Titleist AP1 irons are the brand's game improvement line, a cast, cavity back iron built to launch the ball high and keep mishits playable. The model was designed for golfers who want more help than a Titleist CB or AP2 offers, while still getting a shape that looks like a Titleist at address. GolfRoots currently has more than 30 used AP1 listings, covering the 710, 712, 714, 716 and 718 generations, including women's and left-handed options.
How the AP1 is built
Unlike the forged AP2 and CB models, the AP1 is a cast iron. With the 716 AP1, released in 2015, Titleist removed the back bar and moved to a full cavity design with a thinner, unsupported face made from heat-treated 17-4 stainless steel. It also increased the amount of tungsten by roughly half, placing high-density tungsten low in the toe to push the center of gravity down and toward the middle of the face. Titleist also strengthened lofts, by about one degree in the long irons and up to two degrees in some short irons, while trying to avoid large gaps between clubs.
The 718 generation
The 718 AP1 reached shops on September 29, 2017, after fittings began September 1. It used a progressive design, with hollow body long irons and undercut cavity mid and short irons, plus high-density tungsten to lower the center of gravity for a higher launch. Retail price at launch was $189 per club in steel and $229 per club in graphite. Today the 718 is one of the more common AP1 versions on the used market, and the pricing gap between it and the older 710 through 714 sets is where most of the savings are.
Common questions
Is the AP1 a good iron for a mid or high handicap?
Yes, that is the player it was designed for. The cavity back, low tungsten weighting and higher launch are meant to help golfers who do not strike the center of the face every time.
Which AP1 generation should I buy used?
The 716 and 718 have the most refined designs, while the 710, 712 and 714 are usually cheaper. Check the shaft flex and length on each listing, since AP1 sets came with different stock shafts over the years.
Browse our current Titleist iron sets to see which AP1 generations are in stock, or compare it with the rest of the brand's lineup in our look at Titleist T-Series irons.
