It’s Memorial Week on the PGA Tour at Muirfield Village, which, among other things, means it’s time for Titleist’s annual teaser.
AKA: it’s time to validate the upcoming Titleist GT metalwoods on the PGA Tour.
Landing on the USGA conforming list today (in time for play at Murfield) is Titleist’s new/upcoming GT metalwoods family.
With that, I have 3 immediate questions:
- What’s new, different, improved, etc.?
- What does “GT” stand for?
- Hey, didn’t Mizuno use GT?
Questions Without Answers (Mostly)
#3 is the easy one to answer.
Yes, Mizuno Did GT (GT 180) the year before it transitioned everything to ST. That’s fine. Mizuno doesn’t own the letters. No different than the rest of us, Titleist is allowed to use them.
As for #2 … I have no idea, but I’m sure the speculation will be fun, and I absolutely encourage you to speculate in the comments section below.
Of course, the most important of my three questions is the first. While new and different can be fun, what Titleist has improved actually matters.
So, what has Titleist improved?
As is typical for Titleist, the company isn’t saying specific about the features and benefits (and likely won’t until the embargo lifts), but I was told that the engineering team is particularly excited about this release—and yes, I hear that all the time, but apparently, the excitement around this one is real.
Recent Titleist History – The Summary Version
Looking back at the highlights of the last 3 Titleist metalwoods releases:
- TS made Titleist a contender in the driver category.
- TSi introduced a new face material and a new weighting system in TSi3.
- TSR brought improved aerodynamics and a flip weighting system in the TSR4.
What does that tell us about the GT family?
Precious little.
GT3 Differences
That said, what’s most notable for me during this time of little information is that the weight track in the GT3 has been moved to the front. Typically, that would give you more speed, albeit with an MOI penalty.
Has Titleist found a way to engineer around that? Is it a calculated sacrifice?
Also notable in the GT3 is that the USGA list suggests it will be available in 11 degrees (previously, the 3 has topped out at 10.)
The Rest of the Lineup
With allowance for whatever advancements are part of the package, the GT2 and GT4 appear to be business as usual.
The GT2 is a fixed-weight design, which will likely fit the highest percentage of golfers (though the 11-degree GT3 head suggests the balance may shift slightly).
The GT4 will again offer a front-back weighting system and will continue in its role as the low-spin option for the guy who really needs it. Based on my spin numbers last week, I am that guy.
My best guess is that Titleist has boosted MOI just a bit on this one.
There is currently no GT1 in the lineup, but if history is any indication, Titleist will launch it early next year.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning that GT will be the first metalwoods Titleist has produced since former Callaway VP of R&D, Alan Hocknell joined the team. Titleist R&D wasn’t lacking for talent, but I’m certainly curious to see what comes from adding DocHock to the mix.
Release Info
Titleist hasn’t said when the GT drivers and fairway woods will hit retail. The TSR embargo was lifted in early September, and the retail launch was later in September. That’s likely to be the case this time around as well (though earlier wouldn’t surprise me).
I’d also expect prices to hold at $600.
More information as it becomes available.
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