Equipment
First Look: Ping’s new G Driver
Update (Jan. 5, 9:30 a.m.) Photos of Bubba’s driver, as well as an all-black Ping G driver provided by Ping.
Update (Jan 4, 10:30 a.m.) Three new Ping drivers have been added to the USGA’s List of Conforming Driver Heads. The G30 drivers were available in the same three models (Standard, LS Tec and SF Tec). LS Tec denotes Ping’s “Low Spin Technology,” while SF Tec stands for “Straight Flight Technology,” which encourages a draw bias.
Ping G (9, 10.5 degrees)
Ping G LS Tec (9, 10.5 degrees)
Ping G SF Tec (10, 12)
GolfWRXers have been talking about the follow-up to Ping’s G30 driver since September. Thanks to Bubba Watson’s video from Kapalua, we now know its name and a little bit about what it looks like.
The new driver, called G, has a pattern on its crown that appears to be weight-reducing “Dragonfly” technology that leaked in our forum.
Photo posted in our forum by _AM_
#GDriver #Stance pic.twitter.com/a7bV9nH2eR
— bubba watson (@bubbawatson) January 4, 2016
Other things to notice about Bubba’s new big stick, which we’re assuming he’ll use in this week’s Hyundai Tournament of Champions based on his excitement about it, is that it carries over the Turbulators from the G30 design. As evidenced from the rear weight port, the G driver also appears to continue Ping’s rear-CG design.
The pink-and-black color scheme… that’s likely a Bubba thing. Expect the G driver to be mostly black, like previous Ping drivers, when we get our first official photos of the retail version.
Check back soon. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Tour Edge Golf has today introduced the all-new Exotics mini driver, engineered to deliver a powerful combination of speed, control, and versatility in the long game.
The Exotics Mini combines a titanium face with a stainless-steel body in design to balance ball speed with stability and control, creating a versatile option at the top end of the bag.
At the core of the design is Tour Edge’s proprietary Combo Brazing technology, a high-precision thermal bonding process that seamlessly fuses a titanium cup face to a stainless-steel body into a single, continuous structure. By eliminating energy loss found in traditional multi-piece constructions, Combo Brazing is designed to deliver faster face response, more efficient energy transfer, and a uniquely powerful yet controlled feel.
The multi-material construction also allows mass to be positioned lower and deeper in the head in a bid to increase stability, while the thin titanium face is engineered to maintain ball speed across a wider impact area.
“While the initial goal was to enhance control and versatility in the long game, Combo Brazing ultimately drove measurable gains in ball speed and distance within the mini driver category. In robot testing, we’ve documented higher ball speeds, higher launch, reduced spin, and increased carry and total distance compared to leading models.” – Vice President of R&D Matt Neeley
In addition to distance performance, the Exotics mini emphasizes forgiveness through a heavier stainless-steel body that shifts mass toward the perimeter. This configuration increases MOI relative to traditional all-titanium mini drivers, helping preserve ball speed and directional stability on off-center strikes. Paired with Pyramid Face Technology from the Exotics metalwood line, the design is intended to support consistent speed across the face.
To further enhance MOI, a lightweight carbon fiber crown frees additional mass that is strategically repositioned low and deep in the head in design to improve stability and promote optimal launch with controlled spin.
“We designed the Mini to be about five millimeters shallower than other mini drivers on the market. That change improves playability off the deck. From a clean fairway lie, it can function as a strong 3-wood alternative while still providing control off the tee.” – Tour Edge CEO David Glod
An adjustable hosel system allows for loft and lie tuning to dial in trajectory and shot shape, while a fixed 13-gram rear weight helps stabilize the head through impact to improve dispersion consistency. The Exotics Mini Driver is available in 11.5 and 13.5-degree lofts in right-handed models.
Pricing & Availability
The Exotics Mini Driver is available for pre-order beginning today for $399.99 USD at touredge.com, and will be available for purchase at retail outlets worldwide on May 22, 2026.
In our forums, our members have been pitting a Srixon ZXi combo against a TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo. WRXer ‘edutch22’ is on the hunt for a new set of irons and kicks off the thread saying:
“Looking at picking up a new set of irons and think I’ve narrowed it down to Srixon ZXi combo or Taylormade P7CB/770 combo. I am currently a 5 cap and allbeit I feel irons are my weakness. My miss is a little to the toe side. I am decently steep at 4-5 down. Always thought I am high spin but recently on trackman my 7 was spinning at 5800 roughly.
