Equipment
First Look: Ping’s new G Driver
Update (Jan. 5, 9:30 a.m.) Photos of Bubba’s driver, as well as an all-black Ping G driver provided by Ping.
Update (Jan 4, 10:30 a.m.) Three new Ping drivers have been added to the USGA’s List of Conforming Driver Heads. The G30 drivers were available in the same three models (Standard, LS Tec and SF Tec). LS Tec denotes Ping’s “Low Spin Technology,” while SF Tec stands for “Straight Flight Technology,” which encourages a draw bias.
Ping G (9, 10.5 degrees)
Ping G LS Tec (9, 10.5 degrees)
Ping G SF Tec (10, 12)
GolfWRXers have been talking about the follow-up to Ping’s G30 driver since September. Thanks to Bubba Watson’s video from Kapalua, we now know its name and a little bit about what it looks like.
The new driver, called G, has a pattern on its crown that appears to be weight-reducing “Dragonfly” technology that leaked in our forum.
Photo posted in our forum by _AM_
#GDriver #Stance pic.twitter.com/a7bV9nH2eR
— bubba watson (@bubbawatson) January 4, 2016
Other things to notice about Bubba’s new big stick, which we’re assuming he’ll use in this week’s Hyundai Tournament of Champions based on his excitement about it, is that it carries over the Turbulators from the G30 design. As evidenced from the rear weight port, the G driver also appears to continue Ping’s rear-CG design.
The pink-and-black color scheme… that’s likely a Bubba thing. Expect the G driver to be mostly black, like previous Ping drivers, when we get our first official photos of the retail version.
Check back soon. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/18/24): TaylorMade BRNR mini driver head
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a TaylorMade BRNR mini driver head
From the seller: (@lasallen): “For sale is a BRNR mini 11.5 deg head only in brand new condition. $325 shipped.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: TaylorMade BRNR mini driver head
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/18/24): Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made.
From the seller: (@DLong72): “Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made. ?: $1150. ?? 100% milled collectors item from the limited releases commemorating when Ping putters won every major in 1988 (88 putters made). This was the model Seve Ballesteros used to win the 1988 Open Championship. Condition is brand new, never gamed, everything is in the original packaging as it came. Putter features the iconic sound slot.
Specs/ Additional Details
-100% Milled, Aluminum/Bronze Alloy (310g)
-Original Anser Design
-PING PP58 Grip
-Putter is built to standard specs.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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As you probably know by now, Collin Morikawa switched putters after the first round of The Masters, and he ultimately went on to finish T3.
The putter was far from the only change he made last week, however, and his bag is continuing to change this week at the 2024 RBC Heritage.
On the range of The Masters, Morikawa worked closely with Adrian Reitveld, TaylorMade’s Senior Manager of Tour at TaylorMade, to find the perfect driver and 3-wood setups.
Morikawa started off 2024 by switching into TaylorMade’s Qi10 Max driver, but since went back to his faithful TaylorMade SIM – yes, the original SIM from 2020. Somehow, some way, it seems Morikawa always ends up back in that driver, which he used to win the 2020 PGA Championship, and the 2021 Open Championship.
At The Masters, however, Rietveld said the duo found the driver head that allowed “zero compromise” on Morikawa’s preferred fade flight and spin. To match his preferences, they landed on a TaylorMade Qi10 LS 9-degree head, and the lie angle is a touch flatter than his former SIM.
“It’s faster than his gamer, and I think what we found is it fits his desired shot shape, with zero compromise” Rietveld told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday at the RBC Heritage.
Then, to replace his former SIM rocket 3-wood, Morikawa decided to switch into the TaylorMade Qi10 core model 13.5-degree rocket head, with an adjustable hosel.
“He likes the spin characteristics of that head,” Rietveld said. “Now he’s interesting because with Collin, you can turn up at a tournament, and you look at his 3-wood, and he’s changed the setting. One day there’s more loft on it, one day there’s less loft on it. He’s that type of guy. He’s not scared to use the adjustability of the club.
