Justin Thomas put the Titleist TS3 into play as soon as he could. We went behind the scenes with the PGA Tour star and his Titleist fitter for a fascinating insight
Justin Thomas was one of the first Titleist staff players to put a new TS3 driver into play.
But what was it about the TS3 driver which was working so well for him?
And will we start to see more non-contracted players putting the TS drivers into play?
We spoke exclusively to Thomas and his Titleist fitter Liam McDougall to get some unique insight into one of the hottest products of the year.
What in particular did you like the most in the new TS3 driver?
Justin Thomas: I am not an equipment geek necessarily, but I am always interested when Titleist comes out with new equipment.
First of all, they usually introduce each product category in two-year cycles, so they are not putting new drivers or irons or wedges in front of me every few months, which I appreciate.
So when they do come out with something, I know it’s better and I have never had any issues switching into the newest version.
In fact, I think I am usually one of the first guys to put new equipment in play when it comes out because it is such an easy transition for me.
The TS3 driver was a good example. I began testing it at the Players Championship when it was a prototype and I put it in play at the US Open the first day it was on the USGA’s conforming list.
Why have the new TS drivers gone down so well on tour?
Liam McDougall: The initial launch started at the US Open where we had 17 guys put the product into play – that was a big accolade for how good the product was with players putting it in the bag for the first time at a major.
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For the European launch at the French Open we had 21 out of 23 staff players put it in play for the first time which was another huge accolade for the product.
The main design element of the drivers was more speed. And as a result we’ve seen these drivers give the best results that we’ve ever seen.
It was actually no surprise to so many players to change as quick as they did once we knew how well the product performed.
Does the performance with TS3 driver give you more confidence off the tee?
JT: The new TS3 driver gives me the confidence to just swing as hard as I can and it feels like it’s going to do what I want and that’s a comfortable feeling,
After the US Open I actually worked with the Titleist Tour reps in Europe, first at the French Open and then at Open Championship.
We adjusted the shaft and weight by cutting it down 1/8″. For whatever reason it made a huge difference. I’m now hitting the golf ball in the centre of the club more consistently.
I drove the ball as long and accurate as I have all year in Akron (at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational).
Now you have a super-adjustable (TS3) and a non-adjustable (TS2) driver – does that provide a bit more variety for the players?
LM: Both products are the same speed but you can finely tune one of them with the SureFit CG on the TS3 driver or you can grip it and rip it with the TS2.
For me for example, and the majority of golfers, I’d be a TS2 guy because I want to hit it further and as straight as possible.
Why was the TS3 such a good fit for JT?
LM: First of all, JT was a bit fan of the way the driver looked.
We worked with him a lot before the US Open and got him into a good position with it where we had seen some good ball speed increases.
We also saw a dispersion improvement.
When you’re working with someone like JT who is right at the top of the world rankings, for them to change a product there has to be a really big benefit.
You have to hit all the elements in what they are looking for. The TS3 driver certainly did that.
So what’s it like fitting a world-class player like Justin Thomas into new equipment? And will we see many more stars moving to the latest Titleist range? Interview continues on the next page…
Once you’ve been fitted into a driver, Justin, are you much of a tinkerer or will you stay with it?
JT: I am not much of a tinkerer at all. I have a great relationship with the Titleist guys on tour and once we get dialled in I usually stick with what we’ve landed on.
I think the last time I switched my SureFit driver setting was at Phoenix (February 2018). I went from B-1 to A-1 and haven’t touched it since.
What does a good driver ball flight look like to you?
JT: My go-to ball flight is normally a high cut with a driver. The great thing about the TS3 driver and Pro V1x golf ball combination though is that I am able to work it right or left when necessary.
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Some of the drills we work on in practice, are calling out specific shots, yardages and hole locations that I will be see in competition.
That type of repetition gives me confidence to know I can hit the shot I need or want under the gun in competition.
What is it like fitting someone like JT into a new driver?
LM: I always say it’s easier to fit out here than it is to fit consumers because guys at JT’s level are very finely tuned.
Their miss is very slight and it’s consistent.
To fine-tune them with length and lie angle and CG placement – I can get that precisely to the point where they need it.
But at retail level you’re looking at a much wider scope – which side of the golf club to they miss it on?
With a tour player it’s all much more precise.
I use a white paint pen when I’m fitting and I can get a precise impact location from that.
And the Trackman numbers were giving JT what he was looking for. A touch more speed, touch more launch and a reduction in spin. And he really liked the sound.
How much confidence does it add to the rest of your game when you are driving the ball well?
JT: If I’m driving the ball well it just gives me the opportunity to be aggressive with the other parts of my game.
As everybody knows at any level, it is easier to play from the fairway. When that happens, I have the confidence in my short game and even long irons and fairway metal that I can go flag hunting for birdies or eagles depending on the situation.
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Will we see non-contracted players looking at the TS drivers?
LM: We’ve had a lot of non-contracted guys asking to test the drivers out.
We need to manage that carefully from our point of view as we need to manage our time carefully to decide which guys we will allow to test it and which we won’t.
The guys talk to each other a lot put here, they travel with each other, they’re are sharing locker rooms – if something is good then the guys will talk about it and others around them will listen in.
People don’t like to feel like they might be missing out on something.
As soon as they hear something is good, they are all over it.
There’s now a wider spread of guys out here that are choosing the best performing products for their game rather than just being paid to use something.
It will be interesting to see over the coming months towards the end of this season and the start of next season where the split of products lies.
We’re pretty confident, we believe in out products and we think the usage of our products globally will continue to be vast right through the bag and we’re very proud of that.
More information about the TS drivers can be found on the Titleist website.
