Titleist's new TS 2 & TS 3 driver - shot @ 2018 US Open

[ecfritts]

I wonder how long the guys have had access to these...it seems like there are quite a few guys switching out this week (unless they are just using them in the practice rounds). I've had the 910, 913 and 917 (skipped the 915), I have like them all.

[straightshot7]

Did they use the R9 Supertri as a backstop?

 

[nbigg]

These are boring even for Titleist's standards.

 

I can appreciate their position in the market, but if their intent is to sell golf clubs, I'm not sure how much longer they should stick with their current business strategy...

 

Different strokes... I find the TS3 looks great. I’m tired of the gimmicky crap that’s on all the drivers lately. To each their own though

[MMB1500]

They look very bulbous. Not a fan.

 

Still I could get over it if they perform well.

[Peanut191]

For those that think the weight on the TS2 is the same as the 915 weight, it is not. It has a slightly different shape to it.

[storm319]

Like most here... they both look good, but the lack of visible tech has me concerned that it may just be another run of the mill Titleist offering. Even if the other OEM's tech is just marketing, it creates perceived value. Also, disappointed that we don't see multi material. I just don't see anything innovative.

 

Without any insight into the tech or performance numbers, the only thing these drivers really have going for them is that they say "Titleist" on the side.

 

Will be Interesting to see when the Youtubers get their demo's and release the review videos.

 

So you think a company should go the multi material route for perception even though it does nothing for performance. Just more cost and a higher rate of failure? Makes sense.

 

No, I think Multi Material is real tech that allows manufacturers "free weight" to move into other areas of the club head that can significantly impact performance. I also like the look, sound, and feel of multi material heads.

 

The marketing tech I'm referring to are things like: "active recoils channels", sliding weight tracks, "Jailbreak", "Hammer Head" Slots, "Tubulators", "Smartpad", etc. Whether these things actually affect performance or not, I think consumers will be more inclined to buy when they can see new or perceived superior technology. Especially when talking about a golf club that may or may not perform better than a previous iteration.

 

Multi-material is pure marketing. It falls in line with all that you have listed. Ping didn't need carbon fiber to move more weight than callaway, cobra, and TM while they were on their way to creating the highest MOI drivers available.

 

Titleist deserves credit for producing a no non-sense driver that undoubtedly will perform very, very well. They look sleek and under stated by today's standards. Well done.

 

Agreed. Anyone thinking that multi-material construction or weight movement in general makes a material difference needs to read the MGS articles on CG measurement. CG position is severely limited by the USGA's maximum allowable dimensions, to the point that the range of CG location for all major OEM offerings (various adjustable weight settings considered) is roughly the size of a micro SD card. The few grams here and there that the major OEMs claim to free up with each new release needs to be multiplied by roughly 10 to start having a material impact to ball flight. Even with that, OEMs are able to manufacture titanium much thinner than in the past to the point that most use of composite materials for say the crown is really only saving a couple of grams vs the competition which isn't going to make a difference.

 

All of this at the expense of increased production cost and a higher failure rate/increased replacement cost? No thank you.

 

With all that said, the ability the visibly see any type of "tech" claim along with good marketing spin drastically aids in selling clubs and unfortunately for Titleist there does not look to be anything visibly new here. I am sure the initial launch will be fine, but it may be a struggle to limp through the full 2-year product cycle. We'll see I guess...

[0psi]

Looks like a Titleist driver. They don't push the envelope, and they may not have the highest ball speeds of all available options, but they perform. I'm intrigued to try them.

Isnt ball speeds super important? What other factors are there?

 

Umm, accuracy? I'll take 6m shorter and in the fairway every time.

 

I've hit quite a few drivers in the past few months and the 917 is one of the best I've played recently. Depending on your view I've either lost a little distance vs. my old 765 and Epic SZ or I've gained heaps of distance.

If you looked at driving distance I've certainly lost a few meters with the 917 but if you were to look at distance off the tee I'm a lot further since putting the 917 in the bag. With my last 3 or 4 drivers I'd have been lucky to pull out driver twice a round but the confidence I have with my 917 to be able to hit the shot I want means I'm now hitting driver 6 or 7 times a round. Missed one fairway in my last round. I'll take that.

