Titleist
Launches Tour-Proven Titanium 983 Drivers
983K and 983E Find Overwhelming Early-Season Success
with Players Across Worldwide Professional Tours
Contact Joe Gomes
Director of Communications
joe_gomes@acushnetgolf.com
508-979-3211
www.titleist.com
FAIRHAVEN, Mass. (February 12, 2003) - Titleist(R) takes titanium driver
performance to the next level with the introduction of the new Titleist
Titanium 983(TM) driver series. Building upon the high performance, player-based
success of the legendary Titleist Titanium 975 family, the new, tour-proven
983K and 983E models are a successful blend of technology, engineering,
and craftsmanship. The result is two distinctly different drivers with
common attributes of superior launch performance and optimum ball flight.
"True to its mission of providing superior high performance golf clubs,
the introduction of the new 983K and 983E drivers enables Titleist to
provide the serious golfer with a more optimal launch condition and ball
flight experience," said Chris McGinley, Vice President, Titleist Golf
Club Marketing Worldwide. "The new 983 driver design optimizes current
material and construction technology, while retaining the highly preferred
Titleist 'true pear' profile. Great looks and high performance sounds
simple, but no one is doing it better than Titleist."
TITLEIST TITANIUM 983 DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT
Utilizing state-of-the-art Computer Aided Design (CAD), Titleist engineers
created an optimal weight distribution and Center of Gravity (CG) location
in the new Titleist Titanium 983 drivers by carefully managing face and wall
thickness gram by gram. A two-piece "face pull" construction allows for a
thin beta titanium face insert plate to be supported by an even thinner titanium
face frame. A revolutionary plasma face welding process provides for a cleaner,
higher quality weld that utilizes less weight and therefore improves overall
weight distribution. The face insert has been inset more from the crown,
side and sole walls, allowing the entire face structure to perform more efficiently.
These design and construction improvements optimize face performance and
provide for higher ball speed and maximum allowable Coefficient of Restitution
(COR) across a larger area of the face. Titleist 983 drivers also retain
a thru-bore shaft design and internal thru-bore tube that creates a longer
shaft insertion depth for feel and stability. Both the 983K and 983E feature
the highly accepted Titleist true pear profile, with traditional crown curvature,
traditional face roll and bulge, and right amount of face progression. The
result is a continuous, balanced and proportionate overall shape that makes
983 drivers a modern classic.
"Titleist Titanium 983 drivers meet and exceed the performance and
aesthetic expectations of many of the world's best players, like Phil
Mickelson, Ernie Els and Davis Love III" said McGinley. "The new 983K
and 983E drivers allow all serious and aspirational golfers alike the
opportunity to maximize their driving distance and accuracy by choosing
a driver that optimizes their launch angle, spin rate and ball speed.
The 983 drivers continue the Titleist tradition of high performance while
maintaining classic styling and sweet, solid feel."
TITLEIST TITANIUM 983K
The Titleist Titanium 983K features a head volume of 365cc and is targeted at
all serious golfers (from tour player to aspiring golfer) seeking a moderate
spin driver with optimum playability. The 983K is slightly longer heel-to-toe
and deeper from front-to-back than its 983E counterpart. The larger head size
produces a moderate to higher initial launch angle. The larger head size and
deeper CG create a high moment of inertia (MOI) for playability. The overall
result is a driver with an ideal initial trajectory and high but flat downrange
ball flight for longer distance, with increased playability and forgiveness.
TITLEIST TITANIUM 983E
The Titleist Titanium 983E is a 350cc driver with a deep face and more compact
profile than its 983K counterpart. It is designed for stronger or higher
ball speed players seeking reduced spin for optimum performance and playability.
The smaller, deeper head and its shallower front-to-back size produces less
dynamic loft for a flatter initial launch angle and downrange trajectory
than the 983K. Increased sole plate thickness moves the CG forward and down
in the 983E, increasing the vertical gear effect which, in turn, reduces
spin.
SHAFT/LOFT/GRIP OPTIONS
The Titleist Titanium 983 drivers feature standard tour-proven shafts including
the mid-weight, stiff-tipped Titleist Speeder by Fujikura (77g); high performance
lightweight, stiff-tipped Titleist Prolite by Grafalloy (65g); and the lightweight,
medium-tipped Graphite Design YS-6 (64g). The new, proprietary Titleist 4560
(60g) ultralight shaft is also available as a standard option in the 983K.
