Titleist TSi3 driver review
The Titleist TSi3 driver is one of the latest offerings from the renowned golf brand, designed to deliver speed, accuracy and performance for players who seek more precise flight control and workability.
The TSi3 driver features a new SureFit CG track technology, a more compact and aerodynamic head shape, and a new ATI 425 Aerospace Titanium face that promises to increase ball speed across the entire face. But how does it compare with the previous TS3 driver, and who should play this club?
In this review, we will take a closer look at the product overview, looks/impression, key features/technologies, performance, pros & cons, and comparison with previous models.
Product Overview
The Titleist TSi3 driver is part of the TSi (Titleist Speed) series that also includes the TSi2 driver, which is more forgiving and higher launching. The TSi3 driver is aimed at players who want more adjustability and workability, as well as faster ball speeds and lower spin rates.
The TSi3 driver has a 460cc head size, but it looks smaller and more pear-shaped than the TSi2 driver. It also has a new TSi alignment mark on the crown that helps with ball positioning and alignment.
The TSi3 driver comes in four lofts: 8°, 9°, 10° and 11°, and it can be adjusted by 0.75° or 1.5° up or down using the SureFit hosel system.
The stock shaft options are the Mitsubishi Kuro Kage Black Dual-Core 5G (high launch and spin), the Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw Blue (mid launch and spin), the HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX (low-mid launch and spin), and the Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw White (low launch and spin). The stock grip is the Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360.
Looks/Impression
The Titleist TSi3 driver is a stunning club that exudes quality and craftsmanship. The black gloss finish on the crown contrasts nicely with the silver face and sole, and the TSi logo adds a touch of class.
The head shape is more rounded and symmetrical than the TS3 driver, and it looks sleeker and more aerodynamic. The face is also deeper and wider than the TS3 driver, giving more confidence at address. The sound and feel of the TSi3 driver are also improved from the TS3 driver.
The TSi3 driver has a quieter and more solid sound at impact, while still feeling explosive and responsive. The feedback is also excellent, as you can easily tell where you hit the ball on the face.
Key Features/Technologies
The Titleist TSi3 driver boasts several new features and technologies that aim to enhance speed, accuracy and performance. Some of them are:
ATI 425 Aerospace Titanium Face: This is a new material that Titleist claims to be stronger, lighter and more elastic than conventional titanium alloys. It allows for a thinner and faster face that increases ball speed across the entire face, especially on off-center hits.
SureFit CG Track: This is a new system that replaces the SureFit CG weight from the TS3 driver. It consists of a movable weight that can be positioned in five different settings: neutral (N), heel (H1), toe (T1), heel fade (H2) or toe draw (T2). This allows for fine-tuning of the club head center of gravity (CG) to optimize ball flight, spin rate and shot shape.
Aerodynamic Head Shape: The TSi3 driver has a more compact and pear-shaped head than the TS2 driver, which reduces drag and improves airflow around the club head. This results in faster club head speed and more distance.
SureFit Hosel: This is a familiar feature from previous Titleist drivers that allows for independent adjustment of loft and lie angle by 0.75° or 1.5° up or down. This helps to dial in launch angle, trajectory and shot shape.
Performance
We tested the Titleist TSi3 driver against the TS3 driver using a launch monitor and on-course testing. We used the same loft (9°), shaft (HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX) and setting (N) for both drivers. Here are our findings:
Forgiveness:
The TSi3 driver is surprisingly forgiving for a compact and workable driver. It does not punish off-center hits as much as we expected, and it maintains decent ball speed and distance on mishits. However, it is not as forgiving as the TS2 driver or other drivers in its category, so it may not suit players who struggle with consistency or accuracy.
Speed and Distance:
The TSi3 driver delivers impressive speed and distance, thanks to the new ATI 425 face and the aerodynamic head shape. We saw an increase of about 2 mph in club head speed and 4 mph in ball speed compared to the TS3 driver, which translated to about 10 yards more carry distance and 15 yards more total distance.
The TSi3 driver also produces lower spin rates than the TS3 driver, which helps to optimize distance and reduce dispersion.
Sound and Feel:
The TSi3 driver has a much better sound and feel than the TS3 driver, which was quite loud and metallic. The TSi3 driver has a quieter and more solid sound at impact, while still feeling explosive and responsive. The feedback is also excellent, as you can easily tell where you hit the ball on the face.
Workability and Playability:
The TSi3 driver is designed for players who want more control and workability, and it delivers on that front. The TSi3 driver allows for easy manipulation of ball flight and shot shape, thanks to the SureFit CG track and the SureFit hosel.
