MODEL AND SHAFT PLAYED: Titleist 913 D3 with 9.5° loft, fitted with a stiff, 70-gram Aldila RIP Phenom shaft. The SureFit Tour hosel was configured in the A1 neutral setting.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: It’s been a while since I last used a Titleist driver and the 913 D3 is a good looking one. The first thing I noticed about this driver is the shape of the clubhead. I like the more traditional appearance of this head versus some of the other shapes on the market these days.

VERDICT: I was sold on this club from the opening swing: a big drive right down the centre of the first fairway. I found it easy to hit the D3 consistently and because I took a liking to the club straight away, I didn’t alter the hosel setting away from the A1 neutral loft and lie setting.

I found the sound to be one of the more striking features – better than the sound at impact of any other Titleist driver I’ve hit before. An older Titleist model I used to own had a bit of a ‘clunky’ sound to it but not this one. The trajectory was another plus. My driver ball flight sometimes balloons a little, which can be a problem in the wind, but drives with the D3 had a much more piercing, efficient ball flight to them.

MODEL AND SHAFT PLAYED: Titleist 913 D2 with 9.5° loft, fitted with a stiff, 62-gram Mitsubishi Diamana +Plus Blue shaft. The SureFit Tour hosel was configured in the A1 neutral setting.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: I’m particularly interested in Titleist’s new 913 drivers as my driver is the 910 D2. I really like the look and characteristics of the blue shaft but at first glance the clubhead doesn’t look much different. In fact, I wouldn’t have picked any  visual difference to my driver if you’d put this new clubhead on the shaft of my driver.

VERDICT: The advances made from the 910 drivers are clear. I found the 913 D2 to have multiple differences – most obvious to me was a heightened trampoline effect. My 910 feels ‘spongier’ at impact whereas the ball really jumps off the 913 clubface. I hit this one 10 to 20 metres longer.

I left the hosel setting in the A1 neutral setting as I liked the ball flight it generated.

The 913 is similar to the 910 in terms of feel. While the improvements are noticeable, to me it’s still not a big jump from the 910 – which I see as a good thing. This is more of a refinement of the technology Titleist brought to the table then.

SUITABILITY: Available in 460cc D2 and 445cc D3 models, Titleist’s new 913 drivers are aimed at every level of player. Serious golfers need to be fitted for the correct club specifications to maximise driver distance and to provide the proper carry distances throughout the rest of a set.

SHAFTS: There are five stock shaft choices across the 913 range: two Mitsubishi Diamana +Plus options, two Aldila RIP options and the Mitsubishi Titleist Bassara W 50.

LOFTS: 7.5°, 8.5°, 9.5° and 10.5° in both D2 and D3, plus a 12° version in the D2.

LEFT-HANDED MODELS?: Yes, except 7.5° versions.

HOW MUCH?: $539.

TITLEIST SAYS: “Titleist 913 D2 is a 460cc full pear-shaped driver and D3 a 445cc classic pear-shaped driver. Both feature innovations to the face insert, rear weight and lower centre of gravity location that deliver the best combination of speed and forgiveness. Our patented SureFit Tour hosel technology allows loft and lie to be independently adjusted to precisely fit your game.

“D2 offers exceptional distance and forgiveness with a slight draw bias, with uncompromised looks, sound and feel, while D3 delivers tour-inspired workability with distance and forgiveness.

“Both models promote longer distance through the rear weight and improved centre of gravity location, which provide optimum launch with reduced spin. A high-speed, forged face insert provides more speed over a larger area of face.”

Contact Titleist Australia on 1800 660 535 or visit www.titleist.com.au