Equipment

18 players switch to Titleist 917 drivers at Quicken Loans National

Published

10 years ago

Jun 26, 2016

Titleist debuted its new 917D2 and 917D3 drivers this week at the Quicken Loans National. After the first tee shots of the tournament were struck, 18 of the 28 Titleist drivers being used in the tournament were one of the new models.

See in-hand photos, and learn more about Titleist’s 917 drivers.

There was an even split between Titleist’s 917D2 (9) and Titleist’s 917D3 (9), with the most interesting model change coming from Justin Thomas (917D2, 8.5 degrees), who was previously using Titleist’s low-spin 915D4 driver. This could indicate that the 917D2 is significantly lower spinning than past D2 models.

See who changed into what driver and what loft in the list below.

Note: Players who made the cut this week are bolded. Webb Simpson and Bill Haas both changed to the new driver this week and are 10-under par, five shots off the pace of Round 3 leader Billy Hurley III.

917D2

Blayne Barber (9.5 degrees)
Erik Compton (9.5 degrees)
Bill Haas (9.5 degrees)
Charley Hoffman (8.5 degrees)
Mark Hubbard (9.5 degrees)
Andrew Loupe (8.5 degrees)
Peter Malnati (8.5 degrees)
Justin Thomas (8.5 degrees)
Tyrone van Aswegen (9.5 degrees)

917D3

Ben An (8.5 degrees)
Brendon de Jonge (9.5 degrees)
Chesson Hadley (10.5 degrees)
Morgan Hoffmann (8.5 degrees)
Patton Kizzire (10.5 degrees)
Ben Martin (9.5 degrees)
Webb Simpson (10.5 degrees)
Cameron Smith (10.5 degrees)
Cameron Tringale (8.5 degrees)

Related Topics:drivers Titleist

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15 Comments

KK

Jun 29, 2016 at 3:58 am

Good question about the Justin Thomas switch from a D4 to a D2….I’m really interested to see what real changes Titleist made with the 917. Anyone here still playing the SLDR and think it’s the best driver they ever hit due to the ultra low spin design? I’ve never hit one, but I’ve heard that the tradeoff with the low spin (and distance) is a not so forgiving head. TM released the R7 Superdeep and that lasted about 6 months. I wonder if Titleist has somehow figured out high launch, low spin, and forgiving….we’ll have to wait until the Fall to see.

On another note, I don’t care about paint color, graphics on the sole or the club face, or what tour pro is playing this club. If it’s the best club for me, I’m gaming it. I’m not really sure why every time a new club comes out, there are so many negative comments about the club before anyone hits it or even sees it in person.

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Ron

Jun 28, 2016 at 10:20 am

Hmmm, wonder how long before we see the SureFit CG Bar in Titleist Irons?
Rox

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Rarebit

Jun 28, 2016 at 3:24 am

Yeah well, unless they start selling maximum allowable CT and COR, Tour-stamped versions on the retail shelves people will believe Titleist can only make decent balls based on other companies’ ideas on compression

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Mark

Jun 28, 2016 at 3:09 am

They really need these to sell. 915’s are still gathering dust in my area. TM and Ping have battered them out of the park.

Reply Report comment
- Jackson Galaxy
  
  Jun 29, 2016 at 10:46 am
  
  Not really. Unless people suddenly stop needing new golf balls they’ll be okay.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - cgasucks
    
    Jul 4, 2016 at 2:46 pm
    
    Yeah…their golf balls is their most profitable segment and what is keeping them afloat even if their clubs tanked (which is unlikely).
    
    Reply Report comment
Marshall Moyes

Jun 27, 2016 at 5:24 pm

I am 69 and now play to a handicap of 10.8. Having tried Callaway and Taylor made drivers, I still find the Titleist drivers longer and straighter. I cannot agree with C and T drivers being more forgiving or longer.

Reply Report comment
the guy

Jun 27, 2016 at 4:58 pm

D2 made more cuts. Obvious choice.

Reply Report comment
Steve

Jun 27, 2016 at 9:18 am

Honestly, unless you are a 4 handicapper or less, not sure knowing what the pros are playing means for most of us. Titleist (and I have played them over the years) has been known for making the best looking and purist feeling Drivers in the market. Their failure to challenge Taylor Made and Calloway seems to be rooted in their inability to gain traction in the “big box” retailers and the presumed more forgiving and greater distance offered by TM and C. It’ll be interesting to see if the latest offerings are more of the same. And oh….were they really serious about the new Titanium version priced at $ 1000? Great company, but beyond the Pro Vs….their marketing has been suspect.

Reply Report comment
- 300 Yard Pro
  
  Jun 28, 2016 at 7:27 pm
  
  People buy what the pros play.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - um
    
    Jun 29, 2016 at 3:24 am
    
    Exactly. They want to buy what the Pros play.
    
