Equipment
True Temper releases lighter, longer XP family of shafts
Most golfers are familiar with the advantages of today’s game-improvement irons, which are helping golfers hit the ball higher and farther than ever before. But fewer are aware of the latest crop of lightweight “game-improvement” shafts, which can further boost a golfer’s iron play.
One top-rated model is True Temper’s new XP shaft family, which was chosen by leading iron makers Callaway, Mizuno and Titleist to be the stock shaft in each company’s flagship game-improvement irons, Callaway’s Apex, Mizuno’s JPX-EZ and JPX-EZ Forged and Titleist’s AP1 irons.
Greg Cavill, vice president of alloy engineering for True Temper, credits the performance of the XP shafts to their variable wall technology, which allowed engineers to manipulate the thicknesses of certain parts of the shafts to improve distance, performance and feel.
In the butt section of the shaft, for example, the walls were made thinner, which was a key to making the XP 95 as light as 92 grams, more than 30 grams lighter than True Temper’s famed Dynamic Gold shafts. But engineers used thicker walls in the tip section of the shaft, which added weight to help stabilize the region.
Above: True Temper’s XP 95 shaft has a butt diameter of 0.605 inches, while the 10-grams heavier XP 105 shaft has a slightly smaller butt diameter of 0.600 inches.
Engineers continued the give and take by changing the step pattern of the butt section of the shaft. Its steps were made longer than those in the tip section, making the butt section stiffer. The butt section was then further reinforced with another stiffening agent, a slightly larger outside diameter, which works with the shaft’s stiff midsection to force the tip of the shaft to “kick” at impact.
That kick is responsible for the shaft’s higher launch, which when paired with the added swing speed the lightweight shaft provides adds 6-to-8 yards more carry distance, according to True Temper robot testing.
True Temper’s XP 95 shaft, as well as the 10-grams heavier XP 105 shaft, have a balance point that allows iron sets to be built with traditional balance points. They’re available in R300 and S300 flexes, and cost $400 for a set of eight shafts (3-PW).
In a golf world where players are looking to eke out every yard possible, usually by lengthening their drivers to add clubhead speed, there’s one player at the PGA Championship who’s going in the opposite direction. In fact, for Rickie Fowler, his goal off the tee is not about gaining extra distance or yards north to south, but rather about shrinking the misses from east to west.
Ahead of the PGA Championship and the week prior at the Truist Championship. Fowler mentioned to Cobra Tour Rep Ben Schomin that the driver didn’t quite swing feel the same as everything in the bag. As a result, and with Schomin’s suggestion to try and sync everything up with the big stick, Fowler decided to test out a shorter length shaft.
“He’s been at 45 (inches), and he’d been at 45 for a few weeks, 44 1/8 (inches) is really is where he is been living really for the most part, for the last couple of years, and is where he is been comfortable,” Schomin told GolfWRX. “It just felt like it was a little long and loose on him.”
Interestingly, Fowler ranks 40th in Driving Accuracy this year on the PGA Tour. It’s his most accurate season with the driver since the start of the decade. But sometimes for players, feel is more important than statistics.
“It was really more of a trying to get the swing to feel the fluidness from club to club to club to try to get it to feel the same,” Schomin added. “And so we took it down to 43 and a quarter, and it was a touch of a ball speed loss, just based on that overall club head speed. But honestly, he squared it up probably a little better. The right miss wasn’t nearly as far. So really, overall down-range dispersion tightened up a fair amount, and he felt confident in swinging it.”
The change in length had Fowler’s caddie, Ricky Romano, beaming at how well he had driven during Tuesday’s practice round at Aronimink. So much so, he was asking Schomin not to suggest changes anymore.
Fowler’s shaft-shortening is one of a few driver adjustments he’s made this season, and to Schomin’s credit, it’s thanks to the fact that he and the rest of the Cobra team had Fowler fit very well into three of the four heads in the Cobra OPTM lineup.
“He had three distinct drivers and the biggest decision was trying to decide which worked best at that time,” Schomin told GolfWRX previously. “He’s played the majority of the season with OPTM X, but has also played a couple of tournaments with OPTM LS. His overall driving stats have been good.”
