Titleist’s Metalwood Mantra: Forgiveness for All

Certain types of golfer identify with certain brands of golf club. Titleist has long been associated with the better player, making clubs primarily for Tour pros, club pros and elite amateurs.

No more, says Eric Soderstrom, Manager of Communications for Acushnet Golf, which owns Titleist along with FootJoy, Pinnacle, Scotty Cameron Fine Milled Putters, and Bob Vokey Wedges.

“The idea that Titleist golf clubs are only for better players is now a myth,” states Soderstrom. “In fact, we are making some of the most forgiving clubs on the market right now.”

Case in point—the new 917 Metalwoods. The 917F2 and 917F3 models, like the new 917 driver announced last week, use the patented Active Recoil Channel 2.0 and SureFit CG technology to produce what Titleist says is “an uncompromising combination of distance, forgiveness and trajectory control with tour-preferred looks, sound and feel.”

Dan Stone, Titleist’s VP of R&D, believes the 917 is Titleist’s longest, most forgiving, best performing and easiest-to-hit metalwood ever. “The combined power of the SureFit hosel and SureFit CG takes us to another level in terms of optimizing spin and maximizing distance potential,” he adds.

Besides the Active Recoil Channel 2.0 and 16-setting SureFit Hosel which features an elastomer insert with a hollow core that flexes and recoils to increase ball speed, the package of technologies in the 917 metalwoods also includes a forged Variable Face Thickness Insert designed to increase ball speed on off-center hits.

The newest innovation, Soderstrom says, and the most noticeable difference between the 917 metalwoods and their predecessor, the 915, is the SureFit CG—an interchangeable weight system that the company’s R&D team took five years to perfect. “We were focused on delivering Center of Gravity movement that was truly meaningful to the golfer,” he explains.

Positioned at an angle on the sole, SureFit CG enables the CG to be moved from Neutral to a back, heel position (Draw) or forward, toe position (Fade). It serves the same function as other companies’ track systems, but with “significant weight savings,” Soderstrom states.

Dan Stone says SureFit CG takes adjustability to the next level, adding that it allows players to optimize their spin and launch conditions for a more consistent shot shape and tighter shot dispersion.

The two models provide distinct performance choices, according to Soderstrom. The 917F2 has a slightly larger head increasing its all-round playability and giving a higher launch, while the F3 has a more compact profile and produces less spin for a lower trajectory and greater shot-making control.

Jimmy Walker (F2 15 and 18 degrees), Justin Thomas (F3 15 degrees), Scott Piercy (F2 13.5 degrees), Webb Simpson (F2 15 degrees), Geoff Ogilvy (F2 16.5 degrees, F2 21 degrees), and numerous other Titleist staff players around the world have already switched to the new 917 metalwoods.

The stock shaft lineup is made up of the Aldila Rogue M*AX 75 (lower-mid launch); Fujikura Speeder Pro TS 84 (low-mid); Mitsubishi Diamana Limited D+ White 80 (low), Mitsubishi Diamana Limited S+ Blue 70 (mid), and Mitsubishi Diamana Limited M+ Red 60 (high). A number of custom options are also available.
$320 per club, available October 21st.
The 917F2 will be available in 13.5, 15, 16.5, 18, and 21-degree lofts.
The 917F3 will be available in 13.5 and 15-degree lofts.
titleist.com

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