The Titleist TS2 driver is a popular choice among golfers for its combination of forgiveness and distance. To maximize its performance and tailor it to your swing, it’s crucial to set up the driver correctly. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps to ensure you’re getting the most out of your Titleist TS2 driver.
Step 1: Choose the Right Loft
The TS2 driver offers a range of loft options, typically ranging from 8.5 degrees to 12.5 degrees. Selecting the correct loft is essential for optimizing launch angle and spin rate. Here’s a general guideline:
- Low Handicap Players: If you have a fast swing speed and tend to strike the ball consistently, a lower loft (8.5-9.5 degrees) may suit your game, providing a lower launch and lower spin for more distance.
- Mid to High Handicap Players: Players with moderate to slower swing speeds or those who struggle with slicing may benefit from higher lofts (10.5-12.5 degrees) to achieve a higher launch and more forgiveness.
It’s crucial to undergo a fitting session with a professional club fitter to determine the ideal loft for your specific swing and preferences.
Step 2: Adjust the Hosel
The Titleist TS2 driver comes with an adjustable hosel that allows you to tweak the club’s loft and lie angle. Here’s how to do it:
- Loft Adjustment: Most TS2 drivers have a loft adjustment range of +/- 1.5 degrees. Increasing loft can help you launch the ball higher, while decreasing loft can lower the trajectory. Experiment with the settings to find the loft that optimizes your ball flight.
- Lie Angle: The lie angle adjustment can influence shot shape. A more upright lie angle may help counteract a slice, while a flatter lie angle can promote a draw. Consult with a club fitter to determine the best lie angle for your swing.
Step 3: Experiment with Weight Placement
The TS2 driver often features a weight system that allows you to adjust the center of gravity (CG) to fine-tune your ball flight. This can affect both launch angle and shot shape. Here’s what you need to know:
- Draw and Fade Settings: Some TS2 drivers come with weight ports that allow you to shift weight to promote a draw or fade bias. Experiment with these settings to find the shot shape that suits your game.
- High-Launch or Low-Spin: Adjusting the weight placement can also help you achieve a higher launch or reduce spin. Placing the weight towards the back of the clubhead can increase forgiveness and launch, while placing it closer to the face can lower spin for more distance.
Step 4: Fine-Tune Your Shaft
The shaft you choose for your TS2 driver can significantly impact your performance. Factors to consider when selecting a shaft include:
- Flex: Choose a shaft flex that matches your swing speed. Slower swing speeds benefit from a more flexible shaft, while faster swing speeds may require a stiffer shaft for control.
- Weight: The shaft’s weight can affect your swing tempo and feel. Lighter shafts can increase swing speed, while heavier shafts may provide more stability.
- Length: The standard length of most drivers is around 45 inches, but you can customize the length to better suit your comfort and control preferences. Shorter shafts can enhance control, while longer shafts may increase distance.
Step 5: Regularly Review and Adjust
As your golf game evolves, your equipment needs may change. It’s essential to periodically review your Titleist TS2 driver’s settings and make adjustments based on your performance and swing changes. A fitting session with a professional club fitter can help you stay dialed in with your driver settings.
Step 6: Practice and Play
Setting up your Titleist TS2 driver correctly is just the beginning. To truly benefit from your customized driver, you need to put it to use on the golf course. Here are some tips to ensure you make the most of your TS2 driver during practice and play:
- Range Sessions: Start with practice sessions at the driving range. Pay attention to how your driver performs with the settings you’ve chosen. Experiment with different adjustments and observe how they affect your ball flight.
- On-Course Testing: Take your TS2 driver out on the course to see how it performs in real playing conditions. Focus on hitting fairways and optimizing your launch angle and distance on various holes.
- Shot Tracking: Consider using shot-tracking technology or GPS devices to gather data on your drives. This information can help you make informed decisions about your driver settings and provide insights into areas for improvement.
Step 7: Seek Professional Guidance
While adjusting your Titleist TS2 driver settings can have a significant impact on your game, it’s important to seek professional guidance when making major changes. Consult with a club fitter or a golf professional who can analyze your swing, launch conditions, and ball flight to recommend the most appropriate adjustments.
Step 8: Maintain Your Equipment
Proper maintenance is essential to keep your TS2 driver performing at its best. Regularly inspect the clubhead, shaft, and grip for wear and tear. Clean the clubhead after each round to remove dirt and debris that can affect performance. Re-gripping your driver when the grip shows signs of wear can also improve your control and feel.
Step 9: Track Your Progress
Keep a record of your driver settings, swing changes, and on-course performance. This tracking can help you identify trends and patterns, enabling you to make informed decisions about your equipment and playing style. Over time, you may discover adjustments that consistently lead to better results.
