Titleist 917 D2 and D3 Driver Review

Titleist has researched the 917 D2 and D3 for nearly five years. They never rush into a product launch without thorough research. But after years of studying the best technologies they came up with the SureFit movable center of gravity. Movable weights are not new to the drivers` market. But so many manufacturers struggled with implementation. You can always ask yourself if the weight is placed in the right part and if moving it to another corner would improve anything.

The interesting SureFit system is basically a controlled center of gravity system. The weights are cylinder-shaped and range from 8g to 16g and are made from steel or tungsten. To place the weight you need to unscrew the cover and place the cylinder inside.

The process itself is straightforward with no complicated steps. There are two options for adjusting the weight forwards and backwards which moves the center of gravity. Of course this will significantly impact the trajectory and the impact with the ball. The weights themselves come with various features. They are categorized as: neutral, light or heavy.

The weights can also be balanced evenly or unevenly (fade/draw). If you choose a weight with uneven distribution of weight, you can expect a left/right variation of up to 6 yards. This may sound confusing and complicated but Titleist has implemented a system to keep track of all these weights without having to take them out.

The company has implemented as symbol system which is printed at both ends of the weights as follows: + (heavy), – (light) and circle (neutral). The system itself wasn`t implement in a straight line but rather angled. This was done to even out the weight with the front. The learning curve shouldn`t be that long as the system is quite easy to understand. The more you move the weight forwards, the more reduced the spin is.

There has been a lot of thought put into the weight system but there are other adjustable features also. The loft can also be slightly adjusted. The shafts also come with new options. As seen before, the Titleist comes in two options: the D2 and D3.

Titleist 917 D2 Driver Review

The Titleist 917 D2 in a very forgiving driver. The driver will be loved by old-school players. It comes with a solid yet muted sound which is highly impacted by the metallic note. If we look back at Titleist drivers we can see the drivers were not forgiving and high spinning at times.

The 917 D2 makes some upgrades to the spin and vast improvements on the forgiveness. Some users have reported 2000+ RPM spinning. The forgiveness is the total opposite. Even if you manage to hit the ball off the center point, it will still try to correct itself while in the air. Your mishits will start to improve just as the ball tries to stay in a straight line.

In regards to the SureFit center of gravity system, the D2 comes with two options which include a neutral weight and a weight which can be moved to the heel or toe. Many players ask themselves if there is any noticeable difference. You can actually feel the weight as the sweet spot moves when you flip it. Of course, there is a major impact on the shot shape, usually up to 6 yards. You can further customize your shot by slightly adjusting the loft or choosing a different shaft.

Titleist 917 D3 Driver Review

With a more traditional approach than the D2, the D3 comes with 440cc. Inspired by the 910; the D3 comes with improved look and sound which strikes familiar notes with Titleist users. The D3 comes with a 0.5° lower launch and 2900rpm. That account for 300rpm less in average conditions. The D3 comes with three loft choices (4 for the D2) which include: 8.5°, 9.5° and 10.5°.

If the D2 was more forgiving the D3 is more workable which will appeal more to professional or advanced players. Golfers could also enjoy the smaller head of the D3 which could make for increased maneuverability. The D3 features the Active Recoil Channel. This wider sole channel delivers more distance and when paired with the Radial Speed Face it can deliver better results, especially for golfers with less experience.

The Radial Speed Face ensures you get more distance on off-center hits. This feature will be helpful for those new to the D series as it can compensate for some lack of experience. It will also work for advanced players in tournaments when tiredness can affect the hit biomechanics. With a High MOI design, the D3 centers a lot of weight in the back area.

The final verdict

Titleist has managed to create a good upgrade for the 915 family. Some critics have found the colors not to be the best options. But they all agree that the 917 manages to bring back some of the feel of the 915 series, especially in terms of sound.

The 915 was a solid performer and when customized correctly it was hard to beat, even by some top models from the competition. Most importantly, the SureFit center of gravity adds a level of sophistication and value to the D2 and D3. Titleist has managed to implement the system properly, although this was the first try in the 10 year history of the series.

The engineering and manufacturing worked. The company focused on adding and removing weight to get the best results and they`ve done their part. It is up to golfers to fine-tune their technique and customize the weight according to the playing conditions.

Some professional golfers recommend a visit to a fitter with highly customizable drives as they need to be precisely configured in order to get the best results. You also need to spend some time familiarizing yourself with the weights and the weight categories to understand how they affect the final result. If you want a highly personal experience, the 917 D2 and D3 should be a top choice.

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