My experience with the purchase of a custom set of clubs from Titleist was a very good one. I had the clubs in my hands within less than three weeks which is not long by any standards. I had my fitting while I was well grooved (relative to my normal game that is) and I do highly recommend that.

In my humble opinion - If you are planning on changing your swing through the winter - I would do that before doing your fitting. While undergoing your fitting, they are basing the club recommendations for preferred flight, spin, carry etc. which is all based on your swing. If you get fitted before you change your swing, you could end up with something that has less than optimal spin and trajectory off the club face. It will still be great, but less than optimal.

This is a game of millimeters, and why not get the best product that fits your new swing after you groove the changes?

Darius

Hi Shawn,

The first question that I'll weigh in on is now vs next spring.  If you've decided on Titleist irons (why else would you be here?), I'd say there are a couple of things to consider.  First, there is no update coming to Titleist irons over the winter.  They are on a 2-year product development cycle, and the current irons were "new" this year.  Therefore you would be buying the 714 models next spring... so that is not an issue.  The real issue is your swing.  It all depends on how efficient you practice sessions in the garage are.  Have you found in past years that you still have "rust" in the spring?  If so, then I'd go get fit now, because your swing is about as grooved as it is going to be.  You might even discover during that the fitting that your misses are a result of a shaft length being sub-optimal for you, and by getting that corrected, you can practice all winter with your new clubs all winter to be ready for spring, and groove your swing with your new clubs.  If you're going to be practicing with impact tape trying to groove your swing, I think it would be best to practice and groove your swing with a set that is fit for you.

As for your question of AP1 vs AP2, there is a lot of value in the confidence you have when you set up to hit the ball.  If you don't like how a club looks, you're going to approach every shot with a little negativity, which is never good.  Golf is a game that is played so much between the ears; you should never overlook the aesthetics, the sound and the feeling.  Results are what matter most, but having confidence in your setup for the shot will greatly affect the outcome.  Afterall, the clubs don't hit the ball by themselves.  A bad swing invariably ends up as a bad shot, no matter how forgiving the club.  The difference is how much you;re punished for the bad swing.  You'll really need to figure out if the AP1 offers more forgiveness to you, and decide how you like it vs the AP2 vs, say, a CB.  We all have different swings, right?

That being said, I bought irons this spring, and I was 99% certain I was going to walk out of Golf Town with a set of AP1, while hitting a variety of makes and models, I asked to hit the AP2 alongside the AP1.  I was amazed that teh AP2 felt better, looked better, and in stock configuration gave me just about teh same results.  In the end, I did a fitting, and was more consistent with the AP2 mated to the right shaft for my swing than I was with the AP1 with the same shaft.  There was nothing wrong with the AP1, but the AP2 just felt better to me... smoother.  For me, the misses were about the same, so it became a question of feel.  I had toyed with the idea of a combo set of AP1/AP2, but I found that I hit the AP2 long irons as well or better than the AP1 for some reason.  So then I toyed with doing a AP2/CB combo set... but I was hitting the AP2 short irons better than the CB, so I ended up with a full set of AP2. Totally not what I was expecting, but I have zero regrets, and have totally fell in love with my irons.  However, the fitting experience was crucial.  If I were to have selected a set "off the rack", I would have bought something else.  The stock shafts really didn't do anything for me.  In stock configuration, I liked the feel of a crisp hit, but my consistency was WAAAY off.  But that's me.  as the saying goes, your mileage may vary.

Good luck, and let us know what you decide!

--
Kevin 

Pretty tough to add to the already great feedback you received already. Here are my two pesos.

Regarding the now vs the spring sentiment. It all really does depend. If you feel that you currently have the swing that you will be teeing it up with now would be the time. As mentioned there is no new iron release slated at this time... I'm guessing that November 2015 might be the time.

Either way going to Eagle's Nest and the TNFC for a fitting is absolutely vital. The boys whether it's Chad or Chris will take amazing care of you. Regarding the choices or debate between AP1 or AP2. I went through this this past May when I did my fitting. In hindsight maybe I should not have done it then and the reason for this was that I was basically swinging on one foot. I was recovering from a gangrenous infection where I lost part of my toe. Anyways, I went with the attitude of not caring what I walked out with. MB, AP1 or anything in between. Results showed that I was at the PGA Tour Average in smash with the AP2 but had better numbers with AP1. Ultimately, I went AP1 but a few months removed I'm thinking that AP2 should have been the choice. My eyes have had a heck of a time adjusting. Makes me wonder what the number would have been like with two feet.

Good luck and have fun with it.

Alex

I had the same issue last fall and decided to wait. Worked on my swing all winter with a coach. I was using AP2 712 fitted but wanted to switch to the 714. Because of the transition from the matts to turf in the spring and our late start to the season due to weather, I did not get my fitting until early june and clubs a few weeks later. If I could do it again I would get fit in the fall. Work on your swing changes with the new clubs. No point in practicing with clubs that may be affecting your progress. That being said I am going to see Chris at Eagles Nest next week for a 915metals fitting

Mark

Thanks for all the great responses guys.

My schedule didn’t allow for a fitting in the fall, so I guess I have to wait till the spring

This gives me lots of time to work on my contact over the winter.

I was considering buying a single MB 714 – 5 or 6 iron to practice with over the winter.

Since I have to hit into a net, I figured this club would give great feedback on miss hits.

 

Thanks

 

Shawn

Shawn, MB 714 are an excellent choice. I recently switched from the AP2's to MB's and have saved close to 5-7 strokes from the upgrade. Fitted clubs make a world of difference. If your going to buy new irons, spend a bit more to get the properly fitted ones to your swing and body needs. Trust me, it will be money well spent. Cheers and good luck over the winter months!!!! Rob:)