The Titleist TSi2 and the Titleist TSi3 are two of the longest drivers available right now. Among amateur golfers, the TSi2 is extremely popular due to the combination of ball speed and forgiveness that it offers.
The TSi3 is often preferred by elite players and professionals. It sits alongside the Taylormade Sim 2 as one of the most played drivers on the PGA Tour and the European Tour.
In this comparison post, we review the specs and differences between the Titleist TSi2 vs TSi3. We also note all the similarities between these two drivers, so you can get a more complete picture of what each driver offers. Now let’s get stuck in.
One thing should be clear from the get-go. The Titleist TSi drivers sound and feel significantly better than the original Titleist TS drivers.
Specs Comparison - TSi2 vs TSi3
| DRIVER MODEL | TSi2 | TSi3 |
|---|---|---|
| HEAD SIZE | 460cc | 460cc |
| LOFT OPTIONS | 8°, 9°, 10°, 11° | 8°, 9°, 10°, 11° |
| LAUNCH | High | Mid |
| SPIN | Low | Low |
| CG ADJUSTABILITY | No | Yes |
| LIE ANGLE | 58.5° | 58.5° |
| LENGTH (MEN'S) | 45.5" | 45.5" |
| LENGTH (WOMEN'S) | 44.5" | 44.5" |
| FORGIVENESS | Very High | High |
| DISTANCE | Long | Very Long |
| HANDICAP RANGE | 3 - 15 | 0 - 10 |
The main differences between the Titleist TSi2 and TSi3 Drivers
1. CG (Center of Gravity) Adjustability
This is arguably the biggest difference between the TSi2 golf driver and the TSi3. While both drivers are built with Titleist’s SureFit hosel technology (this means you can adjust the loft and the lie angle settings), you can’t move the weight piece built into the back of the TSi2.
Conversely, the weight in the back of the TSi3 golf club can be moved. This is important because it means you can customize the shot shaping-ability of the TSi3 driver. Think of it like this:
- Moving the weight toward the heel encourages a draw
- Moving the weight toward the toe encourages a fade
- Keeping the weight in the middle encourages a neutral ball flight
Given this added level of adjustability and the lower spin characteristics of the TSi3 golf driver, it’s easy to see why lower handicappers would be drawn to it. This is partially why more tour pros play the TSi3 than the TSi2.
2. Launch Conditions & Shot Trajectory
Aside from CG adjustability, the primary difference between the Titleist TSi2 and the TSi3 is launch conditions. The TSi2 is a high launch, mid-spin driver, which should be easy to hit high, long, and straight.
The TSi3 offers a combination of mid launch and low spin, which is generally better suited to low handicap players with very fast swing speeds (ie 105+ mph clubhead speed). This makes the TSi3 a bit less forgiving than the TSi2, but it also means that you can get more out of the driver with a well-executed shot.
To summarize this point, it boils down to a matter of trajectory. The TSi2 will give you a higher launch and trajectory, whereas the TSi3 will give you a more penetrating trajectory with low spin.
For a golfer with a moderate swing speed (less than 105 mph), the TSi2 should provide the best carry numbers. However, for players with a high swing speed (105 mph or more), the TSi3 should carry further and roll further than the TSi2.
3. Forgiveness
Most players should find that the TSi2 is a bit more forgiving than the TSi3. This is mainly because of the distribution of weight in the clubhead. With the TSi2, more weight is distributed into the back of the clubhead, which effectively increases the MOI (moment of inertia). This is one of the main reasons the TSi2 launches higher than the TSi3, and it plays a big role in making the TSi2 more forgiving.
You can think of it like this. The higher the MOI, the bigger the sweet spot of the driver. The TSi2 offers a higher MOI than the TSi2, which translates to a bigger sweet spot.
This is not to say that the TSi3 is an unforgiving driver. It should perform admirably if you execute a good swing. However, it’s the bad swings and mishits where the TSi3 is likely to be more punishing than the TSi2.
4. Handicap Range
The last key difference between each Titleist TSi driver is the handicap range that they are designed for. Again, it is useful to look at the full line-up of Titleist Drivers in order to complete this picture.
- Titleist TSi1 – High Handicappers (15 – 30)
- Titleist TSi2 – Mid Handicappers (3 – 15)
- Titleist TSi3 – Low Handicappers (0 – 10)
- Titleist TSi4 – Very Low Handicappers (+5 to 5)
Key Similarities - Technology in Both Drivers
Super Fast Face
Both the TSi2 and the TSi3 are built with ATI 425 Aerospace Titanium. This unique alloy, made by a single foundry in Pittsburgh, is the key to creating a driver face that delivers increased ball speed at every point of contact.
Improved Aerodynamics
Improved aerodynamics lead to added speed that you can turn loose on the course with confidence. TSi is tuned to feel fast in your hands and look square at address, with a shape as satisfying as the sound
Extremely Stable Face
Players often equate “high MOI” with heel-to-toe forgiveness, but Titleist employs a more holistic approach to MOI design. The MOI features of the TSI range delivers more speed and a tighter spin range up and down the face, freeing you to attack every drive.
Titleist SureFit Hosel
The SureFit® Hosel features a sleeve and ring, each with four settings. The sleeve settings are numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, and the ring settings are lettered A, B, C, D. There are 16 unique loft and lie angle combinations.
As you can see from the SureFit settings chart (above), the Titleist TSi2 and the Titleist TSi3 offer 16 different loft and lie settings.
As noted earlier, the key difference in terms of adjustability is that the TSi3 also offers CG (center of gravity) adjustability, whereas the TSi2 does not.
Video Comparison - TSi2 vs TSi3 - Rick Shiels
Final Thoughts
In the end, it’s pretty clear that these TSi metalwoods cater to slightly different golfers.
The TSi2 is long, forgiving and easy to hit high in the air. It caters to a much larger handicap range (3-15). It’s definitely worth a look if you’re looking for some extra length off the tee, need a bigger margin of error, and you have a moderate-to-high swing speed.
The TSi3 is ridiculously long, provided you have the swing speed necessary to get the maximum benefit from this club. It offers a lower, more penetrating ball flight than the TSi2, and it also offers additional customization possibilities with the CG track built into the back of the club.
Ultimately, the TSi3 could be a very good choice if you have a high swing speed and you want to juice every possible yard of distance from your Titleist driver. When struck well, the TSi3 should produce a faster ball speed than the TSi2. The reduced backspin numbers and the ability to alter the CG placement explain why it is the more common Titleist TSi driver on the PGA Tour, being gamed by the likes of Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth and Patrick Cantlay.