“And I think he felt our titanium head didn’t spin as low as his original SIM. So we did some work with the other head, just because he liked the feel of it. It was a little high launching, so we fit him into something with less loft. It’s a naughty little piece of equipment.”
In addition to the driver and fairway wood changes, Morikawa also debuted his new “MySymbol” jersey No. 5 TP5x golf ball at The Masters. Morikawa’s choice of symbols is likely tied to his love of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.
Not enough changes for you? There’s one more.
On Wednesday at the 2024 RBC Heritage, Morikawa was spotted with a new TaylorMade “Proto” 4-iron in the bag. If you recall, it’s the same model that Rory McIlroy debuted at the 2024 Valero Texas Open.
According to Morikawa, the new Proto 4-iron will replace his old P-770 hollow-bodied 4-iron.
“I used to hit my P-770 on a string, but sometimes the distance would be a little unpredictable,” Morikawa told GolfWRX.com. “This one launches a touch higher, and I feel I can predict the distance better. I know Rory replaced his P-760 with it. I’m liking it so far.”
See Morikawa’s full WITB from the 2024 RBC Heritage here.
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Glenn kirk
Feb 16, 2016 at 3:32 am
Ping are the bomb
M-Herd4
Jan 23, 2016 at 9:47 am
From my own personal experience you benefit more from a properly fitted premium shaft than some new radical clubhead design.
Slowhand
Jan 8, 2016 at 1:47 pm
I really enjoy Ping drivers but I was a long time TM driver buyer until a club fitting showed I hit the G30 LS more accurate with consistent distance than any other driver. I’ve used it now for almost a year and can’t see changing. Sure, all these drivers have to conform to the same standards but there are ways to push the envelope and I”m glad they do, else we’d probably be hitting persimmon right about now. If you swing the club 130mph you might see some increase due to less wind resistance but the average golfer I doubt you see much of anything, but I can feel a big difference in old drivers I kept that are 10 years old and today’s drivers, especially in the forgiveness arena.
But for me its more about having fun, getting something new and talking smack too. I mean if we all conformed and liked the exact same thing it would be pretty boring. And most of us are not gullible and actually don’t fall for all the hype, but then again some are naive and take the bait. To each his own, as long as they feel confident in their choice.
Wind tunnel approved?!?
Jan 7, 2016 at 7:47 pm
Ideas are running low? I guess from a marketing standpoint as those have mentioned technology is maxed, unless you stand behind claims of 15 yards further every 6 months, I should be driving the ball a 1/4 mile at that rate, so do what Nike did with jumpman (airjordan)….start re-releasing retros’s from the first pair of Jordan’s in odd colors and charge double, we see eye2’s, maybe zings next? Ha….then I’ll get sucked into a Sunday “retro-bag”…(hickory would be too hipster for my taste:)
Milo
Jan 7, 2016 at 12:36 am
I hope they come out with the pink, I would buy it in a heartbeat.
KK
Jan 6, 2016 at 8:07 pm
Hmm, more forgiving, aerodynamic and hopefully lower spin. Can’t wait.
Mark
Jan 6, 2016 at 12:09 pm
No low or high loft versions at launch? I like the simple look of my G25. These new heads with even more ridges will be even more decisive among potential buyers. And Bubba. Drop the whole Pink thing and leave it to Paula.
maatchka
Jan 6, 2016 at 9:39 am
yuck!!
Chris Keena
Jan 6, 2016 at 6:11 am
Typo Schmypo. GLENN, FROM THE MAIL ROOM!
SB
Jan 6, 2016 at 12:31 am
Darth Vador’s driver!
fp
Jan 6, 2016 at 12:13 pm
No, that’s Emo Kylo Ren to you
Jeff*
Jan 5, 2016 at 10:53 pm
I love the graphics on the crown. Perfect, that’s the line you swing on to cut it, that’s the line to draw it . I might draw those lines on my driver, that’s great.
fp
Jan 6, 2016 at 12:13 pm
No Jeff, that’s not what they are for. lmao
Mike Hannigan
Jan 5, 2016 at 4:54 pm
To all the NIKEGOLF haters complaining about their choice of red, vapor or photo blue…you can stop now.
