Interview with Steve Pelisek on Titleist AP1/AP2 Irons

[iacas]

I know a lot of you will want to check out Episode 087 of the Golf Talk Podcast . In it, and for about 12 minutes, we talk with Steve Pelisek, VP of Golf Club Sales and Marketing for Titleist, about the sizzling hot AP1 and AP2 irons.

[Maverick]

I just listened to the AP1/AP2 interview and quite informative. Didn't realize that AP1/2's were 90% of their sales right now..wow

[iacas]

I just listened to the AP1/AP2 interview and quite informative. Didn't realize that AP1/2's were 90% of their sales right now..wow

Yeah, they had predicted it would be around there. They had also predicted about a 2:1 split between AP1 and AP2. They're seeing more of a 50/50 split.

[JYB]

so, how long before titleist comes out with the next generation of AP1 & AP2 ? I'm happy with my CG1 black pearls right now but when next season comes and i want to get fitted for irons, i'll prob. want to pick up the next evolution of AP2

[Lefty731PM]

I know a lot of you will want to check out

Very interesting interview. He was very forthcoming and made some thought provoking comments. I really like this sort of discussion. The guy wasn't overtly pushing anything and is a great spokesperson for the company.

I still think the choice to go with Project X was more about being edgy and "out there" and I think that it's inevitable that the conventional carbon forged models are on the way out. I think he was a little bit cagey about these two points, especially the shaft issue. Regarding the drop in tour support of the conventional blades and a move towards the AP2s, there are two words which helped justify good amateurs playing forged Titleist musclebacks until recently and this must have helped maintain sales. One of them is :"Adam" and the other one starts with "S". That 25% of 44 tour Titlesist players is really a startlingly low number given that it would have been double that (at least) a year ago and that the AP2s have only been out a few months.

[iacas]

so, how long before titleist comes out with the next generation of AP1 & AP2 ? I'm happy with my CG1 black pearls right now but when next season comes and i want to get fitted for irons, i'll prob. want to pick up the next evolution of AP2

Probably two years. That's the schedule they pretty much stick with for irons, drivers, hybrids, woods, etc.

Very interesting interview. He was very forthcoming and made some thought provoking comments. I really like this sort of discussion. The guy wasn't overtly pushing anything and is a great spokesperson for the company.

Agreed.

I still think the choice to go with Project X was more about being edgy and "out there" and I think that it's inevitable that the conventional carbon forged models are on the way out. I think he was a little bit cagey about these two points, especially the shaft issue.

I don't think Steve was lying. As he said, it was very close. Going stepless, given their focus on "feel" with these irons, makes a lot of sense. Stepped shafts like the close competitor and old standby DG shafts usually feel harsher as vibrations are amplified.

I think he was pretty forthcoming. And on the "conventional forged models" issue, he admitted that AP1/AP2 were 90% of their sales and 25% of their Tour play. It would depend on how you define "on the way out." In 50 years or five?

That 25% of 44 tour Titlesist players is really a startlingly low number given that it would have been double that (at least) a year ago and that the AP2s have only been out a few months.

Tour pros have had AP2s since the off-season, and it's not like it dropped from 100%. Billy Mayfair, Jay Haas, and a lot of other guys were playing even the 695.CB type clubs, or even 755s. Those types of clubs wouldn't be included in that 25%, then or now.

[DavidFehertysBike]

The AP2's are great performing clubs, I hit them 10 yarders further in average even with more spin, so dont get me wrong. But my next set of titileist irons will probably be another set of 695's or 735cm's. There is just something in the back of my head telling me they will have durabillity issues. Too many parts. I guess ill have to wait and see.

[iacas]

The AP2's are great performing clubs, I hit them 10 yarders further in average even with more spin, so dont get me wrong. But my next set of titileist irons will probably be another set of 695's or 735cm's. There is just something in the back of my head telling me they will have durabillity issues. Too many parts. I guess ill have to wait and see.

Lots of other clubs have elastomer parts or are laser welded and don't have problems. I think your fears are unfounded.

And of course the 695s and 735s are discontinued, so you may want to pick up a set sooner rather than later if that's the way you're leaning.

[DavidFehertysBike]

Yeah I know. Ill probably move to get a set of 735's after this season. There are always sets out there. My pro has a couple of sets of AP2's with different shafts (he has a DG set as well) and is not playing either of them in his US Open qualifying today. That raised some doubt with me too, because i trust his instincts.

[GOLFSALOT00]

i hit both and found the ap1's a little bulky but absoulutely fell in love with the ap2's

[The Rambler]

There's a demo day coming up next week so I'll get to try them out there, I hope

[wrx_junki]

Tried the AP1's today but didn't attempt the AP2's. It felt really nice . Once I do an overhaul on my horrendous swing, maybe then I can splurge on one of the two!

[DCIplayer]

Can't wait to try out the AP2s. Have been looking to change my old DCIs for a while, but nothing really had cought my eye enough to justify the $$$... the 735CMs almost did, but budget didn't allow at that time. I have a feeling this club will fit me very well, but I dislike the fact that I will have to wait like 2 months if I do decide to order a set. Golf season is pretty short here in Canada.

[GOLFSALOT00]

ap2's are nice but they are just to expensive i love the look not to intimidating at adress but not a gynormus topline

[Jwroe04]

Hit the AP2's this weekend at a demo day...Got fit and low and behold everything was all normal!
Love the feel and workability of the irons, a nice middle ground between the R7 TPs (extremely forgiving no feel) and the 735's (great feel but need to hit them perfect).

The one piece I am still on the fence on is to go with the Project X (hit them higher) or stick with the proven DG S300.

Anyone done this comparison?

[JodyB]

Some folks are actually mixing the sets, going with AP2 scoring irons and AP1 long irons. I recently switched to the AP1's and have been very pleased thus far. Despite their tremendous feel, I really don't play enough to justify forged irons in my bag!!!!

[hrspear]

I actually hit the AP2's better than the AP1's. But, based on the higher price and the fact that as a new golfer, started last year, something more forgiving made sense I went with the AP1's.

I love the feel, and they look much better than the hodge-podge of blades that I had been playing with (mostly 20-30 year old Rams that looked like someone had used the heads to smash rocks).

[KW2]

Just bought the AP1s from Golf Galaxy this past week. I hit probably 7 different types of game imporvement iron set and the AP1s were the ones I I hit consistently well. It was a tough decision though between the AP1s and the Pings (I live in AZ and the plant is in my backyard).

I currently play with some Snake Eyes Irons that I bought off of a club maker on Ebay. The Snake Eyes are good clubs but I hit them way to high and they are not properly fitted for my swing.

Got fitted and I was 1/2 inch over and 2 degrees upright with stiff shafts. My new AP1s should be here sometime next week and I can't wait. Since purchasing the clubs I have become a cheap chill for Titleist (I love their website especially www.mytpi.com . I never thought I would ever be playing Titleist clubs this soon in my golf journey but here I am.