Step 10: Stay Informed
Stay updated on golf equipment technology and trends. Manufacturers often release new drivers and innovations that can improve your game. Periodically visit a club fitter to evaluate your equipment and explore whether newer options can provide a competitive edge.
Loft Settings
| Loft Setting (Degrees) | Launch Angle | Spin Rate (RPM) | Ball Speed (mph) | Distance (yards) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.5 | 12.0 | 2500 | 160 | 280 |
| 9.0 | 11.5 | 2600 | 155 | 275 |
| 9.5 | 11.0 | 2700 | 150 | 270 |
| 10.0 | 10.5 | 2800 | 145 | 265 |
| 10.5 | 10.0 | 2900 | 140 | 260 |
| 11.0 | 9.5 | 3000 | 135 | 255 |
| 11.5 | 9.0 | 3100 | 130 | 250 |
| 12.0 | 8.5 | 3200 | 125 | 245 |
| 12.5 | 8.0 | 3300 | 120 | 240 |
| 13.0 | 7.5 | 3400 | 115 | 235 |
Weight Settings
| Weight Position | Fade/Draw Bias | Launch Condition | Shot Shape | Forgiveness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neutral | Balanced | Mid-Launch | Straight | High |
| Heel | Draw Bias | High-Launch | Draw | Medium |
| Toe | Fade Bias | Low-Launch | Fade | Low |
| Front | N/A | Customizable | Custom | N/A |
| Back | N/A | Customizable | Custom | N/A |
| Forward | N/A | Customizable | Custom | N/A |
| Rear | N/A | Customizable | Custom | N/A |
| Center | N/A | Customizable | Custom | N/A |
| Heel-Back | N/A | Customizable | Custom | N/A |
| Toe-Back | N/A | Customizable | Custom | N/A |
Shaft Options
| Shaft Model | Flex | Weight (grams) | Torque (degrees) | Kick Point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project X HZRDUS | Stiff | 65 | 3.0 | Mid |
| Aldila Rogue | Regular | 70 | 3.2 | Mid-High |
| Fujikura Atmos | X-Stiff | 75 | 2.8 | Low-Mid |
| Mitsubishi Tensei | Senior | 55 | 3.5 | Mid-High |
| UST Mamiya Helium | Ladies | 45 | 3.8 | High |
| Graphite Design | X-Flex | 80 | 2.5 | Low |
| ACCRA Tour | Regular | 70 | 3.2 | Mid |
| True Temper XP | Stiff | 65 | 3.0 | Mid-High |
| Nippon Modus | Regular | 75 | 3.2 | Mid-High |
| Aerotech Steelfiber | Senior | 70 | 3.5 | Low-Mid |
Adjustable Hosel Settings
| Loft Adjustment (Degrees) | Lie Angle Adjustment (Degrees) | Face Angle Adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| +1.0 | 1.0 | Open |
| +0.75 | 0.75 | Neutral |
| +0.5 | 0.5 | Closed |
| +0.25 | 0.25 | N/A |
| Standard | Standard | N/A |
| -0.25 | -0.25 | N/A |
| -0.5 | -0.5 | N/A |
| -0.75 | -0.75 | N/A |
| -1.0 | -1.0 | N/A |
| -1.5 | -1.5 | N/A |
Grip Options
| Grip Model | Material | Size | Texture | Feel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golf Pride MCC | Rubber/Cord | Standard | Multi-Texture | Firm |
| Lamkin Crossline | Rubber | Midsize | Smooth | Medium |
| Winn Dri-Tac | Polymer | Oversize | Tacky | Soft |
| SuperStroke Slim | Polyurethane | Jumbo | No-Taper | Ultra-Soft |
| Iomic Sticky | Elastomer | Undersize | Sticky | Firm |
| PURE Grips DTX | Thermoplastic | Standard | Dual-Texture | Medium |
| Tacki-Mac | Rubber | Midsize | Textured | Medium-Firm |
| Avon Chamois | Elastomer | Oversize | Chamois | Soft |
| Lamkin Sonar | Rubber | Undersize | Micro-Texture | Medium |
| Golf Pride CP2 | Rubber/Silicone | Midsize | Comfort | Soft |
In conclusion, setting up your Titleist TS2 driver correctly and maintaining it over time is a crucial part of optimizing your golf game. By following these steps, seeking professional guidance when needed, and staying informed about golf equipment advancements, you’ll be well on your way to hitting longer, straighter drives and lowering your scores on the golf course.
By following these steps and regularly fine-tuning your Titleist TS2 driver, you can optimize its performance to match your unique swing and preferences, ultimately helping you hit longer and more accurate drives on the golf course.
