I'm with you on the importance of sound..  I don't think we are alone on that.

I'm also playing the 910 and was looking forward to trials of the 915.  This time of the year I can get away with wearing ear muffs...but I don't think they will go over so good in July and August.  We shall see.   Just remember...extra length has been known to correct hearing problems.

Hey James, 

I have hit the 915 D2 and D3 as well and I too have a huge issue with the sound.  However I haven't hit either of the 910s or 913s so I can't compare the 915s to those.  

My issue with the sound was that each shot literally left my ears ringing (all shots were hit at an outdoor range).  Nothing wrong with the performance and I really WANT to like the clubs, but right now the sound is a big deterrent.

I'll be hitting them again on TrackMan, so I'll give them another chance.

I agree totally. Now I loved the 913 sound you really knew when you hit it pure. It was a ting but loud. Now it is more like a cally a crack LOUD and if you hit a one piece ball on the range you will get a ring in the ears. Not sure really why they went this way but everyone els says they like it so who am I and we know it is not going to change. One good thing is the fairway and the hybrids are close to the same.

I'm reading several posts about the loud sound of the 915's, but most (if not all) were hitting them inside a building. I'd like to hear from others that have hit them outside, since all drivers will sound loud inside.

Norris,

I hit the 915 driver out on the course and was not surrounded by trees or anything to amplify the sound. 

I do understand your point about the indoor effect. Good point.

James,

I am one of the fortunate golf professionals that was sent a 915 driver before the actual launch date. I have to admit the first time I hit the driver, I had the same knee jerk reaction about the sound. After playing the driver for a couple of months, and seeing the great performance of the new technology, I don't even notice the sound anymore. I used to be very particular about sound, look and feel. If I didn't like the sound, or the look the first day I hit it, it would be in my head and I would never I get over it. I have now come to realize as long as the ball is as far as I can hit it, and in the short stuff, I don't care how it got there! Give the driver a few more test runs, and I'm confident the sound will become just another noise.

Greg, Andrew, Sean, Jonathan,

Thanks for the posts. Good to know that I am not alone.

I think the sound and looks will take time to get used to.

I found the 915 maybe slightly longer than my 910. Not enough of a difference for me to offset the look and sound just yet. It is probably just a confidence thing for me. Just will take time getting used to I guess.

The question I am most interested in is why the sound is such. Is it made to sound like that to appeal to players or is the sound a byproduct of the design, weight, face thickness, manufacturing process, and/or the materials used.

Thanks guys for your posts, very helpful, glad to know it is not just me.

I too think the 915 sounds loud.  Currently playing a 909 as I got no added performance from the 910 or 913 and really like the sound of my 909.  I'm really torn as I did gain almost 10 yds of carry and a little over 15 total with the 915 but the sound is just something I'm not sure I can deal with.

  Any idea if Titleist will hot melt the head to help soften the sound.  Asked the guy who did my fitting about it and he said he didn't know but he doesn't think they do it outside of on the Tour van for their pros.

CoolBreeze,

Thank you for the post and ideas. I play the ProV1x as I tend to have a lot of spin with my irons. So unfortunately I do not want to give up the control with my irons just for the driver.

I'll ask about the hot melt idea but I am not sure he is that savvy sadly but I may be able to find someone.

Thanks for the ideas.

Mike,

I never upgraded to the 913 because I didn't find my negative feeling about the sound worth any potential benefit from performance. I am comparing the sound of the 915 vs the 910.

I found the 915 slightly longer than my 910 but I find my 910 a bit more workable.

So I am on the fence about upgrading because of the sound though I will say I do like the performance of the 915. 

James the D3 head is a bit more workable than the D2 head.  Did you try both? 

Interesting Thread...

I have owned the 910, 913 and now the 915 drivers...luckily...!

That being said, the sound is unique even between the D2 and D3 in each line.  eg...the 913 D3 has a higher pitch than the 913D2 which is more muted. 

I actually like the 915 D2 sound which is similar to the 913 D3 but the 915 D3 is loud similar to a gunshot.  Regardless, I do not seem to have any problem with the 915 models and their sound.  I actually love the sound the 915 D2 since it is a nice blend not too soft and not too loud.  However, some may prefer one or the either. 

Scotty Cameron often says the sound of the ball making impact with the face of his putters makes a player decide if it is a soft or hard impact which is why he has deep milling and almost no milling on various faces of putters. 

I am speculating that the sound of each driver may have some psychological value to distance, feel, and workability/feedback on where the ball is hitting off the face.

Just some random thoughts, but I have enjoyed reading everyone's input thus far!

Cheers!

Chris 92009,

Even after many holes I still found myself anticipating the sound. Hard to explain but I am guessing my swing was not as free as with my 910D3. So I think your thoughts about sound possibly affecting performance is valid.

One round was played under soft conditions and the 915 flew a few yards further (2-3yds). I could tell by the ball marks. Tough because there was some wind. It flew a bit better into the wind as well. The other round was played under firmer conditions and I was about 5-10 total yards longer with the 915. So it sure does seem to me that the spin is less. The 915 was also a bit more difficult to draw or fade which also suggests it has less spin. But the ample size of two rounds is small. 

If I get on a trackman I could confirm it. I just like to see it "out in the field" under different wind conditions etc.

Chuck Z,

I am only a D3 guy so I have only demo'd the D3 in the 910, 913, and 915. I think the 915 spins less so I am guessing that is why it is a bit less workable for me.

