Titleist 917 drivers and fairways unveiled

The Titleist 917 drivers and fairway woods have been unveiled, featuring key tech updates to improve performance and customisation

The long-awaited arrival of the Titleist 917 drivers and fairway woods is finally here, with a focus on increasing ball speeds on off-centre hits and providing more precise adjustability for golfers at every level of the game.

The 917 drivers are already a hit on the PGA Tour, with Jimmy Walker using a 917D2 8.5º model to win his first major title at the US PGA Championship.

The extra performance comes from key updates to many of the technologies we first saw in the Titleist 915 driver, including Active Recoil Channel (ARC) 2.0, which now has more optimised thickness regions behind the clubface to reduce spin and increase speed even further.

Titleist’s Radial Speed Face 2.0, a forged face insert, is tuned with ARC 2.0 to deliver greater off centre ball speeds and a higher MOI clubhead design.

Titleist 917 driver review

Unquestionably the biggest development we see in the Titleist 917 driver is the SureFit CG weight system, comprising an adjustable weight cartridge towards the rear of the clubhead. This allows the centre of gravity (CG) to be moved from from neutral to a back, heel position (draw) or a forward, toe position (fade) through interchangeable weights with varying balance points.

It means golfers can align the CG with their common impact location on the face to improve ball speed and feel or change the weighting to promote a certain shot shape. It also allows for swingweight customization and because the SureFit CG is at an angle, it means golfers can increase the draw or fade bias in the head without altering spin or MOI (moment of inertia).

Previously seen adjustability in the form of the 16-setting SureFit Hosel continues to feature, allowing golfers to set loft and lie independently to optimise ball flight for improved shot control and maximum distance.

The 917 driver also has a new look at address. It comes in a tour-validated 'liquid slate' finish compared with the diamond black finish on the 915 driver. There are also more head shapes available depending on your preference on ball flight and workability.

The D2 is a 460cc clubhead design with a full pear profile inspired by the Titleist 910D2 driver and offers 100-200 rpm less spin than the 915D2 driver. The D3 is a 440cc design with a traditional tour inspired pear profile and deeper face compared to the D2. It also generated 250-300 rpm less spin than the D2 model while the D4 offers up to 300 rpm less spin than the D4 for the very fast swinging golfer.

Finally, the Titleist 917 driver should provide an improved sound over the 915. The sound frequency has bee tuned to one that is preferable to more golfers and hits its– “Loudness Factor” target that incorporates volume and length of sound. This also promotes a tour-inspired feel, with nearly every staff professional commenting positively on the sound and feel of 917.

Titleist 917 Fairway Woods

Like the driver, the Titleist 917 fairway woods feature Active Recoil Channel 2.0 that has been improved with an elastomer insert and hollow core for increased speed across the face and lower spin. The SureFit CG and SureFit Tour seen in the 917 drivers also feature, to help golfers dial in the distance and ball flight they prefer.

The 917 launches higher at similar spin levels as 915. There are two versions, the 917F2 provides all-around playability with forgiveness and more distance in a larger profile fairway. It offers more spin and higher launch versus 917F3 for a higher trajectory and is available in lofts 13.5º, 15º, 16.5º, 18º and 21º lofts.

The 917 F3 is smaller at 169cc to provide versatility with shot control and more distance in a compact profile. It offers less spin versus 917F2 for a more boring trajectory and is available in lofts 13.5° and 15º.

Tech specs, prices and availability

There are four stock driver and fairway wood shafts, including shafts from the top three brands on tour – Aldila, Fujikura and Mitsubishi – but other after-market shafts are available. Each driver shaft has matching fairway wood shaft that is 10g heavier to encourage consistency.

The Titleist 917 range goes on sale October 21st with the RRPs still to be decided. The drivers are available in 8.5º, 9.5º, 10.5º and 12º (D2 only) lofts.

What the Tour players are saying...

Jimmy Walker “I put the 917D2 straight into play. It was definitely faster, had a better sound and feel, and I really loved the shape. We found a lower sweet spot and I was able to lower my spin rate to exactly where I wanted. The ball flight was also what I liked to see, which is not super high. I can fly the ball on a rope anywhere from 295-310 and then it just rolls out far and straight. I’ve also picked up a lot of confidence hitting it into the wind.”

Byeong Hun An “My misses with my 917D3 seem to stay straight right on line and no doubt it’s longer than my 915D4,”

Justin Thomas Thomas hit the longest drive this season so far with his new 917D3 9.5º off the 16th tee at Firestone Country Club, unleashing a 414-yard drive down the fairway of the 667-yard par-5.

“It was the hardest I’ve probably ever hit a drive,” said Thomas, who chipped in for eagle. “As soon as I hit it I knew…”

Titleist 915 driver review

This new 917 driver features a similar technology to that found in the Concept C16 driver called SureFit CG, which was an adjustable cylindrical cartridge positioned on the sole to alter the performance.

You can keep up to date with the unfolding of this product launch via the Titleist website and social media accounts as they share more Titleist 917 product details, including key performance benefits, in the coming months.