At the RBC Heritage earlier this spring, Fowler switched drivers, changing from his Cobra OPTM X and into the Tour, low-loft Max K model that Gary Woodland used to win just a few weeks prior.
Now for the PGA Championship, Fowler’s back in the X head, but still using the UST Mamiya LIN-Q PowerCore White 6TX shaft, just a little bit shorter.
“Will he stay there? I’m not sure,” Schomin added. “Could we end up say at like 43 and 7.5 (of an inch). If it’s giving him the same feel of consistency through the bag, then I think we might end up just a touch longer. But if he likes where he is at, he’s confident where he is at, that’s really all that matters.”
If there’s more testing, though, just don’t tell his caddie.
What you need to know: As is customary for the Fairhaven-based company, Titleist officially announced today that its GTS drivers are headed to retail, following a successful tour release. The GTS2, GTS3, and GTS4 drivers will be available in golf shops June 11.
Since debuting at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, the new GTS lineup has quickly gained traction on the PGA Tour, with more than 50 players already making the switch to a GTS2, GTS3, or GTS4 driver. Among them are Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth.
Justin Thomas’ Titleist GTS2 driver (Greg Moore, GolfWRX)
According to Titleist, the GTS series builds upon the performance foundation established by the GT Series, while introducing several major technological advancements, including a new Split Mass Frame construction, refined aerodynamics, and an updated Speed Sync face design.
2026 Titleist GTS drivers: What’s new, key technology
Split Mass Frame and thermoform body
At the center of the new GTS lineup is a redesigned internal structure: the Split Mass Frame. This technology works with a full-thermoform body made from Titleist’s Proprietary Matrix Polymer (PMP), a lightweight composite that enables engineers to reposition mass more efficiently throughout the head. Compared to the previous GT generation, GTS drivers feature nearly double the PMP material, increasing from 13 grams to 26 grams, while maintaining the sound and feel preferred by better players.
The weight savings from the thermoform construction allowed Titleist engineers to strategically separate mass placement inside the head. Specifically, more weight is pushed rearward to improve stability and forgiveness, while additional mass is positioned low and forward to optimize speed, launch, and spin.
In short, golfers are able to maintain ball speed and consistency across both centered and off-center strikes.
Faster aerodynamics
Titleist also refined the aerodynamic shaping of the GTS heads to help players generate more clubhead speed.
The tails of the new GTS2 and GTS3 heads have been raised compared to previous models, helping airflow stay attached to the crown and sole longer during the swing. According to Titleist, the improved airflow reduces drag and increases speed without affecting launch conditions or center of gravity placement.
Typically, aerodynamic gains can compromise forgiveness or launch characteristics, but the weight savings from the Split Mass Frame allowed engineers to preserve preferred CG locations.
New Speed Sync face
The new Speed Sync Face design is engineered to improve ball speed retention across a larger portion of the face. A reinforced perimeter structure helps maximize face deflection and COR on centered strikes, while the upper portion of the support ring is opened up to increase speed on high-face impacts, a common strike location for many golfers. The face also features a variable thickness design to preserve speed and performance across a wider impact area.
Expanded adjustability
Each GTS model includes a dual-weighting system to fine-tune launch, spin, and shot shape more precisely than previous generations. GTS2 uses interchangeable forward and aft weights, while GTS3 and GTS4 combine a rear weight with an adjustable forward track weight system.
Tour-inspired face graphics
The new lineup features redesigned high-contrast face graphics to improve alignment and framing at address, according to Titleist. Sharp visual lines are designed to make it easier to center the golf ball and to perceive loft more easily at setup.
Additional model details
GTS2
- The GTS2 is the most forgiving model, designed for golfers seeking maximum stability and consistent speed across the face.
- It produces high launch with mid spin and features a larger, confidence-inspiring profile behind the ball.
- Standard weighting includes an 11-gram forward weight and a 5-gram rear weight, with additional fitting configurations available.
GTS3
- The GTS3 is aimed at players who want more control over launch, spin, and shot shaping.
- Compared to GTS2, the GTS3 offers lower launch and spin while featuring a more compact profile and deeper face design preferred by many stronger players.
