Ping Anser Driver Review - Forum Testing

[GrantD]

Final testing thoughts-

I first wanted to thank THP and Ping for doing this great testing. I also want to thanks Testing Mod-Kmac, Mikedean and DDUX for doing such a great job. I really think we put the Anser through the paces and got some great information out during this testing period. Great job guys!

Final Thoughts-

Once I saw that the testing was over this morning, I have been trying to put my thoughts together about my time with the Anser and where my driving performance has changed with it. I went back to my initial thoughts post to compare my stats to now.

Initial Thoughts

I have been playing a 10.5* Callaway Razr Hawk Tour driver with the Matrix Radix HD 60 oz shaft in it. In my last 20 rounds I have had a 55.9% FIR stat with 17.6% going left and 26.6% going right. So when I do miss, it seems to be right. I think this is mostly due to aiming down the right side of the fairway and hitting it straight. In my last 5 rounds I have kicked up to 60% FIRs, 7.1% left and 32.8% right. I really need to aim down the middle more!

I also have been averaging around 250-260 with the driver I have. Since my lessons started this average has slow been increasing. I plan on using the Golfshot app and a rangefinder to get new averages with the Anser driver.

In my last 15 rounds my stats have stayed around the same at 54%, but changed to 23% left and 23% right. This I feel means the Anser is more consistent than my previous driver. The stat that has changed the most is the distance stat. I have added about 10-15 yds to my average distance now. I am now averaging around 270ish for most of my drives. I have even seen some break the 300 yd mark. I accredit those to ideal hits and conditions.

Overall, I feel like the Anser is a great fit for me. I have seen a much better ball flight with the 9.5* head and lower launching shaft. Even thought my accuracy has stayed about the same, distance has increased. This gives me more opportunities to put the ball closer to the hole on approach shots. This is one of the main reasons my handicap has dropped about 4 strokes since gaming the Anser. It puts me in the fairway over 50% of the time and puts a scoring club in my hand to go after the green. I have also noticed that my penalty strokes have gone down to 1 or less around rather than 2-3 a round. This has dropped a few strokes too. I am looking foward to heading in to the winter season with the Anser in hand. I know that there are a lot of other drivers that are coming on to the scene in January, but I feel like a strong competitor is going to have a hard job knocking the Anser out of the back.

Thanks so much again and I enjoyed every minute of this testing. I plan on adding my thoughts to this thread from this point out too.


Previous post

Spoiler

Initial thoughts and unboxing video-
http://www.thehackersparadise.com/f...orum-Testing&p=1635252&viewfull=1#post1635252
Pictures
http://www.thehackersparadise.com/f...orum-Testing&p=1638182&viewfull=1#post1638182
First round
http://www.thehackersparadise.com/forum/showthread.php?36128-Ping-Anser-Driver-Review-Forum-Testing&p=1638681&viewfull=1#post1638681
After work range session
http://www.thehackersparadise.com/f...orum-Testing&p=1639535&viewfull=1#post1639535
Scramble round with just 'Ahina shaft
http://www.thehackersparadise.com/f...orum-Testing&p=1641324&viewfull=1#post1641324
Range Session
http://www.thehackersparadise.com/f...orum-Testing&p=1649522&viewfull=1#post1649522
3rd round with Anser- 'Ahina shaft
http://www.thehackersparadise.com/f...orum-Testing&p=1657856&viewfull=1#post1657856
4th round with Anser- TFC shaft
http://www.thehackersparadise.com/f...orum-Testing&p=1659915&viewfull=1#post1659915
5th round with Anser- 'Ahina Shaft
http://www.thehackersparadise.com/f...orum-Testing&p=1662857&viewfull=1#post1662857
Driving Range session
http://www.thehackersparadise.com/f...orum-Testing&p=1675938&viewfull=1#post1675938
Shaft fitting session
http://www.thehackersparadise.com/f...orum-Testing&p=1687680&viewfull=1#post1687680
First round after shaft fitting
http://www.thehackersparadise.com/f...orum-Testing&p=1689392&viewfull=1#post1689392
2nd round after shaft fitting
http://www.thehackersparadise.com/f...orum-Testing&p=1699608&viewfull=1#post1699608
3rd round after shaft fitting
http://www.thehackersparadise.com/f...orum-Testing&p=1703789&viewfull=1#post1703789
4th round after shaft fitting, adjusted back to 9.5*
http://www.thehackersparadise.com/f...orum-Testing&p=1710856&viewfull=1#post1710856
5th round after shaft fitting, 9.5* setting
http://www.thehackersparadise.com/f...orum-Testing&p=1729657&viewfull=1#post1729657
6th round after shaft fitting, 9.5* setting
http://www.thehackersparadise.com/f...orum-Testing&p=1736547&viewfull=1#post1736547
7th round after shaft fitting, 9.5* setting
http://www.thehackersparadise.com/f...orum-Testing&p=1753330&viewfull=1#post1753330
8th round after shaft fitting, 9.5* setting
http://www.thehackersparadise.com/f...orum-Testing&p=1770943&viewfull=1#post1770943

 

[ddxu]

I want to thank Ping Golf for trusting THP and it's forum members to test their latest driver offering in such an open an unbiased way. It really speaks volumes of how much companies trust their product when they are willing to eat the cost of several drivers, resources scheduling them, etc to get their clubs out into the hands of real golfers. It is clear THP Forum Testing is the most reliable and trust worthy way of getting real insights to new product.

