AP2 or MP-54? (Coming from Ping i10)

[SuaSponteMn]

Getting over to get fit this Friday, I've been playing Ping i10's since they came out. They always got a bad rap, being very unforgiving for the i series, not too stable/solid as it was the i15 when they put tungsten in the toe. People didn't care for the AWT shafts either. I've not minded them all that much, but never really loved them.

 

So the two I'm most interested are listed above, my bias is towards the AP2. Yes, I'm asking which is more forgiving. No, I'm not interested in the i25 or the AP1 (would consider the S55 maybe). I like the look of a players iron, understand what comes with them. Just curious about what people think primarily about the original 2 though. My iron game is in line with my handicap, which is currently a 10.9.

 

Thanks to everyone for any advice they'd be willing to share...

[LBattaglia93]

A quick search of the two brings up a few threads where people have done comparisons.

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/900145-titleist-ap2-714-or-mizuno-mp-54/

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/900145-titleist-ap2-714-or-mizuno-mp-54/

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/938070-range-results-ap2-714-vs-mp54-vs-nike-pro-combo-vs-ping-s55/

[Kingcat990]

Let the fitter, your results, and what feels better to you be the deciding factor

[lordemsworth]

[quote name='Kingcat990' timestamp='1404840473' post='9660315']
Let the fitter, your results, and what feels better to you be the deciding factor
[/quote]

+1

[Orlandogolfguru]

Agree. Fit, hit, decide.

[Golf64]

AP2s, best of all worlds, IMO.

[SuaSponteMn]

[quote name='Golf64' timestamp='1404849922' post='9661373']AP2s, best of all worlds, IMO.[/quote]

Thank you!

I thought it was obvious that the fitting will ultimately make the decision. What I was really looking for was insights and opinions from people based on their experiences...

Just like this!!

[TheBear95]

Currently play the AP2s, had the MP-54s.

I would say the AP2s are slightly more forgiving, while 54s are a little bit softer. IMO, the differences between the two in feel and forgiveness are very small.

The biggest difference between the two irons is the look of the short irons and pw. IMO, the 54s are just too big (an issue I have with most MP irons). The 8, 9, PW look great in the AP2s and flow so well with the rest of the set.

[RPJET]

Very little difference in forgiveness between the two. I would let feel and look be the determining factors. IMO the MP 54's win in both of those categories. But it's your opinion that counts. Let us know what you decide.

[Armypilot84]

I had MP54's before my AP2's. I thought they were a great club, but AP2's are a good bit more forgiving IMO. The tungsten weight in the AP2's really helps out on mis-hits all the way across the face. The Mizuno's are softer, but not really by that much. Both are great irons, but AP2's win out for me.

[bstew1982]

I had 710 AP2s previously with DG S300 shafts in them. I went to a Mizuno fitting this year and ended up with MP54s with KBS Tour 120s. I would agree with most people on this thread, it's a matter of personal preference.

I myself didn't see a huge difference between the new AP2s and the 54s (or 64s for that matter).

In the end, the difference came down to personal preference (the fitter told me I could go either 54 or 64). I went with the 54s for a little more forgiveness in the mid irons (if I was playing regularly, it easily would have been the 64s for me). The clubs feel great (soft feel and the shafts are great for a smoother tempo). I love the look as well! I personally think the top line is still quite thin and the clubs look just like a player's iron to me.

Good luck and enjoy the fitting!

[Swjake83]

I don't think you could go wrong with either, including the s55 either. I recently switched from mp-53's to i25's because I wanted a little extra help in the longer irons getting ball airborne. I really loved the feel of them though and I assume the 54's are no different. If you have no trouble getting long irons in the air the feel is incredible on mizuno's. Ap2's might be slightly easier to hit from my experience at demo days but they also weren't quite as buttery in feel. But only marginally less so.

Agree with others between those two playability and forgiveness will probably be pretty close. Pick the head you like more and then make sure you get in the right shaft for you! I traded a set of mp-53's for like but went from s300's to kbs's and the flight was quite a bit different. Whatever you hit best get it even if it has purple flowers on the shaft! Haha.

[Argonne69]

I've played various Mizuno models for years, and wound up going with an MP-54/64 split set (w/ Nippon 950 shafts) for my current set. I demo'd the AP2's, but I preferred the feel of the Mizuno's. Frankly, as others have stated, I don't think you could go wrong with either set. The AP2's may be slightly more forgiving, but it's not night and day.

[OrangeCrush]

I just switched to the AP2 and had tested the 54s. The turf interaction on the AP2 is MUCH better. I have never been so elated with a purchase as I have been with the AP2.

[tdelam]

I've had both sets and did a direct comparison between the two before I sold them, here are my findings:

AP2's - They are forgiving, controllable, and very nice! They have a nice soft feeling. My mishits are toe shots. I found they flew pretty darn straight considering the type of iron and the mishit. I was pleasantly surprised with that. Thin shots are decent as well. Fat shots or even a little fat are not rewarded, you will definitely see a loss in distance, as you would with most irons, I haven't hit the i10's but I assume those have more bounce and that would help if you caught it fat. All in all, an awesome iron, I would have kept them but I struggled a little with the 4 and 5 iron and I don't quite get along with hybrids (hook em), that is why I went with i25's.

MP-54's - Not as forgiving, very soft, controllable and pretty nice. I didn't like the leading edge and the added camber around the back of them. Mishits were penalized a little more than AP2'sbut nothing major, the soles are thinner. Hitting from the rough always felt a little trickier with these. Fat shots are just dirty, thin ones are ok. I found the distances a little different with these, I never really felt all that comfortable with them.

This video compares the 2:

[media=]http://youtu.be/Tv-2GD90ijI[/media]

Hope this helps. I would say go with the AP2's, I've been contemplating a 3rd set of these and getting the 4, 5 iron AP1 714's, those are surprisingly pretty awesome!

[rugbydave]

[quote name='TheBear95' timestamp='1404854892' post='9661915']
Currently play the AP2s, had the MP-54s.

I would say the AP2s are slightly more forgiving, while 54s are a little bit softer. IMO, the differences between the two in feel and forgiveness are very small.

The biggest difference between the two irons is the look of the short irons and pw. IMO, the 54s are just too big (an issue I have with most MP irons). The 8, 9, PW look great in the AP2s and flow so well with the rest of the set.
[/quote]

+1. Noticeably more forgiving but not as soft. Mizuno's are the softest club I've owned next to Miura's but I did not find the 54's to be forgiving. I'm a 5 index and am 100% satisfied with the AP2's.

[Tiptx1122]

I've never hit the i10's but did demo the MP 54 & AP2 714's and that is what I'm playing as these should be high on everyone list of irons to buy the AP2's are that good

[SuaSponteMn]

Turns out the MP-54's are the right fit for me. Surprised because I was so biased towards the AP-2. (Especially after a really rough go of it with the MP57's a few years ago) Another surprise was the shaft that fit best. I don't hit my driver 300+, nor do I hit a pitching wedge 145, but the ideal shaft for me was a KBS Tour in X flex. I have a shorter backswing, and my misses tend to come from a transition getting quick. This combo has a super tight dispersion, shaft feels silky smooth, and of course the club head feels incredible.

On a side note, Second Swing in Minneapolis is AMAZING. The guys are super friendly, patient, and really know their stuff. If you live around here, there isn't a shop that's even a close second.

[RPJET]

Smart decision to go with the irons that perform best for you. Good luck with your 54's. They are great irons.

[dunn]

Won't matter....you'll get used to either...what irons you choose will have little effect on your golf game...how you swing will have tremendous effect