Titleist Introduces Next Generation AP1 And AP2 Irons

Dedicated to providing serious golfers with the highest performing equipment in golf, Titleist introduces the next generation of its groundbreaking Advanced Performance irons. The new Titleist AP1 and AP2 irons (712 Series) stay true to the design mission of “Advanced Performance with Feel.” Both models are multi-material, dual cavity irons that provide modern ball flight and forgiveness with the traditional looks, feel and sound that serious golfers have come to expect from Titleist irons.

“The new 712 line of AP irons represents another step forward in iron design,” said Steve Pelisek, General Manager, Titleist Golf Clubs. “With the development of the first AP irons in 2007, we knew we had created something special – irons that incorporated a true blend of classic golf club aesthetics with modern playability, forgiveness and consistency. With the new 712 line we’ve taken this breakthrough technology to a new, game-changing level by increasing the stability and forgiveness without losing any workability or shot control.”

HISTORY OF ADVANCED PERFORMANCE TECHNOLOGY:

Iron performance can best be measured, not only by the quality of shots produced by well-executed swings, but also by the quality of shots when less-than-ideal contact is made with the ball. From an engineering standpoint, the key to maximizing shot quality on off-center hits is weight distribution. Club designers learned that by placing more weight around the perimeter of the club they could reduce the amount that the club twists on off-center hits. When the clubhead is more stable, off-center hits still fly relatively straight and far. However, perimeter-weighted irons had an intrinsic drawback. In order to redistribute enough weight to exact a measurable performance advantage, the clubhead shape had to change. The typically larger heads of these irons with their wider soles and thicker toplines were visually unappealing to many serious golfers whose concept of an ideal iron is represented by the compact profile and sharper lines of a traditional forged blade iron.

The rules changed when Titleist introduced Advance Performance technology. By successfully integrating new materials in a new dual cavity, multi-component construction, Titleist not only launched an iron that delivered modern performance and playability, but one that would also satisfy the sensibilities of even the most ardent iron traditionalist.

“The original AP irons changed the way golfers thought about irons,” said Dan Stone, Vice President, Research and Development, Titleist Golf Clubs. “AP technology opened up a host of new possibilities in which design aesthetics and performance no longer had to be mutually exclusive propositions. That original technology paved the way for the new advances that we’ve made with the new 712 line.”

NEW ADVANCES IN THE 712 AP IRONS:

The improvements incorporated into the new AP irons came about as the result of continued research that indicated that serious golfers were looking for improvements in three main areas. First, most players wanted even greater refinements to the clubhead’s profile. Both the new AP1 and AP2 models feature sleeker contours that result in a better address position. Players also expressed a desire for more forgiveness, to get more out of their miss-hits, or said another way, better distance control. Both the new AP1 and AP2 have been improved with internal weighting that utilizes higher density tungsten in order to distribute mass more efficiently which increases the moment-of-inertia (MOI) without changing the CG location or the blade length. The higher MOI provides more consistent ballspeed across the clubface and better distance control. Better distance control leads to more scoring opportunities and is the key to good iron play.

The third wish-list item that research uncovered was that players wanted more forgiveness without any loss of workability or shot control. Traditionally it has been thought that forgiveness and workability were mutually exclusive. The new AP irons prove that they are not.

“When speaking about iron workability, it’s important to dispel the myth that adding forgiveness to an iron decreases its workability,” explained Stone. “In the golf industry, when we talk about Moment of Inertia, we’re referring to MOI-y, which is the heel/toe stability of the clubhead on off-center impacts. The higher the MOI-y, the better the accuracy and distance on off-center hits. But the most influential property affecting workability is the Moment of Inertia around the shaft axis, which is mainly driven by blade length and the location of the clubhead’s center of gravity from the shaft axis. When we redesigned the 712 AP irons, we redistributed weight in the clubhead so that we not only increased clubhead MOI or forgiveness, we kept blade lengths the same and maintained the same CG distance from the shaft axis. This allows players to flight and shape shots.”

CONSTRUCTION:

The new 712 AP1 and 712 AP2 irons retain the dual cavity design and multi-material construction that is the key to their advanced performance. However, the designs have been significantly upgraded for more forgiveness, higher ball speeds on miss-hits and improved distance control. Additionally, the new AP1 features a new topline shape and progressively reduced blade lengths resulting in more traditional-looking short irons. Notable changes to the new AP2 include a new, tour-inspired square toe profile and reduced sole width in the short irons for more precise turf performance.

