Aloha. Long time no see! Anyway, this review is on the Ping Rapture V2.
A couple of months ago I was fortunate enough to see this driver before its release date and was quite pleased with what Ping has done to update the original Rapture. The first noticeable difference is apparent when one soles the club. Ah ha...no "spiderman" web like design on the crown. Now both the original and the V2 have the "Thin Crown Design" but only the original actually shows it.
The second noticeable feature are the external tungsten weight pads. These weight pads push the CG lower and farther back to reduce spin and optimize launch angle. To push the CG even further back, Ping has elongated the V2 by extending face height and sloping the crown. Although, one would never know it just by looking at it as it retains a classic 460cc head design. In other words, it is not a funny looking driver!
Ping has also done something pretty cool in regards to the stock shafts they put in the V2; they offer their TFC 939D or a Diamana Blue 63! That is a wise choice in my opinion and I am willing to bet that V2's with the Diamana go flying off the shelves.
The Ping Rapture V2 that this writer used was a 9* stock length with the extra stiff TFC 939D. What a beautiful club. I did notice that because of the extra 3/4 in on the shaft it setup just a hair closed. That was not an issue for me as I just choked down about 1 in.
Ladies and gents, this driver is looooong and accurate. Ball flight was easy to manipulate but its natural ball flight tendency seemed to be a slight draw with a medium-high trajectory. The V2 comes in stock lofts of 9*, 10.5*, 12* and 13.5* to help iron out your trajectory issues.
Once again, Ping has put out a winner of driver. So, go out and demo one today. You won't be disappointed.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Friday, October 10, 2008
Callaway Tour i Golf Ball
For a first here on Golf Club Reviews we will be reviewing a golf ball. It never dawned on me until just now to do a review on a golf ball. So, why do one now? Well, everyone focus' on the latest and greatest drivers, irons, hybrids and putters from everyone so why not review the one most important piece of equipment we have... THE BALL!!!
The first time I saw the new Callaway ball being played I had to stop and ask my playing partner what he was hitting. He said it was the Callaway ix. I couldn't believe it, that ball was long! I bought a sleeve and went at it. Well, it was long alright, but green side control was lacking. Callaway then introduced the plain "i".
The i is supposed to be a replacement for the HX 56 tour ball. I loved the HX 56! It was long off the tee, spun when it was ordered to and the cover held up under hard wedge shots. Very hard to improve on the HX. Or so I thought.
The new i is a 4 piece, urethane covered, dual core ball. The inner core is designed for long drives. The outer core has tungsten in the mix so it reduces driver spin but excites the ball speed off the club face. The mantle, once again, reduces unwanted side spin for longer, straighter drives. And, of course, the urethane cover is soft for green side control. The i still carries the new tradition of hexagonal dimples within a seem less design. Several of these hex dimples are sunken even further to stabilize the core of the golf ball so it will roll true.
Off I went to play the new i ball. This ball does everything it says it will! I am a good driver of the golf ball so I really didn't notice any unwanted spin. The ball flew straight and true even into crosswinds and headwinds. It is a very stable ball. The check onto the greens with all irons was that reminiscent of a Pro V-1x. The ball hit and stayed put with no unwanted back spin or top spin. Chip and checks were a breeze with this ball. It really wants to "Suck soil!" And the feel off the putter face was no different than that of its predecessor the HX 56.
Callaway has done it again when it comes to their Tour i line of golf balls. I have no complaints about this ball what so ever. Well, maybe just one complaint, it doesn't like my putting stroke.
The first time I saw the new Callaway ball being played I had to stop and ask my playing partner what he was hitting. He said it was the Callaway ix. I couldn't believe it, that ball was long! I bought a sleeve and went at it. Well, it was long alright, but green side control was lacking. Callaway then introduced the plain "i".
The i is supposed to be a replacement for the HX 56 tour ball. I loved the HX 56! It was long off the tee, spun when it was ordered to and the cover held up under hard wedge shots. Very hard to improve on the HX. Or so I thought.
