2013 Drivers

[kygolfer1980]

Alright guys, I struggled with the R11S I won in the contest so I decided to part ways with it. I'm going to buy a new driver next month when everything is available. I am open to any of them but the 913D2 and Amp Cell have caught my attention. I loved my 910D2 but sold it like an idiot. I am even open to the R1 if it feels different to me than the R11 and R11S did. What have u guys already hit this year and what do you recommend?

[Blade]

Hey KY,

I haven't demo'd other clubs. But I got a Krank Rage recently and have never been driving the ball better. Trouble is, you can't walk into a store to try one. When I ordered mine, Lance Reeder who is the president talked to me at length to give me his best recommendation for loft and shaft selection. I am very pleased so far. It's worth checking into before deciding.

[Firstkart]

I would back up the comments on the KRANK Rage and I have an Element on order. Their service has been a bit slack lately but that does not detract from the quality of their drivers,

 

AJ

[BK in TEXAS]

Alright guys, I struggled with the R11S

I liked the R11....it's a solid club....so when I tried the R11S I expected great things. Turns out I DID NOT like the R11S....not one bit.

 

I recently bought the 913D3 driver and it DID replace my 910.....I like it. If I didn't like it better I wouldn't have kept it.

 

Haven't tried any of the others though....maybe there is better

[SPY ZINGER]

All of the MGS guys at the PGA show had good things to say about the Nike Covert. I would give that a look before you decide on one.

[Matt Saternus]

On sound and feel, the Nike Covert is a hands down winner for 2013. We didn't have launch monitors at every booth at demo day, so we don't have any performance notes to share (other than, "It looked like it went far"), but it was the only driver we all agreed on.

[kygolfer1980]

On sound and feel, the Nike Covert is a hands down winner for 2013. We didn't have launch monitors at every booth at demo day, so we don't have any performance notes to share (other than, "It looked like it went far"), but it was the only driver we all agreed on.

Were u able to hit the tour model?

[Mr_Theoo]

I agree with the Nike Covert. I've tried it with the stock Kuro Kage and the fujikura fuel shaft and both felt great. I didn't have any launch monitor data so i dont really know if its better than my Vr_S is though

[kygolfer1980]

Any idea what the custom shaft options will be?

[GolfSpy WD]

I've tried the Covert Tour and Performance, both felt very good. The best of the year for me so far is the Callaway Razr Xtreme.

 

I haven't tried the Adams or Cobra stuff yet, but if the "need a new driver" bug hits me, it'll probably be for the Xtreme with a Black Tie shaft.

 

I tried the R1 and hated it.

[ms1195]

I tried the Callaway X Hot driver and liked it quite a bit. I tried it along with the Nike Covert (both versions), the Razr Extreme, and the new RBZ whatever. The callaway gave me the best distance and I also thought it felt the best. I still want to try the new Adams drivers but callaway has an edge right now for me.

[whiskey golf]

I haven't tried any of the new drivers and while there are a lot of nice looking ones out there, I'm eager to try the new Cleveland adjustable driver because it has more options than the Classic, different finish, and it looks like it'd be solid.

[GolfSpy Tim]

Hit the R1 this week and I'm a fan - I couldn't hit an R11 or R11s to save my life, both felt like hitting rocks to me.

 

Most people seem to love the amp, I know our reviewers did - but for me, the Cobra Encore ZL was the winner and has been in my bag the longest - Paired to a Fuji Fuel shaft :-)

 

Meaning, this year I'm hoping for the new ZL

[JBones]

Not new this year, but the Ping Anser I'm getting is awesome. I did see the Amp Cell head on display at Golf Etc, so you could get fit for that.

[skihippy]

WOWzers there is a lot of suggestions out there. I would say the most common is the Nike Covert, Titleist 913, Callaway Razr Extreme, and Ping Anser. I will probably stay with Titleist or go to Ping, I just can't take the crazy tops and logo's everywhere.

[Tony Covey MGS]

Any idea what the custom shaft options will be?

