The guys in my group have become accustomed to having Joe drive it by. The guy makes a big shoulder turn that would send most people to the chiropractor. We'd been giving him a hard time for some time because he plays with clubs from the nineties. Boy was that a mistake.

On the first tee, he tees the ball up so high it seems like it's at knee level. Then he takes his usual contortionist turn and rips the ball into the stratosphere. The ball launches high like a rocket and sails by our balls before landing and rolling out another 10 to 15 yards. Oh geez.

That's the nice thing about the deep faces of the modern clubs, you can really tee them up high with no fear of "skying" the ball. I've always like the look of the Ping drivers because they are not flashy. The Ping G15 is very subtle with a cool quarter-moon marker on the crown for alignment.

The only thing bad I can say about the driver (besides the fact that my buddy has added another 10 yards by me) is that the club doesn't come with an adjustability feature. I think they need to get on the bandwagon that most of the other club companies have already jumped on.

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While more effective in the hands of a skilled player, this is a club with good performance characteristics, even for the average golfer. Ping engineers intersected the crown (the top-most portion of the club head) directly to the sole to create that low and wide club face, and at only 142cc, it is definitely not over-sized.

There is an entire line of fairway woods in the G10 series, but we're focusing on the 5-wood here. Technical details include: 18.5 degrees of loft, outfitted with a 42.5" graphite shaft for a total swingweight of D-1. Those are all pretty middle-of-the-road numbers for a 5-wood, so no surprises there. Where the G10 5-wood really stands out is perhaps in the variety of ways you can find this club, including: both Right and Left hand orientation, Soft-R (senior), Regular, and Stiff and X-Stiff flex options for the TFC 129 proprietary shaft. Shaft upgrades include the Grafalloy ProLaunch Red (R, S, and XS) -- this option will reduce the spin rate and produce a lower, more penetrating ball flight -- a nice upgrade for the better player who doesn't struggle to get the ball airborne. Standard grip is the Ping 703 in soft rubber. This grip is pretty standard across the line and has a "flame" pattern in the rubber that is supposed to improve both your grip on the club and the performance. For my money, it's just another rubber grip and as good as, but no better than, the next one.

Ping has veered slightly from their normal look by painting the graphics on this club in copper and black -- but they make for a striking appearance and, with the color-coordinated clubhead cover, it is a good-looking club. Other fairways woods in a similar vein include the TaylorMade R9 or Nike Victory Red.

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Unlike (to my eye, at least) the Ping Eye2, the iWedge has a more classic shape to the head. The Eye2 had a high toe and, with that flat steel finish, looked more like a yard implement than a golf club. The iWedge goes back to more traditional roots -- a design that should do nothing but inspire confidence as you prepare to hit your shot -- be it from behind a tree, from the fairway or blasting from a greenside bunker. Another Ping innovation is the "Sand Cup" sole design -- this design moves the pivot point further from the leading edge and is designed to help get under the ball quickly (and not dig into the turf) for higher, softer landing shots.

Ping has kept their usual non-glare finish for the club head and added only black paint fill for the model and club head number. The Ping iWedge is available in Right hand only and in loft increments (2 degrees each) from 50 to 60 degrees. For those looking (needing?) to truly customize their wedge, Ping has introduced a patented design called Flat Top Hosel, along with the Hosel Notch. The flat top hosel is designed to reduce stress and improve feel in the club. The hosel notch controls the bend point for precise loft and lie adjustment. Just be sure to see your local pro or golf repair shop to make any bend adjustments to your club.

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Many better players prefer what is called a muscle-back iron (rather the perimeter-weighted, cavity-back design). This design allows the player to "work" the ball in either a controlled fade or draw far easier than with the perimeter-weight design. The S58 irons are a quasi-muscle back design that also incorporates some game improvement (i.e., forgiveness) characteristics such as: Custom-Tuning Port (CTP) that positions the Center of Gravity (CG) lower and deeper to give the club a slightly higher, yet still penetrating trajectory. Ping has also moved the CG within the set -- farther back on the long irons and farther forward on the short irons -- again to capture that same ball flight. The S58 also has a slightly wider sole to help the club move through the turf just a bit easier and be a little more forgiving. Finally, there is a Vertical Stabilizing Bar which is said to improve distance and shot dispersion, even on off-center hits. The Ping S58 irons look like a players club with a thin top line and compact head. The finish is a brushed chrome that, together with the overall design, create a clean, simple look that is generally preferred by better players.

