I think the Titleist TSR2 Driver is the best driver currently on the market for beginners and high handicappers. I tested this club (along with all it’s main competition) to reach this conclusion. However, it might not be suited to your game, so in this Titleist TSR2 driver review, we will discuss it’s pros and cons.
WHAT'S IN THIS ARTICLE?
Key Takeaways
Titleist TSR2 Driver offers advanced features, performance and forgiveness for a reasonable price point as far as top level drivers go.
TSR2 performed best in testing, providing longest distance and highest accuracy
The best option on the market for beginners unless you are a slicer.
The Average Golfer’s Opinion from Testing
“To review this club fairly, I hit in a Trackman golf simulator under the same conditions as the PING G430 Max, Cobra Aerojet MAX, Callaway Paradym X and TaylorMade Stealth 2.0. I also took it on to my local course for a spin.
I’m a regular 18 handicap, in the market for a new driver. The outcome of this test dictated what went into my bag.
In the simulator, the TSR2 had very little dispersion compared to the other clubs. In plain English, if you put a circle around where all my drives landed: it had the smallest circle. Checkout the light green (and ignore the 6 iron).
Obviously, the circle is smaller than the other drivers. You’ll notice something else as well.
The TSR2 also had the longest average distance. Here is the data in a table format.
Getting this kind of accuracy usually means sacrificing distance. Not in this case. The TSR2 was the most accurate (and therefore forgiving). This is what I was looking for. However, the fact it also had the longest average distance made it kind of an easy decision.
The data shows that the TSR2 was the winner on the main metrics, here’s why.
Distance: As the table shows, my average carry and total distance was higher than the next best driver by about 15 yards (this is a lot!)
Accuracy (dispersion): If you look at the first graphic, the ring that goes around my TSR2 shots (light green) is the smallest of the drivers. This means the TSR2 was most consistent.
Smash factor: The closest to the 1.5 gold standard we aspire to (1.5 smash factor represents a perfect transfer of energy from club face to ball).
– Sam Ledgerwood, Average Golfer
Titleist TSR2 Driver: Pros and Cons
Pros
Most accurate and longest driver we tested
Ball feels light off of club face
Beautiful, simple looks from one of the most prestigious manufacturers on tour
Cons
Perhaps not the choice for low single-digit handicappers
Is the Titleist TSR2 Driver Worth it, and is it Right for me?
Does the TSR2 driver justify its price tag? In my view, yes, absolutely.
With everything else I tested, there were at least one or two shots that ended up in places I was not happy with. I would take every drive I hit with the TSR2. It’s quite an unusual thing in product round ups to not have any kind of trade-offs.
If you are beginner or higher handicap golfer, I would highly recommend this driver. While I believe this will be the best option for most beginners, there might be some situations where an alternative is better.
Slicers: Callaway Paradym X
Aesthetic lovers: TaylorMade Stealth 2.0
What Does the Market Think?
The TSR2 driver replaces the TSi2, and its main objective is to help golfers achieve longer and more accurate shots, irrespective of their skill level. I think it clearly does that.
The TSR2 incorporates a multi-plateau variable face thickness design and refined aerodynamics, enhancing its performance over its predecessor. This makes it one of the most advanced golf clubs in the Titleist lineup.
What’s the verdict from critics and customers? The TSR2 enjoys a 5/5 customer rating on Rock Bottom Golf, winning praise not only for its performance. The TSR2’s forgiveness, aesthetically pleasing appearance, and subdued impact sound have also been a hit.
As a beginner it would be easy to get intimidated by the Titleist brand. The most number of professionals on tour use Titleist drivers, they are a brand steeped in rich history, and the price points normally reflect this. However, the TSR2 has been set up with beginners in mind. They want your business, so don’t think you are too new to the game to wield a prestigious brand.
Unboxing and Setting Up the TSR2
At first glance, the club’s sleek design and the stock Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 grip immediately catch the eye. The TSR2, however, offers more than just good looks, it provides choice as well. The driver offers a range of loft options including:
8.0°
9.0°
10.0°
11.0°
With the help of a trackman launch monitor, these options cater to golfers’ individual launch angle and swing speed preferences, making it one of the most versatile TSR drivers in the Titleist lineup.
The TSR2 driver offers the following features:
SureFit hosel system with 16 distinct combinations of loft and lie adjustments
Extensive SureFit adjustability features for customization
Effortless shaft changes with the SureFit hosel
These features provide golfers with the ability to align the club settings with their swing style and preferences, as well as find the perfect shaft to enhance their game on the golf course by optimizing their strike location.
To see which loft you are best suited to, check out our article below.
