Equipment
Lightweight, high launch, high spin Titleist TS1 driver rounds out the TS family
The TS series has been a game changer for Titleist.
In a very short period of time, Titleist has gone from a company that self-admittedly struggled to keep up in the metal woods segment over the last few years, to a leader. This season alone, Titleist has won the driver count at tour events multiple times, which is something that would have been almost unheard of only a few years ago.
Why now?
Because TS stands for Titleist Speed, and they really mean it!
On the heels of the recent Titleist TS4 launch (a driver designed for the extreme spin control end of the driver fitting bell curve for players with speed), Titleist is now looking to help players who are looking for additional launch and speed with the new TS1. Specifically designed for golfers with moderate clubhead speeds (think 90mph or less) the engineers at Titleist have pulled out all the stops to help these players gain speed, launch, and more specifically distance off the tee.
Speaking to pulling things out, the first thing Titleist designers did was go to the drawing board (that’s probably an antiquated term, let me try again ) went to the CAD files and began looking at ways to decrease the total weight of the club — from head to grip nothing was overlooked. With the average TS2 coming in at roughly 320g total club weight with a standard grip, the new TS1 tips the scales at an ultralight 275g, thanks to pushing the limits of design technology and components.
Titleist TS1 head
- The head of the TS1 is 8 grams less overall vs. TS2, and there is the ability to go even lighter by either custom ordering it or using the optional SureFIT weight kit later on. The weight is also positioned as far back as possible in the head to maximize forgiveness.
- Speaking to forgiveness – even with the lighter mass of the club head, there is NO loss in MOI performance thanks to that rear positioned weight along with maximizing the head shape.
- It’s slightly draw biased. Not by much, but compared to the other models in the TS line up this is a bit of a departure from the norm for Titleist. But the good news for those concerned, about using a draw biased driver – you still have the adjustable SureFit hosel to dial in ball flight. Something no other driver in the ultra light category offers.
Shafts
- There are two stock shaft offerings for the TS1 to help continue the goal of driving down the total weight. The first option being the Fubuki MV (stands for Maximum Velocity) and the Fujikura AIR Speeder.
- The Fubuki comes in at 45g and is available in stiff, regular, and A-Flex. A ladies flex is also available and comes in at an even lighter 39g.
- The Fujikura AIR Speeder is 40g and available in stiff, regular, and R2 (a nice way to say A flex). Ladies flex comes in at a shocking 39g (PLEASE DON’T LEAN ON YOUR DRIVER WHILE WAITING ON THE TEE!)
Grip
Although you can choose any grip available through Titleist Custom options, the stock grip is the Tour Velvet 360 Super Lightweight, which specs out at 32g for the men’s grip and a 26g in women’s. To put that into perspective, a men’s standard grip averages around 50g — Titleist really is cutting weight everywhere.
Now to the specs & availability…
Internal testing shows that the TS1 spins on average 200 RPM more than the TS2, which helps improve carry distance. Most people think that lower spin helps with gaining distance but thanks to modern low spinning multi-layer golf balls, many players in the moderate swing speed range actually struggle to keep enough spin on the ball. This is why when you see some mishits they appear to just “fall from the sky.”
Since the goal of the TS1 project was to maximize distance, the shaft length has been extended another .25″ from the new Titleist standard to 45.75.” After a lot of testing, it was determined that for many players the point of diminishing return on distance gains came at that length…but like anything else, this can be customized.
The TS1 will be available in three lofts: 9.5, 10.5, and 12.5 degrees. (And 10.5 degrees for lefties)
Fitting tools will start to hit shops on June 20, and stock will arrive at retail locations starting on June 27 (same timeline as TS4). Pricing is also in line with the rest of the TS drivers: $499.
This week, we have our Tour Photographer, Greg Moore, on the ground at the OccuNet Classic at Tascosa Golf Club in Amarillo, Texas, for the 14th event of the 2026 Korn Ferry Tour season. With that, we see some great things in the Lead Tape Report as we roll into Amarillo.
