Fitting Experience and AP2 716 Review

SugarPenguin

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So I recently took the plunge and got custom fit for the New Titleist 716 AP2 irons. I have had my eye on the 714s for quite a while but decided to wait for the new instalment. I didn’t set out to get the new AP2’s either as I almost opted for the new Mizuno MP25. I was playing some 2011 Nike Pro Combo CBs but I was hitting them far far too high and I just felt like I needed a change. This was my first time being custom fit and its definitely something I would recommend doing.

Appearance

First off the Titleists are stupidly pretty. They aren’t big and brash but have that classic style that just emits quality, with a timeless polished satin finish. The reverse side of the clubs have had quite a bit of a modern makeover which I prefer to that of the more old look on the 714’s, so you actually look like you are receiving a new Titleist product with the 716 range. Its black and subtle so it keeps with the professional classic theme.

Behind the ball the irons have a thin-medium top line and a medium sized face and blade length. They look extremely comfortable behind the ball and are not intimidating in the slightest. There’s a little bit of offset too which I am not entirely against but it seems to diminish as you go to the shorter irons which is useful.

Theres only one minor issue with the appearance, for some reason the words tungsten are stamped across the long irons. It does nothing for the look of the club and I can only assume its there for marketing reasons. Still its nothing to put me off or take anything away from how the clubs are presented as a whole.

Performance

As you are all probably aware Titleist talk quite a lot about the tungsten weighting to help MOI and a lower CG. The “technology” differs from brand to brand, however, the message is usually the same for this market of irons - longer and straighter shots with workability and forgiveness when you need it. As you can probably tell I am a bit of a sceptic and think it’s just a ploy to buy clubs… however it does actually work! I was getting about 4 yards extra carry with my mid irons which was ok (this did increase to 11 with an upgraded shaft), however the dispersion with the AP2’s was just insane. The distance control was very pleasing but the actual dispersion (left – right shots) which is my huge weakness was incredible. I couldn’t believe it. Huge congratulations to Titleist on this:clap:. These clubs fully justify Advanced Performance and are a huge credit to how the clubs are marketed in relation to the technology used. The straightest irons I have hit which ultimately led me to getting the AP2’s over the MP25’s.
Believe it or not the MP25’s went quite a bit farther but I couldn’t hit them quite as straight. My game needs consistency and precision, not distance.

On poor strikes and miss-hits - the AP2’s still provided decent distance and height on thin shots, but hitting it out of the heel or toe you lose substantial distance. However this is to be expected in all fairness. For me, the MOI is the main sell point in terms of the technology as I am quite “wristy” through the ball.

Feel

My old Nikes were butter soft out the middle so I was expecting the AP2 and the M25 to be the same. Surprisingly none of them felt as soft as my old Nikes which at first I found disappointing. Fair enough Titleist are not claiming they are trying to make the softest forged clubs but I was expecting a softer feel. The M25’s in particular (nothing feels like a mizuno) were the biggest surprise. If I was blind testing between the M25 and a cast iron club I would struggle to tell the difference.

The Titleists still offer great feedback from strikes though, accompanied by quite a duller sound to the 714’s. Slightly more powerful and solid in that respect but exceptionally pleasing. Hitting it out the toe you do here a distinctive Thwack that also lets your playing partners know you have had a bad swing, which prompts all the usual comments regarding paying ‘x’ amount of pounds for something you cannot use….

Through the ball, the clubs feel very solid and they really glide through the turf crisply and cleanly. The AP2’s have clearly been constructed with quality being the key factor in their production.

Shafts and customization

Stock shafts were pretty good for the AP2’s which I believe were a new version of Dynamic gold S300 (AMT). I did get on pretty well with these and tried several of all the main shafts but my results were the best with the Project X 6.0. I need to hit the ball much lower and recently to do this I have been slowing my swing speed down slightly. The fact the shafts are fairly heavy definitely helped me through impact on my swing on keeping the clubface on the correct plane. Distance wise they were the second longest behind the C-taper but My dispersion was nowhere near as tight nor was the stopping power so the Project X won over. As previously mentioned I got around 7 yards extra carry with the Project X.

I also went for the multicompound golfpride grips as I think they are fantastic. If you havent had a go with these grips then you are missing out. They just make so much sense after you have had a go with them.

The AP2 lofts are very traditional unlike the callaways and taylormades of this world and because I hit a high ball I got them 1 degree strong. I also got them half an inch shorter and the lie is standard.
These little changes do make a huge difference to my shots both from a statistical standpoint but also knowing my equipment is tailored to my requirements adds so much confidence. If you have never been custom fit before then I really do recommend it. My first 18 holes produced a joint personal best of 6 over and I hit 60% GIR, compared to my usual average of 20%.