The Ping S58 is available in both Right and Left hand orientations; they are fitted with steel shafts in either Regular of Stiff flex. Irons are available from 2-iron through PW, but sets are generally 3-PW (8 clubs). Similar clubs in this same category are the Mizuno MP-32 and MP-60, as well as the TaylorMade MC Steel irons.

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With a slightly smaller overall head than the G15 -- and considerably smaller than most others in the category, save Titleist -- the i15 3-wood can best be described as "sleek." Though the head is a bit shallower than normal, the face is actually longer, providing a slightly larger hitting area. If a big, oversized head on your 3-wood is what gives you the most confidence, steer clear of this club. However, if you like your 3-wood compact, stylish, and with a no-nonsense, get-the-job-done look, then this might be just the one for you.

With its smaller head design, the Ping i15 gives the golfer the ability to work the ball left and right, or up and down pretty easily. Ping has added an internal weighting system to create "Tour Trajectory" -- usually defined as a low, boring/penetrating ball flight. Available in both Left and Right hand orientation, the 3-wood comes in a "strong" version (RH only) with 14 degrees of loft or standard with 15.5 degrees. Shaft options include Ping's own TFC700F (designed specifically for fairway clubs) or the UST Mamiya AXIVCore Tour Red 79. The latter is a slightly lighter weight shaft at 78 grams. Either of these shafts are good choices; the TFC700F is weightier (for higher swing speeds) but again, the lower your handicap, the more you should lean toward the UST, which will tend to produce a lower ball flight. Flex options cover the usual choices of Regular, Stiff and X-Stiff, and the standard grip is the new ID8. In keeping with its overall sleek design, the Ping i15 3-wood is a dark charcoal across the head with simple red/black paint fill on the satin-chrome underside.

Other options to consider for 3-woods include the Titleist 910Fd and Cleveland Launcher FL model.

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On the G15s, it really threw me. When I honestly looked, they really didn't look too different, but I can't deny the fact that I simply did not like the G15s at address.

The club is awfully bulky looking. I feel like I’m holding a lacrosse stick. The back of the club is ugly as well. Ping has tried to make the club look modern. They may have accomplished that, but it’s still ugly. I mean a Prius Hybrid car looks modern, but it’s still one of the ugliest cars on the road.

The idea behind the technology is to design a very large forgiving face with more MOI than any of their predecessors. The face as I already mentioned is huge. There is one white line on the bottom. I’m not sure of the point on that brilliant idea. It looks random and doesn’t fit. The club has an offset to help with closing the face at impact. One thing that will help cure your slice. That is not a bad thing. Perhaps if it did that I could overlook the hideous look of it.

If you CAN get used to the look and you are looking for a game improving iron you might like the technology used with the floating Custom Tuning Port. It is suppose to be incredible, and the center of gravity is one of the lowest in all of golf. The COG is very deep and low which makes it much easier to get the ball airborne. It also helps with mishits towards the bottom of the club. Perhaps this is why the white line is on the bottom. Ping is trying to say, “don’t worry about low mishits!” If it were me, I would have made it red with a big bull’s eye on the bottom. (If you are going for ugly, go all the way.) In addition the low weight allows Ping to increase the launch angle, for higher flying ball. And last but not least, it helps the club get down through the rough and “ensures a smooth transition through the turf.

This would be a good club for you high handicappers or those of you that are just getting into the game. The custom tuning port (CTP) means the scientists at Ping made the face even thinner and moved all the weight to the perimeter, in particular the toe. This means off center hits, still fly far and the higher MOI keeps the club from twisting.

Ping has been making such good clubs for so long that they really have it together. As I think back on some of the good experiences I had with Ping irons, it may have been the need to have a custom fitted iron like the "i" series.

Try before you buy...

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Hybrid

In golf, a hybrid is the combination of an "iron" and a "wood" (though rarely actual wood these days). The goal: to produce a club that has the best characteristics of each -- the length of the wood and the accuracy of the iron.

In the G15 Hybrid, Ping has created an entire family of hybrids to fit nearly every golfer's need. Offered in either left or right-hand orientation and in lofts of 17, 20, 23, 27, and 31 degrees, that alone is a great start. Now add a shaft choice of the Ping TFC 149H (a lightweight graphite shaft engineered specifically for the hybrid club with high launch properties) or choose the Aldila Serrano 85 (another premium graphite shaft from Aldila with a slightly lower launch angle, perhaps for the better player). Both shafts can be fitted in either Regular or Stiff flex.