Joel Thelen
Monday Qualifier, Joel Thelen is in the field this week. He has played on the Korn Ferry Tour for a full season in 2023, and he is back in action this week. A couple of clubs caught my eye this week in his bag.
First off: His trusted Titleist 816 H2 hybrid. This club came out in October of 2015, and it still remains strong in the bag. Also, take a look at this Odyssey White Hot OG 7, putting a capital S in the 7S model. This custom neck has some impressive lean for an arm-lock-style putter. The bottom of the putter is covered in tape for optimal weighting.
Mitchell Meissner
Taking a look at Mitchell Meissner’s bag this week, we have some great lead tape coverage. Top to bottom working from fairway metals, irons, and wedges. We can see on the short irons and wedges that there is tape at the base of the grip, adding a little counterbalance. Along with that, some tape on the short irons and wedges as well. Moving to his putter, he rolls the Odyssey 7 Bird putter. Meissner putts left-handed and strikes the ball right-handed.
Bud Cauley had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament.
Driver: Titleist GTS2 (8 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: Titleist GTS3 (15 degrees, B1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei 1K Pro Red 70 TX
7-wood: Titleist GTS3 (21 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei 1K Pro Red 80 TX
Irons: Titleist U505 (3), Titleist 620 MB (4-9)
Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 8 X, True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-14F), WedgeWorks (60-K*)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putters: Scotty Cameron Tour Prototype, Scotty Cameron GOLO 6.3 Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Align
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
In our forums, one user has offered up a prompt for the true sickos, inviting fellow forum members to share every set of irons they’ve ever owned. As to be expected, this is a lengthy forum topic.
@Lamosteve began:
Can you name every set of irons you’ve owned? Here’s mine
Spalding Dots
Spalding Eclipse
Ram Lazer FX
Lynx Parallax
Mizuno EZ Comp
Ben Hogans
Cleveland CG Red
Taylor Made R9s
PING i20
PING iE1
Taylor Made M6
Our members in the forum have been offering up their own collections. 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.
- macedan: “Started with a hand-me-down Golden Bear set from my brother when I was in high school, never really played more than once a year or got into the game until about summer of 2017. First purchased a set of Cleveland CG4’s (I actually really miss this set sometimes, soft & not terribly large for a GI iron), moved into Nike Vapor Fly’s by the end of the year. Those lasted until spring of 18 when I decided I wanted new, so I traded them in for TM Rbladez. Honestly, although I liked the Rbladez, poor decision on my part, I think this was really about the only time so far that after a week or two I was kicking myself for not staying with what I had. Rbladez stayed with me until late last summer when I switched to P790’s and (knock on wood) I am hoping this will be my longest lasting set.”
- JimmyC59: “MacGregor Jack Nicklaus Triple Crown. Palmer The Standard. Still play these.”
- jgrzask: “Tommy Armour 845u
Mizuno MP-32
Mizuno MP-33 (2 sets)
Bridgestone J33cb – still own
Srixon i-302 (2 sets) – still own
Tourstage X-Blades – still own
Mizuno Hot Metal – still own
Nike Forged Blades – still own
Titleist 714 AP1 – still own
Cobra Forged SS – still own”
Justin Rose WITB 2026 (April): Full WITB breakdown with new McLaren irons
What’s the story behind Webb Simpson’s custom-stamped irons?
Memorial Tournament Tour Report: Rory McIlroy, Cameron Young switch up drivers, and more
Cadillac Championship Tour Report: Spieth’s sizable changes, McLaren Golf launches, and more
Russell Henley’s winning WITB: 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge
Kristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
J.T. Poston’s winning WITB: 2026 Memorial Tournament
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
Best irons 2026: Best irons overall, most forgiving irons, and more
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2026 Cadillac Championship
Bud Cauley WITB 2026 (June)
Bud Cauley had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament. Driver: Titleist GTS2 (8 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura...
Hannah Green WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Titleist GTS3 (10 degrees, D4 SureFit setting) Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana RB 53 S 3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees,...
