Titleist 704 CB irons vs 712 AP2

[Moleman]

Called into local golf store today to test a set of AP2's. They looked and felt fantastic and I'm pretty close to pulling the trigger.

 

On the way back to the rack I noticed a set of what turned out to be a brand new set of old 704CB's they looked amazing, simple clean lines without any fancy badges or graphics. I asked the guy if I could hit them and they felt as good as they look..

 

Now a little confused which club to go for, opinions appreciated... The following are the 7-iron specs,

 

AP2

 

100mph ball speed - 19deg launch - 158ish yards

 

704CB

 

95mph ball spd - 17deg launch - 150ish yards

 

704CB's roughly 300 quid cheaper.

 

Feels strange buying clubs that are almost 10yrs old but they truely looked and felt amazing.

 

Maybe all the manufacturers tech gains in the last 10yrs are a little exaggerated... ;)

[l3ig_l2ecl]

704CB should be 300, not 300 cheaper.

AP2's look really clean at address which is what should matter. Many tour pro's play the AP2's.

If money is no object, I say AP2's. I would buy them, but wife wont let me with kid on the way :*(.

Maybe with the 714 just leaked, the will go on sale soon....

[powerbelly51]

I still play my 704cb from 6 or so years ago. I might replace them this year, but they are tough to kick out of the bag.

But, that still seems too expensive for a set. I got mine in the US for about that 6 years ago.

[HitEmTrue]

I have two sets of 704CB's, and like them. Haven't played AP2's, so I can't compare.

[quote name='l3ig_l2ecl' timestamp='1372444157' post='7342980']
704CB should be 300, not 300 cheaper.
[/quote]

300 would be what, $450 USD? 704CB go for about $100-$200 on ebay, depending on the quality.

[obsessed_golfer]

I paid $300 USD for a new set of 704.cb here in the US back in around 2007 or thereabouts.....I still play them and am very happy with the set. They have held up well.

[Moleman]

Irons are much more expensive over here in the UK than in the US.

I'll be buying on eBay anyway, however the difference between the clubs will be the same £100ish for a good set of 704's and £350ish for a decent set of 712 AP2's.

Clubs felt equally sweet, I like the looks slightly more in the 704's, AP2's are longer 704's are cheaper... Hmmm

[Moleman]

Decided to buy the brand new set of 704's, 3-PW and got them for 250, also includes adjustments to my spec and he also included a lesson with the guy who will be doing the fitting for me, he wasn't available today as he made the cut down at the Irish Open and is playing the weekend, getting a lesson from a pro currently playing the European Tour is pretty cool! ;)

 

Just couldn't resist the looks and feel, IMO they are the best looking set of CB's that Titleist have ever made.

 

Played with them this afternoon and they felt awesome, was about 6inches from an Eagle with a 9-iron today! Lofts are weaker than my current taylormades but I was hitting them almost as far with a lovely high trajectory.

 

Could have bought a set cheaper on eBay but was happy to pay the extra 100 and have spanking brand new sticks, just out of the wrappers!

 

Happy!

 

[playgolf111]

[quote name='Moleman' timestamp='1372446239' post='7343206']
Irons are much more expensive over here in the UK than in the US.

I'll be buying on eBay anyway, however the difference between the clubs will be the same £100ish for a good set of 704's and £350ish for a decent set of 712 AP2's.

Clubs felt equally sweet, I like the looks slightly more in the 704's, AP2's are longer 704's are cheaper... Hmmm
[/quote]
Irons in Germany are also more expensive than ithe US. But for a 704 set in realy good condition you have to pay not more than 160 Euro thats about 190$. I had them in play for about 2 years and would say that the AP2 or AP1 irons are much much better.

[Moleman]

AP1's are Huge, didn't like them at all.

On the launch monitor I was hitting the AP2's and the CB's pretty much identical distances and trajectories, the 704's were half the price and IMO look much better so in the end a easy decision for me.

Very happy with my choice..

[SvenOlsen]

[quote name='Moleman' timestamp='1372536895' post='7350858']
AP1's are Huge, didn't like them at all.

On the launch monitor I was hitting the AP2's and the CB's pretty much identical distances and trajectories, the 704's were half the price and IMO look much better so in the end a easy decision for me.

Very happy with my choice..
[/quote] I understand you fully! Many newer clubs lack the elegance and obvious "charm" of the older models - and I am sure that liking a golf club increases one's mentally ability to strike it, and strike it well.
I play 704.CBs as well - having learned golf the "hard way" in the mid-1960s, where all these axes were not even thought of - nicoll o' leven Majestics with round Crown grips and shafts of no specially specified flex. A play around hcp 10, being 63 years old, and with limited time for training! So to me, the 704s are beautiful irons - easy to play, with good caracteristics. They stay in the bag!!!

[meganharold124]

Love the 704's as well. Have played them off and on for the last couple of years as I think they are one of the best looking cavity back irons ever produced! I got a set tucked away in the back of the closet and would be playing them now had I not put a Ping/Cleveland retro bag together that I enjoy playing.

[wolfpack]

704's are great, not to mention they are SS which will hold up really well. I loved mine, not sure why I moved on.

[Forged4ever]

Which ones do you like looking down on at address the most?

Which ones did you hit the best off of grass & myriad lies(hopefully)?

Which ones inspire the most confidence in your mind that you can execute the shot at hand?

Answer those three questions my Friend, and you have your answer-

Regardless of the irons that you choose MM, I wish you a great season with them

Fairways & Greens My Friend,
Richard