and practising regularly these days.

What would you recommend? AP1 or AP2?

[iacas]

What would you recommend? AP1 or AP2?

I recommend you hit both and decide. You're kind of between them as far as Titleist is concerned.

[Dent]

Iacas, in another thread you mentioned that you would suggest the AP2's for me.

I was so intrigued by your little review there and the description of the clubs, it felt like they definatly suit me. I have yet to try them though.

I am wondering why you suggest the AP2's instead of the AP1's for me? Thanks.

[Terrier]

Nice review, Erik.

Seems to be the 962B vs. 962 marketing ploy revisted. Hmmm.

Duval shot a 59 with 962 irons.

[rycur12]

I was wondering if you have tried the Titleist Z Blend Forged Irons, and if you have, which do you feel is the better choice between the AP2 and Z, for someone of my handicap?

Thanks.

[iacas]

I am wondering why you suggest the AP2's instead of the AP1's for me? Thanks.

Because you're a 7.9 and you're trending down... Knowing little else, that puts you in the AP2 camp.

Seems to be the 962B vs. 962 marketing ploy revisted. Hmmm.

A bit like that, but there are a lot more differences between these two models than the 962/962b stuff. For the record, until about three years ago, I still played my 962bs. They're still in my basement, too.

I was wondering if you have tried the Titleist Z Blend Forged Irons, and if you have, which do you feel is the better choice between the AP2 and Z, for someone of my handicap?

I have, I published my initial thoughts on them several months ago, we aren't reviewing them, and if we could keep this thread on topic I'd appreciate it.

The Review is Now Online Read the review online. Make comments there, or ask questions here. Please don't flip those and ask comments there and make statements here - the forum is better suited for comment-asking.

[JYB]

iacas,

great review! now, between the ZB's & the AP2's, which do you think is the more forgiving set? Which do you think is the better set of "players" clubs? I know it's hard to answer either of these questions, but if you could..

[atrapasuenos]

Nice review Erik, now I really feel that I have to buy them LOL. Definitely I want my AP2!

Regards

[iacas]

great review! now, between the ZB's & the AP2's, which do you think is the more forgiving set? Which do you think is the better set of "players" clubs? I know it's hard to answer either of these questions, but if you could..

Isn't the answer somewhat obvious? The club lineup is pretty intelligently positioned: ZM -> ZB -> AP2 -> AP1.

Now, the differences between them are not all equal, but that's how they're set up. The ZB is less forgiving. If you can't get over the topline of the AP2s, then the ZB or something might be for you. Perhaps the biggest difference is that the 8, 9, PW of the AP2 are still cavity backs while the ZB set they go to musclebacks. They're pretty close.

[JSC924]

iacas,

you mentioned, "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" in your review. Can you elaborate on what the current equipment rules for grooves, what most clubs out there have, and the proposed revised specs?

[iacas]

you mentioned, "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" in your review. Can you elaborate on what the current equipment rules for grooves, what most clubs out there have, and the proposed revised specs?

No. The equipment companies know what the proposed revised specs are. I don't.

[hawkeye]

Great review - I had to try them out at the weekend after reading it!

They are sweet - i'd consider getting them if I hadn't just got irons late last year (which are very similar, just a duller finish). I hit the AP2's with X100 and S300 shafts - beautiful trajectory on both.

Well done to Titleist for pioneering this fitting technique (in irons at least) - Titleist irons have moved up a notch!

[wilbur.kay]

I am a fan of pure blades and have played woods brothers for over a year now and have only just started think about a more forgiving iron. I had fanatsised about the AP2s until they arrived in the proshop. One round and I had ordered them before the 18th green. Loved the feel of the Project Xs in there just for consistency and solid feel. I definitely knew when I hit the (generous) middle of the club and look forward to working with them to get the handicap right down now. Any thoughts on a suitable vokey combo to match the bottom end of the 47* wedge?

[hurley9192]

what I find funny is 12 and 14 handicappers saying they lose strokes in their short games. However, if you hit more greens, then you wouldn't need to rely on your short game as much. Maybe getting more game improvement irons will help that area. I realize it is somewhat generlistic to say that. However, if you only hit 6 greens/round, you could use a better iron or driver to help you hit more fairways and greens. If you are a 12 and hit 10-13 greens/round, then it's your putting.

[iacas]

what I find funny is 12 and 14 handicappers saying they lose strokes in their short games. However, if you hit more greens, then you wouldn't need to rely on your short game as much. Maybe getting more game improvement irons will help that area. I realize it is somewhat generlistic to say that. However, if you only hit 6 greens/round, you could use a better iron or driver to help you hit more fairways and greens. If you are a 12 and hit 10-13 greens/round, then it's your putting.

Not many 12s hit 10-13 greens per round. Heck, average on the PGA Tour is only about 11 greens in regulation.

I'm fairly happy - as a 2.7 - to average about 9 GIR.

[Clubchucker]

Not many 12s hit 10-13 greens per round. Heck, average on the PGA Tour is only about 11 greens in regulation.

Thank you Erik. Being a 12-ish handicapper myself, I can ASSURE you that my downfall is indeed my short game. I seem to hit close to as many greens as my close golfing buddy's (who are 2-6 handicaps), but the difference in strokes are easy to figure out: when they miss a green, they chip it to 4-8 feet and either save par or escape with a bogey. If I blade a chip or hit it chunky, I'm looking at double bogey and maybe triple (depending on how bad it was). Do that a few times per round and that's quite a few strokes adding up, hence the difference in handicaps.

Of course I know it's nobody's fault but my own, and I've really been working hard on it. I'm a decent putter (not great, but not bad) but I guarantee you my putting stats would be better if I could chip it closer...and consistently. It's like I always tell people; from tee to green I play to about a 5 or 6 handicap. From 30 yards in, I'm a 12!

[JYB]

could i custom order an AP2 2 iron?