I work at a golf course and got to hit the 915 line today after work with one of my professionals.  We both noticed the sound right away, but it is negligible since the balls we were hitting are typical range balls and not a quality ProV type ball.  After a good warm up, we took it to a long par 4 tee box and each fired about ten balls down the fairway to see what we thought.  I love the new club and I might even be putting one on order real soon.  I will have to do a side by side test with my Cbra BioCell driver to see if I get the same of better results.  And I am waiting for the new shaft offerings to arrive for our fitting cart, so I can test out all that will be offered for this new driver.  I think the sound has something to do with the new material and improvements they made to the heads of this club.  So go out and hit this awesome new offering, and I am sure you will giggle like a small child and want to put it right in your bag.  

I haven't personally hit the 915 yet, but I've played 2 rounds with people who were hitting.  The sound was different from the 913, that's for sure.  I'll just say that if I pick up a few extra yards and my off center drives stay closer to the fairway, I don't care if it sounds like an air horn at impact.  I'll gladly deal with it.  

Final thoughts on the sound:

Its definitely loud, but the ball you play will made a big difference.  The typical range balls at my range are the basic TM balls, with a few TourPreferreds sprinkled in.  The basic range balls were extremely loud, but the TourPreferred balls were much more quiet (no ringing sound in my ears after a shot).  I did hit a few beat up ProV1x balls, which are what I actually play with, and they were a touch louder than the TP balls.  Will definitely try a regular ProV to see if there is a difference.

Regardless, I ordered a 915 D3 8.5*, 13.5* Fd and a 19* Hd.  Really looking forward to putting these in play as they certainly helped to decrease my spin numbers.

Andrew,

I think the new Titleist ball might make a little more of a difference on the sound as well. Hopefully.

How much lower were your spin numbers?

I liked the performance of the 915, the sound just bugs me (using a ProV1x).

James, 

Spin was down about 300rpm, but I think I'll be able to get it down more since the particular D3 I hit was actually 10.5* (labeled as 9.5*).  Im hoping the 8.5* I ordered will actually be 8.5* or at lease close to it.

Andrew,

Thanks, that is more than I would have thought. Interesting.

The 8.5 should be on, odd that the other head was off. Not good.

Thanks

Christopher,

I think you are right about the sound being a function of the changes (weight, etc). Sadly I have already hit it quite a lot and still flinch a bit at the sound. Performance (distance, less spin, etc) was a bit better than my 910D3 but it will take me some time getting used to it for a bit better performance. Not sure I want to deal with it just yet. Nice club though. 

I tested and preorded a new 915D2 Rogue 70 Stiff and the noise you refer to was not an issue with me.  I took a new sleeve of Prov1s with me for my fitting because that is what I play.  Also took my 910 driver so we could compare numbers during the fitting.  Neither club presented a noise factor.    Am pleased with the club, just needs a midsize golfpride multicompound grip.......... 

I had the chance to play around woth our pros D2 super driver. shaft was a little too stiff for me

I went and got. fitted the next week with a titelist rep at Goldsmith.

on the launch monitor it was 10 yards longer , higher ball flight tham my SLD driver.

VERY NICE  CLUB 

Just wanted to post an update after my fitting on TrackMan:

Put the 915 D3 as well as the 915 3 wood and 915 hybrid up against the SLDR equivalent.  Shafts and lofts were matched for each comparison to the best of our abilities.

915 3 wood and 915 hybrid performed nearly identically to the SLDR equivalent.

Now for the drivers:  

The sound of the 915 was still extremely loud, even my fitter said it left his ears ringing (yes, we were on an outdoor range).  My swing speed averaged 118mph which really isn't that high, so there is no way the pros are playing this club as is... they have to be hot melting this thing, right?  Also, the particular D3 head my fitter had was labeled as 9.5 degrees, but actually measured 10.5 degrees (we did put the D3 in the -0.75 degree position).

SLDR sound was certainly better.  Both drivers gave me the same carry (2 yard difference between the two).  However the SLDR did give an additional 7 yards of theoretical roll out due to a more optimal landing angle and 400rpm less spin.  

I will definitely be going with the 915 3 wood/hybrid and likely going with the 915 D3 in an 8.5 degree (hopefully it actually is 8.5 degrees) and maybe drop it the additional -0.75 degrees, to bring down the spin and optimize the landing angle.  I can handle the sound for the 10-12 times I actually it it during a round.  

Just my two cents.

Andrew,

Thank you for the update and the additional information. Interesting. Thanks

I agree that it's much louder than the 913 and prior, butI didn't think it's as loud as what you're saying. Were you in the type of range that has those little cement walls on each stall? If so, you were hearing the echo from the walls and that would explain it.

I played a whole round with the 915 last week as well as at an outside grass range on Saturday and the sound, although louder, was not that big of a deal. BUT, yes, it would have bothered me both inside as well as in one of those ranges that have walls (even half walls). Those walls echo big-time.

Let us know!

Hey B.A., 

Just a grass, completely outdoor range ... no cement walls or anything.  I have a few beat up ProVs that I will be taking to the range to sacrifice for further sound testing.  The range balls at the course are lower end TM balls, which could be adding to the sound effect I am hearing.  

Fingers crossed the ProVs sound better.

Andrew,

The ProV1s will sound better though in my opinion the sound still takes a lot of time to get used to sadly.

Personally, I have heard more people complain about the sound and most of the others "accepting" the sound. Very few seem to like/prefer the sound.