Once my handicap and ball striking ability improved I decided to purchase a used set of original AP2s in 2012. Had it in my mind that I wanted forged clubs because of the feel. Took them to a fitter and had them fitted. They put in extenders and I played with them for about a year or so. When the 714s came out I went back for a fitting for the new clubs and have been playing with forged since. I started this crazy game in 1985 late in life. Will turn 70 in September and have gotten my handicap down to a 10, but do play from the senior tees. Age appropriate and loving it. Like the bear says. Move up and have fun.

mine was ball striking. I had the AP1's from 2008 when they first came out. I tried out a set at a local titleist fitting and hit them so well. they felt just right so I bought a set that day. Haven't looked back and love the feel of hitting one flush and crisp.

I switched this year to force me to concentrate more on my game. I, too, played to a single digit when younger and then let life get in the way. Last year I picked up the game again and am now back to about a 10 or so. Bought new 716 CB's and absolutely love that they force me to keep getting better to get the best out of them.

For me, it was after I bought a set of used Titleist 755 forged irons back in 2007 or 2008, because I liked the way they looked. I was a little worried I would have some trouble with them, but was pleasantly surprised how well I hit them. I was not fit for them. I was coming from bulky, cast game improvement irons and was playing at around a 15-16 handicap. I was in my early 50s and had re-taken up the game a couple years earlier, after having been away from it for 10 years or so. I was never very good during my previous period of golf back in the 80s and 90s. I just didn't play or practice enough. Unlike now, where I play or practice virtually every day of the year, but that's another story.

In any case, when I got that first set of 755 Forged irons, I actually seemed to hit them better than my cast g.i. irons due to the smaller head of the forged clubs. I think it helped me focus on the sweetspot better. Don't know for sure why, but I am certain that they were more visually pleasing to my eye and ultimately gave me more confidence.

Over time, I eventually got fit for AP2 712s when they were first released, and then recently again, for my AP2 716s. I am older now, but I hit the 716s well and my handicap fluctuates much lower, usually between 8 and 10. My distances off the tee are a little less now, but mostly due to age and age-related injuries, though my ballstriking with my irons is very good and I have actually started hitting them 5-10 yards further since I got the new AP2 716s.

Certainly, if you decide to move over to forged blade-style irons, you will want to get fit by a certified club fitter. But, what sold me, even before getting fit for my first set of AP2s back in 2011, was buying that used set of 755 forged irons just to mess around with, first on the range, then ultimately on the course. I liked the result with them so much I ended up playing them (used, off Ebay, without being properly fit) for 2 or 3 seasons and dropped my handicap a fair amount in the process. In doing so, I gained confidence in my ability to hit a more "players-type" forged iron. Consequently, I then had no qualms about moving up to AP2s.

One thing I will tell you is, forged irons give you more distance control, and I don't care what people think, but the feel is much softer. The only red flag I want to warn you about is that you will be consistently losing distance. Forged irons tend to be average to even a degree weaker than average, and they are not as forgiving. I had this problem when switching from AP1 to AP2 irons. My 150 club on flat ground was an 8 iron with my old AP1s and it is now a 6 iron with the AP2s. My ball striking isn't flawless- I can make clean contact 7 out of 10 swings one day and then 3 out of ten the next day.

Thanks guys a lot of good advise here I just got a new set of AP1's when shortly after I had a buddy bought new AP2's he's given me his old 714 AP2's so I can tinker with them. we will see where this leads.

Ok....so I'm sure my view will make quite a few disagree with my outlook. But I've played a lot cast as well as forged sets, and my current irons are 710 AP2, and have a set 716 AP2 actually being delivered tomorrow. So I'm not pro cast, or pro forged guy. I'm a pro-"what will give me the closest birdie putt" type of guy. So I'm not biased one way or the other.

Anyways. So I've actually read quite a few articles/stories etc. over the last couple months on the highly debatable "Cast vs. Forged" question.
So this is just my opinion.

So, honestly, if forged were superior why would any pro play a cast iron head? if there's two iron heads that are completely identical in every single way, exact same heads, shaft, grip, etc., but one straight forged and one cast , 99% of all golfers could not tell the difference in feel, especially performance.

Look at Vokey wedges. Most popular wedge on tour (as far as I know), and played by some of the best in the world, and their cast. If forged was "better", again I'm sure they'd all be playing them.

My point is cast vs. forged in this day and age really doesn't matter. It's just the process used to get the desired head shape, etc. by the designer. Plus most irons now are made of multi-materials, with having different parts of the head being made in different materials to get the best performance. Companies now use materials to help soften/deaden vibration. Vibration (as well as sound) determines what you feel at impact.

In conclusion play the iron that gives you the best result, and shortest birdie putts. Don't get all wrapped up in the "Cast vs. Forged" thing. The 716 AP1 is longer and more forgiving than the 716 AP2. Does that mean the cast AP1 is better than the AP2? Obviously not. Can a Titleist staffer not win tournaments with the AP1's because their cast and not forged? Obviously not. Forged " may" give you better feedback on you ball striking. You just need to decide what your looking for in your irons performance wise, not how their constructed.

Again this just $.02.

I believe it was when feel & control took priority over forgiveness. I was hitting the clubs well, just wanted a more precise flight & distance control over my shots. Todays modern forgings are much more playable than what people think. Look at the 716cb with the tungsten weights added in the 3-7 iron for extra forgiveness.