Both new AP models incorporate Titleist’s Tuned Feel System, a co-molded insert of soft elastomer and aluminum plate. This insert has been specifically designed to improve the sound and feel of each new iron.

Extensive improvements to the new AP1 structure include a redesigned stainless steel soleplate and integrated tungsten nickel sole weight that redistributes discretionary mass from the topline, center bar and sole cradle to low in the head, resulting in increased stability and forgiveness. The new AP2 structure also makes use of a new steel cradle that holds tungsten weights located heel and toe, providing greater forgiveness on miss-hits and more consistent distance control.

NEW 712 AP1 IRONS FEATURES AND BENEFITS

Overview/Player Profile:

Titleist AP1 irons are advanced performance, multi-material, dual cavity irons providing more forgiveness with solid feel and improved looks for the aspiring to skilled golfer.

• Increased Forgiveness through an advanced technology, multi-material, high MOI design featuring a precise stainless steel body and high density tungsten sole weight.
• Higher Ball Speed on miss-hits for improved distance control
• More Forgiving Long Irons with a 4% increase in moment-of-inertial (MOI)
• More Traditional Short Irons through a progressively reduced blade length
• Improved Solid Feel from the high MOI design and tuned feel cavity insert
• Improved Confidence Inspiring Appearance with a beveled topline, traditional shape and more precise address profile

Stock Shafts and Grip: True Temper Dynalite Gold XP is a high performance mid-weight steel shaft with a more stable tip designed to optimize initial launch angle and maximize distance. Stock graphite shaft is Tour AD by Graphite Design, exclusively for Titleist, a slightly higher launching shaft that matches weight and performance of Titleist lightweight metals shafts. Stock grip is the new Titleist Tour Velvet by Golf Pride, a truly round, one-piece, injection molded grip with industry standard sizing. Other shaft, grip, length and lie options are available through Titleist Custom.

Grooves: Modified U, conforming to 2010 U.S.G.A./R&A groove specifications.

Price/Availability: Available in both right and left hand in late November, 2011, with the suggested retail price of – $119 per club/steel and $149 per club/graphite.

NEW 712 AP2 IRONS FEATURES AND BENEFITS

Overview/Player Profile:
Titleist AP2 irons are advanced performance, multi-material, dual cavity forged irons providing more playability, solid feel and an improved classic profile for the serious and skilled golfer.

• Increased Playability through an advanced technology, multi-material, forged carbon steel body and high density tungsten weight design
• Consistent Ball Speed and improved distance control on miss-hits from a 7% increase in MOI with no loss of workability or shot control
• Improved Solid Feel from increased MOI and the tuned feel cavity insert
• Precise Short Irons with reduced sole widths in the 8, 9, P for improved turf performance
• Improved Appearance with a new squarer profile
• Superior Shot Control from the small progressive offset and traditional constant blade length

Stock Shaft and Grip: High performance, tour-proven Dynamic Gold steel shaft provides tour preferred feel, weight feedback and performance. Stock grip is the new Titleist Tour Velvet by Golf Pride, a truly round, one-piece, injection molded grip with industry standard sizing. Other shaft, grip, length and lie options are available through Titleist Custom.

Grooves: Modified V, conforming to 2010 U.S.G.A./R&A groove specifications.

Price/Availability: Available in both right and left hand in late November, 2011, with the suggested retail price of AP 1 Irons – $119 per club/steel and $149 per club/graphite; AP 2 Irons -$169 per club/steel and $199 per club/graphite .

Specifications:

ON TOUR:

The new 712 AP irons received instant validation from players at the PGA TOUR’s AT&T National event, where the prototype irons were first introduced. A total of 19 players (out of an event-leading 40 Titleist iron sets) put sets of 712 irons in play the first week they were available, including the winner of the event, Titleist Brand Ambassador Nick Watney. Success followed three weeks later when Scott Stallings captured the Greenbrier Classic with the new AP2 irons for his first career win.

Among those who have already put the new sets in play with success include Ben Curtis with the AP1 and the following relying upon AP2: Ben Crane, Brendon De Jonge, Jason Dufner, Brad Faxon, Hunter Haas, Marc Leishman, Jarrod Lyle, Matteo Manassero, SY Noh, Tom Pernice, Jr., Brett Quigley, Michael Sim, Scott Stallings, Josh Teater, Nick Watney.

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