A Genuine Milestone Driver
At 260cc, the 975D looks tiny by modern standards (today's drivers max out at 460cc), but in 1998 it represented a real leap in titanium construction for tour-level players. Its small, deep pear-shaped head produced a distinctive wood-like "thud" at impact rather than the metallic "ping" that came to define later thin-faced drivers, and its traditional bulge-and-roll face geometry was built to minimize side spin on off-center strikes.
Tour Pedigree
The 975D's biggest claim to fame is simple: Tiger Woods used one through the most dominant individual stretch of golf in history, and David Duval, for a short window the only man to hold the world No. 1 ranking away from Woods during that era, played it too. That kind of validation, on top of genuinely strong sales, is why the model still gets mentioned in "most iconic Titleist drivers" retrospectives today.
Look, Sound and Feel
Sound
The 975D's small, deep-faced titanium head produces a distinctive wood-like "thud" at impact, a warmer, softer sound than the metallic "ping" thin-faced drivers would later become known for.
Look
The compact 260cc pear shape is tiny by modern standards but carries real tour-level styling cues: a square, deep face with traditional bulge and roll that gave better players a confidence-inspiring look at address.
Feel
Players consistently describe a solid, substantial feel through impact for such a compact head, backed by a genuinely square, deep face built to minimize side spin on off-center strikes.
Pros
- Genuine tour pedigree, carried by Tiger Woods during the Tiger Slam
- Compact, deep-faced titanium head with strong feel and a distinctive sound
- Wide range of loft options for its era
Cons
- 260cc head is far smaller and less forgiving than any modern driver
- No adjustability whatsoever, fixed loft/lie per head
- Long discontinued; collector/secondhand market only
Who Should Use It?
- Collectors and enthusiasts drawn to a genuine piece of Tiger Woods-era equipment history.
- Players who value a compact, deep-faced look and solid feel over modern forgiveness.
- Those who prioritize workability and tour styling over raw distance.
Suitability by handicap
| High handicap golfers | No |
| Mid handicap golfers | No |
| Low handicap golfers | Yes |
Features and Benefits
Design and Aesthetics
A compact, deep pear-shaped titanium head with a traditional square face, the design that put Titleist on the map as a serious titanium-driver manufacturer.
Technology
Titanium construction with a square, deep face using traditional bulge and roll geometry to minimize side spin on off-center strikes: cutting-edge material science for 1998.
Performance
Genuine tour-level performance, validated by Tiger Woods carrying it through the Tiger Slam and David Duval's run at world No. 1.
Distance
Modest by modern standards, but genuinely competitive for its era. One of the best-selling drivers of all time on the strength of real performance, not just marketing.
Forgiveness
Limited by its small 260cc size, this is a workable, better-player's head rather than a forgiveness-focused design.
Flight Accuracy
The traditional bulge-and-roll face geometry gave skilled players genuine shot-shaping control and consistent, predictable ball flight.
Who Is This For Today?
Outside of collectors and players chasing a specific nostalgic feel, the 975D isn't a realistic 2026 purchase. Any current driver, including budget options, will outperform it in ball speed and forgiveness. Its real value is historical: it's the driver that proved Titleist could win with titanium at the highest level, setting up everything from the 983K through today's GT and GTS series.
Conclusion
The 975D isn't a driver you buy for performance in 2026. You buy it for what it represents. As the club that helped carry Tiger Woods through the Tiger Slam, it's one of the most historically significant drivers Titleist has ever made.