Conclusion

I really cannot stress enough how much I enjoyed being custom fit. I was knackered by the end of it but seeing all the stats is really quite something. The main overwhelming feeling is knowing that with a good set of bats I can finally improve instead of worrying my equipment is not up to par or set up right for me. I know you shouldn’t blame your gear but if its in the back of your mind then it will affect your game going forward. My advice… spend the extra money and time getting custom fit and take on board what the fitter is saying and what you are wanting your golf clubs to do for you. I came away from the experience thinking – “ I cannot believe I didn’t do this much sooner.”
The Titleists AP2 are a superb club and if you are wanting a classic iron with some hidden modern features then its definitely one to consider. Its looks and performs as good as any of the irons on the market today. If you are a good ball striker then you really need to give these a go. :thup:
 
D

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Thanks for this and good timing, off to Kings Acre early December for a fitting😃
 

chrisd

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Great write up and very interesting. I'm going to Titleist next week with a mate who's having an AP2 fitting and it'll be interesting to see their fitters at work
 

ForeRighty

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Good review.

I was in a very similar situation and were custom fit for both 716 ap2 by titleist and Mizuno mp25 by local pro.

I opt for the titleist based on feel and dispersion!
 

Vardon11LDN

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Just put my new 716 AP1's in my bag and I love them. I had a hit with the AP2's (which were great)but I am not quite good enough for them yet. Enjoy your new bats
 

Alex1975

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Thanks for letting us know and good write up. Where/who did the custom fit for you?

Surprised that both the MP were longer and that they were no as accurate for you. I wonder if the latter was a lie angle thing. I understand Mizuno and Titleist standard lie angle is quite a bit different.
 

SugarPenguin

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Thanks for the comments lads. Got fit with my local pro who owns a driving range. Nothing too special but still had a large choice. Glad to hear that some other people are using them too :) let me know how you get on. The mizunos were a close second. I was surprised how far they went. They were quite a bit bulkier though.

@curls - resistance is futile. You won't regret it
 

Junior

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Did you try the hybrid ? Looks to be a big push from Titleist to match the hybrid to the set of irons this year
 

Curls

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Thanks for the comments lads. Got fit with my local pro who owns a driving range. Nothing too special but still had a large choice. Glad to hear that some other people are using them too :) let me know how you get on. The mizunos were a close second. I was surprised how far they went. They were quite a bit bulkier though.

@curls - resistance is futile. You won't regret it

I'm going to regret this but if you don't want to say on here could you PM me his name/location please?! If you play at Gainsborough chances are he is within striking distance of me. Is he any good for lessons?

This is going to cost me I just know it is :)

Badly need a win at the golf betting, its how I fund my game! Was having a great season betting-wise until the last month or so, seem to have lost the touch...
 

SugarPenguin

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Did you try the hybrid ? Looks to be a big push from Titleist to match the hybrid to the set of irons this year

Im really happy with my current adams driving iron come hybrid so i didnt really have the urge to try them. However, I like that they have released the hybrids with the irons this year.

I'm going to regret this but if you don't want to say on here could you PM me his name/location please?! If you play at Gainsborough chances are he is within striking distance of me. Is he any good for lessons?

This is going to cost me I just know it is :)

Badly need a win at the golf betting, its how I fund my game! Was having a great season betting-wise until the last month or so, seem to have lost the touch...

I shall send you a PM. You should definitely go and try them out.
 

HomerJSimpson

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Not good for someone like me that has a Titleist inkling since Silvermere. Trying to put it to the back of my mind and then this pops up. Sounds like a great experience and hope these really work for you
 

SugarPenguin

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Not good for someone like me that has a Titleist inkling since Silvermere. Trying to put it to the back of my mind and then this pops up. Sounds like a great experience and hope these really work for you

Ha cheers Homer.
Just think if WWIII Kicks off and everybody dies then you will regret not giving this a whirl.:D Hope I havent made this more difficult for you.
 

HomerJSimpson

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Ha cheers Homer.
Just think if WWIII Kicks off and everybody dies then you will regret not giving this a whirl.:D Hope I havent made this more difficult for you.

Not worried about WWIII. More worried about dealing with HID if she sees a new set in the bag and the cost on the cc statement. She's already hinting my myjoy golf shoe fetish has to end!
 

SugarPenguin

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Sounds good. Definitely whetted my appetite for trying the AP1's, once I find time and somewhere close by that's stocking them!

I didn't even consider the AP1 so I unfortunately have input for you I'm afraid apart from get custom fit for them.

Just try them Homer - it is Christmas after all :thup:
 
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