“The new PING G2 stainless steel fairway woods introduce variable sole thickness, a patent pending innovation that helps golfers hit longer, higher launching shots,” says company chairman & CEO, John Solheim.
“We engineered these clubs with all golfers in mind,” Solheim continues. “The look and shape appeal to better players. The larger head makes them extremely forgiving and easy to hit. The accuracy and distance the clubs provide will benefit everyone.”
The fairway wood series offers golfers the choice of two 3-woods (12° and 14°), 5-wood (17°), 7-wood, 9-wood (23°) and L-wood (26°).
With the variable sole thickness, weight is moved towards the back of the club and positioned low to create less spin for added distance and a higher launch angle. The higher the club’s loft, the further back the weight and centre of gravity are moved.
“Golfers rely on their fairway woods from a variety of distances and lies,” Solheim added. “Ensuring these clubs performed from all conditions was a key challenge for our engineers. Golfers will find the G2 fairway woods easy to hit from the fairway, rough and firm lies.”
The custom-fit metal woods are available in three colour codes (lie angles) to match a golfer’s stance and swing for maximum performance. Suggested retail is £160 per club with steel shaft and £210 per club with graphite shaft. Shipments begin in October, 2003.
PING’s expansion of its iron line continues with the introduction of the G2 series of irons. This latest series of irons follows the launch of the PING S59 blade iron in July and expands the company’s offerings within the game improvement category.
“The expanded line gives us greater appeal to a wider range of golfers,” Solheim said. “They can match the technology and the look of the club to their games.”
In the G2 Series, golfers will find the latest PING technology in multiple choices to match their ability and personal preference.
“The performance of these irons is exceptional,” said Solheim. “They are extremely forgiving, launch the ball higher and feel fantastic. Plus, golfers can choose the set make-up that meets their needs.”
The new stainless steel, perimeter weighted iron series consists of three set options and the HL (High Launch) Series long irons that are designed as long iron replacements for all three sets.
- G2: Available in 3-9, PW, SW, LW, the G2 features several new design advancements, including a centre of gravity (CG) moved away from the face, and a wider sole for improved launch and more forgiveness. With a slightly larger head size, it represents the most forgiving iron PING has ever designed. The standard shaft is the CS Lite.
- G2EZà¤: Available in 7-9, PW, SW, LW, the G2 EZ is designed for golfers with slower swing speeds. In addition to the technology found in the G2 iron, the six club set make-up features larger loft differentials to provide meaningful distance gaps between each iron.
- G2Là¤: Available in 7-9, PW, SW, LW, the G2L is designed for ladies with slow swing speeds. It features the same technology and loft differentials as the G2 EZ and is further distinguished by the TFC Ladies Graphite shaft and a lighter overall weight (approximately 10% lighter than standard models).
- G2HLà¤: (High Launch): Available in 2-5 iron, the G2 HL is designed for golfers looking for easy to hit long irons. The extra-wide soled clubs provide a more forgiving bounce (which helps resist digging) and utilize a centre of gravity (CG) positioned away from the face to launch the ball higher. An undercut cavity helps increase inertia for maximum forgiveness. The loft of each HL iron is equivalent to its traditional version (i.e. 3HL = 3 iron). G2HL irons will also be sold separately.
The multiple offerings within the G2 Series and the G2 HL long irons allow golfers to build a set that fits their game. To aid the consumer in choosing the proper set make-up, PING is offering the following standard set packages:
- G2 Traditional 3-9, PW, SW
- G2 Combo 3HL, 4HL, 5HL, 6-9, PW, SW
- G2 EZ 4HL, 5HL, 7-9, PW, SW
- G2 Ladies 4HL, 5HL, 7-9, PW, SW
- G2 HL Only 2HL, 3HL, 4HL, 5HL
“Fitting continues to be a key part of the buying process,” said Solheim. “With the multiple offerings and the flexibility of the set make-up, another dimension is added to club fitting. We want golfers to get a set of irons that improves their enjoyment of the game.”
Suggested retail for G2, G2EZ and G2 HL irons is £84 per club with a steel shaft and £102 per club with graphite. Suggested retail for G2 Ladies is per £102 per club with graphite shaft.
Shipments begin in September, 2003.
PING’s reputation for manufacturing great clubs for senior golfers has been significantly enhanced by the performances of the PING staff players at the recent Daily Telegraph/Turismo Andaluz European Senior Match Play Championship at Los Flamingos Golf Club in Spain.
Carl Mason came into the event as the leader on the European Seniors Tour Order of Merit and the English PING staff player consolidated his position when he defeated another PING staff player, Ireland’s Denis O‘Sullivan, by one hole in an enthralling 18-hole final.
Mason and O‘Sullivan were in fine form throughout the week and they were not alone. A third PING staff player, Denis Durnian, reached the semi-finals and a fourth, Jim Rhodes, battled through to the quarter-final stage where he was joined by two other non-contract players who were using PING clubs. That meant that no less than six out of the last eight competitors at Los Flamingos were playing PING, with three of them progressing into the semi-finals and two reaching the final itself.
“I would like to congratulate all of the players involved,” said John Clark, managing director of PING Europe. “It was a great tournament for them but also a tremendous week for us because it illustrated just how well PING clubs can perform in the hands of senior golfers.”
PING www.pinggolf.com