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Ping G Fairway Woods, Hybrids and new Crossover

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For most golfers, fairway woods and hybrids play a relatively limited role during a round of golf. But when they are called upon, golfers expect those clubs to be more versatile than any other in their bag.

Take Ping’s G drivers, for example. They’re designed exclusively to help golfers hit their tee shots as far as possible. Ping’s G irons also share a singular focus; they’re made to help golfers hit their iron shots as close to the pin as possible.

Fairway woods and hybrids aren’t so simple, though. Sometimes golfers need to hit them as far as possible, while other times the clubs are called on for finesse shots, or to help a golfer advance a ball from a nasty lie in the rough.

With its line of G fairway woods, hybrids and a new club Ping is calling a “Crossover,” the company is offering golfers a smorgasbord of options that aim to help them find the club or combination of clubs that will best fill the distance gap between their driver and longest iron.

The G fairway woods, hybrids and Crossover will be in stores February 11. 

Ping G Fairway Woods ($287.50 MSRP) 

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  • Lofts: 15 (3 wood), 17.5 (5 wood) and 20.5 (7 wood)
  • Size: 167 cubic centimeters
  • Stock Shafts: Ping Alta 65, Ping Tour (65, 80)
  • Length: 43 (3 wood), 42.5 (5 wood), 42 (7 wood)
  • Swing Weight: D1

Calling a modern day fairway wood a “little driver” is a fair assessment given how far today’s fairway woods fly. Unlike drivers, however, most golfers want to be able to hit their fairway woods from all sorts of lies, making head size and shape crucial elements to their design.

Image from Ping Golf.

The G fairway woods sit lower to the ground than G30 models (Photo Credit: Ping).

Ping’s new G fairway woods are the same size as the company’s G30 fairway woods, but they have a shallower head shape and a redesigned leading edge that Ping says will help golfers contact their shots 12 percent higher on the club face when hit off the ground. The higher contact point gives golfers a higher launch angle with the clubs, adding height that makes the fairway woods more effective from long range.

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Ping also made the new fairway woods’ club faces from a lighter, 455 carpenter steel, and returned to a Variable Face Thickness (VFT) design that is thinnest on the edge and thicker in the center to help a golfer’s bad shots fly more like their good shots.

Although the G fairway woods do not share the weight-saving, Dragonfly-inspired crowns used on the G drivers (insert link), their crowns are impressively thin. At 0.019 inches, they’re 25 percent thinner than the G30 fairway woods, which helped Ping engineers improve the shaping and internal weighting of the club heads.

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What the G fairway woods do share with the G drivers, however, is their high-friction face finish. Although it seems counterintuitive, the added face texture actually reduces spin rate when used on low-lofted clubs. The effect is most prominent in the 3 wood (14.5 degrees), which has four grooves, but no grooves in the center of the club face to increase the golf ball’s interaction with the rough surface at impact.

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There are more grooves in the 5 wood (17.5 degrees, 5 grooves) and 7 wood (20.5 degrees, 6 grooves), which are spaced progressively closer together on the club face. According to Ping, the progressive groove design helps create more consistent launch conditions for each fairway wood.

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The G Fairway Woods are also offered in SF Tec models (16, 19 degrees). They have a center of gravity (CG) that’s located more toward the heel of the club, which adds 5-8 yards more draw bias to the fairway woods. SF Tec models also have a slightly lighter swing weight (DO) and a more rounded, larger club head (180 cubic centimeters) that’s similar to Ping’s K15 fairway woods.

Ping G Stretch Fairway Woods ($287.50 MSRP)

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  • Loft: 13 degrees
  • Size: 184 cubic centimeters
  • Stock Shafts: Ping Alta 65, Ping Tour (65, 80)
  • Length: 43 inches
  • Swing Weight: D2

There is a subset of golfers less concerned with the versatility of their fairway woods, and more concerned with hitting them as far as possible. For them, Ping created the G Stretch, which has 13 degrees of loft and measures 184cc, 17cc larger than the 14.5-degree G fairway wood.

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The distance-focused design uses all the same technologies as the standard G, with the exception of its slightly more forward CG, which along with its lower loft helps reduce spin.

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Compared to Ping’s Rapture fairway wood, which was released in January 2014, the Stretch is 28cc smaller, making it more playable from the turf. Whereas the Rapture was made from titanium and tungsten construction, the Stretch’s club head is made with a 17-4 stainless steel body and a 455 carpenter steel clubface. Even at its smaller size, it will perform better on off-center hits than the Rapture, with a 6 percent higher moment of inertia (MOI), a measure of forgiveness. 

