Ping K15 driver

[StrangelyBrown]

The Rapture line that the K's have replaced were top-end clubs - serious money and a composite construction so very different from the G's.

Just can't see the point of the K's.

As I understand it, the Rapture range were SGI, the G range is GI, the I range is better players and then you've got the S59s players clubs. The K range are the new SGI range and the name (letter) fits in better with the rest of Ping's range.

Mabe I'm wrong...

 

[CrapHacker]

The problem I'm having with it is the weight.

It's soooooo light the temptation is to lash it every time.

When I slow down the body movement it definitely goes straight enough, but then the feedback is suggesting there's no distance involved.

I'm not yet convinced about the distance side of it yet, but am absolutely convinced that the SFT will work - it's actually quite a simple concept which manufacturers have been using for a while now. Ping have just taken it a few degrees further, as I see it.

Now the science question.

Ping have made the head as light as possible to aid distance.

My warped logic suggests that this is so extra clubhead speed can be generated.

Which means you have to whip it through the impact zone quicker for it to maximise distance.

But

Cricketers, for example, use heavier bats to hit the ball further. They are harder to control, but the benefit is definitely that the mishits are more likely to carry the boundary.

That tallies with the idea of a light clubhead being easier to hit straight, but how does the club generate the extra distance I've been promised ?

Any clues anyone?

 

[Ethan]

Not sure the K15 irons would be used by single figures (although prepared to be proved wrong) as they are typically chunky in the old Ping way and a all about maiximum forgiveness and getting the ball airborne. The driver though, with the right shaft could suit most players and is a doozy to hit

I seriously doubt it. The K15 iron is a hideous lump of metal that is suitable only for raking out an old fire. They are in the same category as the TM Superlaunch, for superduffers only.

 

[CrapHacker]

You're not supposed to be able to see the weight bulge on the heel when looking down at address.

Well I can and it looks like there's something stuck to the bottom

Well shut your eyes when you swing like the rest of us

Anyway, are you talking about the golf club, or a rear view of Smiffy in his new chinos?

 

[Smiffy]

The G series is for higher handicappers and the I series for better players.

I'll vouch for that.
A happy I series player

 

[CrapHacker]

Well,

After a couple of visits to the range I actually managed to get the beast out on the course today

Copthorne, if you're interested. The plan was to use it on every hole possible, to see how it got on. No real plans for course management or anything. For those that aren't aware copthorne is notoriously tight off the tee.

The findings :

It's turning out to be a better club than I first thought, time after time.

But it can't do miracles if the swing is really really bad.

The round :

33 points. 19 out, 14 back in. A game of two halves ? you say. Not exactly. 1st 13 holes, 27 points. Final 5 holes, 6 points. The heavens opened on the 14th, and the run in was spoiled a bit.

The important bit :

Used the driver on 13 holes ( 15 times to include 3 off the tee, after a lost ball ). Bad shots - 7 Good shots - 8

The Conclusion :

I didn't warm up, and haven't played for ages, so it took a few holes to get going. My driver swing is actually quite bad, so I need to work on it over the winter. However, the K15 can happily put it out there 220 - 230 ( we didn't have a gps to check any accurate distances ) which is the same as the Benross, but, with a decent swing, is straighter, and much easier to keep in play. And I feel it has the potential to go a fair bit further as well.

The bulge is barely visible at address. The club might not be quite as pretty as the I15, but it's better looking that the square headed clubs on the market.

This is a darned good club.

Given time and effort on my part, this club has the potential to help me get my handicap down several shots.