114 replies to this topic

[indygolfman]

Well I'd like to start off by saying Happy Veterans Day tomorrow!  Coming from one veteran to all you others:  Thank You

Now to the meat and potatoes of this thread.

Today, my wife was so kind as to drop me off at Golfsmith for about an hour and a half while she ran around town running some errands (she's a gem).  I walked in very excited to try the new 913 series based off of some reviews and threads rolling around here like J.W.'s.  Actually, I was picking up my 9064ls that I had shortened to 44 1/8 and swingweighted to D4, but that's another story.

So, I didn't have any assistance from a salesperson because they've seen me in there enough to know that I know enough about clubs and how to use thier launch monitors to just leave me alone and I'll figure it out myself.  Therefore I can pretty safely say that there was no monitor jacking or any shenanigans of the sort.

After hitting about 20 balls with my 9064 to get warmed up I went straight to the 913 section, and I found a 913D3 9.5 head attached to a Diamana D+ 72 Stiff.  I prefer an 8.5 but they didn't have one.  I proceeded to hit the D3 with the D+ for about 20 balls and WOW!  The 913 series is definitely the best FEELING driver that I've ever hit.  Every shot felt like it was pured.  I'm not kidding, this thing feels amazing.  After looking over the LM numbers, I was doing about the same as my 9064ls (about 16* launch with a little over 4000 backspin).  Every shot was a ballooner with a decent angle of ALMOST 50*!!  The amazing feel was definitely translating to performance for me.

I then found a 913D2 with the RIP Phenom in Stiff flex.  Basicly the same results here.  AMAZING feel, similar numbers as the D3 with D+.  (Both of these heads were 9.5)

I really was surprised about the spin numbers I was getting.  Then I look over tand see an 8.5 Anser with a stock Ahina 70S.  So I randomly grab it to take a couple of swings.  BOOM, then BOOM, then BOOM!  Whoa.... I walk over to the LM to check out the numbers and almost every swing was below 3000 rpms!  I couldn't believe it.  I kept thinking to myself: "Self, isn't this the same shaft that I was hitting in the D3 more or less?"  Time after time, shot after shot I was KILLING it!  As you can see from the LM numbers, my launch angles dropped to around 14* and my decent angle went down to the low 40's, but SPIN was consistently below 3000!  This translated to a nearly 20 yard carry increase over the D3.  (not to mention Total Distance)





Now, as you can see I was getting a little better swingspeed numbers on average with the Anser, which can probably be attributed to my confidence while swinging it.  I really wanted to love the 913 series, and I DO think they are great clubs.  Like I said before, it feels better than anything, hands down.  The Anser feels good, but not as good as the 913.  BUT, I can't argue with the numbers?!

I really like looking down at the 913D3 more than the Anser, although the more I hit it the more I liked it.  I really like the feel of the 913 better than the Anser.  However, as you can tell, I'm pretty excited and will be OWNING an ANSER soon.

I really wish I would have had my gamer there with me to compare.  It's an RHT 8.5 with a Fubuki Alpha 60S 45" D3 (thanks Aces-6!), and I really love it.  So, obviously the next step is to compare it to the Anser, but honestly I've never gotten LM numbers from anything like I was from the Ping today.

I did hit an i20 as well to try to compare a little, but I really hated the feel of it.  Maybe it was the PX 6.0?  I don't know.  I got some decent numbers, but it felt like crap to me.  I also don't really like the head shape of the i20.  I know it's similar to the Anser, but I just didn't get along with it.

So, all in all, I really think the Anser head is a LOW SPIN monster as we say.  I'm not sure what else it could be since I pretty much hit the same shaft in the 913?  Now all I have to do is sell my 9064ls and RHT (oh man   not looking forward to that) so I can pick up my new baby!  I hope you guys find this review helpful!

RECAP RANKINGS:

Looks:
913D3
913D2
Anser
i20

Feel:
913D2/3
Anser
i20

Performance:
Anser
i20
913D3
913D2

Edited by indygolfman, 10 November 2012 - 10:51 PM.

[PINGWRXforeme]

Just proves we are all different. NO WAY THE PING OUT PERFORMS THE 910 FORE ME.

[pdaero]

Glad you found your match! I don't spin the ball near as much as you do (nor as much as I used to since my swing change), and the Anser didn't spin even close to enough albeit feeling great. My trial with the D2 and D3 yesterday was nearly perfect, especially with the Phenom 60 and 70!

[907isTerrible]

Great review!

Drivers differ from person to person but the general consensus on WRX and from personal tests is that the Anser has the lowest spinning head out of the bunch. The 913 has better feel. The difference in spin can also be attributed to the shafts. 'ahina on the Anser has a little lower torque than the D+. It's already a low spinning beast of a shaft so combine that with the Anser's low-spin head will give you the sub-2000rpms.

You made a good choice in the Anser.

[jay65]

Really nice review! I really hope I'm in the category of the 913 outperforming the Anser, otherwise it looks like i have just bought the wrong Driver!! Oooops!!

[Ezgolfer]

D3 will find you more fairways than anser if you care..
My observations with previous models G15 and D3.....