[GrandStranded]

We can all go on and on about this release, but let's be honest here. Like all Titleist clubs, there is nothing exciting here. They have a niche in the club industry. It is their core group of consumers who play either all or almost all Titleist clubs because of a perceived cache, value, and perception. They love the company, and are extremely loyal. The problem is, their main focus is on ball sales, so they rarely, if ever do anything outside the box with equipment releases. Even in an industry with few major competitors, they lag behind in market share. Callaway and Taylormade dominate the market, and PING, on the strength of recent releases, especially the popular 400 series, is a solid third, well behind the two leaders, but well ahead of the Cobra, Titleist, Mizuno, Srixon/Cleveland (watch out for them), etc. Titleist makes a ton on balls, and keeps their toe in the club, apparel and bag markets. They are who they are, and the same can be said for those who play their clubs. The slogan "Serious clubs for serious golfers" rings true.

[uglande]

Looks like every other Titleist driver. Which means I'll be camping out to buy one.

[uglande]

Looks like every other Titleist driver. Which means I'll be camping out to buy one.

Except the sole, which looks a little more tech-y, and -- as some have shown -- a lot like the Taylor R9. But the overall color, shape, configuration, alignment aid, etc., is the same. Looks like the same SureFit hosel system, although probably, by the looks of it, a slightly different weight set. The weight chamber looks much bigger on the TS3 than the 917 D2/D3.

[Dizz]

I’ve been a Titleist fan forever and I don’t love the way these look... hopefully they perform though.

[300yard+]

I was certain Titleist would put a Carbon fiber crown on the next driver...Seems like theyre sticking to better feel and sound opposed to the hollowness of the epic & Ms...

[CDLgolf]

According to Titleist, the company is starting its “rigorous validation process.” Essentially, that means Tour players will begin testing, playing and providing feedback to Titleist on the new drivers and what tweaks need to be made before the company brings them to retail.

 

I don't understand this comment. Aren't they already finished and sitting in a warehouse waiting for the release date ? Its not like Pros can hit them for a couple months add their feedback, then Titleist can tweek the design, start manufacturing them, distribute them all over the world and be ready for a release date 6 months from now.

 

Titleist engineers are already working on the next release. Their job is done with this model.

[troy.pullin]

According to Titleist, the company is starting its “rigorous validation process.” Essentially, that means Tour players will begin testing, playing and providing feedback to Titleist on the new drivers and what tweaks need to be made before the company brings them to retail.

 

I don't understand this comment. Aren't they already finished and sitting in a warehouse waiting for the release date ? Its not like Pros can hit them for a couple months add their feedback, then Titleist can tweek the design, start manufacturing them, distribute them all over the world and be ready for a release date 6 months from now.

 

Titleist engineers are already working on the next release. There job is done with this model.

[stryper]

According to Titleist, the company is starting its “rigorous validation process.” Essentially, that means Tour players will begin testing, playing and providing feedback to Titleist on the new drivers and what tweaks need to be made before the company brings them to retail.

 

I don't understand this comment. Aren't they already finished and sitting in a warehouse waiting for the release date ? Its not like Pros can hit them for a couple months add their feedback, then Titleist can tweek the design, start manufacturing them, distribute them all over the world and be ready for a release date 6 months from now.

 

Titleist engineers are already working on the next release. Their job is done with this model.

 

Seriously doubt a tour player would “test” a new driver in competition, especially with a US Open on the line. Pretty sure anyone playing one this week has already done their homework and is satisfied as to the clubs playability...but I could be wrong. :dntknw:

[jlebeane13]

According to Titleist, the company is starting its “rigorous validation process.” Essentially, that means Tour players will begin testing, playing and providing feedback to Titleist on the new drivers and what tweaks need to be made before the company brings them to retail.

 

I don't understand this comment. Aren't they already finished and sitting in a warehouse waiting for the release date ? Its not like Pros can hit them for a couple months add their feedback, then Titleist can tweek the design, start manufacturing them, distribute them all over the world and be ready for a release date 6 months from now.

 

Titleist engineers are already working on the next release. Their job is done with this model.

