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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- Kris Kim what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (15 degrees @13.5)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 73 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (2, 4), TaylorMade P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 X
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-09SB, 56-12SB, 60-11TW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 WV 125
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Kris Kim’s equipment here.
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TaylorMade is continuing its UDI/DHY series with the successor to the Stealth UDI and DHY utility irons: PUDI and PDHY (which the company styles as P·UDI and P·DHY). TaylorMade is folding the designs in with its P Series of irons.
TaylorMade outlined the process of developing its new utilities this way. The company started with the data on utility iron usage. Not surprisingly, better players — i.e. those who generate more clubhead speed and strike the ball more precisely — were found to gravitate toward the UDI model. DHY usage, however, covered a wider swath than the company might have expected with six-to-18 handicappers found to be bagging the club.
TaylorMade also found that the majority of golfers playing UDI or DHY utilities were playing P Series irons at the top of their iron configurations.
Can you see where this is going?
Matt Bovee, Director of Product Creation, Iron and Wedge at TaylorMade: “As we look to the future, beyond the tech and the design language, we are excited about repositioning our utility irons into the P·Series family. P·UDI is an easy pair for players that currently play P·Series product and P·DHY is an extremely forgiving option for players of all skill levels. It is a natural fit to give these players the performance in this category that they are looking for.”
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TaylorMade PUDI
TaylorMade PUDI technology cutaway (via TaylorMade)
Crafted with tour player input, TaylorMade sought to develop a confidence-inspiring utility iron that blends with the rest of the P Series irons. Also of note: Interestingly, the PUDI has a more compact head than the P790.
In comparison to past UDI products, the PUDI has a more traditional iron shape, slimmer toplines, and less offset with a little of the backbar visible at address.
TaylorMade PDHY
TaylorMade PDHY tech cutaway (via TaylorMade).
Larger in profile than the PUDI, the PDHY seeks to position center of gravity (CG) lower in the club for ease of launch. The toe height is larger and the profile is larger at address — roughly five millimeters longer than PUDI — the sole of the club is wider for improved forgiveness.
Club Junkie’s take
Golfers who feel like they are missing something at the top of the bag could find the PUDI or PDHY a great option. The look of the PUDI should fit the most discerning eye with a more compact look, less offset, and a thinner topline. If you want a little more confidence looking down the P-DHY will be slightly larger while still being a good-looking utility iron.
For being small packages both models pack a pretty good punch with fast ball speeds, even off-center. The feel is soft and you get a solid feel of the ball compressing off the face when you strike it well. Your ears are greeted with a nice heavy thud as the ball and club come together. The PDHY will launch a little higher for players who need it while the PUDI offers a more penetrating ball flight. Both utility irons could be the cure for an open spot in the top end of the bag.
PUDI, PDHY, or Rescue?
TaylorMade offers the following notes to assist golfers in filling out their bags:
- PUDI has mid-CG right behind the center face to create a more penetrating mid-to-low ball flight
- PDHY has a lower center of gravity to produce an easier-to-launch mid-to-high ball flight.
- Both PUDI and PDHY are lower-flying than the company’s hybrid/Rescue clubs.
- PUDI is more forgiving than P790.
- PDHY is the most forgiving iron in the entire TaylorMade iron family
Pricing, specs, and availability
Price: $249.99
At retail: Now
Stock shafts: UST Mamiya’s Recoil DART (105 X, 90 S and 75 R – only in PDHY)
Stock grip: Golf Pride’s ZGrip (black/grey)
PUDI lofts: 2-17°, 3-20°, 4-22° in both left and right-handed
PDHY lofts: 2-18°, 3-20° and 4-22° in both left and right-handed
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (5/3/24): Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
From the seller: (@wwcl): “Has been gamed as pics show. 33.5 includes original h/c and grip. $575 includes shipping and PP fees.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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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