Equipment

Details on the Titleist 913 D2 Dot driver: It’s for Dufner

Published

13 years ago

Sep 4, 2013

Titleist’s 913 D2 “Dot” driver was added to the USGA’s list of conforming driver heads this week, creating a lot of buzz in our in the forums.

Who is it for? What’s different about it? Will it come to retail?

According to Chris McGinley, the prototype driver was made for Titleist Staff Member Jason Dufner, who has continued to use the company’s three-year-old 910 D2 driver because of its higher launch and spin characteristics, which suit him better than Titleist’s lower spinning 913 drivers.

Dufner’s 910 D2 driver has 9.5 degrees of loft. Click here to see the specs of the other 13 clubs in his bag.

McGinley said that Dufner was interested in switching to a 913 driver because of the faster ball speeds the new models can provide. That’s why prior to creating the 913 D2 Dot driver, Dufner tested a 913 D3 driver with 10.5 degrees of loft and modified internal weighting that moved the center of gravity lower and more forward in the head. He also tested a 913 D2 with 9.5 degrees of loft with a CG that was higher and deeper in the head.

According to McGinley, neither driver was a fit for Dufner, which is why the company decided to create the Dot driver. McGinley said that the Dot head is exactly the same as the retail 913 D2 driver, except that it has 0.5-degrees more loft and a slightly higher, deeper CG to give Dufner a higher launch and more spin. Because of the extra 0.5 degrees of loft (10 degrees instead of 9.5), Titleist had to resubmit the driver to the USGA to be approved for tournament play.

At this time, McGinley said that there are no are no plans for the Dot driver to be tested by anyone besides Dufner.

Dufner is currently ranked No. 13 on the FedExCup points list, and is scheduled to play in next week’s BMW Championship, the third round of the PGA Tour Playoffs. We’ll keep an eye on what driver he brings to the tee.

Click here to read the ongoing discussion in the forums about the 913 D2 Dot driver and Cleveland’s new 588 drivers.

Related Topics:drivers Titleist

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24 Comments

Mike

Sep 7, 2013 at 7:51 am

This logic is like that scene from spinal tap. We’re louder because most amps only go up to 10′ while our goes up to 11… So we’re louder by 1…..

Reply Report comment
Duncan

Sep 6, 2013 at 9:18 am

“Because of the extra 0.5 degrees of loft (10 degrees instead of 9.5), Titleist had to resubmit the driver to the USGA to be approved for tournament play.”
This doesn’t make a lot of sense. A typical manufacturing tolerance would be +/- 1 degree of loft so there should be 913D2s in play marked at 9.5 degrees of loft that are actually between 10.5 and 8.5 degrees or worse.
Would it not have been the “slightly higher, deeper CG” that resulted in the resubmission? Or something else we’re not being told about?

Reply Report comment
Kevin

Sep 5, 2013 at 4:34 pm

Does any one not think it is a coincidence that the marketing guys are suddenly trying to capitalise on Dufner’s major win and generate some more sales of the D913 drivers

The 910D2 was good enough for him to win a major so why change ? Of course we know pressure from his sponsors want him to use the latest technology that us punters in the shops will go out and buy. Any pro who wins a major , manufacturers see an immediate increase in sales in drivers, putters, wedges or whatever was the key equipment in them winning that tournament.

My 910D3 performs better for me than 913 drivers and yes it’s nice to plat the latest sexy equipment I will be waiting until the next model that gives me a significant improvement, the 905R is still in my locker !

Reply Report comment
TheInfidel

Sep 5, 2013 at 8:06 am

Anyone who thinks they can go to a TM, Titleist, Cobra, Callaway or whatever OEM fitting centre and the staff there won’t use the numbers to state a case for getting their newest model is dreaming! How else could they justify the purchase of a $5k machine and their time!? I’d be surprised to hear of anyone who got told “You know what, stick with what you’ve got”.

I’m not a pro, but I am a single digit player and I made the change to a 910D2 this year by heading up to the local range, handing in my credit card and hitting 6-8 drivers that were “modern tech”. Made a shortlist of 2 then hit some more balls to see what felt good and provided results. Everyone knows what their Sunday Best looks like going down range, it’s not always necessary to stack it up with numbers.

I like to know when I stand on the tee that the Big Dog in my hand is the one I choose because it felt right and got the best out of my swing, not because someone told me the numbers stacked up behind a white phone box that had a new gimmick.

