Titleist Brings the GT280 Mini Driver to Market: Here’s What Makes It the Best

Titleist has now launched a Mini Driver with its own offering of the GT280, and just a year or so after the club became somewhat of a fad, it is still lingering with specific advantages for various players from the amateur ranks to the PGA TOUR.

The Mini Driver is a niche club that basically falls in between your driver and three wood in terms of loft. It has a higher launch than your driver and is ideal for harder conditions or when you just want more confidence and accuracy off the tee.

They are suitable for a higher launch and softer landing, increasing accuracy and bringing more appeal to players at all levels.

Titleist’s approach with the GT280 was to be longer and more forgiving than a fairway metal while also being easier to control and offering more workability than the driver. It is the best of both worlds, and many players, myself included, have found that certain courses are better suited for the Mini Driver.

Josh Talge, Titleist’s VP of Golf Club Marketing, said:

“GT280 is a completely new offering that was born from golfer feedback. 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.”

Titleist’s Senior Director of Club Promotions, JJ Van Wezenbeeck, first requested the development of a Mini Driver last year. The company immediately saw a fit for it for all skill levels and players.

But it’s more than just another in-between option for players. It uses a lot of high-end technology that was founded through R&D on Titleist’s behalf. These features include a Seamless Thermoform Crown, which is also found on the crowns of the GT Driver lineup. 

The Crown is made of a Proprietary Matrix Polymer (PMP) and helps save weight while maintaining sound and feel. It also has forward/aft weighting adjustability like the GT4, and a forged L-Cup face design to maximize power and performance on mishits.

The GT280’s lower leading edge also improves turf interaction for those who need it. Tom Bennett, Principal Product Manager for Titleist Metalwood R&D said:

“We took the leading edge of a typical driver and really dropped it closer to the turf. 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.”

Specs