“They’re a long time dead.” – Mark M., referring to my Ping G-5 irons.
My twelve year old Ping G-5 irons with a maroon dot (four iron though sand wedge) have been my constant traveling companion, lying horizontally in the rear of my last four vehicles or in the baggage compartment of my plane (well not exactly “my” plane, but you know what I mean!)
They have shared my escapades in California, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Illinois, Georgia, West Virginia and Maryland and have visited such heady places as Pine Valley, Baltusrol, Whistling Straits, Pebble Beach, Spyglass, Merion, Harbour Town and Sea Island, along with a stop to see The King at Latrobe.
Like a fine wine, they have aged gracefully through the years. Always clean as a whistle, each club always positioned appropriately in the various compartments of my bag and always eager to head to the range to attempt to work out the various issues of the day. My Ping G-5’s have certainly dispensed their fair share of pain and agony through the years however, they have provided countless moments of sheer joy and laughter with my golfing buddies at our favorite haunts including Naperville, Stonewall, CC of York, Conestoga and the Highlands of Donegal.
Due to the conviction, support and encouragement of family and friends, on May 13th, I spent four and a half hours with Mike Edwards (Master Fitter & Builder) of Club Champion in Brandon, Florida. I hit a sampling of shots with my Ping G-5’s and roughly 175 shots with 42 different head and shaft combinations, comparing the performance (via Trackman) of my Ping G-5’s to the latest and greatest generation of golf equipment including Taylor Made, Calloway, Ping, Titleist and Cobra. All of this in an attempt to determine the best clubs for a flawed swing for the remainder of my golfing journey.
“Bringing you Ping G-5’s to your Club Champion club-fitting is akin to bringing a Model T to a NASCAR race.” – Francis
On May 28th, my new Calloway Apex irons and my new Ping G410 driver and fairway wood arrived on our front porch. On May 29th, I unceremoniously replaced my trusty old friends with my new acquaintances in my black Sun Mountain carry bag. My old friends are currently holed-up in our garage, clean as a whistle, each club positioned appropriately in the various compartments of my wife’s old pink trimmed cart bag, stored behind a blue 10’ ladder, waiting patiently for their next adventure.
“If you are planning on selling those things, it may have to be done in a third world country.” – Francis, reflecting on the age and obsolescence of my Ping G-5’s.
In many ways I feel as if I have kicked my old friends to the curb. It makes me sad on so many levels and every time I pull my car into my garage after a visit to the range or the course, I see nine sets of Ping G-5 eyes peering over the top of the third step of my blue 10’ ladder, wondering if this is the day they will return to their rightful place, lying horizontally in the rear of my car.
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The back nine can only get better!
You may have mis-read the look in the eyes of your G-5’s. Perhaps it is a look of fear that they may again return to that horizontal position in the rear of your car 😧
You make an excellent point
As someone who recently exchanged my old clubs for new ones after a visit to Club Champion, I empathize with you. My old clubs are in the golf rack I have in my garage commiserating with an old set of Callaways that are by their side.
They look happy to be stationary in the garage and wishing you nothing but a great future with your new clubs.
I can’t wait to play a round with you and the new clubs!