Over the years, I have always enjoyed visiting the Titleist Performance Institiute in Oceanside, However, this time was very different so I hought I would share my experience.
First, I was already very happy with my 917 driver and fairway metal however some Titleist employees I know had remarked how the new TS woods were a large improvement. Ok, I said let’s take the challenge and see if it is possible to outperform my already great performing 917 driver and fairway metals. I began with the TS2 driver with the same loft as my current 917 (using my existing shaft). After the first drive I was blown away by how great it sounded and how the feel was so soft yet it seemed as though the ball exploded off the club face. Wow!
The fairway metals were no different and I could actually hit them with more control and a higher apex for a better looking ball flight while going the same distance or even a few yards longer. Wow! (Again)
The fitting part was where I really gained an interesting perspective. My fitter, Glenn, explained how the process at TPI was to accomplish three things: for the golfer to have fun, learn something new during the process, and take away a new perspective or swingthiught to
Improve my game. That has never happened to me at a big box store fitting, or at least not all three. I did learn that an 18 degree TS2 fairway metal shortened to 42 inches for my game goes the same distance (in the A2 setting on the surefif adaptor so essentially it is 17 degrees) as my 16.5 917 Fairway metal off the turf and farther off the tee with significantly less dispersion and better ball flight that lands softer. Who would have knew? Obviously, Glenn has done this a long time (not to mention with tour professionals) enough to help improve my game.
At the end, I found out the TS2 driver has a much more forgiving makeup and I could actually get higher clubhead speeds along with longer drives! Ok, I am a believer now that the TS is an improvement over my already great 917. The fairway metal I was fitted for is an 18 TS2 with the A2 setting so it is essentially 17 degrees and has a very tight accuracy both offf the tee and turf.
Overall, if you have not been fit at one of Titleists two coastal National fitting centers it is definitely worth the trip! I hope you have the chance to get fit in early September at a Titleist Thursday for the TS woods.... you are really going to like them!