Ping Rapture Driver Golf Club

I am a ping fan first and foremost.
Ping does a really nice job of striving to develop clubs that are "true" to the swing and developmental stage of the player. The "Custom" aspect of Ping makes its brand attractive to any golfer, pro to novice.
The Rapture is yet another example of player improving Ping technology.
When you remove the "far out" grey and metallic green head cover from this "beast," you can't help but immediately take note of the sheer size of the 460cc head. There are many large head clubs out there that are just hollow masses of empty space... not so for this baby. The ultra-light composite material shimmers across the top of the black club head in a distinct yet subtle design. This composite is wrapped around the back of the club where it is stamped with the weighted metal Ping logo, giving it a distinct back weighting. The club’s down weighted focus is found on the underside where its super glossy surface juts downward about 1/2", baring the Ping Rapture logo, "sprawling" across its chest like a Super Man "S". The Rapture's massive titanium face seems to set up at a slight 1 to 1.5 degree open pitch, giving an almost similar feel as an off-set iron (the most forgiving). When you swing this club, you won't believe how light it is considering the size of its enormous head. You will also really feel the Rapture pull down and through the swing plane naturally with its significant bottom and rear weighting.
Once the Sprawling titanium face, backed by the extreme bottom and back weighting, propelled at lightning speed due to the club’s extremely light weight makes contact with your ball… “say good night Gracey!” Balls launch off the tee screaming higher and faster than any you have ever hit to this point. To hear the unbelievably satisfying explosion of ball contact metal, you’ll have to pick one up for yourself!
Thanks to the wonders of eBay, I was able to pick mine up for far less than the MSRP price. Within the same year of the Rapture’s release, I now own mine for an auction purchase price of $127.50.
eBay does for value what the Ping Rapture does for golf!

Jarad

I'm a mid handicapper and I average about 240 on an ok day. With the rapture I'm hitting consistently 260 (straight to a slight fade) at the range and its 20 degrees where I live. Id like to see what it does when its warm out. The feel of the club is great. Every time I hit, it feels like I crushed it a mile. You can't beat confidence off the tee. The looks are great if you like a more original shape but the composite weight distribution thing on the top might be a little distracting to some people but for me it helps me line up nicely. Ohh and did I mention the face is completely square. The face seems small enough that you HAVE to hit it off the sweet spot, Which is a good thing cause the sweet spot is huge. Couldn't really tell any difference between distance on off center hits and ones that where right on the money. I naturally hit a high ball flight and the ping drivers are known for their overly high ball flights. With the VS Proto shaft I hit a nice moderate ball flight that doesnt balloon. It starts of low and gradually gains height. Im not really one to work the ball but its not super hard to hit a slight draw if I tried. It will be a while before I buy a new driver this will last me a few years. The $430.00 price tag is probably one of its only downfalls but I got mine off Ebay for $200.00. So if its your time for a new driver I would definately consider hitting this driver on a simulator or driving range at bobicks or another large retailer to see what shaft and loft are right for you. Ping rules!

I recently bought a Ping Rapture 9 Degree Driver w/ Regular Flex Aldila vs Proto Shaft, here on Ebay. That went so well I bought both a 3 & 5 Rapture Woods the next week, also off Ebay. I bought from 2 different sellers and had no trouble getting serial#'s from them. Authentication was easy through PING. The people at Ping's consumer line are great.
Get to know the seller. Ask questions, check seller feedback, it's simple, be an intelligent buyer. Fakes are easy to sniff out. They are out there. Report the obvious fakes to Ebay upon research. Ebay does close the offending auction down. It's almost funny to see the club or clubs pop right back up in a new listing under a green seller ID. They don't even redesign the listing. Crooks are stupid people.
Not that I didn't get leary. A month ago, I spent 2 weeks trying to buy Ping Rapture Irons. After many fakes emerged and too much time spent, I walked into my local golf course pro shop and popped for them straight from Ping.
I cannot tell you how impressed I am with the Ping Rapture Products. This is my 3rd set of Pings. Ping Eye 2"s in 1988. Ping Eye 3's in 2001 and now Raptures.

The complete Rapture line is long. Longer than anything else I've hit. I have Taylormade R7 425, R7 Quad 460, Sasquach Sumo, Taylormade R7 Fairways, Sumo Fairways. I've hit the King Cobra for a couple rounds, the Callawys many times. None are longer!!! A few were about the same in forgiveness. After all these years Ping still does it right. You can count on it.

Finally, to the guy that is so upset about Ping not selling on military PX with a discount, I think you should hold a grudge against the only club company that keeps thier work in the USA. Callaway, Taylormade, Nike, ETC, took thier plants abroad for more profitability. Ping only gets raw product from abroad because of government regulatory manufacturing, but they ALWAYS assemble in the good old USA. Anything they can make here is made here. So Buddy, buy your discounted PX Japanese clubs. Toot your horn about spending your patriotic dollar with a company that doesn't have a plant in our Country. Just as well. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him think!!! Ping doesn't discount. A small price to pay to keep thier plant here in AZ. Want a good deal on Pings??? Buy on Ebay. Get them used. But don't miss out on the most pleasurable rounds of golf of your life.

I was looking to replace my driver that was a Pat Simmons Great White with a club that was designed more for my golf swing. I am extremely flexible and have a fast swing. I wanted a driver that was at least 45" long and a club head of nothing more than 10 degrees. I saw the Ping rapture with 9 degrees loft and a 45" shaft and a stiff flex graphite shaft that was rated for swings around 90 mph. I got the club pretty quick and immediately went to the driving range. Previously, I have been averaging 275 and 95 percent of the time hitting the ball straight. The other 5 percent is a very slight fade or draw, depending on how my body twisted from my big back swing. I started out hitting the Ping 295 and straight with the same percentages. I played my first round and hit two par 5 greens in two and drove a par 4. Excellent club and pretty forgiving if you miss the sweet spot. I love the weight and length of the club. Hitting the ball consistently further than any previous driver.

Good look from above when at the tee box at address. Keep the ball on the lower portion of the face and it will respond with a great drive, with tons of distance. Hit it high on the face or out on the toe and you will be not be happy. Make sure you get the right shaft to fit your swing speed. With it matched up on a good shaft and you have a half way decent swing you will enjoy this driver. Let's just say One company is sliding out of the bag as the other is staying and growing every round. I can not wait to play the new ping Answer irons. Sorry titleist...................

Ping Rapture 9* PL red in X Flex / Titleist 907d2 8*GD-YS7 X
Ping s57 2-w Irons Black dot 2*up
Cameron Circa #1 35*
Vokey SM 56* / Ping 60* TW
titleist 909 15* Sflex