As technology leader PING nears its 50th anniversary in 2009, the family-owned company’s commitment to helping golfers of all abilities lower scores while raising their enjoyment level is as strong as ever.

The company, founded in the Redwood City, California garage of the late Karsten Solheim in 1959, recently introduced several new products at its annual sales meeting in its hometown of Phoenix, Arizona. The new products include Rapture V2 Metal Woods, Rapture V2 and S57 Irons and iWi Putters.

“It’s hard to believe it’s been 50 years since that PING sound first emanated from our garage,” said PING Chairman & CEO John Solheim, the youngest son of Karsten and Louise Solheim, who began working at his father’s side when he was 13 years old.

“A lot has changed since then, but one thing hasn’t and that’s the foundation my parents built for this company. We remain loyal to the values they established in everything we do. When it comes to product, make it better than before. Keep pushing yourself. From a business standpoint, maintain the trust and integrity that has earned the PING name a reputation for innovation and quality around the world.”

The newest PING equipment will complement the G10 Series, i10 irons, and the i-Series and Karsten Series putter lines launched just over one year ago. The current lines are enjoying a record-setting year on the strength of world-wide market share gains as golfers of all abilities rely on the score-lowering technology of the custom fit, custom built line of clubs.

“The response to the entire G10 Series, the i10 irons and the new putters has been beyond expectations,” said Solheim. “At a time when the golf industry is somewhat stagnant, we’re experiencing growth. That says a lot about the performance of our equipment and our brand. All these products will be a major emphasis going forward.”

The new products, which will begin shipping in Australia October 1 2008, represent the company’s continued focus on lowering scores through innovation and custom fitting.

“The Rapture V2 Series and iWi putters all incorporate multi-metal technology,” added Solheim. “Each of the new designs combines key properties of its various materials to optimize performance. The common material throughout all of the new products is tungsten. From the driver to the putters, we’ve utilised the density of tungsten in strategic locations to optimize weight distribution and maximize performance. Plus, they all offer multiple fitting variables to ensure golfers can be properly fit for every club in their bag.”

Rapture V2 Driver

Materials
460 cc. titanium body with external tungsten weight pads located in back, near heel and toe.

Technology Benefits
Tungsten weight pads position CG for lower spin and high launch with higher MOI for improved distance and accuracy. Plasma-welded, machined, variable thickness face for increased ball speed. Taller face and aggressively tapered crown. Double-Rapture alignment aid on crown.

Specifications
Available in 9º, 10.5º, 12º & 13.5º lofts. Standard shafts: PING TFC939D (Ladies, Soft R, R, S, and X flexes) and Mitsubishi Diamana Blue (R, S and X flexes).

Fitting Variables
Loft, shaft flex/type, shaft length, grip size/type, swingweight

Priced at AUD$620 per driver (graphite only).

Rapture V2 Fairway Woods

Materials
17-4 stainless steel body with tungsten sole plate.

Technology Benefits
Tungsten sole plate (61 grams, 34% of head’s mass) optimizes CG for higher launch, lower spin. Larger, shallow head profile for added forgiveness and performance from all conditions. Plasma-welded, machined, variable face thickness for added distance. Double-Rapture alignment aid on crown.

Specifications
Available in 3 (171 cc, 16º), 4 (169 cc, 17.5º), 5 (165 cc, 19º) & 7 (160 cc, 22º) woods. Standard shafts: PING TFC939F (Ladies, Soft R, R, S, and X flexes) and Mitsubishi JavlnFX (R, S and X flexes).

Fitting Variables
Shaft flex/type, shaft length, grip size/type, swingweight

Priced at AUD$350 per fairway wood (graphite only).

Rapture V2 Hybrids

Materials
17-4 stainless steel body with tungsten sole plate.

Technology Benefits
Tungsten sole plate (112 grams, 48% of head’s mass) optimizes CG for higher launch. Longer face profile expands hitting area for more forgiveness. Plasma-\welded, machined variable face thickness for added distance. Sole relief for improved playability.

Specifications
Available 17º, 20º, 23º & 27º lofts. Standard graphite shafts: PING TFC939H (Ladies, Soft R, R, S, and X flexes) and Mitsubishi JavlnFX (R, S and X flexes). Standard steel shafts: PING AWT (Soft R, R, S and X flexes) and Z-Z65 (Stiff flex).

Fitting Variables
Shaft flex/type, shaft length, grip size/type and swingweight

Priced at AUD$245 per hybrid w/steel shaft. AUD$280 per hybrid w/graphite shaft.

Rapture V2 Irons

Materials
Tungsten sole weight (22% mass, 16% volume). Titanium face (13% mass, 21% volume). 17-4 stainless steel body (65% mass, 63% volume,) Elastomer CTP insert.

Technology Benefits
Oversized, maximum forgiveness iron. Lightweight titanium face frees weight which is re-allocated on the wider sole in the form of tungsten to position CG for higher launch and increased MOI. High launch angles allow for stronger lofts to increase distance without sacrificing control. Deeper CustomTuning Port (CTP) with elastomer insert stabilizes face for solid feel and consistent response across the club face.

Specifications
Available 3-9, PW, UW, SW & LW. Standard graphite shaft: PING TFC939I (Ladies, Soft R, R and S flexes). Standard steel shaft: PING AWT (Soft R, R, S and X flexes).

Fitting Variables
Lie angle (12 color codes), shaft flex/type, shaft length, grip size/type and swingweight

Priced at AUD$210 per iron w/steel shaft. AUD$245 per iron w/graphite shaft.

S57 Irons

Materials
17-4 stainless steel body. Tungsten toe weight.

Technology Benefits
Player’s-size, tour-inspired iron with tungsten toe weight and dual, vertical stabilizing bars for the ideal blend of feel, forgiveness and distance control. Machined face and grooves for consistent performance across the hitting area. Brushed silver chrome finish.

Specifications
Available 2-9, PW. Standard shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold (S300 and X100). PING TFC129i (Soft R, R & S flexes).

Fitting Variables
Lie angle (12 color codes), shaft flex/type, shaft length, grip size/type and swingweight

Priced at AUD$165 per iron w/steel shaft. AUD$200 w/graphite shaft.

iWi Putters

Materials
17-4 stainless body. Two-piece insert combines 304 stainless steel and elastomer. Steel or tungsten sole weights.

Technology Benefits
Interchangeable weight inserts put customisation in golfers’ hands. Putter comes standard with two 12-gram steel weights on sole near heel and toe. Two-piece insert provides steel-face performance with soft feel.

Optional weight kit (sold separately) allows golfer to modify putter weight for preferred feel and to match stroke.

Specifications
Available in six models: Anser, Zing, B60, D66, Craz-E and ½ Craz-E. Weight kit includes two 20-gram tungsten weights, two 28-gram tungsten weights, 2 extra screws, wrench and protective pouch.

Fitting Variables
Lie angle (9 color codes), weight (nine combinations with purchase of weight kit), shaft length, loft and grip type.

Priced at AUD$265 (all models except Craz-E); AUD$310 (Craz-E); Weight kit (sold separately) AUD$110.

Review Ping S57 (Irons) »

Review Ping Rapture V2 (Drivers) »

Review Ping Rapture V2 (Fairway Woods) »

Review Ping Rapture V2 (Irons) »

Review Ping iWi (Putters) »

Review Ping Rapture V2 (Hybrids) »

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