 

Nike classifies shafts into tiers...can't remember if it's 3 or 4, based on price. Obviously, premiums cost more, but that said, Nike can and will put nearly anything you can imagine into a custom ordered driver. There's almost nothing you can't order through Nike.

[Tony Covey MGS]

Were u able to hit the tour model?

 

I think nearly all of us tried both models. It was at the end of the day (literally the last thing we did before leaving Orange County National was hit the Covert), so we were all spent. We're hearing that the Covert Tour is a legit Tour-type driver (not forgiving in the least).

 

If memory serves, most of the guys preferred the Performance model. I won't have an opinion until I can spend more time with them.

 

 

 

[lmh3]

I really like the Razr Fit Xtreme. I have a Covert Tour with the 7M3 that is a really low spin combination. I also liked the X Hot Pro, Callaway stuff is impressive this season.

[Tony Covey MGS]

To answer the question at hand... kinda...

 

My short list for 2013 probably isn't as short as some would like. There are a literal handful (one for each finger anyway) that I really like.

 

In alphabetical order (as not to be accused of anything...)

 

Callaway RAZR Xtreme - Probably did Callaway a disservice by not hitting along side others at the show, but it's definitely a driver I like quite a bit

 

Cobra AMP Cell Pro - Love the color options. Feels like a forged iron on center contact. It's probably the one on this list that is most likely to get overlooked, and that wouldn't just be a shame, it would be a mistake.

 

Nike VR_S Covert - Independent adjustment of loft and face angle, great feel, the red is awesome

 

TaylorMade R1 - For my money, it's the best feeling driver TaylorMade has released since the started painting everything white. Whether you believe they do anything or not, the tinkerer in me loves having weights and sole plates to tinker with.

 

The 'thumb' in all this is the Krank Element. We haven't hit it (or even seen it in-hand), but I'm fairly certain you won't find a deeper faced driver anywhere. It's on top of my must-hit-as-soon-as-possible list.

 

For those looking for one more...I quite enjoyed the Titliest 913 as well. It's still true that nothing feels like a Titleist.

 

 

 

[SPY ZINGER]

PGA SHOW SPY's:

 

With the added length to 46" (or close to it) with the modern driver, are companies able to offer custom builds for those that prefer 44.5-45" lengths, and still maintain a reasonable swingweight?

 

Obviously, the removable weight heads, this will be possible, but what about the others? Any talk about heavier adjustable sleeves, etc., to compensate for custom orders at shorter playing lengths?

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

I'm stickin with the i20, TI RBZ Tour & 910 D3 with the same shaft set-ups. I also go my TI Superfast TP reshafted so it's probably gonna replace the D3 if it's performance on the course matches the driving range.

 

HaHa, does anyone use a driver for more than one season, or are the technological inovations that amazing that ya gotta switch yearly?

 

Or is it that keepin up with the Jones' thing?

 

Baaaaaaaaaaa.....Baaaaaaaaaaaa

 

 

Fairways & Greens 4ever

 

Starting season 3 with my D2. It has a new shaft so I'm telling myself it's a new driver. Finally have a couple of backup drivers (made one with components - testing continues, but I like it!), so unless Publishers Clearing House comes in, or $500 falls into my lap, this is it for the year...

 

But if that does happen - in no particular order will be the Covert, the new Callaways and the Amp Cell - it just looks so darn bitchin'!!

[BK in TEXAS]

HaHa, does anyone use a driver for more than one season, or are the technological inovations that amazing that ya gotta switch yearly?

 

Or is it that keepin up with the Jones' thing?

Ebay makes selling last years model pretty easy....the true cost of upgrading is usually a hundred bucks or less.

[kygolfer1980]

Nike classifies shafts into tiers...can't remember if it's 3 or 4, based on price. Obviously, premiums cost more, but that said, Nike can and will put nearly anything you can imagine into a custom ordered driver. There's almost nothing you can't order through Nike.

