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