| There are two product lines in the Ping | | | | both sport the pleasing sloped crown look. |
| hybrid golf clubs lineup. These are called | | | | The main difference in the two clubs is that |
| the Rapture hybrids and the G5 hybrids. The | | | | the Rapture has the tungsten nickel sole |
| Rapture is the newer of the lines, and as you | | | | plate and the G5 does not. Another |
| will surmise from the discussion below, Ping | | | | difference is price. The MSRP for the G5 is |
| club designers were working to obtain a | | | | $175 in graphite and $150 with steel shafts. |
| center of gravity (CG) that is lower and | | | | The face plate of the G5 hybrid is machined |
| farther back in the club face to make the | | | | from 455 stainless steel, which is used in |
| ball easier to get up into the air. | | | | most of the hybrids in the industry at this |
| | | | point. The club head is compact and a bit |
| Rapture Hybrid Golf Clubs | | | | smaller than the Rapture. There are four |
| | | | versions of the G5, 2-5H. Once again there |
| Three different materials are welded together | | | | are a number of graphite standard shaft |
| to make the Rapture club head. The body of | | | | choices, and steel shafts can also be used. |
| the head is made of 17-4 stainless steel. A | | | | All the clubs are available in left-handed |
| tungsten nickel sole plate is welded onto the | | | | versions. For the ladies a 5H and 6H are |
| bottom of the club head adding weight to the | | | | available. |
| sole and lowering the CG while also forcing | | | | |
| the CG farther back from the club face. This | | | | As is the case with most of the name brand |
| is a design goal for every make of hybrid | | | | club makers, Ping is recognizing the trend |
| club and helps provide a higher launch angle. | | | | and the need for custom club fitting. There |
| The face plate is made from what is called | | | | are so many hybrid golf clubs to choose from |
| 475 super steel, and this is said to produce | | | | that one should invest $50-$150 or so in a |
| a hot responsive hitting area. The | | | | custom club fitting session, preferably with |
| appearance of the Ping hybrids is pleasing | | | | a certified professional club maker who has |
| with a sloped crown. This feature also helps | | | | all the needed equipment to provide a top |
| to produce a CG that is low and back in the | | | | notch fitting experience. After all, if you |
| club face. The club head itself is fairly | | | | are going to purchase a new set of clubs, you |
| large and forgiving of off-center hits. The | | | | can easily spend $1,500 or more, and you |
| Rapture line offers 3 clubs, 2-4H. There is | | | | might as well have clubs that fit and will |
| a good selection of standard graphite shafts, | | | | allow you to get the most out of your game. |
| and of course steel shafts are also | | | | Once you have a proper club fitting and know |
| available. All 3 Rapture clubs are available | | | | the technical characteristics of the clubs |
| for lefties. The MSRP for the Rapture is | | | | that would be best for your particular swing, |
| $225 with graphite and $195 with steel | | | | you can make an informed choice about whether |
| shafts. This club does not have a ladies | | | | to choose Ping hybrid golf clubs or some |
| version, but the G5 line, to be discussed | | | | other brand. To get started with this and |
| next, does. | | | | get a feel for what a proper club fitting |
| | | | entails, you can fill out the web fitting |
| G5 Hybrid Gold Clubs | | | | form on the Ping web site. I also strongly |
| | | | recommend that anyone planning to buy new |
| The G5 hybrids were the precursors of the | | | | clubs should read the excellent book by Tom |
| Rapture line, and they look similar, since | | | | Wishon, The Search for the Perfect Golf Club. |