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The Titleist TSR2 fairway wood has a new, lower CG to promote higher launching shots. Easy to hit and versatile. Beautiful look and quiet, traditional impact sound.
Check out the new Titleist GT2 fairway HERE
Introduction
Just like its big brother, the TSR2 driver [review HERE], the Titleist TSR2 fairway wood was Tour-validated long before hitting retail. Over 60 PGA Tour players have bagged TSR fairway woods since their release in the second half of the season. I had the chance to try the full line at a Titleist fitting event, and the TSR2 fairway wood was the runaway winner for me. I’ll explain why in this review.
Looks
At address, the Titleist TSR2 fairway wood has a clean, traditional look. The gloss black crown is only adorned by a small “TSR” alignment aid. It has a medium-sized footprint and a rounded, symmetrical shape. The face height strikes a good balance, allowing players to feel confident off the tee or turf. One change from the previous generation is that the scoring lines now extend all the way across the face.
The sole of the TSR2 fairway wood is similar to the TSi2, but with a few noticeable changes. Most impactful, the weight had been moved forward (more on this later). Titleist has also replaced the dark grey with more black and pushed the branding to the toe and heel. To me, all these changes are positive, making the TSR2 FW an absolute beauty.
If you hit your 3W primarily off the tee, check out the Titleist TSR2+ FW HERE
Sound & Feel
One thing you never have to worry about with a Titleist wood is a loud, obnoxious impact sound. Titleist knows that its loyal following wants a quiet, understated tone, and that’s exactly what the TSR2 fairway wood delivers. When the ball is struck, there’s a quick, metallic “tink” that doesn’t ring out or sustain. It is high-pitched, but it’s so quiet that it seems mid or even low pitched.
The feel of impact aligns well with the sound. The golf ball feels light and quick off the club face. Both the sound and feel seem like they’re trying to be as discreet as possible. Though the feel is light, you can get a good sense of impact location through your hands.
Performance
After testing the TSR drivers at my Titleist fitting, we moved to the fairway woods. I smiled at my fitter and said, “This is the part I was dreading.” However, with the TSR2 fairway wood in hand, I proceeded to reel off three of the best shots of my life – high, long, and straight. Fitting over. I hit the TSR3 FW [review HERE] to be polite, but I knew which one was going home with me.
When I got the TSR2 FW in for complete testing, I continued to be impressed. The biggest talking point around the TSR2 is the new, lower CG. Comparing it to the TSi2 FW [HERE], you can clearly see how the weight has been pushed forward. The goal of this lower CG is to create higher launching shots, which is exactly what the TSR2 does. My good strikes flew on a trajectory I rarely see with a fairway wood, and even thin strikes were playable.
Titleist balanced this high launch with “mid spin” to make the TSR2 FW extremely versatile. The spin is low enough that it still has plenty of distance. High spin players may find more distance in other clubs, but no one is going to label the TSR2 FW as short. On the other hand, there’s enough spin that a skilled player can hold a green or shape a shot with the TSR2. Especially in the higher lofts, the TSR2 FW can absolutely be scoring club.
The TSR2 fairway wood is also highly adjustable. Titleist’s SureFit hosel continues to offer golfers more options than any other: 16 settings to dial in loft and lie. This gives you the opportunity to find both the shot shape and trajectory you desire. Additionally, the sole weight can be changed to adjust swing weight.
Conclusion
The Titleist TSR2 fairway wood is the club players are going to want to bag for its looks and its performance. From every angle, it’s dripping with visual appeal for the better player. On the course, it’s easy to hit and opens up a world of shot making options.
Visit Titleist HERE
Titleist TSR2 Fairway Wood Price & Specs
He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
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19 Comments
Interesting review, Matt – thanks for posting it as always. So……here is where you can educate me on placement of weight in a metalwood. I had always thought that weight placed forward (as you describe here) results in a lower, more boring trajectory to please better players with faster swing speeds. Weight placed more “rearward” was for guys like me with slower swing speeds who need a little help getting the ball to fly higher. Your description of Titleist’s woods here and in your Driver review seem to contradict that unless I am misinformed or missing the obvious. Thanks….in advance. This review has peeked my interest in Titleist for sure.