Standard lofts in the 983K include 7.5, 8.5, 9.5, 10.5 and 11.5 degrees for
right-handed golfers and 7.5, 8.5, 9.5 and 10.5 degrees in left hand. Lofts
in the 983E include 7.5, 8.5, 9.5 and 10.5 degrees in right hand and 8.5,
9.5 and 10.5 degrees in left hand. The standard grip for all shafts is the
Titleist Victory Velvet Full Cord Round with chrome paint fill. Additional
Titleist shaft and grip options are available through Titleist Custom.
AESTHETICS
The look of the new 983 drivers is purely sophisticated, continuing the Titleist
Titanium heritage that began in 1997 with the now legendary 975D. The 983
drivers are modern classics, featuring a new dark gray paint and Titleist
fulcrum on the crown. There are fewer scorelines in the impact area for face
strength, while new bolder sole graphics include a larger Titleist logo and
dashed diamond bar pattern. The recognizable sole scallops have been modernized
to include a new multi-level design with textured paint.
PRICING AND AVAILABILITY
Titleist 983 drivers carry a suggested retail price of $500 and commence shipping
to golf shops on April 1, 2003. For more information regarding the Titleist
driver family, shaft matrices, performance comparisons and player testimonials,
please visit the new Titleist Titanium 983 microsite at www.titleist.com/983drivers that
debuts March 1. Additional inquiries can be addressed by calling the Titleist
Consumer Hotline at 1.888.324.4766. Photography can be obtained by contacting
Joe Gomes, Director of Communications at joe_gomes@acushnetgolf.com or
508.979.3211.
TITLEIST TITANIUM 983K DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND PERFORMANCE FEATURES
AND BENEFITS
983K Size and Construction:
365cc head volume
True pear-shaped profile
Larger and flatter than the 983E in playing position
Slightly shallower face the 983E
2-piece "face pull" design
Cast #6-4 titanium body
983K Speed: Large, uniformly thin, beta titanium face insert
produces higher ball speed and maximum allowable COR
SP700 beta titanium face insert is formed from cold rolled sheet for high strength,
thin and durable construction
Thin, outer face body flange surrounds and supports face insert to produce
a higher COR over a larger area
Increases COR while maintaining a reasonable face insert thickness
Patent Pending special "thin belt" feature wraps around the club body, near
the face
High quality plasma face weld produces more consistent ball speed and COR performance
Plasma face weld also improves weight distribution by eliminating excess weld
material
983K Launch: Larger head size and deeper CG produces a higher
moment of inertia for playability
Strategic area of increased wall thickness in the rear skirt area produces
a deeper CG for a slightly higher initial launch angle
983K Spin: Face height in relation to vertical CG location produces
moderate to lower spin for long, straight distance
Larger, compliant (flexible) face insert produces lower spin, optimizes distance
and directional control for stronger players
983K Workability: Low spin and strategic weighting help reduce
fade/slice miss tendency
Weighting allows for face to close more easily, enhancing a draw ball flight
Other 983K Design Features: Thru-bore shaft design for feel
and stability
Traditional hosel length
Internal thru-bore tube creates a longer shaft insertion depth for stability
Hosel and thru-bore tube bias weight closer to shaft axis and adds shot and
trajectory control
Internal weight belt around the crown perimeter helps reinforce larger head
for stability at impact
Other 983K Appearance Features: Crown has traditional curvature
with high point towards toe
Crown blends seamlessly into the hosel, no steps or breaks
Traditional bulge and roll radius of 10.5" for more traditional appearance
and face curvature
Additional roll helps show loft
Square face angle both mechanically and visually
Less scoring in impact area for face strength
New Titleist Titanium sole graphics and redesigned multi-level sole scallops
983K Stock shaft options: Titleist Speeder (77g), Titleist Prolite
(65g), Graphite Design YS-6 (65g), Titleist 4560 (60g)
983K Standard Length/Lie Angle: 45"/ 57°
983K Lofts Available: RH: 7.5°, 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5°,
11.5°. LH: 7.5°, 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5°
983K Stock Grip: Titleist Victory Velvet Full Cord Round
TITLEIST TITANIUM 983E DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND PERFORMANCE FEATURES
AND BENEFITS
983E Size and Construction:
350cc head volume
True pear-shaped profile
Deeper face (2.130") than 983K (2.020")
2-piece "face pull" design
Cast #6-4 titanium body
983E Speed: Large, uniformly thin, beta titanium face insert
produces higher ball speed and maximum allowable COR
SP700 beta titanium face insert is formed from cold rolled sheet for high strength,
