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
Steve Stricker WITB 2024 (April)
- 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 T200 (3, 4), Titleist T100 (5-9)
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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Whats in the Bag
Alex Fitzpatrick WITB 2024 (April)
- 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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Equipment
What’s the perfect mini-driver/shaft combo? – GolfWRXers discuss
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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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.