It looks like Ping has a new line of irons and woods coming out soon. Dubbed “Rapture,” the clubs were captured in pictures in the bags of Champions Tour players at the Ford Senior Players Championship and popped up last week on Sand Trap partner Golfwrx.com here and here.
The irons were also recently spotted on the PGA Tour, where they first turned up at the Cialis Western Open.
Word is the driver features a first for Ping – a composite head. There will also be a matching line of fairway woods, although it’s not known yet if they too have a composite head. Unfortunately for Ping, they ran into a snag introducing the driver at the Western. Here’s the story…
It turns out that while the driver was approved by the USGA, Ping was unable to get it on the PGA Tour’s approved list in time for the Western. Each Monday the PGA Tour receives an approved list of clubs from the USGA and somehow, the driver didn’t make it. Thus, six players who had planned to use it had to take it out of the bag at the last minute.
The “Rapture” or “S58” irons feature day-glo green, plenty of offset, and a wide sole.
The irons and fairway woods were OK, however, and were in play at the Western. The driver was available at the John Deere.
Based on the pictures, the irons (also called S58, we understand) look to be heavily skewed toward game improvement with wide soles and lots of offset. They also have that funny looking “speed slot” Ping likes to carve into the back of the hosel.
A lime green plastic medallion on the back adds an esthetic touch. I like it, but then I’m partial to the color.
Spiderman has taken over Ping! The “Rapture” composite driver has a web-like imprint on the crown.
The driver is a 460cc model with a deep face and a matching lime green accent motif. It also has an unusual “ghost” graphic on top unlike the G5’s crescent alignment aid. It appeared to me to be some sort of reminder to close the face through impact. Or maybe it’s just supposed to be pretty or something.
At least that’s what I thought until I checked out the Ping website for their G5 driver. There they feature a graphic showing how the weight is distributed in the crown… a mirror of the ghosted graphic on the Rapture driver.
Even the headcover for the deep-faced Ping Rapture features the bold, day-glo green.
The big question I have is the line’s name. Rapture. What’s with that? I know one definition is “a transcendent state… overwhelmed by happiness or delight.” But I also know from my old Sunday school days that the word refers to the end of the world. Hmmmm.
Best guess amongst the chatter going on over the new clubs is that Ping will make an official announcement towards the end of August or in September. Stay tuned.
Photo Credits: © Ping, GolfWRX.com. Links to original versions of GolfWRX photos can be found at the top of the story.
the ‘speed slot’ on the hosel you refer to is there so the lie angles can be changed and its on the reverse side so you dont see it at address
When exactly are these irons going to be released
Well… let me look into that. But best guess right now is late August/early September. I must correct something in the article. The S58’s are a whole different club than the Rapture irons… we’ll try to follow up with what they’re about soon. Stand by…
Well, here’s an update: thanks to an alert reader and a visual inspection of the Rapture irons today, I can relate that they are, indeed, replete with a titanium face. In fact, the insert extends beyond the scoring lines to encompass the entire face. Very interesting. In the address position they are classic Ping. But they’ve gone a long way beyond that to chalenge the Callaway Fusion irons as ultimate game improvement/classic-looking clubs.
The article above also references the S58 irons. They are completely different than the Rapture irons – more “player’s irons” than the Rapture model.
We’ll have much more detail here soon.
Are the rapture irons going to be suitable for someone whos just started playing seriously?
I would say yes. They are going to be suitable for a new, serious player. I’ve seen them, my pro has seen them, and the consensus is that these are in keeping with Ping’s high quality.
I, frankly, loved the look. It’s traditional Ping but with more technology built into the club. Ping is one of my favorite all-time club companies, so forgive me if I’m a bit biased. But somebody trying to break 100, 90 or even 80 should try these clubs.
I just bought a new Rapture driver, 9 degree with the TFC909D shaft by USB, after trying it during a Ping demo day. It is the longest, most accurate driver I have ever tried! I have been playing Cobra woods, and will keep the fairway woods, and Callaway Fusion irons, but the driver has always been a problem. This new Rapture is long, straight, and incredibly easy to hit. I love the look AND the sound. I highly recommend this for anyone looking for a new driver. Available in most golf shops for about $430.
Just picked up one of these drivers in 10.5 loft stiff flex. All I can say is wow! This thing is so straight and forgiving. I have had a problem with getting my driver up in the air and this thing does it better than anything I have tried. Goodbye 2 1/2 ich tees!
Hey guys, are you guys going to ever do a product review on the Rapture driver??? It sounds pretty darn cool!
Hey Fellas, Looking to buy a new set of Irons. I really like the looks of the rapture Irons. I’m a 10 Handycap looking to improve my game and put in some serious time on the range to do so. Has anyone hit these Irons and if so, could you give me some feedback? From what I’ve read and heard these Irons sound like what I’m looking for.
Thanks, Scott
Scott,
I bought and was measured for these irons and the first time I played them I hit 14 straight greens, not on my home course. I never have had so many shots go directly at the pin in my life. Even knocked an 8 iron on a 161 yard par three to 1 foot. They are in my bag to stay. I haven’t had pings for years (got caught up in the callaway hype) but I’m back with Ping and happy to be.
Thanks Steve, It’s now the end of hunting season, Dec. and I have finnally got to hit the Raptures. I just hit a standard six iron at the pro shop. I felt very confident with the six that I hit. Every ball I connected with was very consistent in direction and with a slight draw, just what I like. I’m pretty sure these are the ones for me. I also have beem waiting for the i10s to come so I can hit those, but I think I will still go with the Raptures. Going to get fitted shortly after Christmas and put the order in so I can work with them a bit before spring. Thanks again for the review and I hope they work for me as well as they did for you. Scott