Steve,
While you’re correct to note that the weight has moved forward, that was done with the goal of getting the CG lower to launch the ball higher. If we were to control for the vertical placement of the CG, moving it back would make the club more stable, moving it forward less so (hence the idea that better players can deal with a more forward CG), but those changes don’t happen in isolation from each other. I hope that’s helpful.
Best,
Matt
I currently have the tsr2 16.5 in the bag and I love it. I also have the tsr2 driver (10*) but found that I’m still longer with my old driver (ping 410 10.5).
The FW is the tuffest club in the bag for me. I am a “picker” and my AOA is 0 with one. I am curious as to what loft you went with on this club? Does it make it into your bag? What shaft did you go with? We are pretty similiar with shaft selection and swing speed. Thank you…
Jeff,
The loft and shaft are shown in the pictures – 16.5 and the Mitsubishi TENSEI 1K Black. As to whether it ends up in the bag, I don’t know yet. I haven’t seen the course in a while and unfortunately that’s not changing for at least a couple weeks.
-Matt
Matt,
I’m curious what landed you on the 16.5? I’m assuming you tried the 15*? I’m in a spot where I have a 3 and 5 tsi2. My biggest gap is between my 5 wood and 4 iron. I’m just curious, if you did try the 15*, in your fitting if you can speak to the distances between the 15* and 16.5, comparatively??
Joe,
I’m a low launching player, I need more loft/launch to get more carry. I think more players should ditch the 15* 3W for 16.5, 17, 18. I did hit the 15, but it cost me distance.
-Matt
Matt,
I currently play a TSi2 5 wood. Do you feel there is a noticeable improvement in the TSR2 FW to merit replacing my current club?
Larry,
For me, the TSR is noticeably different. That will be better for some, maybe worse for others. My advice is always to try both and compare the results.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt,
What are the differences between the TSR2 and 3? Is one more for the better player and the other more forgiving? Thanks.
Kevin,
The TSR3 is a smaller head. We will have a full review in the coming weeks.
Best,
Matt
Matt, totally agree on the 4 wood being a better club for most guys. Starting way back with an OG Launcher 17* and now through three different 16.5 Titleist fairways I am always driver/16.5/19 hybrid and far better off for the setup. (Giving up my 3 iron for the hybrid did take a little longer.) Hit the new TSr2 and it may kick my beloved TS out of the bag. Was awesome with my Fujikura TR Red 7s. Thanks for the review.
Got fit yesterday. The TSR2 FW took two swings. One off the turf, one off a short tee. Just able to launch and crush this thing. Fitter gave the 16.5, maybe to make it easier to get it up in the air. But no conversation was really needed – it’s ordered!
Hi Matt,
Nice review on a this beautiful TSR club. In past, you reviewed the TS2 fairway wood also. How could you compare these clubs.?
The TS2 fw is still in my bag and I never thought that I will replace it. But with all the nice things you wrote, it is an option now.
I also saw a video from Second Swing comparing past versions of Titleist fw and they arrived to conclusion that the distance was better and dispersion also was better with the TSR. They did not specify if they were using same shafts so I do not know the value of the conclusion.
Thank you,
Richard
Richard,
To me, the biggest difference is how easy the TSR2 is to hit off the turf. The TS2 is good, but the TSR2 is noticeably better (easier).
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt
Which 3w and 5w and lofts you prefer TSR2 vs G430? And which shafts. Thanks much! Todd
Todd,
I’m not sure I understand the question. For my own set I don’t carry a 3W or 5W. The standard for 3W and 5W are 15* and 19*, generally.
-Matt
Matt- thanks for a great review. After reading I went to get fit. In my mind I was thinking I would get a 3w or 5w to fill the gap I wanted. I worked with the Titleist sales rep Jeff in upstate NY. He was amazing, I can’t say enough. In order to get the flight and launch desired we actually ended up with a 21 degree head with a 3w (43”) length shaft. The reason was to get the launch higher with head and the additional distance from the shaft length. I actually hit the 21 degree farther than both the stock 3w and 5w because of the initial increase in launch. It was a great experience and a combo I never thought of. It really pays to get fit by someone who knows what they are talking about! Thanks again to Jeff, I love my new weapon.
That’s great to hear, Mark! I love the creativity of that build, too. It’s such a great example of why fitting is key.
Best,
Matt