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