Billy Horschel, professional golfer, was contemplating making a switch to the Titleist Tour-only GT3 driver at the Memorial tournament. During a testing session at Muirfield Village Golf Club, Horschel was impressed with the feedback he received from the new driver. Liam McDougall, Titleist’s European director of tour operations, helped Horschel analyze the launch monitor data to determine if the driver was a good fit for his game.
Horschel noted that a low miss typically increases spin rates and can result in a decrease in distance. However, with the GT3 driver, Horschel was able to maintain consistent spin rates even on mishits, allowing him to achieve similar carry distances regardless of strike quality. This consistency gave Horschel the confidence to target specific distances on the course without the need to be perfect with his shots.
The new GT drivers from Titleist, including the GT2, GT3, and GT4, have been designed to offer tight spin rate deltas across the face. This feature adds forgiveness and ball speed retention on mishits, providing golfers with improved consistency in their launch and carry numbers. Several players, including Peter Malnati, experienced distance gains and increased ball speeds during testing sessions with the GT drivers.
Tighter spin rate deltas were recognized as the major improvement from previous models to the GT drivers. Horschel also praised the persimmon-like feel of the GT driver, comparing it to his favorite Ping Rapture driver. The solid feel and feedback from the GT driver allowed Horschel to gauge his strike quality and make adjustments accordingly. Overall, Horschel was impressed with the performance and feel of the new driver.
Horschel and other potential GT users at the Memorial tournament will have the opportunity to test the driver further and decide whether to include it in their bag for upcoming events, including the U.S. Open. Titleist chose to release the GT drivers earlier than usual based on positive feedback from tour players, such as Will Zalatoris, who were involved in the development process. The early release allows players to experience the benefits of the new driver sooner.
If you’re looking to update your golf equipment for 2024, consider trying out the Titleist GT drivers at a fitting location near you at True Spec Golf. Jonathan Wall, GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com’s Managing Editor for Equipment, can provide more insights and details on the benefits of the Titleist GT drivers. Contact Jonathan Wall at jonathan.wall@golf.com for more information.
