New Titleist AP1 and AP2 Irons provide enhanced performance and feel

FAIRHAVEN, Mass. -- Building upon the high technology design and resounding success of the original AP irons, Titleist introduces two new high performance iron products for avid golfers -- the new Titleist AP1 and AP2, both of which are multi-material, dual cavity irons.

"The new AP1 and AP2 irons embody significant improvements in feel, forgiveness and shot control to what had already been recognized as a revolutionary step forward in iron design," said Steve Pelisek, GM Titleist Golf Clubs. "The new AP1 and AP2 irons offer the most successful marriage of playability and forgiveness, and traditional looks, feel and feedback available in the market today. Along with the introduction of the new MB and CB forged irons, Titleist offers the most comprehensive range of irons to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of serious golfers."

The concept for the original Advanced Performance irons arose as a result of research that indicated serious golfers want performance with great feel, not performance at the expense of feel. The Titleist R&D team's advanced research group has been conducting extensive sound and vibration analysis aimed at reducing the harsh lower frequency vibration that causes poor feel in irons. This research led to combining several technologies and materials in the back cavity of the new AP irons resulting in a new Tuned Feel System to take feel to a new level.

"The new AP1 and AP2 irons retain the dual cavity design and multi-material construction that is the key to their advanced performance," said Dan Stone, Vice President, Research and Development, Titleist Golf Clubs. "However, the designs have been significantly upgraded for feel with the addition of our new Tuned Feel System. Additionally, the structure of the new AP1 provides improved forgiveness, while a modified sole on the new AP2 provides improved ground control"

The new Tuned Feel System is a co-molded medallion of soft elastomer and aluminum plate. This insert has been specifically designed to improve the sound and feel of each new iron. For the thinner face, larger cavity AP1 a hotter, more lively feel has been enhanced. For the new AP2 a softer, more solid feel is achieved.

Extensive improvements to the new AP1 structure include reducing the face thickness to provide enhanced heel, toe, and deep weighting to the frame and moving the tungsten nickel material to the sole resulting in increased stability and forgiveness. Subtle refinements to the new AP2 have created performance gains in feel, sound, and turf interaction.

The new AP irons received instant approval on the PGA Tour, with more than a dozen players using them in competition since becoming available at the Buick Open. Among those currently playing the new AP2 model are Nick Watney, Marc Leishman, Ben Curtis, Brendon de Jonge, Derek Fathauer, Brad Faxon, Jeff Klauk, Jarrod Lyle and Scott Piercy.

The AP1 irons are advanced performance, multi-material, dual cavity irons providing improved feel, good looks, shot control and higher flight with forgiveness for the avid to skilled golfer, company officials explained.

The clubs feature a precise cast 431 stainless steel body, high-density tungsten nickel sole and Tuned Feel System to enhance performance, forgiveness and feel. A thin face with integrated aluminum and soft elastomer Tuned Feel System in the back cavity improves sound and feel at impact for a hotter, more lively feel, while the high-density tungsten nickel sole bar reduces low frequency vibration for solid feel.

A perimeter weighted back flange and tungsten nickel sole bar locates the center of gravity low and deep for increased MOI, forgiveness and stability. A thin-face, dual-cavity design pushes weight to the perimeter for a hotter face and flight, while a shorter blade length, thinner topline, and reduced visual offset deliver control and performance in the short irons.

The blade length is the same throughout the set with enhanced progressive offset. The lofts of the AP! Irons are two degrees stronger than those in the AP2. and the modified U grooves in the new irons conform with the new USGA rules.

The AP2 irons are advanced performance, multi-material, dual cavity forged irons that provide improved feel, classic blade looks, and playability with shot control for the serious and skilled golfer. They feature a forged steel body, high density tungsten nickel sole and Tuned Feel System to enhance performance and feel.

The integrated aluminum and soft elastomer Tuned Feel System in the back cavity improves sound and feel at impact. The soft forged carbon steel body and high-density tungsten nickel sole box reduces low frequency vibration, for soft, solid feel.

The dual cavity design pushes weight to the perimeter resulting in playability without loss of shot shaping control, while a reduced bounce sole in the short irons delivers improved ground contact. The sole's width, camber and bounce specs were designed to deliver playability from a variety of lies and turf conditions without excessive bounce or dig. And the clubs' midified V grooves also conform to the new USGA specs.

Both the AP1 andAP2 irons will become available in November, with a suggested retail price of $142 per club with steel shafts and $167 per club with graphites.