Equipment
Wunder: Titleist TSi driver first impressions
Three things I want to address before I kick this off.
- “Better, best” will not be addressed. It’s never about that these days only what works for me or you.
- I’m not adding TrackMan data to this for one simple reason: It doesn’t matter to me for a first impression. I can get lost in the data and ultimately it confuses my ability to just enjoy the sound feel and look of the driver. Obviously, the fitting was on TrackMan, but in the past, successful drivers for me started with the emotional part. Simply, do I like the thing? Can I look at it? Can I trust it? Can I hit shots with it? That’s it.
- When I say “spin this” and “spin that,” it’s always addressing a positive aspect.
On Tuesday of this week, I had the good fortune of visiting the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI in Oceanside, California) to do my TSi metal woods fitting. Won’t get too far into that, but essentially it’s golf heaven in every sense of the word. Like TaylorMade’s Kingdom or Callaway’s ECPC, TPI it’s a gearhead paradise.
Titleist Master Fitter Joey Saewitz (@thejoeysaewitz on IG) was my fitter and after hitting a few balls to warm up, we dug into my gamer driver that I adore.
Current Gamer Spec
TaylorMade SIM (9 degrees @ 8.5). Fujikura Ventus Black 6X (no tipping) 45 inches, D4, GolfPride BCT 58R
I have been constantly messing with my driver between new shafts, lofts, lie, etc. Since I’ve been playing a bit more this month, I’ve had the chance to work on my swing and the driver has been the last thing to come around. I’m working on decreasing dynamic loft through the bag and have not adjusted my driver to match. The point is, I’m hitting the driver solid but have lost a ton of height and spin to keep it in the air.
I’m saying this now because for key metrics I was at a deficiency because of the craftsman not his tools. The SIM I was fit into was/is excellent. So, as you read on, keep in mind that I knew that numbers-wise apples to apples my setup was vulnerable to getting beat out due to my tinkering.
Thoughts
My average numbers these days are are 105-108 mph swing speed, 155-160 mph ball speed, 14-degree launch, and 1,800-2,000 spin. At 43-years-old, when I’m hitting it solid I get a lot out of my driver. IF I’m swinging well, at my low spin, off days can be nauseating with the driver.
LOOKS
TSi3: If two of my favorite drivers 975D and R7 Superquad TP had a baby, the TSi3 would be it. Its flawless appearance-wise. The heel section gives it an onset look that the faders will love and the top line toe section is a bit rounded off to give it an open look without having to crank it open. Not the first time we have heard that but nonetheless, Titleist nailed it.
The face has a cool matte finish that I can’t get into yet, but it frames a white ball excellently.
TSi2: Like the TS2, it has that high-MOI shape, although I will say the top line and transitions are a bit softer on the eye. It’s a driver that looks like it just wants to go high and far. If I wanted to hit something as hard as I could that’s the shape I would look for.
Side note—the black shafts in the TSi3 are almost too cool to even look at—the closest thing to a Darth Vader golf club I have ever seen.
FEEL/SOUND
This is where they really figured it out. Titleist drivers in the past to my ear sounded good but not great. There was always an essence of ting that I couldn’t fall in love with. The TSi series fixed that in totality, like all the great drivers on the market in 2020 it has that hammerhead thud that I adore. When you crunch it, you literally hear crunch. At impact, however, it has a more compressiony (is that a word?) feel than its competitors. The comparison would be a one-piece forged feel vs a hollow body players iron. Both feel excellent but there is a difference. You can feel the ball squeeze into the face which I think most will notice and respond well to.
PERFORMANCE—Not going to compare it to my gamer as it’s not fair, I gear headed my gamer to the point of lunacy. I will only comment on what the TSi series did while testing.
TSi3: The biggest standout here was usable spin. I am not a high-spin player by any stretch, so if I can find a driver that gets me 2,100-2,200 consistently when I flush it, it’s a contender. For a player at my speed to sneak it out there with the big hitters, I have to launch it at 14 at 1,700 spin, and hope I’m aimed correctly. What I found with the TSi was I was getting that performance at 2,100-2,200, and if anything only giving up 2-3 yards all while doing it 5/10 times as opposed to 2/10.
What does all that jibberish add up to? Consistency and something I can play with. Is it longer than my gamer? I have no idea, but we will find out. What I know is I hit a bunch of really good shots with TSi3, and after I got going with it, it was point and shoot. Stable? Yes. Long? Yes. Forgiving? Yes. Playable? Yes.