[rocker40]

pdaero, on 10 November 2012 - 11:00 PM, said:

Glad you found your match! I don't spin the ball near as much as you do (nor as much as I used to since my swing change), and the Anser didn't spin even close to enough albeit feeling great. My trial with the D2 and D3 yesterday was nearly perfect, especially with the Phenom 60 and 70!

I didnt even try the Phenom.  Ill have to get back out and try the phenom against the D+ and S+.  Thanks...

[jol]

Too back you couldn't compare drivers with the same nominal lofts.
8.5 vs 9,5 should have an impact on backspin.

[indygolfman]

PINGWRXforeme, on 10 November 2012 - 10:56 PM, said:

Just proves we are all different. NO WAY THE PING OUT PERFORMS THE 910 FORE ME.

Yeah, of course this is just what worked "for me."  The 913 is an awesome club, I just happened to fit that Answer MUCH better.  I think this is even evident in the alightly more consistent/higher swingspeeds I was getting with it, probably due to the confidence that it was giving me.

[J.W.]

Ezgolfer, on 11 November 2012 - 08:46 AM, said:

D3 will find you more fairways than anser if you care..
My observations with previous models G15 and D3.....

I'm genuinely curious as to why people think the driver is hitting more fairways than the guy using the driver?

[indygolfman]

907isTerrible, on 10 November 2012 - 11:09 PM, said:

Great review!

Drivers differ from person to person but the general consensus on WRX and from personal tests is that the Anser has the lowest spinning head out of the bunch. The 913 has better feel. The difference in spin can also be attributed to the shafts. 'ahina on the Anser has a little lower torque than the D+. It's already a low spinning beast of a shaft so combine that with the Anser's low-spin head will give you the sub-2000rpms.

You made a good choice in the Anser.

Exactly what I experienced ^

I truly loved the feel of the 913 and I would love to feel like that on every drive for the rest of my life.  The Anser just chiseled the spin off... it was crazy.  

So do you really think there's that much difference between the D+ and tha Ahina?

[indygolfman]

J.W., on 11 November 2012 - 09:25 AM, said:

Ezgolfer, on 11 November 2012 - 08:46 AM, said:

D3 will find you more fairways than anser if you care..
My observations with previous models G15 and D3.....

I'm genuinely curious as to why people think the driver is hitting more fairways than the guy using the driver?

LOL, that's a very good point!  I must admit, I really wasn't trying to hit anything dead accurately.  This was inside a store, hitting into a large bays that all of the stalls fed into.  So, I really only had about 25 feet before the ball hit the wall.  I can never get "lined up" in those places.  Just swinging away!

[indygolfman]

jol, on 11 November 2012 - 09:16 AM, said:

Too back you couldn't compare drivers with the same nominal lofts.
8.5 vs 9,5 should have an impact on backspin.

Completely agree, that would have been more apples to apples.  When I go back, I will take my RHT gamer for reference and try to get at least a 9.5 913 delofted to have a more fair comparison.

[BirdieBob]

jol, on 11 November 2012 - 09:16 AM, said:

Too back you couldn't compare drivers with the same nominal lofts.
8.5 vs 9,5 should have an impact on backspin.

+1

Their's your difference!

[stumblinhorse]

From the LM numbers the difference in the club total distance was side spin.  You hit the  anser mostly draw to even a hook 34 yards left. Gave you more distance, the 913 was a fade to slice.  Is the 913 a little open?  Was the anser a little closed?

[station2station]

With my time on the LM I hit my longest 2 outliers with the 913D3.  I hit my lowest spinning and straightest shots with the Anser.  The latter didn't necessarily equate to longest shot but my distance with the Anser was consistent and I could almost call out the yardage I hit it based on impact prior to the ball reaching the carry point.

My median longest driver was the Anser.  It's tough because I love both clubs.  Each one has it's preferred qualities. 2 months ago before these two drivers came out I didn't like much of what was available.  Now that they are both out I think we are a lucky bunch.  Good clubs!

RIght now I'm bagging the Anser driver.  That could always change because I'm a ho.

(both were 8.5 heads with D+ and Ahina, both stiff)

[stumblinhorse]

With the anser I needed the 10.5 loft to get the launch up, which added too much spin.  With the others I was fine with 8.5 which ended with me having lower spin.  Tried all the shafts that PGA SS had.  So I stuck with my i20 stock 707 stiff with 8.5*.

[indygolfman]

stumblinhorse, on 11 November 2012 - 11:08 AM, said:

From the LM numbers the difference in the club total distance was side spin.  You hit the  anser mostly draw to even a hook 34 yards left. Gave you more distance, the 913 was a fade to slice.  Is the 913 a little open?  Was the anser a little closed?

Well honestly, since I can never get lined up in the bays at GS, I really just was aiming at different places on the wall.  (Very crude, I know)  So, sometimes I aimed left and sometimes right.  That could account for the big pulls.  I found that both clubs appeared to be slightly open approx. 1*

I'm heading back, with my RHT gamer and I'm going to do my best to get a 913 set up to 8.5 so that I can compare more apples to apples.  Because, like I said, I like looking at the 913 better and the feel is amazing.  I want to like it better, but the Anser just delivers great numbers for me.

