Equipment
Titleist’s new TS2 and TS3 drivers: Tech Talk and Fitting Results
As per Titleist’s standard two-year cycle of metalwoods, it’s been two years since the company launched its 917 drivers and fairway woods. But for some reason, the launch of its new TS2 and TS3 drivers this year feels different than launches of year’s past. Maybe it’s because of the nomenclature shift away from the 900s, or maybe it was the 17 players who put the driver in play the first week possible (including Justin Thomas and Jimmy Walker) at the 2018 U.S. Open, or maybe it’s because Titleist was calling this driver mission the “Titleist Speed Project.” Could Titleist make these drivers faster and longer without giving up forgiveness? And if so, how?
Well, the GolfWRX team traveled to the Titleist Performance Institute in Oceanside, California to find out everything possible about the new TS2 and TS3 drivers. First, we learned everything there is to know about the technology, design, specs, shafts and pricing from Josh Talge, the Vice President of Marketing at Titleist, and Stephanie Luttrell, the Director of Metalwood Development. Then, we put the drivers to the test on Oceanside’s range, as GolfWRX’s Original Content Creator Johnny Wunder received a full fitting from Titleist’s Master Fitting Supervisor Glenn Mahler, comparing his gamer driver to the new Titleist TS2 and TS3 drivers.
The cool part? We had the cameras rolling the entire time. Check out the information, photos and videos below to learn about Titleist’s new TS2 and TS3 drivers.
See what GolfWRX Members are saying about the drivers here.
Tech Talk: Titleist TS2 and TS3 drivers
Why did Titleist get rid of the Active Recoil Channel in the TS2 and TS3 drivers? Find out here.
To summarize, the TS2 and TS3 drivers have a 20 percent thinner titanium crown than the 917 drivers, allowing weight to be placed lower and deeper for lower CG (center of gravity) and higher MOI (moment of inertia, a measure of forgiveness). The faces also use variable thickness for faster ball speeds across the face, and this year, the faces have been made 6 grams lighter.
According to Titleist, the faces are so thin now that the scoring lines have to be lasered onto the faces instead of etched, as with previous generations. With the combination of weight savings from the face and crown, Titleist says these drivers have the lowest CG ever for a Titleist driver, and MOI is 12 percent higher than the 917 drivers.
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- Titleist TS2 drivers
Additionally, for more club head speed, Titleist says that enhanced aerodynamic shaping of the club heads that reduces drag by up to 20 percent.
As with the previous Titleist 917 drivers, the TS2 and TS3 will have a SureFit hosel that has 16 independent loft and lie settings. The 460cc TS2 has a fixed CG location, a “high launch, low spin” profile, and is available in 8.5, 9.5, 10.5 and 11.5 degree lofts.
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- Titleist TS3 drivers
The TS3 driver, on the other hand, has a SureFit CG weight system that does allow golfers/fitter to adjust for launch characteristics. Also at 460cc, the TS3 driver has a “mid launch, low spin” profile, and is available in 8.5, 9.5 and 10.5 degree lofts.
Stock shafts include Mitsubishi’s Kuro Kage Black Dual Core 50, Mitsubishi’s Tensei AV Series Blue 55, Project X’s HZRDUS Smoke Black 60, and Project X’s Even Flow T1100 White 65. Each of the drivers will be available on Sept. 28, and will sell for $499.
To find a free fitting or trial event near you, click here.
The Full Fitting: Could the TS2 or TS3 beat Johnny’s gamer?
See what GolfWRX Members are saying about the drivers here.
Related
- Everything you need to know about Titleist’s TS2 and TS3 fairway woods
- Titleist Tour rep speaks on working with Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth
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- Steve Stricker WITB accurate as of the Zurich Classic. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees, C4 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 7.2 X
3-wood: Titleist 915F (13.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist 816 H1 (17 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 9.2 X
Irons: Titleist T100 (3-9)
Shafts: Project X 6.5
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8 (46-10F @55), Titleist Vokey SM10 (54-10S @53), Titleist Vokey SM4 (60 @59)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 w/Sensicore
Putter: Odyssey White Hot No. 2
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Grip Rite
Check out more in-hand photos of Steve Stricker’s clubs here.
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- Alex Fitzpatrick what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Black 7 X
Hybrid: Ping G430 (19 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 10 TX
Irons: Ping iCrossover (2), Titleist T100 (4-PW)
Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 9 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 Tour 120 X (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (50-12F, 56-12D, 60-08M)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 Tour 120 X
Putter: Bettinardi SS16 Dass
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Check out more in-hand photos of Alex Fitzpatrick’s clubs here.
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In our forums, our members have been discussing Mini-Drivers and accompanying shafts. WRXer ‘JamesFisher1990’ is about to purchase a BRNR Mini and is torn on what shaft weight to use, and our members have been sharing their thoughts and set ups in our forum.
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.
- PARETO: “New BRNR at 13.5. Took it over to TXG (Club Champ but TXG will always rule) in Calgary for a fit. Took the head down to 12, stuck in a Graphite Design AD at 3 wood length and 60g. Presto- numbers that rivaled my G430Max but with waaaaay tighter dispersion. Win.”
- driveandputtmachine: “Still playing a MIni 300. The head was only 208, so I ordered a heavier weight and play it at 3 wood length. I am playing a Ventus Red 70. I play 70 grams in my fairways. I use it mainly to hit draws off the tee. When I combine me, a driver, and trying to hit a draw it does not work out well most of the time. So the MIni is for that. As an aside, I have not hit the newest BRNR, but the previous model wasn’t great off the deck. The 300 Mini is very good off the deck.”
