Equipment
Ping 2014 Rapture Fairway Wood
The design of Ping’s newest fairway wood started with a simple question among the design team: “How can we make the hottest fairway wood out there?”
The result, Ping’s Rapture fairway wood, is a 212-cubic-centimeter titanium fairway wood with a deep face and a tungsten sole weight that pulls the center of gravity extremely low in the head. Watch the exclusive interview below with Ping’s Director of Product Development Marty Jertson to learn more about the new club.
The Rapture fairway wood will be available in only one loft, 13 degrees, with Ping’s TFC 949 shaft (R, S and X flexes) with a stock length of 43.5 inches.
Click here to see what GolfWRX members are saying about the Rapture fairway wood in the forums.
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Equipment
A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic
Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.
Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.
We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.
Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).
See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here
Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge
Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.
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A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.
See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here
Turning Back the clock
Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.
But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.
For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.
Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.
The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.
The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.
Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter
Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.
Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.
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It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.
If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.
Brilliant.
See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here
Stricker’s unrecognizable putter
Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.
Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.
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Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates
Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.
Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.
It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.
Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines
Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.
Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.
FitzMagic teams back up
Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.
See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here
And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.
We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!
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Whats in the Bag
Alejandro Tosti WITB 2024 (April)
- Alejandro Tosti what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.
Driver: Srixon ZX5 Mk II LS (9.5 degrees @10.5)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS T1100 75 6.5
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Black 80 TX
Hybrid: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour Rescue (22 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX 6.5 100
Irons: Srixon ZX7 Mk II (4-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Cleveland RTX6 ZipCore Tour Rack (50-10 MID, 54-10 MID, 58-10 MID, 60-06 LOW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid Tour Issue X100, S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron
Grips: Golf Pride MCC Plus4
Check out more in-hand photos of Alejandro Tosti’s WITB in the forums.
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Whats in the Bag
Drew Brees WITB 2024 (April)
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Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (10.5 degrees)
Mini driver: TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper (13.5 degrees)
5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (19 degrees)
Irons: TaylorMade P790 (4-8, PW), TaylorMade P760 (9)
Wedges: TaylorMade MG Hi-Toe (52-09, 56-10, 60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 Prototype
Check out more in-hand photos of Drew Brees’ clubs here.
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Stix
Jul 31, 2015 at 1:49 am
To anyone criticising this club – just hit it, and you will understand. Take your driver and your 3 wood to a shop, compare them both against this club, and you will understand. For most players, it will be appreciably longer than your 3W, and not much shorter than your driver BUT it will be much more accurate as the 43.5 inch shaft is the same as most current 3W. It also feels super solid and stable through impact. Best single club I’ve ever hit. Just hit it and you will understand.
The only reason I don’t have it in the bag is I’m still deciding which of my children I’m going to sell on eBay to pay for it. Seriously, I know it’s made of ultra premium materials, but that price is just unaffordable for many. Shame or I’d have it in a heartbeat.
Kellen
May 24, 2014 at 11:33 pm
This thing is a rocket. I hit it today and was amazed. It looks incredible. The wind doesnt touch it. 1000× better than the SLDR mini. Carried it between 265 and 275 at 13 degrees. Super easy to hit and launch, but by no means does it balloon or get high at all. This is a beast of its own kind. If you get after the ball, put this in the bag. Its a laser. But its way easier and super forgiving and workable. You can be so agressive with this club and it won’t let you down.
JEFF SMITH
Apr 17, 2014 at 5:41 pm
That over priced thing has no use in my bag….. can’t imagine it would fit many players period…… dumb concept really!
Fred
Apr 12, 2014 at 11:51 pm
Few, if any, people are going to pay $500 for a 3W. More than likely, if you want it, you’ll have to order it. Golfsmith isn’t carrying it in the stores, but has it in their online store. I’ll stick with the G25 3W for $220.
KLIMA
Feb 27, 2014 at 4:26 pm
Only 13* loft? What’s the point?
joel fradiska
Feb 15, 2014 at 4:07 pm
whats the release date!?
getitclose
Jan 13, 2014 at 3:08 am
That head looks crazy big in those photos. Would def be just a driver replacement. And is it just me, or does the face seem kinda shallow vs lets say a 3Deep?
With that said though, hope I get to hit this. Looks bad a$$
Deaus
Jan 10, 2014 at 11:55 pm
I would like to give this a try, I have alot of trouble finding a 3-wood that I like. I actually have been using a 18* XTD FW and no 3-wood. I really miss the extra 20-25 yards on a few tight driving holes.
Ron Hampel
Jan 8, 2014 at 12:38 am
Great idea!
So… this has me thinking “I’d like more confidence off the tee, so this could replace my driver and then I’d need a 4 wood to fill the gap…” Ping has me wanting to spend more money on them, again!
Ronojoy Mazumdar
Jan 5, 2014 at 11:19 am
Are we going to see PING Rapture irons to match the woods???
Kg
Jan 3, 2014 at 5:54 pm
Wasn’t rapture series based off carbon material in top of club? Only available as a 3W?
dudstin
Jan 3, 2014 at 5:42 pm
how about a picture of this head next to a regular 3 wood, would love to see the size difference.
Joe Young
Jan 3, 2014 at 9:05 am
It’s a 3Deep, no?
rolston
Jan 2, 2014 at 7:43 pm
Didn’t Adams do the same with the XTD? The whole Titanium, Tungsten, blah blah…? seems like the same set up, different company..
Justin
Jan 2, 2014 at 7:43 pm
Maybe a better fit for the G/I-25 family?
Mike
Jan 2, 2014 at 7:40 pm
now this is an interesting club
Captain Junah
Jan 2, 2014 at 12:36 pm
….so its basically a Cobra Long Tom but more Ping (which i use as a synonym for boring) looking
James
Jan 2, 2014 at 10:43 pm
That’s what was going though my mind. Had a long tom. Loved it.old is new once more
Mat
Jan 2, 2014 at 11:33 am
Essentially, it’s a driver.
If you’re willing to hit a 220cc off the deck, you go right ahead.
What’s old is new again.
TJ
Apr 22, 2014 at 2:13 pm
Surprisingly not that hard to hit off the deck, just as easy as other 3 woods I found.
SA golfer
Jan 2, 2014 at 11:28 am
Love this….will buy this….can’t wait.
Perry Lim
Jan 2, 2014 at 8:49 am
Interested to use ping rapture 2014…
pse quote fo ping rapture wood 3 , 5 ,hybrid 3 ang also driver… tq