Equipment
Titleist to offer limited-edition AP1 irons with “Smoke” finish
In today’s market, wedges are becoming a pallet for creative expression as more and more companies offer different finishes and custom stamping options. Titleist, for example, offers a Jet Black finish that’s popular on Tour; Jimmy Walker recently switched to the finish on his Vokey SM6 wedges.
But what about irons? Will golfers begin gravitating toward unique finishes on their irons as they do with wedges?
That’s the question Titleist is looking to answer by experimenting with a new iron finish on its 716 AP1 irons called “Limited Edition Smoke.” They will have a dark, PVD coating instead of the polished stainless steel look of the standard offering.
“We’re introducing the Smoke finish as a test run because golfers have been asking for it,” said Josh Talge, Vice President of Marketing at Titleist. “We’ve seen a trend in players gravitating toward the darker finishes in our Vokey SM6 wedges and many of them have asked if we’ll ever bring those types of finishes to our iron line. Smoke is our first experiment.”
As the most forgiving irons in the Titleist stable, the AP1 irons have the largest profile and thickest toplines of any Titleist 716 iron. The Smoke finish, along with reducing glare, may actually help make the AP1’s chassis look sleeker, according to Titleist.
AP1 Smoke finish (left), standard AP1
“Not only does it have a great look, but for many golfers it will also make the club appear smaller at address,” Talge said. “It’s really a great option for those players who want all the benefits of a game improvement iron but want to look down and see something more slim and compact.”
Related: Titleist answers questions about the 716 AP1 irons.
Only 500 sets of the limited-edition 716 AP1 irons will be available from authorized Titleist dealers starting on March 24. They will sell for $112.50 per club in steel ($899 per set of 8) and $137.50 per club in graphite ($1,099 per set of 8).
This week, we have our Tour Photographer, Greg Moore, on the ground at the OccuNet Classic at Tascosa Golf Club in Amarillo, Texas, for the 14th event of the 2026 Korn Ferry Tour season. With that, we see some great things in the Lead Tape Report as we roll into Amarillo.
Joel Thelen
Monday Qualifier, Joel Thelen is in the field this week. He has played on the Korn Ferry Tour for a full season in 2023, and he is back in action this week. A couple of clubs caught my eye this week in his bag.
First off: His trusted Titleist 816 H2 hybrid. This club came out in October of 2015, and it still remains strong in the bag. Also, take a look at this Odyssey White Hot OG 7, putting a capital S in the 7S model. This custom neck has some impressive lean for an arm-lock-style putter. The bottom of the putter is covered in tape for optimal weighting.
Mitchell Meissner
Taking a look at Mitchell Meissner’s bag this week, we have some great lead tape coverage. Top to bottom working from fairway metals, irons, and wedges. We can see on the short irons and wedges that there is tape at the base of the grip, adding a little counterbalance. Along with that, some tape on the short irons and wedges as well. Moving to his putter, he rolls the Odyssey 7 Bird putter. Meissner putts left-handed and strikes the ball right-handed.
Bud Cauley had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament.
Driver: Titleist GTS2 (8 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: Titleist GTS3 (15 degrees, B1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei 1K Pro Red 70 TX
7-wood: Titleist GTS3 (21 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei 1K Pro Red 80 TX
Irons: Titleist U505 (3), Titleist 620 MB (4-9)
Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 8 X, True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-14F), WedgeWorks (60-K*)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putters: Scotty Cameron Tour Prototype, Scotty Cameron GOLO 6.3 Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Align
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
In our forums, one user has offered up a prompt for the true sickos, inviting fellow forum members to share every set of irons they’ve ever owned. As to be expected, this is a lengthy forum topic.
@Lamosteve began:
Can you name every set of irons you’ve owned? Here’s mine
Spalding Dots
Spalding Eclipse
Ram Lazer FX
Lynx Parallax
Mizuno EZ Comp
Ben Hogans
Cleveland CG Red
Taylor Made R9s
PING i20
PING iE1
Taylor Made M6
Our members in the forum have been offering up their own collections. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- macedan: “Started with a hand-me-down Golden Bear set from my brother when I was in high school, never really played more than once a year or got into the game until about summer of 2017. First purchased a set of Cleveland CG4’s (I actually really miss this set sometimes, soft & not terribly large for a GI iron), moved into Nike Vapor Fly’s by the end of the year. Those lasted until spring of 18 when I decided I wanted new, so I traded them in for TM Rbladez. Honestly, although I liked the Rbladez, poor decision on my part, I think this was really about the only time so far that after a week or two I was kicking myself for not staying with what I had. Rbladez stayed with me until late last summer when I switched to P790’s and (knock on wood) I am hoping this will be my longest lasting set.”
- JimmyC59: “MacGregor Jack Nicklaus Triple Crown. Palmer The Standard. Still play these.”
- jgrzask: “Tommy Armour 845u
Mizuno MP-32
Mizuno MP-33 (2 sets)
Bridgestone J33cb – still own
Srixon i-302 (2 sets) – still own
Tourstage X-Blades – still own
Mizuno Hot Metal – still own
Nike Forged Blades – still own
Titleist 714 AP1 – still own
Cobra Forged SS – still own”
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Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2026 Cadillac Championship
Bud Cauley WITB 2026 (June)
Bud Cauley had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament. Driver: Titleist GTS2 (8 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura...
Hannah Green WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Titleist GTS3 (10 degrees, D4 SureFit setting) Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana RB 53 S 3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees,...
Asterisk Talley WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 S 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (16.5 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue...
Brianna Do WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond (9 degrees) Shaft: KBS PGW 3-wood: Callaway Elyte Titanium (15 degrees) Shaft: KBS PGW 5-wood:...
