SPY PICS! – Titleist 915 Driver

That’s right. As expected, the new Titleist 915 Drivers will have a slot…or at least an Active Recoil Channel. Perhaps there’s a subtle distinction between the two that Titleist will explain at a later date.

While we still think the John Deere is the best bet for when Titleist will start officially spreading pics of their 915 drivers, the new models made their appearance on the range at the Quicken Loans National, and the two models (D2 & D3) were added to the USGA’s Conforming Clubs list on Monday.

This is definitely happening.

What To Expect

Thanks to Titleist’s unwavering consistency, we can make a few educated inferences about the new models.

The D2 is likely to be 460cc. It’s not a huge leap to assume it will feature a low and rear CG placement, and will almost certainly offer well above-average MOI because of it. Hardcore Titleist players might find it hard to believe, but Titleist already offers some of the most forgiving drivers in golf. I don’t expect that will change with the 915 series.

The D3 should follow in the mold of previous Titleist drivers, and that means a smaller (445cc is the best guess) head. Generally it’s a design decision that offers comparatively lower launch and lower spin, and Titleist will almost certainly promote it as offering more workability as well (good luck proving that on a Trackman).

While it may not fit with the perceptions of who Titleist makes clubs for, my expectation is that the D3 model will also be among the most forgiving of the Pro/Tour model crowd.

While others (you know who they are) talk about low/forward CG placement, my guess is Titleist will continue to use vague terms like Performance and Quality, while perhaps making mention of  CG placement relative to the neutral axis. Closer is generally better, and this is one area in which Titleist has generally been ahead of the design curve. 

Basically, Titleist is going to be Titleist, and that’s probably just fine.

What About the Slot

As suggested by the Patents and Trademarks we posted last week the new drivers will features Titleist’s new Active Recoil Channel (ARC). We can go ahead a queue the outrage right now.

Titleist stole the idea from TaylorMade/Adams/Nike/My Cousin Billy.

Until somebody files (and wins) a patent infringement suit, it’s not worth talking about.

Next.

Performance Implications of ARC

What we found during our 2013 Most Wanted Driver Test was that the average ball speeds produced by the 913 series were slightly slower than that of the other leading drivers on the market. My best guess is that ARC is specifically designed to improve on that, and, if that proves to be the case, combined with the unexpectedly high MOI, Titleist could have something that could move the needle for an exceptionally broad audience.

I’m at least intrigued.

Loft Down

Worth a mention, while TaylorMade is pushing low/forward CG and the loft up message, Titleist apparently won’t be following along. As was the case last time around, the D3 will be available in lofts as low as 7.5° while the D2 tops out at 12°. Don’t expect Titleist to release a 16° driver any time soon.

Of course, this…all of this (other than the loft thing) is all just the MyGolfSpy guy speculating. Nobody will know for sure until Titleist decides it’s time to talk. My guess is that full details won’t emerge until September, with an expected (by me anyway) retail date of early-mid November.

Retail price is $449, but that’s also just a guess.