Equipment
A list of Titleist players who are already using the TS2 and TS3 drivers
Titleist began its “validation process” for its new TS2 and TS3 drivers at the 2018 U.S. Open. What does that mean exactly? Well, surely getting the approval of Tour players on the new designs is crucial. And judging by the amount of players who already switched into the new drivers at the U.S. Open, that validation process is going well.
Titleist reports that 17 players out of the 35 players in the field using Titleist drivers are using the new TS2 or TS3 drivers, including major champions Jimmy Walker and Justin Thomas.
Below is the full list of Titleist professionals who are using either the TS2 or TS3 driver at the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills.
See what GolfWRX members are saying about the new Titleist drivers here.
Titleist TS2 driver
- Ben An (9.5 degrees)
- Lanto Griffin (10.5 degrees)
- Bill Haas (9.5 degrees)
- Chesson Hadley (10.5 degrees)
- Matt Jones (10.5 degrees)
- Mike Miller (9.5 degrees)
- Cam Smith (9.5 degrees)
Titleist TS3 driver
- Eric Axley (9.5 degrees)
- Rafa Cabrera Bello (9.5 degrees)
- Charley Hoffman (9.5 degrees)
- Adam Scott (10.5 degrees)
- Webb Simpson (10.5 degrees)
- Justin Thomas (9.5 degrees)
- Jimmy Walker (8.5 degrees)
- Richy Werenski (10.5 degrees)
- Will Zalatoris (9.5 degrees)
See what GolfWRX members are saying about the new Titleist drivers here.
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Equipment
Spotted: Tony Finau’s driver shaft change at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
Tony Finau has always been known as one of the longest players on the PGA Tour, but he has recently been working on adding a little more distance. Last year, Finau averaged 118.3 mph club head speed and 178.08 mph ball speed, all while playing a Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX driver shaft. This year, he has increased his club head speed to 123.93 mph and his ball speed to 183.32 mph.
However, Finau’s overall distance has decreased by two yards in that time. From a fitting perspective, something was up. We asked Tony about the shaft change at the Texas Children’s Hospital Open.
“[I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin. My driver’s been a little high spin for me over the last month or so, and so I just figured it was time to probably check out the equipment,” Finau said. “And it definitely showed me that I was using a shaft that’s maybe a little too tip-stiff for me, the way I load the club now. [I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin.”
Finau switched from the Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX into the Diamana GT 70 TX. The newer Diamana GT has a slightly different profile than the D+ Limited with the stiffest handle section in the Diamana lineup. The mid sections between the two are similar stiffness but the tip is just slightly stiffer in the Diamana GT. Both shafts are within one gram of each other in the 70 TX. The torque rating on the GT is 0.1 higher than the D+Limited’s 2.7 measurement.
Mitsubishi lists the Diamana GT as a shaft between the mid-launching Diamana TB and the new low-launch Diamana WB shafts. For most players, it would be considered a mid/low launch and low-spin shaft option. Mitsubishi’s Xlink Tech Resin System makes sure the maximum carbon fiber content is there for smooth feel without reducing the strength of the shaft. MR70 carbon fiber is used for reinforcing the shaft and boron is used in the tip for its high strength and compression properties.
Finau is still using his trusty Ping G430 LST driver in 9 degrees and has the adjustable hosel set to -1 degree of loft (standard lie angle). Finau’s long-time favorite Lamkin UTX Green grip is installed. He definitely has a few extra wraps of tape under that grip as you can see the bulge down where the grip meets the shaft.
- Check out the rest of our pictures from the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
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Whats in the Bag
Zac Blair WITB 2024 (March)
- Zac Blair what’s in the bag accurate as of the Texas Children’s Houston Open. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist TSR2 (10 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Red 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade M5 Rocket 3 (14 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Speeder 757 Evolution V1 X
Utility: Titleist U510 (3)
Shaft: Aldila Tour Blue 85 X
Irons: Ping i210 (4-6), Miura MB-001 (7-9)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46-10F, 58-08M @57, 60 @61), Vokey Design WedgeWorks (52-M)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 105 X
Putter: Scotty Cameron prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
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Whats in the Bag
Martin Trainer WITB 2024 (March)
- Martin Trainer what’s in the bag accurate as of the Texas Children’s Houston Open. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Wilson Staff Staff Model (6.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Kai’li Blue 70 TX
3-wood: Wilson Staff WLabs Prototype (13 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Orange 80 TX
Irons: Wilson Staff Staff Model (2, 4-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Wilson Staff Staff Model (52, 56, 60)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Putter: Bobby Grace Greg Chalmers Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
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Hoosier
Jun 16, 2018 at 9:07 am
For the record, saw Spieth using the TS3 yesterday.
Les
Jun 15, 2018 at 3:02 pm
Ho Hum… just more eye-cnady bait for gearheadbaters … 😛
Darren K
Jun 15, 2018 at 12:16 pm
“Validation” is a Scientific and engineering term that refers to steps in a product or process release. It has nothing to do with player’s opinions and approval. The tour players playing the clubs is essentially part of the release criteria that would have included Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing or SAT (which this is essentially) among other steps. The product is completely finished at this point, they are simply real world testing to assure that the expected attributes for the commercially produced hardware are the same as those produced with prototype hardware. Player preference would not change anything about what is released commercially at this point. All of these terms are very specific and comprise what is known as “Validation” or “Qualification.”
Michael Rolton
Jun 15, 2018 at 11:37 am
Saw Tiger grabbing a sneaky look at Justin’s driver during round 2 of the US Open?!
Scott
Jun 15, 2018 at 10:05 am
JT tremendous
George
Jun 15, 2018 at 7:29 am
After hitting every fairway yesterday, shouldn’t we be asking what driver Jason Dufner is gaming?
Justin Thomas did bomb the longest recorded drive of his career and longest of the field yesterday at over 400 yards.
Dr Troy
Jun 15, 2018 at 7:43 am
But the wind was howling down on that drive. Cmon now
George
Jun 15, 2018 at 8:14 am
Dr. Troy,
The wind was howling for the whole field, still longest of the day from a player listed at 5’10” and 145lbs.
Travis
Jun 15, 2018 at 11:11 am
If memory serves, Duff Daddy is using the PING G400 LST
Brian
Jun 15, 2018 at 5:13 am
I wonder what their driving stats are compared to the rest of the field this week, also new driver stats vs YTD stats for them.
Man
Jun 15, 2018 at 12:46 am
So they couldn’t copy the TM/Adams slot, so they just decided to copy TM’s old driver designs. Smart. Not. I still have my SuperTri. One of my all time faves. You can’t pass that design by me, Titty, I know what you’re up to.