As those following along with us can see, this wasnt an open ad promoting the Anser. There were some down days and critiques no doubt. But man did I hit some of my best drives ever and that feeling is so addicting. I still plan to update the thread with my progress, and plan on keeping the Anser in play for my round this weekend. I might mix in my 910 and/or SuperTri as well to see how they stack up. While there is a great deal of new driver hype with the new Razr Extreme, 913, etc as we finish out 2012, I think many golfers will be well off to ask Santa for an Anser.

 

[mikedean441]

good recaps Grant and DDXU!

 

[Wicked Cool Bearded Man]

Great write ups guys. Grant- that is great info, numbers and conclusion that the Anser is more consistent. ddxu - Great thoughts man. I'm liking the confidence in this driver from you.

 

[sharkwrestler]

Great write ups guys.What an amazing opportunity to be able to test this beast. I got to hear and see KMac's recently and was impressed by the sweet sound of a well struck ball and the sound that this beast produces is intimidating.

 

[JK]

Thanks testers - the time you guys put in with your feedback really does help narrow down a really big world.

 

[Chunkylover77]

Outstanding testing guys. Congrats

 

[Certifi_able]

Great job guys. I really enjoyed reading this thread and following all of your progress. The Anser is on my list of drivers to try out this winter at my nearest GolfTec because of what I've read here. Thanks again guys and thank you THP.

 

[GregDan]

Great job to all the testers! I enjoyed following along and reading the progression with this driver. I am sure there were a lot of people out there that gave this a try just from your write ups.

 

[ddxu]

Looks like the temps will be back in the mid 50s next weekend, hope to get out for one more redemption round with the Anser before the snow starts flying.

 

[Rvick82]

Looks like the temps will be back in the mid 50s next weekend, hope to get out for one more redemption round with the Anser before the snow starts flying.

Id like to hear how your final round goes. I had a driver fitting at the end of october and the anser was chosen for me. So far I've only played two rounds with it but am so far liking my results. My good strikes seem to fly a mile but my bad ones aren't punished too hard and generally stay near the fairway.

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[Colt]

Has anybody found this driver hard to turn over...kinda like the G20? I have no problem hooking it on a bad swing but the actual left to right is near non existent. That's not normal for me at all. Not bad, just not normal.

 

[Rvick82]

Has anybody found this driver hard to turn over...kinda like the G20? I have no problem hooking it on a bad swing but the actual left to right is near non existent. That's not normal for me at all. Not bad, just not normal.

Thats funny. My miss use to be a nasty hook with a random miss right. With this driver, granted ive only played a few rounds, but my miss with the anser is right and my shot shaped is a little cut on a good swing.

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[mikedean441]

Has anybody found this driver hard to turn over...kinda like the G20? I have no problem hooking it on a bad swing but the actual left to right is near non existent. That's not normal for me at all. Not bad, just not normal.

Only ball I ever hit with it left was during the shaft fitting, everything on course and range was either straight or straight right slice

 

[One-T]

I need to sell mine. I think I will put it in the market. The anser and I have a love hate relationship. It loves to go right and I hate that

 

[Puttin4Bird]

I need to sell mine. I think I will put it in the market. The anser and I have a love hate relationship. It loves to go right and I hate that

That's funny dude. Sorry you have a love/hate but that was funny.

 

[dhill]

I need to sell mine. I think I will put it in the market. The anser and I have a love hate relationship. It loves to go right and I hate that

At least it goes a long way right when it does.

But it's super easy to adjust the lofts right? That's got to be worth something.

 

[mikedean441]

At least it goes a long way right when it does.

But it's super easy to adjust the lofts right? That's got to be worth something.

I know I went with a closed face 10* for quite some time then once I felt like my ball striking was solid I went down to neutral at 9.5 and they were either going straight or right

 

[ddxu]

Id like to hear how your final round goes. I had a driver fitting at the end of october and the anser was chosen for me. So far I've only played two rounds with it but am so far liking my results. My good strikes seem to fly a mile but my bad ones aren't punished too hard and generally stay near the fairway.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

I have 36 holes planned for this coming weekend. I'm going to beat the heck out of the fairway with my golf balls flying off the Anser's odd sounding face. This thing has been so hit or miss its mind boggling, but I want to give it one last redemption shot before the end of the season.

And if I'm playing poorly with it during the first round, its going in the trunk and the 910 is taking its place for the 2nd 18. Anser on notice!

 

[One-T]

That's funny dude. Sorry you have a love/hate but that was funny.

hahahaha....I hate a fade. hate it.

At least it goes a long way right when it does.

But it's super easy to adjust the lofts right? That's got to be worth something.

hahaha....dude. I though tthat sucker was glued in!

 

[Erockreno]

Has anyone hit and or played both the Anser and the G20? I would like to here your opinion on which club you like more and why.

 

[Seamus MacDuff]

Great reports - I'm looking forward to watching these videos. Just wanted to say I love the look of these drivers. The dark matte finish and the sole ... Just a tough looking club, reminds me of a rifle.

 

[mikedean441]

Has anyone hit and or played both the Anser and the G20? I would like to here your opinion on which club you like more and why.

i dont think i have hit the g20 so cant speak to it

 

[ddxu]

Has anyone hit and or played both the Anser and the G20? I would like to here your opinion on which club you like more and why.

I found the G20 to be more forgiving, but the Anser longer on well struck shots.

 

[Jman]

I found the G20 to be more forgiving, but the Anser longer on well struck shots.

That's saying something impressive too dd as the G20 head was quite long in its own right.

I'd like to hit this again at some point, I simply wish the adapters were readily available, major turn off for me.


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