Titleist 718 AP1 Vs AP2 Vs AP3 – What’s Best For Your Game?

Titleist 718 AP1 Vs AP2 Vs AP3 – What’s Best For Your Game?

I will start this article by admitting that I am a loyal Titleist fan and so this could border on the sycophantic, apologies in advance.

With so many irons on offer from just one great manufacturer, it can be hard to know what is best for your game and your ambitions.

Today we are going to break it down for you and enable you to make a more informed decision.

These are some of the best irons that Titleist have ever made and, given their age, you can get a real bargain on some of these models so let’s dive right in.

The Titleist 718 Series

Titleist have a longer product launch cycle than the other big players in the golf market so when they bring out something new you know it’s going to be a step forward.

Launched in September 2017, this was the first time we had seen the AP3 iron alongside the AP1 and AP2.

These clubs were sleeker than their predecessors, the 716s, and had more aggressive styling.

They almost served to show skilled golfers that a cavity back iron was an option for them instead of going with bladed irons and making things less forgiving.

Are They Still Good?

Yes. Almost everything that Titleist makes is of excellent quality and is timeless, well except the 907 D1 driver.

The T Series irons may have replaced these irons but they are built on the foundations of the AP series and so you know they will still be absolutely fantastic clubs.

Titleist 718 AP1 Irons Overview

The AP1 irons were built for game improvement.

These are for the golfer who has built the foundation of a game and is looking to take their game to the next level.

Someone with a handicap of between 12-20 would get a lot from these clubs.

The deep cavity in the long irons instills confidence whilst the offset hosel helps keep the ball under control.

AP1s still look like players clubs though, they aren’t big fat ugly things that scream “game improvement”. The progressive shallowing of the cavity also inspires confidence.

Selling Points

These clubs have a classic yet modern look that is delivered in the signature Titleist style.

They are designed to deliver maximum distance and forgiveness. The long irons, mid irons and short irons are all design individually as groups to ensure the best performance through the bag.

Quick Facts

– A lower centre of gravity (CG) ensures optimal launch conditions through the bag

– These irons are designed to launch the ball high to optimise long game control

Who Should Use Them?

The AP1 irons are perfect for those who are starting to take golf seriously and want to give themselves the perfect irons for improvement.

They are for golfers who struggle a bit with consistency of strike but who have committed to becoming good golfers.

They will suit golfers who would like a bit more height on their iron shots and who need a little help with ball speed.

Golfers with a handicap range of about 12-20 will really get a lot from playing these clubs.

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Titleist 718 AP2 Irons Overview

Famously used by Jordan Spieth, amongst others, the Titleist AP2 irons are a bit of a blockbuster hit.

These beautiful forged irons are a perfect blend of forgiveness and playability that will give intermediate to elite golfers everything they want through the bag.

They are part of a new generation of iron that gives playability and feel in abundance whilst offering far more forgiveness than blades.

They say there is no such thing as a free lunch but the AP2 is as close as you’ll get to one.

Selling Points

It’s hard not to be sold on these irons by their looks alone. Then once you’ve hit a few you may just fall in love with them.

These irons are exciting and will give you a proper edge on the course. They are a modern tour iron that have been developed for the best players in the world.

Quick Facts

– Perimeter weighting, as seen on drivers, add unrivalled consistency and precision

– Progressive weighting through the bag instills a feel of confidence in every club

Who Should Use Them?

These irons are for golfers from plus handicaps right up to the top of the single figures.

They are will give any golfer in this skill range a new feeling of confidence in their iron game. If you need as much control on the ball as possible whilst gaining some leeway in strike then these are for you.

Jordan Spieth won many majors and got to world number one playing these irons so you can be sure of their quality even at this elite level.

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Titleist 718 AP3 Irons Overview

The 2017/18 line-up featured a brand new iron, the Titleist AP3, and it filled a gap that previous ranges was missing.

Essentially the AP3 was developed for the golfer who wanted the control and consistency of the AP2 but needed the distance of the AP1.

These irons are made to maximise distance and power whilst giving you more control than the AP1.

They sit in this line-up perfectly and provide a new way for golfers to maximise the benefit of their irons.

Selling Points

I have always felt that these irons are the unsung hero of this line-up.

They will give you distance that you haven’t seen before but with control and shot-shaping ability that equally impresses.

For many weekend golfers, these irons are a really special offering.

Quick Facts

– These irons use innovative hollow-blade construction to provide speed and spin control

– They combine precision on sweet strikes with forgiveness on misses better than other irons

Who Should Use Them?

If you are struggling for distance for whatever reason then these irons will give you a bit more speed and yardage.

They will bring great benefits to golfers within the handicap range of 8-18 and maybe beyond. They are great for skilled juniors, ladies and seniors especially.

These irons really need to be hit to be believed. You may not get the intimate feel of the AP2 but for what that lacks you will gain a lot of speed.

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Specs For The 718 Irons

Here’s a look at the line-up in more distance. Even more information can be found here.

Titleist AP1 Pros And Cons

Pros

These irons are explosive in terms of distance

They are incredibly forgiving

 Cons

They won’t give you as much feel as other offerings

AP1 irons fly very high

Titleist AP2 Pros And Cons

Pros

The AP2 is an advanced players iron with incredible feel

They are far more forgiving than other tour clubs out there

 Cons

AP2 irons may not give you any advantage in terms of distance

They are better suited to highly skilled players

Titleist AP3 Pros And Cons

Pros

The AP3 is the best of both worlds with distance and control

Perfect for good golfers who don’t play as much as they used to

 Cons

These could be a little “jack of all trades, master of none”

How They Stack Up

There are combinations here for players to consider and here I will suggest how to approach this as a buyer.

If you are looking for game improvement then consider AP1 or AP3. If forgiveness is what you need then go AP1, if you are fine with that but need distance then go AP3.

If you are a skilled golfer then consider AP2 or AP3.

For those looking for feel and maximum ball control then go for the AP2, those looking for distance mixed with control go for AP3.

You probably wouldn’t want to consider a choice between AP1 and AP2, they are for different golfers.

Any Alternatives To Consider?

In my own experience, the current line-up from TaylorMade makes for a strong alternative.

This link gives you access to their back catalogue and the irons around 2017/18 were astoundingly good.

They continue to improve these year and year too.

Mizuno is another company that make some wonderful irons and have a nice wealth of options for golfers at various levels of the game.

Finally, the line-up from Srixon is worth a look. Srixon are renowned for making some of the best irons in the game.

Conclusion

Golf clubs are expensive and so investing in slightly older models can give you great bang for your golfing buck.

I find it very hard to see past Titleist but it is always worth getting your clubs checked by a fitter to get data to see what is objectively best for you.

New clubs are one of golf’s great joys and trying them before you commit is all a part of the process.

Take your time and hit a few of these clubs before you commit. The message is clear though, you cannot go far wrong in buying any of the 718 AP irons.