The brassie is making a comeback.
For those not schooled in the history of golf clubs, the brassie was the name for 2-woods in the time when shafts were made of hickory, and not metal. The term long ago disappeared from golf’s vernacular, as did the 2-wood, replaced, largely in recent years, by adjustable 3-woods where the loft could be altered.
No, the 2-wood isn’t called a brassie any longer. Instead, for more of the past 15 years, we’ve referred to them as “mini drivers,” especially as the head of regular drivers grew to 460 cc. Several companies have tapped into this off and on over recent years, and Titleist’s GT280 is the latest, offering golfers a club that can be hit from the turf or from the tee, making it highly versatile. Titleist says the driver will see use by a lot of amateurs, but that some of its tour staff are intrigued by it as well.
Josh Talge, Titleist’s Vice-President of Golf Club Marketing, says the driver was created to address the interest in a club that sits between the driver and traditional 3-wood. “We heard from more and more players who were looking for a club that gapped between their driver and 3-wood,” Talge says. “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.”
Product Keys
Multi-purpose
One of the challenges for the GT280 is to find a way for the driver to work off the tee and from the turf, similar to a 3-wood, but with less loft.
GT tech
A lot of the same tech found in the GT line of drivers is utilized in the GT280. That includes a Seamless Thermoform Crown, and the same forward/aft weighting adjustability used in the GT4 driver, which gives the driver two distinct centre of gravity settings. The driver also uses the forged L-Cup face design to maximize performance on strikes low on the face, and its profile features a lower leader edge to improve playability from the turf.
Adjustability
Two weights—an 11 gram and 3 gram offering—can be positioned in forward or rear settings. Placing the heavier weight in the forward position allows the club to launch shots lower with less spin. For those seeking to use the club off the tee, this is often the preferred option.
Lower Leading Edge
Titleist’s engineers designed the GT280 to work off the tee and with the turf by creating a lower leading edge and softening the sole curvature for improved ground interaction. The alteration also had a secondary benefit by helping raise the strike on the face, and creating a look that instills confidence.
Worth noting: Standard shaft length is 43.5 inches for men and 42.5 inches for women.
Is it for me?
The interest in the GT280 will depend on the makeup of your set, and potentially the type of courses you play. Are you a golfer who tackles tight tree-lined golf courses where you’re seeking distance, but accuracy is key? Then there’s a good chance the GT280 will be a good fit for you off the tee. On the other hand, if you’re someone who finds par-5s just out of reach for your 3-wood, the GT280 could be a good option from the fairway or light rough.