You can adjust the club head CG to favor a draw or fade bias, or to neutralize your natural tendency. You can also adjust the loft and lie angle to fine-tune launch angle, trajectory and shot shape. The TSi3 driver is a versatile and adaptable club that can suit different swing types and course conditions.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Definite improvement in looks and feel from the TS3 driver
- More effective sole weight adjustability with the SureFit CG track
- One of the fastest drivers you’ll test
- Allows for precise flight control and workability
Cons
- Premium price
- Some may need more alignment assistance
- Forgiveness is good but not elite
Who Should Play This Club
The Titleist TSi3 driver is best suited for players who want more speed, accuracy and performance from their driver, as well as more adjustability and workability. It is ideal for players who have a consistent and accurate swing, and who like to shape their shots and control their ball flight.
It may not be the best choice for players who need more forgiveness or higher launch from their driver, or who prefer a larger or more forgiving head shape.
Comparison with Previous Models
The Titleist TSi3 driver is a significant improvement from the TS3 driver in many aspects. It has a better look, sound and feel, a faster and more forgiving face, a more aerodynamic head shape, and a more effective sole weight adjustability system.
It also produces faster ball speeds, lower spin rates, longer distances, and more precise flight control than the TS3 driver. The TSi3 driver is one of the best drivers that Titleist has ever made, and it shows that they have made significant strides in their driver technology.
The Titleist TSi3 driver is one of the best drivers in its category, especially for players who want more speed, accuracy and performance, as well as more adjustability and workability.
However, it is not the only driver that offers these benefits, and it may not suit every player’s preference or swing type. Here are some comparisons with other drivers in its category:
Titleist TSi2 driver:
This is the sister model of the TSi3 driver, and it is more forgiving and higher launching. It has a larger and more rounded head shape, and a fixed sole weight at the back of the head. It is ideal for players who need more forgiveness or higher launch from their driver, or who prefer a larger or more forgiving head shape. However, it does not offer as much adjustability or workability as the TSi3 driver, and it may produce higher spin rates and lower ball speeds for some players.
Titleist TSi4 driver: This is the newest addition to the TSi series, and it is designed for players who struggle with excessive spin or high launch from their driver. It has a smaller and more pear-shaped head than the TSi3 driver, and a forward-positioned sole weight.
It is ideal for players who want to reduce spin and launch angle, and increase ball speed and distance. However, it is not as forgiving or easy to hit as the TSi3 driver, and it may not suit players who need more forgiveness or higher launch from their driver.
Titleist TSi1 driver: This is another new addition to the TSi series, and it is designed for players with moderate swing speeds who want to increase their speed and distance. It has a lightweight construction, a larger and more forgiving head shape, and a high-launching sole weight.
It is ideal for players who want to maximize their speed and distance potential, and enjoy a high-launching and easy-to-hit driver. However, it does not offer as much adjustability or workability as the TSi3 driver, and it may produce higher spin rates and lower ball speeds for some players.
Other drivers in its category that are worth considering are:
TaylorMade SIM2 driver: This is a carbon fiber driver that offers speed, forgiveness and adjustability. It has a new forged ring construction that enhances stability and inertia, a speed-injected twist face that increases ball speed on off-center hits, and a sliding sole weight that allows for fine-tuning of ball flight.
It is ideal for players who want a fast, forgiving and adjustable driver that can suit different swing types and course conditions. However, it may not have as much workability or feedback as the TSi3 driver, and it may have a louder sound at impact.
Callaway Epic Speed driver: This is a carbon fiber driver that features artificial intelligence (AI) technology to optimize speed and performance.
It has a new jailbreak speed frame that connects the crown and sole to increase stability and ball speed, a flash face SS21 that varies in thickness to enhance forgiveness, and an adjustable perimeter weighting that allows for fine-tuning of shot shape.
It is ideal for players who want a fast, forgiving and adjustable driver that uses AI technology to optimize performance. However, it may not have as much workability or feedback as the TSi3 driver, and it may have a softer feel at impact.
Conclusion
The Titleist TSi3 driver is a stunning club that players are going to fall in love with. It delivers speed, accuracy and performance for players who seek more precise flight control and workability.
It has a gorgeous look, a powerful sound, a responsive feel, and a versatile adjustability system. It is one of the fastest drivers you’ll test, and it produces lower spin rates, longer distances, and more playable dispersion than the TS3 driver.
The TSi3 driver is not cheap, but it is worth every penny if you are looking for a premium driver that can take your game to the next level.
