Equipment
Lightweight, high launch, high spin Titleist TS1 driver rounds out the TS family
The TS series has been a game changer for Titleist.
In a very short period of time, Titleist has gone from a company that self-admittedly struggled to keep up in the metal woods segment over the last few years, to a leader. This season alone, Titleist has won the driver count at tour events multiple times, which is something that would have been almost unheard of only a few years ago.
Why now?
Because TS stands for Titleist Speed, and they really mean it!
On the heels of the recent Titleist TS4 launch (a driver designed for the extreme spin control end of the driver fitting bell curve for players with speed), Titleist is now looking to help players who are looking for additional launch and speed with the new TS1. Specifically designed for golfers with moderate clubhead speeds (think 90mph or less) the engineers at Titleist have pulled out all the stops to help these players gain speed, launch, and more specifically distance off the tee.
Speaking to pulling things out, the first thing Titleist designers did was go to the drawing board (that’s probably an antiquated term, let me try again ) went to the CAD files and began looking at ways to decrease the total weight of the club — from head to grip nothing was overlooked. With the average TS2 coming in at roughly 320g total club weight with a standard grip, the new TS1 tips the scales at an ultralight 275g, thanks to pushing the limits of design technology and components.
Titleist TS1 head
- The head of the TS1 is 8 grams less overall vs. TS2, and there is the ability to go even lighter by either custom ordering it or using the optional SureFIT weight kit later on. The weight is also positioned as far back as possible in the head to maximize forgiveness.
- Speaking to forgiveness – even with the lighter mass of the club head, there is NO loss in MOI performance thanks to that rear positioned weight along with maximizing the head shape.
- It’s slightly draw biased. Not by much, but compared to the other models in the TS line up this is a bit of a departure from the norm for Titleist. But the good news for those concerned, about using a draw biased driver – you still have the adjustable SureFit hosel to dial in ball flight. Something no other driver in the ultra light category offers.
Shafts
- There are two stock shaft offerings for the TS1 to help continue the goal of driving down the total weight. The first option being the Fubuki MV (stands for Maximum Velocity) and the Fujikura AIR Speeder.
- The Fubuki comes in at 45g and is available in stiff, regular, and A-Flex. A ladies flex is also available and comes in at an even lighter 39g.
- The Fujikura AIR Speeder is 40g and available in stiff, regular, and R2 (a nice way to say A flex). Ladies flex comes in at a shocking 39g (PLEASE DON’T LEAN ON YOUR DRIVER WHILE WAITING ON THE TEE!)
Grip
Although you can choose any grip available through Titleist Custom options, the stock grip is the Tour Velvet 360 Super Lightweight, which specs out at 32g for the men’s grip and a 26g in women’s. To put that into perspective, a men’s standard grip averages around 50g — Titleist really is cutting weight everywhere.
Now to the specs & availability…
Internal testing shows that the TS1 spins on average 200 RPM more than the TS2, which helps improve carry distance. Most people think that lower spin helps with gaining distance but thanks to modern low spinning multi-layer golf balls, many players in the moderate swing speed range actually struggle to keep enough spin on the ball. This is why when you see some mishits they appear to just “fall from the sky.”
Since the goal of the TS1 project was to maximize distance, the shaft length has been extended another .25″ from the new Titleist standard to 45.75.” After a lot of testing, it was determined that for many players the point of diminishing return on distance gains came at that length…but like anything else, this can be customized.
The TS1 will be available in three lofts: 9.5, 10.5, and 12.5 degrees. (And 10.5 degrees for lefties)
Fitting tools will start to hit shops on June 20, and stock will arrive at retail locations starting on June 27 (same timeline as TS4). Pricing is also in line with the rest of the TS drivers: $499.
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Whats in the Bag
Sam Burns WITB 2024 (April)
- Sam Burns’ what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage.
Driver: Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond S (9 degrees @10)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 7 TX
3-wood: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond T (15 degrees @16)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 8 X
Hybrid: Callaway Apex UW (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 8 X
Irons: Callaway Apex TCB ’24 (4-AW)
Shafts: Project X 6.5 (4-PW), True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 Tour Issue (AW)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (56-14F @55), WedgeWorks Proto (60-T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold S400 Tour Issue (56, 60)
Putter: Odyssey Ai-One #7S
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Align
Ball: Callaway Chrome Tour X
Check out more in-hand photos of Sam Burns’ WITB in the forums.
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Whats in the Bag
Will Zalatoris WITB 2024 (April)
- Will Zalatoris’ what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage.
