Recent Hybrid Review in GM

[PhilTheFragger]

Just perusing latest GM and looking at the Hybrid reviews,

Now I would expect a review of a particular range of clubs to include the latest models from all the major manufacturers, not only to enable us mortals to make an informed choice, but also to avoid any possible claims of bias / descrimination for / against a particular manufacturer.

I was therefore surprised to find no mention of either the Ping V2 Rapture or the Ping G15, Granted the G15 got a good mention later in the mag in the testers roundup. I use the G15 myself and love it

Obviously the availability of clubs from the manufacturers to meet copy deadlines plays an important part especially when doing a Range test, so if particular clubs were not sent in time I would expect to see a brief mention of this fact just to keep the balance.

Not having a go, just wondering why 1 particular manufacturer was so obviously absent.

Fragger (Yes I Know Im A Ping Whore)

 

[USER1999]

It is normally Titleist who don't show up. Esp at the other mag.

I guess it is down to whether the manufacturer will send in clubs for the review, and whether they send them in time.

May be Ping thought the readership of GM was not in their catchment, and sent clubs to Saga instead.

 

[Imurg]

I know Titleist don't always play ball with tests - this months TG has a wedge test that doesn't include the Vokey. How you can say that Ping or Cleveland or whoever has the best wedge when the Vokey isn't included beats me.
You'd have thought they could have pushed the boat out and bought a couple for test and if expense was an issue they could have flogged them on E-bay and got most of their money back.

By the way the reason the G15 hybrid wasn't covered is because its an abomination to the game - I'm sure it works but it's by far and away the worst looking club on sale.

Ping specifically like to have all clubs C/F so they might not send along standard kit as it may not suit the tester.

 

[StrangelyBrown]

May be Ping thought the readership of GM was not in their catchment, and sent clubs to Saga instead.

Nice one Centurion

 

[MikeH]

Hi Phil

In a feature when we can only inlcude 15 clubs (and that's the max we can get in any gear focus) then its inevitable some models will miss out. Within that 15 we then try to show a range of prices and styles to suit budgets and abilities

AS to why there were no PING models in there there's no sisnter reason but rather that we have already given quite extensive coverage to the latest PING i and G ranges over the last few months in both the magazine and online and, as you rightly point out, the G15 hybrid was featured in Reader Test Panel in the same issue so we dont want to double up on coverage where possible. Added to that the Rapture V2 is an outgoing model this year so we try and keep it as current as possible.

With regard to sending us product for testing all the manufactueres have the specs of our gear testers (gleaned at custom fitting sessions we do with them specifically so they have that info) so will send in kit speced up for the guys to test.

When we then send out clubs we have tested out to readers to test for the reader test panel we try to match the item to readers specs as supplied when they applied to join the RTP

So rest assured, there's no bias against PING at GM (or indeed any manufactuerer for that matter). In fact with my line up currently 13 PING clubs (on a an old Scotty stopping the full set) the accusatiuon could be leveled the other way!

Hope that helps with a bit of background

 

[bobmac]

So rest assured, there's no bias against PING at GM (or indeed any manufactuerer for that matter). In fact with my line up currently 13 PING clubs (on a an old Scotty stopping the full set) the accusatiuon could be leveled the other way!

Ar you sure you haven't half inched the V-Easy from the office and hidden it under your driver head cover?

 

[drawboy]

How you can say that Ping or Cleveland or whoever has the best wedge when the Vokey isn't included beats me.

How any reviewer can say any club is better than another beats me.No two golfers have the same swing or skill levels. If that was the case all of our bags would be exactly the same. All they can hope to do is guide the golfer towards the kit that is available at the time. I love looking at the new shiny stuff but will try to test rather than buy on a review.

 

[MikeH]

How any reviewer can say any club is better than another beats me.No two golfers have the same swing or skill levels. If that was the case all of our bags would be exactly the same. All they can hope to do is guide the golfer towards the kit that is available at the time. I love looking at the new shiny stuff but will try to test rather than buy on a review.

Drawboy I was really pleased to read this and its the very reason why we dont test hardware head to head. The only thing we have tested head to head is GPS/DMDs as you can benchmark them on very specific criteria - we might also consider doing trollies and bags but that'd pretty much it.

With golf clubs and balls so much is down to your individual swing and with the advent of custom fitting we belive it pretty much possible for most golfer to get most products cusotm fitted to work for them.

There are limits - ie I dont think even the best custom fitter could get a set of pure blades to perform as consistently as a set of oversized cavity back irons in the hands of a high handicaper but there's no reason why a game improver (eg 16-24 handicapper) couldnt get a set of 'players' shallow cavity irons fitted to suit them. They might not be as forgiving as larger cavity clubs but at least they'd be playable.

We have always tried to make it crystal clear that Golf Monthly's gear pages should be the start of your search for a new item of gear not the end. We'll show you what's about to hit the market and give your our opnions based on the testing we conduct but we'd never make a blanket recomendation to buy something.