TSi2: To be honest I only hit a few with the Tsi2 as its not my genre of music. What I can say is it feels apples to apples with the Tsi3, launches higher with a bit more spin, and goes really straight. No shocker there. The high MOI category has a bunch of contenders, and in my opinion, it’s a head weight game. Heavy is always better for stability.
The setup I landed on
I was fit into the (D4 SureFit setting 9 degrees @ 9.75, flat) however after testing a bit at home on course and range, I landed on the D1 setting, which I like. For whatever reason, I can play Tsi3 at 8.25 and still maintain height spin and it flew about five yards further.
Final setup
Driver: Titleist TSi3 (9 degrees @8.25, D1 SureFit, 44.5 inches, D4 swing weight)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X (tipped 1)
Overall, the TSi Series drivers will be VERY popular but not for the reasons you would think. It’s playable, you can hit shots with it, that’s the mark of a GREAT golf club. It’s not all ball speeds and carry anymore in my opinion. This is a driver I can go out and play well with, that’s huge for a hack like me. In my experience, I can’t say that about a lot of drivers I’ve tried to make work in the last four to five years. That’s just me. Lots of great drivers every year but I’m a hard case and finding one that’s just right is a challenge.
Ultimately, for me, the best driver on the market is SIM hands down because it performs in the hitting bay and even better on the course—my hunch is Titleist has something that will do the same.
It’s a beautiful driver that I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know.
Tour Edge Golf has today introduced the all-new Exotics mini driver, engineered to deliver a powerful combination of speed, control, and versatility in the long game.
The Exotics Mini combines a titanium face with a stainless-steel body in design to balance ball speed with stability and control, creating a versatile option at the top end of the bag.
At the core of the design is Tour Edge’s proprietary Combo Brazing technology, a high-precision thermal bonding process that seamlessly fuses a titanium cup face to a stainless-steel body into a single, continuous structure. By eliminating energy loss found in traditional multi-piece constructions, Combo Brazing is designed to deliver faster face response, more efficient energy transfer, and a uniquely powerful yet controlled feel.
The multi-material construction also allows mass to be positioned lower and deeper in the head in a bid to increase stability, while the thin titanium face is engineered to maintain ball speed across a wider impact area.
“While the initial goal was to enhance control and versatility in the long game, Combo Brazing ultimately drove measurable gains in ball speed and distance within the mini driver category. In robot testing, we’ve documented higher ball speeds, higher launch, reduced spin, and increased carry and total distance compared to leading models.” – Vice President of R&D Matt Neeley
In addition to distance performance, the Exotics mini emphasizes forgiveness through a heavier stainless-steel body that shifts mass toward the perimeter. This configuration increases MOI relative to traditional all-titanium mini drivers, helping preserve ball speed and directional stability on off-center strikes. Paired with Pyramid Face Technology from the Exotics metalwood line, the design is intended to support consistent speed across the face.
To further enhance MOI, a lightweight carbon fiber crown frees additional mass that is strategically repositioned low and deep in the head in design to improve stability and promote optimal launch with controlled spin.
“We designed the Mini to be about five millimeters shallower than other mini drivers on the market. That change improves playability off the deck. From a clean fairway lie, it can function as a strong 3-wood alternative while still providing control off the tee.” – Tour Edge CEO David Glod
An adjustable hosel system allows for loft and lie tuning to dial in trajectory and shot shape, while a fixed 13-gram rear weight helps stabilize the head through impact to improve dispersion consistency. The Exotics Mini Driver is available in 11.5 and 13.5-degree lofts in right-handed models.
Pricing & Availability
The Exotics Mini Driver is available for pre-order beginning today for $399.99 USD at touredge.com, and will be available for purchase at retail outlets worldwide on May 22, 2026.
In our forums, our members have been pitting a Srixon ZXi combo against a TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo. WRXer ‘edutch22’ is on the hunt for a new set of irons and kicks off the thread saying:
“Looking at picking up a new set of irons and think I’ve narrowed it down to Srixon ZXi combo or Taylormade P7CB/770 combo. I am currently a 5 cap and allbeit I feel irons are my weakness. My miss is a little to the toe side. I am decently steep at 4-5 down. Always thought I am high spin but recently on trackman my 7 was spinning at 5800 roughly.
My question or looking for thoughts on which one would benefit me more from a forgiveness standpoint? Or is there another iron is should be looking at entirely? I only get to play about once or twice a week, if I am not playing a 2-3 day event. Thanks in advance.”
And our members have been sharing their thoughts and suggestions in response.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- manima1: “You just can’t go wrong with Srixon ZXi7.”