Ping G Hybrids ($247.50 MSRP)

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  • Lofts: 17 (2), 19 (3), 22 (4), 26 (5), 30 (6)
  • Stock Shafts: Ping Alta 70H, Ping Tour 90
  • Length: 40.75 (2), 40.25 (3), 39.75 (4), 39.25 (5), 38.75 (6)
  • Swing Weight: D1

Ping’s G Hybrids are designed to help golfers do what they might not be able to do with their long irons – hit shots high and far from a variety of lies and have them stop quickly on the green.

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By not painting the center of the grooves of the fairway woods and hybrids, the clubs appear to sit lower to the ground at address, improving golfer confidence.

To make them launch higher and faster, Ping engineers gave its new hybrids the same 455 carpenter steel club faces as the G fairway woods, reduced their crown thickness by 25 percent, and added a high-friction finish to reduce spin. The new faces saved 8 grams of weight from the G30’s face design, which was used to create loft-specific CG locations (more rearward in the low lofts, more forward in the high lofts) for each of the five hybrids.

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Ping fans will be happy to hear that the looks of the G hybrids were inspired by the company’s highly regarded Anser hybrid, and the flatter, boxier face profile of the Anser is evident in the G hybrid at address.

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The G hybrid (left) and G30 hybrid at address.

Compared to the G30 hybrids, the G hybrids will produce approximately 1 mph more ball speed, a 0.25-degree higher launch angle and 300 rpm less spin. That should result in about 4 yards more distance, according to Ping.

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And of course, for the first time, Ping now has a hybrid with Turbulators. 

Ping G Crossover ($247.50 MSRP)

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  • Lofts: 18 (3), 21 (4), 24 (5)
  • Stock Shafts: Ping Alta 70H, Ping Tour 90, Ping AWT 2.0 (steel)
  • Length: 39.75 (3), 39.125 (4), 38.5 (5)
  • Swing Weight: D1

Ping’s new G Crossover clubs are designed to fill the yardage gap that’s often created when golfers transition from their longest iron to a fairway wood or hybrid.

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The clubs look a lot like oversized irons at address, but they’ll launch significantly higher and with noticeably more ball speed thanks to their hollow-bodied construction and 455 carpenter steel face inserts.

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The Crossover clubs are available in three stock lofts – 18 degrees (3 iron), 21 degrees (4 iron) and 24 degrees (5 iron) — and their selling point is their lower-spinning trajectory when compared to Ping’s G fairway woods and hybrids.

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The clubs can also be bent to specific lofts and lies, and they have the flat-face design certain golfers prefer to hybrids and fairway woods.

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The Crossover clubs are also much more forgiving than their iron-like looks indicate. According to Ping, they have a 31 percent higher MOI than the company’s Rapture driving iron, released in July 2013. To put the MOI difference in perspective, it’s like comparing the company’s blade-like S55 irons to its super-game-improvement G Max irons.

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34 Comments

34 Comments

  1. GG

    Apr 13, 2016 at 2:51 am

    Bought the standard G 3 Wood last month and it is awesome! I planned on getting the XR as I had hit it well before and I love my Big Bertha Alpha, but after hitting this club it was an easy decision to go with the G Wood instead. I’m not a long hitter but consistently hit it 230 with a nice easy swing. Mishits go far enough and straight enough.

  2. KK

    Feb 7, 2016 at 1:00 am

    Crossover iron? I’m guessing “driving iron” was too confusing for most golfers. I will have to look into this beast because my normal 5 iron left something to be desired and my new 5 hybrid as well.

  3. Alfredo Smith

    Jan 29, 2016 at 6:52 pm

    Ok I’m glad we got through all of that, now back to the Ping clubs. I have hit the all 3 clubs, the driver didn’t beat out my old driver for forgiveness but the 3W & Hybrid were absolutely off the charts on forgiveness with a little more distance. My fitter says and I will agree, that the fairway woods and hybrids will be popular in 2016, you gotta hit them!

  4. Fahgdat

    Jan 15, 2016 at 2:45 am

    Will there be 6 and 7 Crossover irons?

  5. cubigred

    Jan 12, 2016 at 5:56 pm

    I’m surprised Ping chose to put the club number on the bottom of the iron instead of the loft. Is 24 degrees really a 5 iron? For those that care about how clubs look at the bag drop (not me of course), do I really want the world to see my two five irons (pairing with my 26 or 27 deg 5 iron)? It seems like they are not maximizing their appeal.

    • Eric

      Jan 18, 2016 at 12:09 pm

      You’re completely missing the point. It’s not about the loft, it’s about the distance the club goes. There are so many variables that you need to consider.

