By Kevin Caron, Club Fitter
Not many equipment releases have a bigger impact on the golf industry than when Titleist drops new drivers and fairway metals. The new lineup for 2023 follows this tradition. With a handful of updates to the TSI, Titleist has taken things to the next level. Whether you’re a tour pro, weekend warrior, or even a beginner, there is something for you in the new TSR line. When it comes to this new release, Titleist is utilizing a straightforward tag line of “Faster. Longer. Straighter.”
In this release cycle, we are given three new driver heads (TSR2, TSR3, TSR4) and three new fairway heads (TSR2, TSR3, TSR2+). Retail cost of the drivers is $599 with the fairway metals coming in at $349 with your choice of a stock shaft. Titleist also offers a premium option with three Graphite Design shafts for all launch profiles for an additional $200.
Titleist has taken the very successful TSI and refined each model for better overall performance. Below are key benefits and features of the three new driver heads:
TSR2 (Maximum Speed & Distance):
- Improved aerodynamics for faster club speeds
- Rounded toe, smoother bottom, shifted back weight for better airflow
- Multi-Plateau Variable Face Thickness
- Constructed inward, layer by layer, to provide the most forgiveness and speed across the entire face.
- New CG placement
- Shifted lower and forward for increased ball speeds with improved launch and spin.
TSR3 (Precision-Tuned Speed & Distance):
- Improved aerodynamics for faster club speeds
- Similar head shape as TSI to fit the player’s eye
- Smoother sole for less air drag resulting in faster club speeds
- Speed Ring Variable Face Thickness
- Conical in shape. Designed to maximize the CT/COR relationship in one central location. Resulting in a faster sweet spot.
- SureFit Adjustable CG Track
- Refined for easier adjustments
- Weight sits more flush in the track than TSI to reduce some drag as well
TSR4 (The Ultimate Low Spin Driver):
- Improved aerodynamics for faster club speeds
- 430 CC head
- Compact player preferred shaping
- Adjustable launch/spin
- Interchangeable 11 & 3 gram weights for a dual CG design to fine tune your launch profile
- Multi-Plateau Variable Face Thickness
- Similar to TSR2, the face is constructed inward, layer by layer, to provide the most forgiveness and speed across the entire surface.
When looking at the three different models listed above, it is easy to see that Titleist offers a driver model to fit every player. An important thing to note is that Titleist also offers another model besides the previously mentioned ones – the TSR1. This is for the golfer looking for maximum launch and spin control in an ultra-lightweight option. Titleist will be releasing the TSR1 (driver & fairway wood) in the near future, so expect to see info on that new model in the coming months.
Shifting to the fairway metal portion, below you will see some of the key benefits and features of the updated models:
TSR2 (High, Far, Forgiving):
- Ultra-Low, Face-Centered CG
- Dramatic shift in the CG for the lowest ever in a Titleist fairway metal
- Movement of CG creates fast, high, pure ball flight
- Open Hosel Construction
- Removes unwanted weight from high in the heel allowing engineers to relocate head weight more precisely
TSR3 (Precision Tuned Performance):
- Improved Adjustability
- SureFit Adjustable CG Track now has 5 positions
- Wider and more precise adjustability with ease
- Low, Face-Centered CG
- Same open hosel construction as TSR2 to shift the CG deeper and slightly lower
- Creates more forgiveness with easier, higher launch
TSR2+ (Tour Inspired Performance):
- Designed for tee shots
- Larger profile and more forgiving than the TSR2
- Longer but more accurate driving option than traditional fairway metals
- Deep, Face-Centered CG
- Deepest CG of any Titleist fairway metal
- Incredibly forgiving
- Tour Inspired Performance
- Designed with tour professionals in mind. This club was asked for by the pros as an incredible option for the players looking for another option off the tee.
Now for the data portion. Below you will see a few data points that I collected with the TSR2 and TSR3. Both driver heads were 9* with my current shaft that I play in them. Both fairway woods were 15* with the same shaft as well. 10 shots were hit with each club and the golf ball used was the Callaway Chrome Soft X.
Model | Club Speed | Ball Speed | Smash Factor | Launch Angle | Spin Rate | Carry Distance |
TSR2 (Driver) | 108.3 | 162.6 | 1.50 | 14.3 | 2383 | 283.9 |
TSR3 (Driver) | 109.9 | 164.8 | 1.50 | 13.2 | 2028 | 285.4 |
TSR2 (Fairway) | 103.1 | 151.2 | 1.47 | 13.6 | 3255 | 250.7 |
TSR3 (Fairway) | 103.3 | 152.2 | 1.47 | 12.2 | 3050 | 251.9 |
In my own testing I was able to hit the TSR2 and TSR3 to get some data. We have not yet received a left-handed demo head for me to test in the TSR4 (driver) or the TSR2+ (fairway) so that’s why you don’t see any data included for that model above. The TSR2 & TSR3 will cover roughly 80% of players desired profiles as those two are the culmination of forgiveness and performance.
With regards to the drivers, performance is surprisingly similar between the two flagship models in this lineup. Titleist has done an amazing job with the changes to the TSR2 by producing a great look at address without sacrificing any forgiveness that was previously seen in the TSI2. This model should be looked at by golfers with a preference towards consistency and forgiveness. TSR2 will provide a more enjoyable round of golf for those who have a little harder time finding the center of the face. The TSR3 essentially is a slight upgrade from its predecessor as Titleist has taken an already awesome product and made subtle improvements to gain better performance. This model will perform most accurately for the golfer who tends to make contact near the center more often, however this club is highly adjustable so an experienced fitter may be able to set it up correctly for it to work with every golfer no matter their skill level. The TSR4 will fit roughly 5-10% of golfers as it is truly a tour players club head. This model should be utilized by players who have extremely consistent delivery but may be looking for the noticeably lower spin that it can produce.
The Fairway metals in this lineup are an incredible improvement. There are many great improvements from the TSI but in my opinion the most noticeable is from a look standpoint. Titleist has designed a family of fairway metals that inspire confidence when standing over your next shot and if I have learned anything in my 20 years of playing golf, it is that fairways are not easy to hit consistently. Any bit of confidence that a player can gain before even starting the swing will do wonders. Most golfers will love the forgiveness and consistency of the TSR2 however for the players who seek maximum adjustability, the TSR3 is the club for them. If you are a golfer who tends to keep the driver in timeout, the TSR2+ is an incredible option for a driver replacement that can still work accordingly when playing from the fairway or intermediate rough.
If you have any questions regarding the newest additions to the Titleist lineup, whether it is about drivers or fairway woods, swing by Miles of Golf to speak with one of our expert fitters who will have all the information you need. If you’d like to see firsthand what the clubs are all about, schedule a fitting and let’s get some shot data to show you how these clubs can help improve your game!