Ping G30 Review

Ping has recently introduced the G30 driver and it is a complete revamp of their previous G25 driver. Everything from the head to the stock shaft is designed to give you longer, straighter drives. Whenever a company comes out with a new driver they say it will be longer and straighter, but did Ping actually do it? Lets see!

New Features: 

Driver Shaft:

Ping used a counterbalanced TFC 419D with the CG point moved higher up the shaft, which makes it closer to the grip end. This causes the head feel heavier on the shaft, helping promote higher club head speed and ball speed. Also, Ping used a new adjustable hossle which adds more adjustability than the G25 driver. The loft can be changed to +0.6, +1.0, -0.6, and -1.0 degrees, helping this driver keep up with other manufacturers who have fully adjustable drivers.

Driver Head:

1. The signature matte black color head is about the only thing Ping has kept from the extremely popular G25 driver. The first gigantic change Ping made was adding “turbulators” to the crown of the club. The reason for this was to reduce aerodynamic drag and create efficient air flow over the club head. The reduction in drag creates higher club head speed on average of 1 MPH without having to swing the club harder.

2. Not only were the “turbulators” added to the head, the G30 also has the lowest and furthest back CG position of any other Ping driver. This change was made due to the necessity for higher launch conditions and to increase the MOI.  An increase in MOI means that you will not lose as much ball speed on off-center hits, making this driver extremely forgiving as well.

Driver Face:

The last change that Ping has made to the G30 is the new, T9S, titanium face material. This new material is lighter and stronger than the G25. Ping also made the face thinner and hotter.  A hotter face makes for higher ball speeds, while the thinness of the face produces a bigger center of the club. The sweet spot is hard to miss on this club, which will help keep your ball speeds up.

Opinion:

I am torn on this club. I love the increase in club head speed and ball speed, but I just am not a fan of the new look. I feel the “turbulators” to be distracting at address, and the head looks way bigger than the 460CC Ping says it is. Looks aside, the numbers I produced with this driver were great. My ball speed and club head speed increased, while my spin rate was slightly lower than my average with the driver I currently have. This is a great club for someone who tends to hit the ball to the right or is looking for more distance. It is not the club for me due to the looks, but I am picky when it comes to that because I prefer a more traditional look.

Destination Golf: The Best of the Best in Ocean City, MD and Atlantic City, NJ

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably found that planning an annual golf trip is almost as difficult as stepping up to the first tee with the gallery behind you. Let’s face it, whenever we go out of our way to plan any trip, we make sure to find that one special course that has everybody in the group buzzing in anticipation for next seasons event. If you’re planning your next destination trip to Atlantic City, NJ or Ocean City, MD, here are three can’t miss courses for you and your group.

1) Atlantic City Country Club, Atlantic City, NJ

While I will be the first to admit that ACCC is certainly on the high-end range of most budget minded golfers ($175.00 weekend rate in-season), this is one course you won’t be forgetting anytime soon. Originally designed in 1897 by John Reid, the course has made continuous improvements over the decades with Willie Parker, Flynn and Toomey and Tom Doak having all made revisions to the property at one time or another. While not long in length, this course finds ways to challenge even the most seasoned golfer with strong bayside breezes and many well placed bunkers. What really makes ACCC special is the history of a club that spent the majority of its life private up until 1997. From Hugh Wilson (the designer of Merion East and holes 15-18 of Pine Valley) coining the term Birdie on 10 to Arnold Palmer calling the club home for a year and half during his time in the Coast Guard to the Kennedy summer home off 17, ACCC has a little bit for everyone. Be sure to finish your round off with ice-cold refreshments at the 19^th hole, rated by Golf Digest as one of the Top 50 in all of golf, need I say more.

2) Baywood Greens Golf Club, Long Neck, DE

Conveniently located off Route 1 outside Rehoboth Beach, DE, Baywood Greens is an “exclusively public” course that will provide you with a truly unique experience. Coined the “Augusta of the North,” Baywood Greens features an original 18 hole design with an additional 9 hole “Dunes Course” in the final stages of completion. This course has nearly 200,000 flowers and provides scenic views and photo opportunities from every hole. Overall, memorable holes include the Par 4 14^th featuring an island fairway and the finishing Par 18^th which leaves you reaching for your camera to capture the moment. Baywood Greens is a truly memorable experience for – $109 weekend rate in-season, which includes range and carts with GPS.

3) The Links at Lighthouse Sound, Bishopville, MD

Located just outside Ocean City, MD, this Arthur Hills design features the only consecutive holes playing to a double green on the par 5 2^nd and par 3 3^rd. Lighthouse Sound offers stunning views of the Ocean City, MD skyline and the longest cart bridge in North America stretching over 1,500 feet to the marsh side portion of the course. Overall, this course covers nearly 1,000 acres of environmentally protected land and is truly a strategic golfers paradise. Personal favorites include the signature par 3 5^th and the par 4 6^th the plays entirely next to the Assawomen Bay While weekend morning rates are $149 in the summer, this course is a must-play at $99 after 11:00 AM all summer long.

I was at the Barclay’s this past weekend and realized to myself how much I truly love and enjoy the game of golf, then wanted to stand on top of a mountain with a megaphone to talk about it.

