We just got word from Titleist: at this week’s Memorial Tournament, the company will begin the “seeding” process of the new TS Series hybrids and the U-Series utility driving irons.

Hybrids

For Titleist, the beginning of the tour seeding process is one of the final steps in getting new products ready to go to market, and based off what we have for images and based on typical products cycles from the company, these could be closer to retail release than we think.

It appears for Titleist that the 800 series branding for the hybrids is going the way of the dodo and being replaced with the TS moniker like the already-available woods to remain consistent in the line. If the numbers and supplied pictures are any indication, the TS2 will be higher launching and slightly larger vs. the TS3 hybrid, which looks quite a bit more compact front to back and also seems to have Titleist’s SureFit CG to fine-tune ball flight. Both feature the TourFit hosel for further adjustability.

Since the current images of the new hybrids already have the head covers and are taken with shafts (HZRDUS Smoke hybrid), I am quite comfortable making the assumption that the stock shafts for retail will be the Smoke followed by the full array of custom options Titleist is known for. We all know that OEMs and their staff players have the ability to do a LOT of in-house testing away from the prying eyes (and lenses of GolfWRX), so for these to be at this point with covers and the whole bit, I am also confident that after seeing these in players bags this week at Muirfeild a full release by mid-summer is only a formality.

• Many more photos of the new irons and hybrids in the forums. 

Utilities

Already being teased on Titleist.com, the new U-Series utility irons will be the replacement for the current 718s which as always are some of the most popular on tour.

Notice any similarities to anything else?

I’m seeing a LOT of similar design characteristics from the Concept series CP-01 in these new utilities.

This is exciting since the Concept series was introduced by Titleist to test and prove “proof of concept”…see how they did that…with new technologies and materials. If you weren’t aware of what that means for the Concept line this is from Titleist:

“Visually articulated with equal imagination, to produce the world’s most satisfying ball-striking experience. With an ultra-thin face – measured and remeasured to ensure perfect uniformity – made possible through the use of a rare, super strong alloy never before used in club manufacturing.”

Whatever super strong alloy is being used in the Concepts seem to be making its way into these new utilities on tour this week. What does this mean for the consumer from a design standpoint? Most likely more discretionary weight saved from the face to move around the head, that equals higher MOI. Also with new materials, it would allow engineers to stretch the area of “maximum performance” from a ball speed perspective to a larger area of the face.

Will I be right about new materials being used in the Utility? I guess we will find out soon enough, but either way we’ll bring you more pictures when we have them.

• Many more photos of the new irons and hybrids in the forums.