Reply Report comment
- Matt
  
  Sep 5, 2013 at 11:53 am
  
  TheInfidel your using the same club selection technique that myself and most pro’s use. Just hit the damn club and see what you get. Actually most pro’s use the 6 to 10 ball rule. If they don’t like what they see within 6 to 10 shots they rule out that club. The reason is any more swings than that and you start to adjust your swing to the club. Launch monitors and club fitting is nothing more than a way to try and sell more clubs. A good player can fit themselves as well as any club fitter.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - TheInfidel
    
    Sep 5, 2013 at 4:37 pm
    
    I’m falling over myself to agree with you here. I’m all for self improvement and getting the best out of hard work and practice. But as Arnie says – you gotta swing your own swing.
    
    In doing so you’ll instinctively know what works. I’m very hesitant about going to an OEM fitting centre that will likely persuade you into the brand they are attached to. It happens all too often.
    
    Reply Report comment
naflack

Sep 4, 2013 at 7:03 pm

Interesting that a pro with his ball speed needs more spin…

Reply Report comment
- Rich
  
  Sep 5, 2013 at 4:49 am
  
  Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong folks but I thought spin rates had more to do with loft and angle of attack rather than ball speed. Just because you have a high ball speed (swing speed) doesn’t necessarily mean you have a high spin rate too.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Matt
    
    Sep 5, 2013 at 11:43 am
    
    Actually rich all three play a factor in spin rate. If you take a guy swinging at 90mph with a 10 degree driver swinging with a -2 degree attack angle and match him up against a guy swinging 110mph with a 10 degree driver at a -2 degree attack angle the faster swinger who naturally creates more ball speed will have a some what higher spin rate.
    
    Reply Report comment
Shawn

Sep 4, 2013 at 6:55 pm

I think there is an important lesson for amateurs to be learned from this. Obviously we don’t get to work with the OEM like pros do, but it is so important for Ams to get fitted and understand their numbers on why/how a golf ball reacts based on your own swing! It’s not about 10 yards longer with this club or 14 yards longer with that club, it’s finding a driver that gives you the best launch angle/ spin rate. I’m not a teaching pro or club fitter and don’t pretend to be one, but I can’t stress enough how important it is to engage a certified fitter/pro when you are deciding to fork out your hard earned cash on a new weapon. Most users on this site are serious golfers and read the equipment updates because they want to improve their game. A new driver isn’t going to make you instantly better and could actually hurt your game if its not the right stick for you.

Reply Report comment
- vlafroscia
  
  Sep 4, 2013 at 7:43 pm
  
  …and I just had TM staff personally fit me for 90 minutes for the SLDR on the launch monitor, including against my own Ping G20 and TM R11 and according to them all the numbers on the SLDR pointed to buy the club, buy the club. Bought the club only becasue it came with a 90 day, 100% store credit satisfaction guarantee – good thing because in real world, side by side, on the course testing both in FL and CA this week it turned out to be not even close to the Ping G20 in any respect, trajectory, spin, distance, feel, nothing – may as well have gone to Walmart and bought a Northwestern driver. I used TM for years and have much respect but the new club is junk and launch monitors mean nothing – tee it up with your own ball on a golf course where you are mnore than familiar where your drives normally land and you’ll get the real truth. Too much reliance on technology and “next best thing” makes the OEM a lot of $$$ but do little to help anyone else. And BTW – it IS about 10 or 14 yards longer, why would you need another driver in the garage if it wasn’t of some benefit.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Ventucky Local
    
    Sep 4, 2013 at 8:58 pm
    
    Agreed. IMO Field test on home course always tells the true story for me. Trackman is cool tech but I still find real world out in the grass works best for me.
    
    Reply Report comment
  - Shawn
    
    Sep 4, 2013 at 9:49 pm
    
    Im a little confused by the response… Why is getting fit an “issue” and you even said its 10-14 yards longer??? There is only a few ways to gain distance(club head speed, ball speed, spin rate, launch angle) and the numbers (in which you even said) were better than your current G20. There are several course & weather conditions that could have affected your outcome and didn’t pass your eye test. Or it could just be the Indian and not the arrow. I don’t think blaming the TM rep for selling you a club that’s “junk” is justified.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Shawn
      
      Sep 4, 2013 at 9:58 pm
      
      And second point, if you have a g20 and r11 and they both wok so well for you, why did you feel so compelled to go get fit for another driver if you didn’t think it benefit YOUR game?? I hope the answer is not because all the Tour Pros are using it, so it must be the right club for me too.
      