My question or looking for thoughts on which one would benefit me more from a forgiveness standpoint? Or is there another iron is should be looking at entirely? I only get to play about once or twice a week, if I am not playing a 2-3 day event. Thanks in advance.”
And our members have been sharing their thoughts and suggestions in response.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- manima1: “You just can’t go wrong with Srixon ZXi7.”
- MattM97: “You have to hit them to know, the V-Sole on the Srixon can be make or break for many.”
- dmeeksDC: “P7CB is more forgiving for me than ZXi7 because my main miss is low middle and the P7CB still flies and spins great on that miss. These are both really nice irons but I like the P7CB more than the Zxi7 and the P770 (or P790) more than the Zxi5. The Srixons are larger so if that gives you confidence that is the way to go. I don’t feel like I get any benefit from the V-sole and the P7CBs live up to their high Maltby forgiveness rating so the TaylorMades have been great for me.”
Entire Thread: “Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @pianoman0123 has a 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo up for grabs.
From the listing: “2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade Combo. 4-8 irons are CB’s and the 9,PW are Blades. 5-PW have Project X 6.0 Shafts and the 4 Iron has a Steelfiber CW110 Stiff Shaft. Standard Length, Lie and Lofts. These are in very good condition the shafts just don’t work for me. Like new Lamkin Grips on the 5-PW and a stock Golf Pride on the 4 Iron. $525 OBO.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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Glenn kirk
Feb 16, 2016 at 3:32 am
Ping are the bomb
M-Herd4
Jan 23, 2016 at 9:47 am
From my own personal experience you benefit more from a properly fitted premium shaft than some new radical clubhead design.
Slowhand
Jan 8, 2016 at 1:47 pm
I really enjoy Ping drivers but I was a long time TM driver buyer until a club fitting showed I hit the G30 LS more accurate with consistent distance than any other driver. I’ve used it now for almost a year and can’t see changing. Sure, all these drivers have to conform to the same standards but there are ways to push the envelope and I”m glad they do, else we’d probably be hitting persimmon right about now. If you swing the club 130mph you might see some increase due to less wind resistance but the average golfer I doubt you see much of anything, but I can feel a big difference in old drivers I kept that are 10 years old and today’s drivers, especially in the forgiveness arena.
But for me its more about having fun, getting something new and talking smack too. I mean if we all conformed and liked the exact same thing it would be pretty boring. And most of us are not gullible and actually don’t fall for all the hype, but then again some are naive and take the bait. To each his own, as long as they feel confident in their choice.
Wind tunnel approved?!?
Jan 7, 2016 at 7:47 pm
Ideas are running low? I guess from a marketing standpoint as those have mentioned technology is maxed, unless you stand behind claims of 15 yards further every 6 months, I should be driving the ball a 1/4 mile at that rate, so do what Nike did with jumpman (airjordan)….start re-releasing retros’s from the first pair of Jordan’s in odd colors and charge double, we see eye2’s, maybe zings next? Ha….then I’ll get sucked into a Sunday “retro-bag”…(hickory would be too hipster for my taste:)
Milo
Jan 7, 2016 at 12:36 am
I hope they come out with the pink, I would buy it in a heartbeat.
KK
Jan 6, 2016 at 8:07 pm
Hmm, more forgiving, aerodynamic and hopefully lower spin. Can’t wait.
Mark
Jan 6, 2016 at 12:09 pm
No low or high loft versions at launch? I like the simple look of my G25. These new heads with even more ridges will be even more decisive among potential buyers. And Bubba. Drop the whole Pink thing and leave it to Paula.
maatchka
Jan 6, 2016 at 9:39 am
yuck!!
Chris Keena
Jan 6, 2016 at 6:11 am
Typo Schmypo. GLENN, FROM THE MAIL ROOM!
SB
Jan 6, 2016 at 12:31 am
Darth Vador’s driver!
fp
Jan 6, 2016 at 12:13 pm
No, that’s Emo Kylo Ren to you
Jeff*
Jan 5, 2016 at 10:53 pm
I love the graphics on the crown. Perfect, that’s the line you swing on to cut it, that’s the line to draw it . I might draw those lines on my driver, that’s great.
fp
Jan 6, 2016 at 12:13 pm
No Jeff, that’s not what they are for. lmao
Mike Hannigan
Jan 5, 2016 at 4:54 pm
To all the NIKEGOLF haters complaining about their choice of red, vapor or photo blue…you can stop now.
