The best 'mini driver' from ping is the 13 degree rapture they only made a small production run of around 500, I believe they were around £500 back in the day - that will still keep up with most things - hard to come by but come up every so often....
Don't forget the two versions of the Ping Rapture 3 wood. I have both and they were about 220 cc. Both versions are as good as any of the newer offerings, both for forgiveness and distance. The Rapture 2 was a really premium product. Keep up the good work.
I just picked up a ping G. stretch 13 °Fairway wood Brand new off of ebay for $175 , I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it, I could not buy it fast enough I was already gaming G400 stretch It's a bomber !!
Great video Gaz. I struggle with driver as I have a steep swing and struggle hitting up on driver. Just found one of these on eBay myself and ordered to try and replace my current 3 wood based on your vid! 👍🏼
It’s amazing you both have been testing out lots of different makes cheep and expensive clubs and they all well so really it’s just down to your own preference and cost.
I agree. We have to keep looking at new products as some people are just ready to change or buy new clubs, but the reality is, you can buy clubs within the last 5 years that would not hinder your performance.
PXG made a 2-wood. 0341x Gen 4. 13 degrees, but you can tune the loft down by 1.5 degrees, 212 CC head size. Picked one up on E-bay for $117.00 in the spring. It goes almost as far as my driver. I'd love to try something in the 300 CC range.
If you prefer fairway woods over driver off a tee, I think it’s a better alternative to a mini driver. A club that can go as far, without having to hit up like a driver.
Good to see there's a few options for others to experiment with, without crazy expense. I believe Direct to Consumer brands will have more affordable options out soonish.
I don’t think it can, the focus seems to have shifted to lie angle balanced putters now. I think all the brands will be trying to do something like lab
@@garymartingolf Yes. They have smaller heads. Not that hard to hit. Otherwise you have the Aroburner mini driver. It was a beast with the right shaft.
@@danielhunt4474 you might potentially get something different out of a different brand, but in terms of ping woods, I honestly don’t think performance has changed! They may have undated looks, sound, shape etc, but the ping g could easier match the g430.
I’ve current going driver -14 degree 3 wood ..18 degeee driving iron .. and then my 4irom is strong lofted at 21 degrees … so i was considering removing my 3 wood and 4 iron from my set .., put in a mini driver and a 5 wood and then crank my driving iron up to 21 degrees which is as high as it goes … I just feel it would give me a few more options off the tee and in par 5s .. whilst not really sacrificing much at the same time …I don’t hit the 3 wood so great off the deck so I usual go straight to the 18 degree driving iron for longer shots off the deck … but I’d be way more comfortable with a 5 wood I’ve had a shot of a few and I tend to launch them much better and don’t really lose so much distance next to a well struck 3 wood (for me anyway) ..
Put a 3 wood shaft in your driver, or cut 2 inches of the shaft, i did that with my Ping G 30 no loss of distance, huge increase in consistency with a lower more penetrating flight.
I'm not a great driver and I thought I'd try one of these. Really disliked it and traded it after a couple of years. It felt way too heavy and it had a terrible sound. When I lofted it down it added distance but I had no idea where the ball was going . Keeping at thirteen degrees or lofting up, Provided no benefit over my callaway strong 4 wood. Seemed better at the range than on the course, maybe because I lacked confidence in the club. Ymmv though.
I grabbed a TaylorMade RBZ2 Tour 3 wood a few years back for about $100 US. It's not as big, but at 13 degrees, it goes like a driver with the forgiveness and spin of a 3 wood. Hopefully used minis come down in price. They're still super expensive 2nd hand
Actually a 2 wood! Wasn’t too long ago you could get a 1 1/2 (one and a half) wood which was a driver with two wood loft! Bobby Locke, the great South African pro won a ton of money in America with a 2 wood in his bag as a driver till the yanks got fed up and found a way to force him out!
I thought about a mini driver because I was struggling with my driver at the start of the season, but decided to put that money into a couple of lessons with my driver instead.
Well, I know that myself, and some other guys have simply lofted our drivers up and we choked out an inch so I’m not quite understanding with the driver really offers question
See if you can get a Ping 2014 Rapture 13 degree 3 wood, 219cc, 0.5 degree adjustable, with a large tungsten weight in the sole £395 in 2014, a bit like rocking horse poo but worth trying to get.
