Titleist AP1 irons

I have recently posted with regards to changing my irons!...... Well next thursday i finally get the cash set aside for this venture. Being a taylormade nut i love the look of the new tour preferred irons as well as the tour burner irons. But have seen the Titleist ap1 irons and they look great, so next thursday i'm off the Direct golf walsall to test as many irons as possible, but does anyone out there own a set of Titleist ap1 to give my any feedback or any others irons for that matter?

Paul,

I would recommend you go for a fitting at the Belfry. You will get a much better experience than Direct Golf & if you buy the irons from the Belfry you get your £50 custom fitting fee back.

Don't be put off by thinking that everything from the Belfry will be expensive (this is what I thought) as I was pleasantly surprised when I bought my Taylormade R7's from them as they were cheaper than Direct Golf. Also there after sales is second to none.

John.

Paul,

Direct Golf don't carry every brand (no Ping clubs for example) so have a look at American Golf in Great Barr too (as there is a range there as well).  It's 5 mins from the Asda on the Queslett Road.  I suggest taking 3 or 4 different 6 irons from the sets you are interested in out to the range and rotate through them hitting about 5 balls at a time.  Include your own 6 iron in the rotation and start off with that to give you a comparison. 

Try as many different ones as you can and don't be in a rush to spend your money - you'd have been better off trying out and making a decision before you had the money to prevent impulse buying.  I recommend trying the following clubs; Mizuno MX25, Calaway X20, Srixon 602/702, Adams A3, Ping G10.  I found the TM's to be a little clunky myself, but give them a go if you like.  Make sure that you try your favourites more than once as you may change your mind.  Narrow it down to your favourite 2 or 3 then take them all out at the same time and hit them.  You will find one just feels better than the others (this will probably be a forged head).  Knowing your game, I would avoid any club that has a wide sole as it will cause you problems in the summer. 

As John has said above, go for the final fitting at the Belfry, you'll be glad you did.  Their fitting service is superb and they will advice you on the club that suits your game and swing best as they have no aligence to any particular brand.  They will probably recommend the best ball for your game too. 

Paul,

To give you an idea of pricing at the Belfry I paid £429 for my R7's over a year ago (4i to PW). They sell the new Adidas Tour 360 3.0 golf shoes for £100 (same as online golf).

The advantage at the Belfry is that they will try you with different shafts whereas anywhere like AG or DG you have to try what is on the shelf.

They will tell you if you create too much sidespin, not enough backspin etc & you can compare each club until you get the desired results.

Even if you go there for your fitting & you decide on a club you can still get the clubs from AG or DG & if they are a lot cheaper then the £50 will be well spent.

I've made the mistake in the past of just settling for off the shelf clubs & made the decision to 'swap', 'upgrade' 6 to 12 months later.

John.

Don't underestimate the difference getting clubs properly fitted makes.  I dropped 5 shots off my average round when I moved to fitted clubs earlier this year.  You hit more greens from the fairway and that saves you a shot to chip on.  That inspires confidence and your game improves further. 

Lie is important as 1* out can mean 5 yards or more to the left or right in a long iron - that means a missed green.  Shafts are critical as the right shaft ensures that the club face is square at impact and the kick is a fraction after you strike the ball, giving you maximum length and a straight ball flight.  Too soft and the club face will be open at impact with the head lagging, causing you to thick it into the ground and push/slice right.  Too stiff and the club face will be closed at impact with the head ahead, causing you to thin it and pull/hook left. 

Wayne,

Because he's too busy thinking about the 'kick', the clubface at address, the slice, the hook & let's not forget the WATER!!!

John.

I'm an engineer Santo.  I know the technical data behind it but I lack the co-ordination to do anything about it. 

Water?  Who said water?  Where?  I need to hide my golf balls before they get sucked in.....