I wonder if most golf shops will have a fitting station for Nike like TMaG does so u can hit the diff combo's? I have played Nike irons but never gave much attention to their woods. I intrigued with the Covert though.

[whiskey golf]

I'm stickin with the i20, TI RBZ Tour & 910 D3 with the same shaft set-ups. I also go my TI Superfast TP reshafted so it's probably gonna replace the D3 if it's performance on the course matches the driving range.

 

HaHa, does anyone use a driver for more than one season, or are the technological inovations that amazing that ya gotta switch yearly?

 

Or is it that keepin up with the Jones' thing?

 

Baaaaaaaaaaa.....Baaaaaaaaaaaa

 

 

Fairways & Greens 4ever

 

I'm starting season 2 with my reliable Cleveland DST Launcher, although that might change with all the new releases. Just when I thought that my bag was set, all the new drivers with different options, colors, etc. come out and now I'll feel left out if I don't get something. That's not gonna be good for me either since I'm pretty much broke because of the recent iron purchase.

[Tony Covey MGS]

PGA SHOW SPY's:

 

With the added length to 46" (or close to it) with the modern driver, are companies able to offer custom builds for those that prefer 44.5-45" lengths, and still maintain a reasonable swingweight?

 

Obviously, the removable weight heads, this will be possible, but what about the others? Any talk about heavier adjustable sleeves, etc., to compensate for custom orders at shorter playing lengths?

 

Most, but not all, of the latest crop of drivers have some sort of factory installed weight port which will usually be fit at the factory to hit the desired swing weight. For those that don't, you can probably hit the target weight with some sort of counter weighting in the grip.

 

If you're cutting down and factory adjustment isn't an option, there's always lead tape.

[lmh3]

I wonder if most golf shops will have a fitting station for Nike like TMaG does so u can hit the diff combo's? I have played Nike irons but never gave much attention to their woods. I intrigued with the Covert though.

 

I got the stock shafts and three exotic shafts in my fitting package. Fujikura Fuel, UST VTS, and Matrix 7M3.

[revkev]

I'm stickin with the i20, TI RBZ Tour & 910 D3 with the same shaft set-ups. I also go my TI Superfast TP reshafted so it's probably gonna replace the D3 if it's performance on the course matches the driving range.

 

HaHa, does anyone use a driver for more than one season, or are the technological inovations that amazing that ya gotta switch yearly?

 

Or is it that keepin up with the Jones' thing?

 

Baaaaaaaaaaa.....Baaaaaaaaaaaa

 

 

Fairways & Greens 4ever

 

Hey I've had my R11s longer than Matt at least! I actually like mine although I'm not a fan of the sound. Interestingly of the gadzillion drivers I've had the past 6 years - lets see G2, 3 Raptures, Mizuno 700 something or other, Adams F11 and 9064 I actually hit the Mizuno the best and it sounded even worse than the R11s.

 

Good luck Matt - sorry you've had to give on your driver - when you went for your fitting did you try anything other than the R11s?

[kygolfer1980]

Hey I've had my R11s longer than Matt at least! I actually like mine although I'm not a fan of the sound. Interestingly of the gadzillion drivers I've had the past 6 years - lets see G2, 3 Raptures, Mizuno 700 something or other, Adams F11 and 9064 I actually hit the Mizuno the best and it sounded even worse than the R11s.

 

Good luck Matt - sorry you've had to give on your driver - when you went for your fitting did you try anything other than the R11s?

My fitter was not a big fan of the RBZ driver. He didn't even have me hit it. Said it was no longer and lacked the adjustability. I have a feeling I'll either leave with the Covert or the 913 D2. Find out in a a couple weeks or so I guess. I think Feb 8 is release date for the Covert.

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

Something just occurred to me. Haven't seen anything in this forum, or from any other source, come to think of it, of anything from Cleveland. Were they at the show? Are they doing anything driver-wise?

[lmh3]

They are releasing a new Classic and an adjustable version as well. Some pretty good shaft upgrades are available for the adjustable version (most have an upcharge). New line of irons also.