Ping Rapture V2

[golftrainer]

For the first time ever I got my specs with my current driver. I went to one of those fancy, very expensive clubfitting shops here in Scottsdale, but they were kind enough to measure me for no fee, I'm sure in hopes I would be a driver from them (and maybe so).

Current Driver is a 3 year old Mizuno MP-001 9.5 degree, standard (off the shelf) stiff shaft.

Here are my measurements:
Swing Speed - 109 MPH
Ball Speed - 157 MPH
Launch Angle - 14.2
Spin Rate - 3800+
Smash Factor - 142
Carry - 276
Total - 301

Massive dispersion in regards to mishits. Off the grid with 75% of them.

Now here is the cool part, and I don't know what to do.

The tester told me to hit his Ping Rapture V2 with a Fujikura 6Z08 shaft.
Total length was shaved down to 44 3/4.

Swing Speed - 106
Ball Speed - 156
Launch Angle - 11.6
Spin Rate - 2800
Smash Factor - 150
Carry - 281
Total - 308

The accuracy at this distance was amazing. One of them went literally straight down the line, the other two were just slightly off the line.

I loved this driver!!

He told me it had much lower torque, especially for my swing speed, unlike my current driver, and the shaft was much stiffer, enabling me to use my strength through impact more efficiently and keep it much straighter.

He also said, I was maximizing the "Smash Factor" with his driver at 150.

Now the bummer

$700!!!!!!!! Ouch!!!!!!!!

I want this driver!!

Any thoughts or suggestions?

I think in retrospect, the biggest issue was how much straighter I hit the Ping.

[pshizz]

Take a look at ebay. You might be able to get a hold of the head. You could always buy the shaft seperately. Its going to be nearly impossible to find that exact driver on ebay, so buy the head for cheap, and then get the shaft. You will save TONS of money if you do it this way. Good luck!

[neudi]

Wait a year, buy a demo and have it reshafted...will save you around 300 to 400 dollars.

[golftrainer]

Take a look at ebay. You might be able to get a hold of the head. You could always buy the shaft seperately. Its going to be nearly impossible to find that exact driver on ebay, so buy the head for cheap, and then get the shaft. You will save TONS of money if you do it this way. Good luck!

Good advice. Never done that, but there's a first time for everything

[golftrainer]

Wait a year, buy a demo and have it reshafted...will save you around 300 to 400 dollars.

I can't do that LOL! I'm a "want it yesterday" kind of guy

[xLoBoB]

You can also go with a shaft that is not a name brand with similar specs that dosent cost 300 dollars. Mamiya ProForce for example would probaly have something very close at probaly 15% less.

[golftrainer]

You can also go with a shaft that is not a name brand with similar specs that dosent cost 300 dollars. Mamiya ProForce for example would probaly have something very close at probaly 15% less.

There is so much I don't know and so much equipment available. Blows my mind!

[Jcp907]

I can't do that LOL! I'm a "want it yesterday" kind of guy

I can recommend buying this driver with the stock stiff shaft. I did, and love this driver. The stiff is still a little soft, so if an x is available, I would consider that. I will probably reshaft this or buy another one and give this to one of the kids if they play hs golf.

Of all the demos I hit, the dispersion and distance on this club were far better than any of the others. Is there anyway you can get to a store and hit it with one of the stock stiff shafts?

[denver_nuggs_15]

Could you ask them to fit you with a different shaft...one that's not $300. If you tell them that you really don't want to spend $700 on a club, I'm sure they'll fit you with a shaft that you would be willing to buy.

[gogolfing]

I'd shop around a bit, but in the end, buy it. If you love it that much, you'll just regret not getting it and other drivers you use probably won't compare in your mind, and we all know how much confidence plays in this game. It just came out, so short of getting a demo driver, the price isn't coming down any time soon.

I had to send my Rapture back in October as the shaft cracked; my local pro gave me a V2 to use while mine was off getting reshafted. I loved it; it had a stiff Diamana in it. The Ping van is coming through with a launch monitor at the end of April so I want to get fitted and will probably buy it.