If you’ve watched more than 20 minutes of a PGA Tour event in the last 2 years, chances are you’ve seen the likes of Justin Thomas hitting a bomb with one of the popular Titleist TSi drivers out on the market. And for good reason; Titleist has been one of the hallmark driver producers for decades, and their TSi2 and TSi3 drivers are some of the latest drivers they’ve released.
I had a chance to get my hands on these drivers, and wanted to deliver a thorough TSi2 vs TSi3 driver review so you can understand the differences and which may work well for you. Besides assessing the ball and clubhead speed potential, I will focus on their launch and spin qualities. That helps you determine which club produces the trajectory and shot shape needed to increase your distance off the tee.
Read our full comparison below!
The TSi2 vs TSi3 At a Glance
As an average golfer, the TSi2 stands to add more value to your game than the TSi3. Although both drivers feature the same game improvement technology, their difference lies in their launch capabilities. The TSi2 produces a higher launch than the TSi3 and is easier for the average golfer to consistently get their ball in the air, and ultimately carry the ball further.
Which Driver Is Best For Who?
As a high launching, low spinning driver, the Titleist TSi2 helps higher handicappers get the ball in the air and optimize carry distance. That mainly benefits slower swinging golfers who struggle to generate sufficient clubhead and ball speed and struggle to generate any significant carry.
Conversely, the mid-level launch produced by the TSi3 better suits faster swinging golfers, looking for moderate ball flight. Typically you’ll find lower handicappers gaming the TSi3.
Now that you have an idea of which driver best suits what type of golfer, let’s dive into their features and benefits.
Titleist TSi2 vs TSi3 Comparison
Launch
The key difference between the Titleist TSi2 vs TSi3 comes down to the degree of launch that it produces. The TSi2 promotes a high launching shot, making it easier for golfers with slow swing speeds to get the ball in the air.
Contrarily, the TSi3 produces a mid-launch, suitable for golfers who swing the club over about 100 mph. This trajectory helps you achieve a consistent flight and reduces the risk of ballooning your tee shots at higher swing speeds.
Overall, a high launching driver is a better option for most average golfers who struggle with consistency in that department, while the lower launching TSi3 helps optimize overall distance for low handicappers.
Spin
The TSi2 and TSi3 both produce low spin, which is a critical trait in a driver. Trackman explains that spin impacts the height and distance of your shot. If you generate excess spin, your ball may fly excessively high and hold up in the wind Too high of a shot, and you can miss on a ton of valuable distance. A lower spin rate will generally promote more roll once your ball hits the ground, rather than a drop and stop flight.
Thankfully, the low spinning nature of the TSi2 and TSi3 helps you avoid this challenge by restricting spin off the clubface. As a result, your ball gathers more forward momentum and can roll optimally upon landing. Leading to increased total distance.
Both the TSi2 and TSi3 promote low spin, but of course the TSi3 promotes just a touch less spin due to the launch conditions it creates.
Moment of Inertia (MOI)
MOI refers to a clubhead’s resistance to twisting during your swing. The higher the MOI is, the more stability and forgiveness you enjoy. Increased MOI reduces side spin and maintains ball speed to produce straighter and longer drives.
Titleist employed Multi-Dimensional Stability into the heads of the TSi2 and TSi3 to increase their forgiveness. Therefore, they produce consistent accuracy and distance, even on off-center strikes.
Once again, both these drivers produce the same level of MOI, so there’s not much different to note here between these two drivers.
Ball Speed
The engineers at Titleist did not make life easy for themselves with either of these drivers. They roped in ATI 425 Aerospace Titanium to construct the face, becoming the only company in golf to work with this material in a golf club.
Its thin, durable face helps optimize your ball speed, even if you catch it in the heel or toe. As a result, it delivers accelerated ball speed across a wide area of the face and encourages consistent distance.
Since the TSi2 and TSi3 both contain an Aerospace Titanium face, they both do a phenomenal job producing maximum ball speed.
Aerodynamics
Titleist employed the same aerodynamic design in the TSi2 and TSi3 drivers to enhance clubhead speed on the downswing.