We firmly believe that without getting advice from a PGA pro and custom fitted for any subsequent purcahse, you will run the risk of buying an item that is not right for your game and therfore has no hope of performing as the manufacturers claim it can.

 

[viscount17]

a game improver (eg 16-24 handicapper)

wow, I've been promoted! I shall use the new title proudly!

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Hi Phil

In a feature when we can only inlcude 15 clubs (and that's the max we can get in any gear focus) then its inevitable some models will miss out. Within that 15 we then try to show a range of prices and styles to suit budgets and abilities

AS to why there were no PING models in there there's no sisnter reason but rather that we have already given quite extensive coverage to the latest PING i and G ranges over the last few months in both the magazine and online and, as you rightly point out, the G15 hybrid was featured in Reader Test Panel in the same issue so we dont want to double up on coverage where possible. Added to that the Rapture V2 is an outgoing model this year so we try and keep it as current as possible.

With regard to sending us product for testing all the manufactueres have the specs of our gear testers (gleaned at custom fitting sessions we do with them specifically so they have that info) so will send in kit speced up for the guys to test.

When we then send out clubs we have tested out to readers to test for the reader test panel we try to match the item to readers specs as supplied when they applied to join the RTP

So rest assured, there's no bias against PING at GM (or indeed any manufactuerer for that matter). In fact with my line up currently 13 PING clubs (on a an old Scotty stopping the full set) the accusatiuon could be leveled the other way!

Hope that helps with a bit of background

Thanks Mike
I'll let you off then!!

 

[Hogan_Fan]

By the way the reason the G15 hybrid wasn't covered is because its an abomination to the game - I'm sure it works but it's by far and away the worst looking club on sale.

What an amazing statement!! It certainly does work and it works incredibly well! Since I started using the G15 Utilities several of my friends have tried them and have been so impressed that they also bought some. Without exception everyone likes the look of the clubs.
Personal taste I know - but an abomination, come on now, I know you're just playing Devils Advocate!

 

[drawboy]

How any reviewer can say any club is better than another beats me.No two golfers have the same swing or skill levels. If that was the case all of our bags would be exactly the same. All they can hope to do is guide the golfer towards the kit that is available at the time. I love looking at the new shiny stuff but will try to test rather than buy on a review.

Drawboy I was really pleased to read this and its the very reason why we dont test hardware head to head. The only thing we have tested head to head is GPS/DMDs as you can benchmark them on very specific criteria - we might also consider doing trollies and bags but that'd pretty much it.

With golf clubs and balls so much is down to your individual swing and with the advent of custom fitting we belive it pretty much possible for most golfer to get most products cusotm fitted to work for them.

There are limits - ie I dont think even the best custom fitter could get a set of pure blades to perform as consistently as a set of oversized cavity back irons in the hands of a high handicaper but there's no reason why a game improver (eg 16-24 handicapper) couldnt get a set of 'players' shallow cavity irons fitted to suit them. They might not be as forgiving as larger cavity clubs but at least they'd be playable.

We have always tried to make it crystal clear that Golf Monthly's gear pages should be the start of your search for a new item of gear not the end. We'll show you what's about to hit the market and give your our opnions based on the testing we conduct but we'd never make a blanket recomendation to buy something.

We firmly believe that without getting advice from a PGA pro and custom fitted for any subsequent purcahse, you will run the risk of buying an item that is not right for your game and therfore has no hope of performing as the manufacturers claim it can.

Thank you Mike.

 

[Ethan]

I never pay attention to 'ordinary golfer' equipment reviews. You never know how these guys really swing, or what their game is like, so it is impossible to know if their comments have any value. I find the pro reviews more useful.

 

[SimonS]

I agree that head to head testing is of little use. I also see that although the Ping won the wedge review in TG this month their other mag (GW) also have a wedge review and the CG-15 won it! This is part of a "Hot list" which is a word for word copy from the Golf Digest website.

Regarding the lack of Titleist reviews in TG, just have a look through the latest issue an count the number of Titleist adverts.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'm staying away from reviews expecially with all the shiny new gear coming out for 2010. My credit card balance is looking ok and so the temptation is too great and I am weak

 

[PhilTheFragger]

By the way the reason the G15 hybrid wasn't covered is because its an abomination to the game - I'm sure it works but it's by far and away the worst looking club on sale.

What an amazing statement!! It certainly does work and it works incredibly well! Since I started using the G15 Utilities several of my friends have tried them and have been so impressed that they also bought some. Without exception everyone likes the look of the clubs.
Personal taste I know - but an abomination, come on now, I know you're just playing Devils Advocate!

Err No, Imurg Actually Means it!! He hates Them

I know he is just jealous really, besides after his recent run in with a custom fit set of Ping I15 irons, I doubt that he has the necessary to hit one well anyway.

Tee Hee

 

[Imurg]

Says the scorer of - what - 15 points last week was it? I wonder who acored 36 with his old uncustom fit clubs?????