PING recently unveiled the 13-degree Rapture 3-wood for golfers looking for a versatile driver alternative or hotter-faced 3-wood. The multi-material, adjustable design combines a Ti 8-1-1 titanium body, high-strength beta-titanium face and dense tungsten sole plate for increased ball speed and lowered spin, leading to more distance and accuracy.
“The weighting properties of titanium and tungsten provide our engineers a lot of opportunities to improve performance,” said John A. Solheim, PING Chairman & CEO. “The high-strength beta-titanium material allowed us to really focus on creating a hotter face that yields ball speeds and distance unlike any we’ve seen in fairway woods. The tungsten positions the weight extremely low so we can optimize the CG position. It has a taller face and deeper head profile, so golfers will have complete confidence with the Rapture. We think golfers will really appreciate this unique combination of technology to improve their performance. It’s extremely long off the tee. We’re excited to get it in golfers’ hands.”
A tall, extreme-variable-thickness face made of high-strength beta titanium (30% stronger than standard titanium) enlarges the hitting surface for increased forgiveness while accelerating ball speed to generate distance. Almost 25% of head mass is isolated in the tungsten sole plate, which positions the CG much lower in the Ti 8-1-1 head, further improving energy transfer for higher ball speed and less spin. The matte-black 219cc head has a deep profile for inspiring confidence. The standard 13 degrees of loft can easily be adjusted plus or minus ½ degree using PING’s Trajectory Tuning technology. The lightweight adjustable hosel has the same outer diameter and mass of PING’s traditional fixed hosels and provides the benefits of adjustability without sacrificing the performance that’s often lost in clubs with larger hosel designs.
Ketsch putter
Precision milled at PING headquarters the new Ketsch putter will offer unprecedented distance control, extreme forgiveness and accurate alignment.
It is the newest model to benefit from variable-depth grooves, which produce consistent results across the face. A 17-4 stainless steel sole weight creates a high MOI and makes the aluminum, mallet-style head highly forgiving.
“What really stands out about the Ketsch is the captured look it provides at address, inspiring confidence and promoting a consistent stroke, the key to holing more putts,” said John A. Solheim, PING Chairman & CEO. “It has three white, contrasting alignment aids extending from the top of the matte-black crown. The center line runs all the way to the back to make aiming easy. Our research shows that the head shape promotes extremely consistent alignment for the majority of golfers. Those factors, combined with our revolutionary variable-depth grooves and a high MOI, will help golfers putt more consistently.”
Variable-depth grooves milled into the face ensure ball-speed consistency whether the ball is struck in the center of the face, toward the heel or toe, high or low. Grooves are deepest in the center and shallower toward the perimeter, which PING calls True Roll (TR) Technology. PING studies show an increase in ball-speed consistency of nearly 50% compared to a non-grooved face when measured at nine points across the face.
To fit their body type and putting style, golfers can choose a fixed-length shaft (35 inches is standard), or they can upgrade to an adjustable-length version they can modify between 31 and 38 inches prior to a round.
The Ketsch is available in three shaft bends to fit any stroke type: Straight, Slight Arc, or Strong Arc. Results from hundreds of player and robot tests at PING show that golfers are more consistent with a putter balanced to fit their stroke type. The midsize PP58 black rubber grip is designed with a familiar shape, but its larger size quiets the wrists for improved confidence and stroke repeatability.
Both the Rapture 3-wood and Ketsch putter are currently available to pre-order from PING-authorized golf shops.