Pros have already spent at least a month if not two hitting these, dialing them, and getting comfortable. Titleist does not pay anyone of their tour players enough to just advertise a club during a major.

If they are playing the club this week it's because it's better than what they played prior!

Validation is definitely done (finished) at this point. This is just marketing to hold over the people buying the club until release date.

[1jcwallace]

Glad to see they went back to the black crown.

[Dizz]

According to Titleist, the company is starting its “rigorous validation process.” Essentially, that means Tour players will begin testing, playing and providing feedback to Titleist on the new drivers and what tweaks need to be made before the company brings them to retail.

 

I don't understand this comment. Aren't they already finished and sitting in a warehouse waiting for the release date ? Its not like Pros can hit them for a couple months add their feedback, then Titleist can tweek the design, start manufacturing them, distribute them all over the world and be ready for a release date 6 months from now.

 

Titleist engineers are already working on the next release. Their job is done with this model.

 

They’ve always done their release cycle the exact same way. The big boys on the PGA TOUR get their driver now and then it filters to the rest of the golf pros... back when I was Titleist Advisory Staff I got mine the end of July. Then they’ll start custom orders in October for mid-November delivery.

 

You’re right though I doubt they could just “scrap” things if the “tour validation” wasn’t positive... LOL. But that’s just the way it is and it’s not gonna change anytime soon.

[duck hook]

If a Titleist staffer wins this week with one of these, next week will be pure entertainment on this forum

[JStang]

If a Titleist staffer wins this week with one of these, next week will be pure entertainment on this forum

 

Blasphemy. No one can win with a Titleist driver. I thought everyone knew that.

[Rig14Port]

Anyone have a chance to look through the WITB to compare the Titleist staffers 917 driver lofts to their new TS loft - lofting up, same, or down? That may be an indication of how these things spin compared to last year.

[HoosierHorn]

May have missed it, but has anybody noticed the jailbreak-ish looking circle on the soles? For noticeable tech, I would say that would represent a pretty large shift.

[MTM]

On a personal level I'm not buying these clubs Nov-Feb. Is Titleist afraid to go head to head with TM and Cally in Spring. :D

 

I'm pretty sure TM releases a new driver in the Spring, late Spring, early Summer, Summer Solstice, Fall Equinox and pre-Christmas.

[Tommy56]

May have missed it, but has anybody noticed the jailbreak-ish looking circle on the soles? For noticeable tech, I would say that would represent a pretty large shift.

 

??? I must not be seeing what you are. Where is the circle you are referring to?

[FOOTJOY16]

TS = Tour Sauce

 

Or Too Spinny. According to some ?

[JStang]

May have missed it, but has anybody noticed the jailbreak-ish looking circle on the soles? For noticeable tech, I would say that would represent a pretty large shift.

 

??? I must not be seeing what you are. Where is the circle you are referring to?

 

I'm guessing he's referring to the hot melt port.

[The Mad Bomber]

I was certain Titleist would put a Carbon fiber crown on the next driver...Seems like theyre sticking to better feel and sound opposed to the hollowness of the epic & Ms...

 

 

I have a '17 M2 3 wood and it might be the worst sounding/feeling club I've ever hit. I'm not a fan of the carbon. Seems like more marketing garbage.

[The Mad Bomber]

May have missed it, but has anybody noticed the jailbreak-ish looking circle on the soles? For noticeable tech, I would say that would represent a pretty large shift.

??? I must not be seeing what you are. Where is the circle you are referring to?

I'm guessing he's referring to the hot melt port.

 

Huh?? What's hot melt? That's where the put all the extra spin in. Everybody knows that.

[leejohnkieh]

Glad to see they went back to the black crown.

 

Yes. Thats why I held off on the 917. Time to finally upgrade back to a Titleist driver.

[leejohnkieh]

I was certain Titleist would put a Carbon fiber crown on the next driver...Seems like theyre sticking to better feel and sound opposed to the hollowness of the epic & Ms...

 

 

I have a '17 M2 3 wood and it might be the worst sounding/feeling club I've ever hit. I'm not a fan of the carbon. Seems like more marketing garbage.

 

I got rid of my M2 3W in a quickness after I hit the rogue. Two totally different feeling heads. I'm not impressed at all with the M4 or M3 heads either.