PING has announced yet another new line of golf clubs, and according to its spin-doctor department (advertising) the new products are its most expensive line ever as well as the latest advancements in “feel, distance, forgiveness, consistency and sound.’’
Sound?
That’s right, golfers will hear a distinctive, “powerful sound’’ when they strike the Phoenix-based manufacturer’s new composite driver, explained John K. Solheim, the vice president of engineering for PING who is credited with designing the Rapture series.
“The driver exceeds our performance expectations, but we’re just as excited about the sound,’’ said Solheim, the son of PING CEO John Solheim. “Our research indicated a general dissatisfaction with the sound of existing composite drivers, so we made it a high priority in our design criteria.
“Using finite element analysis (FEA), we’ve tuned the club’s frequencies to produce a powerful sound that we believe will turn heads on the tee box.’’
The Rapture line also includes fairway woods, hybrids and irons made of “multi-material technology,’’ most notably titanium, tungsten, stainless steel and graphite.
According to Solheim’s father, John, by mixing the various metals and materials PING has created a club that is unique to the market.
“All (the metals and materials) have properties that can make a golf ball fly straighter and go farther,’’ the elder Solheim said. “The key is to understand what each component can contribute to a product’s performance.
“Our engineers have combined those materials into a series of products that furthers our reputation as a leader in technology.’’
Solheim said the Rapture series will become PING ’s high-end line, and will not compete against its G-5 line. According to figures released by Golf Datatech, the G-5 has been the top-selling driver and irons over the past six months.
Pete Samuels, the chief spin doctor for PING (director of advertising), said the Rapture series will, “Obviously be more expensive than the G-5 line.’’
“The G-5 line is our bread and butter, whereas the Rapture will be more about higher-end and super-premium,’’ Samuels noted.
The higher-priced clubs will also have a distinctive, powerful sound, as in “Wow, that’s a lot!’’ The price list starts with the 460-cc Rapture driver, which will retail for $475, or about $150 more than the G-5. Apparently the additional costs are tied to its new web-shaped titanium crown, which is injected with 20 grams of a lightweight composite, and a “hotter club face.’’ The new driver comes in 9-, 10.5- and 12-degree lofts.
The new Rapture irons will feature a wide-soled perimeter filled with 25 grams of lightweight titanium and tungsten, which will aid golfers in squaring the face at impact while adding that “solid feel and sound,’’ according to the company’s literature. Irons will retail for $162.50 each in graphite shafts, or $140 in steel shafts.
The Rapture hybrids, which will range from $225 to $195 depending on graphite or steel, also feature a thinner, hotter face. The heavier sole plates will result in high, penetrating trajectories for longer, softer approach shots. The hybrids will come in 18-, 21- and 24-degree lofts.
As for the Rapture fairway woods, Solheim said they will be large-headed and feature “exceptional forgiveness’’ in a club that is 100 percent titanium. Available in 3-, 5- and 7-woods, the face is robotically plasma-welded for consistency and durability, and the weight for the $350 club has been redistributed to maximize performance.
According to the Solheims, PING will start shipping the Rapture club line in September. More information is available at www.pinggolf.com.
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