The setup of the winner’s bags around the world, photos from tournaments and quick looks on TV give an insight into what driver, irons, putters and so on players are opting for.

When new models are released by equipment companies, what option the professional go for from one line up to the next helps recreational golfers learn more about what’s new and improved. And perhaps even what model they might like to try for themselves.

When Titleist released the new TSR range of metalwoods, it would be easy to assume that most players would move from the corresponding TSi driver – 1, 2, 3, 4 – to the same TSR.

But as Titleist’s Leadership Fitting Technician Simon Davey told this publication at the recent Australian PGA and Open, the changes in the new drivers, particularly the TSR2, has seen a significant shift in model usage.

“The TSR3 remains the most popular option on Tour with 60 percent of Titleist drivers in play being the 3, while 35 percent use the TSR2 and five percent are in the TSR4,” Davey said.

Titleist's team of fitting experts have been working with players getting the TSR models in play with great success.

“In TSi that percent breakdown was 85 (TSi3), 12 (TSi2) and three (TSi4).”

The reason for the change?

Many players benefitted from the forgiveness offered by the TSi2, however the looks of the TSi3 were vastly more in line with better player preferences, while the centred strikes resulted in higher ball speed and distance.

Those who have stayed with the 3 when shifting to TSR still get the looks and feel off the previous model with some gains in ball speed across the face, whereas the TSR2 has been refined in terms of look and feel to more closely mimic the profile of the popular 3.

Improvements in the face technology also adds some power off the face, making the switch to the TSR2 a common move.

“There were probably guys who really should be in the TSi2, but went with the 3. That isn’t happening this time around,” Davey said.

The TSR3 clearly remains the most popular due to a range of reasons, including the ‘SureFit Adjustable CG Track System’ that allows players to fine tune their ball flight beyond the adjustable hosel featured on all three drivers. Those in the TSR4 continue to be a small number of golfers looking for the lowest spin possible.

The new fairway woods in the TSR line have also seen changes, with more players making the switch from older models, and lofts an interesting change based off refined launch and spin characteristics.

TSi fairways produced low spinning bombs, meaning players often went up in loft with 3-wood carrying 16.5° of loft whereas the new models are seeing more commonly a return to 15°.

Included among the players who have moved into TSR models is Australian PGA champion Cam Smith, with the Queenslander providing the first major win for the line at The Open and opting for a TSR3 driver and TSR2 3-wood, a common mix.

The increasing diversity of models, lofts and more on display over the two weeks of big event golf at the Australian Open and PGA reinforcing the concept that fitting is of the highest importance when it comes to clubs, whether you’re on the PGA Tour of Australasia or playing the monthly medal.

And, like the local Tour players have been, remain open to models that you might have skipped over last release.