Chuck
Jan 5, 2016 at 3:21 pm
Another interesting release by Ping. A great, innovative company for a whole generation now.
But honestly, if I were Ping, I think I’d find another way to introduce it other than showing Bubba’s personalized one-off pink paint job. Only one chance to make a first impression and all that…
jc
Jan 5, 2016 at 12:21 pm
is there ever going to be a time when the designers say “Wow, that is the best we can ever do. We don’t need to make any more new models because we have reached the limit of what we can design. Now it is up to the golfer to actually learn to play better”.
meanwhile over at taylormade, they are going to add a new decal to the head and proclaim it addes another 30 yards to the model that came out last month.
SS
Jan 5, 2016 at 1:48 pm
Agreed. It’s all marketing after a certain point. Business dies if they don’t reinvent the wheel.
Dave
Jan 5, 2016 at 11:21 pm
Agreed. Like fashion, club design is a wheel. Can’t wait til eye 2 comes back…irons that is, wedges already done.
KCCO
Jan 7, 2016 at 7:32 pm
It will soon be like the Jordan shoe game…..recycle everything from the first airjordan release, charge double, seems to work….i.e. Eye2….ha…..ill take some zings for shitz and gigz
David
Jan 5, 2016 at 1:38 am
Let’s not forget when Bubba did that exact shot on the same hole in a tournament!!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8owVDXOk6H4
Dj
Jan 4, 2016 at 6:00 pm
Can’t get over the look and shape of ping drivers but always hear good things. I’m sure this will sell well
Emb
Jan 4, 2016 at 5:09 pm
Sweet Jesus those socks! Makes the driver look gorgeous next to those monstrosities
Leon
Jan 5, 2016 at 11:19 am
The same feeling. I even didn’t notice that he was swinging a club
B Wizzle
Jan 4, 2016 at 4:20 pm
Your welcome
G G
Jan 4, 2016 at 1:39 pm
Yo G!
You’re so OG.
RH
Jan 4, 2016 at 12:48 pm
These Bubba videos with him trying to be funny are so cringe worthy.
Reeves
Jan 4, 2016 at 12:41 pm
when we get our first official photos of the retail version…most important line in story, did anyone thinl they were buying the same head Bubba is????
Mark Bainbridge
Jan 4, 2016 at 11:52 am
“Thanks for pointing out our typo!”?
Forgive for being blunt but the article has only your name against it. It is your typo and yours alone.
Zak Kozuchowski
Jan 4, 2016 at 12:12 pm
That’s fair, Mark.
Max
Jan 4, 2016 at 2:19 pm
Why so serious?
Matt
Jan 4, 2016 at 11:54 pm
@Mark. Don’t you mean, “forgive ME for being blunt…”? Please proof read your own comments.
Mat
Jan 5, 2016 at 2:20 am
Pot, meet kettle.
MTB
Jan 4, 2016 at 11:44 am
Zak –
Do you think that bimatrix shaft is really the best fit for him? That has to be just a personal preference thing, right? There has to be something better out there he could be using…do you think he’s just ignoring the launch monitors at PING?
Zak Kozuchowski
Jan 4, 2016 at 11:45 am
Because Bubba’s driver shots are so variable, he’s rarely “optimized.” But when he does hit a high draw, his Trackman numbers are basically perfect from what I’ve been told and what I’ve seen.
MTB
Jan 4, 2016 at 11:53 am
Thanks for the reply! Crazy. I’m sure a lot has been updated since they first came out, but I just always think of them as peers to the Taylormade Bubble and Carbite Putters and The Perfect Club! Ha.
Mat
Jan 4, 2016 at 11:11 am
Minor thing, but the SFTec will be 10 and 12, not 10.5 – if it’s the same.
Zak Kozuchowski
Jan 4, 2016 at 11:19 am
Thanks for pointing that out, Mat. The USGA Conforming Club List has approved the G SF Tec driver approved in 10 and 12 degrees.
ph00ny
Jan 4, 2016 at 10:25 am
Hyundai not hyundia
Zak Kozuchowski
Jan 4, 2016 at 10:36 am
Thanks for pointing out our typo!