Titleist launch 716 AP1 and AP2 irons

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The new Titleist 716 AP1 and AP2 irons have been engineered with "industry-leading" amounts of high density tungsten to deliver "the best combination of low centre of gravity and high moment of inertia".

The 716 AP1 iron is aimed towards game-improvement players seeking maximum distance and forgiveness, while the 716 AP2 tour-proven iron is for better players seeking distance, forgiveness and a solid forged feel.

First Look: Titleist 816 H hybrids

Titleist 716 AP1 iron - what they say

• Extreme 360-degree UnderCut Cavity - results in a large, thin, unsupported face area that creates a Thin Fast Face that flexes more at impact. The face is constructed from a specially heat-treated 17-4 stainless steel for strength, which increases both speed and launch for more distance.

• High Density Tungsten weighting - precisely placed low and in the toe of the long and mid irons to promote a lower CG for a higher launch angle. 

• High MOI design – an average of 42.5 grams of tungsten per head (50% more tungsten than the former 714 AP1) maximises heel and toe stability without increasing AP1’s preferred blade length.

RRP: £93 per iron (steel), £107 per iron (graphite)
Available: 23 October 2015

Titleist 716 AP2 iron - what they say

• High Density Tungsten weighting - creates a low CG that is perfectly aligned at impact to increase speed and distance. The tungsten weights are shaped to the perimeter and precisely placed low and out using an advanced co-forging process to generate a solid feel and higher MOI.

• High-MOI design – an average of 56.2 grams of tungsten per head (25% more tungsten than the former AP2 714) drives higher ball speeds across the face for more consistent distance on off-centre hits. Compared to the previous generation, the 716 AP2 has 8.5% higher MOI in the long irons and 5.5% for the full set.

• Innovative construction - combines a forged 1025 Carbon steel body with extreme perimeter tungsten weighting in the long and mid irons for an unparalleled combination of low CG and high MOI with a solid forged feel.

RRP: £117 per iron (steel), £133 per iron (graphite)
Available: 23 October 2015 

What the Tour professionals are saying

Jordan Spieth 

“The first time I looked down at the new AP2’s they looked even cleaner. I thought they looked almost like a blade. As an amateur, you can now get the look of a tour blade while still having the consistency and forgiveness of a forged cavity. For a true golf lover that can’t be beaten – and I’m really looking forward to getting dialled into my new set after the Presidents Cup.

“AP2 for me is about distance and forgiveness. Distance is always going to help. If you can hit a 7 iron a bit further,a 7 iron is a little easier to hit than a 6 iron, a 6 iron is a little easier to hit than a 5 iron. So the less club you can hit into greens, the higher probability you’re going to score better. 

“But we’re also going to mishit shots and we’re still going to find inconsistencies in our swing. Having the trust that the ball isn’t going to end up too far off line and the distance dispersion is going to be pretty tight, means we still might have a birdie putt and it may not affect our score.”

Zach Johnson

“With the new AP irons, there’s something for everybody. Bottom line is, you can get fitted and find something that, regardless of your handicap, is going to work. That’s just the way the technology is in these golf clubs. 

“The improvements are just that much more every generation. With the new AP2s, what I’ve seen during testing is a clean top line. It almost looks blade like but a little bit thicker, a little bit bigger and as a result a little more forgiving. But all that technology that you don’t see is there. It’s internal. It’s on the back. It’s the way it’s weighted. It’s where the weights are. But it’s a beautiful golf club. It’s a simple golf club.”

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