- The head features an adjustable forward-track weight system to further fine-tune center of gravity placement.
GTS4
- The lowest-spinning option in the lineup, GTS4 is built for golfers looking to reduce excessive spin and maximize total distance.
- Unlike previous “4” models from Titleist, the new GTS4 features a full 460cc profile that improves forgiveness and stability while retaining its low-spin DNA.
- Like GTS3, it includes a forward track weighting system for precise fitting adjustments.
What Titleist says
“When we talk about driver design, it’s never about the one feature or benefit — it’s about all of them,” said Stephanie Luttrell, Titleist’s Senior Director of Metalwood R&D. “Ball speed, forgiveness, spin stability, adjustability, exceptional sound and feel… these are all attributes that golfers care about. It’s our job to design a lineup that elevates performance across the board without sacrificing in key areas, and we feel we’ve done that with GTS.”
“We know that forward CGs drive speed with great launch and spin characteristics, but you need to be able to do that with an inertial stability that still preserves ball speed, launch and spin consistency on off-center hits,” Luttrell said. “We’ve never before been able to hit these CG positions and inertia properties at the same time, and we’re achieving that because of GTS’ construction.”
Club Junkie’s take
I feel like every time there is a new Titleist wood release, I figure they can’t outdo their previous driver. And every year, I am wrong and impressed with the performance. The GTS fits right into that narrative again, as I didn’t know where Titleist could go from GT, but they pushed the limits again, and my fitting proved the smart people there found ways to improve.
My past four Titleist drivers have been a 2 series as my swing typically requires a little height, spin, and forgiveness so I figured I would just get a new GTS2 and be on my way. During the fitting, I was impressed by the new GTS construction, its added PMP material, and the advanced adjustability on each model. My fitter, Joey, got to work putting together a GTS2 and we started there. The launch and spin were great, and the consistency on misses was very tight. My average ball speed with the GTS went up a little bit as the new Speed Sync face creates more speed away from the center.
Joey then built up a GTS3 in 11 degrees, but I figured this wouldn’t have the stability I needed for tight dispersion on my miss hits. That thought was quickly erased after a few shots, and I really liked the more center start line and reduced draw on the misses I was seeing. We tried a few different settings and shafts to dial in the details in order to get the best fit. Having a forward and rear weight in the head allowed Joey to set up the GTS3 with a heavier rear weight to keep the launch and spin up, while the Sure Fit hosel set flat created a more center start line for me. My misses were not nearly as far left, and I was really impressed with the consistency on the spin and launch when I didn’t hit it in the center.
Titleist again created a wood line in GTS that delivers improvements over previous drivers while keeping the traditional look and feel you expect. More adjustability, better off-center speed, and 3 drivers that are playable over a wider range of players should make these extremely successful in fittings.
Pricing, specs, availability
GTS2 lofts: 8, 9, 10, 11 degrees (RH/LH)
GTS3 lofts: 8, 9, 10, 11 degrees (RH/LH)
GTS4 lofts: 8, 9, 10 (RH/LH)
Featured shafts
- Project X Titan Black
- Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White
- Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Blue
- Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Red
Premium shafts
- Graphite Design Tour AD DI
- Graphite Design Tour AD VF
- Graphite Design Tour AD FI
Available for fittings and pre-sale now.
In golf shops worldwide beginning June 11.
Price: $699 (standard), $899 (premium)
Titleist has today introduced its new GTS2 and GTS3 fairways.
Lower and deeper center of gravity (CG) positions, new adjustable heel-toe weights and advanced clubface innovations drive total performance in the two tour-proven models.
- Tour-inspired polished clubfaces: To help players see more of the clubface at address.
GTS2 Fairway
The new GTS2 fairway is designed with a shallower face and a larger profile than GTS3, ideal for players with more sweeping deliveries with their fairway metals.
GTS2’s new face height, inspired by tour feedback, was designed shallower than the prior generation GT2 model and more in line with the GT1 fairway. Each loft in GTS2 leverages a shallower profile except for the 13.5-degree, which maintains a slightly taller face.
With its new dual-weighting system, the ‘2’ model now has heel-toe CG adjustability.
