Titleist TS2 and TS3 Drivers Review

A two-year mission to design greater speed into every detail of driver technology has led to the introduction of the new Titleist TS drivers

The mission – the “Titleist Speed Project,” as it was referenced internally – began with a challenge from the game’s best players to make Titleist golf drivers as fast as possible. What followed was a relentless pursuit to solicit speed from every micron and milligram of the driver head, culminating with the development of two new driver models – TS2 and TS3 – engineered to deliver faster ball speed with higher launch, lower spin and increased MOI for more distance and game-changing forgiveness.

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At the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, the first week TS (“Titleist Speed”) drivers were available for competition, it became clear the new TS2 and TS3 passed the test. Seventeen players put TS drivers in play – including Justin Thomas, who unleashed a career-long 422-yard drive in Round 1 – an unprecedented shift for the week of a Major Championship. Three starts later, Thomas earned his first World Golf Championships title with a four-shot victory at Firestone, crediting the performance gains of his TS3 driver.

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The future of “Titleist Speed” is driven by the creation of the new Titleist Speed Chassis, which comprises of four key innovations:

Ultra-Thin Titanium Crown:

The thinnest cast titanium crown in the game (20 percent thinner than 917 drivers) allows weight to be shifted lower and deeper.

New Streamlined Shape:

Enhanced aerodynamic shaping reduces drag by up to 20 percent, allowing golfers to swing faster, increasing club head speed for more distance.

Why we use a Foresight GC Quad launch monitor

Optimised Weight Distribution:

Refined crown and variable face thicknesses create the lowest CG ever in a Titleist driver for higher launch and lower spin. The resulting MOI is up to 12 percent higher than 917, creating a powerful combination of speed and stability.

Thinner, Faster Face:

The fastest face Titleist has ever made – a refined Radial VFT (variable face thickness) that reduces weight by up to six grams – delivers faster ball speeds and increased forgiveness. The TS face is so thin that the score lines must be lasered on (instead of etched into the face like previous generations).

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Josh Talge, Vice President, Titleist Golf Club Marketing, said:

“From start to finish, the TS Project was about driving ball speed and unlocking a level of performance that golfers simply couldn’t ignore. In order to do that, we had to look at things differently. We challenged ourselves to deconstruct the driver and then build it back up, piece by piece, to be faster, longer and better in every way possible.”

Adding, “R&D had been exploring some unique constructions early on that were really compelling in theory, but they simply couldn’t beat the performance of our all-titanium Speed Chassis. We know performance is the story that golfers care about. From ball speed and distance gains we’re seeing both on tour and with amateur golfers, it’s clear that TS metals deliver a new level of Titleist Speed.”

See our Best 2019 Driver Test here

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We say:

Titleist made loads of noise around how fast their TS drivers were when they launched last autumn. But September seems like a distant memory, and there’s been 10 drivers launched since then which bang the speed drum harder and louder.

Even so, the numbers our pro generated with the TS3, which better suits his eye, were comparable to the best on test. TS3 is more compact which means slightly less forgiveness than the TS2, but we felt it’s really powerful from the middle but can punish off-centre hits.

All in if you’re looking at low-spin drivers in 2019, the TS3 with its movable CG should be on your list to try. Unlike most 2019 models it won’t be replaced at the end of the year.

How do the TS2 and TS3 compare to other leading drivers? 

TG Titleist TS2 Verdict:

Definitely a powerful driver which, like Mizuno’s ST190s, needs to find a home in the right hands if it’s to really help get more from a golfer’s game. If you plump for either Titleist make sure you get a proper fitting, the shaft options are second to none and well worth exploring if you’re intent on maximising your speed, distance and forgiveness potential.

Our GC Quad data places the TS2 as a middle-of- the-road performer for ball speed, spin and distance. Off-centre hit forgiveness (like the TS3) wasn’t quite as high as the very best (like the Ping G410), but that’s a common trait of Titleist drivers.

How Titleist TS2 compares:

Titleist say the TS2 delivers a powerful combination of speed and stability, and its wider, stretched head is a better fit for the majority of club golfers. Data places the TS2 as middle of the road for ball speed, spin and carry. Off-centre hit forgiveness wasn’t quite as high as the very best, either.

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Two ways to speed:

TS drivers bring more speed to golfers through two distinct designs. The new TS2 lets golfers swing aggressively with maximum forgiveness across the face, while TS3 offers speed-tuned distance with dynamic forgiveness through SureFit CG. Both models feature Titleist’s patented SureFit hosel with 16 independent loft and lie settings to create a more consistent and optimised ball flight through precision fitting.

Titleist TS2 driver

 

Explosive distance across the face and maximum forgiveness.

Adjustable Swingweight, Fixed CG Location.

High Launch, Low Spin.

Modern Shape, 460cc.

Available in 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5°, 11.5° lofts.

Titleist TS3 driver

 

Speed-tuned distance and dynamic forgiveness.

Adjustable Swingweight & SureFit CG.

Mid Launch, Low Spin.

Traditional Shape, 460cc.

Available in 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5 lofts.

There’s premium stock shafts too…

The TS drivers stock shaft lineup features four new aftermarket models:

KURO KAGE Black Dual Core 50 (High launch and moderate spin)

TENSEI AV Series Blue 55 (Mid launch and spin)

HZRDUS Smoke Black 60 (Low/mid launch and spin)

Even Flow T1100 White 65 (Low launch and spin)

Each of these shafts will be making their market debut with TS drivers.