- JAM01: “Ok, just put the BRNR in the bag along side a QI10 max and a QI10 3 wood. A load of top end redundancy. But, I have several holes at my two home courses where the flight and accuracy of the mini driver helps immensely. Mine is stock Proforce 65 at 13.5, I could see a heavier shaft, but to normal flex, as a nice alternative.”
Entire Thread: “What’s the perfect Mini-Driver/Shaft combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”
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Steve Stricker WITB accurate as of the Zurich Classic. More photos from the event here. Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees, C4...
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Alex Fitzpatrick what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic. Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura...
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Alejandro Tosti what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic. Driver: Srixon ZX5 Mk II LS (9.5 degrees...
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View this post on Instagram A post shared by GolfWRX (@golfwrx) Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (10.5 degrees)...
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Jay
Feb 24, 2019 at 4:56 pm
I’d like to see Johnny hit his SLDR with that Blueboard. It’s all about the shaft! The TS are good looking drivers I must say.
Max
Sep 25, 2018 at 1:37 pm
How can you work for Golfwrx and still game a SLDR? C’mon, man!
Tom
Sep 7, 2018 at 4:25 pm
Uncle Rico is taking bets that he can hit a ball with these drivers over them there mountains!
Dyson Bochambeau
Sep 9, 2018 at 11:39 am
you could be in a hot tub with your soulmate by now
John S
Sep 7, 2018 at 8:49 am
A thinner face and longer shaft… lol…. revolutionary! What a joke
JasonHolmes
Sep 6, 2018 at 7:52 pm
So a five year old gamer got beat out by a professionally fitted current model?
No kidding.
Craap
Sep 7, 2018 at 1:00 am
LOL
Tom
Sep 6, 2018 at 7:17 pm
WOW so new and different from the last model! Will probably will add at least 50 to 100 yards more carry to each drive!!! You will need to chip back to all the greens on long par fours you airmail from the tee?
Ty
Sep 7, 2018 at 6:33 am
That was funny. These companies think we are mental and are going to buy into all the baloney they keep spouting.
golfsmask
Sep 26, 2018 at 11:39 pm
I always like to leave comments whenever I see something impressive. I appreciate your expert article!
Charles Clarkly
Sep 6, 2018 at 5:23 pm
Who’s that LPGA’er Canadian gal, Brooke, that swings what looks to be a 65″ shaft? She’s what, 5’4″, and she CRUSHES IT!!
Boyo
Sep 7, 2018 at 8:50 am
Choking down 5 inches.
stevet
Sep 6, 2018 at 3:55 pm
“…lower CG (center of gravity) and higher MOI (moment of inertia, a measure of forgiveness)…”. NO… it’s lower CM (center of mass) and higher MOI (moment of inertia, a measure of inertial resistance) …!!!!
halensmith
Sep 24, 2018 at 3:13 am
Great article for the beginners like us . I am a new in this game and enjoying the adventure
ron
Sep 6, 2018 at 3:49 pm
Great new drivers for the Tour players… and gearheads who only look at their WITB fantasy gonadal arsenal of weapons.
Andy LaCombe
Sep 6, 2018 at 1:36 pm
Awesome piece – was a blast to watch the discussion and then the fitting. Thanks!
dat
Sep 6, 2018 at 1:32 pm
what is the HZRDUS Smoke? Just a new shaft finish or an actual new shaft?
james
Sep 9, 2018 at 7:15 am
Special made in China cheap shaft for morons who think its the same made in San Diego shaft the pros use
Aaron
Sep 6, 2018 at 12:49 pm
Tripod camera was much better than the jiggling handheld.
Jerry
Sep 6, 2018 at 11:06 am
TS2 looks like Taylormade R9 Supertri
Craaap
Sep 6, 2018 at 12:44 pm
Because it is. A copy.
JP
Sep 6, 2018 at 2:42 pm
They all are to some extent. How much different can you make a driver with so many having been designed in past years? The newest driver is bound to share some characteristics with older models.
Don’t like it, don’t buy it.
BirdieBouy18
Sep 6, 2018 at 10:41 am
How many degrees up or down does a SureFit adapter allow?
ron
Sep 6, 2018 at 3:51 pm
12º… all the way from the LD to duffer lofts … 😮
Richard Douglas
Sep 6, 2018 at 10:22 am
Not sure I see the value proposition for upgrading from the 917D2.
Dave
Sep 6, 2018 at 10:16 am
finally a fitter with a 44.5 inch playing shaft. all fitters in my area ever never have anything other than stock even though most should be playing much shorter….im 6 3 and 44.5 is my length how the hell can a guy at 5’6″ play a 45.5 inch shaft with consistency.
Doug
Sep 6, 2018 at 10:28 am
Exactly on the “long” shafts!
Boyo
Sep 7, 2018 at 8:52 am
Dave’s not home…
Forrester
Sep 6, 2018 at 10:41 am
The theoretical 5’6″ guy has a better, more consistently repeatable swing than you?
Craaap
Sep 6, 2018 at 12:46 pm
Sure, Dave, if you also want to hit it shorter.
golfraven
Sep 8, 2018 at 4:48 pm
Been gaming a 44.5” 913 D3 and after the TS fitting I still walked away with half an inch shorter club but this time at 45”. Its about consistency and I have not seen much of dispersion. So I rather get the ball speed up with that 0.5 inch and maybe an iron less to the green. However, anything above 45” is just bs for folks under 6 feet