Golf is an addiction for me. So here I am saying “My name is Ryan and I am addicted to golf.”

I have been playing golf seriously for about 15 years now.  I wouldn’t give back any round, tournament, caddying experience, and (almost) any of the bad shots. I need the good and the bad to round out my lifetime experience.

Top examples/instances of my golf addiction – I bet I am not alone with regards to these:

1. From my first birdie on the 8th hole of a local 9-hole course, which had me craving more, to my recent albatross during one of my best friends bachelor party – golf instills a natural high when you hit that ”perfect shot” and serenity I haven’t felt anywhere else.

2. Enjoying – yes, enjoying double loops (caddying) in 90* heat, but that was probably because I would leave the course and my pockets would be swelling with cash.

3. Sleeping in my car at Bethpage state park’s parking lot in hopes of getting an early tee time for the Black, which I have done on multiple occasions – its not so bad – especially when the night before you are lined up amongst other golfers sharing pizza and a few cold ones.

4. When I am the only person at the range in sweats, wool hat, and Under Armour layers in February cranking balls praying I don’t skull it to prevent the bone-jarring missed shot in the winter.

5. Spending hours (yes hours) watching golf on TV – especially during majors (I can be found on my lunch break at work streaming live coverage to my computer)

6. My usual shirt is a polo – heck, my go-to outfit for work when it is hot is golf pants and a light polo/button down. I often get comments when wearing a quick-dri shirt and khakis saying “when is your tee time” However, I am pretty sure I am more comfortable than most in the office.

7. Golf trips – I have played golf in Mexico, Costa Rica, Ireland, and throughout the United States (primarily the East Coast) and really enjoy a golf trip with buddies or simply breaking off from the group on vacation to play a quick 9/18 (If you ever get to play in Ireland – try to get to the Killeen Course at the Kilarney Golf and Fishing Club – the Ireland Open has been held there – great track)

8. Swing analysis, not my own, but of pros.  When I watch on TV I will rewind and play it in “slo-mo” if swing vision didn’t do it already, as well as youtube comparisons to examine what they do, and see if I can mimic some of their moves.  I definitely can’t afford lessons from Foley, Butch, or Haney, however, I can see what they have implemented to a degree.

Looking back, I wouldn’t trade any experience for what I have learned about both myself and the game of golf.

Golf is a part of my life and always will be until I am physically unable to do so. And even then I will more than likely still be trolling golf-specific forums (check out the hackers paradise if you haven’t already) looking for and reading about the latest and greatest technology, swing tips, ball reviews, etc.  I know I’m not alone as there are millions of other people just like me, so in a way I am just doing my role to preach about this beautiful game that I love so much. I will also continue to write these weekly articles touching on various perspectives of golf as long as you, my fellow hacker, continue to read.

What an exciting 2014 PGA Season we have had so far!  I for one thought the majors were better than ever with Bubba getting his 2nd green jacket tailored in 3 years, Martin Kaymer decimating the field at Pinehurst achieving his 2nd major title, and Rory hosting his 2nd PGA Championship trophy, as well as his 1st Claret Jug.

How do we continue this excitement?  Well, the head honchos at the PGA Tour front office decided in 2007 that we need to ride this excitement well into the fall…

Now that the dust has settled from the “regular” season – all eyes are on the prize with a total of $67 million on the line over the four weeks of this grueling playoff competition.

In case you are unaware of how the FedEx Cup points system works, over the course of 43 competitive weeks, players are eligible to become the FedExCup Champion, which distinguishes not only the best “performing” player over the 39-week season, but also whomever continues his dominance through the pressure of the four-event FedExCup playoffs.

Winners circle: Some dude named Eldrick won the inaugural FedEexCup in 2007 and in 2009 – winning the $10-million top prize.  Others to hoist the trophy include Vijay in 2008, Furyk in 2010, Haas in 2011, Snedeker in 2012, and Henrik Stenson in 2013.

The Playoffs work off a progressive cut system which starts this season at The Barclays in New Jersey with 125 players, followed up the Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston (100 players), and the BMW Championship in Denver (70 players).  It is at this point when a “reset” takes place and the top-30 players are seeded to compete in the Coca-Cola Championship in Atlanta this year.

Current standings as of this entry are relatively crowded for the top-5 with Rory in the lead at 2,582 points, Jimmy Walker with 2,493 points, Bubba with 2,173, Kuch with 1,921, and Furyk with 1,851.

Personally, I haven’t seen this much parity in golf in a long time. I really do not see a clear-cut winner over these next 4 events.  However, if I were to pick one player, I have to go with my gut instinct of Rory. Rarely does a player drive as long and accurate, as well as putt so consistently since 2000-esque Tiger.  To be honest I wasn’t sold on Rory when he switched from Titleist to Nike, and thought he would never come back and be “who he was.”  He is clearly becoming a strong ambassador to the game with his on-course set of skills and off-course swagger.

As for who will really give Rory a run for the money?  I would have to go with Phil, Sergio, and Rickie Fowler.  Those players, while outside the top-5 in FedEx Cup points standings right now, have performed quite well over the last few tournaments, specifically the majors when the pressure is high.  (See: final round of PGA Championship).

Who are your picks?  What do you think about these venues?  What do you not like about the FedExCup system?