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.
- LIKE18
- LEGIT1
- WOW6
- LOL0
- IDHT1
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK1
Whats in the Bag
Kevin Tway WITB 2024 (May)
- Kevin Tway what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 80 TX
5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (18 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 90 TX
Irons: Wilson Staff Utility (2), Titleist T100 (4-9)
Shafts: Mitsubishi MMT 100 TX (2), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 52-12F @51, 56-14F), SM7 (60-10S)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (48-56), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron T-5 Proto
Grip: Scotty Cameron Black Baby T
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Plus4
More photos of Kevin Tway’s WITB in the forums.
- LIKE4
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Equipment
Did Rory McIlroy inspire Shane Lowry’s putter switch?
Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from a piece our Andrew Tursky originally wrote for PGATour.com’s Equipment Report. Head over there for the full article.
The timing of Lowry’s putter changeup was curious: Was he just using a Spider putter because he was paired with McIlroy, who’s been using a Spider Tour X head throughout 2024? Was Lowry just being festive because it’s the Zurich Classic, and he wanted to match his teammate? Did McIlroy let Lowry try his putter, and he liked it so much he actually switched into it?
Well, as it turns out, McIlroy’s only influence was inspiring Lowry to make more putts.
When asked if McIlroy had an influence on the putter switch, Lowry had this to say: “No, it’s actually a different putter than what he uses. Maybe there was more pressure there because I needed to hole some more putts if we wanted to win,” he said with a laugh.
To Lowry’s point, McIlroy plays the Tour X model, whereas Lowry switched into the Tour Z model, which has a sleeker shape in comparison, and the two sole weights of the club are more towards the face.
Lowry’s Spider Tour Z has a white True Path Alignment channel on the crown of his putter, which is reminiscent of Lowry’s former 2-ball designs, thus helping to provide a comfort factor despite the departure from his norm. Instead of a double-bend hosel, which Lowry used in his 2-ball putters, his new Spider Tour Z is designed with a short slant neck.
“I’ve been struggling on the greens, and I just needed something with a fresh look,” Lowry told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship. “It has a different neck on it, as well, so it moves a bit differently, but it’s similar. It has a white line on the back of it [like my 2-ball], and it’s a mallet style. So it’s not too drastic of a change.
“I just picked it up on the putting green and I liked the look of it, so I was like, ‘Let’s give it a go.’”
Read the rest of the piece over at PGATour.com.
- LIKE3
- LEGIT1
- WOW0
- LOL1
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK2
Equipment
Webb Simpson equipment Q&A: Titleist’s new 2-wood, 680 blade irons, and switching to a broomstick Jailbird
With seven career wins on the PGA Tour, including a U.S. Open victory, Webb Simpson is a certified veteran on the course. But he’s also a certified veteran in the equipment world, too. He’s a gearhead who truly knows his stuff, and he’s even worked closely with Titleist on making his own custom 682.WS irons.
On Wednesday at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship, I caught up with Simpson to hear about his experience with Titleist’s new prototype 2-wood, how Titleist’s 680 Forged irons from 2003 ended up back in his bag, and why he’s switching into an Odyssey Ai-One Jailbird Cruiser broomstick putter this week for the first time.
Click here to read our full story about Simpson’s putter switch on PGATOUR.com’s Equipment Report, or continue reading below for my full Q&A with Simpson at Quail Hollow Club on Wednesday.
See Webb Simpson’s full WITB from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship here
GolfWRX: It seems like you’ve been a little all over the place with your irons in the past six months or so, and now going back to the 680’s. Is that just a comfort thing? What’s been going on with the irons?
Webb Simpson: Titleist has been so great at working with me, and R&D, on trying to get an iron that kind of modernizes the 680. And so the 682.WS took the T100 grooves, but kinda took the look and the bulk and the build of the 680’s into one club. They’re beautiful, and awesome looking. I just never hit them that well for a consistent period of time. It was probably me, but then I went to T100’s and loved them. I loved the spin, the trajectory, the yardage, but again, I never went on good runs. Going through the ground, I couldn’t feel the club as well as with the blade. So last week, I’m like, ‘Alright. I’m gonna go back more for…comfort, and see if I can get on a nice little run of ball striking.’
So that’s why I went back.
View this post on Instagram
OK, that makes sense. I know you had done some 2-wood testing recently. Is that in the bag right now?