  6. Will

    Jan 11, 2016 at 4:00 pm

    The crossover clubs look eerily similar to the Adams A7OS transitional hybrids, which are VERY easy clubs to hit…

  7. Poppa

    Jan 11, 2016 at 2:23 pm

    What

  8. Poppa

    Jan 11, 2016 at 2:22 pm

    Crossover looks like Rapture DI. Are those fitting cart screws in the heel?

  9. Poppa

    Jan 11, 2016 at 2:19 pm

    Are those fitting cart screws or “Parson Tungsten Screws” in the Crossover?

    • Scooter McGavin

      Jan 13, 2016 at 9:24 am

      I would guess neither. That may just be the access port where they can add hot melt to adjust the weight at the factory… Or something like that…

  10. Dlygrisse

    Jan 11, 2016 at 1:48 pm

    These are some of the most ignorant comments I have ever seen. Really? REALLY? shouldn’t be on the course till you can break 90? Tell me this hot shot…..how do you learn to break 90 till you have spent time on the course?

    Attitudes like this are what turn people off from the game. BTW, I have played with people who shoot 110 who play faster than scratch players. My guess is pro golfer is one of “those golfers”

  11. Paul b

    Jan 11, 2016 at 12:57 pm

    Fact. 95% of all golfers NEVER break 100. Of the 5% that do 95% of those never break 90. Golfers are all fisherman. Lies lies and more lies. Next time you golf with guys you have never played with , ask them what they shoot. All will say 80s,90s, none will say 100 or more. Watch
    Them move their ball for better lies. Give themselves gimmes from 4 feet etc.

  12. John

    Jan 11, 2016 at 11:41 am

    That crossover is going for a test run! I hope it is as good as it looks.

  13. Mark

    Jan 11, 2016 at 11:20 am

    Disappointed. My faithful G25 replacement won’t be anything with bumps on the top of it. And they have also ruined the clean look of the hybrids as well. They will sell but not to those of us who like our clubs to be gimmick free.

  14. west

    Jan 11, 2016 at 11:11 am

    LOVE those little bumps on the crown…said no one ever.

  15. Keith

    Jan 11, 2016 at 9:13 am

    “For most golfers, fairway woods and hybrids play a relatively limited role during a round of golf.”

    Your definition of “most golfers” is one with which I’m not familiar.

    • Eric

      Jan 11, 2016 at 9:58 am

      Cuz most golfers suck and shouldn’t be golfing, they should be at the range.

      • Progolfer

        Jan 11, 2016 at 10:33 am

        EXACTLY. If you cannot break 90, you have no business being on a golf course.

      • Billy

        Jan 11, 2016 at 12:26 pm

        I dun think there will be anybody breaking 90 if they are new to the game?

        So u started at the 80s? Impressive

        • Progolfer

          Jan 11, 2016 at 4:46 pm

          Howiejr, I think golf is suffering in interest level because a round of golf takes WAY too long (4-5 hours or longer), and people don’t have the time to play. That’s mostly because of one thing– poor golfers. Also, a lot of poor golfers or beginners quit the game because they get so frustrated playing golf and getting bad results. I think the game would grow tremendously if golfers had to pass a skill test before ever stepping foot on a golf course (an etiquette lesson, too). People not interested would quit and that would stop wasting everyone’s time and make everyone happier. Plus, those people could just go to the driving range and have fun. Those interested who cannot break 90 yet would have something exciting to work towards, and those people would probably end up spending MORE money on the game by going to the driving range during free time, and probably make them healthier by giving them more daily exercise. Ultimately, everyone would be happier and the game would be stronger than ever!!

          • Aaron

            Jan 11, 2016 at 5:46 pm

            I was wrong when I posted on another article being the worst comment that I have ever heard. What you have just posted is by far the worst thing ever written on here and we are dumber for having read it. The fact that you refer to yourself as “Progolfer” and the demeaning way you refer to people trying to grow in the game reeks of arrogance. The world of golf is not all about you sir.

          • andy c

            Jan 11, 2016 at 8:34 pm

            yeah this just doesn’t make sense (besides the etiquette part, i think more experienced golfers should fill someone in who is not cohering to etiquette on course unknowingly). i was a beginner not to long ago, and the only way i got better was actually teeing it up and playing. the range for a beginner can only do so much, i know all i use to do was see how far i could hit it, and how fast i could tee up another ball. Breaking 90 is literally impossible for anyone who is first stepping on a course, and if some jackwagon like you is blowing his stack because the beginner in front of him is having a hard time its just makes it all the less fun for all. What I do think would help the game for beginners would be to follow the tee it up initiative or find a par 3 course to learn the fundamentals of the game on a non intimidating lay out. I played the same 9 hole crummy par 3 over and over, and it really did me well, and i was glad there wasn’t a guy pretending to be a progolfer behind me.

