Titleist GT1 Driver, Fairway Wood and GT Hybrids
Posted by GolfBox on 16th Jan 2025
Titleist round out their GT metalwood line-up with the release of the new lightweight GT1 driver, GT1 fairway wood and their GT hybrid range.
The ‘1’ has long been Titleist’s requisite lightweight model for the “moderate swing speed” crowd — a euphemism for anyone who swings under 90mph. That pigeonhole holds true in the new GT1 driver, fairway and hybrid.
But the new GT1 range will resonate with a much wider audience after Titleist decided that something was missing. What they delivered might make you view the GT1 line-up in a different light…
TITLEIST GT1 DRIVER
The new Titleist GT1 driver is the lightest of the four GT drivers. It’s around 50g lighter than the GT2, GT3 and GT4 drivers, dropping weight through a slimmer and trimmer head, shaft and grip.
It almost goes without saying a lighter driver will be easier to swing. For slower swing speeds, lighter translates in faster clubhead speeds and more distance.
When Titleist set about creating the new GT1 driver, they didn’t ask their Tour staff for feedback: the ‘1’ doesn’t get a whole lot of traction on tour. Instead, they asked their Titleist fitting staff. And the feedback was unanimous: make the driver launch higher and you’ll advance a typical GT1 player’s game by improving their flight, distance and consistency off the tee no end.
Yep, there’s a large section of golfers who would benefit immensely from a higher launch. But the GT1 also introduces a strange new concept for drivers: more spin.
HIGHER AND SPINNIER?
A Seamless Thermoform Crown wielded a significant influence on the GT1 driver's higher launching trajectory. The new crown, which is only seen on the GT1 driver, allowed Titleist to transfer weight from up top to lower down in the GT1 driver head. It plunged the centre of gravity lower, which created a higher launch.
Which brings us to the GT1's spin...
Marketing a driver as the ‘spinniest in golf’ isn’t exactly going to grab headlines. But the fact is, some players would benefit from more driver spin. There are plenty of faster swing speed players who, because of their angle of attack, don’t generate enough spin. The Titleist GT1 driver remedies that somewhat.
The GT1 is also available in a heavier rear weight configuration. With a 15g rear weight — 6g heavier than the standard weight — the GT1 driver offers higher-launch, along with a little more spin, without being ultra-lightweight. It'll provide club fitters with a few more tools in their toolbox as they seek the perfect blend of spin and launch off the tee.
IMPROVED AERO
While the lighter weight will increase swing speed for many golfers, the GT1’s larger profile did create some aerodynamic challenges for Titleist.
The Titleist GT2, GT3 and GT4 drivers all feature a tear-drop shaped head, however, the new GT1 has more of a stretched head profile front-to-back. To make the GT1 driver more aerodynamic, Titleist reshaped the crown and sole by adding more curves to help it slip through the air faster.
Aero improvements always benefit higher swing speeds to a greater degree, but Titleist reckon the new head shaping will deliver more clubhead speed for everyone.
Meanwhile, the GT1 shares the same Speed Ring and VFT technology like the other Titleist GT drivers. Both components create speed out of the GT1’s face, withextra pop out of the middle and faster off-centre strikes.
TITLEIST GT1 FAIRWAYS
Like the GT1 driver, the new GT1 fairway wood remains the lightweight option in the range. And it’s similarly designed to be more than just a niche offering. Let us explain…
The GT1 fairway wood carries the main tech elements of the GT2 and GT3 fairways that launched in the original Titleist GT release. Read a recap here if you need a refresher.
The new Titleist GT1 fairway has a lighter head weight, lighter shaft and lighter grip. The logic holds that lighter clubs will help golfers swing faster. And that should help get the ball airborne — something many golfers struggle to do consistently with the fairway woods.
That’s certainly the MO of the GT1 fairway wood. Its 180cc head is the largest in the GT fairway range and it also has the shallowest face, which should naturally help players hit the ball higher and further.
But Titleist shifted the goalposts slightly by offering the GT1 fairway in a heavier standard weight build. Twin moveable weights on the front and rear of the sole can produce a different set of spin and flight characteristics when interchanged.
The new GT1 fairway wood should be a viable option for a greater proportion of players. And during a fairway wood fitting, it’ll no doubt stay in the conversation for longer.
TITLEIST GT HYBRIDS
The new Titleist GT hybrid line-up has something for everyone, including the lightweight GT1 hybrid that — by now you might've guessed — is the highest launching model.
It’s joined by the GT3 hybrid, which offers a lower, more penetrating trajectory and looks more like a long iron, and the GT2 hybrid, which sits somewhere in between the two.
TITLEIST GT1 HYBRID
Offered in both the ultralight and standard weight configurations, the GT1 offers the highest launch. It has the shallowest face in the range and front and rear sole weights can be swapped to produce more forgiveness or more ball speed.
TITLEIST GT2 HYBRID
Titleist reckon the GT2 hybrid generates the highest MOI and stability of any hybrid in the game. Slightly smaller than the previous TSR2 hybrid, the GT2 has a flatter leading edge and its sole weights can bias ball shape, depending on their configuration.
TITLEIST GT3 HYBRID
Featuring the smallest head shape in the GT hybrid line-up, the GT3 is kind of old school. Its design is closer to an iron than a fairway wood and while it has a slightly bigger footprint that the TSR3 hybrid, it is a true player’s hybrid.
TITLEIST GT1 DRIVER, FAIRWAY AND HYBRID SPECIFICATIONS
Australian Launch Date: February 21, 2025. Pre-sale: February 5, 2025
Hand: RH/LH
Titleist GT1 Driver Shafts: Fujikura Air Speeder Next Gen 40g (Men’s: r2,r,s) 35g (Women’s: r3)
Titleist GT1 Fairway Wood Shafts: Fujikura Air Speeder Next Gen 40g (Men’s: r2,r,s) 35g (Women’s: r3)
Titleist GT Hybrids Shafts: Fujikura Air Speeder Next Gen 50g (Men’s: r2,r,s) 40g (Women’s: r3)
Titleist GT1 Driver Lofts: 9°, 10°, 12°
Titleist GT1 Fairway Wood Lofts: 15°, 18°, 21°, 24°
Titleist GT1 Hybrid Lofts: 20°, 23°, 26°, 29°
Titleist GT2 Hybrid Lofts: 18°, 21°, 24°
Titleist GT3 Hybrid Lofts: 19°, 21°, 24°