Driver: Titleist TSR2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Black 7 X (44.5 inches)
3-wood: Titleist TSi2 (15 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 X
Irons: Titleist T350 (3), Titleist T150 (4-PW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Prototype G.O.S.T. 10 ST X (3), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (4-PW)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (50-08F, 54-10S @55, 60-04T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Putter: L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max
Grips: Golf Pride Z-Grip Cord
See more photos of Will Zalatoris’ WITB in the forums.
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Equipment
New Level launches new 480-DB irons, blending performance and forgiveness
New Level has been making some really good golf equipment since the company started up in 2018. Offering irons that are more geared towards the better player, precision has been a fundamental philosophy for New Level in creating irons and wedges.
The 480 line of irons has been the flagship of the brand, and the newest member of that team is the 480-DB iron that is now open to pre-orders. A new cavity design is what the whole 480 line is about, and the 480-DB takes advantage of that with added ball speed and a larger sweet spot.
For players who require their irons to offer the best feel, rest assured the DB is a fully forged (from 1020 carbon steel) one-piece golf club. No multi-piece, hollow design with this iron.
While the 480-DB is the next generation of the popular 902-OS, New Level didn’t follow the current trend in golf by chasing distance with the new iron. They actually weakened the lofts on the 480-DB with the spec sheet showing a 33-degree 7-iron and 45-degree pitching wedge. These lofts allow the DB to have less offset while still offering consistent distance off the face.
A traditional design was also at the forefront of the new irons to make sure that golfers with an eye for detail can look down at them with confidence that they will perform under any condition.
A weight low in the back cavity will allow their master club builders to dial in the perfect weight for the golfer, no matter the length or shaft being used. New Level believes that the new 480-DB is one of the most forgiving one-piece forged irons on the market today. A pre-worn leading edge on the sole should get through the turf quickly and with reduced digging for better turf interaction.
You can pre-order the New Level 480-DB right now on the New Level website.
Pricing specs availability
- Irons: 4-PW
- Price: $149/oron
- Availability: Pre-order
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s
Jun 8, 2019 at 11:20 am
Now we know the technology pretty much settled on placing weights on the center line. Back for more forgiveness/stability, front for lower spin / better feel, somewhere in the middle, or both. Then why would anyone want to get a $$$ non-adjustable driver?
Bill Wells
Jun 6, 2019 at 5:01 pm
Wish I knew about this before I bought TS2, of course that probably was the game plan.
jubilee_links
Jun 5, 2019 at 5:54 pm
TM superfast with a shorter shaft length
CrashTestDummy
Jun 5, 2019 at 8:19 am
I like that they are trending towards making drivers lighter because as iron shafts get lighter, drivers can feel very heavy in relation to your set which can really affect performance. The one issue is that the lightweight shafts are way too high in torque for many players. Perhaps the 8 grams out of the head is enough to still use a lower torque shaft and still make it feel quite light. Definitely would like to try one.
TheTruth
Jun 4, 2019 at 5:47 pm
XXIO is already dominating this category.
JThunder
Jun 4, 2019 at 11:19 pm
So the suggestion is that if one manufacturer is “dominating” a certain “category”, then no one else should try?
I guess that’s where Wal-Mart / Amazon Capitalism gets us – people demanding fewer choices and only the #1 seller counts for anything.
Well done, world.
JThunder
Jun 4, 2019 at 11:23 pm
Also, the XXIO is $150 more, has a glued hosel – so no shaft swapping, no adjustability. And the stiff shaft plays to an “R” and there is no XS option.
HackerDad31
Jun 4, 2019 at 3:48 pm
Remember when everyone used to lose their minds when TM or Callaway released more than 2 drivers in a year? Me too.
Eck42
Jun 4, 2019 at 12:48 pm
I think this might be exactly what I’m wishing for. I admit I am not a 300yd hitter and some extra yards would really help. I am looking forward to trying the TS1.
B
Jun 4, 2019 at 2:07 pm
What’s wrong with the Epic Star? You can pick up a nice used on for less than this price, and it’s a better driver
Thomas A
Jun 4, 2019 at 12:34 pm
How very Wilson D300 of them.
B
Jun 4, 2019 at 2:06 pm
Exactly.
Randy
Jun 5, 2019 at 4:18 pm
Right on. I’m still enjoying my D200, and it IS adjustable.
jonsnow
Jun 4, 2019 at 10:12 am
Very interested to see how this driver fares. My swingspeed is in the mid 90s now & all the emphasis from manufacturers seems to be on the higher swingspeed player. Nice to see somebody trying to put out a driver for the slower swingspeed guys.
B
Jun 4, 2019 at 2:06 pm
Epic Star? Honma Beres?
Robin
Jun 4, 2019 at 3:18 pm
The Epic Star is still $700 new and good luck finding a place to demo a Honma in the U.S.