Can a 1998 Driver Still Compete in 2026?
Titleist 975D vs Titleist GTS2: Has 28 Years of Driver Technology Really Made a Difference?
Driver technology has evolved dramatically over the past three decades.
Manufacturers regularly promise more distance, higher ball speeds, greater forgiveness and improved consistency with every new release. But after nearly 30 years of technological development, how much better is a modern driver really?
To find out, we put one of the most iconic drivers ever made head-to-head against one of the newest drivers in golf.
The legendary 1998 Titleist 975D took on the all-new 2026 Titleist GTS2 in a full GCQuad launch monitor test.
The results genuinely surprised us.
The Drivers Tested
For this comparison, we tested:
Titleist 975D (1998)
Titleist GTS2 (2026)
On paper, this should have been a complete mismatch.
The Titleist 975D was released at a time when driver heads were significantly smaller, materials were less advanced and launch monitor fitting was still in its infancy.
The GTS2, meanwhile, benefits from nearly three decades of advancements in aerodynamics, face technology, weight distribution and forgiveness engineering.
So the question is simple:
Has modern driver technology really delivered the gains golfers have been promised?
What We Measured
Using industry-leading Foresight Sports GCQuad technology, we compared:
Ball Speed
Launch Angle
Spin Rate
Carry Distance
Total Distance
Dispersion
Overall Consistency
Mishit Performance
This allowed us to analyse not only pure distance performance but also how each driver behaved across a range of strike locations.
Has Distance Really Improved?
One of the biggest selling points of every new driver release is increased distance.
Golfers are constantly told that the latest driver will help them hit the ball further through improved energy transfer, faster ball speeds and optimised launch conditions.
But when you compare a 1998 driver directly against a 2026 model using identical testing conditions, the story becomes far more interesting.
Could the classic Titleist 975D still compete?
Or would the modern GTS2 completely dominate in every category?
The Forgiveness Question
While distance often grabs the headlines, forgiveness is where modern driver technology is expected to have made its biggest leap forward.
Today's drivers feature:
Larger sweet spots
Higher MOI designs
Advanced weight placement
More stable clubheads
Improved performance on off-centre strikes
During testing, we paid particular attention to mishits and imperfect strikes to see whether the GTS2 delivered the forgiveness advantage many golfers expect.
The results created some fascinating discussions about where modern technology helps the most — and where older equipment may still hold its own.
What the GCQuad Data Revealed
As the testing progressed, several unexpected patterns emerged.
Some of the performance differences were exactly what we'd anticipated.
Others completely challenged our assumptions.
By analysing launch conditions, ball speed retention, dispersion patterns and mishit performance, we gained a clearer understanding of what nearly three decades of driver development has actually delivered.
And in some areas, the gap wasn't quite as large as many golfers might expect.
Watch the Full Comparison
In the full video, you'll see:
Detailed GCQuad launch monitor data
Ball speed comparisons
Launch and spin analysis
Carry and total distance testing
Dispersion patterns
Mishit performance results
Forgiveness comparisons
Real-world performance insights
Whether you're a fan of classic golf equipment, curious about modern driver technology or considering an upgrade, this comparison offers a fascinating look at how far golf equipment has evolved over the past 28 years.
Should You Upgrade Your Driver?
The answer depends on your current equipment, strike consistency and launch conditions.
For some golfers, a modern driver can deliver significant improvements in forgiveness, consistency and overall performance.
For others, the gains may be smaller than expected.
That's why professional custom fitting remains the most effective way to determine whether a new driver will genuinely improve your results.
At EP Golf Studios, we use Foresight Sports GCQuad technology to help golfers understand exactly how different drivers perform for their swing and identify the equipment that produces the best results.
Book a Driver Fitting
If you're considering a new driver and want to see real launch monitor data before making a decision, book a custom fitting with EP Golf Studios and discover which driver performs best for your game.
