Quick review of new Ping production equipment

[sandy]

Came in yesterday

Yesterday and today I tried out my new Ping equipment. I got 2 drivers one with the NV blue and one with the 909D shaft. Seems most all of the early Wrx orders got shipped. Stock next week. Got a 3 and 5 rapture with the stock 909 shaft (heads made in China, Shafts made in Bagledesh, Assembled in U.S. by the way). Got the 3-P S-58 with the same old Z-Z65 shaft. Tried a hybrid with CS lite shaft (18). By the way the store I got my stuff from said the "allocation" of ping rapture irons must not exist since they got 18 sets instead of the 5 set that were supposed to be the monthly allocation (all were presold so they were happy). Two guys I know that got a set were just in seventh heaven raving about them.

Here are the results of a couple of days of playing and hitting balls. Winner of the whole group of clubs I got were the two fairway woods. The driver at 9 degrees is just too much loft even with an X NV blue, both had a very high trajectory. The stock shaft actually performed better than the blue NV but still wasn't anything to write home about. A 7.5 would be ideal but those are tour only---too bad as it is a great looking head. Will stick with my G5 7.5 with green NV in the driver---much longer and better trajectory.

Both the 3 and 5 fairways are hands down the longest fairways I've owned since the old TISI Tec 3 wood. Even with the 909 shaft these are rockets. The 3 wood was longer and had a better trajectory than the driver. Not too big at address and the face isn't too deep like some (Cobra X speed for example). Definite winners, can't find a thing wrong with them---even the half moon alignment logo is fainter than on the G5.

The S-58s are just redone S-59s. I can't find anything to recommend them over the S-59s. They have a redone back, the soles are wider, the numbers are almost in the middle of the sole (odd looking). They may hit the ball a little higher than the S-59s but that seemed to be more swing related than anything else. They aren't any more forgiving and really don't feel any different at impact. Initially I thought they felt a little softer at impact but that was during a demo day when I didn't have my S-59s to compare against. Same exact look at address---too much offset in the 2 and 3 iron.

The hybrid was another winner, probably the best hybrid I've hit to date. Mind you I dislike hybrids but this is one I would consider when I can't hit a 2 iron anymore. Even with the less than stellar CS lite shaft in it, it went like a rocket with a great high trajectory and was actually not too bad in its ability to shape the ball (never had experienced that with a hybrid before).

Overall summary Driver--nice but not as good as what I already own, Fairways---the best I own to date, hybrids---the best I have found to date, S-58s---OK if you are looking for a sort of traditional look (offset in the 2, 3, 4 iron prevent that in reality) and don't already own a set of S-59s. Still haven't made up my mind on the grips that are on the Rapture clubs--seem to be a "sanded" tour wrap. They don't feel bad but something is different about the feel, kind of bumpy. Rapture irons from others, I didn't try them----pure heaven as one playing partner said.

[golfalot333]

great review! I'm really looking forward to hitting the Rapture driver, anyone know if the Proforce V2 is an option?

[sandy]

I think it is through Wrx. I saw a 10.5 with a V2 in it but it had a Wrx band on it. So doubt if it is a no cost install.

[tickyboy]

I have ordered the rapture driver and waiting on it now.... I'm interested to see what the results are compare to yours.

 

Any review of the new wedges? Ping wedges have always looked odd to me, but oddly attractive.

[sandy]

I only tried a couple of the i wedges that they had for demo days. So far only special orders have come in to the dealer I went to. I liked the performance and the size but didn't like that odd slanted hosel. If I got one I might be tempted to grind it level just to get rid of that look.