What happens when you take the most played hybrids on tour and make them better?

You get the TS hybrids from Titleist.

Born from the same Titleist Speed project as the TS metal woods (which have won multiple equipment counts on the PGA Tour this year), the all-new Titleist TS hybrids bring more forgiveness and speed to two distinct designs: the TS2 and TS3.

Hybrids are a unique animal: They’ve been around for a long time yet and some people still refuse to give them a shot (Titleist has you covered with the U500 series U500 Series). Some people look at them as more accurate versions of fairway woods, while others think long-iron replacement. Regardless of how you view them, you’re right! They fill a spot in your bag for a specific yardage, and like any club, they are designed to maximize performance.

Most fitters would say hybrids are more a part of an iron set than woods although they share a lot of the same technology. Instead of trying to maximize “distance,” the role of a hybrid is more similar to that of a wedge—a scoring club, and that’s how Titleist believes you should look at them too. Proximity to hole is one of the most important parts of the game to shoot lower scores—strokes gained statistics prove that. Regardless of the club you are hitting, if you hit it closer and stop it sooner, you’ll see lower numbers on your scorecard. That’s what the TS hybrids are designed for.

• More photos of the Titleist TS3 and TS3 hybrids in the forums. 

Titleist Speed technology to score

Stephanie Luttrell, Director of Metal woods Development, Titleist Golf Club R&D

“By taking everything we learned in developing TS drivers and fairways and implementing those technologies into our hybrid platform, we’ve been able to improve our speed and distance performance while maintaining the incredible playability that makes these hybrids scoring clubs – that easy, consistent distance that launches high and lands soft, closer to the hole.”

The first thing many will notice about both of the new models is no more ARC (Active Recoil Channel) in the sole. Why? because they don’t need it anymore, or as Principal Development Engineer Tom Bennett said: “We engineered it obsolete!”

Speed comes from the face, and the faces of both the TS2 and TS3 hybrids are 16 percent thinner than previous 818 models. That 16 percent reduction in thickness means a substantial reduction in weight and greater flex across more area—the end result is more consistent ball speed across the face.

As I have said many times, golf club engineers work within a tight structure for the mass of each club, depending on what they are designing, a few grams here or there can mean the difference between compromising on something to create desired results and not having to compromise at all. By utilizing the latest technologies and materials there is no compromising—just optimizing.

The Speed Chassis helps save weight all over the club including the crown. This, in turn, allows for a lower COG and better mass positioning—end result being a 10 percent bump in MOI, higher launch, and lower spin. Lower spin might not seem like something you would want from a hybrid, BUT let me explain: ball speed equals lift and spin. Lift is good because it means a ball will elevate quickly (something you’re gonna want from a longer shot) but when spin gets too high, you can lose directional control in either windy conditions or on mishits. By creating the opportunity for players to launch it higher with less spin and more speed you create conditions for a more desirable and controllable trajectory. Control is a very good thing!

The Titleist TS2 hybrid

The TS2 was born from the idea of taking a well loved shape ( we’ll get to that shape in a bit ) and creating a hybrid for players that prefer the rounded larger shape of a metal wood. The TS2 hits the perfect balance between maximizing forgiveness and still offering complete playability for players with a more sweeping / shallow delivery into the ball. It has a lower further back COG to create higher launch conditions for those who need it.

So about shape. The TS2 might remind you of a club you have seen before: the 910H—well it’s no coincidence. When I pointed out this similarity to Tom Bennett, he had a great explanation. To paraphrase “hybrids are clubs people don’t switch too often, once a player has a good one and knows how it plays, it’s hard to replace it. Using extensive player feedback and looking at what older models people were bringing to TPI (Titleist Performance Institute), the 910 kept popping up as a favorite. When players prefer a shape it’s our responsibility as designers to refine it, make it better and pack as much technology and performance as possible. That’s how we created the TS2.”

The refinements are easy to spot: a much sleeker sole for better turf interaction, pleasing pear shape, and a sloped crown all improve performance—and that’s just on the outside. Plus, we can’t forget the tour-proven SureFit hosel to dial in exact lofts and yardages. With everything we already talked about going on inside the TS2, these are going to be big winners for a lot of players.

The Titleist TS3 hybrid

The TS3 is a different story. Designed to maximize speed and workability for players that hit more down on the ball, the shape is shorter front to back, taller in face height, and it has a more squared toe. Not only that, but the TS3 uses the adjustable Magnetic SureFit CG to further optimize shot shape for players seeking preferred trajectories—and that’s on top of the already proven SureFit adjustable hosel.

From address, you can see that along with the square shape there is a touch of offset from the hosel to the face to give it a look preferred by players looking for a true iron replacement. This also moves the shaft axis closer to the COG of the head, another way to increase workability without sacrificing MOI. There was even extensive player testing to determine what the grooves should look like and their length on the face, proving that no detail too small for Titleist designers. It all makes sense though when you are designing the number one hybrid on tour.

Specs & availability

Lofts for the TS 2 are: 17° (RH Only), 19°, 21°, 23°, 25°, 27°

Lofts for the TS3 are: 19°, 21°, 23°, 25°.

Just like the TS Series metal wood, the Titleist TS hybrids come with a huge variety of stock options to fit almost any players need, in addition to their industry-leading custom shaft options

• KURO KAGE Dual Core Black 60 (High launch and moderate spin)
• TENSEI AV Series Blue 70 (Mid launch and spin)
• HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 (Low/mid launch and spin)
• Even Flow T1100 White 90 (Low launch and spin)

The price for both the TS2 and TS3 hybrids is $279 and they will be available in golf shops around the world starting Aug 30th.

• More photos of the Titleist TS3 and TS3 hybrids in the forums.