I’m left in a quandary now. I’m not consistent with my driver, some days I can’t hit a bad one others I can’t hit a good one. Usually, somewhere between. Tried a five wood with even less success and have been considering a mini driver. Only thing that’s put me off so far is distance, I’m seventy one and don’t hit as hard as I used too.
Click bait… or just helping the public understand that there are other clubs out there that won’t hurt your wallet that can do the same thing as the new stuff. Muppet.
🤔 Sooo.... Your the person that bought the stretch I was looking at on eBay (golf bidder). 😂😂😂 I went Aeroburner TP 260cc in-between new minis and the stretch you got .
Unfortunately, by you commenting it counts TH-cam considers this as an interaction. Therefore, the creator won. The best thing to do is ignore nonsense, and eventually, they'll flame out.
It’s abit like all the golf brands calling their putter zero torque! It grabs attention. But if you take more than 30 seconds to actually make a calculated conclusion, you might find this video could save a potential mini driver user some money!
Yes sir agree. I purchased the Ai smoke mini to replace my driver , I went on a bad streak of not hitting well. I tried the Mini , at least for me it barely edged my 4 wood. So did not have a place in my bag. I recently decided to try PXG and went for a fitting. I ended up with a combination that I did not expect and my driver swing is Back. Black ops, 9o Ventus Blue stiff Velocore.+ The weights on the driver set up for a fade so had the heavy toe weight and rear and lightest on heel. That kept me on the fair way and shaft dropped my spin rate down and smash factor was at a very good place. I always thought that the velocore was marketing but I could feel a very stable shaft that big time reduced my over draws. There was a stock shaft option that could have saved me 300.00 on the Ventus up charge. But when I did hit those over draws it reduced it to the point it was barely a draw . I am still on the fence on Mini drivers, a fitted 3 wood should be able to match it.
The best 'mini driver' from ping is the 13 degree rapture they only made a small production run of around 500, I believe they were around £500 back in the day - that will still keep up with most things - hard to come by but come up every so often....
You’ve just reminded me about this one, I’d forgotten about it. I’ve got to get my hands on one 🔥
Don't forget the two versions of the Ping Rapture 3 wood. I have both and they were about 220 cc. Both versions are as good as any of the newer offerings, both for forgiveness and distance. The Rapture 2 was a really premium product. Keep up the good work.
I had forgotten! You’re not based in Yorkshire are you?
@@garymartingolf Sorry, Australia. But I still like bargains that perform!
I just walked out and checked. I have the 3W Rapture in 14°.
I use the original Ping Rapture 3 wood, 14 degrees like a mini driver. 229cc and deep face for a 3 wood. Quite long.
I just picked up a ping G. stretch 13 °Fairway wood Brand new off of ebay for $175 , I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it, I could not buy it fast enough I was already gaming G400 stretch It's a bomber !!
Great video Gaz. I struggle with driver as I have a steep swing and struggle hitting up on driver. Just found one of these on eBay myself and ordered to try and replace my current 3 wood based on your vid! 👍🏼
Well played Gaz, I had totally forgotten about that club from Ping and you certainly nailed it
It’s amazing you both have been testing out lots of different makes cheep and expensive clubs and they all well so really it’s just down to your own preference and cost.
I agree. We have to keep looking at new products as some people are just ready to change or buy new clubs, but the reality is, you can buy clubs within the last 5 years that would not hinder your performance.
PXG made a 2-wood. 0341x Gen 4. 13 degrees, but you can tune the loft down by 1.5 degrees, 212 CC head size. Picked one up on E-bay for $117.00 in the spring. It goes almost as far as my driver. I'd love to try something in the 300 CC range.
I’ll be searching that, that one passed my radar!
They also had the 2 wood in the gen 5&6 but they must not have made many as it was always sold out
Never even heard of that club- but I’m going on EBay now to look for one 😂
It’s a rocket!
Loved this club. Now using a 13.5°TS2
Very interesting gary you think it's a club that will give more confidence off the tee wiout sacrificing too much distance??
If you prefer fairway woods over driver off a tee, I think it’s a better alternative to a mini driver. A club that can go as far, without having to hit up like a driver.
Good to see there's a few options for others to experiment with, without crazy expense. I believe Direct to Consumer brands will have more affordable options out soonish.
