Titleist AP3 718 Vs. Titleist T200 Irons Comparison Overview
Titleist is known for breaking the mold in many respects. They have been innovative over the decades and continue to look beyond the status quo when it comes to golf clubs.
This is evident in the Titleist AP3 718 which seek to marry distance and player’s performance.
Titleist has made missteps in the past though so how do the Titleist AP3 718 irons pull off this combination of player’s performance and distance? To find out, we pitted them against true Titleist distance irons.
Titleist AP3 718 Irons Overview
The Titleist AP3 718 irons sit between the AP1 and AP2 in terms of head size. They are a great middle ground between the two AP iron sets without being oversized.
Titleist calls the Titleist AP3 718 irons “distance player’s irons” which at first, sounds like blasphemy.
However, when we tested these irons we noticed that they really do have compact heads. In fact, if you weren’t testing them against other irons, you would think they are straight up player’s irons.
However, the heads are slightly larger than say the T200 irons from Titleist. This gives them a bit more forgiveness and the hollow body design creates an unsupported face that allows for more flex.
And if you are reading this article, then you probably already know that flex is good for distance.
The shorter irons have a nice sold feel thanks to the 17-4 stainless steel face inserts. You get tight shot dispersion and roll control around the green.
All in all, we are inclined to say that Titleist did a good job of combining a player’s iron with easier distance.
Titleist T200 Irons Overview
The T200 irons are pure distance irons. However, the Titleist AP3 718 irons did more for us around the green.
The Titleist T200 irons feature super-dense tungsten weights around the heel and toe which gives them plenty of oomph while at the same time increasing side-to-side forgiveness.
To push the ball even further, an elastomer core sits right behind the sweet spot of these irons.
The T200’s actually played a bit longer than the Titleist AP3 718’s overall. However, these irons are very difficult to work around the green.
The Titleist AP3 718’s provide more short-game trajectory control and spin dynamics. We liked them better for overall performance as opposed to the Titleist T200 irons – even though they are a bit shorter.
Titleist AP3 718 Irons
Category: Player’s/Distance Irons
Titleist T200 Irons
Category – Player’s Irons
Titleist AP3 718 Irons First Impressions
We tested the AP3’s second so the lower handicap players in our party were relieved at the sight of the slightly larger heads.
The AP3’s have something of a hybrid cavity back/muscle back design. The undercut in the rear also serves to pop the ball high in the air in both the long and short irons.
The AP3’s were also noticeably more forgiving than the Titleist AP2 718 irons. That’s probably because of perimeter weighting in the heel and toe via tungsten weights.
The AP3’s also have the “L-shaped” face insert that has been included in many other Titleist irons.
The Titleist AP3 irons are slightly more suited to lower handicap players and lack some of the advanced features of the Titleist AP2 718 irons like the co-forged, infused tungsten weighting and carbon steel construction.
Titleist T200 First Impressions
You can tell just by looking at them that the Titleist T200 irons are player’s irons
The first thing you will notice about these irons is the size of the head. The Titleist T200 feature a player’s profile shape and a very thin topline. However, the Titleist T200’s also have strong lofts which becomes apparent pretty quickly.
You wouldn’t expect the high level of feel that you get from these irons just by looking at them though. The engineered muscle back plates are tuned to enhance feedback and feel while at the same time dampening unwanted vibrations.
The Titleist T200 can surprise in terms of forgiveness and distance too. While certainly not the longest or most forgiving irons in the T series, the L-shaped face insert helps expand the sweet spot out towards the toe.
What advanced players will be able to enjoy almost immediately is the feel from the forged face insert. These irons give an unmistakable forged feel that low handicappers will go crazy for.
The “Max Impact” polymer insert also helps out with ball speed. It acts as a springboard behind the face to push the ball further and faster. The only catch is that you pretty much have to hit the ball dead-center to benefit from the Max Impact insert.
The Titleist T200 feature a unique combination of features that mostly improve feel and accuracy.
Titleist AP3 718 Selling Points
- Better for mid handicappers
- Slightly larger profile
- L-shaped face insert
- Good forgiveness on low face shots
- Brushed leading edge
- Good forgiveness
Titleist T200 Irons Selling Points
- Tight shot dispersion
- Amazing feel from the forged face insert
- Great for low handicappers
- Tour-grade irons
- Plenty of premium shafts to choose from
- They produce high-arcing shots
Who are the Titleist AP3 718 Irons for?
The AP3’s would be great for any single digit handicapper who is looking for a bit more feel and help with contact.
While the Titleist AP3 718 irons are a great introduction to the AP family. They are more forgiving than the Titleist AP2 718 irons but provide you with better short game control than the AP1’s.
While not on the same performance level as the Titleist AP2 718 irons, the AP3’s do provide comparable distance in a great looking player’s iron shape.
The Titleist AP Irons
The great thing about the Titleist AP3 irons is that they sit perfectly between the AP1 and AP2 in terms of size.
While the AP2 is certainly the only model that can be considered a tour-grade iron set, the AP3 and AP1 will appeal more to players who have just broken into single digits.
Titleist AP3 718 Irons Final Assessment
Distance: 94/100
Accuracy: 92/100
Forgiveness: 92/100
Feel & Control: 92/100
Overall Score: 92/100
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Who Are The Titleist T200 Irons For?
It’s apparent that the Titleist T200 irons were designed for advanced, low handicap players.
The Titleist T200 irons are definitely for low handicap player who are seeking irons that feel really nice. They would also be a good fit for you if you like to shape your shots and need higher spin rates and more accuracy.
The T Series
The T series of irons from Titleist run the gamut from beginner-friendly sets to ones reserved for tour-level players.
The great thing about the T series is that every kind of player can benefit from them. They all have technologically advanced features but each one was designed for a specific skill level.
Distance: 92/100
Accuracy: 96/100
Forgiveness: 88/100
Feel and Control: 96/100
Value: 92/100
Overall Rating: 94/100
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