Titleist Drivers: Then Versus Now

Is newer truly better?

Why would you even consider buying a $649.99 driver if there aren’t true performance benefits?

These are questions that intrigue all of us here at MyGolfSpy. And they should be your first thoughts when you’re considering a new driver, regardless of brand or model.

Our rule of thumb is simple: it takes three to five years to see true performance benefits off a driver. How does this apply to Titleist’s new GT3 driver?

That is our mission today: a blast from the past as we analyze performance differentials between Titleist GT3 and the driver that paved the way for its creation, the Titleist TS3.

History lesson

In 2018, Titleist introduced Titleist TS3 which made an immediate impression during the U.S. Open. The buzz was amplified by Justin Thomas blistering a 422-yard drive during the first round. This was the beginning of “Titleist Speed”, a paradigm shift in the metalwood space for Titleist.

The engine behind such performance was Titleist’s Speed Chassis. It was an innovative approach for its time, especially from Titleist.

It featured four key components according to Titleist.

• Ultra-thin titanium crown – At the time, the thinnest cast titanium crown in the game (20 percent thinner than 917 drivers) that allows weight to be shifted lower and deeper.
• Thinner, faster face – A refined Radial VFT (variable face thickness) that reduces weight by up to six grams – delivers faster ball speeds and increased forgiveness. The TS face is so thin that the score lines must be lasered on (instead of etched into the face like prior generations).
• New streamlined shape – Enhanced aerodynamic shaping reduces drag, allowing golfers to swing faster, increasing clubhead speed for more distance.
• Optimized weight distribution – Refined crown and variable face thicknesses create the lowest CG ever in a Titleist driver for higher launch and lower spin. The resulting MOI is up to 12 percent higher than 917, creating a powerful combination of speed and stability.

Out with the old, in with the new

Fast forward to 2024 when Titleist unleashed their newest and current creation, GT metalwoods.

Out with “Titleist Speed”, in with “Generational Technology.” Here are the key components of GT as the company described them.

• Seamless Thermoform Crown – A reimagined ultra-lightweight design, born from a new proprietary Matrix Polymer. The tunable acoustic properties of this unique composite allow Titleist engineers to realize new material gains while maintaining our signature sound and feel. All wrapped in a clean look that inspires total confidence.
• Split Mass Construction – A breakthrough in internal weighting unlocks longer drives and enhanced directional control in GT3. The Adjustable CG Track now sits closer to the face for more dynamic CG control, while additional discretionary mass is pushed to the back of the club to maintain optimal stability through impact.
• Speed Ring® VFT Face – Two technologies come together to create GT’s amazingly fast face. The upgraded titanium Speed Ring technology stabilizes the perimeter to produce maximum allowable speed in the center, while a variable face thickness (VFT) preserves consistently fast ball speeds across the rest of the face.
• Advanced Aerodynamics – GT3 features a new raised tail contour that represents a dramatic shift in driver aerodynamics. Previously impossible to execute due to design constraints, this advanced shaping results in a driver that swings faster while still providing optimal CG control.

Then versus now: The test

With nearly seven years of technology separating TS and GT metalwoods, we wanted to pit them against each other head-to-head. Since the drivers aren’t “apples to apples”, we coordinated with Titleist to normalize the testing samples. Effectively, we opted for these head options:

• Titleist TS3 – 9.5°
• Titleist GT3 – 9.0°

Despite the loft differences stamped on the heads, the effective loft is virtually the same according to Titleist.

To further normalize the testing samples, we opted to utilize Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei 1K Blue driver shafts in regular and stiff flex with the same grips and playing length. Again, we were normalizing as many variables as possible to ensure that driver head performance is what we analyze.

Testing parameters

For most of our lab scenarios, we utilize a smaller testing pool versus that of our Most Wanted trials. In this example, there were 10 testers with an average swing speed of 102 mph. The fastest was +/-113 and about 93 was the slowest.

Each tester hit 15 shots per driver and rotated between each driver after five shots. This is a similar procedure we take during Most Wanted testing.

Is newer better?

With 300 shots and 7,200 data points, determining what metrics to analyze might seem difficult. However, ball speed, carry distance, total distance and dispersion stand out when evaluating performance.

Ball speed

Ball speed is a critical ingredient in the performance discussion. It is also a focal point in technology advancements for most manufacturers, including Titleist.

Just how fast can a driver face be without surpassing UGSA regulations and tolerances? Faster is a win even if it is a minute number. We found Titleist GT3 has a 1.1 mph faster ball speed on average.

• GT3 average ball speed – 147.5 mph
• TS3 average ball speed – 146.4 mph

Just a single additional mile per hour of ball speed equals two yards of carry distance. This is win by the standards of golf club manufacturers.

What is even more impressive is that 90 percent of the testers averaged a higher ball speed with the Titleist GT3 driver. For these nine testers, their average gain was 1.7 mph in ball speed.

One tester had an average ball speed 6.1 mph faster with the Titleist GT3. An anomaly, but extremely impressive nonetheless as it speaks to the potential of the GT lineup over an older driver model.

Needless to say, Titleist GT3 delivers when it comes to ball speed over the Titleist TS3. Newer is definitively better in this condition. Another perk: Titleist GT3 is one of the best drivers for higher swing speed golfers.

Carry and total distance

Since Titleist GT3 holds the advantage in ball speed, there is a trickle-down effect to carry and total distance. Here are the results of carry and total distance head-to-head.

Titleist GT3

• Average carry distance – 252.6 yards
• Average total distance – 267.0 yards

Titleist TS3

• Average carry distance – 249.5 yards
• Average total distance – 265.1 yards

You can see Titleist GT3 holds the edge with a 3.1-yard advantage for carry distance and a 1.9-yard advantage for total distance. Another win for the Titleist GT3 over the TS3. However, you’ll notice that Titleist TS3 closes the gap in total distance.

You can see a sample of distance differential with one tester below.

Dispersion area

Titleist TS3 holds the advantage in terms of dispersion area and, arguably, accuracy.

• Titleist TS3 dispersion area – 1,406.7
• Titleist GT3 dispersion area – 1,666.5

Every tester hit each driver model on A1. A1 is Titleist’s SureFit hosel’s neutral setting: standard loft and lie.

With this normalized approach, TS3’s internal design features are a reasonable answer as to why it produces better dispersion. Furthermore, TS3 produces a higher average backspin: 148 rpm higher on average.

In this case, newer is better

Objectively, there are quantifiable and appreciable gains with the Titleist GT3 driver over the original “Titleist Speed” TS3 driver. We aren’t talking about earth-shattering gains but they’re big enough to get excited about, especially from a R&D perspective.

Advancements in ball speed, carry and total distance will far exceed the differential in accuracy between the GT3 and TS3. Off the rack, you may see tighter dispersion with an older driver, which isn’t a bad result. Older equipment tends to spin more and be less efficient across the driver face. Not only do we see it in this small sample size but we see it in Most Wanted Testing as well.

Year to year, manufacturers are developing drivers that perform more consistently across the face. Most will manage and handle different strike patterns with relative ease. There are still some that don’t produce consistent shot outcomes, especially on high-toe strikes. But, overall, drivers are becoming more and more efficient. Titleist GT3 is just another prime example. With a proper fitting, closing the accuracy gap shouldn’t be an issue.

TS3 surpasses the three- to five-year range where there often are advantages to be had with newer equipment, especially a driver. So, if you’re still gaming a driver that is three to five years old or even older, go through a professional fitting and see if there are benefits to something newer.