We’re less than a month until the U.S. Open, and summer is so close you can almost taste it. If you’re like me, then you need a really good hybrid in your bag. It’s like a trusty sidekick – always there when you need it. Learning about all the new 2015 products out there is one of my favorite ways to prepare for another year on the course, and I’ve been especially interested in the new lineup of hybrids. I hope you’ve been enjoying this ongoing series where I compile the best product reviews and put them into one place to make it easy for everyone to find! – Matt
Club Name: PING G30 Hybrids
Brand: PING
Category: Hybrids
Price Point: $220
Specs: 17°, 19°, 22°, 26°, 30°
Summary
From PING: Faster ball speeds and longer distance with a higher max shot height provide softer-landing shots into the greens that allow you to attack pins from longer distances. A special heat-treatment process results in a thinner and stronger face to increase ball velocity. Internal weighting creates a high MOI. Progressive CG locations and offsets ensure efficient gapping and trajectories that maximize distance.
Special Notes
In the lower-lofted hybrids, the CG is farther back to promote high launch. A lower, more forward CG through the mid- and higher-lofted models reduces spin. Progressive CG locations and offsets ensure efficient gapping and trajectories that maximize distance.
Substantial heel-toe weighting elevates MOI for extreme forgiveness. Weight in the low sole creates a low-back CG for consistent impact and high launch.
Learn more about the PING G30 Hybrids by visiting the PING Golf website.
THE REVIEWS
1. Golf Digest: Gold Rating. A hot face is nice, but so is a playable ball flight. The faces on Ping’s hybrids are plenty thin and flexible, but the size and internal weighting is staggered so the lower lofts launch high, and the higher lofts don’t balloon. Priced high compared to most one-model, nonadjustable versions.
2. Golf Magazine: Love It. PLAYABILITY: One of the highest-ranking hybrids in this category; fires off high, straight shots or slight draws from tee or turf; strong trajectory never seems to spin out of control; stands up to tough lies—nimble enough to pick it from tight spots and bunkers, but with the brawn to dive through deep rough. FEEL: Mows through the ball with a crisp pop, then jumps off the face; full, rich impact sound; little to no shock on misses; excellent balance—the G30 head never gets lost during the swing. CONS: The G30 can be tough to turn on command—not the right choice if you live to curve the ball; a few guys want an alignment aid on the crown; a couple of testers find the feedback lacks variety.
3. Plugged In Golf: Love It. Amateurs are often told that they need to ditch their long irons for hybrids in the pursuit of more consistency. Some amateurs fight that theory, but the PING G30 hybrid may convince many of them to concede. This is truly the most consistent hybrid I’ve ever tested, and I love the fact that each loft is engineered individually to an produce optimal ball flight. If you’re ready to give up your long irons or upgrade your hybrids, the G30 hybrids should be among the first you try.
4. Mark Crossfield: Like It.
5. Golf A Lot: 5 Stars out of 5. On the face of it there may not be as much technical wizardry in the G30 hybrid compared to the G30 driver but the changes are more subtle and just as good. The lower profile, larger head and smoother lines result in a well balanced, neutral and very playable hybrid. Even though this is aimed at mid to high handicappers, I can see a lot of better players opting for the G30 over the i25 hybrid for the bigger profile and extra forgiveness.
6. Golf WRX: Like It. The G30 hybrids use a new heat-treated 17-4 stainless steel face that improves strength by 19 percent, boosting the CT of the hybrids by 20 points. That will give them a little more ball speed than the G25 hybrids, and with their similar trajectory that means they’ll likely carry a few yards farther for most golfers.
7. Golf Magic: Like It. Very much worthy of its high ranking in this test. G30 is one of the longest hybrids out there right now and also one of the easiest to hit high and straight. A little pricey at £175 as it’s just launched to market but well worth getting involved if you can afford to part with some of your hard-earned. 20.25 (out of 25)
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