The Titleist GT280 Mini Driver is a compact, versatile club designed to bridge the gap between a traditional driver and a 3-wood. It's built for golfers who value control and precision off the tee while still seeking solid distance.
Overview
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Head Size: At 280cc, the GT280 is smaller than a standard driver but larger than a typical fairway wood, offering a unique blend of control and forgiveness.
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Loft & Shaft Length: It comes with a standard 13° loft and a 43.5-inch shaft—shorter than most drivers, which enhances control without sacrificing much distance.
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Adjustable Weights: The club features interchangeable front and back weights (11g and 3g standard), allowing players to fine-tune launch and spin. Placing more weight forward lowers spin and creates a more penetrating ball flight, while more rear weight increases launch and forgiveness.
Key Technologies
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Forged L-Cup Face: This titanium face design helps preserve ball speed and consistency, especially on low-face strikes—a common issue when hitting from tight lies or off the deck.
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Thermoformed Crown: A lightweight composite crown shifts mass lower in the head for better stability and optimized launch conditions.
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SureFit Hosel: Allows independent adjustments to loft and lie, providing up to 1.5° of loft increase or decrease and subtle lie angle tweaks to fine-tune ball flight.
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Sole Design: The flatter sole and lower leading edge are designed to improve playability from the turf, making the GT280 more usable off the fairway than a typical driver.
Performance
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Distance: Delivers strong distance, especially for players who prefer a compact head and shorter shaft. While it may not be as long as a full-size driver, it offers more consistent contact and dispersion.
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Spin and Trajectory: Offers a low to mid spin profile with a penetrating ball flight, especially when set up with a forward CG. Adjustments allow for either a higher launch or a flatter trajectory depending on player preference.
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Versatility: Useful off the tee and from the fairway. Particularly beneficial on narrow holes, links-style courses, or in windy conditions where control is more important than raw distance.
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Sound and Feel: Provides a solid, clean feel with a traditional acoustic signature. Off-center strikes still offer respectable feedback and performance.
Player Profile
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Best suited for golfers who want more control than a standard driver offers.
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A great option for players who struggle with long fairway woods or who prefer a shorter shaft for better tempo and strike consistency.
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Also appealing to skilled players looking for a second tee option or a driving club for tight courses.
Considerations
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While the GT280 is easier to hit than a traditional driver, it may not produce the same maximum distance, especially for players who generate lower clubhead speeds.
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It’s not specifically designed for high handicappers, as it requires reasonably consistent ball striking to unlock its full potential.
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Since it’s counted in the 14-club limit, players will need to decide whether it replaces a driver or a long fairway wood.
Summary
The Titleist GT280 Mini Driver is a well-balanced club that offers the best of both worlds—driver-like distance with enhanced control. With its compact head, adjustable features, and turf-friendly sole, it's ideal for players who prioritize accuracy and shot-shaping ability without giving up too much length.