Lofts: 13.5, 15.0, 16.5, 18.0, 21.0
Dual-weight system: 11-gram weight in heel, 5-gram weight in toe (standard)
GTS3 Fairway
The new GTS3 fairway is designed with a deeper face and a more compact profile, ideal for players who hit down on the golf ball more with their fairway metals.
New to the GTS3 family is a 21-degree offering, giving players two distinct profiles in Titleist’s 7-wood loft.
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BrianK
Dec 4, 2013 at 10:09 pm
For all of the people who will read this article and be truly interesting in the shafts, you need to try them. Don’t listen to the people whining about prices and if their game will change by 10 strokes. These are really good light weight shafts. Very good feel, exceptional control, and a little added distance. I have a set of the XP 105 and I have been really impressed with the vibration reduction in them. Been playing graphite for years and this is the first set of steal shafts that haven’t caused soreness in my shoulder. Even hitting off mats was no problem for me, and that was huge. These are not your lightweight “noodle” shafts of the past, these are legitimate shafts for good players who want to go a little lighter.
Dan
Dec 1, 2013 at 3:30 pm
These shafts are only 26$ at golfsmith. Not sure where the 50$ came from.
True Temper
Dec 2, 2013 at 11:04 am
$50 per is MSRP meaning fit and installed. $25 as a component. Very much in line with other lightweight steel and far less than a lot of new graphite irons..
TTS
Pingback: Desde el tee: semana 48/2013 | Golf76.com
Andrew Cooper
Nov 29, 2013 at 4:35 am
Equipment being too expensive is a myth! Golf equipment is no more expensive now in real terms than it was 20 odd years ago, certainly in the UK., Mizuno, Ping irons e.t.c. back in early 1990s cost around £500. Callaway’s Big Bertha and GBB drivers were £200-£300 when they came out. In 2013, you can still buy a cracking set of irons for £500. New Drivers are more or less the same-and the clearance deals on older models can be half that. If you’re going for up-charge options, like these shafts, and/or always want the latest clubs, then obviously that’s going to cost.
For anyone new to the game, or short on cash, quality 2nd hand is the way to go. If you know what to look for, you could put together a great set for under £400.
Giancarlo Baxa
Nov 29, 2013 at 12:06 am
I’m so sick about hearing about all these new shafts, new models, new everything. The bottom line is players clubs have all been the same since the change from the old persimmons to metal woods. A pure ball striker can perform on the same level no matter what clubs he’s using. There is nothing else manufacturers can do within the rules of conforming clubs that will make one club play much better than another. Basically the only difference is cosmetics, as much as manufacturers want you to believe that there is for example, ” increased ball speeds, different COG’s etc, it all means nothing. Give it up people, stop changing equipment and start changing your swing.
Brian
Nov 29, 2013 at 5:11 pm
There is nothing farther from the truth than what you just said. Go spend some time reading about modern equipment and I’m willing to bet you’ll reevaluate that statement.
woot
Nov 28, 2013 at 4:11 pm
This is not a poor man’s sport, if you want to go cheap you can always buy the box sets from wal mart.
marko
Nov 29, 2013 at 1:06 am
Golf is a sport! And there fore should be affordable for ALL people.
Don’t think for one minute because you make more money than someone else that YOU are a BETTER person and that YOU deserve special treatment. There is NO place in this life for Elitestests like You!!
Really?
Nov 28, 2013 at 8:56 am
50 bucks a piece for steel shafts… I can find EVERY other steel shaft for cheaper than that… Even the KBS Customs are not 50 a piece.
Another OEM pricing themselves out of most bags.
_Hawk3y3_
Dec 1, 2013 at 8:55 pm
Anyone paying $50 per shaft for these is stupid, lazy, or both. I play XP 105 S300 in my 5-PW and found them as a set of 1-time pulls on e-bay. $35 shipped for the whole set, and I had the serial numbers verified by True Temper. They truly are wonderful shafts and play very similar to Dynamic Gold. Don’t pay MSRP…spend a little bit of time searching for a deal or two.
WP
Nov 28, 2013 at 6:42 am
On the other hand, for those ‘hacks’ that are willing to suffer the indignation of playing stock shafts, this is a good news story. I have the XP95 in my new AP2s, love them, and avoided the $25/per upcharge for PXi. A set of AP1 with XP95 could be considered a bargain.