This setup increases your chances of amplifying your coefficient of restitution (COR) at impact. That means you produce rapid ball speed and encourage a high, powerful launching drive.
Given that these two drivers have the same aerodynamic profile and shape, you’re not missing our on anything choosing one or another!
Adjustability
Although both drivers contain adjustable hosels, their functions differ. For example, the TSi2 enables you to increase or decrease loft and set up for a draw, fade, or neutral shot shape.
Comparatively, the TSi3 features a moveable weight on the head of the driver, enabling you to reconcentrate the center of gravity (CG) to the heel or toe. That helps you combat heel and toe mishits without changing the mechanics of your swing.
Added to its moveable CG weight, the driver includes an adjustable hosel to strengthen or weaken the loft. Plus, you can adjust the position of the head to produce a fade or draw bias flight.
Overall, the ability to reposition the CG is beneficial to those who consistently strike their shots off-center. If you want maximum adjustability, the TSi3 does offer more adjustability, while the TSi2 is slightly less mailable.
Shaft Options
Titleist offers the same stock and premium golf shafts on the TSi2 and TSi3 drivers.
Golfers seeking a mid to high launch may prefer the Kuro Kage Black DC 5G SFW. Those with a steep budget can upgrade to a Model 5 Tour AD DI shaft. These shafts typically suit slower swinging golfers who need a little more help keeping the ball in the air.
However, those after a mid-level launch are better off with a Tensei AV Blue RAW SFW. Alternatively, you might consider upgrading to a Tour AD IZ shaft. A mid-launch golf shaft is ideal for players with moderate swing speeds.
Should mid to high launching drivers cause you to generate excess spin and balloon your shots, think about a mid to low launching option, such as the HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX. The Tour AD XC is also an option if you are happy to upgrade.
However, if a mid to low launch is still too high for you, then the Tensei AV White Raw is the way to go. This low launching shaft reduces spin and promotes forward momentum for optimal roll upon landing.
There is no shortage of options in terms of shaft customization for these drivers. Rather, it’s important to have an idea in mind of what sort of launch you’d like to produce, and keep this in mind when you’re buying your new Titleist driver.
Loft Options
The TSi2 is available in 9, 10, and 11-degrees of loft. This range of loft options will suit the vast majority of golfers; those with higher swing speeds will gravitate to the 9 degree, and if you have a slower swing you’ll likely go for a 10 or 11 degree. The 11-degree option is easy to launch and can be played by a high handicapper. Plus, the adjustable hosel lets you weaken the loft by an additional 0.75-degrees.
Conversely, the TSi3 offers 8, 9, and 10-degree loft options. These are clearly inherently lower loft options, which reflect the style of player this driver is made for. You should be able to deliver considerable clubhead speed to game an 8 degree, and be on the higher end of the spectrum for 9 degrees. Like the TSi2, you can strengthen the loft by 0.75-degrees and increase it by 1.5-degrees.
Overall, the TSi2 caters better to the average golfer than the TSi3. The lofts presented for the TSi3 are clearly made for those who swing the club much faster.
TSi2 vs TSi3: The Winner
Which is the best overall?
The TSi2 is the better driver overall for your typical player. It is easier for the average golfer to launch and produces consistent accuracy and distance. If you’re a mid to high handicapper, the TSi2 should provide the right conditions to maximize distance on your drives.
Which is best for High Handicappers?
Overall, the weaker loft and higher launch of the TSi2 makes it a superior club for higher handicappers. Plus, it is forgiving and promotes optimal ball speed across the face for consistent distance. The TSi2 is definitively a much better option than the TSi3 for a high handicap player.
Which is best for Low Handicappers?
The TSi3 is best suited to low handicappers. Its low launch and adjustable CG enable you to produce your desired shot shape off the tee. Ultimately, you enjoy the optimal shot shape and forward momentum for maximum roll.
Titleist TSi2 vs TSi3 Driver: FAQs
What Is The Difference Between The TSi2 and TSi3?