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D
Mar 25, 2017 at 7:31 pm
The upcoming 718 irons (release fall 2017)will include a new model that is positioned between the AP1 and AP2.
rymail00
Mar 26, 2017 at 8:54 pm
Wha really?
I’m not sure if your joking or not? Can’t imagine Titleist adding a 6th iron set to the mix (AP1/AP2/T-MB/CB/MB). Wouldn’t the T-MB fit between the AP1 and AP2?
Miuralovechild
Mar 25, 2017 at 12:54 am
I’ll take a Miura with a black boron over these all day long and twice on Sunday.
S Hitter
Mar 25, 2017 at 1:38 am
I gotta lotta floors in my house that need scrubbing on hands and knees, you’d better get started to help you pay for them Miuras lmao
KCCO
Mar 24, 2017 at 10:57 pm
My thought on black is they look great in the bag on first day, and OTR, they just no matter the type of finish of black they wear, and look old quick. I saw a guy with a new set on black nikes, blue check; looked beatiful. I asked “how the finish is holding up?, response was this is first round” Chrome is horrible, i.e. MP64 look so beautiful, a couple rounds riding in a cart and chatter shows everywhere. So I would have to say satin, as most Ping irons, some new Mizzy’s and PXG seem to look freshest longest. Some don’t care, I do. They are also easy to refinish or freshen up. So I think I’ll stick with black wedges, black shafts, as satin is the winner for me in iron sets. Don’t get me wrong, black 945’s with black onyx x100’s may be my favorite looking iron, I would play them to cautiously to not want to destroy them.
I also think that why driver faces are black, they wear quicker and make you feel a new driver is due. Just my opinion.
** but I do play black wedges with black shafts as I like the contrast and no glare in sand.
rymail00
Mar 24, 2017 at 8:29 pm
I’d like to see a AP2 done in PVD. I hope the they offer it the 718 line. Personally I think the AP2 black and grey color scheme would fit the PVD better than the AP1 and the red
And yes every PVD finish will wear over time, but it’s only the sole and sweet spot (well sweet spot area). I wish they’d do a black PVD like the old Adams A4 Tour irons which actually held up really well and was a true black matte PVD finish with the color of likea Golf Pride Tour Velvet grip.
Fat Perez
Mar 24, 2017 at 6:28 pm
They must be bored to death over there. What’s next, the illustrious pewter finish. It’s ok Titleist, we know you guys have a 2 year windows between products, we won’t forget you.
Tom Duckworth
Mar 24, 2017 at 4:11 pm
If they could come up with a dark finish that would hold up I would be all for it.
S Hitter
Mar 25, 2017 at 1:39 am
Who let this clown back in here
rebfan73
Mar 26, 2017 at 11:33 am
The irons look sick……and welcome back big homie. You HAVE been missed!!!!
JimmyJam
Mar 24, 2017 at 12:11 pm
Callaway did this years ago with the Razr X Black. I owned a set and the finish wears off making them look worse. The reduced glare does help, just wish there was a way to make the finish last, doesn’t seem to happen with the PVD though.
Ian
Mar 24, 2017 at 12:35 pm
+1. had a set of X24 hot irons with the black pvd – look disgusting in no time and hit one dirty ball and the mark is permanent.
Scott R
Mar 24, 2017 at 11:33 am
It seems Titleist is uncomfortable with this offering … limited production and the VP of marketing calling it an “experiment” … hmmm
S Hitter
Mar 24, 2017 at 10:56 am
Gotta keep up with Callaway somehow
Jim
Mar 30, 2017 at 10:31 am
….they should make better stuff….period.
Head Weights NEVER matched
Hosel Insert Depths inconsistent
Loft & Lie ALMOST never correct thru an entire set…
More failed / reground / DC’d iron models in last 30 years than even TM.
Terry (TMAC)
Mar 24, 2017 at 10:40 am
Looks cool when they are new. Look like crap after they start to wear though.
At least they aren’t charging more, unlike most other companies that offer black/smoked irons.
Skip
Mar 24, 2017 at 5:20 pm
Agree. $100 premium for a finish than wears off in no time is ludicrous.
Alex
Mar 24, 2017 at 9:57 am
PVD looks horrible. Why OEMs keep using it is beyond me. Matte Black is the only way to go for irons and wedges. The Apex Black is far superior in aesthetics.
Someone
Mar 24, 2017 at 12:26 pm
note: “aesthetics”
Mr Muira
Mar 24, 2017 at 9:35 am
Ugly as a dogs breakfast.
Jim
Mar 30, 2017 at 10:35 am
No joke! Eerily similar ugly as Razr X irons were…..just as cheap casting too…
Bullhead
Mar 24, 2017 at 8:59 am
To. Expensive
Brian
Mar 24, 2017 at 9:26 am
Same price as the standard AP1, if I’m not mistaken. I’m very rarely a Titleist apologist, but at least they didn’t jack up the prices like Callaway (CF16 black) and PXG on their dark finish irons.
Brian
Mar 24, 2017 at 8:59 am
I always forget just how ugly the 716 AP1 and AP2 are, until I’m reminded by pictures.
gwillis7
Mar 24, 2017 at 8:38 am
I like it, will be even better if down the road they add the AP1 forged iron to the mix.
David W.
Mar 24, 2017 at 8:29 am
Will these PVD finishes wear off with time? It is expected that an iron set will have a longer usable lifetime than a set of wedges. Same questions for the Callaway Steelhead Pros.
cgasucks
Mar 24, 2017 at 9:20 am
Yes..they will wear off in time.