The Ping G15 has the same physical look as the other G15 series: a brushed stainless soleplate with dark red and black markings, offset with a dark graphite grey topside. Unlike many hybrids, this version looks more like an iron at address. For many, this simple feature alone will produce a higher level of confidence swinging the club.

There is a large internal "toe pad" which Ping claims improves and increases the perimeter weighting, making this one of the largest sweet spot clubs in the category. With a significantly offset hosel, to get the ball airborne quicker and easier, this club (depending on the loft you chose) could replace anything from a 2-iron to a 6-iron in your bag. My experience with large offsets has just the opposite effect, however, and it's important you try this club alongside not just what you want to replace, but other hybrids as well.

There is no such thing as a "one size fits all" replacement, so don't be afraid to experiment and find the club (or clubs) that are right for your game.

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Once again combining a titanium face with a steel body, the K15 irons are designed for the golfer seeking maximum game improvement technology. With a forgiving cavity-back design, high offset (for higher launch angles) and a "progressive set makeup" -- combining hybrids with traditional irons -- as well as your choice of Light, Regular, or Stiff flex in the Ping TFC149 graphite shaft, these clubs deliver to their target user at every point of design and performance.

The Ping K15 irons come in an 8-piece set: a 4-hybrid, 5-hybrid, 6 - PW (traditional irons), and a Gap Wedge. Like many sets available these days, this blended or progressive set makes a lot of sense. Hybrids in the longer irons are far easier to hit and hold into greens, and traditional irons as the clubs shorten make for an easy-to-use selection no matter what you reach for in your bag. The irons utilize the same handsome finish as the K15 Driver, dark graphite on the topside and a brushed chrome finish underneath. Bold graphics in red and black set off the finish, and the entire effect is a pleasing, and confidence inspiring, look. If the Ping K15 Driver worked for you, chances are the Ping K15 irons will do the same.

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Whatever term you ascribe to it, this club is designed for the player that wants to be able to work the ball, has a high swing-speed, and wants a low, penetrating ball flight. With loft options of 17, 20, and 23 degrees, even the top end is geared toward that low trajectory shot. Unlike many "rescue" clubs which often have some kind of offset to help you get the ball airborne, the Ping i15 Hybrid has a square face setup. For the better player, this simple aspect can make swinging the club a real pleasure and gives a lot of confidence as you address the ball.

There is a broad selection of lofts, shafts, and flexes to suit your golf game. Shafts options start with the Ping AXIV Core Red Graphite by UST Mamiya. This shaft will generally provide a lower angle of launch than many other graphite shaft options. For steel shaft users, the option is the Ping AWT (Ascending Weight Technology) which compares with the True Temper Dynamic Gold (a more common shaft and one most golfers can relate to). Flexes range from Regular to Extra-Stiff, something for nearly every swing speed.

Cosmetically, the Ping i15 Hybrid is in line with other Ping clubs with a sleek black head enhanced with red/black graphics inset on the chrome finished soleplate.

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The Ping Rapture V2 Hybrid with Graphite Shaft fits nicely into that category. This club just has a cool look to it and inspires confidence that you are going to make that ball go very fast because the club is going to go very fast. I've used other hybrid clubs -- some from several years ago and some from more recent times -- none of them have the same confidence inspiring look as this offering from Ping.

The Ping Rapture V2 Hybrid with Graphite Shaft is available in a variety of setups for both right- and left-handed players. With loft choices of 17, 20, 23 and 27 degrees, there are also options for shaft type: Ping's TFC 939H or the Mitsubishi Javelin and in most cases flex options of Light, Regular or Stiff. As a left-handed player, my choices are often very limited, but I must say, Ping often comes through with flying colors on that score by offering the bulk of their line in either right or left hand versions.

For those that have hit hybrids before, you know how important a low Center of Gravity (CG) is for getting the ball airborne. If you have yet to try a hybrid, look for those with a low CG as it will make your life much easier. The Ping Rapture V2 Hybrid has a tungsten weight added to lower the CG so that even marginally struck shots are going in the direction and at the height you want them to (or close to it). This club has a lot going for it, and it's tough to find any real negative aspects, but the price is on the high side for comparable clubs -- so if this is the one for you, bring your wallet.

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