August 7, 2006; Phoenix, Ariz.: Multi-material technology combined with the expertise of PING engineering has produced the Rapture Series, the latest advancements in feel, distance, forgiveness, consistency and sound, according to PING Chairman & CEO John Solheim.
The Rapture Series, which begins shipping world-wide September 1, 2006, includes a driver, fairway woods, hybrids and irons. All clubs in the series feature TFC 909 graphite shafts engineered by PING and a new textured spiral grip.
"Multi-material technology gives our engineers tremendous opportunities to improve all aspects of a golf club," said Solheim, who introduced the line last week while presiding over the company’s annual product introduction meeting in Phoenix. "Titanium, tungsten, super stainless steel, elastomer and graphite composites all have properties that can make a golf ball fly straighter and go farther. The key is to understand what each component can contribute to a product’s performance. Our engineers have combined those materials into a series of products that furthers our reputation as a leader in technology."
"The addition of the Rapture Series complements our market-leading G5 line," added Solheim. "The G5 driver and irons were the top selling models for the first six months of the year according to Golf Datatech and we’re hopeful those trends continue. Golfers expect the best from PING and now we’ve given them another choice with the Rapture."
Rapture Driver
The 460cc driver features a visible, web-shaped titanium crown injected with lightweight composite. By utilizing the composite in the low stress areas of the crown, PING engineers re-positioned 20 grams of mass inside the club for higher launch and lower spin. The fully-machined variable thickness face increases ball speed for a hotter club face response.
Initial Tour response has been very positive. Several players worldwide, including two of the game’s longest drivers—Bubba Watson and Angel Cabrera—have added the Rapture Driver to their arsenals. At the British Open, eight drivers were in play. The new driver secured its first win at the Nationwide Tour’s Price Cutter Charity Championship. At the Women’s British Open, 15 Rapture drivers were used.
A team of PING engineers relied on computer optimization models driven by a Cray Supercomputer to analyze the crown to ensure structural integrity and performance. Acoustical engineering was also heavily employed to produce a solid, powerful sound.
"The driver exceeds our performance expectations, but we’re just as excited about the sound," said John K. Solheim, PING’s Vice President of Engineering who oversaw development of the Rapture Series. "Our research indicated a general dissatisfaction with the sound of existing composite drivers, so we made it a high priority in our design criteria. Using finite element analysis (FEA), we’ve tuned the club’s frequencies to produce a powerful sound that we believe will turn heads on the tee box."
A complex manufacturing process wherein the composite material is inserted into the web-shape crown using a bladder mold creates the unique, eye-catching crown design. The bladder enters the club head through the skirt—which is also filled with composite—and is molded into position to ensure a strong, durable bond to the titanium head.
The standard shaft is the PING TFC 909D. The Aldila VS Proto 65 is also a standard offering in the Rapture Driver.
Available in 9, 10.5 and 12 degree lofts.
Shipments begin September 1, 2006.
U.S. MSRP is $475 (graphite only).
Rapture Irons
The wide-soled, perimeter weighted Rapture Iron relies on strategic use of titanium, stainless steel and tungsten to create a high-performance, multi-material iron. Careful analysis and application of each material yields forgiveness and trajectory improvements while creating a face and cavity design that produces a solid, pleasing feel and sound.
The wide sole created by an undercut cavity design positions the center of gravity lower and further back to improve launch angles for higher, lower spinning shots that resist ballooning and land softly.
The lightweight titanium face allows 25 grams of weight to be re-distributed in the form of tungsten and stainless steel to the perimeter of the club head. Twenty of the grams are found in the high-density tungsten toe weight which aids in squaring the face at impact for accuracy and consistency.
The titanium face and Custom Tuning Port (CTP) and an elastomer CTP Insert stabilize the face for a solid feel and sound.
Available in 2-9, PW, UW, SW and LW.
Custom fit for color code (lie angle), shaft length/flex/type, grip size and swingweight.
The standard shaft is the PING TFC 909i. Steel shafts, including the PING CS-Lite, are also available.
U.S. MSRP is $162.50 per iron w/graphite shaft; $140 per iron w/steel shaft.
Shipments begin September 1, 2006.
Rapture Hybrids
The combination of a 17-4 stainless steel body, tungsten nickel sole plate and 475 super steel face in the Rapture Hybrids raise hybrid performance to new levels of distance, forgiveness and control.
The thin, super steel face provides a hot, responsive hitting area and allows PING engineers to re-distribute weight in the form of tungsten nickel on the sole. The heavier sole plate positions the center of gravity low and away from the face for higher launch and low spin–resulting in high, penetrating trajectories for longer, softer landing approach shots.
The sloped crown—first introduced on the popular G5 Hybrid—also aids in increasing the launch angle and reducing spin. A large head and trailing edge relief design provides control from any turf condition. The shape and thickness of the sole plate extends weight to the perimeter for maximum forgiveness.
Available in 18, 21 and 24 degree lofts. The standard shaft is the PING TFC 909H. The Aldila VS Proto 80 Hybrid is also a standard offering in the Rapture Hybrids. Steel shafts, including the PING CS-Lite, are also available.
U.S. MSRP is $225 per club w/graphite shaft; $195 w/steel shaft.
Shipments begin September 1, 2006.
Rapture Fairway Woods
Manufactured from 100% titanium, the large-headed Rapture Fairway Woods offer exceptional forgiveness. A 6-4 titanium face is machined to produce a thin, highly-responsive face for maximum distance. An internal weight pad positioned directly below the center of gravity increases the launch angle and reduces spin to produce high, penetrating shot characteristics.
The fully-machined face is robotically plasma welded to the body for consistency and durability. The precision welds allow additional weight savings that are re-distributed throughout the club head for maximum performance.
Available in 3, 5 and 7 woods. The standard shaft is the PING TFC 909F. The Aldila VS Proto 85 Fairway is also a standard offering in the Rapture Fairway Woods.
U.S. MSRP is $350 w/graphite shaft.
Shipments begin September 1, 2006.
For additional information, contact Pete Samuels (602) 687-5487.
Images available at www.pinggolf.com/media.
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