New Titleist TS drivers spotted ahead of the US Open
By James Savage
New Titleist TS drivers? Well, that has taken us a bit by surprise as we’d been telling people to look out for the 919 range this autumn.
Titleist have quite rigid two-year product cycles with their woods, irons, wedges and balls.
So after the 910, 913, 915 and 917 (the 9 is for the driver and the rest is the year) we were literally waiting for the 919 range to drop.
It has come a little bit early with the Titleist TS drivers too as we’d normally expect to see them towards the end of the summer ahead of them being available to buy around September/October time.
But two TS drivers (TS2 and TS3) have just landed on the USGA conforming list with staff players such as Justin Thomas and Jimmy Walker teasing us with images and videos.
The brand have also bee circulating images on their social media channels.
So what can we expect from the Titleist TS drivers?
The brand will remain tight-lipped about the technology and performance benefits until later in the year.
I’m going to stick my neck out and say that the two models will each offer something a bit different to the golfer.
Why launch the Titleist TS drivers ahead of a major championship?
Because the golfing world has it’s eye on Shinnecock Hills this week? Not rocket science is it.
Something new coming tomorrow…. @Titleist @TitleistonTour @FootJoy pic.twitter.com/WVfmrGOyOn
— Jimmy Walker (@JimmyWalkerPGA) June 11, 2018
But it also seems like a confident move from Titleist as it would be a bit embarrassing if no players decided to use it at the US Open.
They have obviously received some great early feedback from their staff players.
What is the brand saying about the Titleist TS drivers?
Interestingly we have had a statement from Titleist about the seeding process of the TS drivers.
“This week marks the start of Titleist’s rigorous tour seeding and validation process for the new TS drivers,” it read.
“This is an exciting step in the development process for all Titleist equipment.
“Earning the validation of the game’s best players ensures that new products are faithful to the Titleist brand promise of innovation, performance and quality excellence.
Think fast. Drive speed. Obsess over look, sound, feel. That was the clear mission for our R&D team. Now, it's Tour validation time, and we chose to begin at the toughest stage to ensure new TS drivers perform: The #USOpen.
Sign up for #TSproject updates: https://t.co/GD8l6bqqog pic.twitter.com/gi6ODXpwkZ
— Titleist (@Titleist) June 11, 2018
“Earlier this month, Titleist tour reps and members of the Titleist Golf Club R&D team began fitting players into the new TS2 and TS3 models, optimising their performance and gathering their feedback and data.
“Today, the new TS drivers will appear on the USGA Conforming List, giving players the option to put them in play for the first time this week at Shinnecock Hills.
“This process will continue over the coming weeks and months across the worldwide professional tours. ”
When can we see and hit the Titleist TS drivers?
Those details are not yet known. Hopefully we will get to test the new drivers out over the next couple of months.
But if you’ve got your heart set on buying one of the Titleist TS drivers, we think you’ll have to wait until the autumn.
Who will be using the Titleist TS drivers at the US Open?
It’s early days and we’ll have to wait until Thursday to see who actually pegs it up with one.
But I think Jimmy Walker and Justin Thomas are pretty safe bets.
We’ve also seen Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston playing a practice round with one.
From what we have seen so far Walker and Thomas will be using the TS3 model while Beef has been using the TS2.
Follow updates on the brand’s website and social media channels.
Equipment: Titleist 917 v Titleist 915 big-hitter testing comparison
Equipment: Titleist 917 driver review
James Savage
Former equipment editor of NCG. Inconsistent ball-striker and tea-maker.