thin and durable construction
Thin, outer face body flange surrounds and supports face insert to produce
a higher COR over a larger area
Increases COR while maintaining a reasonable face insert thickness
Patent Pending special "thin belt" feature wraps around the club body, near
the face
High quality plasma face weld produces more consistent ball speed and COR performance
Plasma face weld also improves weight distribution by eliminating excess weld
material
983E Launch: Slightly shallower front-to-back profile produces
a flatter initial launch angle
Smaller, deeper head size from front-to-back than 983K produces less dynamic
loft and a flatter, more boring trajectory
983E Spin: Increased sole plate thickness moves CG forward and
down
Deep face and increased vertical gear effect reduces spin
Low spin design for longer, straighter drives
Low spin for the stronger or high-spin player seeking optimal distance with
trajectory control
983E Workability: Neutral weight bias for neutral flight tendency
Slightly lower launch and spin produces a flatter trajectory
Good for trajectory control
Other 983E Design Features: Thru-bore shaft design for feel
and stability
Traditional hosel length
Internal thru-bore tube creates a longer shaft insertion depth for stability
Hosel and thru-bore tube bias weight closer to shaft axis and adds shot and
trajectory control
Internal weight belt around the crown perimeter helps reinforce larger head
for stability at impact
Other 983E Appearance Features: Crown has traditional curvature
with high point towards toe
Crown blends seamlessly into the hosel, no steps or breaks
Traditional bulge and roll radius of 10.5" for more traditional appearance
and face curvature
Additional roll helps show loft
Square face angle both mechanically and visually
Less scoring in impact area for face strength
New Titleist Titanium sole graphics and redesigned multi-level sole scallops
983E Stock shaft options: Titleist Speeder (77g), Titleist Prolite
(65g), Graphite Design YS-6 (65g)
983E Standard Length/Lie Angle: 45"/ 57°
983E Lofts Available: RH: 7.5°, 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5°.
LH: 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5°
983E Stock Grip: Titleist Victory Velvet Full Cord Round
TITLEIST TITANIUM ON TOUR "The Titleist driver product and performance
heritage comes from a strict development blueprint that starts with 'getting
the product right' before we release it to the marketplace," comments
McGinley. "With every Titleist high performance product, including the
Titleist Titanium 983 drivers, golfers can be sure that it has been thoroughly
machine tested at Titleist's state-of-the art Oceanside Test Facility,
and more importantly, player-tested and proven on golf's most competitive
battlefield - the PGA Tour - before it reaches golf shops."
It is in these venues that the 983 drivers have been successfully seeded
and validated with the world's most discerning and influential golfers,
and have begun to weave an impressive story of success:
- The 983 drivers gained immediate attention at the 2002 PGA TOUR
Championship when Phil Mickelson and Davis Love III each played the
prototype 983 drivers, finishing in a tie for 5th place.
- Mark O'Meara played the Titleist Titanium 983E for the first time
in competition at the 2002 Skins Game, winning an event-leading 8 skins
and $705,000.
- Ernie Els played the Titleist Titanium 983K in competition for the
first time at the season-opening 2003 Mercedes Championships, and pocketed
$1 million following his record-setting eight-stroke victory. Els shattered
the tournament scoring mark by five strokes, and set a new 72-hole
PGA Tour record for lowest score in relation to par by three shots.
Not only did Els' separate himself from the field on the leaderboard,
but he led in virtually every key statistical category including driving
distance with a mammoth 323.4 yard average.
- Els' 376 yard drive on the 15th hole at Kapalua is listed as the
longest official drive on the 2003 PGA Tour to date.
- Els made it 2-for-2 on the 2003 PGA Tour when he posted another winning
performance at the Sony Open in Hawaii playing the Titleist Titanium
983K driver. Els captured the title in a dramatic playoff, earning
$810,000 for his extra effort. For the second consecutive week, Els
led the tournament field in the key statistical categories of driving
distance (315.8 yard avg.) and driving accuracy (60.7%).
- Phil Mickelson, playing for the first time in 2003, relied upon the
Titleist Titanium 983K driver to lead the Phoenix Open in driving distance
with an average of 322.8 yards en route to a top 10 finish.
- Mickelson posted another top 10 finish the following week at the
Bob Hope Chrysler Classic with his 983K, once again averaging more
than 300 yards per drive.
