AP1 or AP2?

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By Blake J

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  1. Blake J

    Blake J
    Lethbridge, Alberta

    I know this question is probably being worn out on the here, but after hitting both irons I am torn. I am a 10 handicap. I do not hit long irons at all. Average lengths at best. Would I lose some yardage in the AP2 compared to my current "blade style" iron? Would I gain some yardage in the AP1? One concern for me is the wedge in both sets. 48 degree in the AP1 and 50 degree in the AP2. I play a 54 and 58 Vokey SM5 in my bag, so ideally the AP2 would match up nice. Or should I be concerned about 2 degrees from about 115 - 100 yards in? Any insight into this would be helpful. Regards, Blake J
  2. Dino J

    Dino J
    Burnaby, BC

    Hi Blake! You didn't mention the model and make of the irons that you are currently playing except to mention that they are blade like. Of course, the best choice for you in new irons would be greatly aided by getting fit by a Titleist certified fitter. I am a huge fan of the fitting process since my early days with Png clubs, and now with all of my Titleist clubs. As a 10 handicap, I assume that you are putting good swings on the ball and making good contact most of the time. There are "pros" and "cons" to the AP1 or AP2 depending on many factors. The fitting process allowed me to demo the clubs with different shaft options while at the same time using the Trackman launch monitor to provide valuable feedback. In my process, I wound up going with the AP2s with a different shaft than the standard Dynamic Gold shafts. My handicap was similar to yours when I ordered my clubs. I benefited from the forged clubs (AP2) by improving the feel and feedback that I get -- which in turn has been a major aid in helping me improve my ball striking. So, the short answer - demo the clubs and go through the fitting process. I'm confident that you will enjoy the process and the results!
  3. Blake J

    Blake J
    Lethbridge, Alberta

    Thanks for the info Dino! To answer the questions about current irons, I am playing J36 Pocket Cavity with a project X 6.0 shaft. I think for next season I will look into the fitting and demo. Appreciate your help once again! 

    Regards,

    Blake

  4. Dino J

    Dino J
    Burnaby, BC

    Hi Blake, I think you will really enjoy the demo and fitting process. The data feedback from the launch monitor coupled with your experience in trying the clubs will be of tremendous benefit. You can sort through the variables of AP1 vs AP2 with the fitter. I would strongly recommend using a Certified Titleist Fitter ... I have used both and it was my experience that the Titleist Fitter had a much more thorough knowledge of the various products, the shaft options available, shaft and club head characteristics, plus the use of the Trackman to provide more feedback. I hope you enjoy both the process and the new clubs that come out of the process!
  5. Jesse V

    Jesse V
    Cedar Park, TX

    Hi Blake,

    Dino is definitely correct, your best bet is to go through a certified Titleist fitter with your main focus on the shaft. I worked as a club fitter for about 10 years (about 10 years ago) and the key to getting the correct club in anyone's hands was getting them the correct shaft.  It is equated to getting the right engine/drivetrain in a car; it does all the work and the rest is about aesthetics, feel, and your impression.  Once you hit either club with the right shaft, you will know it and a good club fitter will be able to identify it as well.  Take your time, and then go for which ever club you feel the best about (AP1 or AP2).  The look and feel are what inspires confidence, especially when you know you have the right shafts and other specs.

    Good luck, have fun, and hit 'em straight,

    Jesse

  6. peter a

    peter a
    waquoit, MA

    HI Blake,

    I played miz forgings for years and loved them. But I had a chance to participate in  a Titleist commercial shoot a couple of years ago (awesome experience!) and was fitted by one of the pro fitters from Titleist with the then new AP2s. I concur that a fitting makes a huge difference! I ended up with an entirely different shaft type than I had been playing, flattened a couple of degrees in the lie angle of the clubs, and my ball striking improved immediately. Iron distance was a touch longer but with a higher trajectory. That is a pretty nice combination and created different options for me as i pondered mid to long irons. But the real benefit i found was more consistent ball striking and that is worth whatever you spend!

    I love the AP2s - very similar to the MZ irons I had played in that the look appeals to my eye - I like a thinner top line - I grew up playing WSN blades and while I couldn't hit'em a lick  until I was older, they look always appealed to me. AP1s and AP2s aren't that dissimilar - just more forgiveness n those off hits with the AP1s. For me, wedges are less about the yardage differentials and more about feel - If you love your current wedge set up, keep it ! You can dial in the correct distances to account for yardage differentials with...practice!

  7. MMHarmon32

    MMHarmon32
    St Louis, MO

    Military

    I had a set of the AP1s with the W (gap) wedge, and switched from 54/58 wedges to 56/60 wedges.  I do think you will pick up distance in the AP1s coming from the B'stones.

    The other alternative for you would be bending the PW to 49.5 or adding a 52 degree wedge bent to 51 to fill that 'gap' between the 54 and your new irons.

  8. Rory K

    Rory K
    Las Vegas, NV

    Blake J said:

    I know this question is probably being worn out on the here, but after hitting both irons I am torn. I am a 10 handicap. I do not hit long irons at all. Average lengths at best. Would I lose some yardage in the AP2 compared to my current "blade style" iron? Would I gain some yardage in the AP1? One concern for me is the wedge in both sets. 48 degree in the AP1 and 50 degree in the AP2. I play a 54 and 58 Vokey SM5 in my bag, so ideally the AP2 would match up nice. Or should I be concerned about 2 degrees from about 115 - 100 yards in? Any insight into this would be helpful. Regards, Blake J

    You could try a combo set to help your issue with the long irons.  That's what I have right now: 3- and 4-iron in AP1, bent 1 degree weak, and 5-PW in AP2 standard lofts.  My 3- and 4-irons are clubs I hit almost exclusively off the tee on long par 3s, so I'm not so much concerned with workability as I am forgiveness and tight dispersion on mishits.  The AP1 is perfect for those things, whereas I prefer the workability and flighting from the AP2s in my scoring clubs.  In fact, Zach Johnson just won the British Open playing the AP1 in the 4-iron and the AP2s in the 5 through 9 irons.

    As for the gapping around the wedges, I have the AP2 pitching wedge at 46, then I have 50, 55, and 60 degree Vokeys.  Your setup should be fine with the 4 degree gaps between the wedges, although I think you may be referring to the AP1 "wedge" as the gap wedge that would come with the set.

  9. Ricky H

    Ricky H
    Garner, NC

    I am playing the AP1,s (714) and love them. I have tried on occasion a friends Ap2's and while I hit them pretty well, the AP1 is a little more forgiving on miss hits. The AP2  has a smaller sweet spot and miss hits for me, were much more dramatic. Everyone is right though, you should go thru the fitting process and that way it will become evident which way you should go.

  10. Blake J said:

    I know this question is probably being worn out on the here, but after hitting both irons I am torn. I am a 10 handicap. I do not hit long irons at all. Average lengths at best. Would I lose some yardage in the AP2 compared to my current "blade style" iron? Would I gain some yardage in the AP1? One concern for me is the wedge in both sets. 48 degree in the AP1 and 50 degree in the AP2. I play a 54 and 58 Vokey SM5 in my bag, so ideally the AP2 would match up nice. Or should I be concerned about 2 degrees from about 115 - 100 yards in? Any insight into this would be helpful. Regards, Blake J
    go for the AP2. pay the extra $100 bucks and get forged clubs. if you can strike the ball fairly well, the AP2s will be great. You can always bend the lofts 2 degrees strong and pick up some distance. wait for the 716's to come out this fall. i hear they are killer

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