Equipment

GolfWRX.com First Looks at 2008 Titleist AP Irons!

Published

16 years ago

Jan 21, 2008

GolfWRX.com recently had the opportunity to take a look at the upcoming 2008 lineup of Titlieist Advanced Performance irons, the AP1, AP2, ZB, and ZM. It was a rare peek into the technology, design, and fitting factors which are driving the next generation of Titleist irons.

The 2008 crop is definitely not your Father’s 681s or DCIs.

The initial reaction from seeing pictures on the forums, make most take a double look, and beg the question, “What is Titleist thinking?” The typical Titleist player may not be used to seeing thicker top lines, multi-color paint fills, or grooved badges; however, they all have a purpose. Titleist seems very intent on expanding their core market and to prove their approach to today’s accomplished golfers has been simplified without sacrificing performance.

The 2008 crop of irons were designed and built around the concept of pure feel. The typical Titleist player loves the look of a “Player’s Iron” but at the end of the day all that matters is performance and being in the Winner’s Circle. The AP1 is a multi-material, dual cavity cast iron versus the AP2 which is a multi-material, dual cavity “contemporary” forged iron. The AP1/AP2 is aimed at those players who are currently playing 775 and 755 irons who are looking for a better shot control, forgiveness, and that typical Titleist feel. These irons will be well positioned against competitors like the Callaway X-20s, TM R7, Mizuno MX-25, and Ping i10 iron.

The AP1 is an attempt to focus on the 5-15 handicap of aspiring golfer who seek better feel and shot control for their game. Feel is the driving factor 2008 lineup and that is achieved with multi-material construction. The AP1 body is made by casting 431 stainless steel while the AP2 is forged from 1020 mild carbon steel. Both have sole plates that are compromised of tungsten nickel to achieve extreme perimeter weighting. Within each head is also an elastomer cushion. All these components work in conjunction to deliver that muted click feel traditional players love. The AP1 has a semi-under slung hosel which aides in bounce and forgiveness. The AP2 has a traditional blade-like hosel junction which allows for a relieved trailing edge for shotmaking.

The AP 1 will be strong loft and play off of a PW of 45*. The AP2 will be set at Tour lofts with a PW of 47*. Irons are slated for availability in March of 2008 and will have the typical Titleist custom options available. Project X 5.5 will be standard on the AP2 and Dynamic Gold HL for the AP1. No 2 iron specs were seen at this point but will be available for leftys. These irons should start showing up in stores in early spring of 2008. Pricing has not been officially announced yet.

AP1 Specifications

Iron No.	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	PW	GW
LOFT( ° )	20	23	26	29	33	37	41	45	50
LIE ( ° )	60	61	62	62.5	63	63.5	64	64	64
BOUNCE ( ° )	1	1	2	2	3	4	5	6	7
Offset	.0245"	0.220"	0.195"	0.170"	0.145"	0.125"	0.110"	0.105"	0.100"

AP2 Specifications

Iron No.	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	PW	GW
LOFT( ° )	21	24	27	31	35	39	43	47	51
LIE ( ° )	60	61	62	62.5	63	63.5	64	64	64
BOUNCE ( ° )	0	2	3	4	4.5	5	6	7	8
Offset	0.160	0.145"	0.130"	0.120"	0.110"	0.100"	0.090"	0.085"	0.080"

I didn’t get much time to hit the AP1 and AP2 in depth but, from the few shots that I did take, they did deliver on the feel promise. For those who are used to thin top lines, the transition to a thicker top line may very well be worth it because of the performance benefit involved. The sole versatility is also quite evident and those who like to shape their shots will not be disappointed. Titleist has had very good feedback from all its Tour Staff and believes that most of them will move to the AP2 irons by next season. These should definitely be on every one’s list to try out who’s looking for a player’s cavity back for the 2008 season.

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Whats in the Bag

Michael S. Kim WITB 2024 (April)

Published

18 hours ago

Apr 5, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

Michael S. Kim what’s in the bag accurate as of the Valero Texas Open.

Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees, B1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD DI 8 X

3-wood: Ping G430 Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD UB 8 TX

Check out more in-hand photos of Michael Kim’s clubs here.

Irons: Titleist T200 (3, 4), Titleist T100 (5-PW)
Shafts: Graphite Design Tour AD IZ 95 X (3), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 S

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (52-12F), SM10 (56-14F), WedgeWorks Proto (60-L)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S300

Check out more in-hand photos of Michael Kim’s clubs here.

Putter: L.A.B. Link.1
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Tour 1.0P 17

Grips: Golf Pride MCC

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

Check out more in-hand photos of Michael Kim’s clubs here.

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Equipment

TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper: Leveraging 90s nostalgia

Published

24 hours ago

Apr 5, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

TaylorMade is leaning in even further to the retro vibes with the 2024 edition of its BRNR Mini Driver.

Patterned after the Carlsbad-based company’s iconic late 1990s Burner driver design, the 2024 BRNR Mini features similar copper styling and a retro version of the TaylorMade logo.

Featuring the same technology as its 2023 BRNR Mini Driver, the 2024 edition continues to play the hits that saw the unique club land in the bag of tour pros, such as Tommy Fleetwood and Jake Knapp.

Why play a mini driver?

In general, TaylorMade finds two types of golfers gravitate toward a mini driver. In the first case, it’s an addition to a standard driver: Players looking for a “fairway finder” driver without giving up too much distance that can also be hit off the deck. Second, TaylorMade recommends giving a mini a go to golfers who struggle to hit 460 cc drivers, particularly choppers. It’s a better alternative than a 3-wood off the tee.

Tommy Fleetwood’s endorsement of playing a mini driver

“For me, if I HAD to hit a fairway, I’m more comfortable hitting a driver than a 3-wood. I would tee the driver down, and I would hit a little cut, or a neck-y cut in the fairway. The 3-wood isn’t for that. The 3-wood, generally, is a pretty hot club that I’ll hit from 270 or 280 in the fairway on a par 5. You get some courses where a 3-wood is not always necessary. [With the BRNR] you put a normal swing on it, and I’m more comfortable hitting it straight. It’s a replacement for a 3-wood, basically.”

Pricing, specs, availability

TaylorMade’s new BRNR Mini Driver Copper clubs will sell for $449.99 in 11.5 (RH/LH) and 13.5 (RH) degree options, and they will be available for custom orders.

See more in-hand photos and read what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.

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Equipment

Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/5/24): I think I ‘Blacked Out’ trying to love these irons

Published

1 day ago

Apr 5, 2024

Gianni Magliocco

At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.

It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.

Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a set of blacked out P770 irons

From the seller: (@hammertime1515): “Just one single iron set up for grabs today. Got these right before they quote selling them at the end of February. Only played 3 full rounds with them and a couple short range sessions. 7 iron shows the most wear and 8 iron has a sandy mark on the toe (ball striking out of winter wasn’t the strong suit) Just not right for me no matter how much I wanted them to be. Price is shipped and OBO……

P770 Black Out irons. 4-PW. —New Tour Velvet Align Midsize Grips —1/2” over TM standard —2 degrees upright —Standard Lofts —Dynamic Gold 105 X100 shafts —PW has never been hit, most of them have been hit sparingly. Tried to capture the wear on the 7 iron and the toe mark on the 8 iron the best I could. Soles have virtually no scratching from use and no bag chatter. -If more pics are needed just ask ——PRICE: $1000 OBO” & Shipped

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Blacked out P770 irons

This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules