Equipment
Ping 2014 Rapture Fairway Wood
The design of Ping’s newest fairway wood started with a simple question among the design team: “How can we make the hottest fairway wood out there?”
The result, Ping’s Rapture fairway wood, is a 212-cubic-centimeter titanium fairway wood with a deep face and a tungsten sole weight that pulls the center of gravity extremely low in the head. Watch the exclusive interview below with Ping’s Director of Product Development Marty Jertson to learn more about the new club.
The Rapture fairway wood will be available in only one loft, 13 degrees, with Ping’s TFC 949 shaft (R, S and X flexes) with a stock length of 43.5 inches.
Click here to see what GolfWRX members are saying about the Rapture fairway wood in the forums.
Equipment
Putters that never made it: Check out some of the best tour builds that didn’t make the cut
Arguably, the best perk of being a professional golfer on the PGA Tour is the ability to request or even just be handed pretty much any club you could think of. It happens more often than you think, usually with putters around the practice green from one event to the next. Come Wednesday, the Tour bags lining the edge of the putting surface become resting places for fallen flatsticks that never made the cut.
So let’s take a look at some of the best we’ve seen out on Tour this year that never made it to the competition. (You may notice none of Hideki Matsuyama’s custom Scotty Cameron putters made this list. There are too many.)
Let’s start with this custom Damascus Milled Odyssey Rossie made for Ryo Hisatsune. Featuring a single line and the short-slant hossel, we’ve seen plenty of Number 7 and jailbird heads featuring the Damascus Milled insert, but this is the first and only one we’ve spotted in a Rossie. Hisatsune primarily putts with an Odyssey Black Series iX #9, but we have seen him recently with a TaylorMade TP Collection SOTO, so there could be potential that the Damascus Milled Rossie could end up in the bag.
Everyone wants to be Cameron Young right now. We’ve had Justin Thomas and Tom Hoge both game the Scotty Cameron 9.5R prototype. Well, for the PGA Championship, Brooks Koepka nearly joined that list after requesting the same style of putter, with the full-length alignment line. But the Scotty Cameron reps took the request a step further and made one specially for Koepka with a Teryllium insert, similar to one in his previous Newport 2 gamers. The reason why this one didn’t go into play, though? Because it was too heavy.
Harry Hall was the third-best putter on Tour last year, so when Bettinardi made him a custom proto, you know it was going to be good. The custom BB28 blade features VDF face milling, a custom-welded single-bend shaft, and the owner’s initials – HH – on the sole of the putter. Hall, who usually games an Odyssey O-Works #7 W, has dabbled with a TaylorMade Spider Tour X already this year. Maybe there’s a chance this Bettinardi might make his bag.
Honestly, this one doesn’t need a description. It’s Kieth Mitchell’s custom Scotty Cameron Napa. One Scotty Cameron face stamp, two Scotty Dogs, two Scotty Cameron 7-Point Crowns and one Circle T. That is all. Oh, except for the Cashmere Cameron headcover.
Finally, and just for fun, how about we pour one out for this TaylorMade Spider Tour X made for Scottie Scheffler in its new torched finish. It’s unlikely we’ll see a putter change anytime soon from the best golfer in the world. In fact, he hit just two putts with it on the Harbour Town practice before going back to his trusty gamer.
Driver: Titleist GT3 (9 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Aldila Rogue Silver 130 M.S.I. 70 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi35 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 7 X
7-wood: TaylorMade Qi35 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 8 X
Irons: Grindworks PR-202 (4), Grindworks PR-101A (5-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Cleveland RTX6 Tour Rack (52-10 Mid), Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (56-08M), SM11 (60-04T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron Tour Rat 1.5 Tour Prototype
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
In our forums, our members have been discussing their favorite major winning irons used by Tiger Woods. WRXer ‘golferdude54’ kicks off the thread saying:
“Mizuno MP 14/29. Titleist 681T. Nike Forged Blades. TaylorMade P7TW.
Among these irons that helped Tiger win 15 majors, which is your favorite in terms of looks?”
And our members have been naming their favorites and why in response.
Here are a couple of posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- SwingBlade: “I prefer the early blades he played and the more recent TM TW’s especially because after Tiger had his major behavioral setbacks, part of Nikes support payback was making Tiger play a Nike putter and cease using his beloved uniquely customized Scotty putter.”
- ProjectX: “This (Nike Forged Blades) and there’s not even a close second.”
Entire Thread: “Which of Tiger’s major winning irons are your favorite? – GolfWRXers discuss”
Justin Rose WITB 2026 (April): Full WITB breakdown with new McLaren irons
RBC Heritage Tour Report: More minis, course-specific setups, Spider & GTS launches
What’s the story behind Webb Simpson’s custom-stamped irons?
Cadillac Championship Tour Report: Spieth’s sizable changes, McLaren Golf launches, and more
Kristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2026 Cadillac Championship
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
Nelly Korda WITB 2026 (April)
Justin Rose on the switch to McLaren Golf, learnings from previous equipment moves
Photos from the 2026 PGA Championship
Patrick Reed WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Titleist GT3 (9 degrees) Buy here. Shaft: Aldila Rogue Silver 130 M.S.I. 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi35 (15 degrees)...
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
Driver: TaylorMade M6 (9 degrees) Shaft: Aldilda Synergy Blue 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue...
Michael Block WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black VeloCore+ 5 X 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (15 degrees @14.25) Shaft: Mitsubishi...
Bryson DeChambeau WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Krank Formula Fire Pro (6 degrees) Shaft: Project X Prototype 3-wood: Krank Formula Fire (10 degrees) Shaft: LA Golf BAD...
-
Whats in the Bag3 weeks agoKristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
-
Whats in the Bag2 weeks ago
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
-
Tour Photo Galleries3 weeks agoPhotos from the 2026 PGA Championship
-
Equipment2 weeks agoGolfWRX Launch Report: 2026 Titleist GTS drivers
-
Equipment2 weeks agoPGA Championship Tour Report: Fitzpatrick, Koepka among big-name putter switches for Aronimink
-
News2 weeks agoWITB Time Machine: Phil Mickelson’s winning WITB, 2021 PGA Championship
-
Equipment2 weeks agoWhich of Tiger’s major winning irons are your favorite? – GolfWRXers discuss
-
Equipment2 weeks agoLead Tape Report: Adjusting the swingweight of the Wanamaker Trophy
Stix
Jul 31, 2015 at 1:49 am
To anyone criticising this club – just hit it, and you will understand. Take your driver and your 3 wood to a shop, compare them both against this club, and you will understand. For most players, it will be appreciably longer than your 3W, and not much shorter than your driver BUT it will be much more accurate as the 43.5 inch shaft is the same as most current 3W. It also feels super solid and stable through impact. Best single club I’ve ever hit. Just hit it and you will understand.
The only reason I don’t have it in the bag is I’m still deciding which of my children I’m going to sell on eBay to pay for it. Seriously, I know it’s made of ultra premium materials, but that price is just unaffordable for many. Shame or I’d have it in a heartbeat.
Kellen
May 24, 2014 at 11:33 pm
This thing is a rocket. I hit it today and was amazed. It looks incredible. The wind doesnt touch it. 1000× better than the SLDR mini. Carried it between 265 and 275 at 13 degrees. Super easy to hit and launch, but by no means does it balloon or get high at all. This is a beast of its own kind. If you get after the ball, put this in the bag. Its a laser. But its way easier and super forgiving and workable. You can be so agressive with this club and it won’t let you down.
JEFF SMITH
Apr 17, 2014 at 5:41 pm
That over priced thing has no use in my bag….. can’t imagine it would fit many players period…… dumb concept really!
Fred
Apr 12, 2014 at 11:51 pm
Few, if any, people are going to pay $500 for a 3W. More than likely, if you want it, you’ll have to order it. Golfsmith isn’t carrying it in the stores, but has it in their online store. I’ll stick with the G25 3W for $220.
KLIMA
Feb 27, 2014 at 4:26 pm
Only 13* loft? What’s the point?
joel fradiska
Feb 15, 2014 at 4:07 pm
whats the release date!?
getitclose
Jan 13, 2014 at 3:08 am
That head looks crazy big in those photos. Would def be just a driver replacement. And is it just me, or does the face seem kinda shallow vs lets say a 3Deep?
With that said though, hope I get to hit this. Looks bad a$$
Deaus
Jan 10, 2014 at 11:55 pm
I would like to give this a try, I have alot of trouble finding a 3-wood that I like. I actually have been using a 18* XTD FW and no 3-wood. I really miss the extra 20-25 yards on a few tight driving holes.
Ron Hampel
Jan 8, 2014 at 12:38 am
Great idea!
So… this has me thinking “I’d like more confidence off the tee, so this could replace my driver and then I’d need a 4 wood to fill the gap…” Ping has me wanting to spend more money on them, again!
Ronojoy Mazumdar
Jan 5, 2014 at 11:19 am
Are we going to see PING Rapture irons to match the woods???
Kg
Jan 3, 2014 at 5:54 pm
Wasn’t rapture series based off carbon material in top of club? Only available as a 3W?
dudstin
Jan 3, 2014 at 5:42 pm
how about a picture of this head next to a regular 3 wood, would love to see the size difference.
Joe Young
Jan 3, 2014 at 9:05 am
It’s a 3Deep, no?
rolston
Jan 2, 2014 at 7:43 pm
Didn’t Adams do the same with the XTD? The whole Titanium, Tungsten, blah blah…? seems like the same set up, different company..
Justin
Jan 2, 2014 at 7:43 pm
Maybe a better fit for the G/I-25 family?
Mike
Jan 2, 2014 at 7:40 pm
now this is an interesting club
Captain Junah
Jan 2, 2014 at 12:36 pm
….so its basically a Cobra Long Tom but more Ping (which i use as a synonym for boring) looking
James
Jan 2, 2014 at 10:43 pm
That’s what was going though my mind. Had a long tom. Loved it.old is new once more
Mat
Jan 2, 2014 at 11:33 am
Essentially, it’s a driver.
If you’re willing to hit a 220cc off the deck, you go right ahead.
What’s old is new again.
TJ
Apr 22, 2014 at 2:13 pm
Surprisingly not that hard to hit off the deck, just as easy as other 3 woods I found.
SA golfer
Jan 2, 2014 at 11:28 am
Love this….will buy this….can’t wait.
Perry Lim
Jan 2, 2014 at 8:49 am
Interested to use ping rapture 2014…
pse quote fo ping rapture wood 3 , 5 ,hybrid 3 ang also driver… tq