    Reply Report comment
- Jack
  
  Jul 20, 2016 at 5:19 am
  
  For sure the low spin options are not for most amateurs who have a SS less than 100. It’s always easy to get on a launch monitor and figure out what really works for you at a big box store.
  
  Reply Report comment
Pete

Jun 26, 2016 at 6:50 pm

Didn’t Haas get one of those C16’s earlier in the year?

Reply Report comment
Matt

Jun 26, 2016 at 1:08 pm

Zak would love to know what those guys were using head/loft wise before and if they changed shafts or went to something new.

Reply Report comment
- Zak Kozuchowski
  
  Jun 27, 2016 at 9:20 am
  
  Agreed, Matt. We will get that info as new WITB photos roll in over the next few weeks/months. Still lots of tinkering happening.
  
  Reply Report comment

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Equipment

Interesting clubs at top of bag – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

12 hours ago

Jun 3, 2026

Will Schube

In our forums, users are talking about top of bag setups that are non-traditional or thought-provoking in some way. Original poster @SuperSpurs106 inquired about other members who might use unorthodox set-ups to help with gapping issues or weak spots.

They wrote:

“I currently have a PING G430 driver, TM Qi35 3W and a TM Qi4D 7W. Driver and 7W are fine but can’t get on with my 3W and have always struggling with this club over the years. Thinking of adding a 2H which I know would look odd. Just wondering if anyone else had a weird set up at the top of their bag?”

Our members in the forum have offered up their thoughts and personal experiences with non-traditional top of bag set-ups, and their reasoning for thinking outside of the box to begin with. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

BowMain42: “Don’t worry about what “looks” odd. If the club does what you need it to do, it’s the right club.”
scooterhd2: “I cant hit 3 woods either. Thats why I roll with a unicorn XL Hibore 2 wood. 400 cc head at 16 degrees of loft and its just a monster 3 wood off the tee. Off the deck, we are playing the f6 baffler. 5 wood at 41.75 inches and its easy to control.”
phizzy30: “I had driver, 3 metal, 2/4 hybrid once upon a time as a higher ss player. 4 hybrid is gone and in place is a driving iron nowadays. I don’t think what you’re proposing is weird in anyway, however the yardage gap might be glaringly huge between driver and 2 hybrid. What is it about your 3 metal that has got you all messed up? You could always go 4 metal with shorter shaft and see if that works.”

Entire Thread: “Interesting clubs at top of bag”

If you aren’t a member, join us in the GolfWRX forums today!

Equipment

Members of the Mini Driver Club – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

12 hours ago

Jun 3, 2026

Will Schube

In our forums, one user has gone searching for fellow users of a mini driver. In a post, @TightFade asked for other mini driver users to chime in with their weapon of choice, the reason for employing a mini, and what club follows it in the bag.

@TightFade asked:

“What mini are you playing? What spot in the bag did it take over? What’s the next club after it? For me: Elyte mini 13.5. Replacing 3w. Next up club looks like it’ll be 5w.”

Our members in the forum have been sharing their own bag setups featuring the mini driver, and the various reasons they purchased one in the first place. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

RCGA: “Ping G430 Max 12* ‘Thriver.’ Next club is a 4w and 2i (I play a weird course).”
JMB3: “R7 at 12.75 with Diamana BB 63s. 3w replacement. Next Club: Elyte Ti 5w at 17*.”
ColdOkieGolf: “R7 15.5 turned down to 13.5 It replaces the 3w. I found it surprisingly easy to hit off the deck, and it’s very rare that I need or want to hit something beyond 250 from the fairway, so next club is my 7w.”
ChaosTheory: “I’m sub-90 MPH with driver. But I’m able to hit DOD. I have been wanting something like the R7 15.5, so I just ordered one. I have a spot in the bag so nothing has to go. But I could see it replacing my trusty 4 wood, which I never use for approach shots. Just tee shots and lay ups. If I drop the 4 wood, I will turn my 7 wood down to ~20 degrees and will have good gaps. I recently tried a thriver build: 12 degree driver turned to 14, with a heavier 44 inch shaft and added head weight. I hit it great. Very accurate and not overly high, but the problem was that it sometimes went as far as a typical drive. And that’s not what I needed. So I will probably turn the 15.5 up to 16.5 or even 17.5. It’s all theoretical at this point. ?”

Entire Thread: “Members of the Mini Driver Club…Check In.”

If you aren’t a member, join us in the GolfWRX forums today!

Whats in the Bag

Chris Gotterup WITB 2026 (June)

Published

12 hours ago

Jun 3, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

Chris Gotterup had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament.

Drivers: TaylorMade Qi4D (8 degrees), Ping G440 LST (9 degrees @8), Ping G440 LST (7.5 degrees)
Shafts: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Grey 6.5 TX 70 g, Project X HZRDUS T1100 Handcrafted 6.5 TX 70 g, Project X HZRDUS Smoke Grey 6.5 TX 70 g