Ping is one of the most recognisable and popular golf brands in the world and their products, including fairway wood, are played by some of the best players on the planet. Two-time Masters winner Bubba Watson, former Open champion Louis Oosthuizen, and Ryder Cup star Tyrell Hatton all game a Ping fairway on the PGA Tour and European Tour, respectively.
As a testament to their performance and manufacturing quality, we're still trading in some now 'classic' second-hand Ping fairway woods - including the G2 and G5 fairway woods. But when looking at these, and comparing to the most recent, the difference won't appear as drastic as the time frame might suggest. When addressing new models and new technology, Ping has an evolution rather than a revolution policy. When teamed with a strict launch cycle the gains made are consistent year-on-year, rather than the peaks and troughs some brands see.
In line with their drivers, Ping has streamlined and simplified the naming convention of their fairway woods from two families 'i' and 'G' to just 'G'.
In the past, i-Series fairway woods were aimed at the better player with a smaller profile and forward CG location for reduced spin and a penetrating flight. This left G-Series to cover the mass golfing market with fairway woods featuring a more extensive profile and a low and deep CG location to get the ball in the air much easier.
By dropping the i-Series, Ping was not ignoring the better player. They made provisions within the subsequent 'G' range, releasing models with subtle differences, namely the LST versions which feature Ping's low spin technology. Fairway woods with LST in the model name will be for the better player with a smaller profile and CG lower and more forward for reduced spin and a penetrating flight - characteristics found in the 'i' models of the past and preferred by the better player.
Other variations on standard also include the SFT, or straight flight technology models. Models with SFT are larger to drive up the MOI and have lofts which are higher than standard to promote an easier launch. The SFT fairway woods also feature a tungsten weight towards the heel and an address position to inspire confidence and cure a fade or slice.
Ping is one of a few brands which caters exclusively for ladies, (check out the TaylorMade Kalea range too) with their 'Le' line of clubs. Clubs in the 'Le' series are designed from the ground up with lady swing characteristics in mind. A bigger profile for significantly higher MOI increases forgiveness; a shallow face helps launch the ball high: and better aerodynamics and an overall lighter club increases clubhead speed for more distance.
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