Titleist's new 915D2 and 915D3 Drivers: In-hand photos

[Illest]

Looks good! I don't see how it can be called "old tech" without anyone having hit it yet; perhaps they liked the idea of the compression channel from "old" drivers and have improved the idea to perfection? Who knows at this point. To me, it looks good and I will definitely hit it after skipping the 913.

[scratchswinger]

[quote name='SolidOrangeTiger' timestamp='1403570808' post='9562251']
[quote name='scratchswinger' timestamp='1403542884' post='9558611']
[quote name='moose557' timestamp='1403542724' post='9558593']
Damm I need a new driver but don't think I can wait till November. [b]Is it normal for manufacturers to release photos and have their tour staff using clubs so far in advance of public release? [/b]There haven't been any official photos released of the G30s and from what I read there going to be available shorty
[/quote]

For Titleist it is and I don't know why.... And then another few months for the fairways/hybrids. I really wish Titliest would release the clubs shortly after the photos like other OEM's. By the time the actual club comes out half of the buzz is gone.
[/quote]

This will not answer the underlying question, but I find it interesting that it seems some still believe that the club has to be tour validated before coming to retail. Don't get me wrong, I'm Titleist through and through, but based upon a response on Page 3 of the link below where a poster states he hopes it gets through the prototype stage and the fact that Titleist didn't scoop the release first since at least the 712 launch, I wonder if Titleist is trying to hold onto the tour-verification stage perception.

http://www.titleist.com/teamtitleist/team-titleist/f/6/t/25728.aspx?pi3483=3

Also, I , as well as at least one other posted a reference to this site for 915 pictures on the Team Titleist board. The post was approved but it never made it up. Seems strange for this release.
[/quote]

I have asked Titliest a few times why they spread out the release and I received the same answer each time. They say that they like to separate the products and extend the "buzz". Agree with their logic or not, that is the answer that they give.

The speculation in that link about this not being the final product is false.

[Yellow Jacket]

[quote name='SJP1' timestamp='1403572000' post='9562449']
From PGATour.com:

Former No. 1-ranked amateur Patrick Cantlay was one of the first players to test the 915 driver on Monday morning and mentioned to Titleist Tour rep Chris Tuten that the club was definitely firmer at impact and didn't feel nearly as soft off the face as the 913 driver. [b]Cantlay also noted that he liked the higher launch angle and how the ball wasn't rising rising on him.[/b]

South African Tyron Van Aswegen, who finished tied for 26th at the Travelers Championship, told Titleist Tour reps he was really excited to get a new driver at Congressional. So excited, in fact, that he said it was going straight in the bag after a Monday morning test session. [b]Van Aswegen told Titleist Tour reps that the driver was lower spinning, had a higher launch and was more solid off the face than his previous driver[/b].[/quote]
What are those morons talking about? You can tell by the photos that the weight is still in the back so clearly it's a high spinning piece of garbage. It's not like they've actually hit it.

Oh wait...

[GC70]

I like Titleist and all but no offense there really isn't much technology.... maybe if you would have released it say 3 years ago but no, not in today's market.

SLDR used 8 year old low forward CG technology from the 905S. Guess it's trash.

 

Well..it looks like it became a reality ;)

 

I really do wonder why Nike got rid of compression channel. There's no doubt that it helps with strikes low on the face, but Callaway would say a cup face does the same thing.

 

The 915 implementation is different based on geometry alone, so I look forward to your review!

Nike couldn't use the compression channel with the cavity back. It would not be a conforming driver, way to much spring affect.

[scratchswinger]

Weight back to maintain MOI and channel for low spin/high launch. Sounds like the best of both worlds.

[deck]

MOI huh. Has to be more than the SLDR. Think that comes in around 3600. Which is low.

