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The Titleist 718 AP2 irons look excellent and feel good. High spin. Predictable results. Solid forgiveness for a players iron.
Introduction
Year after year, the Titleist AP2 remains a favorite among better players and PGA Tour players. And, as the iron of choice for Jordan Spieth, it’s likely to remain that way. The 718 AP2 doesn’t change much, which is exactly how Titleist loyalists want it.
Looks
The look of the 718 AP2 is a huge part of its appeal. It has everything that the better player likes: a thin sole, a thin top line, and very little offset. What makes it a little different than other players irons is the shorter blade length.
In the bag, I think this version of the AP2 is the cleanest yet. It’s almost entire white and chrome with just a touch of black for outlines and branding.
Sound & Feel
The forged AP2 is where the 718 iron line up starts to feel really good. It’s much softer at impact than either the AP1 or the AP3. Center hits feel really satisfying, and mishits are easy to distinguish and locate precisely. Pleasantly, mishits don’t sting the hands.
Performance
The calling card of the AP2 has always been that it packs a reasonable amount of forgiveness into an attractive package. That continues to be true of the 718 model. Titleist uses tungsten in the heel and toe to make the head more stable on off-center impacts. To be clear, this is the kind of forgiveness that a 10-handicap needs, but it’s not sufficient for someone wearing out the heel and toe of the club.
What makes the 718 AP2 different than the myriad of other players irons is the spin. Like most Titleist products, the spin is quite high. In my recent iron fitting at Club Champion, I was hitting a variety of players irons and seeing spin rates from 4400-4900 RPM. When I switched to the AP2, the spin rate jumped up to 5500.
More spin isn’t inherently good or bad, but it is worth understanding the impact of that extra spin. Depending on the player, that extra spin could add or subtract distance. It will also help the ball stop faster on the greens. Finally, extra spin means more curvature. This is a plus if you want to see the ball working left and right, but it’s a big negative if you’re trying to tame a slice or hook.
Conclusion
In a crowded field of irons for better players, the Titleist 718 AP2 is a solid overall performer with a distinguishing feature. These irons have notably higher spin than others in the category, but that may be a benefit for certain players. As we always stress, proper fitting is the key to maximizing performance.
Buy Titleist 718 AP2 Irons HERE
Titleist 718 AP2 Irons Spec & Price
Matt Saternus
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Will a 718 CB review be coming soon?
Thanks
Nick,
Yes, later this month.
Best,
Matt
Hi.
Thank you for good reviews.
I used Callaway Apex Pro irons, and I will change my irons to Titleist Ap series.
I am considering choosing between AP2 and AP3.
Can you recommend?
Thank you
Dongkee,
We have a review of the AP3 here: https://pluggedingolf.com/titleist-718-ap3-irons-review/
If you have a particular question about the two irons, I’d be happy to answer it, but without knowing your game I couldn’t make a respectable recommendation.
Best,
Matt
Thank you for your reply.
I missed the important data.
My handicap is about 20(not exactly).
I hit 150 yards with #7 iron, and 200 yards with #3 iron.
I am looking forward to your advise.
Thank you.
Best regards
Dongkee
Dongkee,
I would suggest that a 20 handicap get a fitting to decide between the AP3 and the AP1.
Best,
Matt
Would you say these were more forgiving than your iblades?
Tim,
They’re close but not more forgiving.
Best,
Matt
We did the AP2 fitting for my son who is a 3 handicap. The numbers looked really good but the price did not. We were told that the srixon Z765 was a very comparable set at 30% less price. What are your thoughts on the srixon as compared to the AP2?
Sam,
The Z765 is a great set. There’s no reason that the AP2 should cost 30% more. That said, always try before you buy. Some people just won’t get along with certain clubs.
Best,
Matt
Hi, I currently bag 718 ap2s and I’m thinking of moving toward a club with a little more forgiveness. Would the Ping i210 be a more forgiving option? Forgiving enough to justify the switch anyway? Any thought would be great. THANKS!!!!!
Quentin,
I think the i210 is more forgiving, but whether the gap is big enough to justify a switch depends on the individual – neither iron is cheap.
Best,
Matt
Would you recommend these irons over a bladed option? Is there a lot more forgiveness in these? Or just a little?
Thanks
Rick,
The AP2 is more forgiving than a blade, yes.
Best,
Matt