Ping G425 closer than we think? (In hand Pics Pg. 16)

[jwadds19]

I definitely hope they keep the same adapter. Its always a bit of a pain when companies change, but if they give us a few cycle releases with the same ones its all good.

[WristySwing]

 

Unlikely. Ping has had the turbulators now since the G30 and they only seem to be getting more pronounced. They have done tests showing less drag. Don't forget, Ping is an engineering company that just so happens to make golf clubs as well while most of their money is with contracts with the U.S. Military and such. Are they really going to care about the 200 people maybe who are so disgusted about the look of turbulators that they are going to buy something else even if the Ping performs better? I doubt it.

My guess for the G425 or whatever comes next is going to maintain the static fixed SFT weight, the Plus model will maybe be a bit flatter and more spread out to give it a bit higher MOI and stability with the addition of not just 3 fixed weights but a slider track to really pinpoint where you can have discretionary weighting. My guess also for the LST is going to be to make it a real knuckle machine like they had with the G30 and G LST. I found in their quest to make drivers more forgiving (always a great thing) that their LST models have lost the LST aspect, which makes sense, spin = forgiveness. I would love to see something that spins like a Mavrik SZ or SIM at the same loft but maintain that high MOI. Would be a great seller.

[ColinKelvin]

Really, re: "most of their money is with contracts with the the US military"? Do you have more info on that, as it's the first time I have heard it mentioned?

[pak]

I have never played a Ping driver and do not know any PGA Tour members, but I can't remember hearing any of them publicly complain about the turbulators, especially when winning tournaments with them. It appears to me that free agent equipment players gravitate to Taylormade first and Ping second when choosing a driver to game.

[tbowles411]

I agreed with most of what he said, but I don't believe that military statement can be backed up. Now, they DO engineer clubs for a lot of Wounded Warriors and give a credit after a purchase.

[halfsumo]

Lol, ping is a golf company, they only make golf clubs. Kirsten started the company out of his garage making putters. WTF?

[WristySwing]

 

I looked to see if I could find the information and nothing is publicly searchable via Google. This information was provided by Ping while down at their headquarters on a trip in Arizona around 2013. I also heard this a second time more recently around 2017 when I was at their local headquarters for a product knowledge training seminar. While I can't verify it directly and show you, I texted an old co-worker who went on a separate Ping trip to mine a couple of years later to Arizona in 2014/2015 and he also confirmed it and named the rep who told the group. You don't have to believe me. I am just stating what I was told and assumed to still be the case based on the first-hand knowledge I was given by employees in the R&D departments of Ping fairly recently.

 

[PowderedToastMan]

PING makes their money from government contracts, Taylormade makes their money from Taylor Swift concerts, and Titleist primarily makes skyscrapers in rural areas and happens to make golf clubs. Wilson Golf makes most of their profit from Tom Hanks buying volleyballs.

[tleader]

I believe your thinking about Bettinardi.

[halfsumo]

Ok, I apologize. Looks like they have owned Dolphin, Inc. casting/engineering since the 70's and do a lot of work with the government/military.

You were right all along.

Very interesting. Actually makes me like them better.https://dolphincasting.com/

[J13]

Ping working with the government for private contracts is correct as does Bettinardi. It's not public info because why would it be? They are a private company not publicly traded and it has nothing to do with golf. This has been in place for years and provides Ping with the stability it needs to maintain the product cycle among other things. It's not like they are making nuclear missiles or ufo's. Lots of companies have contracts to produce things for military use. Not that big of a deal.

[hammergolf]

Sad that people who don’t know the history of KARSTEN MFG. but are willing to ridicule those who do. Ping golf clubs was just one part of the company. They also owned Dolphin casting where they not only casted their own iron heads, but many precise parts for the military, including those used in aircrafts, missiles, and other products. In fact, there were parts of the KARSTEN facility that were top secret and you could not visit. It was estimated in the 80’s and 90’s that over 70% of the revenue for KARSTEN MFG. came directly from military contracts. KARSTEN MFG. sold Dolphin in the early 2000’s and now only concentrate on golf clubs. The govt. chose Dolphin because at that time they were the industry leader in casting and producing precision parts. Next time, before you ridicule someone do some research.

[ColinKelvin]

Fair enough, thank you. I wasn't aware of this at all. Very interesting.

 

[tbowles411]

Hey, if PING told you that directly, then I'm cool with it. Just another feather in their cap then.

[J13]

Correct

[Valtiel]

I think Kirsten was the receptionist, actually.

[FairwayJ_90]

Wow never knew about the history of PING/Karsten/Dolphin being involved in Defense and Aerospace industries. Respect level has gone up. May have to throw a G425 in the bag now. Really hoping they redesign the crown of the driver/woods though. Right now they look like the sticks Batman would game.

[BDowning]

TGW just cut prices on Ping's G410 line. Hopefully an announcement in the coming weeks/months?

[Miles of Lief]

I just bought a brand new 410 Plus with Tour 65 shaft from someone off Craigslist for $300! My first new driver in 5 years - I'm very happy getting it for that price!

[jblough99]

Those price drops happened months ago.

[B1gDaddyt]

Any new rumors about the G425s - release dates, etc...? Looking for a new set but would love to see these before purchasing but if they're delayed until next year, I might pull the plug on something else.

[AtlantaGolf3]

Just went to the local pga tour superstore.

There was almost zero stock of Ping hybrids, fairway woods and drivers.

Could he an replenishment fault due to production or transportation as a result of Covid supply chain slowing. Could also be a reduction of par stock in preparation of new stuff.

All the 410 lines were 20% off as well.

[B1gDaddyt]

It's wishful thinking but I was hoping to see the G425s next month but with the shutdown maybe they're not ready.

I have been seeing the same locally with low to none in stock for G410. Which makes me hopeful for a new release.

[deep18]

Ping isn’t releasing any new products in 2020. Everything has been pushed back into 2021.

[bgdubba]

Just spoke to a friend in the golf industry. Ping has scrapped the whole G425 line for 2020. Unknown if it will ever be released. They may move on to the next iteration next year, without ever making the G425 available.

[SubaruWRX]

They can take as much time as they want as far as I’m concerned. When the turbulators are gone, I’ll buy a new driver. Be it 2021, 2022, 2023, or whenever.

[B1gDaddyt]

Appreciate the heads-up. It'll be interesting to see what they do next year.

[belephant]

The looks are so subjective. I personally love the current PING look. Turbulators frame the ball nicely (hardly notice them after a few rounds), and it’s all matte black, no logos or paint accents. Personally I can’t stand the look of the recent TM drivers, I think they are way louder/busier than PING but many love them... cobra and Callaway aren’t much better. Hard to deny the appeal of the classic looks by Titleist and srixon, but I’d still choose the PING!

[J_Tizzle]

Totally agree. Love the turbulators and much prefer it being framed like that vs an alignment aid. Probably been my biggest complaint with Cobra clubs, that big C or the snake is very distracting.

[asumnerdawg]

Honestly I don’t notice the turbulators much at all anymore.