      Reply Report comment
- Michael Benjamin
  
  Sep 4, 2013 at 9:59 pm
  
  I agree, but I disagree. Driving the ball is all about confidence. My launch numbers are not ideal (8.5-9 degree launch angle, +2 approach, +/- 1 degree path, 1500-2100 RPM, 122-125 speed, 175-180 ball speed). I would obviously benefit from launching the ball higher, right? I generally have a very low/strong trajectory, get stupid roll on the ball, hit the ball straight (5 yard draw/5 yard fade/straight…. depends on the day and my eye). I have gotten fitted before. I was fitted with a monstrous, nasty looking R1. My numbers were better, but I played it for only 4 rounds. I was missing fairways, my timing was off, I was relying on the club to do the work instead of STRIKING and hitting MY shot. I went back to my Bstone J40 430 w/ a 6.0 Project X (yes- definitely weak for my swing speed, but it works). Driving the ball and driving the ball well is all about picking your shot, imagining your shape, deciding your target, staying balanced, and ripping the golf ball. You HAVE to be aggressive with your driver. When I got “fitted” I lost some swagger with that “fitted driver”… Pick your club that works for you and feel confident with. It obviously has to fall within certain parameters to “work” for you, but finding the “exact” club/shaft for your swing is over rated, in my opinion.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Matt
  
  Sep 5, 2013 at 1:22 am
  
  You know what they say shawn opinions are like A_S holes everyone’s got one. So here’s my little two cents. It seems getting fit is the new craze. To me it’s nothing more than the new fad in the industry much like square driver heads at one time, adjustable clubs, and now multiple color heads. Just another way for the big OEM’s to try and sell you new equipment. I’ve been playing this game for 20 years now and I remember when club fitters would honestly tell you they couldn’t really fit you until you developed a consistent swing. Well here’s the catch once you develop a consistent swing you can pretty much fit yourself. I’m a pretty good ball striker with a very consistent swing. I know what ball flight I’m looking for and have fit myself as good as any club fitter ever could. New golfers need to face reality, golf’s a hard game even for people who have a natural gift for the game. You can’t buy a game no matter how much money you spend. Like Ben Hogan said you got to dig it out of the dirt!
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Jack
    
    Sep 5, 2013 at 2:32 am
    
    You just need some time too get used to a driver. Every one feels different. It took me a long while to even get used to one. Like months. Not to mention my 3 wood. Keep hitting the balls and you’ll start feeling comfortable with it. You can’t fake high launch low spin numbers. What can affect you is the trust you have in the club.
    
    Reply Report comment
  - Shawn
    
    Sep 5, 2013 at 11:49 am
    
    Once again, you missed my point. No driver or fitting system is going to compensate for a terrible swing. I’m not saying that it will, but the point I was trying me make was this. If you have the technology to UNDERSTAND why the golf ball reacts the way it does, than utilize the information to your advantage when looking to purchase a new driver. Golfers update 2 clubs more than others, driver and putter. If you are going to spend the $300-400 on a new driver, wouldn’t you want to know its setup and fit for your swing? I’m not saying hit balls all day with Trackman on and check every number like Ryo does, but understand why and what your numbers are and fit equipment to suited your swing and ability.
    
    Reply Report comment
  - Shawn
    
    Sep 5, 2013 at 1:59 pm
    
    Matt. I agree with you assessment that if you don’t have a consistent swing, than there is a very little advantage of getting fit. I’m not talking about the guy that plays once a month a shoots 95-110. That guy shouldn’t buy new clubs because there are no advantages if you can’t find the middle of the club face.. But for serious golfers, which you are by your response, what is your decision process on buying a new driver? What makes you walk into a pro shop/ retail shop and throw down your hard earned money for a new stick? Just curious?
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Matt
      
      Sep 5, 2013 at 5:33 pm
      
      First off shawn you are right in your assessment that I am a serious player. A carrier a 2.7 right now and its no thanks to my short game. I decide on a club the same way most pro’s do. First I make sure I’m swinging well that day because all players have their good and bad days from Tiger all the way down to the new hack. Then I make sure I’m good and lose by warming up with my current clubs at that point any club I’m considering be it a driver, fairway wood, hybrid, iron, or wedge has 6 shots to impress me. If I don’t like what I’m seeing and feeling within 6 shots I’m done with that club. The reason for my 6 shots rule is a little piece of wisdom from an article I read from Adam Scott. He said and I agree, Many more swings than that and you will begin to adjust your swing for that club. A club should fit you not the other way around. I’ve actually heard many pro’s say they follow that same club selection strategy. I’ve heard as little a 2 swings to as much as 10 based on the pro. I think it was Sergio that only gave it 2. Also If I’m on an indoor monitor where I can’t see the true flight (not an ideal situation) then I would never test anything seriously with out bringing my current gamer and hitting it first to establish a benchmark. Like I said previously a good player can fit themselves and everyone else isn’t consistent enough to accurately be fit. Hope that helped.
      
