New Titleist AP1 and AP2 Irons Provide Enhanced Performance with Improved Feel
Fairhaven, MA (October 7, 2009) – 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 are multi-material, dual cavity irons that take the design mission of “Advanced Performance You Can Feel” to new heights.
“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.
ON TOUR: The New AP irons received instant approval on the PGA Tour with more than a dozen players trusting 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. In fact, Watney put the New AP2’s in the bag prior to the start of the FedExCup Playoffs and finished tied for sixth at The Barclays and tied for 13th at the TOUR Championship. He was 12th in the final standings. Most recently, Titleist Brand Ambassador Tom Pernice, Jr. trusted the improved feel and greater control of the new AP2 irons to capture the SAS Championship in his first-ever event on the Champions Tour.
NEW AP1 IRONS FEATURES AND BENEFITS
Overview/Player Profile: Titleist AP1 irons are advanced performance, multi-material, dual cavity irons providing improved feel, great looks, shot control and higher flight with forgiveness for the avid to skilled golfer.
Advanced Performance with Feel: High quality, high technology design and construction featuring a precise cast 431 stainless steel body, high-density tungsten nickel sole and Tuned Feel System to enhance performance, forgiveness and feel.
Improved 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. The high-density tungsten nickel sole bar reduces low frequency vibration for solid feel.
More Forgiving: A perimeter weighted back flange and tungsten nickel sole bar locates the CG low and deep for increased MOI, forgiveness and stability.
Higher Ball Speed: A thin face, dual cavity design pushes weight to the perimeter for a hotter face and flight.
Improved Short Irons: Shorter blade length, thinner topline, and reduced visual offset deliver control and performance.
Improved Confidence Inspiring Appearance: Contemporary, confidence inspiring appearance features a traditional profile with modern proportions. A slightly thinner topline and improved hosel blends for reduced visual offset provide an enhanced set-up appearance.
Stock Shafts and Grip: Stock NS Pro 105T is a high performance lightweight steel shaft with a medium tip for control and softer mid section for feel. Stock graphite shaft is Aldila VS Proto-T 75 exclusively for Titleist. Stock grip is Tour-proven feel and traction of the Titleist Tour Velvet Rubber by Golf Pride. Other shaft, grip, length and lie options are available through Titleist Custom.
High Performance Sole: High performance sole with width, camber and bounce specs designed to deliver playability from a variety of lies and turf conditions without excessive bounce or dig.
Dual Hosel Lengths: Shorter hosel in long irons helps bias weight low for improved launch.
Progressive Offset and Stronger Lofts: Blade length is the same throughout the set with enhanced progressive offset. Lofts are two degrees stronger versus AP2.
Grooves: Modified U (28 degree wall), 2010 conforming.
Price/Availability: Available in both right and left hand beginning November 15, 2009, with a suggested retail price of $100 per club/steel, and $125 per club/graphite.
NEW AP2 IRONS FEATURES AND BENEFITS
Overview/Player Profile: Titleist 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.
Advanced Performance with Feel: High quality, high technology design and construction featuring a forged steel body, high density tungsten nickel sole and Tuned Feel System to enhance performance and feel.
Improved 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.
Playability with Shot Control: Dual cavity design pushes weight to the perimeter resulting in playability without loss of shot shaping control.
Improved Short Irons: Reduced bounce sole delivers improved ground contact.
High Performance Sole: High performance sole with width, camber and bounce specs designed to deliver playability from a variety of lies and turf conditions without excessive bounce or dig.
Confidence Inspiring Appearance: Contemporary, confidence inspiring set-up appearance features a traditional blade profile with soft blends and classic proportions.
Dual Hosel Lengths: Shorter hosel in long irons helps bias weight low for improved launch. Longer hosel in mid and short irons helps manage flight.
Stock Shaft and Grip: High performance, tour-proven Dynamic Gold shaft provides player preferred feel, weight feedback and shot control. Titleist Tour Velvet Rubber by Golf Pride with tour-proven feel and traction. Other shaft, grip, length and lie options are available through Titleist Custom.
Grooves: Modified V (37.5 degree wall), 2010 conforming.
Price/Availability: Available in both right and left hand beginning in November, with a suggested retail price of $142 per club/steel and $167 per club/graphite.
Specifications:
AP1 Irons
AP1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 P W
Loft 20o 23o 26o 29o 33o 37o 41o 45o 50o
Lie 60o 61o 62o 62.5o 63o 63.5o 64o 64o 64o
Offset 0.245″ 0.220″ 0.195″ 0.170″ 0.145″ 0.125″ 0.110″ 0.105″ 0.100″
Bounce 1o 1o 2o 2o 3o 4o 5o 6o 7o
Length 39.00″ 38.50″ 38.00″ 37.50″ 37.00″ 36.50″ 36.00″ 35.75″ 35.50″
AP2 Irons
AP2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 P W
Loft 21o 24o 27o 31o 35o 39o 43o 47o 51o
Lie 60o 61o 62o 62.5o 63o 63.5o 64o 64o 64o
Offset 0.160″ 0.145″ 0.130″ 0.120″ 0.110″ 0.100″ 0.090″ 0.085″ 0.080″
Bounce 0o 1o 3o 4o 4o 5o 6o 7o 7o
Length 39.00″ 38.50″ 38.00″ 37.50″ 37.00″ 36.50″ 36.00″ 35.75″ 35.50″
To download hi-res photography of or obtain additional information on the new Titleist irons, please contact Joe Gomes, Director of Communications, Acushnet Company (508.979.3211).
Titleist, FootJoy and Cobra comprise the major golf brands of the Acushnet Company, an operating company of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE – FO).
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