Well done gaz I'm wondering how far can technology in the future change golf clubs and golf in general 🤔 😊
I don’t think it can, the focus seems to have shifted to lie angle balanced putters now. I think all the brands will be trying to do something like lab
Hello,
where else can I buy this mini driver?
I'm in for any Mini driver videos, Gaz! Loved this one! 🐊🏌⛳️🦅🇺🇸
As for others, my Ping minidriver is also the original Rapture 3-wood from 2006. Titanium, 14°, huge head.
Titleist tsr2+ fairway wood is the beast.. 13 degree rocket ship..
Before Pxg supported me, I was about 2 week of getting one. Agreed! Beast
Enjoyed this ⛳️
Taylormade has a few Tour spoons as well. R7 TS 13* and R9 T3 13*. I own the R9 T3 13* with the standard Motore shaft that came with them.
They’re very very nice shaped heads, I think they’re abit more better player clubs though, smaller, compact ?
@@garymartingolf Yes. They have smaller heads. Not that hard to hit. Otherwise you have the Aroburner mini driver. It was a beast with the right shaft.
Correct Gaz...tech hasn't moved much but fitting is the place to be ....also get some bloody spikes on Gaz FFS 😂😂😂
I still use my Ping G 3 wood with a 6.5 handmade shaft in it. Best club in the bag, all my other clubs are modern 2024 t100s etc…
From the ping G series onwards, I don’t think they’ve improved personally.
I’m glad you say that because I always wonder if I would get more out of something modern. Like a GT3
@@danielhunt4474 you might potentially get something different out of a different brand, but in terms of ping woods, I honestly don’t think performance has changed! They may have undated looks, sound, shape etc, but the ping g could easier match the g430.
Great shout Gary and sure didn't ping have 10k driver before everyone was shouting about it.
I got the callaway 3deep 14.5 degree that's like a mini driver
Yes, that’s the one I was referring too, 3 deep 👌🏼
My driver is one inch short and lofted to 12^, with a ventus red it’s great
I had one of these. Hit it like 💩. But i was even worse w a standard driver so i’d say it helped!
I’ve current going driver -14 degree 3 wood ..18 degeee driving iron .. and then my 4irom is strong lofted at 21 degrees … so i was considering removing my 3 wood and 4 iron from my set .., put in a mini driver and a 5 wood and then crank my driving iron up to 21 degrees which is as high as it goes … I just feel it would give me a few more options off the tee and in par 5s .. whilst not really sacrificing much at the same time …I don’t hit the 3 wood so great off the deck so I usual go straight to the 18 degree driving iron for longer shots off the deck … but I’d be way more comfortable with a 5 wood I’ve had a shot of a few and I tend to launch them much better and don’t really lose so much distance next to a well struck 3 wood (for me anyway) ..
Put a 3 wood shaft in your driver, or cut 2 inches of the shaft, i did that with my Ping G 30 no loss of distance, huge increase in consistency with a lower more penetrating flight.
Got the G400 Stretch with the tour 75 shaft. After watching this might have to bring it out of retirement
I'm not a great driver and I thought I'd try one of these. Really disliked it and traded it after a couple of years.
It felt way too heavy and it had a terrible sound. When I lofted it down it added distance but I had no idea where the ball was going . Keeping at thirteen degrees or lofting up, Provided no benefit over my callaway strong 4 wood.
Seemed better at the range than on the course, maybe because I lacked confidence in the club. Ymmv though.
No, it’s great to have all opinions 👌🏼
I grabbed a TaylorMade RBZ2 Tour 3 wood a few years back for about $100 US. It's not as big, but at 13 degrees, it goes like a driver with the forgiveness and spin of a 3 wood. Hopefully used minis come down in price. They're still super expensive 2nd hand
They had a G400 version of that 3 wood as well
There are plenty of 2 woods in the component market. 12 or 13 degree and a lot cheaper that what the big boys charge after paying all the tour pros.
There is a Ping G400 stretch 3 wood around £140
Still have mine though adopted by my more athletic son and he can smash that thing off the floor which I never could
I remember when drivers were 250cc and less than that. I don't quite understand the idea of going back to that.