      Reply Report comment
slafa

Sep 4, 2013 at 4:31 pm

That’s the degrees mark.

Reply Report comment
- Phil
  
  Sep 4, 2013 at 4:43 pm
  
  Normal d2 doesn’t have a degrees mark, so the dot after the 5 is different from stock.
  
  Reply Report comment
DanP

Sep 4, 2013 at 1:37 pm

Where’s “the dot”?

Reply Report comment
- CB
  
  Sep 4, 2013 at 3:44 pm
  
  Next to the 5
  
  Reply Report comment

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Equipment

Interesting clubs at top of bag – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

7 hours ago

Jun 3, 2026

Will Schube

In our forums, users are talking about top of bag setups that are non-traditional or thought-provoking in some way. Original poster @SuperSpurs106 inquired about other members who might use unorthodox set-ups to help with gapping issues or weak spots.

They wrote:

“I currently have a PING G430 driver, TM Qi35 3W and a TM Qi4D 7W. Driver and 7W are fine but can’t get on with my 3W and have always struggling with this club over the years. Thinking of adding a 2H which I know would look odd. Just wondering if anyone else had a weird set up at the top of their bag?”

Our members in the forum have offered up their thoughts and personal experiences with non-traditional top of bag set-ups, and their reasoning for thinking outside of the box to begin with. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

BowMain42: “Don’t worry about what “looks” odd. If the club does what you need it to do, it’s the right club.”
scooterhd2: “I cant hit 3 woods either. Thats why I roll with a unicorn XL Hibore 2 wood. 400 cc head at 16 degrees of loft and its just a monster 3 wood off the tee. Off the deck, we are playing the f6 baffler. 5 wood at 41.75 inches and its easy to control.”
phizzy30: “I had driver, 3 metal, 2/4 hybrid once upon a time as a higher ss player. 4 hybrid is gone and in place is a driving iron nowadays. I don’t think what you’re proposing is weird in anyway, however the yardage gap might be glaringly huge between driver and 2 hybrid. What is it about your 3 metal that has got you all messed up? You could always go 4 metal with shorter shaft and see if that works.”

Entire Thread: “Interesting clubs at top of bag”

If you aren’t a member, join us in the GolfWRX forums today!

Equipment

Members of the Mini Driver Club – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

7 hours ago

Jun 3, 2026

Will Schube

In our forums, one user has gone searching for fellow users of a mini driver. In a post, @TightFade asked for other mini driver users to chime in with their weapon of choice, the reason for employing a mini, and what club follows it in the bag.

@TightFade asked:

“What mini are you playing? What spot in the bag did it take over? What’s the next club after it? For me: Elyte mini 13.5. Replacing 3w. Next up club looks like it’ll be 5w.”

Our members in the forum have been sharing their own bag setups featuring the mini driver, and the various reasons they purchased one in the first place. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

RCGA: “Ping G430 Max 12* ‘Thriver.’ Next club is a 4w and 2i (I play a weird course).”
JMB3: “R7 at 12.75 with Diamana BB 63s. 3w replacement. Next Club: Elyte Ti 5w at 17*.”
ColdOkieGolf: “R7 15.5 turned down to 13.5 It replaces the 3w. I found it surprisingly easy to hit off the deck, and it’s very rare that I need or want to hit something beyond 250 from the fairway, so next club is my 7w.”
ChaosTheory: “I’m sub-90 MPH with driver. But I’m able to hit DOD. I have been wanting something like the R7 15.5, so I just ordered one. I have a spot in the bag so nothing has to go. But I could see it replacing my trusty 4 wood, which I never use for approach shots. Just tee shots and lay ups. If I drop the 4 wood, I will turn my 7 wood down to ~20 degrees and will have good gaps. I recently tried a thriver build: 12 degree driver turned to 14, with a heavier 44 inch shaft and added head weight. I hit it great. Very accurate and not overly high, but the problem was that it sometimes went as far as a typical drive. And that’s not what I needed. So I will probably turn the 15.5 up to 16.5 or even 17.5. It’s all theoretical at this point. ?”

Entire Thread: “Members of the Mini Driver Club…Check In.”

If you aren’t a member, join us in the GolfWRX forums today!

Whats in the Bag

Chris Gotterup WITB 2026 (June)

Published

7 hours ago

Jun 3, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

Chris Gotterup had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament.

Drivers: TaylorMade Qi4D (8 degrees), Ping G440 LST (9 degrees @8), Ping G440 LST (7.5 degrees)
Shafts: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Grey 6.5 TX 70 g, Project X HZRDUS T1100 Handcrafted 6.5 TX 70 g, Project X HZRDUS Smoke Grey 6.5 TX 70 g