When Ping makes an introduction, golfers have learned to take notice. The pioneering company is known for not rushing technology to market, but rather methodically developing and then releasing new products.

Which is one of the reasons the introduction of Ping’s new Rapture series is so interesting. The lineup, which includes driver, fairway woods, hybrids and irons, is the company’s first full-fledged foray into the world of multimaterial clubmaking. It began shipping just last month.

From early play-testing reviews, which have been highly positive, the Rapture line should be on the “must-consider” list for any golfer contemplating new clubs.

“Multimaterial technology [has given] our engineers tremendous opportunities to improve all aspects of a golf club,” said Ping chairman/CEO John Solheim. “Titanium, tungsten, super stainless steel, elastomer and graphite composites all have properties that can make a golf ball fly straighter and go farther. The key is to understand what each component can contribute to. .. performance.”

While the driver, fairway woods and hybrids should suit players of all skill levels, a consensus of GolfWeb testers recommended the Rapture irons would best match up with players in the mid-to-high single-digit up to high double-digit handicap range. For more advanced or less skilled players, Ping offers other iron options.

On TOUR, numerous players have switched to the Rapture driver, including PGA TOUR driving distance leader Bubba Watson, along with Angel Cabrera, Ryan Moore, Mark Calcavecchia, Jeff Maggert and Miguel Angel Jiminez. The driver also is being used extensively on the Nationwide, Champions, European and LPGA circuits.

Here’s a closer look at the new Rapture series from Ping.

DRIVER

With a 460cc head, the Rapture driver features a visible, web-shaped titanium crown which has been injected with lightweight composite graphite in low stress areas. The process allows for 20 grams of mass to be strategically repositioned inside to product a higher launch with lower spin.

The Ping Rapture driver has a list price of $475.

Offered in lofts of 9, 10.5 and 12 degrees, the face of the driver has variable thickness technology to enhance responsiveness and energy transfer.

The clubhead was also put through a process called finite element analysis to help acoustically tune the driver.

“Our research indicated a general dissatisfaction with the sound of existing composite drivers, so we made it a high priority in our design criteria,” explained John K. Solheim, Ping vp of engineering. “Using finite element analysis, we’ve tuned the club’s frequencies to produce a powerful sound.”

GolfWeb testers praised the new Rapture driver for its ease of alignment and swing, solid feel at impact, sound and forgiveness.

The company offers two 45.75-inch graphite shafts, which are slightly longer than the norm, as standard equipment: the Ping TFC 909D or Aldila VS Proto 65, in a choice of flexes. Custom shafts and custom-fit Ping grips are also available.

Suggested retail price for the Rapture driver is $475, which compares to $350 for Ping’s popular all-titanium G5 driver.

FAIRWAY WOODS

The heads on the fairway clubs are full-sized. Numbered 3, 5, and 7, the face lofts are 14, 17 and 20 degrees, respectively.

Manufactured from titanium, the fairway woods feature a thin, highly responsive face. An internal weight pad is positioned just below the center of gravity to increase launch angle and help reduce spin, which should yield a high, penetrating shot characteristic.

GolfWeb testers praised the fairway woods for solid impact, forgiveness, trajectory and workability.

Both Ping and Aldila graphite shafts come standard, with other graphite and steel shafts available via custom order.

Suggested retail price for the fairway woods is $350 each with graphite shafts.

HYBRIDS

GolfWeb testers raved about the new Rapture hybrids, labeling them, on their own, as one of the most significant introductions this year.

The reason for such positive response may be that hybrids, of all the varying “swinging” clubs, may be the segment that varies the most in design and play, and thus requires more extensive testing for players to find the right model.

Ping’s Rapture hybrids, with a sloped crown, stainless steel body, tungsten nickel soleplate and supersteel face, were judged superior in adaptability for the widest range of golfers. GolfWeb testers specifically praised the clubs for setup, versatility from a variety of lies, solid contact, workability, trajectory and distance achieved.

“The Rapture hybrid is so responsive,” said PGA TOUR player Moore. “The ball flies off the face, goes high and long, and makes a great, soft landing.”

The thin, supersteel face provides a very responsivess, and forgiving, hitting area. Meanwhile, the heavier soleplate positions the center of gravity low and away from the face for a higher launch and a penetrating trajectory. The sloped crown also aids in increasing launch angle and reducing spin.

Like the other Rapture clubs, both Ping and Aldila graphite shafts are offered as standard equipment. The Ping CS-Lite steel shaft is an optional choice.

Suggested retail prices for the Rapture hybrids are $195 each with steel shaft, $225 with graphite.

IRONS

The multimaterial iron lineup runs Nos. 3-PW in a set, with a matching 2-iron plus 50-degree utility wedge, 54-degree sand wedge and 58-degree lob wedge also available.

The Ping Rapture irons have a list price of $140 per iron with steel shaft, $162.50 with graphite.

The wide-soled, perimeter-weighted Rapture irons strategically combine titanium, stainless steel and tungsten to provide enhanced trajectories and forgiveness.

The undercut cavity design positions the center of gravity lower and further back to improve launch angles. The lightweight titanium face allows 25 grams of weight to be strategically redistributed in the form of a heavy tungsten toe weight along with stainless steel in the perimeter. The added toe weight helps square the club at impact.

There’s a custom tuning port (CTP) and an elastomer CTP insert to help stabilize the club, and provide a solid feel and sound.

The Rapture irons can be custom-fit for lie angle, shaft length and flex, grip size and swingweight. The standard graphite shaft is Ping’s TFC 909i; the optional steel shaft is Ping’s CS-Lite.

Suggested retail prices are $140 per iron with steel shaft and $162.50 with graphite.