Titleist 718 AP1 Irons Review

Our verdict on Titleist's newest game-improvement iron

Titleist 718 AP1 Irons Review

Titleist 718 AP1 Irons Review - All the technical info plus our first-hit review of the new Titleist 718 AP1 Irons as we discover how it really performs

 

Titleist 718 AP1 Irons Review

The AP1 is the largest, longest and most forgiving iron in the 718 family. It benefits from a new progressive construction, ranging from hollow-body long irons to undercut cavity mid and short irons, to provide the best combination of distance and trajectory for each individually-designed iron.

Related: Titleist 718 AP3 Irons Review

Thin, fast, unsupported face inserts generate explosive ball speed for more distance. The hollow-body long irons were actually inspired by R&D’s development of the Titleist Concept C16 iron models, clubs designed with no limits on materials or cost to maximise overall performance, in helping to improve carry distance on longer shots into the green.

Titleist 718 AP1 Irons Review

High-density tungsten weighting produces a lower CG for higher launch with shot-stopping control. The high-MOI design – with an average of 58.5 grams of tungsten per head placed low and in the toe of the long and mid irons – produces higher ball speeds across the face for more consistent distance on off-centre hits.

One of the keys in developing the 718 AP1 iron was to minimize hot spots – shots that fly significantly further than others – and Titleist believes it has done that in this latest iteration.

Versus the 716 AP1 7-iron, golfers should experience 300 rpm less spin, 1.4mph more ball speed and just over three more yards of carry with the 718 AP1 7-iron, although the lofts have been strengthened slightly.

A premium game improvement profile delivers the look, sound and feel that players expect from a Titleist iron. Improved leading edge pre-wear creates more efficient turf interaction for more consistent contact.

The new Mitsubishi Tensei Pro Red AMC (Ascending Mass Concept) graphite shaft with ascending mass technology is also available as a stock option for AP1 along with the AMT (Ascending Mass Technology) Red shaft in steel.

 

The Titleist 718 AP1 irons are available from September 29th, 2017, in 4-P, 48º, 53º with an RRP of £115 per club in steel, £140 per club in graphite.

Joel Tadman
Technical Editor

Joel has worked in the golf industry for over 12 years covering both instruction and more recently equipment. He now oversees all product content here at Golf Monthly, managing a team of talented and passionate writers and presenters in delivering the most thorough and accurate reviews, buying advice, comparisons and deals to help the reader find exactly what they are looking for. So whether it's the latest driver, irons, putter or laser rangefinder, Joel has his finger on the pulse keeping up to date with the latest releases in golf. He is also responsible for all content on irons and golf tech, including distance measuring devices and launch monitors.


One of his career highlights came when covering the 2012 Masters he got to play the sacred Augusta National course on the Monday after the tournament concluded, shooting a respectable 86 with just one par and four birdies. To date, his best ever round of golf is a 5-under 67 back in 2011. He currently plays his golf at Burghley Park Golf Club in Stamford, Lincs, with a handicap index of 3.2.


Joel's current What's In The Bag? 

Driver: Titleist TSR3, 9° 

Fairway wood: Titleist TSR3, 15° 

Hybrid: Titleist TSi2, 18° 

Irons: Ping i230 4-UW

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8, 54°. Titleist Vokey SM9 60° lob wedge, K Grind

Putter: Evnroll ER2V 

Ball: 2023 Titleist Pro V1x