50 Words or Less
Designed for golfers with moderate swing speed, the lightweight Titleist TSi1 driver is incredibly consistent – a great balance of distance and accuracy off the tee. Appealing looks and sound.
Check out the new Titleist TSR1 driver HERE
Introduction
There’s no universal definition for ‘moderate’ when it comes to swing speed, but Titleist categorizes it as less than 90 mph. And while the majority of golfers don’t fit that criteria, it’s a significant number – around 30% according to Titleist’s assessment. Having embraced that segment with the TS1 driver two years ago [full review HERE], Titleist engineers have continued to develop designs to maximize performance of not only the new TSi1 driver reviewed here, but of the entire family of metals.
Looks
The TSi1 driver shares a lot of family resemblance with the other TSi drivers, but it clearly has its own identity. At address, the roundness of the TSi1 crown looks like a larger version of the TSi3 [full review HERE]. Like its siblings, the TSi1’s gloss black crown’s only accent is a simple “TSi” that serves as the sweet spot alignment aid.
Face on, the TSi1 has a unique and intriguing look with the stretched diamonds on the heel and toe sections providing the framework for a large and inviting contact zone. The etched “ATI” low on the toe is like a mysterious code until you learn its secret – which I’ll reveal in the Performance section.
If it wasn’t for the obvious red “1”, I could have easily mistaken the head for the TSi2 [full review HERE] based on the sole. The well blended mix of colors and finishes gives the sole of the TSi1 driver a clean, contemporary look that is very appealing.
Sound & Feel
It could be that I’ve become more accustomed to the sound of TSi drivers, but the TSi1 didn’t seem as loud as the TSi2 I previously tested. The sound was familiar, with a baritone metallic pop that sounded throaty and powerful. The sound was consistent with contact anywhere in the middle section of the face while a tad duller on the toe or heel sections.
Feedback in my hands matched up to the sound distribution. Despite my ever present swing variations, I can normally find the general center of the face, and the TSi1 made me feel that every decent strike was pure. And when my contact was off, I was impressed with how stable the club head felt.
Performance
The main design aspect that aligns the TSi1 driver to moderate swing speed golfers is the club weight, which is around “40g lighter than standard drivers” according to Titleist. Besides incorporating an ultra-thin titanium crown and other weight saving designs in the club head, Titleist also made the Aldila Ascent Ultralight the sole featured shaft. Titleist has other top shelf shaft options, many at no additional cost, but the Ascent UL was singled out because it provides golfers a lightweight shaft purposely designed to produce a high launch with stable feel.
I loved that the TSi1 driver felt balanced throughout the swing, as it seemed to encourage me to hit through the ball instead of at it. I achieved good launch angles, but did find the spin a bit on the low side for optimum carry. The spin, and really all the performance data, was incredibly consistent. If you’re familiar with launch monitor groupings, and we hope you are, my carry points formed such a flat oval that it could have been better depicted as a wide line.
The length of that line, which equates to dispersion, was also reasonable – adding to the conclusion that the Titleist TSi1 driver is very forgiving. I did note a slight left of center bias which, as I learned researching the design of the TSi1 driver, was intentional. While many draw bias clubs incorporate offset, Titleist engineers focused on the positioning of the center of gravity, which makes the club a compelling option for a wider group of golfers when you add in the SureFit Hosel which features 16 loft and lie settings.
As for the mysterious “ATI” on the face – it’s actually the name of the specialized foundry in Pittsburg, PA that produces the 425 titanium metal used for the face. The unique alloy, mainly utilized in for military and aerospace applications, gave Titleist engineers the ability to boost ball speed via material science. Not exactly secret sauce, but a great example of Titleist’s seemingly limitless pursuit of speed.
Conclusion
The visual appeal and satisfying sound of the Titleist TSi1 driver were indicative of the TSi family. Left or right from the alignment mark, up or down on the face, the Titleist TSi1 driver delivered consistent ball speed and spin for fairway-finding accuracy. Although the performance focus of the TSi1 is intended for moderate swing speed golfers, don’t dismiss it if you swing faster – many of the design features may align with your swing and needs. The beauty of the TSi family is that a certified Titleist fitter has four heads, a plethora of shafts and the SureFit Hosel to unlock the best TSi driver for you.
