I guess it’s official now. After writing about all the new drivers introduced in the past few weeks, it’s clear that a two-model strategy is now the industry norm. And that’s a very good thing.
While so many choices in head shape, lofts, and shafts can be confusing, in the end all those options mean you can find a driver that really is the best for you, your swing, and the courses you play.
The options Titleist now offers include their new high MOI (moment of inertia) 907D1 with its stretched out “triangle” clubhead and the more traditionally shaped 907D2. Both are 460cc and are “multi-material” designs using different metals, mostly titanium. Here’s the story…
Titleist 907D1
The quest for high moment of inertia in drivers has led club designers to explore whole new shapes, including the radical “square” drivers introduced earlier this season. Titleist, long considered the bastion of conservative, traditional designs aimed at better players reluctant to move from classically shaped clubs now joins in with the 907D1.
Designed with what Titleist calls “Maximum Triangular Geometry” the new driver is claimed to achieve maximum USGA and R&A geometry limits. While that doesn’t necessarily mean it reaches the maximum MOI allowed, I’m betting it’s the most forgiving driver Titleist has ever made.
It’s made with a milled aluminum hosel, beta titanium alloy face insert, and a cast titanium body. The tapered thickness face insert is thinner at the top to help achieve higher launch and lower spin. It’s also a symmetric face that increases face area and, presumably, contributes to forgiveness on off-center hits.
I’ve always liked Titleist esthetics and these two clubs are no different. Gloss black crowns and red accents just look right to me. For me, that garish yellow accent Nike and Adams have adopted has gotten old already. The headcover is a pretty cool (I like red) zippered affair.
As you might expect from a top of the line club maker, the 907D1 will be available in many versions. Right hand lofts will include 7.5° 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5°, and 11.5°. Left hand will be available in 8.5°, 9.5°, and 10.5°. The standard length is 45 inches and the stock grip is a Tour Velvet round.
There’s also a good selection of stock shafts including the Graphite Design YS-6+, a Titleist Spec Grid 67, and the Aldila VS Proto 65. The latter, by the way, is an awesome shaft. I love it in my Adams Idea Pro hybrids and can’t wait to try it in a driver… in fact, maybe this driver.
Titleist 907D2
As far as I know, Jason Dufner is the only Titleist staffer playing the 907D1. But the more traditionally shaped 907D2 has found it’s way into dozens of bags on the PGA Tour. So much so that Titleist now lays claim to being the number one 460cc driver on tour.
I’m sure the Titleist club designers were walking a fine line when they designed this club. On the one hand, it needs to bear a modicum of forgiveness even for the game’s best players. On the other hand, the game’s best players want the ability to work the ball. High MOI works against that.
Still, this doesn’t look like any kind of compromise. It’s a classic pear-shaped clubhead. And while it shares the same materials, construction, and paint scheme as its high-MOI sibling, to me it just looks like a driver should look.
It will be available in the same lofts, length, and stock grip as the D907D1. Stock shafts, however, include not only the three mentioned above, but also the UST ProForce V2 75, a 76-gram shaft hugely popular on the PGA Tour.
While the stock shafts and lofts certainly present enough selection for most of us, other options are available through Titleist Custom Clubs. With the kind of investment these clubs represent, I’d strongly suggest getting professionally fit. You can check out the Titleist fitting locations here.
Price and Availability
Both new Titleist drivers will ship beginning April 1. Suggested retail price is $500, although they’ll carry a minimum advertised price of $399. Our buddies over at Edwin Watts expect to have the 970D1 and 970D2 in stock by April 15 and will be selling them at $399.
In the End…
I’ve always liked the classic shape of Titleist drivers and fairway woods. They just get it right. And even though the new 907D1 is pretty radical by Titleist standards, it looks a lot more like a driver than a sofa pillow. I’m very much looking forward to a test session with both of them.
Jack,
Great article. I look forward to testing those drivers.
In regards to the following you stated:
“But the more traditionally shaped 907D2 has found it’s way into dozens of bags on the PGA Tour. So much so that Titleist now lays claim to being the number one 460cc driver on tour.”
Titleist also laid claim to that last year with the 905R.
It’s hard to believe that they could actually improve on the 905R!
Steve,
You make an excellent point. You can bet that “most 460cc drivers on tour” claim still includes a whole bunch of 905R’s! 🙂
Since posting this article I’ve found it also appears the 907D2 is a different shape than last year’s model. The 905R is described as “True Pear” on the Titleist web site and the new 907D2 is described as “Traditional Geometry Circle.”
I’ll have to see them side by side to understand the difference.
No socks on the headcovers! Rejoice!
Anyone knows what the MOI is on both these drivers? Also the swing weight they will come in the YS 6+ shaft? Tks.
Also the swing weight in VS Proto. Could someone also tell me what the difference in characteristics are for VS Proto and YS 6+? Thanks.
Good looking drivers! I agree with you…I have always liked the look of Titleist clubs…too bad I’m not good enough to play ’em…maybe the D1 will work for me.
No socks on the head covers? Bummer! I like the socks, it was kind of a nod to the past. Titleist is the best at finding a great balance between traditional styling and modern club making. I will miss the socks.
Titleist today launched their 907 “microsite” that gives even more detail and views of these two new drivers:
http://titleist.com/microsites/907
It’s a pretty entertaining flash-based presentation. I especially like some of the comments from the pros. I really want to try these out!
Sox are lame, hope the driver is as good as the 905R.
The new drivers look great. It is nice to see that neither has a sock on the headcover. I love my R7 but the headcover makes me want to hit the guy at their RD deptment over the head with the it. I ve had a few Titleist drivers in the past and the D2 looks pretty clean in design, you wouldn’t expect anything less from Titleist.