Titleist typically emerges with new drivers every other year. So it’s no surprise that the company’s already finalizing its new models for 2019. What did catch golf fans off-guard this past week was that two new USGA-conforming driver models suddenly popped up in the bags of 17 players — including Jimmy Walker and Justin Thomas — at the U.S. Open in New York. For the record, the company reported that 40 percent of the players there who put a Titleist driver in their bag made the switch to either the new TS2 or TS3 model.
Titleist officials apparently had tried to keep the drivers under close wraps, in recent weeks. In fact, some players using the current 917 driver models showed up to play at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club and apparently had no idea the new models even existed. The inside skinny is that more Tour pros will be fitted in coming weeks for the TS drivers. According to photos and reports online, the TS2 clubhead has a weight in the rear and an adjustable hosel, while the TS3 looks to have an adjustable cylinder weight cartridge akin to the one that used in the 917 drivers to alter ball flight — and an adjustable hosel. Titleist is already teasing visitors to its website with photos, but details have not been revealed.