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Titleist 718 AP2 Irons Review

Advancing Performance Again

Ryan Heiman
Founder and head author at Independent Golf Reviews

This is my official Titleist 718 AP2 Irons Review.

I spent over an hour getting fitted with a Titleist rep for these clubs and got them set up exactly the way I need them.

This is how they have performed for me on the course so far and my entire experience with getting these new AP2’s!

Titleist 718 AP2 Irons – Overview

OVERALL
RATING

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Since late 2008 the Titleist AP2 irons have been my gold standard for judging irons. They offer a perfect blend of compact looks yet have a forgiving cavity back design. They really have been one of the best designed irons over the years. Amateurs and Pros alike love the AP2 irons with their advancing performance in each new design. You’ll see tour pros with these in the bag and hit all the amazing shots they can control. You will also see the amateur at your club hit them straight, shot after shot. Titleist tweaked the AP2 design in the 718 model to make them even better.

Every two years, Titleist tweaks the design of the AP2 irons to improve them. This edition gets a changed CG, and revamped look. Since I preach fitting all the time, I spent an hour with the Titleist rep in Phoenix dialing in exactly what I needed. With the addition of the AP3 irons we wanted to see if I should have a combo set and what shafts were going to be the best set-up for me with these heads. I hit every iron Titleist has in the 718 line and settled on a full set of AP2s with DG S300 AMT Black shafts. They are a new model of shaft that I hit very well at the fitting. While I have played regular DG S300 and DG S300 AMT, the new Black model hit the perfect window of launch and spin. I was able to stick with the stock lofts and lies with the AP2 718 irons. This might be attributed to the shafts, but also the revamped design has the CG just a touch higher (by the looks of the cavity) which kept the spin and launch angle down some.

It was about a 10 days later that the Titleist 718 AP2 irons arrived at my home in Tucson, AZ. Since moving here I have been able take advantage of the fall release dates for new clubs. The over seeding season had just wrapped up and courses were in pristine condition. It was a perfect time to try out new irons. The Titleist AP2 718 irons looked really good in the bag. I had them paired with my JP wedges by Titleist for an amazing set from 4-iron through 58* wedge. My rounds with these irons have proven to be very successful. My iron play has been very precise. My GIR went up as did proximity to the hole. There was an immediate comfort level with these irons and it showed on the course. I really liked the turf interaction with these irons too. The camber on the sole is great for clean crisp shots off the firm AZ fairways.

One of the big advancements of the Titleist 718 AP2 irons for me was the better ball flight. Previous models were typically a little higher launching than I wanted. These however have a little lower flight for more penetration and even a little better distance. While these still aren’t going to be distance irons, they push the longer distances I’m used to seeing club to club. I usually hit an 8-irons around 150 yards. I was pushing the 155-160 mark with these irons. While I’m not looking for more distance in my irons, I like having just a little more distance available when needed. I find it allow me to fill the gaps a little better when you aren’t at the exact number or when weather or elevation requires a few more yards.

When I was getting fit for the Titleist AP2 718 Irons we tested the AP3 long irons vs the AP2 long irons. While the AP3 gave me a little more distance, the dispersion was a little wider and the feel wasn’t as pure so we stuck with the AP2s in the long irons. We also did some T-MB testing in the short irons but again I just was hitting the short irons in a tighter circle with the AP2 irons. I’m not saying that will be the case for everyone, but my testing led me to the full AP2 irons top to bottom. The one course testings has confirmed what we found in the fitting. There is more than enough forgiveness in the AP2 long irons and yet still precise in the short irons. The final piece to this puzzle that makes the AP2 718 irons so appealing is the amazing forged feel. Even though they are multi-material and cavity back, they feel as solid and pure as the CBs; maybe not quite as pure as the MBs, but still very good.

Titleist 718 AP2 8 Iron Stats

Data from Flightscope Xi Tour Launch Monitor

➜ Spin: 7797 rpms

➜ Launch Angle: 27.2*

➜ Club Head Speed: 86.1 mph

➜ Dispersion: 3.0 yds

➜ Ball Speed: 115.2 mph

➜ Total Distance: 158.8 yds

➜ Carry Distance: 153.1 yds

Summary

If it is time to upgrade your irons, the Titleist 718 AP2 irons should be at the top of your list. They offer the whole package with their Advancing Performance. They aren’t a huge upgrade from previous AP2 models; but the adjusted CG, new shaft choices and combo set options might make these worth the look. They are Titleist’s best AP2s yet. Titleist keeps Advancing the Performance of these irons.

Check the price online here

For more information: www.titleist.com/golf-clubs/irons/718-ap2

Quick Hits

➕ Excellent turf interaction
➕ More forgiveness
➕ Solid feel
➕ Players look
➕ Improved CG
➕ Numerous shaft options

Photos

About The Author

Ryan Heiman – Founder and Head Author of Independent Golf Reviews
Ryan has over 10 years of experience testing and writing golf reviews of nearly every brand out there.
HCP: 3
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