50 Words or Less
The Titleist 718 AP3 irons are the long-desired blend of the AP1 and AP2. Disappointing. These irons don’t have the AP2 feel or the AP1 forgiveness.
Introduction
In every equipment category, golfers want it all, but nowhere more than irons. We want thin top lines and minimal offset but huge distance and forgiveness. Titleist attempts to deliver that with the 718 AP3 irons but falls short of the goal.
Looks
The one area where the Titleist 718 AP3 does deliver is in the looks. The top line and sole are much thinner than the AP1, though still slightly larger than the AP2. It’s also much closer to the AP2 in terms of blade length.
One slightly jarring visual element is the offset. There’s noticeably more offset in the AP3 compared to the AP2, and that offset combined with the thin top line is unusual to my eye.
Sound & Feel
Where the 718 AP3 starts to fall off is in the feel. It does feel markedly softer and less clicky than the AP1, but it’s still well short of the AP2’s forged feel.
Mishits are easily identified and occasionally feel very harsh.
Performance
Titleist is calling the 718 AP3 “the player’s distance iron,” so let’s start with ball speed and smash factor. I tested it against some of the category leaders and found the AP3 to be lacking. The differences were not huge, but it was 3-4 MPH slower with lower smash factor.
That said, it ended up being nearly as long as some of the best players irons because it tended to launch the ball lower, with lower spin. This made up for the lower ball speed and created equal carry distance and longer total distance. The problem, of course, is that most players don’t want their irons to roll out 10+ yards.
Finally, we get to forgiveness. The AP3 is certainly more forgiving than the AP2, particularly when it comes to shots hit thin, but it’s not equal to the best players cavity backs. You can easily lose 10 yards of carry or more with a mishit on the toe or heel.
All of this adds up to an iron that is perfectly adequate, but not a category leader. It has some forgiveness, but not elite forgiveness. The distance is good, but could be much better with higher ball speed. Importantly, some players will struggle to hold greens with the low spin.
Conclusion
The Titleist 718 AP3 isn’t a bad iron, but it’s a victim of the hype. It is a good looking iron – if you can get past the offset – but it’s lacking in feel and forgiveness. In a crowded market of forgiving players iron, the AP3 doesn’t stand out.
Titleist 718 AP3 Irons Price & Specs
He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
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37 Comments
Thanks for the frank and honest review -it’s not often reviewers highlight inadequacies- which is what we need to know! You refer to the category leaders in the player’s distance irons, which are these as it’s exactly what I would like to play? thanks Rolf
Mike,
I would look at the new Callaway Epic irons. The PING i200 are excellent in terms of forgiveness, and with Power Specs, may be as long. Bill has also spoken highly of the TaylorMade P irons.
Best,
Matt
Thanks for a great review.
I was ready to buy the 716 CB . You stated that the diffrence from 714 to 716 was worth it.
how is the 718 compared to the 716 CB ? Is it worth the upgrade ?
Cuirtis,
We haven’t tested the 718 CB yet, but we will have a review up shortly.
Best,
Matt
I have played AP2s for 4 years (712s then 714s), and took my 7 iron to a AP3 fitting. My 7 iron swing speed was 80-82, and spin was high 6,000s with the AP2. The spin with the Ap3 was mid 5,000s. After a dozen shots with each, the averages showed 8-10 extra yards carry distance with the AP3s.
I took the set home, then to the range. I hit 20-25 7 irons with each, and the AP3 carry was definitely further, trajectory lower. I always felt I hit my AP2s too high, especially into the wind (too high a spin rate). I will play 18 with the AP3s tomorrow, and based on the range session expect positive results.
The lower spin and distance is due to the loft. The 7iron’s loft for the AP3 is closer to the loft of the AP2 6iron’s.
Regardless, good to know that the setup suits you well.
I believe that you are one sided against these irons. I have hit them and they look fab, feel good, good sound, good spin numbers, great distance and packed with forgiveness.
Josh,
Look and feel are subjective, and if these irons fit your swing, I’m happy you found them.
I just have to wonder, if you enjoy the irons, why do you care what this review says?
-Matt
Wow, great response… way to keep it class!
Excelente Josh, thank for the review
a question, some experience or reference of ap1 718?
Bruno,
We will have a review of the AP1 coming soon.
Best,
Matt
Hi, I was fitted for the AP3 and didn’t like the black AMT shaft as they hit it too low and with low spin. The AMT white were better and the project X LZ had a really good flight and spin rates.
I recently received my 718 AP2 4-PW yesterday. I was a dilemma trying to decide between the AP2s and AP3’s. Even after seeing the number on the Trackman, I eventually decided to go with the AP2s. Why, couple of reasons. I’m coming out of the Mizuno MP33s and wanted forged clubs that provides the soft feel and feedback. secondly, I didn’t want my ball to rollout from my target anywhere from 5-8 yds. From my target. Although the increase in distance was impressive (7-9 yds), the lack of feel/feedback and the low spin compared to that of the AP2s steered me in the direction of the AP2s.
You mentioned that you, ” tested it against some of the category leaders”
Curious as to what clubs these are?
John,
The Callaway Epic Pro irons, the TaylorMade P970, and the PING i200, as I recall.
