The Acushnet Co. (Titleist, FootJoy) isn’t the first player in the game with
adjustable drivers, but no doubt the new Titleist 910D2 and 910D3 drivers will be among the more successful. Each driver features what Acushnet calls a “SureFit Tour’’ dual-angle hosel. SFT is a technology that allows loft and lie to be independently adjusted and set.
The technology appears more complicated than it really is, but it’s wise to get the advice of a good clubfitter before deciding on a model and loft and lie. The SFT hosel features a sleeve and a ring, each with four settings. The sleeve settings are numbered 1, 2, 3, 4 and the ring settings are lettered A, B, C, D. The result is a matrix of 16 loft/lie combinations for left or right flight improvements (mostly via lie adjustment), and launch and spin improvements (mostly via loft adjustments).
The combination and interaction of the ring and sleeve provides the “dual angle” technology that makes independent loft and lie adjustability possible, which is different from competitive adjustable hosel drivers that feature only a single angle for dependent adjustability.
“We describe SureFit Tour technology as a ‘Tour Van-in-a-hosel,’ because the dual-angle hosel technology in combination with the interchangeable shaft and rear bezel weight provides a fitter with all the power of a tour van right at the point of fitting,” said Steve Pelisek, general manager of Titleist golf clubs. ““We can adjust loft and lie, as well as change the shaft and weight of the driver right on the tee.”
Each of the Titleist 910 drivers (suggested retail price $499) features Titleist’s familiar pear-shape club head, but each offers different playing characteristics. The Titleist 910D2 features a 460cc full-pear shaped head that most players will like because it promotes a straighter ball flight with higher launch and low-to-mid spin. The 910D3 features a 445cc classic-pear shaped head design that produces a boring (read: lower) flight and workability lot of low handicap players and tour players prefer.
