Titleist TSi Metals Review

by Nate Lammers, Club Fitter

Two and a half years ago, the Titleist speed project was put in motion with the introduction of TS drivers and fairway metals. The goal was to increase ball speed across all areas of the club face by pushing the boundaries of technology and aerodynamics.  The advancements made over the 917 line allowed TS to produce as much distance as possible to compete with other major manufacturers. With the TS2 & TS3 metals Titleist saw the speed that they were hoping for, which increased driver/fairway sales, and saw an increase in tour demand. These clubs put Titleist back on the map in terms of distance without sacrificing the classic look and feel that they are known for.

Now that Titleist has pushed the limits of technology, the question that needs to be asked is where do they go from here? The answer is simple; TSi (Titleist speed and innovation) metals.  Titleist objectives for TSi was to deliver what they call the total package; Increased distance, improved forgiveness, a shape that players prefer, and better sound and feel. How could these objectives be achieved?  Titleist believes it is achieved with “(i)”; Innovation, inertia, integration (of materials and mass properties), and Impact.  The NEW Titleist TSi2 & TSi3 driver and fairway metals are born.  Here are the key advancements that make TSi the best Titleist metal line ever.

Innovation in Driver

• Faster in the air. The NEW TSi metals have enhanced aerodynamics reducing drag by 15%
• Faster at impact.  Advanced aerospace grade ATI 425 face insert.  First in Titleist C16 (concept) driver.
  • Made in Pittsburgh, PA
  • High strength, toughness, & elasticity
  • Aerospace grade & military grade certifications
  • ATI 425 offers 6% higher yield strength, 4% higher ultimate tensile strength & 30% higher ductility compared to conventional titanium alloys used in golf. Basically ATI 425 is faster, stronger and will last longer than any other face insert Titleist has ever used
  • As of now Titleist is the only company using ATI 425 (Patent Pending)
• Increased MOI (moment of inertia) values for greater stability 
  • High launch
  • Lower and more stable spin rates
  • Consistent, and incredibly fast ball speeds
  •  High/low MOI increased +13%(TSi2 from TS2) & +10%(TSi3 from TS3)

Driver Breakdown

TSi2

TSi2 is for the players looking for fantastic speeds and accuracy across the entire surface of the clubface. It features low and deep CG for high launch, exceptional stability to optimize distance through speed and high MOI design. TSi2 has a flat weight positioned on the bottom rear part of the club head for high MOI and is universal to TSi2 driver and fairway.  Titleist believes it has improved the cosmetics of the driver with a modern aero head shape, an improved toe shaping for a more visually open appearance and an updated alignment aid (TSI logo instead of the traditional triangle that they have used in the past; 915, 917, TS etc).  TSi2 also features ATI 425 face insert, and is the perfect combination of speed and forgiveness.

TSi2 is available in 9*, 10*, 11* in both left and right handed. There is an 8* available in RH but is custom only.

TSi3

TSi3 is for the better player, who Titleist believes values precision performance, dialed in ball flight and classic head shape, and classic shape/profile.  The improved profile and precision CG weighting the TSi3 provides a mid/high launch with low spin characteristics. TSi3 offers Classic Tour Pear shaped clubhead with the updated TSi alignment aid described in TSi2. Another new advancement is a 5 position CG placement at the rear of the clubhead (T1, T2, Neutral, and H1 H2); T standing for Toe and H standing for Heel. This allows for greater adjustments side to side for explosive distance and unrivaled accuracy. This advancement paired with the Titleist Surefit hosel and the NEW ATI 425 face insert creates what Titleist believes is the fastest driver ever produced.

TSi3 is available in 8*,9*,10* in left and right hand models. There is an 11* available in RH but is custom only.

To put these drivers put these drivers to the test, we collected data points using a TRACKMAN Launch monitor in our Cluboratory from Titleist staff members hitting their current TS model driver versus the NEW TSi. Below are the averages of all Staff members combined to show a relative gain in the new equipment:

 *data points are not TSi3/TSi2 specific, just relative change from current driver to new driver

Based on these results, Titleist may not be wrong in saying that this is the best and fastest drivers they have ever created. To see this huge ball speed change while increasing launch angle and lowering spin rate is very unusual.  A 2.6% change in ball speed may not seem like a lot, but when you consider that drivers have had the same speed limitations for years (i.e. Smash factor of 1.50; ball speed divided by club speed).  The only explanation is that the club is traveling a little bit faster and that off center hits are traveling at a similar rate to center hits.

“The Longest, Straightest, Best Looking, Best Sounding, Driver We’ve Ever Made. What else is there to say?”

-Dan Stone Titleist R&D VP

Fairway Breakdown

The NEW Titleist TSi fairways metals are available in the same two models as the driver TSi2 & TSi3. Design goals for the fairways are: 

• To make them easier to launch
•  more forgiving on miss hits
• Accurate into green
• Shape shots when needed
• Long of the tee
• Looks great at address
• Sounds/feels good at address

The way Titleist achieved these goals was to continue what they had done with TS metals. With the utilization of a ultra-thin steel crown, a variable face thickness insert made out of carpenter 465 forged steel and a NEW and improved ARC 4.0 (Active recoil Channel). The ARC started in the 915 series of fairways and has only been improved through each generation. ARC 4.0 has a shorter channel wall to deliver more speed at impacts

TSi2 FWY

Is designed for players who want a higher launching club with incredible speed and forgiveness.  TSi2 features a deep and low center of gravity, with improved aero shape for faster club speed, and better look & feel. Compared to the TS line the TSi2 has an improved toe shaping for a more visually open appearance for better alignment. The weight of the head can be adjusted from -4g to +4g in 2g increments. The standard weight in the head is 9g.

Loft options for TSi2 are as follows: 13.5*, 15*, 16.5*, 18*, 21*(RH only)

TSi3 FWY

For Players who want easier workability, CG adjustability, and a deeper face with a smaller profile.  Faster ball speeds and more distance than TS3 with same mid launch and moderate to low spin. The main difference between TSi3 and TSi2 is that TSi3 has CG adjustability side to side similar to the TSi3 driver. Instead of 5 CG positions like the driver, the TSi3 fairways SureFit Track weight has 3 positions (T1, Neutral, H1). This makes the TSi3 the most adjustable and fittable fairway ever created.

Loft options for TSi3 are as follows: 13.5*(RH only), 15*, 16.5*, & 18*(RH only)

Seeing what had transpired in during the Titleist Staff fittings the NEW Titleist TSi metals are as advertised.  They are long, straight, forgiving and beautiful. Not only has Titleist joined the distance race it may have just set the bar for what companies may have to do in the future. You don’t have to take my word for it, get to Miles of Golf and get fit for them yourself.  Come join the new age of golf with a classic style.