Adjusting Your Titleist Driver
The SureFit hosel on Titleist drivers (910 through GT) gives you 16 unique loft and lie combinations. Pick a number (1–4) for loft, a letter (A–D) for lie, align the marks, and tighten the screw to 40 in‑lbs with a T20 bit. Start at A1 (neutral) and adjust based on ball flight. Here’s what you need, the exact steps, and when to stop.
Quick Settings Chart
Numbers adjust loft in 0.75° increments. Letters adjust lie: A (standard), B (0.75° flat), C (0.75° flat with a different bias), D (1.5° upright). D4 gives maximum loft and most upright lie. Effective loft and lie vary slightly by head model – use a loft/lie machine for precision if needed.
| Setting | Lie Change | Loft Change |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | Standard | Standard |
| B1 | 0.75° flat | Standard (with slight bias) |
| C1 | 0.75° flat (alt bias) | Standard (different offset) |
| D1 | 1.5° upright | Standard |
| A2 | Standard | +0.75° |
| B2 | 0.75° flat | +0.75° |
| C2 | 0.75° flat (alt) | +0.75° |
| D2 | 1.5° upright | +0.75° |
| A3 | Standard | +1.5° |
| B3 | 0.75° flat | +1.5° |
| C3 | 0.75° flat (alt) | +1.5° |
| D3 | 1.5° upright | +1.5° |
| A4 | Standard | +2.25° |
| B4 | 0.75° flat | +2.25° |
| C4 | 0.75° flat (alt) | +2.25° |
| D4 | 1.5° upright | +2.25° |
The A, B, C, D letters do not correspond to a fixed numeric lie angle across every head model. Titleist uses a “effective lie” system, so the actual lie angle at address depends on the specific head design. If you need absolute numbers, verify with a clubfitter’s gauge rather than assuming the chart translates directly to degrees.
Step-by-Step Adjustment
What you need: T20 Torx bit, torque wrench (set to 40 in‑lbs), and the driver. Never hand‑tighten the screw – it can come loose mid‑swing.
- Loosen the single screw at the sole of the hosel (counterclockwise). The head will lift off the shaft.
- Pull the head off and set it aside. Note the orientation of the ferrule – it stays on the shaft.
- Choose your new setting: rotate the sleeve on the shaft to align the desired number and letter with the corresponding marks on the hosel body.
- Branch: If the sleeve won’t rotate smoothly or the marks don’t line up, you may have the sleeve upside down. Flip it (the SureFit sleeve is reversible for left/right orientation). If it still won’t seat, stop – the sleeve may be damaged or the wrong model.
- Slide the head back onto the shaft. The marks on the sleeve and the hosel body should be visible and aligned.
- Insert the screw and tighten clockwise with the torque wrench until you hear a click. Stop there – the click means 40 in‑lbs. Do not overtighten.
Verification: After the click, hold the head in one hand and the grip in the other. Try to twist the head relative to the shaft – there should be zero movement. If you feel any play, loosen and retighten. Also check that the ferrule is flush against the head; a gap means the sleeve isn’t seated.
Failure mode: If the screw spins without reaching full torque (no click), you may have cross‑threaded it. Stop immediately, remove the screw, inspect threads on the screw and inside the hosel. Damaged threads require professional repair – do not force the screw in. A loose head on a swing can cause the driver to fly off and damage the club or injure someone.
Stop threshold: If after two attempts the screw still won’t tighten to a clean click, or if the head wobbles after tightening, take the club to a certified Titleist fitter. Do not use the driver until it’s fixed.
Common Settings (Draw/Fade/High/Low)
- Draw (ball curves right‑to‑left for right‑handers): Use D setting (upright lie) with loft 1 or 2 (e.g., D1 or D2). The upright lie helps close the face.
- Fade (ball curves left‑to‑right): Use B setting (flat lie) with loft 1 or 2 (e.g., B1 or B2). Flat lie promotes an open face.
- Higher launch: Increase loft – settings A3, A4, or D3, D4. Using upright lie (D) can also raise launch slightly.
- Lower launch: Decrease loft – A1 is the lowest stock loft. For even lower, use flat lie (B1) to reduce dynamic loft.
Start with one change at a time. If you change both loft and lie in one step, you won’t know which variable affected your ball flight. A common trap is jumping to D4 immediately when fighting a slice – the extra upright lie can actually exaggerate a pull-hook if your swing path is already out‑to‑in. Test one variable for at least 20 range balls before moving the next.
Torque & Tools
Always use a torque wrench – not a standard screwdriver or Allen key. The correct tool prevents stripping the T20 screw and ensures consistent clamping force.
- Bit: T20 Torx (star). Standard T20 bits fit most generic torque wrenches.
- Torque setting: 40 in‑lbs (≈4.5 Nm). Only use a wrench that displays in‑lbs; don’t guess.
- Where to buy: Any golf shop or online retailer that sells Titleist accessories. Many torque wrenches come with the club; if yours is missing, use a click‑type wrench (not a beam‑type) for accuracy.
Common mistake: Using a bit that is slightly worn or the wrong size (T15 or T25) can strip the screw head. Replace bits if they show wear. Also, leaving the torque wrench set to another value (e.g., 50 in‑lbs from a previous club) and forgetting to reset it is a frequent cause of stripped screws – always confirm the wrench reads 40 before each use.
FAQ
Can I use an older SureFit sleeve on a GT driver?
Yes, the SureFit hosel is backward compatible from 910 through GT – same sleeve, same torque spec.
How do I know if my setting is correct?
Hit balls on a range or course. If your misses become more consistent (e.g., a consistent fade vs. blocks and hooks), the setting is working. If the ball flight changes unpredictably, go back to A1 and adjust one step at a time.
Do I need a torque wrench to adjust the hosel?
Yes. Hand‑tightening or using a non‑torque tool will not achieve the required 40 in‑lbs. The head can loosen, causing a dangerous failure. A torque wrench costs about $30 and is a necessary investment.
What if my driver head is loose after adjustment?
If the head has any play, loosen the screw and reposition the sleeve, then retighten. If play persists, the rubber O‑ring (inside the hosel) may be worn or missing. A new O‑ring is cheap and easy to replace at a shop. If still loose, do not play – have the hosel inspected.
Does changing the setting affect the face angle at address?
Yes. Moving to a D setting (upright lie) will make the face appear slightly closed at address, while a B setting will make it appear slightly open. This visual change can influence your setup alignment, so check your aim after each adjustment.
Michael Reeves is a PGA Professional with over 20 years of experience in competitive golf and instruction. A former Division I collegiate player at the University of Texas, he competed on the mini-tours before transitioning to full-time coaching and golf journalism. He has been a certified PGA teaching professional since 2005 and has worked with players at every level, from absolute beginners to collegiate champions.
His writing has appeared in Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, and The Left Rough. At GolfHubz, Michael leads the editorial team, overseeing fact-checking and ensuring every answer meets the same standard he demands on the lesson tee: clear, evidence-based, and immediately useful.
When he’s not writing or teaching, Michael plays to a +1.4 handicap at his home club in Austin, Texas. He has attended over 40 major championships as a journalist and fan, and has played more than 200 courses across 15 countries.
You can reach Michael at [email protected] or follow his occasional swing analysis posts on the site.