TESTER REVIEW: Ping Anser Driver

webber · October 30, 2012

I was lucky enough to be selected to test and review the new Anser driver from Ping. As a longtime Ping player I was excited to try the new product. After a few back and forths with Ping's inside rep I was set up for a launch monitor fitting at the Golf Mart in Dublin, CA (My golf ball was used in the fitting for accuracy). After trying many shafts and combos I was able to settle on the Diamana ahina 70 S at 9.5 loft set to the - loft setting. The club was built to 45.25" and a D3 swingweight. Once the club was received by me I was able to get back on the launch monitor to validate that the numbers were good for launch and spin. Following that I was able to hit the club many times at the driving range and on the course before this review.

Look: 4 1/2 Stars. Ping really nailed it here with the looks. I can't say enough about how sleek the matte black finish looks as well as the black sole and face. Ping has stated that they were not going to jump on the adjustable club bandwagon until they could do it right. Unlike other bulky adapters the sleeve on the shaft tip is sleek and un-bulky. You really cannot even tell that it is an adapter. The only small thing I would change is to add just slightly more bulge and roll to the face.

Performance: 5 Stars. As you can see by the launch numbers I averaged 12* of launch and 2366 rpm's of spin. Pretty hard to argue with those numbers. The 38* descent angle means ample roll out. Almost a 270 carry with 292 or overall distance. In the less loft setting I eliminate the left side of the golf course a bit more. As validated on the launch monitor by setting the club up in the less loft setting the launch drops about 0.5* and the spin goes down about 400 rpm's on average. Distance goes up about 7 yards. Perfect. It really is a benefit to be able to have adjustability. The launch monitor proves it when you see the changes in launch/spin/distance by performing a simple tweak.

Feel: 4 Stars. The feel is very crisp. I would have to associate feel with sound and this club has great sound. Not too muted but not too tingy. I think the shaft has a ton to do with feel as well. The ahina can to some feel a bit boardy and thus lacking feel. I would suggest some of the other stock shaft offerings if you are sensitive to feel because the club does feel crisp.

Overall: 4.1/2 Stars. This club is a winner. Looks good, performs good, and is adjustable. Great stock shaft offerings as well. I would like to see more adjustability other than three settings of +/- 0.5*. In my case I don't need more adjustability but others may. I highly recommend this new driver from Ping.

ram01002 · October 30, 2012

Great review!

pingeye · November 2, 2012

Thanks for the review. I think I have narrowed the Anser down as my driver for next year. I've hit the 9.5 with ahina in doors and it feels great. My swing speed is close to yours. I need to find a fitter in the Atlanta area with a trackman to confirm before I order.
What driver were you hitting previously?

webber · November 5, 2012

Ping i20 with a Kaili, I got the launch the same but spin down about 600 rpms.

Scratch2Plus · November 7, 2012

so the anser was about 600 rpm less then the i20 with same launch?

JJS1978 · November 7, 2012

I played my new Anser for the first time yesterday and loved it. I actually liked the TFC shaft too. I was planning on putting a RIP in it based on the fact that I have used the RIP for a while and have played well with it. I am going to use the TFC shaft and see how it goes before I change anything with it.

indygolfman · November 11, 2012

Great review, I'm discovering the same thing recently. Even in relation to the i20, I had about the same results: approx 600 rpms less.

In fact, here's my review where you can see the numbers: [url="http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/750011-im-a-believer-anser-vs-913d3-vs-i20-with-lm-numbers/"]http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/750011-im-a-believer-anser-vs-913d3-vs-i20-with-lm-numbers/[/url]

metrybill · March 11, 2013

After demo'ing a LOT of drivers with different shafts from all the name manufacturers, I chose to bag the Anser 10.5* with Fujikura red Blur S shaft. If you struggle with excess spin and little run, this combo of head and shaft may very well help you. I have picked up several yards of carry on my best shots and now my ball runs for even more yards; (This club is plenty long.) This is very forgiving on off-center hits as well. This could be a game changer and is definitely worth a try. Snaps and excessive hooks are gone, too. Caveat: this one is difficult to work - straight, slight draws and cuts or rights. You may need more loft when you give this one a try as the club produces a very boring flight. The adjustability is limited (1/2 * more or less loft and the same for face angle) but sufficient for a better player.