Equipment

First Look: Ping’s new G Driver

Published

8 years ago

Jan 4, 2016

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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39 Comments

Glenn kirk

Feb 16, 2016 at 3:32 am

Ping are the bomb

Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
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:)

Reply Report comment
Milo

Jan 7, 2016 at 12:36 am

I hope they come out with the pink, I would buy it in a heartbeat.

Reply Report comment
KK

Jan 6, 2016 at 8:07 pm

Hmm, more forgiving, aerodynamic and hopefully lower spin. Can’t wait.

Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
maatchka

Jan 6, 2016 at 9:39 am

yuck!!

Reply Report comment
Chris Keena

Jan 6, 2016 at 6:11 am

Typo Schmypo. GLENN, FROM THE MAIL ROOM!

Reply Report comment
SB

Jan 6, 2016 at 12:31 am

Darth Vador’s driver!

Reply Report comment
- fp
  
  Jan 6, 2016 at 12:13 pm
  
  No, that’s Emo Kylo Ren to you
  
  Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
- fp
  
  Jan 6, 2016 at 12:13 pm
  
  No Jeff, that’s not what they are for. lmao
  
  Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
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…

Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
- 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.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - 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.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - 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
      
      Reply Report comment
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

Reply Report comment
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

Reply Report comment
Emb

Jan 4, 2016 at 5:09 pm

Sweet Jesus those socks! Makes the driver look gorgeous next to those monstrosities

Reply Report comment
- Leon
  
  Jan 5, 2016 at 11:19 am
  
  The same feeling. I even didn’t notice that he was swinging a club
  
  Reply Report comment
B Wizzle

Jan 4, 2016 at 4:20 pm

Your welcome

Reply Report comment
G G

Jan 4, 2016 at 1:39 pm

Yo G!

You’re so OG.

Reply Report comment
RH

Jan 4, 2016 at 12:48 pm

These Bubba videos with him trying to be funny are so cringe worthy.

Reply Report comment
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????

Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
- Zak Kozuchowski
  
  Jan 4, 2016 at 12:12 pm
  
  That’s fair, Mark.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Max
  
  Jan 4, 2016 at 2:19 pm
  
  Why so serious?
  
  Reply Report comment
- Matt
  
  Jan 4, 2016 at 11:54 pm
  
  @Mark. Don’t you mean, “forgive ME for being blunt…”? Please proof read your own comments.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Mat
    
    Jan 5, 2016 at 2:20 am
    
    Pot, meet kettle.
    
    Reply Report comment
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?

Reply Report comment
- 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.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - 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.
    
    Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
- 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.
  
  Reply Report comment
ph00ny

Jan 4, 2016 at 10:25 am

Hyundai not hyundia

Reply Report comment
- Zak Kozuchowski
  
  Jan 4, 2016 at 10:36 am
  
  Thanks for pointing out our typo!
  
  Reply Report comment

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Equipment

Michael Block spotted with full set of TaylorMade “Proto” irons at Valhalla

Published

20 mins ago

May 14, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

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.

On Monday at the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club, Block had a full set of TaylorMade “Proto” irons in the bag.

Block is the first player of many on the PGA TOUR to bag a set of the mysterious “Proto” irons. Rory McIlroy first switched into a “Proto” 4-iron at the Valero Texas Open, and Collin Morikawa followed suit at the 2024 RBC Heritage. Block isn’t using just the 4-iron, though, he’s using a full set to go along with a TaylorMade Stealth UDI driving iron.

Speaking with GolfWRX.com on Monday at the PGA Championship, Block revealed the full backstory.

“I hit a couple super “Proto” irons when I was at the Kingdom (TaylorMade’s fitting facility in Southern California) a couple months ago, and it was a 9-iron that didn’t have any badges or anything on it,” Block said. “I had no idea what it was … It was very similar to what I was using back then, you know, my old MCs, and very similar from the top. I hit it and absolutely loved it. For me to even think about switching irons from the last 11-12 years is crazy.

“I got this set about two weeks ago, and I’m working my way into them. I hit them more solid; it comes off the face more solid. Much higher. I think they’re still slightly too upright for me, so they’re being bent a degree flatter, because they’re going a little too high for me and drawing a little too much. When that starts to happen, I start to drop the club under and compensate too much, so I’m getting them flattened slightly, and I’m going to test them on the range again, and hopefully have them in play on Thursday…

“They go further, and they go higher … that combination is kind of a no-brainer. If I can take a 5-iron from 204 rather than a 4-iron, it’s good on me. It’s going to help me out for sure, especially at a major with the pin locations. Having that height coming in, that descent angle is going to be huge.”

With such new irons in the bag, after using the same irons for over a decade, surely you’d think there will be a bit of a learning curve. Block, however, is finding immediate comfort with the new “Proto” irons.

Head over to PGATour.com for the full article.

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Whats in the Bag

WITB Time Machine: Rory McIlroy’s winning WITB, 2014 PGA Championship

Published

2 hours ago

May 14, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since Rory McIlroy outlasted Phil Mickelson at the 2014 PGA Championship. It’s even harder to believe McIlroy hasn’t hoisted a major trophy since his 2014 victory at Valhalla.

After a slow start to his final round, McIlroy tallied an eagle and two birdies on the back nine and his fourth major championship. Take a look at the clubs he played a decade ago in Kentucky.

Driver: Nike VR_S Covert 2.0 Tour (8.5 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Mitsubishi Kuro Kage XTS 70X

3-wood: Nike VR_S Covert 2.0 Tour (15 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Fujikura Rombax Pro 95 X

5-wood: Nike VR_S Covert 2.0 Tour (19 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Fujikura Rombax Pro 95 X

Check out more in-hand photos of Rory McIlroy’s clubs from 2014 here.

Irons: Nike VR Pro Blade (4-9) Buy here.
Shaft: Project X 7.0

Wedges: Nike VR Forged (46, 52, 56, 60 degrees) Buy here.
Shafts: Project X 6.5

Putter: Nike Method 006 Buy here.

Grips: Golf Pride MCC

Ball: Nike RZN Black

Check out more in-hand photos of Rory McIlroy’s clubs from 2014 here.

WITB Time Machine is presented by 2nd Swing Golf. 2nd Swing has more than 100,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.

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