More Information: The Best Driver Loft for Beginners
Aesthetics and Build Quality
In the realm of golf clubs, the TSR2 driver stands as a work of art. Its features include:
Refined, elegant players’ shape design with a softer, more rounded, more symmetrical pear shape and a new toe shape
Impression of a slightly open topline
Subtle branding with a polished black crown to deliver a timeless, assurance-inspiring appearance.
The driver stands out from its competitors thanks to its refined shape, rounded design, and subtle logoing towards the heel and toe of the glossy black crown. These aesthetic features contribute to its distinct appeal, often considered classic and confidence-inspiring by most players.
The head cover also feels very high end.
The TSR2 driver is not just a pretty face. It’s built to perform, utilizing aerospace-grade titanium in its construction. This not only improves the driver’s performance but also enhances its sophisticated, high-quality design and elegant aesthetic.
My Experience of the Functionality
My big impressions from using the TSR2 are:
It produces a high-pitched classic metal wood sound upon impact
It offers a light and explosive feel off the face
It has one of the quietest impact sounds among current drivers, a loud impact that you get on drivers such as the PING G430 MAX, can be off putting for some golfers.
The TSR2, however, isn’t merely about the feel and sound, precision is equally significant. The driver provides ample feedback to accurately determine the contact point on the face, ensuring that you know exactly where your shot lands.
The cherry on top of the driver’s user experience is the SureFit adjustability. It offers the advantage of a tailored fit that enhances performance for individual golfers, enabling personalized club settings to fine tune your game. It’s like having a custom-made driver, fit just for you.
Forgiveness and Consistency
Operating the TSR2 forgiving driver feels like having a safety net for your golf game.
This is demonstrated by the dispersion results in the testing section of this article.
The exceptional forgiveness of the driver is attributed to the Multi Plateau Variable Face technology. This technology ensures better forgiveness, even on off-centre strikes, leading to impressive forgiveness and ball speed regardless of the hit location.
The multi-plateau variable face thickness design is an innovative face construction that layers the face inward, resulting in a consistent CT across the entire hitting surface. This enhances the driver’s moment of inertia (MOI) and contributes to its remarkable forgiveness.
CT, or ‘characteristic time’, quantifies the energy transfer from the club face to the ball upon impact. The TSR2 driver’s hitting surface maintains a nearly constant CT throughout its face, ensuring optimal energy transfer and reliable performance, even during off-center hits.
It’s not a stretch to say this is the most forgiving driver I have ever hit.
Distance and Impact Sound
Among golf drivers, the TSR2 stands as a long-distance runner. Its features include:
Improved aerodynamics
Variable Face Thickness design
Increased ball speeds
Improved carry distance, ball speed, and clubhead speed
Reduced spin by approximately 700-1000 RPM
When utilizing the Titleist TSR2 driver, players can anticipate a typical increase of 10-20 yards in their driving distance. As you can see from my results, I was getting 15 yards more than the next best driver.
Frequently Asked Questions: Titleist TSR2 Driver
Is Titleist TSR2 good for high handicappers?
The TSR2 driver is highly forgiving with a big sweet spot on the face, making it a great option for players of all handicaps. With its superior distance, feel, and look, Titleist’s Multi-Plateau Variable Face Thickness design ensures mishits are not overly penalizing from a ball flight and distance perspective. Overall, the TSR2 is a great choice for high handicappers.
Do any pros play TSR2?
Yes, several professional PGA Tour players are using the Titleist TSR2 Driver, including Jordan Spieth, Ludwig Aberg, and Lee Hodges.
What is the main objective of the Titleist TSR2 driver?
The Titleist TSR2 driver is designed to help golfers reach their maximum distance and accuracy, no matter their level of skill.
What improvements have been made to the aerodynamics of the TSR2 driver?
Improvements to the aerodynamics of the TSR2 driver have been made, such as a redesigned toe for increased aerodynamics, a flatter ‘boat tail’ shaping at the back of the head, and a less angular toe appearance.
What level of forgiveness does the Titleist TSR2 driver offer?
The Titleist TSR2 driver offers exceptional forgiveness thanks to its Multi Plateau Variable Face technology.
Summary
In conclusion, the Titleist TSR2 driver offers a unique blend of aesthetics, performance, and forgiveness. Its sleek design, quiet impact sound, and forgiving features make it an appealing choice for golfers of all skill levels. However, its high price point and mixed feedback suggest that it may not be the perfect fit for everyone. Golfers should weigh these factors and consider other options before making a decision.
Sam has been playing golf for over 20 years.
Over the years, he has worked his way through just about every type of equipment on the market. Fortunate to have a close friend that plays professionally, Sam not only tests the latest offerings by the top brands, but gets the inside track on the club tech PGA pros use on tour
Sam understands the needs and intent of equipment brands, professionals and every day golfers. He strives to fill in the gaps.