[Yellow Jacket]

[quote name='MNNikeGuy' timestamp='1403573539' post='9562637']
[quote name='Yellow Jacket' timestamp='1403572994' post='9562571']
I really do wonder why Nike got rid of compression channel. There's no doubt that it helps with strikes low on the face, but Callaway would say a cup face does the same thing.

The 915 implementation is different based on geometry alone, so I look forward to your review!
[/quote]
Nike couldn't use the compression channel with the cavity back. It would not be a conforming driver, way to much spring affect.
[/quote]
Compression channel and cavity back do completely different things. Compression channel increases the area with maximum COR, and cavity back pushes CG forward for lower spin.

[station2station]

[size=3]Regarding hands on experience with the 915d - Sound is a little louder, not piercing but more explosive. Some might dislike it but it's not a game changer. [/size]

[size=3]Spin is a less, probably 300-500 in stock for stock offerings, also goes higher, probably a good 2-3 degrees. [/size]

[size=3]Fairway/hybrid- To be continued [/size]

[size=3]ARC keeps spin lower on miss hits, especially low or heel. [/size]

[size=3]Shape is better, top is shinier - less bronze flake (which you can see under the sun with the 913), alignment aid takes time since the old one has been around so long but once you get used to it the wide triangle end works better than the point.[/size]

[StarFleetGolfer]

[quote name='station2station' timestamp='1403574266' post='9562763']
[size=3]Regarding hands on experience with the 915d - Sound is a little louder, not piercing but more explosive. Some might dislike it but it's not a game changer. [/size]

[size=3]Spin is a less, probably 300-500 in stock for stock offerings, also goes higher, probably a good 2-3 degrees. [/size]

[size=3]Fairway/hybrid- To be continued [/size]

[size=3]ARC keeps spin lower on miss hits, especially low or heel. [/size]

[size=3]Shape is better, top is shinier - less bronze flake (which you can see under the sun with the 913), alignment aid takes time since the old one has been around so long but once you get used to it the wide triangle end works better than the point.[/size]
[/quote]



You hit it?

[PZero]

It will be interesting to see if and when Spieth, Dufner, and Scott put it in their bag.

[ccgolfer37]

[quote name='Yellow Jacket' timestamp='1403568243' post='9561949']
[quote name='Ruehl925' timestamp='1403566527' post='9561743']
I like Titleist and all but no offense there really isn't much technology.... maybe if you would have released it say 3 years ago but no, not in today's market.
[/quote]
SLDR used 8 year old low forward CG technology from the 905S. Guess it's trash.
[/quote]

Run tell dat!

[Yellow Jacket]

[quote name='station2station' timestamp='1403574266' post='9562763']
[size=3]Regarding hands on experience with the 915d - Sound is a little louder, not piercing but more explosive. Some might dislike it but it's not a game changer. [/size]

[size=3]Spin is a less, probably 300-500 in stock for stock offerings, also goes higher, probably a good 2-3 degrees. [/size]
[/quote]
500 rpm less spin and 3* higher launch gets me to 16.5* launch with 1800 rpm spin. Who needs SLDR? Not me.

[GC70]

[quote name='Yellow Jacket' timestamp='1403574048' post='9562733']
[quote name='MNNikeGuy' timestamp='1403573539' post='9562637']
[quote name='Yellow Jacket' timestamp='1403572994' post='9562571']
I really do wonder why Nike got rid of compression channel. There's no doubt that it helps with strikes low on the face, but Callaway would say a cup face does the same thing.

The 915 implementation is different based on geometry alone, so I look forward to your review!
[/quote]
Nike couldn't use the compression channel with the cavity back. It would not be a conforming driver, way to much spring affect.
[/quote]
Compression channel and cavity back do completely different things. Compression channel increases the area with maximum COR, and cavity back pushes CG forward for lower spin.
[/quote]
Thats what I took away from the Oven. We asked about the channel.

[JaxBeachNole]

That PGATour article has Patrick Cantlay saying it's not as soft as his 913. If it really does feel worse it may be a tough sell to Titleist pros.