It’s like day-by-day. I used it at Hilton Head every day. Valero, I used it one round. And this week, me and my caddie will do the book every morning, and if it’s a day where we think we need it, we’ll just put it in and take the 3-wood out. I love it because it’s a super simple swap. Like, it doesn’t really change much.
Yeah, can you tell me about that club? I mean, we don’t really know anything about it yet. You know? I haven’t hit it or anything, obviously.
It has grooves like a 3-wood. Spin is perfect. And it’s honestly, like, everything is in the middle of a 3-wood and driver number. Trajectory, spin, carry, all of it. So, a Hilton Head golf course is almost too easy to talk about because, you know, there, so many holes are driver 3-wood.
Valero, our thinking was we had two par-5’s into the wind, and we knew that it would take two great shots to get there in two. So instead of hitting driver-driver, we just put it in. And I used it on those holes.
Hilton was a little easier because it was off-the-tee kind of questions. But Colonial will be a golf course where, you know, there’s a lot of driver or 3-woods. It’s kind of like a backup putter or driver for me now. I’ll bring it to every tournament.
So it’s, like, in your locker right now, probably?
Well, it would be. It’s in my house [because Webb lives near by Quail Hollow Club, and is a member at the course.] It’s in the garage.
Oh, yeah, that’s right. Do you know what holes you might use it out here if it goes in play?
Potentially 15, depending on the wind. Second shot on 10. Could be 14 off the tee. The chances here are pretty low (that he’ll use the 2-wood). But, like, Greensboro would be an awesome club all day. I’m trying to think of any other golf courses.
There’s plenty that it’ll be a nice weapon to have.
It’s interesting, the wave of 2-woods and mini drivers. Like, it’s just really taken off on Tour, and all the companies have seemed to embrace it.
Yeah. The thing I had to learn, it took me, like, at least a week to learn about it is you gotta tee it up lower than you think. I kept teeing it up too high. You need it low, like barely higher than a 3-wood. And that was where I got optimal spin and carry. If you tee it up too high, you just don’t get as much spin and lose distance, I don’t know if that’s just a mini driver thing.
And you obviously have a Jailbird putter this week. What spurred that on?
Inconsistent putting. I’m stubborn in a lot of ways when it comes to my equipment, but I have to be open minded – I just hadn’t putted consistently well in a while. And I’m like, ‘Man, I feel my ball-striking coming along. Like I feel better; for real, better.’
If I can just get something in my hands that I’m consistent with. Being on Tour, you see it every year, guys get on little runs. I can put together four to five tournaments where I’m all the sudden back in the majors, or in the FedExCup Playoffs. You can turn things around quick out here. I’m like, ‘Man, whatever’s going to get me there, great.’
My caddie, David Cook, caddied for Akshay at the Houston Open and he putted beautifully. Then, I watched Akshay on TV at Valero, and he putted beautifully. And, I’m like, ‘I’m just going to try it.’
I’ve never tried it for more than a putt or two, and I just ordered what Akshay uses. It was pretty awkward at first, but the more I used it, the more I’m like, ‘Man, it’s pretty easy.’ And a buddy of mine who’s a rep out here, John Tyler Griffin, he helped me with some setup stuff. And he said at Hilton Head, he wasn’t putting well, then tried it, and now he makes everything. He was very confident. So I’m like, ‘Alright, I’ll try it.’”
And you’re going with it this week?
Hundred percent.
Alright, I love it. Thank you, I always love talking gear with you. Play well this week.
Thanks, man.
See Webb Simpson’s full WITB from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship here
- LIKE43
- LEGIT5
- WOW3
- LOL2
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK4
-
19th Hole3 weeks ago
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
-
19th Hole3 weeks ago
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
LET pro gives detailed financial breakdown of first week on tour…and the net result may shock you
-
19th Hole5 days ago
Report: LIV star turns down PGA Championship invite due to ‘personal commitments’
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Gary Player claims this is what ‘completely ruined’ Tiger Woods’ career
-
Equipment4 days ago
Details on Justin Thomas’ driver switch at the Wells Fargo Championship
-
Whats in the Bag2 weeks ago
Team McIlowry (Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry) winning WITBs: 2024 Zurich Classic
-
Whats in the Bag5 days ago
Keegan Bradley WITB 2024 (May)
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