You can check with a fitter and run comparisons of other shafts. Changing loft won’t help much. A good fitter can also provide advice if a 25 hybrid might be an alternative to the 5 iron.

Were you fit for that shaft? Why did you pick that one in the first place? I think the 'normal answer' you'd get is to go get fit. AP3's are pretty easy to get airborne....but I'm guessing the correct shaft will be key.

Yes, the generic answer from most everyone here will be "get fitted". I can tell you, it is well worth it. I was all set to get my AP3s with the AMT shafts - cuz - that was what all the ads said. However, when I had my fitting, the Trackman made it pretty clear that the True Temper XP that I was using in my 714 AP1s was the best performing shaft for me. The fitting price was well worth the money. Saved me a lot of frustration and probably cash too.