Asterisk Talley WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 S 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (16.5 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue...
Brianna Do WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond (9 degrees) Shaft: KBS PGW 3-wood: Callaway Elyte Titanium (15 degrees) Shaft: KBS PGW 5-wood:...
-
Equipment6 days agoMemorial Tournament Tour Report: Rory McIlroy, Cameron Young switch up drivers, and more
-
News1 week agoRussell Henley’s winning WITB: 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge
-
Whats in the Bag3 days agoJ.T. Poston’s winning WITB: 2026 Memorial Tournament
-
Equipment3 days agoBest irons 2026: Best irons overall, most forgiving irons, and more
-
Equipment1 week agoDetails on Jason Day’s latest prototype Avoda iron setup
-
Equipment3 weeks agoCJ Cup Byron Nelson Tour Report: Koepka and Kim’s newest putters finally get hot
-
News2 weeks agoCharles Schwab Challenge Tour Report: MacIntyre, Åberg and Spaun all switch putters, TaylorMade launches new Spider
-
Equipment2 weeks agoDetails on J.J. Spaun’s surprise putter switch
s
Jun 8, 2019 at 11:20 am
Now we know the technology pretty much settled on placing weights on the center line. Back for more forgiveness/stability, front for lower spin / better feel, somewhere in the middle, or both. Then why would anyone want to get a $$$ non-adjustable driver?
Bill Wells
Jun 6, 2019 at 5:01 pm
Wish I knew about this before I bought TS2, of course that probably was the game plan.
jubilee_links
Jun 5, 2019 at 5:54 pm
TM superfast with a shorter shaft length
CrashTestDummy
Jun 5, 2019 at 8:19 am
I like that they are trending towards making drivers lighter because as iron shafts get lighter, drivers can feel very heavy in relation to your set which can really affect performance. The one issue is that the lightweight shafts are way too high in torque for many players. Perhaps the 8 grams out of the head is enough to still use a lower torque shaft and still make it feel quite light. Definitely would like to try one.
TheTruth
Jun 4, 2019 at 5:47 pm
XXIO is already dominating this category.
JThunder
Jun 4, 2019 at 11:19 pm
So the suggestion is that if one manufacturer is “dominating” a certain “category”, then no one else should try?
I guess that’s where Wal-Mart / Amazon Capitalism gets us – people demanding fewer choices and only the #1 seller counts for anything.
Well done, world.
JThunder
Jun 4, 2019 at 11:23 pm
Also, the XXIO is $150 more, has a glued hosel – so no shaft swapping, no adjustability. And the stiff shaft plays to an “R” and there is no XS option.
HackerDad31
Jun 4, 2019 at 3:48 pm
Remember when everyone used to lose their minds when TM or Callaway released more than 2 drivers in a year? Me too.
Eck42
Jun 4, 2019 at 12:48 pm
I think this might be exactly what I’m wishing for. I admit I am not a 300yd hitter and some extra yards would really help. I am looking forward to trying the TS1.
B
Jun 4, 2019 at 2:07 pm
What’s wrong with the Epic Star? You can pick up a nice used on for less than this price, and it’s a better driver
Thomas A
Jun 4, 2019 at 12:34 pm
How very Wilson D300 of them.
B
Jun 4, 2019 at 2:06 pm
Exactly.
Randy
Jun 5, 2019 at 4:18 pm
Right on. I’m still enjoying my D200, and it IS adjustable.
jonsnow
Jun 4, 2019 at 10:12 am
Very interested to see how this driver fares. My swingspeed is in the mid 90s now & all the emphasis from manufacturers seems to be on the higher swingspeed player. Nice to see somebody trying to put out a driver for the slower swingspeed guys.
B
Jun 4, 2019 at 2:06 pm
Epic Star? Honma Beres?
Robin
Jun 4, 2019 at 3:18 pm
The Epic Star is still $700 new and good luck finding a place to demo a Honma in the U.S.