[Yellow Jacket]

[quote name='JaxBeachNole' timestamp='1403574521' post='9562807']
That PGATour article has Patrick Cantlay saying it's not as soft as his 913. If it really does feel worse it may be a tough sell to Titleist pros.
[/quote]
Cantlay said it was firmer, not worse. I, for one, don't want my driver to feel like I'm hitting a marshmallow.

[Pure745]

[quote name='MNNikeGuy' timestamp='1403574440' post='9562789']
[quote name='Yellow Jacket' timestamp='1403574048' post='9562733']
[quote name='MNNikeGuy' timestamp='1403573539' post='9562637']
[quote name='Yellow Jacket' timestamp='1403572994' post='9562571']
I really do wonder why Nike got rid of compression channel. There's no doubt that it helps with strikes low on the face, but Callaway would say a cup face does the same thing.

The 915 implementation is different based on geometry alone, so I look forward to your review!
[/quote]
Nike couldn't use the compression channel with the cavity back. It would not be a conforming driver, way to much spring affect.
[/quote]
Compression channel and cavity back do completely different things. Compression channel increases the area with maximum COR, and cavity back pushes CG forward for lower spin.
[/quote]
Thats what I took away from the Oven. We asked about the channel.
[/quote]

I'm going out on a limb and saying the Covert was a bust.

[SolidOrangeTiger]

[quote name='scratchswinger' timestamp='1403573303' post='9562611']
[quote name='SolidOrangeTiger' timestamp='1403570808' post='9562251']
[quote name='scratchswinger' timestamp='1403542884' post='9558611']
[quote name='moose557' timestamp='1403542724' post='9558593']
Damm I need a new driver but don't think I can wait till November. [b]Is it normal for manufacturers to release photos and have their tour staff using clubs so far in advance of public release? [/b]There haven't been any official photos released of the G30s and from what I read there going to be available shorty
[/quote]

For Titleist it is and I don't know why.... And then another few months for the fairways/hybrids. I really wish Titliest would release the clubs shortly after the photos like other OEM's. By the time the actual club comes out half of the buzz is gone.
[/quote]

This will not answer the underlying question, but I find it interesting that it seems some still believe that the club has to be tour validated before coming to retail. Don't get me wrong, I'm Titleist through and through, but based upon a response on Page 3 of the link below where a poster states he hopes it gets through the prototype stage and the fact that Titleist didn't scoop the release first since at least the 712 launch, I wonder if Titleist is trying to hold onto the tour-verification stage perception.

http://www.titleist.com/teamtitleist/team-titleist/f/6/t/25728.aspx?pi3483=3

Also, I , as well as at least one other posted a reference to this site for 915 pictures on the Team Titleist board. The post was approved but it never made it up. Seems strange for this release.
[/quote]

I have asked Titliest a few times why they spread out the release and I received the same answer each time. They say that they like to separate the products and extend the "buzz". Agree with their logic or not, that is the answer that they give.

The speculation in that link about this not being the final product is false.
[/quote]

Yeah, it is what it is I suppose. I'd gladly give them the buzz period (like any of us have the choice) if the retail release was moved back to early summer. I remember picking up the 983 in May of '03 and the 905 in June/July of '05. I guess sales figures dictate the late fall/early winter releases though.

[jick]

Maybe in 5 years, Titleist will come up with a cavity back driver?

Funny how people like the clean looks of the Titleist. The Nike VR Pro / VR Pro Limited did not have any alignment line on the head, while the Titleist has the cheesy two-arrowheads. Nike is cleaner.

My guesstimate is that Titleist contracted the same foundry who made the Nike VR Pro and let them do their driver. Of course that foundry has since upgraded to include adjustable hosels. After all, in the driver category, Titleist has been know more as a "follower" than an "innovator".

