{"id":2383,"date":"2008-08-12T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2008-08-12T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thesandtrap.com\/?p=2383"},"modified":"2009-03-11T11:37:33","modified_gmt":"2009-03-11T15:37:33","slug":"fall_2008_sneak_peek_titleist_909_metals_series","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesandtrap.com\/b\/bag_drop\/fall_2008_sneak_peek_titleist_909_metals_series","title":{"rendered":"Fall 2008 Sneak Peek: Titleist 909 Metals Series"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"BagChez Reavie won the Canadian Open two weeks ago and Parker McLachlin won the following week using a prototype driver that’s been getting a lot of buzz on the PGA Tour, in our forum<\/a>, and around the golf rumor mills, websites, and 19th holes.<\/p>\n

The drivers, which debuted shortly before the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, have even been talked about at Titleist’s Tour Blog<\/a> – a small but important step for the usually secretive Acushnet company.<\/p>\n

A few weeks after the U.S. Open I was invited to Titleist’s Oceanside facility to try out some of the new equipment – it’s far more than just drivers – and I’ve come away with some information. Here, now, is what I learned.
\n<\/p>\n

909 Drivers<\/h3>\n

Some have said the Titleist driver lineup has been lackluster for a few years. Not since the 905S\/T models has the company truly offered two drivers that fit the vast majority of golfers. The 905R<\/a> produced a little more spin than some players liked, and the 907D1 and 907D2<\/a> offered little change in the launch characteristics. A lower-spinning driver has been missing, and 907 sales have not met industry expectations. On the PGA Tour, several more players than Titleist wanted stuck with their trusty 905 driver (usually the R) because they saw little need to change to the more rounded 907D2.<\/p>\n

Titleist’s 2008\/2009 metals plans should signal a return to form for the company, as three drivers – the 909 DComp, 909D2, and 909D3 will be launched to suit players with a wide variety of launch conditions. Titleist views this as their strongest lineup ever for the better player, with each of the three models clearly positioned to provide best-in-class performance for the targeted golfer.<\/p>\n

\"909
The faces of the 909 series, from left to right: 909 DComp, 909D2, 909D3.<\/p>\n

Overview<\/strong>
\nThe 909 drivers, like virtually all of Titleist’s equipment, is targeted at the Tour golfer, better players, and “aspiring serious golfer.” These golfers all have different swing speeds and angles of attack that require different performance characteristics – even on the PGA Tour. For example, Stack and Tilt golfers tend to hit down more with their drivers than conventional swingers, and they need a driver that works for them as well.<\/p>\n

Golfers also have different preferences in terms of ball flight, trajectory, and playability, and demand more than just distance – a list that includes appearance, feel, sound, accuracy, quality, and consistency.<\/p>\n

These requirements can’t be met with a single driver, so Titleist is releasing three: the DComp, the D2, and the D3. Each offers distinct performance characteristics with a precisely positioned CG that should fit everyone from the Tour player up to the “aspiring” 10-15 handicapper. All three models feature a lower crown and profile, which moves the CG a bit further back and down, reducing spin and increasing MOI.<\/p>\n

\"909The 909 drivers all have several things in common.<\/p>\n