2nd Swing Golf
Master fitters, Trackman-heavy testing
“those were carrying about 15 yd longer than three-wood”
Lofted up to 14.5 degrees, the GT280 mini driver won the fitting outright, carrying about 15 yards past the pro's 3-wood off the tee with better height and landing angle, while matching or beating it off the deck.
+ the facts · 5 pros · 2 cons− the facts
- +Carried 274-282 off the tee versus 260 for the 3-wood, with more height and better landing angle
- +Performs off the deck too, adding about 5 yards over the 3-wood with more spin
- +Held playable flight and height even on low-face mishits
- −Needed to be lofted all the way up before the launch and spin numbers clicked
- −Requires learning ball position: tee it like a driver, hit down on it off the deck
For: Strong players who want a draw-friendly fairway finder that out-carries a 3-wood without driver risk
James Robinson Golf
Mid-handicap everyman reviews
“I think it's been slept on massively”
Robinson admits he got this one wrong last year and now rates the GT280 one of the best clubs of this year and last: consistent 250-261 yard drives on a tight hole, forgiving on mishits, and genuinely playable off the deck.
+ the facts · 5 pros · 3 cons− the facts
- +Very consistent distance and tight dispersion across the test (250-261 yards off the tee)
- +Ridiculously good Titleist sound and feel; he felt confident over it
- +Held its line on low-toe and neck strikes
- −At £459 it's pricier than he remembered, and hasn't dropped in price like the full drivers
- −Spin jumps noticeably on neck strikes (over 3,000 rpm)
- −Off the deck it needs a good lie; not a club for the rough
For: Golfers who want a forgiving fairway-finder off the tee at around 250-270 yards that can double as an off-the-deck weapon
Michael Newton Golf
On-course, season-long club tests
“it's a GT driver in a mini version”
Essentially a GT driver in mini form: classic Titleist looks, one of the best sounds and feels on the market, penetrating flight, and no problem at all off the deck.
+ the facts · 6 pros · 2 cons− the facts
- +Classic, beautiful Titleist shape that sits great behind the ball
- +Sounds and feels just like the GT driver, which he calls one of the best-feeling clubs on the market
- +More compact 280cc head than the TaylorMade and Callaway minis
- −Only one loft option at 13 degrees, with just 0.75 degrees of downward adjustment
- −Limited supply, likely to sell out quickly
For: Players wanting a driver replacement for control or a longer fairway-wood alternative
