Titleist TSR2 Vs PXG 0311 Black Ops Driver
I tested the latest PXG driver against the tried-and-true Titleist TSR2.
Which one was better overall? Read on to find out.
Titleist TSR2 Driver Overview
“The TSR2 features a variable face thickness design, aerospace-grade titanium and adjustable hosel.”
The TSR2 looks incredibly sleek. There aren’t any bells or whistles on the crown or sole – just a glossy finish that makes for a speedy aesthetic.
And the TSR2 does indeed generate good ball speed. The low/forward CG mutes spin for penetrating flight and good rollout.
Keep in mind though that the TSR2 still punishes heel and toe-side mis-hits fairly harshly. The TSR2 sells for $600.
PXG 0311 Black Ops Driver Overview
“The Black Ops driver features a carbon fiber crown/sole, titanium alloy face and three interchangeable weight ports.”
The head has a triangular, elongated shape. And the black/silver color scheme looks simple but clean.
Being able to switch the weights to generate more fade, draw or higher launch makes this driver very versatile.
The Black Ops driver is certainly more forgiving than the TSR2 and delivers a bit more distance and similar spin rates.
“Both drivers perform well in their own right. But the PXG 0311 Black Ops driver is better for high handicap players.”
The Titleist TSR2 Driver First Impressions
The first thing to notice about this club is head shaping. Titleist have gone for a more classic look in the most stable and forgiving offering in the TSR Range.
That means a Boat Trail at the trailing edge of the club and a rounder smooth curvature that Titleist Traditionalists will love, it looks like a Titleist driver.
All the frills have been removed from the sole of the club and the result again is more minimalist and clean.
Multi Plateau Variable Face Thickness allows this club to be extremely consistent in regard to ball speed and direction. It’s got an incredibly thin face in the middle with strategically thicker areas to the side.
This results in consistent ball speed and flight path when hit in common miss locations on the face.
This ensures that the TSR2 is the ‘Max’ version of this series and will suit players who struggle to hit the sweet spot every time.
This driver produces more club head speed, ball speed, and carry distance than the TSi2. It also has less spin, a lower launch angle, and more consistency resulting in an excellent new driver overall for Titleist.
The club has plenty of options for adjustments too, you can adjust the lie and loft independently with the club lofts running from 8 degrees to 11.
The TSR2 is certainly an upgrade on the TSi2 for us and is a club that will suit both tour and amateur players this season.
PXG 0311 Black Ops Driver – First Impressions
“I was first blown away with the dispersion.”
I hit a variety of shots (fat, thin, draws etc.) during my testing and after all was said and done, my average off-line divergence was just 11.4 yards.
I was blown away by the fact that no matter how I was swinging this driver, it was still producing very favorable lies.
Again, this was with the standard weight configuration (2.5g weights up front and the 12.5g weight in the back.
So I can only imagine what my dispersion would look like if I had moved the front weights up to 5 grams. But I digress.
The PXG 0311 Black Ops driver has an exceptionally solid feel thanks in part to the AMF (Advanced Material Face) face design but also because of the natural frequency optimization.
This is a design that the PXG engineers used to finetune the inherent vibration patterns on the club head – resulting in a pleasing frequency and inhibition of vibration.
And you can really feel the high MOI at play. For the uninitiated, high MOI essentially translates to tight dispersion because it keeps the head and face from deflecting or warping.
This minimizes cut spin which keeps the ball on-line.
Titleist TSR2 Driver Selling Points
- More Aerodynamic Head
- Faster Swing Speeds
- Lower Spin And Launch Angle
- Optimised Speed, Stability And Consistency
- Aerospace Grade Titanium
- Confidence Inspiring VFT Face
PXG 0311 Black Ops Selling Points
- Advanced Material Face
- Natural frequency optimization
- Three movable weight ports
- Carbon fiber crown and sole
- Robotic face polishing
- High launching
- Low spin
- Many custom shaft options
Who Is The TSR2 Driver For
The TSR2 Driver is going to suit all golfers from Tour Professionals, to those trying to improve their handicap with longer, more consistent shots.
The TSR range is probably not going to be a good bet for a high handicapper unless they want to fork out substantial money for this amazing club in place of something second hand or less expensive.
That being said, the TSR2 is aimed at the player who struggles to hit the center of the club face consistently.
If you are a High to Mid Handicapper, this driver is likely to bring optimal consistency to your game, especially when dialled into your own personal swing dynamics.
This is a premium club for those who want the very best performance from their driver.
The club is high launching and with low spin for those that that will suit.
If you have a slice or hook, the VFT and inviting face may have a lot to offer your game.
This is also for golf who want to impress their friends and golf mates with an epic driver from the tour players’ favorite brand.
Titleist was disappointed that Tour players were not using the TSi2 and this big improvement should get more of the biggest names in golf wielding the club in the coming seasons.
The TSR Family Of Drivers
The TSR is the most accurate and forgiving of the clubs and is available now.
The TSR1 is the lightweight, further stripped down version with a lighter shaft and higher loft for seniors and those with slower swing speeds.
The TSR3 is for the players and those who strike the ball consistently already. It has a changeable Center of Gravity placement.
It has a slightly lower launch and low levels of spin too, an excellent option for the better ball strikers.
Distance: 95/100
Accuracy: 98/100
Forgiveness: 95/100
Feel & Control: 96/100
Overall Score: 97/100
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Who is the PXG 0311 Black Ops Driver for?
“The PXG 0311 Black Ops driver is great for mid and high handicappers.”
It’s actually hard to think of a group of players who couldn’t do with more forgiveness and tighter dispersion but I reserve my universal recommendation because of the head shape and launch.
Single-digit handicappers probably won’t get the most speed out of the PXG 0311 Black Ops because of the head size and the launch angles are probably too high for players who get extra carry by keeping the ball low.
But other than that, the PXG 0311 Black Ops is an excellent driver for anyone who wants near-automatic straight drives or anyone who wants the ability to shape shots to a fine degree.
Distance: 96/100
Accuracy: 98/100
Forgiveness: 98/100
Feel & Control: 97/100
Overall Score: 98/100
