Titleist TSR1 Driver – Lightweight and Aerodynamic

Titleist has announced the addition of the TSR1 driver to the TSR driver family. The TSR1 features aerodynamic shaping and a light overall build weight. The objective is to create distance though faster clubhead speed. Retail price is $599. Pre-sale begins Feb. 2. In stores Feb. 23.

The launch of the Titleist TSR1 driver shouldn’t come as a surprise. When TSRs 2, 3 and 4 were released, Titleist was up front about the fact that its lightweight model—the TSR1—was coming in early 2023. It’s a small thing but it’s kind nice that the company gave its “1” players the head’s-up that a replacement was in the works.

Your patience has been rewarded.

About the Titleist TSR 1 Driver

The TSR1 leverages weight (or lack thereof) to deliver more clubhead speed to what Titleist graciously calls the “moderate swing speed player.” More specifically, the primary audience for the TSR1 is golfers who swing below 90 mph.

There are two things to point out here. First, the sub 90-mph crowd represents roughly one-third of all golfers so, while light weight isn’t for everyone, the TSR1 driver isn’t exactly a niche product either.

Second, while moderate swing speed golfers represent the primary demographic, it’s worth noting that Nelly Korda, who has since signed with TaylorMade, was playing the TSR1 for several months. It can also work for golfers who need help generating spin. That’s the case with MyGolfSpy’s Phillip Bishop, who nearly ended up in a TSR1 during a recent fitting.

With the introduction out of the way, let’s look at the finer points of the Titleist TSR1 driver.

Titleist TSR1 Driver – Aerodynamic shaping

Throughout the TSR driver lineup, Titleist has emphasized improved aerodynamics. The idea is to reduce drag during the swing and allow the club to move faster.

It’s a straightforward concept but, as we’ve discussed before, aerodynamic improvements provide more miles per hour to faster swingers as compared to moderate swing speed players. That all comes down to the physics of motion and I heard somewhere once, you can’t argue with physics.

There is a legitimate argument to be made that aero benefits for moderate swing speed players aren’t really of much benefit. That said, there’s no harm in better aero and, again, I want to reiterate that there are some faster swing speed players who will fit into a TSR1 and they absolutely will benefit from the improved aerodynamics.

As a result of the refined shape, the TSR1’s center of gravity has shifted a bit higher. In this case, that’s not necessarily a bad thing as the target player will likely benefit from a bit more spin. Besides, combined with other design tweaks, the trajectory and spin characteristics will be more or less identical to the TSi1.

Multi-Plateau VFT

Like the TSR2, the Titleist TSR1 driver features the company’s Multi-Plateau VFT face. As you may recall from our first TSR story, Multi-Plateau VFT is a face design/topology that seeks to generate consistent speed across the face. The design leverages a perimeter with thick and thin areas (plateaus) spread across the face. The objective is to maximize speed at face center while providing consistent (presumably, consistently high) CT across a healthy percentage of the face.

Instead of a face with a few hot spots, Multi-plateau VFT creates a really big warm area.

Lightweight build

Given that lightweight design is the goal, it makes sense that the TSR1 features a light total build weight.

The quick overview is that it’s lighter and longer (length) than the other TSR offerings. That should translate to higher swing speeds for most golfers. And, given that a driver you swing faster will typically produce higher ball speeds, it should mean more distance as well.

Looking a bit closer at the details, the TSR1 driver shaft is a quarter-inch longer than the TSR2. As far as weight, it’s about 40 grams lighter overall. The reduction comes by way of a stock head weight that’s eight grams lighter than the TSR2, along with a lighter stock shaft and grip.

The stock weight is nine grams but the head can be built up to six grams heavier or lighter in two-gram increments.

Titleist TSR1 Driver – Forgiveness

As far as forgiveness, we should (again) clarify that lightweight and/or draw-biased (TSR1 qualifies as both) drivers are typically not the most forgiving driver. A bit of MOI gets lost to the lighter weight and the heel-biased center of gravity.

For Titleist, the distinction of most forgiving, or at least highest MOI, belongs to TSR2. TSR1 sits between the TSR2 and TSR3. It’s not unforgiving but it’s certainly not a MAX MOI driver.

That’s fine as the typical TSR1 golfer is one who can get away with a bit less forgiveness.

Stock Shafts

It seems obvious enough but if a driver is going to be lightweight, nearly every component of the driver needs to be light weight. So, in addition to the lighter-weight TSR1 head, Titleist has outfitted the TSR1 driver with ultra-lightweight Mitsubishi MMT SpeedMesh shafts. The 40-gram version is available in R2, R and S flex while the 35-gram version is available in R3 (really soft regular).

The stock grip is a 43-gram Tour Velvet Lite 360.

Titleist TSR1 Driver – Pricing and Availability

Retail price for the Titleist TSR1 driver is $599.99. Pre-sale starts Feb. 2 with in-store availability beginning Feb. 23.

For more information, visit Titleist.com.

 

 

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