            • Progolfer

              Jan 12, 2016 at 12:09 am

              You people are pathetic, and that includes GolfWRX. I wrote a long response which apparently the GolfWRX editors screened and didn’t allow me to publish. I’m done with this thread and I don’t have to defend myself, especially to people like you. I’m going back to my amazing life, which was built on the pillars of honest, hard work. Have fun, because I know I will!!

              • Chris

                Jan 12, 2016 at 8:23 am

                Good riddance! The GolfWRX community will be better off without you and your arrogant attitude.

          • La

            Jan 13, 2016 at 11:48 am

            @Progolfer,
            I get the time thing, but fat lazy people are happy enough to sit through a 4 hour NFL or MLB game on a Sunday. Golf takes too long? Ha. It’s more that people are lazy, and they would rather not have to be bad at the game and embarrass themselves and prefer to sit at home and be lard

          • djdrb

            Mar 7, 2016 at 3:42 pm

            You are an idiot.

  16. Bobby Stevens

    Jan 11, 2016 at 9:01 am

    Waiting for a Tour Pro to put the Crossover in their bag. Until then, I won’t buy it.

    • cliche

      Jan 11, 2016 at 10:39 am

      since i’m not a tour pro… this looks really nice and i will try it as soon it hits the shops

    • Kevin

      Jan 11, 2016 at 12:04 pm

      Wow. I hope you are being sarcastic. Regardless, you’re in luck because I guarantee a PING staff player will game this in 2016!

    • Jay

      Jan 11, 2016 at 10:08 pm

      Because you only play what tour pros play?

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Equipment

Spotted: Tony Finau’s driver shaft change at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open

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Tony Finau has always been known as one of the longest players on the PGA Tour, but he has recently been working on adding a little more distance. Last year, Finau averaged 118.3 mph club head speed and 178.08 mph ball speed, all while playing a Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX driver shaft. This year, he has increased his club head speed to 123.93 mph and his ball speed to 183.32 mph.

However, Finau’s overall distance has decreased by two yards in that time. From a fitting perspective, something was amiss. We asked Tony about the shaft change at the Texas Children’s Hospital Open.

“[I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin. My driver’s been a little high spin for me over the last month or so, and so I just figured it was time to probably check out the equipment,” Finau said. “And it definitely showed me that I was using a shaft that’s maybe a little too tip-stiff for me, the way I load the club now. [I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin.”

Finau switched from the Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX into the Diamana GT 70 TX. The newer Diamana GT has a slightly different profile than the D+ Limited with the stiffest handle section in the Diamana lineup. The mid sections between the two are similar stiffness but the tip is just slightly stiffer in the Diamana GT. Both shafts are within one gram of each other in the 70 TX. The torque rating on the GT is 0.1 higher than the D+Limited’s 2.7 measurement.

Mitsubishi lists the Diamana GT as a shaft between the mid-launching Diamana TB and the new low-launch Diamana WB shafts. For most players, it would be considered a mid/low launch and low-spin shaft option. Mitsubishi’s Xlink Tech Resin System makes sure the maximum carbon fiber content is there for smooth feel without reducing the strength of the shaft. MR70 carbon fiber is used for reinforcing the shaft and boron is used in the tip for its high strength and compression properties.

Finau is still using his trusty Ping G430 LST driver in 9 degrees and has the adjustable hosel set to -1 degree of loft (standard lie angle). Finau’s long-time favorite Lamkin UTX Green grip is installed. He definitely has a few extra wraps of tape under that grip as you can see the bulge down where the grip meets the shaft.

One final note: Per Ping’s PGA Tour rep Kenton Oates, Finau’s driver is also adjusted to play one degree upright to help dial in his desired launch.

We’ll see how he fares with the new setup this week in Houston!

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Whats in the Bag

Zac Blair WITB 2024 (March)

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Driver: Titleist TSR2 (10 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Red 6 X

3-wood: TaylorMade M5 Rocket 3 (14 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Speeder 757 Evolution V1 X

Utility: Titleist U510 (3)
Shaft: Aldila Tour Blue 85 X

Irons: Ping i210 (4-6), Miura MB-001 (7-9)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46-10F, 58-08M @57, 60 @61), Vokey Design WedgeWorks (52-M)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 105 X

Putter: Scotty Cameron prototype

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Ball: Titleist Pro V1

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Whats in the Bag

Martin Trainer WITB 2024 (March)

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Driver: Wilson Staff Staff Model (6.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Kai’li Blue 70 TX

3-wood: Wilson Staff WLabs Prototype (13 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Orange 80 TX

Irons: Wilson Staff Staff Model (2, 4-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Wedges: Wilson Staff Staff Model (52, 56, 60)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Putter: Bobby Grace Greg Chalmers Prototype

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

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