- Davis Love III captured
the AT&T National Pro-Am and its $900,000
first prize playing the new Titleist Titanium 983E. Needing a four
on the par 5, 72nd hole to win the event, Love unloaded a tournament-best
316-yard drive. His 220-yard approach shot landed within 12 feet of
the hole which converted for a two-putt birdie. It marked the third
victory for 983 drivers through the first five PGA Tour events of the
year.
- On the same day Davis Love III was performing his heroics at Pebble
Beach, another full line ambassador, Paul Casey, captured the PGA European
Tour's ANZ Championship in Sydney, Australia. Trusting the Titleist
Titanium 983K, Casey birdied the final hole to earn 45 points in the
modified Stableford event, four points ahead of his nearest challenger.
- Through the first five events on the PGA Tour, Titleist Titanium
983 loyalists own the top three positions on the PGA Tour Driving Distance
list. Ernie Els tops the chart with a 319.6 average, followed by Phil
Mickelson at 312.0 yards per drive. The defending and 11-time PGA Tour
Driving Distance champion is currently third with a 310.2 average.
WHAT TOUR PLAYERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE TITLEIST TITANIUM 983 DRIVERS
"My new 983K driver with
9.5 degrees of loft is the hottest club I've ever hit. It's totally
unbelievable. It has a slightly heavier shaft
than I've used in previous years, and the weight feels brilliant in my
hands. This just seems to suit my swing and man does it fly! The Mercedes
Championships was my first competitive event playing with the new driver
and I've never hit the ball as far through the air, or as straight. I
almost couldn't stop smiling every time I hit it! I get the perfect trajectory
with the combination of my 983K driver and the new Titleist Pro V1x golf
ball. The two seem to be a match made in heaven."
- Ernie Els, Winner of 2003 Mercedes Championships, Sony Open and
Heineken Classic
"The new 983E is another
great new driver from Titleist. I hit the golf ball a lot farther with
the 983E, but more importantly I hit it
flatter and straighter. I have more confidence and control off the tee
and am hitting the ball with less spin on it so I can get it running
down the fairway better. I am also hitting a lot more fairways which
allows me to shoot at the hole more often."
- Davis Love III, Winner
of 2003 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am
"This is an exciting time
because the new Titleist Titanium 983K has given me a launch condition
that I have never seen on a driver before,
allowing me to perform at a much higher level. The ball is launching
super high with very little spin, and the combination of the Titleist
Titanium 983K and new Pro V1x golf ball is giving me unbelievable distance
and accuracy. It has very little drag, gets up in the air and just soars
forever. I have picked up a bunch of yardage because of it."
- Phil Mickelson
"I visited the Titleist Test
Center in Oceanside a couple of days before The Skins Game where I
hit the 983K for the first time. I put it in play
that week, hit the ball great and ended up winning the tournament. The
golf ball absolutely screams off the face, without sacrificing the workability
that allows me to still draw and cut the ball when I want. The combination
of the 983K and new Titleist Pro V1x golf ball provides for a nice, high,
penetrating launch and ball flight that just keeps the ball in the air."
- Mark O'Meara
TITLEIST TITANIUM 983 STOCK SHAFT DESCRIPTIONS
Titleist Speeder(TM) by Fujikura(R) (77g) - A tip and butt stiff
shaft made with triaxial woven material that provides added strength.
The Titleist Speeder is designed to prevent excess deformation during
loading and makes it a good choice for high swing speed players. The
mid-weight shaft provides stable feel and directional control for the
strong player.
Titleist Prolite(TM) by Grafalloy(R) (65g) - A high performance
lightweight shaft that features a stiff tip design. The Titleist Prolite
produces a flatter trajectory than other ultralight shafts and is a good
choice for the stronger or faster-tempo player who wants or requires
a lightweight shaft with firm feel and good control characteristics.
Graphite Design(TM) YS-6(R) (64g) - A stable, tour-proven lightweight
shaft that provides a good balance between feel and shot control. The
YS-6 features a medium tip that provides good feel with lower torque
for stability and control. Feels soft, but plays like a stiffer tip product.
Titleist 4560 (60g) - A versatile high performance ultralight
shaft with a slightly lower flexpoint producing a medium trajectory.
Provides an excellent combination of feel and control, and is a good
choice for players with a smooth tempo.
- Additional shafts available through Titleist Custom.
- Speeder and Fujikura are trademarks of Fujikura Rubber, Inc.; Prolite
and Grafalloy are trademarks of True Temper Sports, Inc.; Graphite
Design and YS-6 are trademarks of Graphite Design International, Inc.
All other trademarks owned by Acushnet Company.
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