Visit Titleist HERE
Titleist TSi1 Driver Price & Specs
Matt Meeker
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Great review Matt… I swing slower now after having my neck fusion.
I’m going to take a look at it when the prices drops.
Matt,
A typo error in your bottom part of “Titleist TSi2 Driver Price and Specs”, which should be “…. Titleist TSi1…..”.
Fixed, thank you.
Matt, what a great review! Very concise but descriptive and easy to read.
I’m likely biased as I’m still using my favorite driver of all time, a 983K, only because I haven’t found one I’ve liked better. The sound is wonderful and everyone on the tee knows when I catch one on the screws. I can no longer hit it 230 and it’s closer to a 3 wood in size, so I’m going to give the TSi1 a try. And my ego will probably demand trying the Tsi2 as well but know that your review here has prompted my decision. Thanks!
I would be interested to see a comparison between this driver and the Ping G425 Max with the senior shaft (Alta Distanza). I’ve been using that this season based on Matt’s review of the club (obviously he uses a different shaft) and have been very pleased. It rewards good swings and forgives many less-than-stellar ones.
I haven’t hit the G425 Max Peter, and unfortunately we can’t cover all the combinations of clubs and shafts. If you get the chance to demo the TSi1, let us know your thoughts.
– Meeks
Matt: No need to post this note. Just wanted to encourage you to check out the G425 Max with the Alta Distanza (stock) shaft when you get a chance. For me (and I realize everyone is different), it has been a step up, especially in terms of consistently finding the fairway, from the Epic and Fukijura Ventus that I was using for the past couple of years (after a driver fitting at Club Champion). It would take a pretty special club to move it out of my bag. Best wishes and thanks for your contributions to PIG!
Matt,
I’ve read both this and your Cleveland Launcher XL review, and enjoyed them both.
My numbers are probably a bit lower than yours. Did you use the R flex shaft in the Titleist?
I’ve been playing the TSi 1 with the R2 Ascent 40 shaft for some months now.
I’ve found my misses are always left. How do the above two drivers stack up for you, especially with respect to relative draw bias?
Geoff
Yes Geoff, I did use the regular flex for testing. I did find the TSi1 had a slight draw bias, but playable for me. As I recall, the Launcher XL was more straight. If your misses are “always” left, then you might want to explore hosel adjustments – hopefully with the guidance of a knowledgeable Titleist person. For my swing, the B1 setting helps me find the fairway.
– Meeks
demo’d this at my club–could not find much difference from my first generation TS1 with 40G Fuji Aerolite shaft. Other independent reviewers did not find much yardage or accuracy advantage either, therefore think carefully before you spend the extra bucks on this one…jus sayin’ !.
I thought that the TSI4 was for slower swing speed?
I don’t know how to say it other than: “you thought wrong.” But to be fair, I find the naming sequences between Titleist irons and woods a bit confusing Dominick.
– Meeks
Hi Matt
Thanks for a great review
I have the TS 1 with the 45gram reg Fubuki shaft and battled to use this club so much that I was going to change to another brand.By chance I changed the shaft from my Titleist D913D 2
which is Diamina 62 g stiff
What a world of a difference the shaft makes.
I now hit it longer by 20 yards longer, can work the ball either direction, and the strike mark on the club face is so consistently centered
Thanks for your reviews
What is the actual weight of the TSi1. Everything says 40% lighter but there is no industry standard. Does that mean the driver weighs only 200 grams?
Titleist states 40 grams lighter, not 40% lighter Jeff. Sorry I don’t have the actual weight, but I’m sure someone from Titleist can answer that question – they always have a pop up window on the site when I visit.
– Meeks
Hi, great post. Can u comment on the R3, R2 n Regular differences mentioned? What should b the shaft type for someone who has a speed of about 80 mph?
Tks
Thanks for reading HC. As you probably surmised, R2 and R3 represent softer flex options. Which shaft is right for you would only be a guess if based solely on swing speed – and something we don’t do at PIG. If you are serious about your game, which I assume you are if considering a Titleist, please try the shafts and see which one performs best for you.
– Meeks