The new i is a 4 piece, urethane covered, dual core ball. The inner core is designed for long drives. The outer core has tungsten in the mix so it reduces driver spin but excites the ball speed off the club face. The mantle, once again, reduces unwanted side spin for longer, straighter drives. And, of course, the urethane cover is soft for green side control. The i still carries the new tradition of hexagonal dimples within a seem less design. Several of these hex dimples are sunken even further to stabilize the core of the golf ball so it will roll true.
Off I went to play the new i ball. This ball does everything it says it will! I am a good driver of the golf ball so I really didn't notice any unwanted spin. The ball flew straight and true even into crosswinds and headwinds. It is a very stable ball. The check onto the greens with all irons was that reminiscent of a Pro V-1x. The ball hit and stayed put with no unwanted back spin or top spin. Chip and checks were a breeze with this ball. It really wants to "Suck soil!" And the feel off the putter face was no different than that of its predecessor the HX 56.
Callaway has done it again when it comes to their Tour i line of golf balls. I have no complaints about this ball what so ever. Well, maybe just one complaint, it doesn't like my putting stroke.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Adams Insight XTD A3 Boxster
As you may have guessed, I like test driving new putters and drivers. Well, this weeks review is no different.
Square shaped drivers have been out for some time now, and now Adams has jumped on that band wagon with their Insight XTD series. The driver I tested was a 9.5* stiff flex, Aldila DVS 55 gram shafted driver.
At first looks, one can easily see the square head shape. What one doesn't see is the pear shaped face profile. I personally thought that was one neatly hidden feature.
This driver setups very square and is very easy to hit straight. The overall look of the square head is easily overlooked at setup due to some design additions on the trailing edge of the club. I forgot I was swinging a square driver!!!
This driver was long but the low center of gravity coupled with the lower kick point shaft sent my tee shots sky high. This high tee shot is most certainly undesirable out here with the nasty trade winds that we get.
Other than that, this driver was accurate and was fun to hit.
Square shaped drivers have been out for some time now, and now Adams has jumped on that band wagon with their Insight XTD series. The driver I tested was a 9.5* stiff flex, Aldila DVS 55 gram shafted driver.
At first looks, one can easily see the square head shape. What one doesn't see is the pear shaped face profile. I personally thought that was one neatly hidden feature.
This driver setups very square and is very easy to hit straight. The overall look of the square head is easily overlooked at setup due to some design additions on the trailing edge of the club. I forgot I was swinging a square driver!!!
This driver was long but the low center of gravity coupled with the lower kick point shaft sent my tee shots sky high. This high tee shot is most certainly undesirable out here with the nasty trade winds that we get.
Other than that, this driver was accurate and was fun to hit.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Odyssey Sabertooth
The Odyssey Sabertooth is the subject of this Golf Club Review.
This writer loves testing new putters. Why? Well, I don't have the yips but I am very interested in trying new putters of radical design to see how well they put the ball in the hole. Lets face it, that is the name of this game. And, seeing as how I have been struggling with my putting for months now, this blog gives me an excuse to try anything and everything to improve my score.
The Sabertooth I tested was a stock 34" model. The first thing I noticed about this putter, was the weight. It had a nice heft to it without it being grossly over weighted due to its design. Alignment was a snap with this putter as it has a alignment feature that can not be described here. I did find myself rolling the ball more on line due to the putter's alignment markings. The Sabertooth also has a polymer face insert which deadens the feel and sound of impact. Although the insert may deaden the feel and sound of impact, it does give the ball an exceptional roll end over end if struck properly.
All in all, I believe that the Sabertooth is an excellent putter for those people who prefer mallet type putters and who have a problem with alignment. If the Sabertooth is just a putter that looks downright funny to you, stand by, because it is just the start from Odyssey.
Till next time...
This writer loves testing new putters. Why? Well, I don't have the yips but I am very interested in trying new putters of radical design to see how well they put the ball in the hole. Lets face it, that is the name of this game. And, seeing as how I have been struggling with my putting for months now, this blog gives me an excuse to try anything and everything to improve my score.
