Expert Review: Titleist TSi3 Driver
Photo courtesy of Naby Damarputra
About this review This review is my own honest opinion of the driver, which I bought with my own money in April 2021.
My take
The Titleist TSi3 is one of the best drivers that Titleist has ever designed for players who are looking for workability and distance. However, it is not suited for high handicappers or those who are looking for maximum forgiveness.
Photo courtesy of Naby Damarputra
About the club I own
- Model: Titleist TSi3 Driver
- Loft setting: Nine degrees
- Shaft type: Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw White 65 gram
- Shaft flex: Stiff
About me
- Average score: 80 to 90
- Handicap: 12
- Experience: Eight years
- Right/Left-Handed: Right-handed
- Typical ball flight: Low to mid
- Golf ball used: Titleist Pro V1 and Callaway Chrome Soft
- Club swing speed: 110 miles per hour
Test conditions
- When I bought the club: April 2021
- Days tested: 60
- Where I’ve used it: Ranges and simulators; Lakeview Golf Course and The Pines Country Club in Morgantown, West Virginia; Stonewall Golf Resort in Weston, West Virginia; Country Club of North Carolina in Pinehurst, North Carolina; Cranberry Highlands in Cranberry, Pennsylvania; and Duck Hollow Golf Course in Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
- Weather and wind conditions: Northeast wind conditions, with some days having stronger wind than others.
How it performs
What I was looking for
This season, I was due for an upgrade from my trusty TaylorMade M6. Even though I hit fairly good shots with that club, I was looking for something much more eye-catching and workable. I wanted a club that checks all the boxes when it comes to feel, performance, and looks.
Why I chose this club
This club really caught my eye as soon as I saw it. I knew that it wasn’t going to be the most forgiving driver out there, but I knew that it performed very well in distance and workability. This club felt like heaven when I first hit it, and the ball flew a mile! It finally came down to the Titleist TSi2 or TSi3 driver, and I went with the TSi3 because it suited my eye much more.
Photo by Naby Damarputra
Photo by Naby Damarputra
What I love about it
- Distance: One of the areas where Titleist used to lack with its drivers was distance. But I’ve noticed that my distance with the TSi3 is comparable if not more than that of any of my peers who are playing with other top-of-the-line drivers. Personally, the TSi3 is carrying around 270 yards for me, which is consistent with how far I usually hit my drives. On paper, the TSi3 has one of the highest ball speeds coming off the face compared to other models, which is important in getting distance.
- Workability: When I’m trying to work the ball, the TSi3 is the perfect driver. The simple technology off the clubface and the adjustable weighting on the back of the head can help or counter my shot shape. Along with the SureFit hosel adjustability in the club, this technology allows me to be able to control my shots.
- Adjustability: As I mentioned above, the adjustable weighting and SureFit hosel allow for excellent adjustability that suits my swing!
- Shaft Performance: The Mitsubishi Tensei series features one of my favorite driver and wood shafts out on the market. The AV Raw White is a low-spinning and low-flighted shaft that allows for a more penetrating flight, which is what I prefer.
- Aesthetic Appeal: This is the best-looking driver out there! Obviously, it won’t suit the eye of someone who likes modern-looking and crazy-colored clubs. However, the classic black finish makes the club look simple and sleek.
- Grip Feel: I kept the stock grip, which was the Classic Golf Pride 360 Tour velvet grip. It’s one of the best tacky grips out now and it’s the most used on Tour. Simple, but it works!
Issues I’ve encountered
- Forgiveness: The TSi3 is not the most forgiving club out there. There are many other options for players who are looking for more forgiveness, such as the TSi3’s sister model, the TSi2. I would not recommend this driver for high handicappers.
- Feel: Honestly, I preferred the feel of my previous club, the TaylorMade M6, better. TaylorMade has always been close to my heart when it comes to feel and forgiveness. Even on good shots, the TSi3 didn’t “feel” like I hit it to its maximum capability.
- Sound: This is the club for players who like a higher-pitched sound. It’s not as loud as PING clubs, but I can definitely hear and feel the club when flushing a bomb off the face. I prefer a muted or muffled sound from a driver, so this wasn’t a favorite for me.
- Shaft Feel: The Tensei AV Raw White felt very bland and stiff in terms of feel. It just felt blocky, and I didn’t get the feedback I wanted. Even though the dispersion and flight were optimal with this shaft, the feel wasn’t my favorite.
Best shot with this club
One of my best shots with this club occurred during my biannual trip to Pinehurst, North Carolina. Our group was faced in front of a gallery, which included our peers and others. There was a left-side fairway bunker with a 280-yard driver to carry and pine straw and trees on the right, so I could either hit a draw or carry the bunker for a nice wedge shot in. I was up first, my knees shaking as everyone was watching. I teed the ball a bit higher than I was used to and was just thinking about smashing the driver over the bunker. I flushed the drive way over the bunker with a slight draw, leaving me an 80-yard pitch shot in. It was awesome to hit the shot in front of everyone!
Value for the money vs. other options In terms of value, there are other options in the same price range that are more forgiving. The TSi2, the TSi3’s sister club, would be ideal for someone who is looking for more forgiveness.
The price for the TSi3 is a bit higher than other stock options, but despite the price tag, I know that Titleist will offer quality, performance, and feel. This driver is definitely one of the highest-priced drivers out on the market, but I know I’ll get what I paid for. The quality, performance, look, and feel are always there with Titleist.
Final verdict
The TSi3 is an excellent driver for low-to-mid handicappers who are looking for distance, workability, and a classic look. It’s not for high handicappers, as it lacks forgiveness. Being a 12-handicap, this driver was not as forgiving as I wanted it to be, but I do have to say that this is one of the best drivers that Titleist has ever released thus far.