- MattM97: “You have to hit them to know, the V-Sole on the Srixon can be make or break for many.”
- dmeeksDC: “P7CB is more forgiving for me than ZXi7 because my main miss is low middle and the P7CB still flies and spins great on that miss. These are both really nice irons but I like the P7CB more than the Zxi7 and the P770 (or P790) more than the Zxi5. The Srixons are larger so if that gives you confidence that is the way to go. I don’t feel like I get any benefit from the V-sole and the P7CBs live up to their high Maltby forgiveness rating so the TaylorMades have been great for me.”
Entire Thread: “Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @pianoman0123 has a 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo up for grabs.
From the listing: “2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade Combo. 4-8 irons are CB’s and the 9,PW are Blades. 5-PW have Project X 6.0 Shafts and the 4 Iron has a Steelfiber CW110 Stiff Shaft. Standard Length, Lie and Lofts. These are in very good condition the shafts just don’t work for me. Like new Lamkin Grips on the 5-PW and a stock Golf Pride on the 4 Iron. $525 OBO.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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Rich Douglas
Dec 12, 2020 at 11:59 am
The best driver I’ve ever had was the 917D3. Why? Because, after chasing the off-the-rack demon for 25 years (and about that many drivers), I finally got fitted. That broke the chain and I used it for 4 years.
Skipping a generation (usually a good idea), I recently upgraded to the TSi3. It’s longer, looks better, sounds better, and feels better. I can’t tell yet if it is more foregiving; I haven’t played it enough and settled on settings yet. (Started at A1 but will likely move to D1. Moved the heel weight to the second-from-the right setting immediately, though.) D5 swing weight, but it feels a bit light. Might have to take some weight off the grip.
mnw
Oct 1, 2020 at 4:39 pm
first sentence: “Better, best” will not be addressed. It’s never about that these days only what works for me or you.”
last paragraph:”Ultimately, for me, the best driver on the market is SIM hands down”
John Wunder
Oct 10, 2020 at 11:18 am
“On the market” opening sentence was to not get into comparing an unreleased driver to what’s out now. It confuses the issue and whats best is personal to each golfer for multiple reasons. Hence ”Ultimately, for ME, the best driver ON THE MARKET is SIM hands down”
Keith
Sep 28, 2020 at 8:34 am
Hey John,
Great stuff. I guess you still can’t get the TXG fitting for COVID/border concerns. Was really looking forward to it.
Keith
Paul Runyan
Sep 27, 2020 at 6:12 am
Gibberish is the key word.
John Wunder
Oct 10, 2020 at 11:20 am
Glad you enjoyed it
Paulo
Sep 26, 2020 at 2:49 pm
You say your hunch is the Titleist is better ? Yes or no , having hit both , is the Titleist better than the SIM ?
John Wunder
Sep 26, 2020 at 9:20 pm
Better is impossible to answer in my opinion. Both drivers are fanstastic and special to each company as far as their lineage. What I can say is hitting TSi3, im hitting quality shots, keeping it in front of me, plenty of speed and playability. If i was made to play either one id be happy.
Cosy
Sep 29, 2020 at 12:16 am
If nothing else. The shape is so good I want the performance to match.
alex Sans
Oct 5, 2020 at 6:55 am
Hello John nice comments. I follow this from Spain, I m 48 I changed my swing from hook to fade, and loss some power now only a 100 miles swing speed and max 240 carry, used to play the T2 and switched to ping 400 max, which was very forgiving. I found the TS2 not so consistent but the max has a lot of spin. Will be great you add amore info about the TSI2 in the future as probably most of us who follow are on 35 to 60 age and TS3 which I tried was great when hit in the center but had many misses on the left when I tried to push it. Here the fitters are scare and had to order Graphite design DI shafts as the previous T2 diamana was too soft.
In summary do you think the new shafts for TSI2 is good shaft, any comments if the TSI3 is a more forgiving than the TS3 which as said was harder for me to find consistency. By the way same happened with Sim, when striked well it was a bomb but not easy when tried to speed up to square the face, it also was a head a little strange in the upswing.
ViralGolf2020
Sep 25, 2020 at 10:24 pm
Long time Titleist Fan.
