Introduction
With the launch of the new Titleist GTS driver range comes an updated lineup of fairway woods, with two new models joining the family GTS2 and GTS3. To see how they perform and who they’re best suited to, I headed to Woburn Golf Club for a fitting session and to put the new range through its paces. Check out our full Titleist GTS fairway woods review to find out how they performed and whether either could earn a place in your bag…
Keywords
titleist, GTS, drivers, Titleist fairway wood, deep face
NCG Summary & rating
NCG SUMMARY
Titleist has released two models in their GTS fairway woods range GTS2 & 3. Both keep with the same clean design you’d expect to see from a Titleist wood but now with a new high-polish silver face design.
The GTS range use a multi-material design with a wraparound crown that saves about 16g, moving weight lower in the head to help the ball launch higher and stay more stable. A dual-weight system allows for shot shape tweaks, and a forged L-Cup face to keep ball speed up even on mishits.
PROS
- Larger head shape/deeper face
- Sleek design
- Very adjustable
CONS
- High spin rates
Key Facts
| Lofts | 3w (15°), 5w (18°) |
| Shafts | True Temper Denali Frost Silver – 60g (R,S), 70g (S,X) |
| Crown Construction | Titanium |
| Body Construction | Titanium |
| Headcover Included | Yes |
| Available in left hand | CUSTOM ONLY FOR LH in 5w |
| Grip | Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 |
| Length | 3W 43.25″, 5W 42.75″ |
| Head size | 3W 170cc, 5w 155cc |
Key benefits and downsides
| Key benefits | Downsides |
|---|---|
| Easy to hit– The larger head shape looks nice behind the ball offering a more confidence. | Spin – for me, the spin rates were too high |
| Sound – sounds great off the face | |
| Sleek design– the new face design is striking |
First Impressions
Out of the headcover there is one clear difference with the GTS fairway woods…a polished face! This look is something that was pushed by the tour players, helping with alignment at address.
GTS fairways come in two different models 2&3. Each has their own characteristics but both have the same overall sleek profile design you’d expect from a Titleist wood.
How I undertook the review
I went to the Woburn Titleist fitting centre for a fitting where I tested both GTS fairway wood models. I have also been able to use the GTS2 which I was fitted for over the past couple of weeks. I have also taken the Trackman out on the course to gather data using my standard Pro V1x at Hickleton Golf Club, my home course.
Construction
The GTS fairway woods use a multi-material design with a wraparound composite crown that saves about 16g on the previous generation. This allows weight to be moved lower and deeper in the head, which lowers the centre of gravity, helping the ball launch higher with more stability and slightly lower spin.
Both the GTS2 and 3 use a dual-weight system that can be swapped to change shot shape bias. A forged L-Cup face helps maintain ball speed and consistent launch, especially on low-face strikes.
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A new high-polish silver face makes the club face more visible at address, helping players with their alignment.
Models / Fitting
I went to the Woburn fitting centre to get fit for the GTS fairway woods. There are two options available and so I had the chance to hit both to find out which one best suit my game.
The new GTS2 fairway features a larger profile and a shallower face than the GTS3, making it better suited to players with a more sweeping delivery through the ball.
Inspired by tour feedback, Titleist has lowered the face height compared to the previous GT2 model, bringing it more in line with the GT1 fairway wood. This shallower design runs throughout the loft options, with the exception of the 13.5-degree model, which retains a slightly taller face profile. GTS3 has a deeper face profile with a more compact head shape. This is better suited to players with a more downward motion with fairway woods.
I hit both models without knowing too much in terms of tech and who they’re designed for and as a player who hits up more than down on the ball the GTS2 was the better option for me. The head shaping suited my eye more and the data spoke for itself.
Data
I’ve been gaming the GTS2 for a few weeks now, I’ve used it lots and have become very familiar with it. I got fitted into a 16.5° head, so a 4 wood as I like the extra height I got and also my carry distance tends to be further than a 3 wood. I took it out on the course with me to gather some data using Trackman to see some of the numbers behind the club that I’ve been gaming – I used my standard Pro V1x ball.
My results are shown on the table below. I did find this club really easy to launch with an average of 13.6 degrees. In terms of height this might be quite high compared to some players but I do tend to have a higher flight with woods. Three of the shots were in the 84-90ft range with one only being 66ft, which wasn’t as well hit. Between the four shots the carry distance was very similar with an average of 186.2 yards. The one that launched lower naturally had a greater total distance.
Spin rates are much higher than I would want to see with a fairway wood of this loft. Ideally this number would be under 4000RPM.
NCG Final Say
On the PGA Tour 59 players (approx 40%) opt for a Titleist driver but this number drops to 28 players (approx 25%) when it comes to the three wood. This might reflect that whilst Titleist have nailed the driver it is not as easy to do the same when it comes to fairway woods. For me, the GTS2 produced too much spin.
Overall, I do find the Titleist GTS2 fairway wood really easy to hit. It gives me a higher launch but unfortunately that has come with a higher spin rate. I think visually behind the ball it’s very appealing the design is sleek and the larger head gives confidence.
Whether you’d be a player opting for a GTS2 or 3, I’d recommend a fitting to see what really is best to suit your game.
How it compares to other fairway woods
Compared to my previous Titleist TSI4 wood the GTS launches much higher with higher spin rates. I do enjoy the ease of hitting it but it’s not as hot as the TSI was for me.
Price information
RRP: £369 (standard), £539 (premium) / $399
Featured shafts:
- Project X Titan Black
- Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White w/ Rip Technology
- Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Blue w/ Rip Technology
- Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Red w/ Rip Technology
Premium shafts:
- Graphite Design Tour AD DI
- Graphite Design Tour AD VF
- Graphite Design Tour AD FI
More info: Titleist UK / Titleist US
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