Ping Si3 driver

Club:Ping Si3 driver 9 degree black dot 1 degree closed face
Shaft:Ping Si3 stiff flex
Grip:Ping i3

Looks:This is a deep black headed driver that looks almost compact in comparison to other monster heads that are currently in vogue (eg.TaylorMade 580,Cobra SS430).The older model Ping TiSi was also black in colour,but the TisiTec,which this seems to be replacing was grey in colour and looked different and somewhat cheap to some.Like these models the shaft sits into the clubhead via a thermoplastic JX hosel. There is a single black alignment mark on the top of the crown (a help to every golfer but particulary to the high handicapper or anyone who is nervy with driver in hand).

The head does not look wide,but is certainly deep and when placed behind the ball it does inspire confidence.There is a plastic medallion at the back of the clubhead,not visable at address,which is a backweight probably used to give more lift and punch at impact.
The club feels EXTREMELY light in the hands,but very well balanced and the black and blue trim Si3 shaft is a nice match to the clubhead.
The clubhead looks closed at address (which is ok for slicers,but hookers beware of the one that starts left and continues east!)The finish is classy,but prolonged use of the older model TiSi in particular led to the paint on the head flaking away and a healthy bill for repair to refurbish.It will be interesting to see how this club fares out in this department.
Marks:(out of 10) 9

Performance:Overall impressions are very favourable.The real problem with the TiSi and TISi Tec models was that,because of the lack of a conventional hosel,it was often very difficult to control the flight of the ball.The good swing days produced long,straight drives and the poor swing days led to havoc.Despite the fact that this club has the same hosel,it seems to perform much more consistently.This may be due to the fact that the clubhead is forged and not cast and because of this more solid.It feels solid at impact,with a sound that is more muted (dull for some) than many other forged drivers (Cobra SS370,SS430,Callaway GBB2,TaylorMade R500 series for example,but similar to Titleist 983 range.)Because the overall club is so light it is easy to overswing and try to thrash th hell out of the ball.
This will only lead to violent hooks (because ot the relatively soft stock Si3 shaft and closed face.)Just swing smooth and watch the fine results.

Ball flight is about average for a 9 degree driver and there is very good carry on the drives.The roll after landing is much greater than competitor drivers,however,and this is a major bonus on links or hard running fairways.Forgiveness is best on drives hit low or high on the clubface because of the deep clubface,but high handicappers will look for more forgiveness across the face and may be better served with a Callaway GBB2 or the excellent Cobra SS430.Low handicappers looking to hit controlled fades will find that they have difficulty as the least closed clubface angle is 0.5 degree closed.
This is definitely a club where a custom fit is ESSENTIAL is you are to get anything like your best results,but sweet hits are a thing of beauty both to see and feel so it's worth getting fitted.
Marks:9

Value: About right versus it's competitors.The custom fit gives it the edge iv value and after all it's a Ping so trade in and resale value is never an issue.
Marks:9

Verdict:A quality driver and Ping's best yet.The custom fit will ensure that virtually all golfers will get what they want here.Low handicappers may prefer a perfectly square or slightly open face angle in a driver (Callaway GBB2 pro series is best),but all others will love it.13 colour codes and 6 lofts (6-11 degrees) will ensure this and the Ping WRX programme will ensure that you can get premium shafts (Penley,Fujikura,Grafalloy) and grips as standard.
NB.A new 380cc (the original Si3 is 340cc) is due out soon with a simplified colour coded fitting scheme and may provide the extra forgiveness that all golfers require from time to time.
Marks:9