Edited by indygolfman, 11 November 2012 - 05:25 PM.

[NRJyzr]

Ezgolfer, on 11 November 2012 - 08:46 AM, said:

D3 will find you more fairways than anser if you care..
My observations with previous models G15 and D3.....

Must be a Titlehead?   LOL

[station2station]

indygolfman, on 11 November 2012 - 05:24 PM, said:

stumblinhorse, on 11 November 2012 - 11:08 AM, said:

From the LM numbers the difference in the club total distance was side spin.  You hit the  anser mostly draw to even a hook 34 yards left. Gave you more distance, the 913 was a fade to slice.  Is the 913 a little open?  Was the anser a little closed?

Well honestly, since I can never get lined up in the bays at GS, I really just was aiming at different places on the wall.  (Very crude, I know)  So, sometimes I aimed left and sometimes right.  That could account for the big pulls.  I found that both clubs appeared to be slightly open approx. 1*

I'm heading back, with my RHT gamer and I'm going to do my best to get a 913 set up to 8.5 so that I can compare more apples to apples.  Because, like I said, I like looking at the 913 better and the feel is amazing.  I want to like it better, but the Anser just delivers great numbers for me.

Get back with us on your final results.  Eager to hear.

[indygolfman]

station2station, on 11 November 2012 - 06:00 PM, said:

indygolfman, on 11 November 2012 - 05:24 PM, said:

stumblinhorse, on 11 November 2012 - 11:08 AM, said:

From the LM numbers the difference in the club total distance was side spin.  You hit the  anser mostly draw to even a hook 34 yards left. Gave you more distance, the 913 was a fade to slice.  Is the 913 a little open?  Was the anser a little closed?

Well honestly, since I can never get lined up in the bays at GS, I really just was aiming at different places on the wall.  (Very crude, I know)  So, sometimes I aimed left and sometimes right.  That could account for the big pulls.  I found that both clubs appeared to be slightly open approx. 1*

I'm heading back, with my RHT gamer and I'm going to do my best to get a 913 set up to 8.5 so that I can compare more apples to apples.  Because, like I said, I like looking at the 913 better and the feel is amazing.  I want to like it better, but the Anser just delivers great numbers for me.

Get back with us on your final results.  Eager to hear.

I'm on it!

[Golfjunki71]

I'm getting similar results and I really want the 913 to stay in the bag.

[puttitin]

Some of the guys found the Anser very fade biased,and they pretty much tried it with different shafts both with the LM as well as on the range. You seem to hit draws and hooks.
Would you care to comment?

[Marks23]

I'm glad to see that I was not the only one to experience relatively high spin numbers with the 913D. Even with the 913 D3 I could never get under 3600 rpms so I felt like I was leaving way too many yards on the table.  Launch was in the 14-15* area but not much run out.  All of this testing was done indoors at Golf Galaxy.

[Doc Mcstuffins]

Not sure I trust the GG monitors.

[station2station]

joeclothing, on 12 November 2012 - 08:52 PM, said:

Not sure I trust the GG monitors.

Valid point.  I don't trust the GG sims with "reality" but I think I trust them when comparing A vs. B.  But who knows.

[BigHook25]

Great review.  I actually found the I20 to be the best feeling driver, followed by the Anser and then Titleist.  I think the I20 woods and hybrids to be some of the best feeling woods out of anything out there right now.  The 913 D3 felt better than the D2 for some reason.  Overall, I found both of the Ping drivers to be better for my swing then the Titleist.  I also prefer the looks of the Ping drivers as I feel Titleist has been repeating the same exact look over and over again.

[RonSwanson]

J.W., on 11 November 2012 - 09:25 AM, said:

Ezgolfer, on 11 November 2012 - 08:46 AM, said:

D3 will find you more fairways than anser if you care..
My observations with previous models G15 and D3.....

I'm genuinely curious as to why people think the driver is hitting more fairways than the guy using the driver?

Well said.

[indygolfman]

I'm headed back this afternoon!  I'll be sure to post LM numbers.

I'll have plenty of time today since I'll be all alone and the wife will be at work so I'll do my best to compare apples to apples.  Such as, trying to find an 8.5 913 head or at least cranking down a 9.5.  Oh, and I'm taking my RHT gamer!

Can anyone tell me what are the optimum numbers that I'm looking for with my 98-103 swingspeed?

Edited by indygolfman, 13 November 2012 - 10:20 AM.

[indygolfman]

station2station, on 12 November 2012 - 08:54 PM, said:

joeclothing, on 12 November 2012 - 08:52 PM, said:

Not sure I trust the GG monitors.

Valid point.  I don't trust the GG sims with "reality" but I think I trust them when comparing A vs. B.  But who knows.

I hear ya on the GS LM's, but if I'm just comparing two or three clubs on the same monitor... it should show me the differences between them right?  Also, I think it's a Foresight, if that means anything to anyone.