Improved AP1 Is Released

You'll have to wait about four months to try Titleist's new 712 Series irons, but pros at the AT&T National are getting their first chance to hit the new AP1, AP2, CB and MB irons this week.

While the heads of the new Titleist 712 AP1 Irons are the same size as their predecessors, their most significant new feature is a progressive blade length.

"The long Titleist 712 AP1 Irons are about the same size," said Chris McGinley, Titleist's vice president of golf club marketing. "But as you go through the set, we brought the blade size down. That lets us make the long Titleist 712 AP1 Irons more forgiving and the short irons more traditional."

Titleist 712 AP1 Irons are advanced performance, multi-material irons that offer more forgiveness, solid feel and improved looks for the aspiring to skilled golfer. 

Key improvements to the new Titleist 712 AP1 Irons add forgiveness without sacrificing shot control - factors previously thought to be mutually exclusive. Titleist 712 AP1 Irons is more forgiving because of its more efficient, high MOI design while also featuring a more traditional appearance with a progressive blade length throughout the set. 
Forgiveness, solid feel and improved looks.

Advance your game with the new Titleist 712 AP1 Irons. 
- 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 inertia (MOI) 
- Traditional Short Irons: through a progressively reduced blade length 
- Improved Solid Feel: from the high MOI design and tuned feel cavity insert 
- Improved Appearance: with a beveled topline, traditional shape and more precise address profile

The Titleist irons are nice.

It is another example of how there is nowhere else to go in design and innovation with the current rules. Along with the state of the economy, it seems companies are just simply updating their old designs.

I see a slight change in the AP1 and AP2 cavities, but would it be worth trading in an old set and purchase the new set. How much performance increase is there between the models?

CB and MB are practical identical to the previous models except for new cosmetics.

Titleist is definitely marketed to the better or avid player.

Extensive improvements to the AP1 include reducing the face thickness to provide enhanced heel, toe and deep external weighting to the frame as well as an internally ­perimeter-weighted, ­tungsten-nickel sole bar for increased stability and forgiveness.