Actually a 2 wood! Wasn’t too long ago you could get a 1 1/2 (one and a half) wood which was a driver with two wood loft! Bobby Locke, the great South African pro won a ton of money in America with a 2 wood in his bag as a driver till the yanks got fed up and found a way to force him out!
I thought about a mini driver because I was struggling with my driver at the start of the season, but decided to put that money into a couple of lessons with my driver instead.
I think this has to be the first step, you made the right choice!
Well, I know that myself, and some other guys have simply lofted our drivers up and we choked out an inch so I’m not quite understanding with the driver really offers question
thanks. just bought one off e bay
See if you can get a Ping 2014 Rapture 13 degree 3 wood, 219cc, 0.5 degree adjustable, with a large tungsten weight in the sole £395 in 2014, a bit like rocking horse poo but worth trying to get.
I’d forgotten about that club! Bloody hell! Im saving it in my eBay search 🔍
@@garymartingolfTitanium so more driver like tech and no turbulators, also try Golf Clubs for Cash.
I’m left in a quandary now. I’m not consistent with my driver, some days I can’t hit a bad one others I can’t hit a good one. Usually, somewhere between. Tried a five wood with even less success and have been considering a mini driver. Only thing that’s put me off so far is distance, I’m seventy one and don’t hit as hard as I used too.
If you don’t have success with fairway woods, I would suggest a light weight shorter length driver.
I prefer smaller clubheads, so the mini driver isn’t for me. I prefer mid 00s 13 degree 2 woods. Nothing beats a Sonartec NP99
I didn't forget about the ping stretch, it was just shite 😅 I'd say it's more si.ilar to a TM Ricket 3 wood than a TM mini driver.
It wasn’t 😅
@garymartingolf I bought one brand new, tried it, didnt like it, listed it on Ebay, and sold it within 1 round 🤣
I have the G400 Stretch 13 deg
What was the point of this video? Calling a 3 wood a mini driver is not the same.
Click bait… or just helping the public understand that there are other clubs out there that won’t hurt your wallet that can do the same thing as the new stuff. Muppet.
I trialed one for a couple of weeks. Great off the tee. Terrible off the deck. Went about 10ft high. Sounds terrible compared to todays 3 woods.
🤔 Sooo.... Your the person that bought the stretch I was looking at on eBay (golf bidder). 😂😂😂
I went Aeroburner TP 260cc in-between new minis and the stretch you got .
I maybe, sorry 😀 I’ll have a look at that aeroburner 🤔
@@garymartingolf
If you type in Aeroburner TP into search engine it's still on TM website. I sent you the link but I think your TH-cam blocks links.
Standard sim max is as good as any mini driver.
It’s up there, I must say, I did fancy a sim max 3 fairway wood head before I got the Pxg deal
@ standard sim max 3 wood 15 degrees so versatile and is quiet easy off the deck
The best mini driver is your existing driver, just choke down on the grip.
Omg yes. Amen. Why don’t people do this ? Also cranking up your loft is another way to keep in control.
Or cut two inches of the shaft like I did with mine
Radspeed big tour is another
I think this club is now nowhere near $100.
So now content creators are calling everything a mini driver? Hilarious.
Unfortunately, by you commenting it counts TH-cam considers this as an interaction. Therefore, the creator won. The best thing to do is ignore nonsense, and eventually, they'll flame out.
It’s abit like all the golf brands calling their putter zero torque! It grabs attention.
But if you take more than 30 seconds to actually make a calculated conclusion, you might find this video could save a potential mini driver user some money!
I like the contents so good for him.
Yes sir agree. I purchased the Ai smoke mini to replace my driver , I went on a bad streak of not hitting well. I tried the Mini , at least for me it barely edged my 4 wood. So did not have a place in my bag.
I recently decided to try PXG and went for a fitting. I ended up with a combination that I did not expect and my driver swing is Back. Black ops, 9o
Ventus Blue stiff Velocore.+
The weights on the driver set up for a fade so had the heavy toe weight and rear and lightest on heel. That kept me on the fair way and shaft dropped my spin rate down and smash factor was at a very good place.
I always thought that the velocore was marketing but I could feel a very stable shaft that big time reduced my over draws.
There was a stock shaft option that could have saved me 300.00 on the Ventus up charge. But when I did hit those over draws it reduced it to the point it was barely a draw .
I am still on the fence on Mini drivers, a fitted 3 wood should be able to match it.