Paul
Nov 28, 2013 at 11:46 am
Agreed, feel like I stole something after reading this article considering these are stock in the new ap1 and 2’s. I personally liked them better then any other lightweight shaft as well, pxi, steelfibres, etc. and no up charge, win-win.
John
Nov 27, 2013 at 10:34 am
The real question for me is will these $50 a piece shafts lower someone’s score or handicap! I think I know that answer – I think they are running out of real ideas to improve club performance but need a another new idea to sell us equipment we don’t need.
AJ Jensen
Nov 27, 2013 at 10:24 am
I don’t know that I want much ‘improvement’ out of my irons, in terms of distance. What I want from my irons is for them to go an exact distance and stop dead where they land.
Michael
Nov 27, 2013 at 8:18 am
50 US-Dollar für a stable lightweight steelshaft? For that money, I would opt for an Aerotech Steelfiber in the correct weight.
Kevin
Nov 27, 2013 at 2:27 am
50$ a shaft for 6-8 more yards? No thanks I’ll be back here using a 7 iron when you use an 8 for those prices
jgpl001
Nov 28, 2013 at 5:10 pm
There were many id..ts who were willing to pay $300+ when TM promised 15 yds with the RBZ, so what is the problem here?
True Temper just need to have a brass neck and marketing hype machine like TM and they could double the price
Giancarlo Baxa
Nov 29, 2013 at 12:08 am
exactly right
Marko
Nov 27, 2013 at 2:20 am
WOW! $50 bucks a shaft. This game is becoming to expensive.
Not going to grow the game at these prices.
$1000 for a set of irons?
$300-$400 for a driver?
$125 for each wedge?
$100-$300 for a putter?
$40 for a dozen balls?
Really sad.
Zach
Nov 27, 2013 at 2:52 am
Completely agree! I can see why so many are leaving the game! Add to that cost membership fees for club members or for an average hack the green fees. Really hate to see this happen to my beloved game!!!
Ross
Nov 27, 2013 at 6:34 pm
It’s always been the way of golf… I was pretty poor growing up had hand me down clubs (not good quality and went hunting for golf balls to play and sell to cover my membership) The looks you get are never of encouragement…. it 99.9% scorn and the game has an ego and will continue to pander to the rich. 400 dollar head on a 400 dollar shaft, in a 400 bag…
Buy second hand 24 months old gear… they big up the advances but its all marketing.
Longest driver i ever hit was a mp650 with a graffaloy prolaunch red shaft… 90 dollars on ebay!
Martin
Nov 27, 2013 at 8:37 am
And if you really want to get properly fitted clubs, using the clubfix for example, it starts to get really expensive. A friend of mine got fitted for a new driver in Sweden (this was a serious fitter who really checked the club after it arrived, and it was an aftermarket shaft) and he paid: 750 dollars for it… So in the US its much cheaper…
Ross
Nov 27, 2013 at 6:37 pm
Everywhere is cheaper than in rip off Britain… unfortunately where i live… we have the links though
Jack
Nov 27, 2013 at 10:08 pm
But income must be higher to offset, no?
Nick Messi
Feb 25, 2014 at 2:34 pm
Try living in Australia mate.
We get hammered left right and centre. Cars , housing , groceries , golf equipment , golf membership , green fees , private school fees ……. the list goes on and on.
Christopher Kee
Nov 27, 2013 at 2:15 pm
I agree. It’s $2,500 for clubs/bag/balls/shoes to get out on the course if you purchase new. Thank god for ebay!
Corrie-Lynn's dad
Nov 28, 2013 at 10:55 am
The game of golf has been expensive as long as I can remember.
marko
Nov 29, 2013 at 1:15 am
I can remember when $500 would get you a complete set. Not that long ago. When the tradition of golf was respected. Now they (OEM) just want to find a new way(HYPE) to seperate you and your money. Big heads,graphite shafts, and the change in the golf ball has ruined the GAME of golf. It’s no longer a game of skill. It’s just boom and gouge. Where is Payne Stewart. RIP.