I do not understand the “TSi” as the alignment aid, and I do not understand why Titleist – along with many other manufacturers – still insist on super-shiny gloss finishes for driver crowns. Do their testers not play in the sun? (And please, don’t give me “rack appeal”… drivers are bottoms-up in the rack. Store lighting glares just like sunlight when you set them down. Who needs to see their reflection in their driver crown???)
matt
Sep 25, 2020 at 8:34 pm
really good piece… i think you harped on it about 47 times but commenters don’t get it. having a great driver is about comfortability – not blind obedience. If fact they’re quite opposites notions. who cares about 3 carry yards you gotta play what feels, looks, sounds right. After the numbers are in the ballpark I just want to hit it solid, accurate, and like everything about it
Scott Francis
Sep 26, 2020 at 2:40 am
So at a 105-108 SS you played it at 8.25 degrees with a Ventus X at 44.5 length? Did you hit it higher than 5 feet off ground?
John Wunder
Sep 26, 2020 at 2:45 am
I did. Closer to 10 feet
Jason C
Sep 25, 2020 at 6:07 pm
I will not do this and I will not do that….come on man! The whole point of these reviews is to get a glimpse at spin rate, distance, etc.
If I ever was lucky enough to get fit at this place I would tell you every last detail down to the way the grass was growing. The only thing this “review” did for me was make me Wunder.
Do better
John Wunder
Sep 25, 2020 at 6:53 pm
Understand your concern but there are more factors at play then just launch data. Without giving you tech data which I cant yet, whatever track man numbers are irrelevant without some context as to why.
Trust me come the day when everything’s public you will have more trackman numbers then you would ever want. Anyone with a cell phone can do that these days.
Paul
Sep 25, 2020 at 2:54 pm
You were professionally fit at Titleist, BY Titleist to the D4 setting, then adjusted it to D1 on your own. Kind of raises the question of ‘what was the point of the fitting”?. Just by the club and put it in whatever setting you THINK you need.
John Wunder
Sep 25, 2020 at 3:46 pm
I see your point but hitting into the fan at TPI and getting it out on the course is a different deal. I adjusted because at D4 I was starting it a little bit to the left and switching to D1 kept the flight but fixed my start line.
golfraven
Sep 25, 2020 at 2:38 pm
Wow, 1,800-2,000 spin is really low. You ain’t a hack if you can hit it past 105 speed. My only grudge with the TSi is the replacement of the triangle on the crown. That made a Titleist driver for me. Also the headcover design lacks the cool factor as the first iteration – not that I use those in my bag.
I’ll stick with my TS3 for the next 2-3 releases (this including). Was 44.5 not a bit short for you – believe mine is 45.5 and I am 5.75 high?
Beau
Sep 25, 2020 at 2:06 pm
I always end up coming back to Titleist drivers, for whatever reason they always “play” for me. I’ll get fit into a SIM or whatever Callaway has come out with this week and it’ll be a little longer and have more desirable numbers, I’lll play it for a couple months, then it all just goes bad and I lose my swing for a few weeks. Titleist goes in the bag and I hit 12 or 13 fairways. I don’t know why I continue to waste money elsewhere, I should just stay where I am and quit chasing 5 more yards.
Jeremy Stanger
Sep 25, 2020 at 1:50 pm
Great stuff JW. From the moment the pics came out I knew exactly where my pro shop credit was headed. Any insight as to why you went from the untipped Ventus to tipped 1″?
geohogan
Oct 12, 2020 at 4:34 pm
great question JS. One could make the argument that this
is more a comparison of one shaft with different setup.
Shorter length and tipping would make the same shaft play considerably stiffer.(cpm?)
Its no longer a comparison of two different driver heads.
LifeIsn'tRosy
Sep 25, 2020 at 12:54 pm
I feel your pain John. When the editor tells you to write a good story about a new driver, but you just cannot quantify it using the data. Then, it’s the beginning of the painful process of being creative. Good writing technique. When science fails rely on the feeling. Good paid commercial.
David Lee
Sep 25, 2020 at 11:26 am
I found the SIM very unstable, was a hook machine. Without a 10 stroke lead DJ wouldn’t have made top 10 at the Tour Championship, his SIM was wild. Rose hit one 130 yards left on a hole at Payne’s Valley. I will take stable and straight over 3-5 yards any day. Nice review Wunder.
geohogan
Oct 12, 2020 at 4:41 pm
DL, simply play the shaft 1/2 inch shorter and tip 1 inch, as JW did with the TSi.
The Sim will be very stable and fade at will.
gwelfgulfer
Oct 21, 2020 at 10:32 am
Actually, try it the other way around and not tipped. In my driver fitting this year, I hooked the crap out of everything they gave me in the Sim. Picked up a Ventus Black 6x that wasn’t tipped and have a much harder time turning it over.