I would go AP1 and then invest in some lessons from a local pro. If he can get you working on fundamentals, the rest will come around and you will have a lot of fun out there.

If you play more than 10 rounds a year, you'll thank yourself for getting the AP1s. The SGI irons get stale in a hurry for anyone serious enough to play 20+ rounds a year. Do work with a pro to not develop self-taught bad habits. it will make the game more fun faster.

AP1's are great irons. They are the longest and most forgiving irons in the line. That being said, they are still used by some very good players and Ben Crane used them to win some PGA events if I'm not mistaken. If your going to put time into learning the game, don't be afraid to look at the AP3 also.

I'd go for a second opinion. Are there Titleist Tuesday events nearby?

I've found that confidence plays a big part in this game. I'd wonder what playing a brand deemed to be "lesser" or "easier" would do to the voices in the head (e.g., "I'm not good enough"). Ain't nobody got time for that.

You want AP1s, go get fitted for AP1s. Then, like the others suggested, take lessons and grind like the rest of us.

And like Luke suggested, also try out the AP3s. I got fitted for a combo set last year, AP1s for long irons and AP3s for the rest, but found that I loved the feeling of the 7i but didn't get the same vibe from the 5i and 6i. At Christmas I picked up the 4-6i in AP3 and enjoying the difference.

Good luck.

My advice might not be what you want to hear but I would look for a used set of AP1's instead of new. With you being pretty new at golf your swing could change quite a bit in the next year or 2. That being said in a year or 2 you might find you want something different in your irons. You can probably find a nice set of used 716 AP1's for 1/2 the price of new so then in a year if you decide you like the AP2's better it won't hurt the pocket book so bad. If you have your heart set on new, then don't let anyone stand in your way and go for it. Let us know what you end up getting and hope to see you on here in the future.

Find some used AP1s then go from there. Dont break the bank right away. Wait to see if it is somethimg you love and can justify funds down the road. Lessons. lessons. and oh, lessons.

I don't know what you fitter meant by "A more forgiving brand" since AP1's are one of the most forgiving, game improvement irons on the market. Some brands have more offset than AP1's or other visual differences but are not any more forgiving than AP1's. I am fortunate to belong to a club that has demo days of virtually every mfg. on the planet, including having the png and PXG tour vans come to us and have hit them all and I can tell you that for me, none of them have the look, feel and forgiveness of AP1's. Golf Magazine referred to AP1's as "The Holy Grail of game improvement irons " in their 2019 Club Test issue. Let me add that I am by no means a low handicap player, nor do I own a picturesque swing ( A little over the top to tell the truth ). Get lessons and get properly fit for AP1's rather than kicking the can down the road with a used set that doesn't fit to begin with.

I would recommend the AP1's. If you play at least 2x a week you will develop and begin hitting them well and they should be plenty forgiving. I would agree that if you are not fully committed to golf that looking for a lightly used set might save you some money, but that wouldn't always work if you were fit for some sort of lie and length adjustment. Best of luck this season and enjoy playing Titleist!!

AP1 would be my suggestion also. New or used, whichever you prefer. You will improve with a some lessons and be on your way.