-Matt
I purchased the ap3 after a fitting. Coming from 716 ap2 I didn’t feel the ap3 gave up much of anything when it comes to feel. Yes, they had a slight click on solid impact, but only when the ball was pured or close to.. meaning: not only do they feel great with solid impact, but you and everyone around you can HEAR when you strike the ball well. In all seriousness, I was hesitant to drop the ap2 for the ap3 based on feel, but I was pleasantly surprised.. oh and I now carry the ball around 7 yards further with similar loft. Likely due to the shaft, but it still feels like a high quality titleist iron which is what I was after. I highly recommend ap3 irons! This coming from a guy that has played models from your first Dunlop set to taylormade burners, ping i15, numerous ap2 models, a couple different dci models and even CB 712. Everything I’ve said is my own opinion, just as this reviewer has his own, I just don’t agree with it, at all.. other than they look nice, because they do :)
Bottom line buy what you hit best. I tried all the clubs mentioned as “cat leaders” and hit the AP3 further with less dispersion. I have also read other head to head reviews that compared numbers from trackman and basically a toss up. I did hit the new TaylorMade P further when I got it absolutely flush, but the AP3 was better on off hits.
Matt thanks for the review. I felt they were a little harsh on mishits too so appreciate the balanced review. They do look great. Am looking for a ‘distance’ long iron, may yet go with the T-MB which I felt was better.
I have played Mizuno irons ( MP 30, 32, 57, 25) for years. I put a set of AP3s in the bag about 6 weeks ago. I am absolutely pleased with the ball flight, the feel, distance, forgiveness, looks, sound and workability. Different strokes for different folks but I think this review is way off the mark.
Matt, what is your best choice for mid handicapper 10 to 12 for game improvement and forgiveness. I have played the Ping Eye 2 since 1990. Older now, 66 and feel time to change.
Jim,
The best choice is to get a fitting and find what works for you. In that 10-12 handicap range, your options are expansive. You could pick a players iron, you could play something in the game improvement segment, and you wouldn’t be wrong to go SGI. It all depends what you want in an iron.
Best,
Matt
I look to your reviews as like the Bible of reviews, I have been playing the Epic irons for about 6 months and they are great irons but they just didn’t jive for me the way I hoped. I just went in and tried the AP3 and after about 30 minutes of hitting them I went home and got my Epics and I now own the AP3’s. My dispersion was spot on and I found the clubs effortless. Going out to play tomorrow, I can’t wait.
Todd,
I hope the AP3s continue to work well for you!
Best,
Matt
I went out today and played them, wow is all I can say. And I mean a disappointed wow. I was struggling with these all 18 holes today. Just couldn’t find the sweet spot, very frustrated with these. I know it was only one round but I’ve never struggled this bad with any set. Totally frustrated today.
I have to agree with the review. I had my ap3’s for nearly 2 yrs and was happy to see them go. Wanted a little more distance that I lost with age but gave up feel and sound. The cast was too clicky and lacked the feel I was used to. Never got comfortable with both. Back to mizuno
when I originally read this I thought “hmm, seems a little one sided, angry at something about these”. This was of course after hitting a couple AP3’s for 10 min off a mat. Then I purchased a set…..and hit the set off of grass ……BLAH!, not forgiving, only felt OK if you hit the screws,, nothing special….looked good…but nothing special after you swing them, from i25s, to AP3 (for 1 night) back to Ping in an i210. oddly enough, I loved the AMT Black shafts.
I have AP1s, AP2s, T300’s, and AP3s. More distance with AP1s, AP2s short on distance, T300s good distance but the Ap3s feel better,although not as Long as the T300s. The AP3s are in my bag.i differently like the looks of the AP3s.
The feel is not as good as my Srixon , not as forgiving as Taylormade made p790 , will trade in for
Tm p790 or p 770.
I used to play Ping S59s that I really loved. As I got older, I found I needed a little more forgiveness. I switched to the AP3s a couple of years ago. It probably took me 4-5 months to get used to the look and feel. They are ok (thin shots not so much), but my next set won’t be Titleist.
Played adams xtd for years until switch to AP2. Found a deal on the AP3 718 and decided to try them out. Sound, feel, looks, distance and accuracy were amazing with these from jump on the simulator and that carried over to the golf course. I’m sorry YOUR experience wasn’t similar, but these are excellent clubs.
How normal is it for a 15 year old to have a 4.7 handicap? He couldn’t play in 7 or 8 grade due to COVID. In 9 grade I didn’t make him go when masks were mandatory but he kept up his work on Chromebook but wasn’t allowed to play because he missed too many days. So we have no idea what to expect this year when he gets out there. Just want to know what to expect.
Kelley,
A 4.7 handicap is very good for any age.
-Matt
I’m a big fan of Titleist clubs. I’ve had the 718 AP3 irons for about a month now and I’m really impressed. They’re very forgiving and I’ve been able to hit a lot of good shots
I bought the ap3 this year and been using them for about -6 months… my feel is that the long irons are easy to hit but they are absolutly not forgiving , if u hit one pure ull have a great and controlled shot , but one littlbe bit off and you will feel it in all your teeth
I just bought these used for a great deal and they are mint condition . I really like the feel, plus look of them at the approach. Will see how they do when I get out soon.