The Sabertooth I tested was a stock 34" model. The first thing I noticed about this putter, was the weight. It had a nice heft to it without it being grossly over weighted due to its design. Alignment was a snap with this putter as it has a alignment feature that can not be described here. I did find myself rolling the ball more on line due to the putter's alignment markings. The Sabertooth also has a polymer face insert which deadens the feel and sound of impact. Although the insert may deaden the feel and sound of impact, it does give the ball an exceptional roll end over end if struck properly.
All in all, I believe that the Sabertooth is an excellent putter for those people who prefer mallet type putters and who have a problem with alignment. If the Sabertooth is just a putter that looks downright funny to you, stand by, because it is just the start from Odyssey.
Till next time...
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Mizuno MP-600 Driver
This driver was tested on a Sunday afternoon out at the Wailea Emerald course. Mizuno did a great job designing this driver. It has 2 adjustable weights located on the rear part of the sole and can be used to manipulate ball flight characteristics. The tool used to adjust these weights comes with the driver and is conveniently attached to a diagram of how to place the weights to manipulate ball flight.
The sample driver I used was 9.5* with a Fujikura E360 in stiff flex. Upon warming up with this driver I immediately noticed that there was no alignment aid or logo on the crown of the driver. I personally like that look, but others may like at least something on the crown. Another noticeable aspect of this driver was the swingweight. I did not measure the swingweight before I played with it, but did so after my round and found out that it was a little heavy. D6 to be exact. Another feature of this driver is the square face. This, coupled with the high swingweight, may pose a serious risk to some high handicap golfers.
I went to the first tee anxious to see how this beauty performed. I had the weights in the "Neutral" position but quickly changed them to the "Extreme draw" position after flailing my first ball over the road and out of bounds. I should clarify something at this point; I am a straight to draw ball flight player. If I hit something that far off line I immediately look at the club.
On the second tee I moved the weights. From that point on, I observed a ball flight which was a little low to my liking and was still fading a touch. But, I was looooong! The sound with which this driver gives off is something I can not describe. It's not quite Titleist, not quite Callaway but a mixture of the two.
I can't say I hit every fairway like I am able to do, but I was able to find a lot of short grass. Is this driver for high handicap golfers who suffer from a slice? No! The weights will not correct a severe left to right ball flight. Although, it will straighten it out some, it does not correct a slice to a straight to draw ball flight.
If ball flight correction is what you are looking for, this driver won't be for you. With its square face and tendency to hit fades, it is just not conducive for the average golfer looking for ball flight help.
The sample driver I used was 9.5* with a Fujikura E360 in stiff flex. Upon warming up with this driver I immediately noticed that there was no alignment aid or logo on the crown of the driver. I personally like that look, but others may like at least something on the crown. Another noticeable aspect of this driver was the swingweight. I did not measure the swingweight before I played with it, but did so after my round and found out that it was a little heavy. D6 to be exact. Another feature of this driver is the square face. This, coupled with the high swingweight, may pose a serious risk to some high handicap golfers.
I went to the first tee anxious to see how this beauty performed. I had the weights in the "Neutral" position but quickly changed them to the "Extreme draw" position after flailing my first ball over the road and out of bounds. I should clarify something at this point; I am a straight to draw ball flight player. If I hit something that far off line I immediately look at the club.
On the second tee I moved the weights. From that point on, I observed a ball flight which was a little low to my liking and was still fading a touch. But, I was looooong! The sound with which this driver gives off is something I can not describe. It's not quite Titleist, not quite Callaway but a mixture of the two.
I can't say I hit every fairway like I am able to do, but I was able to find a lot of short grass. Is this driver for high handicap golfers who suffer from a slice? No! The weights will not correct a severe left to right ball flight. Although, it will straighten it out some, it does not correct a slice to a straight to draw ball flight.
If ball flight correction is what you are looking for, this driver won't be for you. With its square face and tendency to hit fades, it is just not conducive for the average golfer looking for ball flight help.
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