The GT280 leverages generational technology from both Titleist’s GT driver and fairway lineups to give golfers versatile performance at the top end of their bags.
Engineered to be longer and more forgiving than a fairway metal, yet easier to control and more workable than a driver, GT280 gives players an entirely unique set of performance characteristics compared to previous Titleist metalwoods.
“GT280 is a completely new offering that was born from golfer feedback,” said Josh Talge, Titleist’s Vice President of Golf Club Marketing. “We heard from more and more players who were looking for a club that gapped between their driver and 3-wood. For some, this club is for tee shots only. Others need to be able to hit this club off the turf. GT280 is designed to perform exceptionally under both conditions, and it will be a really valuable addition to our metalwood lineup.”
Talge adds: “When we brought out our first mini driver prototype last year, we quickly saw that it fit a performance need for both tour players and amateurs,” said Tom Bennett, Principal Product Manager for Titleist Metalwood R&D. “Whether GT280 is going to have a permanent spot in a player’s bag and replace their strongest-lofted fairway, or if it’s more of a situational ‘15th club,’ there’s a lot of interest in another go-to distance club that performs how GT280 does.”
DESIGN & TECH FEATURES
GT280 features a Seamless Thermoform Crown, made from the same Proprietary Matrix Polymer that comprises the crowns of GT drivers. The design allowed Titleist engineers significant weight savings while maintaining player-preferred sound and feel. The mini driver has forward/rear weighting adjustability like that of the GT4 driver, giving fitters and golfers two distinct centre of gravity settings from which to choose.
GT280 also has a forged L-Cup face design to maximise performance on strikes low on the face, and its profile features a lower leader edge to improve playability from the turf.
Its 280cc head volume sits between that of the GT drivers (460cc) and GT fairway metals (200cc). while it has 13 degrees of loft – the same as a strong 3-wood – and its stock shaft length – 43.5 inches – is two inches shorter than the stock GT driver shaft length (45.5)
“The design goals for GT280 were multi-faceted,” said Bennett. “GT280 needed to have exceptional distance and speed off the tee, it needed to perform from the turf, and it needed to offer adjustability for fitting purposes. That’s a long list of demands, but we approached the challenge by building off both our GT driver and fairway platforms.”
Seamless Thermoform Crown
GT280’s clubhead has a titanium body, but it features a Seamless Thermoform Crown made from Titleist’s Proprietary Matrix Polymer (PMP). This unique composite helps Titleist engineers achieve critical weight savings, allowing them to strategically position GT280’s centre of gravity to promote ultra-fast ball speeds, high stability and optimal launch conditions. Due to its tunable acoustic properties, the PMP also works to preserve Titleist’s signature sound and feel.
CG Adjustability
Like the GT4 driver, GT280 has forward/aft CG adjustability, giving fitters and golfers the ability to fine-tune launch conditions and swing weight. A heavier, 11-gram flat weight comes stock in the aft position, with a lighter, 3-gram flat weight positioned forward. Flipping the weighting setup will lower launch and spin for players seeking a more penetrating flight.
“What we saw with our tour players, some were only looking for performance off the tee – this is like a second driver to them,” said Bennett. “Other ones were really interested in performance off the turf. So having these two CG options to adjust is going to be very valuable in both tour and amateur fittings depending on player needs.”
Forged L-Cup Face
GT280 features a forged L-Cup face, which is comprised of a new insert that wraps around the bottom of the clubface. Because GT280’s face is deeper than that of a fairway wood, Titleist engineers put particular emphasis on improving performance on strikes low on the face. The L-Cup design helps retain ball speed, eliminate excessive spin and enhance sound and feel for such impacts, be them from the tee or the turf.
Lower Leading Edge
In addition to GT280’s L-Cup design, the club’s profile and shaping is also engineered to improve performance from the turf. GT280’s leading edge sits low to the ground, and Titleist engineers softened the sole curvature from heel to toe, creating a confidence-inspiring look at address and helping to raise strike location on the face. The profile changes also add forgiveness on off-centre or low strikes.
“We took the leading edge of a typical driver and really dropped it closer to the turf,” said Bennett. “That’s been one of the first things players have noticed when they set it down at address. It looks more inviting to hit off the turf than a club with its face depth typically would.”
PRICE & ON-SALE DATE
With an RRP of £469, the Titleist GT280 is available for fitting and pre-sale now, and will be in UK and Ireland golf shops from April 18.
For more details, visit www.titleist.co.uk
