Ping Plan Custom-Fit Driver

Ping will introduce what it claims is "the first totally custom-fit stainless steel driver" at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando from January 26-29.

John Solheim, Ping's chairman & CEO, said the new i3 stainless steel driver would look similar to his company's successful TiSI titanium driver. "The new i3 driver at 198cc incorporates key features of our TiSI driver, including the same custom-fitting hosel principles, structural technology, variable face thickness design and elliptical backweight system," Solheim said. "It's really a very forgiving club. It will definitely appeal to golfers who want all of the technological advancements that the Ping TiSi driver provides."

The driver will feature a patented versatile hosel that offers 12 custom-fit combinations of face and lie angle, and is intended to help golfers with any type of swing hit longer, straighter and more accurate drives. "These 12 different hosel positions permit us to dynamically fit golfers for their shot patterns, as well as fitting for the proper lie angle," added Solheim. The driver's top and sole are nearly parallel to make the driver structurally stronger so that more energy can be transferred from the clubhead body to the face. It also incorporates patented variable face thickness technology in the face of the clubhead.

The i3 stainless steel driver will be available in steel and graphite shafts with four different lofts: 7 degrees, 9 degrees, 11 degrees and 13 degrees. Each Ping i3 stainless steel driver will also have an individual, laser-etched serial number on the sole that authenticates the club and serves as a reference number if it is lost or stolen.