Hi Liam,

One of the things you can do is to get the AP2's in your short irons and get the AP1's in the longer irons where you will need the forgiveness and as your ball striking improves, you can start replacing the AP1's gradually (or all together) with AP2's.  Just make sure you keep your loft gaps consistent so that you don't have any yardage gaps.  The AP1's are 2° stronger than the AP2's 6-PW and 1° stronger 3-5 iron.

I had your same dilemma a couple years ago. I was a 15 or 16 hdcp at the time. Was playing CG4 game-improvement irons, but really wanted something with a thinner top line. Fell in love with the look of the AP2, but was a little nervous for the same reasons you are. So, I considered the AP1, but frankly thought they were quite horsey looking at address. The top line on the AP1 is just way too fat to my eye. So, I did some research  on some of Titleist's previous iron models and found that the 755 Forged irons circa 2006, had a very appealing look to me and were much closer to a players club. They seemed to me to be aimed at 8-15 'cappers.  I thought, if I could find an inexpensive used set to try out for awhile, it might help me get used to a less forgiving club and aid my  transition over to the AP2s. At the very least it would show me if I have any business even thinking about AP2s. No point in spending about $1000 for something you know you can't hit well. So I found a three year old used set of Titleist 755s for a really good price through Global Golf. Less than $200. They were in great shape, but I had them re-gripped to my liking. I then went out and played with them and fell in love. The original idea was to play them for a month or two to get used to a less forgiving club and see if I could get the hang of them. In reality, I got the hang of them on day one and continued to gain confidence with them. I no longer felt in a hurry to buy the AP2s. Played all last season and went down to a 10-12 handicap. My index right now is 9.6. And I am still using them. I have decided to play them the rest of the season until the new 712s come out. I am now 100% confident I can handle the AP2 712, which are supposed to be even more forgiving than the 710 model, but now my new dilemma is whether of not I can handle the new CB 712s which I like the look of even more.  I may have to play the AP2s for awhile before I make THAT leap. I might have a great set of 755s available soon ;-) They really changed my game.

Liam,I am a 7 and just in the last year have dropped from a 14 to 7. Some because playing more and making better decisions on the course, but a lot do to fitting of my clubs. I went and got my swing looked at and tested a lot of different shafts. I also found out my clubs need to be 2* flat. I think when you buy used clubs they can be changed for loft and lie, but I like the fact that they do that for free on new orders. I really like cathi's idea also of a mixed set, but the AP2's are one of the most forgiving player's irons and the 712's are even suppose to be more forgiving. One of the best things I ever did was take my 3 & 4 irons out of the bag and add a 19* and 24* 910 hybrid. Those are game changers on long par 3's and long par 4's. Good luck with your choice no matter what way you go.