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