Titleist C16 Concept Driver 9* Diamana Graphite X-Stiff D+70 RH 45" MINT

With four different head designs currently in the 915 Series driver lineup, engineers modified the spin-to-launch ratio on the 445cc C16 to give it extremely low spin characteristics.To shift the center of gravity (CG) deeper in the head, Titleist went outside the industry to locate an ultra-thin ATI-425 crown (Allegheny Technologies Incorporated) that's .35mm at a constant thickness.In addition to producing discretionary weight, the new titanium crown in 20 percent stronger than 6-4 titanium, with better elongation and sound properties."We don't know anyone who's using something this thin in the crown in titanium," said Dan Stone, Titleist's Vice President of R&D. "The common thickness for most titanium crowns is between .45mm to .47mm with most increasing in thickness to 50mm. To have something that thin that's a constant thickness really changes the game."With a new titanium crown in place, Titleist spent several months trying to figure out how to weld a .35mm crown to a Ti 8-1-1 body. As expected with a driver that retails for $1,000, the process was costly and time-consuming. "That was a very challenging process and we've written some patents on it," Stone said of the welding process. "It involves diffusing the heat when you're welding those two materials together. If you don't, you're going to get some serious distortion."If you glue it, you've got a wrap joint that's commonly used in the composite world, and you lose weight when you do that. Bottom line, it was a difficult process, but it was well worth the time and effort."Also laser-welded to the Ti 8-1-1 body is a forged SP700 cup face that maximizes flexibility, improving ball speeds across the entire structure. The face works in combination with Titleist's Active Recoil Channel to deliver lower spin for an additional 6 yards, when compared to 915.When the SureFit configuration is dialed in to the user's settings, Titleist said the number jumps to 9 yards.The final piece of the equation is a new SureFit CG design that's featured prominently in the heel and toe of the sole. The new design allows the CG to be altered to produce a fade or draw, via a cylindrical cartridge that's inserted diagonally from the low-heel area and high-toe section."In terms of new technologies, we've been studying moveable CG and just felt like there was a better way to do it," Stone said. "And we think the cartridge is simple and better."Depending on swing weight and shaft length, the cartridge weight can range from 8-12 grams. There are two cartridge designs: The first cartridge has equal weight — 5 grams on each side with the 10-gram cartridge — to produce a neutral CG position."Picture a trapeze artist where he has equal amounts of weight on either side of the pole he's holding," Stone said. "You don't want it in the middle, but you do want it neutral by having equal amounts of weight on the heel and toe. We just think that's a better way to do it."The other cartridge has a majority of the weight on one side — with the 10-gram cartridge, the weight distribution is 9 grams on one side and 1 gram on the other — depending on if it's in the heel or toe position for a draw or fade. Placing the heavy side in the toe promotes a fade; shifting the weight to the heel encourages a draw.Titleist was quick to point out the fade and draw spin characteristics are moderate — thanks to a CG position that was "nudged" forward — which means golfers won't have to worry about the ball ballooning in either orientation."It's a way of controlling the spin in both positions by having a simple choice between neutral, draw or fade," said Stone. "We don't want it to be left to the consumer to try a bunch of different positions. We did a lot of trial and error to come up with the right positions that are going to satisfy 99 percent of golfers, and we feel like this is it."Titleist's SureFit hosel, with independent loft and lie adjustability, and a new SureFit grip are also a part of the C16 driver design. The grip, which has been in the works for years, gives golfers the ability to fine-tune the weight above or below the hands."There's something to weighting the grip end of the shaft," Pelisek said. "It has a definite impact on ball flight and trajectory for most, if not all golfers."The Concept C16 retails for $1,000 and comes in two lofts (9 and 10.5 degrees) with numerous shaft options. Only 1,500 were produced.