Titleist 712 AP1 vs Titleist 712 AP2
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | 712 AP1 loft | 712 AP2 loft | 712 AP1 lie | 712 AP2 lie | 712 AP1 length | 712 AP2 length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 20 | 21 | 60 | 60 | 39 | 39 |
| 4 | 23 | 24 | 61 | 61 | 38.5 | 38.5 |
| 5 | 26 | 27 | 62 | 62 | 38 | 38 |
| 6 | 29 | 31 | 62.5 | 62.5 | 37.5 | 37.5 |
| 7 | 33 | 35 | 63 | 63 | 37 | 37 |
| 8 | 37 | 39 | 63.5 | 63.5 | 36.5 | 36.5 |
| 9 | 41 | 43 | 64 | 64 | 36 | 36 |
| PW | 45 | 47 | 64 | 64 | 35.75 | 35.75 |
| GW | 50 | — | 64 | — | 35.5 | — |
| W | — | 51 | — | 64 | — | 35.5 |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- 712 AP1
- 712 AP2
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the 712 AP1 is 33° and the 712 AP2 is 35°, a 2° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the 712 AP1 should carry roughly 6 to 8 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the 712 AP2. Across the 8 clubs both sets share, the 712 AP2 averages 1.6° weaker, with the largest gap at the 6-iron (29° vs 31°). The pitching wedges are 45° and 47°; the stronger one leaves a 5° jump to a 50° gap wedge, which matters when planning wedge gapping.
The sets are built differently: the 712 AP1 runs 3-iron to GW (9 clubs), the 712 AP2 3-iron to W (9 clubs).
The 712 AP1 is a game improvement iron and the 712 AP2 a players iron, so they sit 2 steps apart on the forgiveness scale. The 712 AP1 is the more forgiving design, with a wider sole, more offset and more perimeter weighting for roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. The 712 AP2 trades some of that for a more compact head, thinner topline and more control over flight and shape, which suits roughly scratch to 10 handicaps.
The 712 AP1 is listed as cast, multi-material dual cavity with a tungsten nickel sole weight and the 712 AP2 as forged, multi-material dual cavity. Forging, as in the 712 AP2, is generally credited with a softer feel; casting, as in the 712 AP1, allows more complex cavity and weighting shapes, which is why it dominates forgiving irons. Both use tungsten weighting to lower the centre of gravity and steady the head on off-centre strikes.
Both sets were introduced in 2011, so this is a choice between two models from the same lineup rather than an upgrade: Titleist designed them to sit side by side for different players.
Which should you choose?
The 712 AP2 is the weaker-lofted set — up to 2° weaker than the 712 AP1. That trades raw distance for a steeper landing angle and more predictable stopping power into greens.
Both charts are reproduced in full on their own pages: Titleist 712 AP1 specs and Titleist 712 AP2 specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Titleist 712 AP1 stronger lofted than the 712 AP2?
Yes. The Titleist 712 AP1 7-iron is 33° against 35° for the 712 AP2, 2° stronger, which is worth roughly 6 to 8 yards of extra carry with the same swing.
What is the loft difference between the Titleist 712 AP1 and 712 AP2?
At the 7-iron the difference is 2° (33° vs 35°). The largest gap on a shared club is 2° at the 6-iron, and all 8 shared clubs differ.
Which is better for higher handicap golfers, the Titleist 712 AP1 or the 712 AP2?
The Titleist 712 AP1. As a game improvement iron it is the more forgiving design, suited to roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. The 712 AP2 is a players iron, better suited to roughly scratch to 10 handicaps.
Do the Titleist 712 AP1 and 712 AP2 have the same lie and length?
At the 7-iron, yes: both are 63° lie and 37 inches long.
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