[illyc]

[quote name='sbjinx' timestamp='1403572292' post='9562487']
I, like many of you cant wait to give this a try when it comes out in 5 months. I also think it has a clean, modern look and I for one am glad that it wasn't just a facelife (i.e. 910 to 913)

In all seriousness, Titleist really does things their way. Nowdays it seems like OEMs can't wait to get new products out yet Titleist will wait 5 months for whatever reason. And correct me if I'm wrong but they are also the only major OEM to not do any live chats, trips, giveaways, mid-season price drops, or participate in "shootouts" (this was for another site where Titleist declined to participate in their best of list). Yet, they come out with a new driver and it gets +1,000 readers and probably sell really well (with I'm sure higher than average reviews).
[/quote]

+ [size=5]∞[/size]

no gimmicks - just solid tech, solid design, solid distribution patterns and channels

love Titleist

[is1ander]

Aww, there does any hope of an ultra low spin D4 version. However, the recoil channel looks legit and will add more forgiveness. Can't complain about that.

[ThunderBuzzworth]

It will be a shootout between this and the Mizuno for me. I really like the feedback so far.

[DTown3011]

You gotta give it to Titleist. Looks like subtle tweaks to the same design, but slightly improved. You can bet this driver will be better than 913 (but not by much) along with looking good and sounding great (but not by a lot). Titleist is like Porsche - they don't reinvent the wheel because they know what works for them and it sells. The new product is always marginally better than the last.

I'll reserve judgment until I hit it but I'm sure it will perform as intended!

[stevemac]

The Wilson M3 driver has a channel that looks a little like this too to me. I believe it has Adams roots. These look good, and it will be interesting to see the shaft options.

[Stetson]

[quote name='jick' timestamp='1403575449' post='9562923']
Maybe in 5 years, Titleist will come up with a cavity back driver?

Funny how people like the clean looks of the Titleist. The Nike VR Pro / VR Pro Limited did not have any alignment line on the head, while the Titleist has the cheesy two-arrowheads. Nike is cleaner.

My guesstimate is that Titleist contracted the same foundry who made the Nike VR Pro and let them do their driver. Of course that foundry has since upgraded to include adjustable hosels. After all, in the driver category, Titleist has been know more as a "follower" than an "innovator".
[/quote]

Do you know who else doesn't innovate? Apple

Apple never is first to the market with any product:

MP3 player? Nope.
Touch screen smart phone? Nope.
Tablet? Nope
Smart watch? Nope.

But they let other make the mistakes and improve upon the quality and functionality. Titleist didn't introduce the channel but I'd bet a paycheck that they did it better than anybody else. Being first to market isn't ideal, any business school hack of a professor will tell you that. If Titleist adds 2* and reduces 500 RPM's than they will have the best product on the market.

[oneaugusta]

[quote name='DTown3011' timestamp='1403575965' post='9562995']
You gotta give it to Titleist. Looks like subtle tweaks to the same design, but slightly improved. You can bet this driver will be better than 913 (but not by much) along with looking good and sounding great (but not by a lot). Titleist is like Porsche - they don't reinvent the wheel because they know what works for them and it sells. The new product is always marginally better than the last.

I'll reserve judgment until I hit it but I'm sure it will perform as intended!
[/quote]Well said! I would add they always have a certain feel and find fairways, "at least for me".

[Lesmond]

Drivers release in November? Fairways and Hybrids in February of 2015?

[TheMoneyShot]

[quote name='Lesmond' timestamp='1403576506' post='9563093']
Drivers release in November? Fairways and Hybrids in February of 2015?
[/quote]

Yes and yes unfortunately.

[Exist]

As usual for Titleist, it looks great. Even happier to see what looks like the 910/913 sure fit tip!!

[johnstitch]

I cannot imagine in any way that these will be anything less than superb clubs. While they went a bit gaga with the 907/909 the 910s and 913s seem to dominate good players bags wherever I play. Any sign of fairways and hybrids or will these be later?

[Rdjr]

I guess refinement not innovation is the moral.