The difference between the two drivers is the height of the launch and adjustability. Titleist constructed the TSi2 to deliver a higher launch, making it easier for the average golfer to get their ball in the air.
Conversely, the TSi3 produces a mid to low launch, which encourages forward momentum for optimal roll when it lands. That means that you increase your total distance. In addition, the TSi 3 includes an adjustable CG head weight to combat against heel or toe mishit, thus producing a straighter shot.
Is The TSi3 Driver Forgiving?
Yes, the TSi3 driver is forgiving, thanks to its Multi-Dimensional stability. This structure adds supreme stability to the clubhead at impact to maintain ball speed, even on off-center strikes. Plus, it helps restrict side spin that can cause you to hook or slice your drive.
Is Titleist TSi2 A Good Driver?
Yes, the Titleist TSi2 is an excellent driver and caters to a wide range of golfers. The higher lofted clubhead options, coupled with a natural high launch, make it easier to get your ball in the air.
In addition, its forgiveness, ball speed, and aerodynamic head shape help you achieve optimal distance without sacrificing accuracy. Therefore, the Titleist TSi2 driver is a serious contender for the average golfer or weekend warrior.
Is The Titleist TSi2 Forgiving?
The TSi2 is a forgiving driver, and offers a bit more forgiveness than the TSi3. This is because of its expanded sweet spot and stable clubhead at impact. It generates explosive ball speed across the clubface, even on heel and toe mishits. Plus, it minimizes sidespin to deliver straighter drives.
What Pros Use Titleist TSi3 Driver?
There is an ocean of Professionals on the LPGA and PGA Tours who use the TSi3. On the LPGA Tour, Danielle Kang leads the charge. Followed by So Yeon Ryu. Although several LPGA stars use Titleist’s golf balls, only a few play with their clubs.
On the PGA Tour, the landscape is different, with multiple big names carrying the TSi3 driver in their bags. Among those names, the most prominent are Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth. Then you have Will Zalatoris, Cam Smith, Max Homa, Ian Poulter and Bernd Wiesberger.
Who Plays Titleist TSi2 Driver?
There are no LPGA golfers who carry the TSi2 driver. However, it is found in numerous bags on the PGA Tour.
There are approximately two dozen players who swing with the TSi2 driver. Among them are Sung-Jae Im and Cheng Tsung Pan.
In addition, Thomas Pieters, Brian Harman, Lanto Griffin, and Hank Lebioda all play with the Titleist TSi2.
What To Consider When Purchasing A Driver
Budget
If you are in the market for a driver, you need to create a budget to save yourself time. Golf drivers range from under $100 for entry-level or used constructions, and can exceed $600 for ultra premium options (this includes upgraded shafts, the whole 9 yards of course).
Loft
Your swing speed provides a guideline for the ideal loft for your game. If you swing below 83 mph, you are considered a slow swinger and might test a weaker lofted driver. For example, an 11 or 12.5-degree design.
A higher lofted driver is typically easier to launch, ensuring you consistently get your ball in the air for optimal distance.
Conversely, those with faster swing speeds may prefer the lower launch of a stronger lofted driver. In the case of the Titleist TSi2 and TSi3, that bottoms out at 8-degrees.
Shaft
Like with loft, your swing speed determines which shaft suits your swing. For example, super-fast swingers may generate excess whip and spin with a regular or senior flex shaft. That means they are likely to sky their shots and lose distance.
Conversely, an extra stiff shaft may be a challenge for slower swingers to maximize their clubhead speed. Therefore the COR is reduced at impact, and you produce a low launch, with minimal carry and total distance.
Final Thoughts
When you compare the Titleist TSi2 VS TSi3, these drivers are definitely distinctly different and cater to 2 different style golfers.
The TSi2 is a high launching, low spinning driver that enables the average golfer to consistently get airborne off the tee. Conversely, the TSi3 delivers a low launching drive to promote superior control and optimal roll once the ball lands.
The TSi2 takes the crown in this battle and is the superior driver option for the average golfer.
Those looking for forgiveness, distance, and accuracy should take a closer look at the TSi2. Conversely, our faster swinging compatriots, are better off with the TSi3,