Chuck
Jan 5, 2016 at 3:21 pm
Another interesting release by Ping. A great, innovative company for a whole generation now.
But honestly, if I were Ping, I think I’d find another way to introduce it other than showing Bubba’s personalized one-off pink paint job. Only one chance to make a first impression and all that…
jc
Jan 5, 2016 at 12:21 pm
is there ever going to be a time when the designers say “Wow, that is the best we can ever do. We don’t need to make any more new models because we have reached the limit of what we can design. Now it is up to the golfer to actually learn to play better”.
meanwhile over at taylormade, they are going to add a new decal to the head and proclaim it addes another 30 yards to the model that came out last month.
SS
Jan 5, 2016 at 1:48 pm
Agreed. It’s all marketing after a certain point. Business dies if they don’t reinvent the wheel.
Dave
Jan 5, 2016 at 11:21 pm
Agreed. Like fashion, club design is a wheel. Can’t wait til eye 2 comes back…irons that is, wedges already done.
KCCO
Jan 7, 2016 at 7:32 pm
It will soon be like the Jordan shoe game…..recycle everything from the first airjordan release, charge double, seems to work….i.e. Eye2….ha…..ill take some zings for shitz and gigz
David
Jan 5, 2016 at 1:38 am
Let’s not forget when Bubba did that exact shot on the same hole in a tournament!!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8owVDXOk6H4
Dj
Jan 4, 2016 at 6:00 pm
Can’t get over the look and shape of ping drivers but always hear good things. I’m sure this will sell well
Emb
Jan 4, 2016 at 5:09 pm
Sweet Jesus those socks! Makes the driver look gorgeous next to those monstrosities
Leon
Jan 5, 2016 at 11:19 am
The same feeling. I even didn’t notice that he was swinging a club
B Wizzle
Jan 4, 2016 at 4:20 pm
Your welcome
G G
Jan 4, 2016 at 1:39 pm
Yo G!
You’re so OG.
RH
Jan 4, 2016 at 12:48 pm
These Bubba videos with him trying to be funny are so cringe worthy.
Reeves
Jan 4, 2016 at 12:41 pm
when we get our first official photos of the retail version…most important line in story, did anyone thinl they were buying the same head Bubba is????
Mark Bainbridge
Jan 4, 2016 at 11:52 am
“Thanks for pointing out our typo!”?
Forgive for being blunt but the article has only your name against it. It is your typo and yours alone.
Zak Kozuchowski
Jan 4, 2016 at 12:12 pm
That’s fair, Mark.
Max
Jan 4, 2016 at 2:19 pm
Why so serious?
Matt
Jan 4, 2016 at 11:54 pm
@Mark. Don’t you mean, “forgive ME for being blunt…”? Please proof read your own comments.
Mat
Jan 5, 2016 at 2:20 am
Pot, meet kettle.
MTB
Jan 4, 2016 at 11:44 am
Zak –
Do you think that bimatrix shaft is really the best fit for him? That has to be just a personal preference thing, right? There has to be something better out there he could be using…do you think he’s just ignoring the launch monitors at PING?
Zak Kozuchowski
Jan 4, 2016 at 11:45 am
Because Bubba’s driver shots are so variable, he’s rarely “optimized.” But when he does hit a high draw, his Trackman numbers are basically perfect from what I’ve been told and what I’ve seen.
MTB
Jan 4, 2016 at 11:53 am
Thanks for the reply! Crazy. I’m sure a lot has been updated since they first came out, but I just always think of them as peers to the Taylormade Bubble and Carbite Putters and The Perfect Club! Ha.
Mat
Jan 4, 2016 at 11:11 am
Minor thing, but the SFTec will be 10 and 12, not 10.5 – if it’s the same.
Zak Kozuchowski
Jan 4, 2016 at 11:19 am
Thanks for pointing that out, Mat. The USGA Conforming Club List has approved the G SF Tec driver approved in 10 and 12 degrees.
ph00ny
Jan 4, 2016 at 10:25 am
Hyundai not hyundia
Zak Kozuchowski
Jan 4, 2016 at 10:36 am
Thanks for pointing out our typo!