Martin Hopley
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The Titleist 718 AP1 irons replace the 716 AP1 and continue the Advanced Performance franchise that started in 2008.

Titleist 718 AP1 Irons

The 718 AP1 irons take the model in a new direction with the 4 and 5 iron now featuring a hollow construction rather than a large cavity back.

Titleist 718 AP1 Irons

Titleist say that these are their most forgiving irons and this comes from the use of High Density Tungsten weights in the toe of the heads. There is now 56 grams of the stuff, up from 42 in the previous model and this works with the rest of the head construction to create a large unsupported face with weight around the edges to maximise forgiveness.

Titleist 718 AP1 Irons

The cast 17-4 Stainless Steel hollow body has a high strength steel face insert welded on to it and the leading edge has been 'pre-worn' or ground off in order to help it move through the turf more easily.

Titleist 718 AP1 Irons

The hollow design gives the 4 and 5 iron a different look at address with a fairly thin top line for this type of iron. The sound was different to the cavity back long irons of the 716 range, with a slightly more muted, hollow sound, but which was still pretty good.

Titleist 718 AP1 Irons

Certainly the 5-iron in particular was excellent and during a fitting was providing more launch and distance than the 718 AP3 5-iron and would be an excellent point to blend into AP1 from another set.

Titleist 718 AP1 Irons

The 4-iron did not feel quite as lively as the 5 or the previous cavity back 716 4-iron, but the performance was still an improvement on what went before.

Titleist 718 AP1 Irons

There is no 3-iron now as the 4-iron is 21° and the rest of the set from 6 downwards reverts to the large cavity back design on the previous model.

The changes Titleist has made with the 718 AP1 make these a little longer by increasing the face speed and lowering the spin with lofts that are 1° stronger in the 4 to 9 iron.

Titleist 718 AP1 Irons

Like before the head length and offset reduce as you go down the set and by the time you get to the official P wedge it looks reasonably midsize and very playable, which is unusual as sometimes in game improvement sets they can look boxy.

Titleist 718 AP1 Irons

I say the official P wedge, as it is so strong at 43° that there is now a gap wedge at 48° and a gap gap wedge at 53° which have both given up on the letters and just have the lofts on the sole.

Titleist 718 AP1 Irons

This highlights the industry wide issue where almost half the irons in your bag are called wedge, but at least by putting the lofts on Titleist are clarifying the situation a little.

Surely it is only a matter of time before lofts appear on all clubs, even if they are beside the existing club numbers. However if golfers continue to buy irons using a launch monitor on distance rather than accuracy and stopping power, then the arms race with lofts and numbers will continue.

Thankfully the gap and gap gap wedges continue the style and shape of the 718 AP1 irons so that you can have three cavity back wedges all the way down your set until you get to the...err...wedges. This is a good thing because it keeps the same style of cavity back head throughout the set rather than forcing you to switch to effectively bladed irons for full wedge shots from around 110 yards in.

The stock shaft is the True Temper AMT Red that is an ascending mass shaft that is lighter in the long irons and gets heavier as you move to the short irons, but there are also many other options available through Titleist custom fitting.

Titleist 718 AP3 Irons

I was telling anyone who would listen that the 716 AP1s were not only excellent irons for mid to high handicappers, but that better players should also look out for some of the longer irons as they are very playable.

Titleist 718 AP1 Irons

The hollow head construction helps improve this performance in the long irons and looks better than a big cavity, even if the 4-iron is not quite as sexy to hit as the previous one, but I am splitting hairs here.

The rest of the set is extremely playable by golfers of pretty much all levels, yes even single figure players. A lot of game improvement irons are managing to incorporate the feel and sound of better player irons and the 718 AP1 is a good example of this.

Anyone from high single figure upwards should be looking at a couple of AP1s for a blended set with 718 AP3, with anyone in double digits taking the whole set.

Titleist 718 AP1 Irons

The progressive head size gives lovely shaped short irons combined with forgiving mid and long irons and the feel for this style of head is very good. With a very shiny finish it looks like a serious golfers iron, with serious defined as keen rather than good, so I hope everyone is listening again when I say that the Titleist 718 AP1 is a must try.

Golfalot Rating: 5 stars
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Titleist 718 AP1 Iron

Titleist 718 AP1 Irons - Product Details

UK Launch29 September 2017
UK Launch RRP£805
USA Launch29 September 2017
USA Launch RRP$875
European Launch29 September 2017
European Launch RRP€980
Handicap Range
Low
High
GolferMens
Hand AvailabilityLeft, Right
ManufactureCast
MaterialSteel
Shaft NameTrue Temper AMT Red (Steel), Mitsubishi Tensei (Graphite)
Shaft TypesSteel, Graphite
Shaft FlexRegular, Stiff
DesignCavity Back
Set Makeup4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, PW
Additional ClubsPW, GW
Manufacturer's WebsiteTitleist Website

User Reviews

SJ
March 2019

I converted from Callaway XRs to my AP 1s and they are forgiving and longer. As a senior golfer maintaining distance is critical and these irons do the trick.

They look great! They feel good! Be sure to get fitted with the proper shaft, lie and grips.

It will take some time playing to adjust to the new lofts but it is worth it.

Couldn't be happier.

Con Raas Australia.
February 2019

Purchased 718 AP1, 5-48 Wedge for my 70th Birthday. Tried various Tensi graphite shafts and found the "A" flex ( senior ) best for me. Could not be happier!!! Always had the impression that Titleist was a players product, not a 16 handicappers offering, I certainly was wrong. Make sure you get fitted, it's worth the time and money. Definitely recommend the AP1's.

Brian
August 2018

I'm a 10 handicap and just purchased the AP1 718's earlier this year. I looked at a lot of iron sets and, to be honest, gave the AP1's a last minute try on a whim. Having now played a summer of golf I can say I chose the right club. Forgiving yes, but still VERY workable and such a crisp "snap" when making contact. Best irons I've ever owned!

Dave
February 2018

I’m a 5 handicap and went from older AP2 irons to the 716 AP1’s last year. The distance gain is a full club. Feel is excellent ! My longest iron is now a 5 iron which is as easy to hit as my old 7 iron despite the game improvement category I found them very workable with different trajectories. They are forgiving especially on thin strikes. I give them an “A”! The distance is the biggest benefit and it’s not just from stronger lofts

Bruce
December 2017

Just started, steel clubs made my elbow hurt like heck. Went to a demonstration, then fitted and purchased graphite AP1 irons, hybrid and 917 D2 driver. Just played with them for the first time and my elbow doesn't hurt, I could hit the ball a little better. I'm pleased with the performance. They are worth every penny.

Henry
November 2017

Just fitted for a set, played a couple rounds I’m a 12 handicap and these clubs are A++ in every catergory. Long and accurate as advertised I’d recommend a fitting to fine tune 👍

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